FALL FOLIAGE + FOOTBALL - AUTUMN 2023
AUTUMN IMPRESSIONS: DESIGN, COLOR AND CREATIVITY
The shades of autumn have always inspired us, and nothing speaks to our appreciation of tone, transformation, and temporality more than fall foliage. The color variations alone are enough to enliven any material palette or space. Combine this with the way in which light is affected by the color and transparency of the leaves and you have a simple, beautiful moment that reflects the passing of time and connects people to places. These are important goals in every Tierney Conner project as we strive to create distinctive architecture that spans the boundary between inside and out.
Fall is also the season of football and with the 49ers recent success, “Man Caves” all over the Bay have been filled with game day gatherings. This has us thinking about a project that we designed and built for a busy professional who wanted his own space in the home to entertain friends and binge-watch football.
Multiple tv screens, integrated beer and wine facilities, comfortable seating and linoleum flooring that can stand up to heavy messes were important parts of the program. Floor to ceiling doors bring in natural light and allow easy ventilation to the “wfh” desk space and a custom bar area sets the stage for boisterous Sunday afternoons with the gang.
Fall is the best time to plant trees and get their roots established with the promise of all the winter rain to come. Here are some of our favorite fall foliage trees that enhance many Tierney Conner landscapes:
Pistacia Chinensis Robust tree with a blend of yellow, orange and red fall color (top of page)
Gingko Biloba Interesting leaf with surprisingly vibrant yellow fall color (above left)
Acer Palmatum Japanese Maples of endless shapes, sizes and colors (above center)
Persimmon Hachiya Dramatic orange fruit on branches with red-orange fall color (above right)
While it’s nice to slow down, watch the leaves turn and enjoy the natural splendor of the season, autumn is also a perfect time to travel! Anne had a brief stop in Milan last month and took the opportunity to immerse herself in the ornate grandeur of the Duomo and Galleria. Although our projects are quite modern and edited in comparison, certain principles of classic design - such as alignment, proportion, scale and hierarchy - greatly influence our work and the ways in which we consider spaces. There is nothing like visiting, and revisiting, the great cities of the world to keep our appreciation and sensibilities honed.
The deYoung Open 2023 launched on September 30th and will continue into the new year. This juried community art exhibition gives Bay Area artists an opportunity to display and sell their works in a museum setting. This year, 883 works were selected out of 7,766 submissions and the deYoung plans to acquire some of these selections for their permanent collection when it is over. We think this is a meaningful and effective way to engage with our local artists and support them. The works of some talented friends are included, and all of the selections can also be viewed virtually on the web gallery.
One of the works on display at the deYoung that speaks to us about this season is highlighted below. Karen Gallagher Iverson is an Oakland based artist whose work layers print making and drawing to create ethereal images of our Northern California landscape.
THINGS TO CHECK OUT