Introducing: modernemama

So Neil's Great Interview Project is underway.

And I got an amazing person to interview: modernemama!

This is kismet, fate, destiny because modernemama is doing something that I have absolutely dreamed of, which is taking a mid century modern home (BEACH HOUSE! HELLO?) and turning it into a paradise of mid century and more recent modern design. She's also doing some ambitious landscaping. She's living the good life people.

Her house is designed by Andrew Geller. I am agog at how cool the houses he designed are. (Andrew Geller houses) I'd never heard of him and now I'm obsessed.

I must confess that I was once even tempted to start a blog dedicated to my midcentury modern obsession. But, because that kind of stuff is worse than crystal meth for me, I could not go this route. Instead, I'll just live vicariously through Jane's life. (Also, she has the energy and the talent to do much that I could not.)

Seriously, this is the coolest blog y'all. I learned a little bit about architecture, art or design on every page.

Here's my interview with Jane, from modernemama.

What first got you interested in home architecture and design?

I grew up in a traditional-style home but there were two things in it I loved - the 50s wallpaper in the bathroom, lines and dots in black, red, yellow and blue, and the dining room chairs that were Danish modern in style. When I was five or so my parents redid the bathroom and got rid of the wallpaper. I was distraught. They consoled me by telling me my room would be re-wallpapered next and I'd imagined I'd be getting that same pattern. I was horrified to find they'd picked a very little-girl appropriate (and probably expensive) toile pattern. I think I nagged every night for five or six years until I was allowed to paint the walls sunshine yellow.

What inspired you to start your blog?

I started the blog, Beach House, to let family and friends all around the world know what we were doing to update the house and so we'd have some record of the changes. My regret is that I didn't take more before shots!

Your house inspires incredible (friendly and non-vicious) envy in me. My question is: Have you experienced house envy either in the blogosphere or in real life and how do you deal with that envy? Or, if not: Do you ever experience house envy? Is there a house that you are dying to live in?

I'm glad you like my house - I fell deeply in love the first time I saw it for sale online. I didn't know houses this unique came up for sale on Long Island - all I'd seen at that point were ranches, colonials and pseudo-Victorians. Once I'd found houseblogs.net I discovered other bloggers with gorgeous houses of all styles - real Federal homes, beach cottages, four-squares - my house envy has no boundaries. The ones that inspire the deepest feelings, though are the one-offs - other Andrew Geller houses, my neighbor's stable conversion and the 1968 concrete house built by Gwathmey-Henderson that's also in my neighborhood.

Your blog suggests some background in design/art/house construction, etc. How did you get to know as much as you do about aesthetics and construction and so on? Are you self-taught?

My father is a doer - he'll look at a wall, a room or even a piece of land and imagine how it can be improved and then he'll make it happen. I guess I inherited that trait. If I'd been better at maths I might have considered architecture as a career - if I'd been better at art I would have gone into design. I'm just an enthusiastic amateur, living vicariously.

What advice would you give to people who want to buy and fix up something about how to get the know-how and the follow-through? What pitfalls should they try to avoid? What kind of person do you think would be best for this?

There are some great resources now that weren't available even five years ago. Youtube is full of how-to videos, the Handguys have great step by step instructional podcasts and of course there's HGTV and DIY network for inspiration. I look at home renovation sites like houseblogs to see if anyone has had a similar problem. 

Here's some advice I wish I'd heed every time I move house or take on another project: Run the real numbers and add on at least 20%. Things are always more expensive and take twice as long as I imagine. Patience is a great quality and handiness makes projects easier but I think the most important thing is to have a sense of humor - especially if it's a long-term remodel.

What are some of the blogs and sites that inspire you?

There are so many blogs I admire:  Brooklyn Rowhouse, he's a pro at reno; DIY Diva, she does everything from fencing to bricklaying to kitchen installation - it's awe-inspiring, Baltimore Rowhouse, a modern aesthetic in a traditional home; Atomic Indy, mid-century modernism renovated right. Furnitude has put together a pretty comprehensive list of design blogs that's a great resource. I also read Dwell and Elle Decor/Metropolitan Home's online site PointClickHome.com . Other inspiration comes from traveling - the hotels, the museums and art galleries, the architecture and the landscapes.

How has blogging helped (or hindered) you in your own projects? Have you learned things from writing your blog?

Blogging has been a great way to (virtually) meet people who have advice, tips and skills to share or who are just very supportive. I've also discovered other wonderful blogs through comments left on my site and keeping what is really an online diary means I can check what was done when... and what hasn't been accomplished!

Comments

[magpie]

That's great - and Jane's fun in real life too.

[Jane @ Beach House]

Thank you for the intro - I am not worthy! I'm pleased you like Andrew Geller's work - I think it's awesome but I'll admit bias. You make it all sound so much fun but there are the doubt moments too - sometimes I think we'll never finish and even more awful, that we're making it worse... and just occasionally that I'd swap it all for a condo with a doorman and a super!
And Magpie - thanks, too ::waving::

[heidi]

Love Jane! And yes, she is a fixer-type... I especially love the post about the pool vent. Did she forget to mention how lovely her pool is?
http://faboolosity.blogspot.com/2009/05/lunch-with-jane-in-rain.html

And the royalty!!!????
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_REcQ2hCLkz0/SgLXF5knCVI/AAAAAAAABxY/odsXQGdr0Ro/s1600-h/greykitty.jpg

[laura @ the shorehouse]

Great to see Jane here, and learn a little bit more about her. As for, "enthusiastic amateur"...I strongly disagree. This lady's pro all the way.

[Jenni]

Great interview. I love to learn a bit more about my blog friends.

[Charlie]

Beach House is one of my favorite blogs. Jane is being too modest, she is extremely knowledgeable in all things design, arts, architecture and a whole lot more. Beach House is a constant source of information and inspiration! Great interview.