PROGRESS... counting the days

Here’s to hoping the next PROGRESS post will be one of “oh hey we’re done”. Is that a possibility? hmmmm, I’ve been researching some amazing positive energy meditative youtube videos lately. Apparently life changing things can happen so who knows can I make my dream come true?

Take a look:

and part 2 …https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oqiW2lwg2Y (yup that’s just like me holding my brain in my hands)

While Dr. Joe speaks to us and holds my brain in his hands Project 851 continues to progress one day at a time. Last Progress post had a few before / after shots so I thought I’d just keep rolling with that so here we go:

Garden suite: (guests help yourself!!)

The Pink House (853)

Mama’s place: (857)

Octopus 2 bdrm: (855)

Octopus Studio:

Off to meditate on the calm, patient, progressive self that I am. Ooooooooommmmm …

ART... come see my collection

Collecting art has gone on hold while the Project has evolved, perhaps because the Project has become a part of the collection in and of itself. The work here has also given me time to reflect on the art that has been collected over 15 years. I have come to understand myself and choices I’ve made for Project 851 through this collection. Here is a sneak peek at the art collection as it hung in my old home and where it is presently:

Yes, the collection with the likes of Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, David Kahng, Laura Wee Láy Láq, Richard Tetrault, Carylann Leoppky, Connie Sabo, Esther Rausenberg and many more fabulous artists, is packed away waiting to come out again! It is waiting to be shared with others, for what is art if not to be seen?

While the Project has evolved I was able to finally get work by Anida Yoeu Ali aluminum mounted by Issac at the LAB and it turned out beautifully. Don’t you think? I love these pieces and can hardly wait to hang them in the Pink House on my main floor.

“Madonna in the wall” is also waiting to get installed. She was acquired at Hugh Picket’s estate auction in Richmond some 3 or so years ago and here is how she stood in the old home with some images of plans for her here at Project 851.

Until that time of final details Madonna goes back in the box!

PEOPLE... fill 'er up!

So who’s going to live in this Octo-pink compound of love and happiness? WellI, of course, Mom and I since the the shoe fits… As we approach that day of “move ‘er in”, it’s also time to think about that perfect fit. Here’s to manifesting a personal utopia!!

Let’s see for the 2 Bedroom (2 bath):

The someone(s) who lives here needs to appreciate detail. They’ll have an energy uplift as he/she passes through the happy coral door that is weighted just right and complimented with contemporary rosette detail that floats on the glass. That door is like “ butta”, smooth and solid in movement of the comings and goings of activity; not that I have an opinion!

The kind of people who have knowledge of good old fashioned cleaning products, will make 855 a happy space of regular upkeep; how can that ever be a bad thing? People who enjoy sitting on the balcony as much as they like looking out the big curtain wall window at the north end of the unit, and delight in the varying sized windows throughout. In and out, up and down with windows and doors opening creating a dance of tilt and turn.

I could easily see one of the bedrooms here used as an office/studio space. How cool would that be if it actually happens. Perhaps that means the people here will be dedicated and focused on their passion in life; creative in his/her work so they are positively challenged to succeed. They have the right balance of social and private lifestyle and want to live in a community where they can contribute — like taking the garbage out on garbage day? Or how about happily contributing to keeping the common space in the front and to the west tidy and beautiful all the while bringing joy in sharing the space with friends and family. A willingness to work with others in a respectful and open minded genuine manner is just a part of who they are; in other words NOT boring types.

855 will hopefully hold people who want to be part of something bigger, an aging in place setting, that will keep them here for a long long time, making it a perfect home. If this is you or someone you know send yourself and/or them my way!

I think the architect in the window will agree, it would make a good fit.

Marianne checking it all out!!

COMMUNITY... in the garden

This week Shelly Long, from the HAPA Collaborative reached out from her work placement in Rotterdam. Shelly worked on this Project and this talented woman is preparing for her final exam to receive registration in B.C. as a Landscape Architect. Joe you did well to bring this talent onto your team at Hapa. This post is a nod and thank you to Hapa Collaborative and Shelly : such a star.

These wood block pavers create a great play between the charcoal pavers and the fabulous fence (more to come on the fence shortly). The wood blocks were chosen as they are a direct nod to the old roads and what lies beneath the asphalt, particularly on Union St.. If you’re interested in that history here’s a link to an article in Scout Vancouver that featured that story — https://scoutmagazine.ca/2017/01/16/you-should-know-our-city-streets-were-once-paved-with-these-little-wooden-blocks/ Since the original house here was built in 1898 you can rest assured those roads in this hood had those wooden blocks.

Next to the wood pavers to the east we have a crazy fun fence, I promised to show. Everyone who comes to the property can’t help but comment positively on how cool, fun, different, playful … it is. I see it as a theme wall for all the parties to follow. We debated on wether to paint it the racoon fur colour used on the Octopus and all the new additions to the Pink House or to just leave it the natural wood color. You can see what we ended up doing, which I think looks great, but I’m sure you can appreciate why it was a debate/ deliberation (yet another decision) at all. Right?

Let’s take a look at another interesting wall and entrance to the Project that focuses on another material. You guessed it, the concrete hag is coming out. I love the contrast of material and lush soft plants as they interplay on our visual senses (note to Olfaction: the most fragrant roses are close to the path as you head to the main entrance, by the guys in the window (smile)).

Small stones lead you to the entrance of the Pink House (as you can see in the photo above) and larger stones are used to create the garden’s retaining walls and function for drainage as well as looking “Beauty”. Here’s a bit of that progress.

… and in a few short weeks to a month it looks like this.

I really love the interplay with hardscape and plants and these photos are a sneak peak at the before of that play. Corsican Mint will be planted between these pavers so not only will the visual be pleasant but it will keep giving in a non-skunk like manner. This will be a stones throw away from the Katsura tree growing through the back deck.

On the note of fragrance and smelling, the Katsura tree will be connected to a pink party most assuredly. In the fall when the leaves change color certain people, genetically pre-disposed, can smell it. Hmmm, I think we may have a theme developing for that fun fence…

See you at the party!