Seven things from Seven Years Ago that I still think are pretty cool

Often times I take photos of things that I love but they don’t fit with the theme of a post. Likewise, I often wish I had taken more photos of something that seemed inconsequential at the time but I will look back and go- “I could really use an image of that exact thing right now!”

In a memory popup of photos from the 2019 Las Vegas Builder’s Show- I saw a lot of things I never had a chance to share. I also see photo quality that might have kept me from picking that particular shot. I didn’t capture a ton of things over the three days I was there but selectively captured ideas I knew I would want to revisit. Seven years later I see things I still like, things I might incorporate into designs this year and some things that are still making me think – how can I use this? So excuse the tilted images, the random hands and butts from the people standing in the way- it’s hard to photograph in a convention show setting- and enjoy my mind dump of seven things I still think are pretty cool!

Agate lit wall

The idea that agate stone can be art, or the idea that translucent surfaces can be back lit is nothing new. But the idea that you can build an accent into a space, whether it be a wall panel or a ceiling detail, and use all of our newest LED technology to bring it to life, is the inspiration here. I recently enjoyed the use of Waterhouse art at a car condo bar-

While the concept of the lit agate panel is pure luxury in a grand walk-in closet, there is a more everyday possibility of applying the idea to see art used in this unique and illuminated way.

Faux everything

I will always be a fan of real wood first. But sometimes the building requirements don’t allow for the true weight of real materials to be added to a structure. If a design detail is far enough away that you will never be able to touch it and feel that it is faux, sometimes it is far more practical to go with an impostor material. These beams were very convincing at the show and the idea that the hammered steel could be replicated with a rubber was intriguing to me. It feels even more relevant to me now as it inspires me to consider what other options could be utilized if an authentic material isn’t available. It speaks to opening the door even wider for reclaiming and re imaging materials before they end up in a landfill.

The workshop island

Seven years ago I remember liking this new custom cabinet island build to look like an old workshop table with the remains of some sort of vice mounted on the side. Since then I have seen the value of antique versions of this skyrocket at events like Warehouse Vintage 405 Market. I think the idea has only grown since this cabinet company recognized it seven years ago as we expand into secondary and alternative cooking spaces- outdoor kitchens, basement bars, kitchenettes for your car condo. After years of ignoring an old printing press table we had to move when we tore down our garage, we finally realized its potential as an island at our family commercial property.

Floating I-beam shelves

Not faux- and I have no idea how these are anchored to the wall- but I haven’t seen anything like it since. It’s a cool idea when you consider the patina and visual profile from the side. The illusion that they are floating is fascinating. I like it because it’s seven years later I am still stopping on this photo wondering- “how did they do that?”

Rail road ties as a privacy fence

While the holes you would have to dig in the ground for these would be insane (unless they drilled some sort of pipe into the center and anchored them to a concrete footing) they are a look you can’t easily replicate with new materials.

Years of patina and texture on the old rail road ties contrast with a modern patio space kept clean with teak deck panels and white gravel.

Since this is Las Vegas it doesn’t reflect your typical Midwest outdoor living space, but for a contemporary look it resonated with me as an idea to add the warmth modern design often lacks.

Not even what it was intended to be…

To be clear- this trunk wasn’t being sold as a practical piece of furniture in your kitchen. It was an accessory in a display for this cook top company. But looking back on it now I have to ask- why not? Why not design an island, much like the replica workshop cabinet with the vice, that looks like an old utilitarian trunk? Real ones would probably need too much modifying, as they are not the right height, but using some of the same metal caps and riveting details and a brushed metal plating could achieve the same look. Again- this isn’t for your everyday kitchen- this would be for an industrial space, a bonus kitchen. And obviously it would be innovated with a top that included an easy to clean surface.

Industrial faucet hardware

I did actually include this trend in a post I wrote about 9 months after this builder show. When revisiting the post I realized I didn’t include this photo, despite it being very closely related to the faucet I selected for my own industrial bath makeover. It could have been the picture quality (the coloring is very lackluster), or it could have been I didn’t need more than 3 examples at the time. However, seven years later it is still a favorite. I especially like the way the material on the faucet spout has the texture of a metal file. There are so many cool looks out there in plumbing that we need to keep pushing the envelope when we can!

And there you have it! Seven things I still want to see utilized in the design world seven years later! And as the niche market for some of these more industrialized secondary entertainment spaces rise, I think these ideas could become even more relevant. It is always fun to look back and find the things that maybe you weren’t ready to implement at the time, but are now a possibility!

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