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Reaching for New Heights
Our office is constantly educating itself in developing a true understanding of the Classical Tradition in Architecture. Few of us were...


Good Things in Small Packages
Narcissa Niblack Thorne, 1882-1966, artist, patroness of the history of interior design. While traveling this week, I found myself blown...


Washington’s Home
The West Front of Mount Vernon, by Edward Savage, 1787-1792, Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Bequest of Helen W. Thompson, 1964 “I am...


Taking a Line for a Walk
Roman Tower at Carcasone, France by author. Recently, two of the younger members of our staff had the opportunity to take some time away...


Roman Holiday
A drawing of the Altare della Patriaon on toned paper by Author. A bright Saturday morning sun illuminated the Forum Boarium as tourists...


Wicker Woven
As the summer sun sets outside my apartment before I turn the key to enter, I contemplate its warmth and am reminded of summers past....


Goblin Ore
Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Charger, Ming Dynasty, Jiajing Period, China, 1522 to 1566. The fact that cobalt’s bright and distinct...


The Cistercian Standard
Landscape at Citeaux, 1995. “Listen, my son, to your master’s precepts, and incline the ear of your heart.” – Prologue to Rule by...


The Grand Cascade
Maxfield Parrish, ‘The Pool, Villa d’Este’, Tivoli, Circa 1904. Marc Appleton and I stumbled on to the pier at the Rio de S. Moise as...


Ludd’s Hammer
Coalbrookdale by Night, Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg, 1801. As technology advances, there is the subconscious habit of allowing it to...


A Pen for Mother’s Day
Inevitably, I am asked by my children about the history and origins of holidays that we celebrate. They are relieved when I label a...


New York’s Hidden Gems
Slowly Shirley It’s been sometime since we’ve updated our Favorite Space & Places segment of our Journal, and rather than just list a few...


Backdrop to a festival
1891 battle of flowers parade, in Alamo Plaza All the pageantry of Fiesta–filling the streets and plazas of our 300 year old city with...


Three Carlottas & Lucky Eggs
Cascarones. Washington Post photo by Julia Ewan Yesterday was the official kick off of Fiesta in San Antonio. As darkness fell, fireworks...


The Architect as Artist
Is Architecture Still Considered an Art? *A version of Michael’s blog post below appeared this week as an article on Architectural...


Through Norman’s Glasses
Norman Rockwell’s Triple Self-Portrait “Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.” – Dau Voire As an artist, I often times...


A blue moon & rabbits
Hiroshige, two rabbits, pampas grass and full moon As I walk along the river the nearly full moon reflects in ripples on the water and...


Do Ho Suh remembers home
The dreamlike architectural sculptures of Do Ho Suh re-create places he has lived, and in doing so explores the idea of home. Born in...


My Venison Chili
For the first time ever, I will be competing in a chili cook off but I have never attempted this before, and somehow always felt as if I...


St Patrick’s Sweets
With the upcoming holiday, I wanted to share a brief history surrounding the often boisterous St. Patrick’s Day and a sweet family treat...
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