World Meet Jo at Jo2TheWorld

This past year has been one of transition, and though I teeter on the brink of change, I am doing my best to embrace it.  This WordPress endeavor has been a way for me to explore my interests, pursue my passions, and sort out ideas, but perhaps not to the best of my ability.  What started out as an attempt to discuss sustainable interiors soon transitioned into a blog about design, innovation and travel.  And though I appreciate these many things, I worry I’ve veered in an unintended direction.  It might just be time for a fresh start.

The common thread that has held this blog together is finding beauty in the everyday: at home and abroad, both indoors and out (and many times, the doors themselves).  As I take on new challenges and redefine myself, this blog too should reflect that.  No longer do I plan to look for outside information to fuel the discussion, but rather let the discussion come from within; share with you the very things I am researching and seeking on my own time, and allow the whole process to happen more naturally.  I risk losing some of my very appreciated followers, but I feel the need to be true to myself, so here goes.

Embracing Change – Photo Courtesy of Getty Images Collection

Livin’Love meet Jo2TheWorld.  Believe it or not, over this entire year, I don’t think I have ever introduced myself!  My name is Joanna, I am a fan of many things, and obsessive to a fault.  I see the world through design hungry eyes, and this interest pervades into other reaches: not just architecture and interiors, but also fashion, beauty, lifestyle, furniture, crafts, cooking, and travel, just to name a few.  From here on in, I plan to write about my current pursuits, be it which kitchen console is the best fit for my new apartment, or which gluten free recipe is worth trying.  Worry not, I won’t be excluding the beautiful doors, fixtures, and details that catch my eye.  I plan to bring the same level of quality and of course, always seek the beauty in the everyday.

I hope you’ll stick with me through the good and the bad.  Happy New Year to you all, best wishes, and I hope we can embrace the changes to come together.

Door Swagger: Decorative Details by Voysey

How many times a day do you use doors?  Really, think about it.  And how many times do you ever stop to notice the handles?  The hinges?  The rosettes (the piece of hardware behind the knob)?  How much more might you take notice if you were grabbing onto something gorgeous?

Voysey Hardware

Few have done door hardware better than Charles Voysey (1857-1941), an English architect, textile and furniture designer known for his Arts and Crafts style.  I have come across this photo of Voysey hardware many times, and every time I drool a little.  The doorknobs and pulls are lovely, but what really gets me are the keys and hinges.  Those hinges!

An early pioneer of industrial design, Voysey upheld the idea of form and function over ornamentation.  Though his architecture and interiors were certainly pared down for the times, perhaps he made exceptions for his textile and hardware designs, which have a more decorative approach.  I’ll be sure to do a post on his charming wallpaper designs, so stay tuned!

Adore A Door: Isfahan, Iran

This stunning door can be found at Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque in Imam Square, Isfahan, Iran. Initially built as a private mosque of the royal court, construction of this exceptional example of Safavid Iranian architecture began in 1603 and was completed in 1618. It is now a registered UNESCO world heritage site.

An Entrance to Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque –
Photo Courtesy of Momentary Awe Photography

The traditional Iranian tiles match color and complexity with the simple and bold. It is a lovely demonstration of mixing graphic patterns in a cohesive manner. The worn wood adds a touch of warmth; simply gorgeous.

A Day For The Ages: 12/12/12 at 12:12

This moment has been over ten years in the making. A moment for which my best friend and I have long waited. As teenagers, we made a pact: on the twelfth day of the twelfth month of the twelfth year of this millennium, we were to meet at 12pm in the center of the skating rink at Rockefeller Center. We made this plan when nothing was certain. Who would we become? Where would be living? What would we be doing with our lives? What things would we have seen by then? Would we still even be best friends?

For a long time, all of these things remained unknown. With each passing year, we would joke about how much closer this moment was coming. Now, it is finally here. Some of these questions can be answered, some of them still elude us. We still have a lot more to learn, a lot more to do, and a lot more to become. But one thing remains certain: we are still best friends, and we will continue to be for many many years to come.

Entrance to the GE Building – Photo Courtesy of Jaime Martorano

The entrance to the GE building, close to where we are currently meeting (12:12pm on 12/12/12, it has arrived!), is located at 30 Rockefeller Center. It harbors a gorgeous frieze above the entryway, titled Wisdom, designed in 1933 by Lee Lawrie, a German-born, American architectural sculptor. The panel is made of Indiana limestone, cast glass, polychrome paint, and gilding. It is in true Art-Deco fashion, the style of the times. The phrase, “Wisdom and Knowledge shall be the stability of thy times,” is written below, quoted from the book of Isaiah, 33:6 (King James Version). Appropriate in so many ways.

Today’s post is dedicated to one of the most special people I have ever met in my life. Someone who I have respected, appreciated, admired, and loved for over ten years now. I am proud to have the honor of calling the one and only Emerald Traveler, Tracey Greenstein, my best friend in the whole world (just don’t tell that to my ten and a half year old Labradoodle, Milo). Tray – here’s to 12/12/22!

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Special thanks to Jaime Martorano for use of one of his beautiful photographs.

Adore A Door: Jaipur, India

Gorgeous door spotted in Jaipur, India by Emerald Traveler.  Thanks for the beautiful image!  The details and color palette are phenomenal: wood mixed with what looks to be brass, blue tile, stucco walls, white rectangles framed by black borders, and those lights!  If you look really closely, you can see an interesting reflection on the windows inside.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Nathan Moore House: A Beautiful Embarrassment

I recently had the opportunity to drive across our beautiful country, which was nothing short of eye-opening, breathtaking, ______ (fill in your adjective of fascination here).  Along the way, we stopped in a suburb of Chicago, known as Oak Park.  All you Frank Lloyd Wright fans out there, I can feel your ears burning.  For those less familiar with his work, Oak Park is home to the world’s largest collection of residential properties designed by the renowned architect.  It also happens to be home to Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace, be still my heart.

Hordes of people visit this area every year to pour over mid-century architectural wonder.  Tours of Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio are offered daily for a small price, as are tours of his Robie house.  But with a beautiful day and a wallet short on change, a walk around the area provides just as much pleasure.  My personal favorite is the Nathan G. Moore House, also known as the Moore-Dugal Residence.

Nathan G. Moore Residence, Oak Park, Illinois

Original Nathan Moore House

It was completed in 1895, but has since been altered due to an electrical fire on Christmas Day in 1922.  The damage impacted much of the home and took out the entire third floor.  Though Wright had acquired much success by this point and had quite the busy schedule, he took Moore’s request to redesign the house.  The first floor and foundation were kept the same, but the remainder went through significant modifications, primarily a change in the height of the house, and the addition of many ornamental details, completed by 1923.

It is said the Wright drew inspiration not only from English Tudor (which he apparently found to be ‘repugnant’), but also from the “father of modernism,” Louis Sullivan, and even Mayan architecture.  My absolute favorite part is this moment to the side of the front door.  The screen is slightly geometric yet incredibly detailed.  The house also features casement windows, half-timbering on the upper floor, an ornate balustrade fence, and a wide, medieval brick chimney.  I find this house even more interesting when compared with his later, more modern compositions.  The home is currently a private residence.

What make’s this home embarrassing?  Well, it is rumored that Wright disliked it in his later years.

To view more information and photos of the Nathan G. Moore Residence, check out these: Steinrag, Frank Lloyd Wright Tour.

Sources: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_G._Moore_House&gt;

Adore A Door: Climbing Up The Walls; Neve Tzedek, Israel

The narrow streets of Neve Tzedek are picturesque, filled with century old structures that house little shops, cafes, and stunningly beautiful homes.  Though technically a part of Tel Aviv, this neighborhood actually predates the urban hub. It was established in 1887 by a group of Jewish families looking for relief from the bustle of Jaffa.  The area fell into disarray in the middle of the 20th century, but went through a period of revival after many of its buildings were placed on preservation lists in the 1980s.  Nowadays, Neve Tzedek is quite the popular destination.

For an area overflowing with charm, one house seems to attract more attention than the rest.  This structure sits on a street corner, where figures sit on benches and cling to railings; some even seem to hang out of windows.

The sculptures are beautiful: chubby and cheerful.  Of course, I couldn’t help but notice the ornate bright red door at the entrance.

Blanketed in Street Art; Tel Aviv, Israel

Eye-catching street art seems to jump out of every corner when walking the streets of Tel Aviv.

Magical Mystery Boat

The colors and subject matter may vary, but the effect is consistent: providing a respite during troubled and challenging times.

Elbow Flowers

The city seems to embrace such bold artistic statements, which sometimes blanket entire stairwells.

Rouge Waves

A walkable city overflowing with art and expression; if only the world could be that simple.

Lego Police

 Which image do you prefer?

Eye Candy

From Where I Stand: The Berlin Wall

The East Side Gallery is a piece of the Berlin wall that extends for about a mile. It is covered with beautiful artwork that is both provocative and progressive; a suiting reminder of just how far we’ve come.

Adore A Door: Belleman 441, Amsterdam