Elements of Style Blog » clippings from Dad

Barn Raising

Erin Gates — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:22:43 +0000

I have been bred to appreciate a good barn. My dad has a little obsession with barns- now whenever I see a good barn, I have to take a picture of it for him. It’s kind of a family joke, but he’s proven his obsession to be a beneficial one since he’s designed some amazing barns and buildings influenced by barns. My parent’s garage looks like one, and then he went and built an actual red barn too right near it to house man toys (tractors, etc) and such.

Side note: He just launched his new website (designed by my brother Sean)- go check it out (including more barns)!

I came across two very different spreads featuring barns and love how they illustrate the wide variety of styles that can be housed inside one! First up is a barn influenced new home by architect Alex Scott Porter in Amagansett, NY. A mix of vintage materials and modern sleekness it maintains an open, airy feeling while also conjuring up the feeling of a Manhattan loft.

So loving this amazing tub and the gorgeous windows surrounding it!

This “Party Barn” was found in Garden & Gun Magazine and is a classically styled barn (think hunting memorabilia, plaid and tons of wood) but it was built specifically for entertaining! All it needs is a big pool table and TV and you wouldn’t be able to get any man to leave. Ever. I love that they used the bountiful land to not only keep animals, but also their modern sculpture collection!

So sweet. I love them.

I know this is sculpture, but can you imagine being a kid and having this as a fort???

Green Gone Too Far.

Erin Gates — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:19:53 +0000

My Dad sent me a page torn from a magazine last week with the note “I finally found something for your blog!” Eagerly I scanned the page and immediately started laughing. I thought it was a joke, but it’s not. Apparently, in production is a handbag, called the Wooly Vagabond, made to carry around plants. Not transport plants, but rather tote plants with you about town as an accessory. I’m all for recycling and saving the planet, but this is just SILLY. The picture of this girl in an art gallery holding her plant purse – I mean, really. If I saw someone doing that I would think they had forgotten to take their meds.

“God, I wish I wasn’t carrying this stupid plant around. It’s impossible to find my lip gloss in here”

“Can you grab the waiter? I think my purse plant needs some water.”

Obsessed.

Erin Gates — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:26:00 +0000

My parents have been looking for a new beach house for a long time. Today my dad sent me this one, in a great area (not disclosing where so no one else goes to look at it!) and I am OBSESSED. It is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. EVER. I want it bad- and I think Dad does to. It’s tiny with a great yard for the pups and just charming as all get out. I told Dad I’d meet him there when he goes to see it.
Merry Christmas to us? :)