Siskian School Of Design

I love the steel windows and doors. They go a long way to distinguish the house, but here is the question: Is the house distinguished enough? When I look at photos taken on my site visits, I see a very beautiful mid-century home. Now, there is nothing wrong with a mid-century home except that it is so mid-century. This is not a prejudice as I am a mid-century child born in the year of our Grace 1947. Do know that I will not be furnishing with mid-century pieces. Again, nothing wrong with the period, but one could say that maybe it has been overdone of late. Yes, one could say that it has been done to death!

I went to the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit this weekend at the Guggenheim—a definite must see. Now it’s not that I want to have my own design movement (although “Siskian” doesn’t sound bad), nor under play the role of architect Joan Chan, but I don’t want the house to scream “MID-CENTURY.” Now to achieve this without changing the layout, what can be done? Color is what I came up with. As we speak, contractor Mitch is out purchasing paint to sample on the steel. I am strongly leaning toward a dark rust color while Joan is pushing for dark green. It is my professional belief that this slight addition of color will go a long way to personalizing the house. I want the cars passing by to look upon the house and comment on the “Siskianism” of it. Good thing building my own house hasn’t gone to my head!

Until the colors are up and the pictures are taken, you will have to wait patiently to participate in the decision to color or not to color. In the mean time, here are some progress photos showing the new copper cladding. I was a little nervous about this, but once the metal oxidizes I’m sure it will be fine.

Photos by Paul Siskin.