Latte art
Neighborhood 3
Near the elementary school, at the end of my favorite street is an Amtrak station.
Amtrak is a long-distance train running all over the continental US. Many of its metropolitan stations have several platforms and are crowded. But in small towns, Amtrak is not an everyday-thing for many people. This station in Snappy's town is not even attended, just with a train schedule board and a ticket machine.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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Amtrak is a long-distance train running all over the continental US. Many of its metropolitan stations have several platforms and are crowded. But in small towns, Amtrak is not an everyday-thing for many people. This station in Snappy's town is not even attended, just with a train schedule board and a ticket machine.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Interior designing (Part 2)
(Continued from Part 1)
Choosing light fixtures was tough. I found out that wavy light track Mr. B has suggested about year ago was custom-made and therefore more expensive than straight track readily available at hardware stores. Curvy track, however, gives unique look and provides more choices on pendant and spot lights.
I could not decide if it is worth spending more on the track at a coffee shop whose main business will be conducted day time. On the day after the meeting, I talked to my frien Akko who has studied architecure and design. She advised me that all lights on the same track maybe controlled by one switch. I then decided to go with straight track and be creative with choices and placement of lights.
Straight track at Snappy's will be something like this:
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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Choosing light fixtures was tough. I found out that wavy light track Mr. B has suggested about year ago was custom-made and therefore more expensive than straight track readily available at hardware stores. Curvy track, however, gives unique look and provides more choices on pendant and spot lights.
I could not decide if it is worth spending more on the track at a coffee shop whose main business will be conducted day time. On the day after the meeting, I talked to my frien Akko who has studied architecure and design. She advised me that all lights on the same track maybe controlled by one switch. I then decided to go with straight track and be creative with choices and placement of lights.
Straight track at Snappy's will be something like this:
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Interior designing (Part 1)
Had a meeting with the general contractor (GC) and the architect, Mr. B at his studio.
Main objectives were to discuss the construction plan and to choose some material for floor and counter and light fixtures.
Mr. B and I had started discussion on interior design about a year ago and already agreed to expose some bricks off the wall facing to the parking lot. Inside the white wall in the picture here are actually bricks.
We agreed on a wood-looking (but not real wood which is difficult to maintain) flooring and black countertop. Mr. B and the GC explained well to me the difference between vinyl, natural stone and synthetic stone for countertop:
- Vinyl is in expensive but gives the 'cheap' look. It also is easy to scratch and peel off in a few years.
- Natural stone is more expensive than vinyl and porous, meaning that could be stained. It is also hard so some restaurants afraid that wine glasses and nice plates maybe broken if placed with very high impact.
- Synthetic stone gives the good appearance as natural stone does. It is not porous so less likely to get stained. Price is about same as natural; however, it has to be cut by specialist with extra cost.
We chose black natural stone for countertop. I understand it is porous, but black whould not show much stain.
Counter wall (the side customer would see when they walk into the door) was difficult to decide. Mr. B had picked very nice material for a good 'first impression' to the customer, but it looked a little too shiny for me. I agreed to decide after visiting a material store.
Continue to Part 2
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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Main objectives were to discuss the construction plan and to choose some material for floor and counter and light fixtures.
Mr. B and I had started discussion on interior design about a year ago and already agreed to expose some bricks off the wall facing to the parking lot. Inside the white wall in the picture here are actually bricks.
We agreed on a wood-looking (but not real wood which is difficult to maintain) flooring and black countertop. Mr. B and the GC explained well to me the difference between vinyl, natural stone and synthetic stone for countertop:
- Vinyl is in expensive but gives the 'cheap' look. It also is easy to scratch and peel off in a few years.
- Natural stone is more expensive than vinyl and porous, meaning that could be stained. It is also hard so some restaurants afraid that wine glasses and nice plates maybe broken if placed with very high impact.
- Synthetic stone gives the good appearance as natural stone does. It is not porous so less likely to get stained. Price is about same as natural; however, it has to be cut by specialist with extra cost.
We chose black natural stone for countertop. I understand it is porous, but black whould not show much stain.
Counter wall (the side customer would see when they walk into the door) was difficult to decide. Mr. B had picked very nice material for a good 'first impression' to the customer, but it looked a little too shiny for me. I agreed to decide after visiting a material store.
Continue to Part 2
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Neighborhood 2
On my favorite street is a public elementary school.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
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Japanese version of this entry is here.
