from the desk of… – pencil + ink creative

inspiration found | asheville’s flatiron hotel

location: asheville, nc // the flatiron hotel

the flatiron. a name that is ubiquitous with an architectural style + depending on where you live, synonymous with a building you yourself have seen. most people growing up on the east coast know the flatiron building in new york city + have most likely seen at least an image of the iconic landmark. situated where broadway makes its diagonal cut thru the heart of manhattan at 5th avenue, this marvel rises up as a soft transition to a less than ideal road instersection.

photo by Jermaine Ee on Unsplash

in our travels we have seen them at these types of intersections as a creative solution to an urban crossroads + we discovered one such building last summer in downtown asheville. its original incarnation was as an office building extending out of the central business district of booming turn-of-the-century asheville. long home to wwnc studios (radio) broadcasting all over the appalachian mountains, but had fallen out of favor + was in need of repair. its most recent life is as a newly envisioned boutique hotel with its past honored, preserved + even highlighted in a way that echoes its past while preserving its future. the once bustling business district of asheville has a different tone these days as it caters to retail shoppers, downtown diners + tourists looking for an urban mountain escape.

the flatiron hotel sits right at the heart of a bustling food scene + walkable shopping in a unique mountain urban environment + is most easily (recommendably) approached on foot. this is the ideal way to take in the architectural scale of how the building rises up from the downtown walkable landscape, as well as the many intricate details seen upon entering: its copper front doors, large-bulb lit canopy, turn of the century brick work + large windows rising above the tree lined street instantly adding a layered depth + rich sense of times past in a moment’s journey.

stepping inside is walking back into to an era of handcrafted details: stonework, metal framed windows with cast iron accentwork + hardware, soft interior lighting + architectural handiwork that isn’t seen often in today’s construction. no detail is left unnoticed as the antique elevator + mail shaft have also been refurbished while the textiles + wall coverings bring in a fresh touch of interest in every nook, all relating back to this building’s timeless location.

as you mosey around throughout your stay at this singular building, you’re sure to experience how it might have felt to come here a hundred years ago to visit your pharmacist, dentist, accountant, florist, take dance lessons….or maybe even to hire a local architect! all these + more previous tennants’ doors are beautifully preserved with timeless frosted glass + painted signage dotted between newly created suites + it gives the feel of being a part of this community, even while just visiting.

architect who designed the s&w cafeteria building around the corner

little glimpses around each corner point to the large exterior + often arched windows that still bring in the daylight that was essential in a time where interior lighting was harder to come by.

not-to-be-missed is a journey up to the rooftop bar + terrace which together provide breathtaking, near 360 views of the smoky mountains + surrounding buildings, making it easy to see why wwnc called this spot home for broadcasting down to the region around it.

these verdigris rooftop details were crafted to be seen both from the street + up close!

there is much more to be said about the history, the thoughtful details, + even the sublime urban setting here. overall, this a place that balances what once was with a newly realized purpose in a building that is ready for its next chapter as well as a downtown that is embracing its core—just, all around fantastic design for an inspiring stay in asheville, north carolina! we look forward to going back soon.

from the desk of...

inspiration found | s&w cafeteria asheville

location: asheville, nc // the s&w cafeteria building

its always a special time when a building gets a second life. the s&w cafeteria building in downtown asheville is one we had the pleasure of visiting in the summer of 2024. a delightfully playful art deco building originally erected as a popular cafeteria chain located throughout the southeast is now home to the deliciously quirky, flour + many other exciting food options for this busy mountain district.

originally meant to make large scale dining a much more elegant affair, the space incorporated a large open area with a wrap around mezzanine. the space is full of nooks + areas that allow for an individual diner, family, or a small group to find a cozy spot each with its own unique vantage point while taking advantage of a reasonably priced meal away from home.

the re-imagination to a new s&w food market seamlessly molded the original intent of the space while upgrading the exprience for a new generation. gone are the cafeteria style food lines now replaced with food stalls to provide new, exciting + even, rotating food choices.

what remains are the uniquely artistic ceiling elements, floor color variations, patterned tiled details throughout + gentle curves of the stairs. all of the art deco components are highlighted to provide a kind of crafted nook with perfect peeks into the main dining area. the variations of textures, subtle colors common to the period + varied seating types allows for the perfect combination of private dining space within a crowded room that will never go out of style.

that’s all for now, but will share more soon on the gorgeously revived flatiron hotel around the corner next week! be sure to take a look at more images from our trip to asheville here for more design inspiration.

inspiration found

inspiration found | charleston, sc

location: charleston, sc // andrew pinckney inn

this cozy inn is situated where the ansonbourgh neighborhood melts into the market + french quarter areas of the downtown charleston peninsula in an area where commerce industry employees + owners once called home in close proximity to where they worked on the docks or in the business district.

here, shades of early architecture designed in response to the hot + humid conditions well before a time of air conditioning + can be seen in the large windows, carefully laid out alleyways + paths to allow for the breeze to sweep by, thru + around the residences. little courtyards fill the spaces to allow shade to be grown.

the building that houses the inn has an unmistakable charm of a number of buildings melded together over centuries to create its current form. from the street you feel as if you are standing in what was once a courtyard of a single family residence. blended throughout the inn are former courtyards that still echo their original forms + functions while bringing a new use to life.

all of the different components are little gems telegraphing past uses. windows follow thru from the exterior of the building to the current + former interior courtyards. those areas still provide a break for natural light even if with modern air conditioning their secondary use for air flow is no longer used. throughout the meandering stairs + corridors every open area that is stumbled upon reveals a former courtyard that was intended to provide a respite from the heat via air flow + dappled natural light. while not the current use, the ability for it to be re-opened + re-imagined still fits within its soul ready to provide respite from the sweltering lowcoutnry heat, even if only visually…for now.

looking for more images from our trip to charleston? visit the porch!

charleston

inspiration found

inspiration found | back forty beer co.

location: birmingham, alabama
website: backfortybeer.com

work took us to b’ham last week + i had the idea to look for a casual lunch. there are a lot of up + coming breweries in the area + it’s exciting to see an area like this starting to find momentum from small local businesses like these. there were a few that stood out to us, but when mc said this spot was in the “backyard” of a historic iron furnace site, it was decided!

located in an old train warehouse now covered on one side with creeping fig + big block letters, back forty sits beside one of the oldest remaining foundries in the united states. it was pretty surprising to find ourselves sitting next to something that produced the bulk of the iron used in this country since the turn of the century. as designers, we so value visiting a space that has had many lives because there are so many details that stand out + it always gets us talking shop…even on our lunch break.

they had a great selection of beer + good food options too. the kids had a hotdog + hamburger while mc + i shared the farro bowl. there were other families + groups of friends lunching together as well + it was nice to see the space that this business carved out for community among residents + visitors alike.

as we so often do, we sampled a flight of their seasonal offerings to get a feel for their range of brews. the hefeiweisen provided a crisp, refreshing sip so appreciated in the southern summer heat + the others were also smooth, well-crafted beers. there’s a lot of effort that goes into making good, drinkable beer with character + we appreciate seeing that with every micro-brewery we come across in our travels–creativity loves company!

mc also loves to find places to peruse + source vintage decor for our home + we both get design inspiration from these visits as well. while in birmingham, we made a pit stop on the way home to this antique treasure trove just around the corner from lunch. we also stopped for a hike on the way back…take a deeper look at our summer hike that brought our encounter with the iron belt full circle.

from the desk of..., inspiration found

inspiration found | contrast artisan ales

location: chamblee, georgia
website: contrastartisianales.com

this is one that’s caught my eye for quite some time. not sure why it took us so long to get here, but we chose this spot because it was in range of a jeep ride from our weekend hike, + riding in the jeep is always a fam-favorite. contrast is one of the first i’ve seen that made beer brewed with coffee + since those are my two most preferred drinks of choice–craft beer + small-batch coffee– it’s been high on my list to get a taste. obviously with this trip happening in the summer, the dark beers were not in-season, but it was all the more intriguing to see what they were doing + offering with seasonal flavors. this is one of the many things i admire about small breweries; it keeps me curious to come back again.

the location captured my interest as well, as this neatly packaged micro-brewery can be found in the newly revitalized downtown chamblee, tucked behind a bagel shop that is our favorite, maybe in the whole of atlanta–shout out to the bronx bagel buggy! we like “the veggie” on rosemary salt bagel, but their menu is full of delicious freshly-made options–don’t skip the bialy bomb if you’re really hungry.

the first impression at contrast was fantastic + neither the building design nor the beer disappointed. the space is a small to-go counter, behind garage doors akin to a walk up window at an urban eatery, with a few tables + chairs inside + out in the parking lot as well as a bunch of picnic tables under the trees adjacent to the brewery. the set up of the operation includes their brew tanks within view, kegs + cans in coolers + offers ample space for imbibing at the bar or nearby tables, yet it’s compact + efficiently arranged in such a way that underscores the polished brand + beers served here.

the vibe was giving a laid back parking-lot-party type of experience that seamlessly fit with the brand we had seen prior to visiting: a no frills, no nonsense place to grab a really well crafted beer. on this trip we settled on tasting two of their seasonal brews:

mandarina belgian saison + stuck in suspension hazy ipa

both were perfectly refreshing summer beverages that provided just what the humid father’s day afternoon called for. this is a spot we’ll surely add to our rotation as the new-age urban watering hole it is, for a laid back stop by after a long day. we’re already planning a trip back as soon as the coffee-infused brews return to the lineup, if not before!

do you ever find yourself enjoying food/drink at a place + think “i love these glasses”? this is something mc + i do a lot of, because we acknowledge that details that may seem minor or are otherwise overlooked have the power to elevate even the most mundane experiences + this is the sort of thing that stands out to us wherever we go + keeps us on the hunt for what inspires. hopefully we’ve been able to share a peek inside our designer brains here… check back for more again soon!

as a final design note: we love to share a good logo/branding + we found this one equally clean as it is interesting + meaningful. we enjoyed reading more about the brewmaster’s concept behind contrast artisan ales + look forward to our next post-hike cool down here in the near future. we hope you might join us!

cheers!

from the desk of...

inspiration found | cultivation brewing co.

location: norcross, georgia
website: www.cultivationbrew.com

looking at cultivation thru a lens of overall personality, taste, architecture + the brand that reflects it all so well. our most recent trip here was after our summer weekend family hike.

this is one we first visited back in 2021, located just over a mile away from the historic train town of norcross. being tucked behind landscape trucks + lawn service warehouses lends itself right away to a gardening + horticulture vibe which fits in with the hops + the process of beermaking. also, fun fact, the guys who run the brewery started this spot when they decided to make a shift from running their landscape company.

the brews themselves are usually all lighter + super refreshing with a clean finish, as you might expect from a group who are most likely looking for a cool down following a lot of time outside landscaping + these beers always deliver that crisp note.

in conjunction with that, the space is airy + almost always opened to the outside with garage doors + plenty of windows. it’s tucked in with a few landscaped areas that have an experimental feel as hops, herbs + hanging baskets are growing alongside picnic tables set up for tasting. there’s a fenced-in turfed area that invites some kid-play, a gravel lot where food trucks often land + they have a rotating schedule of other community enrichment opportunities from pilates, to live music, trivia + more. the guys who started cultivation are also focused on supporting the building of community even further + have gone as far as setting up a foundation to stay committed to improving the people + places in the area–this is a very cool aspect that really makes this brewery stand out to us. you can see more on their website.

though i’m more of a dark beer fan + don’t typically like fruity beers, it’s so interesting to see + taste what they come up with + what others may be enjoying after a long hot day in the yard or after outings with friends on the river. the typical crowd tends to be laid back groups of friends + families, looking for a place to all be together in a casual setting. we get nostalgic seeing young families pull up with a baby in tow as we can remember the days of trips out while the baby was sleeping.

as landscape designers ourselves, we love how it feels like we’re walking up to a plant nursery of sorts, as if we’re going to be inquiring on some plant purchases along with our beer tasting. they seem to have a policy that if it’s not severely incelement weather, then the doors + windows stay open to welcome the outside in + vice versa encouraging a friendly, warm invitation to visitors.

as building designers + space planners, we so appreciate the intentional design + textures happening here…lots of focus on the hops. the wood board light fixtures (in the shape of hops) illuminate the bar inside of raised garage doors, wall murals repeat this motif, while the pergola above offers a unique cover + gives a front porch feel. the umbrellas + pavers bring in some added depth making it feel cozy + comfortable to stay a while. just writing this, i’m already looking forward to our next visit.

let’s not forget to mention the fantastic branding– a nod to the landscape background + the idea of breaking ground for planting new seeds of improvement with a hoppy theme that runs throuhgout this experience. what’s not to love here?

cheers!

from the desk of...

inspiration found | craft breweries

we’ve often found our way to local breweries in our time in georgia + almost always look for them in our travels, but most recently, we’ve been taking family hikes every weekend + found ourselves including these spaces in the cool down rotation following the active time outdoors. sometimes it’s a meal shared together before or after at a new restaurant near the trail + sometimes it’s a stop at a brewery around town. it eases our transition back into the weekend/mealtime routine + it’s a nice mixup for us in different ways for each member of our family.

it’s a fun way to shake up the typical meal circuit when there’s a food option available in tandem with the beverages being served, but we also love checking out these places from a design point of view. ryan explains, “the establishments that i’m most attracted to are one-offs.” ryan, as an architect + mary catherine as a designer, both find it’s interesting to see how the beer + the aesthetics coincide. “it helps inform our designs,” says mary catherine. “because it’s more than just the beers, though that is certainly a part of the reason we go there at all. like the tasting that occurs, we notice every detail of the visit from start to finish, the structure, the floor plan, the lighting, hardware, unique touches + the branding.”

visiting local craft brewers has served a few purposes for us over the years + i’m sure for you all as well, they have been on the rise as popular spots to go to take a beat + relax usually outdoors. they also serve as a kind of public house, a place to be among others in the nearby areas. “we had my high school reunion at westbrook in mount pleasant back in 2014!” now, for mc, it’s about getting to know the different neighborhoods of atlanta + understanding a little more about the culture of where we are currently living + raising our family beyond the suburb. it’s important to pop our familiar bubble from time to time to remember there’s a great big world out there, just beyond our daily hub.

remember to stop by the porch to catch up on our summer hike series! please, let us know where you’ve been too. hiking, breweries, travels…

ryan’s approach to visiting a brewery is akin to ordering the daily specials at a restaurant. we aren’t there to see how much we can imbibe; instead, it’s about taking a peek at what they’ve come up with lately. we find these places to be epicenters of creativity flowing freely. the product is not mass produced, but created from the best, fresh, seasonal ingredients, much like a farm to table restaurant. at the breweries, we’re seeing the subtlies of expression that exist among brewmasters, as they each find different ways to use sometimes similar ingredients or hops which leads us to realize that so many of these establishments have grown out of home brewers who have had a boon of passion + innovation for the old-as-monks craft. ryan says “i may not like each + every flavor profile or style, but seeing the varieities + iterations these creatives come up with is enjoyable.”

it may come as a surprise to some that these “watering holes” are usually quite the family friendly stops with water bowls for the dogs, food trucks, music + games. we appreciate not only the crafting but also the stories behind the beers + brewery + see a lot of creativity in it. we usually split a pint or a flight of the drafts on tap just to taste what they’ve been working on + occasionally will purchase a can or two to take home in support of these hardworking local entrepreneurs, who are at their core creative, small-business owners just like us.

here’s to sharing more of what inspires everyday!

x pencil + ink

from the potting bench

starting seeds

…a musing from the potting bench side of mc’s desk

what is it about a packet of tiny, almost microscopic seeds that gets my heart beating fast well ahead of the warm spring weather? so much can be said for starting seeds under grow lights…a task that many may never consider doing, while others order their winter days by it!

i’ve been starting flowers from seeds since 2021 + that first year, it felt so massive a task that i almost quit before i started. thanks to erin benzekain’s steady encouragement + seed starting “class”, i stuck with it. she coached me to expect failure, but also to expect to see flowers earlier in spring. i learned resilience from the process + got to see first hand that in nature sometimes you win + sometimes you lose. watching anything grow from a speck of almost nothing into something altogether + vastly different does something to our minds!

watching anything grow from a speck of almost nothing into something altogether + vastly different does something to our minds!

for someone who has found tremendous peace while “playing” with flowers bought from the store, i have learned some pretty sad things about these beautiful flowers that magically appear in neighborhood grocers 12 months of the year. namely, thay they’re exposed to many chemicals + pesticides throughout their growing + shipping cycles to ensure a “quality product” results upon arrival (after a while after). while i get needing to reach goals to run a business, to not disclose these pernicious details to the consumer when buying, eventually handling + smelling these flowers is just wrong. who knew such a simple act puts one in contact with those pesticides, unknowingly; to say nothing of the monstrous flower import industry that flies “fresh” flowers in to the US from all over the world. isn’t it a part of our basic human nature to be drawn to these harbingers of spring + symbols of what is good + full of hope in life? haven’t people been smelling, picking + sharing flowers since the dawn of time? ask yourself, is there any wonder why so many people find themselves with a longterm illness?

the solution is plain + simple: there needs to be more flowers grown locally, everywhere! not everyone has the land or time to be a full-fledged flower farmer, but if you would consider buying even one packet of seeds, let’s say zinnias for a start. not only would you not need to purchase as many flowers, but you could cut + cut again, all summer from your own flower garden that hasn’t been exposed to pesticides. this won’t mean something to everyone, but for some, once you know the reality of what those lovely “fresh” flowers are exposing you to, you can’t go back.

i’d really love to help you learn how to start flowers from seed. not just for the end result but also for the joy you may discover along the way, nurturing a seed into a flower. it is also a rich metaphor to be explored, so if you’re at all interested, consider this your invitation to reach out to me. we can get started today planning a garden in bloom as quickly as this summer!

if you aren’t quite ready to scatter a few seeds on a little dirt, then consider googling the flower farmers in your area who direct source their flowers from small pesticide free farms. enter “local flower farmer” into your search bar + you’ll be supporting a small business owner + have gorgeous toxin-free flowers to enjoy too.

i challenge you to try this + tell me you don’t notice the difference!

〰️ pencil

from the desk of...

hiatus

good day. its been a little bit since i sat down + put some words on paper. there is a good reason for that. we got a puppy. it’s been a long time coming for this house. our/my previous pup chipper passed away in fall of 2020 + it was tough on everyone. he had been with me before any of the girls graced my life. he was a friend, a confidant, a founding member of pencil + ink, but most importantly he epitomized GOD, spelled backwards.

our daughters had never known a day in their life without a dog around + that year plus of no dog was starting to feel….odd. so we made a list of what was important to us. a rescue, a beagle, + if it worked out a puppy. well as it turns out the saying is true, if you want to hear God laugh tell him your plan….in this case He gave more of a wry smile + a good chuckle, i think. fast forward to right after christmas + the newest member of our family was born to a sweet rescue pup here in georgia, ironically right over the river. we went thru the process of applying, selecting + finally adopting this adorable hound dog. he was a unanimous pick of every girl in the family + they could not have been more right.

he came home to us a few weeks back + he’s already picked right up where chipper left off. lotta playful, whole lotta love + more snuggles, wiggles + waggles than should be allowed in one animal. we are all settling in to our journey together. he’s capable of handling the shrieks, the power tools, the giggles + most importantly for me…the coffee maker.

our home, our studio, our family is back to full strength again + we are all excited for this next round of snuggles, sniffs + surprises!

from the desk of...

too much

too much of a good thing is no longer a good thing. the past two years have revealed many things that were ignored for far too long. in my opinion the ‘too much’ disease was one of those things. everyone has things they like, things they love, things that bring them joy. any one of those things in moderation is great. you enjoy yard work? great get out there + enjoy it! when yard work becomes 100% of every day, you’ve not taken a passion + made it your whole life. when that happens in any facet of our life then we start to miss the bigger picture. having a favorite show, attending a concert, going to a ball game, enjoying dinner out at your favorite restaurant, a favorite candy, a workout routine. none of those things are bad in any way, when they become all you do then it’s too much. there doesn’t have to be scheduled breaks or dead times, but there does need to be time to stop, to re-charge, to just be a person. rushing from one meeting, marketing event, church event, school event + never actually sitting down to eat dinner with your family….too much.

as an architect, this too much follows over to the professional world as well. accent walls, trim, colors, patterns are used to draw attention to areas of the spaces we all inhabit, however it is no longer an accent if it covers every wall + every surface. it has become ‘too much’. just like in life, our buildings, outdoor spaces, rooms…they can become too much by taking what we like + doing it to the point that it no longer is special or meaningful.

let’s all take a look, see what we enjoy + filter it thru the ‘too much’ filter. see if it is something that we have taken from an simple accent or a hobby, to something that has become our everything. if it has, it’s never too late to step back + say “that’s just too much!”.