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A Cool Crib For Your Car: Custom Luxury Garages By GarageMahals
As the world's only company (self-proclaimed) dedicated to the complete transformation of the garage, GarageMahals® provides all the services and products to create a completely unique space. Each garage can be customized around a central theme, from high tech, Art Deco (think Batman, or Route 66), to old world Tuscan.
The concept of GarageMahals® began as the brainchild of founder Michael Rhodig in early 2003. After having several quite boring, but yet state of the art garage interiors for the time, Michael knew the garage could be so much more. After three years of research and development, GarageMahals® was launched in September 2005 and continues to grow.
The First GarageMahal - Industrial High tech
This was the original and first true GarageMahal built by Michael Rhodig to show the world his concept of what a luxury garage environment is supposed to be. Incorporating as many design elements, functionalities, and materials as possible while still maintaining a cohesive and stunning environment was the objective of this project.
See the "Red Button"? When you push the button, a flashing yellow industrial warning light and "awnk - awnk" warning sound draws your attention to mid ceiling above. You observe a large 2 ft. by 10 ft. panel with the far end rotating down from the darkness of the flat black ceiling. The panel rotates to about 65 degrees and stops. Then the bottom of an extension ladder lowers until it touches the floor and everything stops. Your access to the attic above the 13 ft ceiling is now conveniently available. Simply push the red button again and the whole process repeats in reverse until the large panel is again flush with the ceiling.
Smith Garage- Retro Art Deco Gas Station Pumps
This garage was the first for the Smith Family of Paradise Valley, AZ. Mr. Smith really enjoys both the art deco gasoline pumps he had already collected, and the look and feel of high tech. He asked Michael to see if he could make those two world's come together in his garage. Red, silver, and white are the dominant colors of this garage. The lighting facades over the pumps simulate service station awnings of the same time period, while the lighting, workbench, wainscoting, and door panels are purely high tech in appearance.
Michael paid very close attention to detail and to his customer's background and taste. For example, whenever possible, automotive finishes are used, and the white paint on the hanging facades in not just any white, but GM Alpine White, first used on Cadillacs of the late 1950's. Michael chose this color while attending an auto show in Payson, AZ while this project was in design.
You can't miss the use of aircraft safety switches for lighting controls at the workbench. Michael did this as a surprise for the client based on his background as an US Air Force pilot.
The large red panels seen in the image above are actually rolling doors. Mr. Rhodig created these for another customer needing larger storage capacity at floor level than typical box style cabinets. This garage design cost approximately $130.00 per sq. ft.
Scottsdale Garage - A Modern Makeover
This project is a perfect example of a Prestige Class GarageMahal. The client desired a garage environment with a big "Wow Factor" without a big "Oh my God" price.
Before:
After:
Using combinations of metallic paints, automotive finishes, GarageMahals Rolling Door Storage, and GarageMahals unique metallic epoxy flooring, created an environment that thrilled the customer and stayed within his budget.
Zen Garage with Waterfalls, Wetbar and TV
This is one Michael calls the "Zen" garage, and is a significant departure from previous work. This home in Paradise Valley, AZ is a custom design using an Asian theme with some elements of Frank Lloyd Wright styling. After careful study of the existing home, Michael knew he could use some elements to produce a stunning and tranquil garage space of organic colors, natural metallics, sounds of falling water and blend them with high tech lighting, surfaces, and audio visual enhancements.
For example, sparkling rain glass complements the water walls and is also used in the home interior. The GarageMahals metallic Bronze epoxy flooring produces a fascinating liquid metal appearance, and the deep crystal clear finish makes the color coats look as though they are under glass. The green-gold metallic tone of the Valspar Brilliant Metallics paint is a perfect blend with the gold and bronze wainscoting, another GarageMahals exclusive product. This material is a shimmering metallic rubber product over a geometric pattern of truncated pyramids. This durable surface prevents damage to the wall and the car door.
The old garage doors were hand painted in a copper/bronze patina that incorporated some of the wall color. Vertical door tracks, lift motors, power outlets, etc., are concealed behind decorative columns. When the door is in the up position, it is hidden behind a decorative cover that suspends from the ceiling. The Zen garage cost approximately $125,000 (for a 752 sq. ft. space).
all images and info courtesy of GarageMahals®
GarageMahals
11445 E. Via Linda
Suite 2, Box 437
Scottsdale, AZ 85259-2638
602.315.4473
Another Hip Boutique Hotel In Paris: The BLC Design Hotel
One hardly needs an excuse to visit Paris with the plethora of fabulous chic hotels popping up there; Hotel Gabriel, Philipe Starck's Mama Shelter and now... The BLC design Hotel.
Nestled in a quiet street close to the Palais de la Femme and a few steps from the Place de la Bastille, is the newly renovated modern BLC Design Hotel. Take a stroll to appreciate this old, historic Parisian quarter, from Place des Vosges, to Notre Dame & Opera Bastille, the bars, restaurants, theatres and fashion boutiques in the surrounding area. The Gare de Lyon and Bercy are just a few metro stations from the hotel.
This modern property has recently been entirely renovated and equipped with contemporary & refined furniture and details. The boutique hotel offers 29 very white, contemporary and feminine rooms designed by Carole Picard (who also decorated the Color Design Hotel in Paris), with special lighting effects to create the perfect mood for memorable stays.
The hotel’s 29 white-on-white rooms are equipped not only with light-blocking window shades, but also a Night Cove, a combination lighting and sound system, that, based on a French hospital’s sleep research, promises to put you to sleep or wake you up gradually with special light and sound sequences that act on the body’s production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin.
Standard room:
On each floor is a large photo of an ordinary woman by photographer Lise Laura Batifol, with a detail from the photo (an eye, for example as shown above) blown up in each room on that particular floor.
Double room:
The only touch of color in the hotel comes from the Patrick Jouin Night Cove lamps (shown above), which give off orange or red light when it’s time to go to sleep and blue light when it’s time to wake up.
Each room is decorated with a very high level of comfort: individual air-conditioning, flat screen TV with satellite, direct dial telephone, internet connection, bathroom (bath or shower). The buffet breakfast is served in a particularly attractive setting.
Guests can also help themselves at any time to drinks on the honor system or fill one of the attractive water bottles provided for free at faucets dispensing the hotel’s own eco-friendly bubbly or flat water.
Some of the unusual and artful details:
Standard rates start at around 120 euros
BLC Hotel - PARIS
4, rue de Richard Lenoir , Paris, 75011
reservation@blcdesign-hotel-paris.com
all images courtesy of BLC Design Hotel and Hoosta Magazine
Other Posts On Hip Paris Hotels:
•Philipe Starck's Mama Shelter
•Hotel Gabriel Paris Marais (The "Detox" Hotel)
Fun Finds For Friday!
Some fun and unusual products or art for you with links to learn more about them or to buy them. Less text, more fun.
1. Spinnaker Chairs, made from real canvas boat sails.
2. Piglamp,with a fluorescent bulb for the tail.
3. Sleeping and body PILL-ows, custom made by Galactic Boutique
4. Mattel Avatar Action Figures (get these collectibles now, people..)
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