WHAT A DIFFERENCE THREE YEARS MAKES! - INCLINED TO DESIGN - DESIGNING SUCCESS WHAT A DIFFERENCE THREE YEARS MAKES!

After three years there’s either a fabulous patina, or it’s gone all to hell! As architectural and landscaping designers what we notice most after three years is the “patina of time” on the building and the land, and that’s if you select as we do, materials and landscapes that evolve naturally! So to illustrate what a difference three years makes, we decided to do a comparison photographic journey at The Barn Gallery with two of our favorite local photographers.

This beautiful shot by photographer Steve Horn of the the Barn Gallery has been published on numerous architectural websites ©Steve Horn Oct 2017

I spent a week with photographer Steve Horn in October 2017, to capture the essence of our architectural and interior design, focusing on the elements that would ensure publication; in both print magazines and online websites such as ArchDaily.

When the light and sky was right for the shot, I’d text Steve and he’d be here in a few minutes. The Barn Gallery west elevation ©Steve Horn Oct 2017

Since we had started our natural landscaping prior to completion of the Barn Gallery foundation work, even though still in its infancy in 2017, one could visualize how the landscaping would mature.

Read on to see what a difference three years makes!

This is photographer Summer Moon’s image taken 3 years later. The south elevation of the house is weathering to the silver-gray patina…….which will eventually be the “patina of time” we are excited to see on all of the wood exterior. ©Summer Moon July 2020

To illustrate the “patina of time”…..

I asked Summer Moon to document the changes in late July 2020. Of course mid-summer light is very different to late fall light when Steve documented the Barn Gallery in 2017, so you have to take this into consideration when comparing the images. I also asked Summer Moon to focus more on images to attract guests, rather than showcasing the design for magazines and websites. So, what do you think, is this a perfect setting for a family getaway?

We picked a beautiful warm late July evening to begin our photo shoot, and continued the following morning with bright blue skies for the east-facing elevations and interior.

Please give us your feedback in the comments below; we always want to know your opinions!

Summer was not trying to duplicate what Steve had taken in 2017, but to document how it looks today. We all love how green the Pacific Northwest looks after our abundant winter rains….but guests always love the golden meadow in July and August, especially when it’s sprinkled with red and orange poppies. ©Summer Moon July 2020

I asked Summer to take this long view to show context; I wanted to show the house perched at the top of the golden meadow, surrounded by the luscious forest. Steve was not able to get this view in 2017 as it was blocked by a stand of large Leyland Cyprus trees. ©Summer Moon August 2020

The meadow to the waterfront ……….

This was definitely a more “formal” look, as the meadow had been mowed in preparation for 250 people coming for a home tour. The big Leyland Cyprus trees on the right had to be removed a couple of years after Steve took this. They were removed due to the roots invading the nearby drain field, and attacking the property to the north. Once eliminated, the water view to the west/north west opened up. ©Steve Horn Oct 2017

Guests tell us they love the natural “meadow” look, and when the grass gets tall in mid-summer we mow meandering pathways through the grass to the bluff on the waterfront.

The rain garden filters rainwater after the rain tank is full. It’s mesmerizing to watch the rain garden fill up with water when it rains, and then seep into the ground, knowing that runoff from the house and driveway will be filtered clean of contaminants before it reaches the San Juan channel below. The rain garden has matured into a colorful eye catching feature of our landscaping design. © Summer Moon July 2020

We are always thrilled when the reality meets or exceeds the concept. How did we do?

When Steve did his photo shoot in 2017, the patio adjacent to the south deck was empty, apart from some sculptural metal seating. This was our concptualiztion for a corten steel outside kitchen and fireplace. ©INCLINEDESIGN 2017

Fast forward to July 2020 and the only thing missing here is the fresh-caught salmon on the grill!

It was a beautiful evening as we arranged everything for a memorable culinary experience. ©Summer Moon July 2020

Our guests are typically into cooking, and exploring the island for fresh organic produce. . ©Summer Moon July 2020

We’re very fortunate that Steve documented the east elevation before the landscaping matured….

It’s really fortunate that the architectural design of the east elevation was documented in 2017, because 3 years later most of it is hidden from view by twelve species of bamboo. ©Steve Horn

You can’t see much of the design any longer in the next shot, except the cool corten chimney cap!

The architecture of the house is only revealed once you get to the opening in the wall. ©Summer Moon July 2020

Front door opens into the great room….

Welcome to our August guests from Hillsborough, California. ©Summer Moon July 2020

….and you see the second most published photograph by Steve Horn.

The great room is ready for the home tour and the architectural magazines, such as Objekt International and Dwell. ©Steve Horn Oct 2017,

Note how different the light is on a 2020 July morning (below by Summer), contrasted to Steve’s photo on a 2017 October afternoon (above by Steve).

The table and kitchen, ready for the guests first culinary creation when they arrive. Fresh seasonal local organic produce and products, suitably arranged for an Instagram shot! ©Summer Moon July 2020

The photographers

Steve Horn & Summer Moon both contributed to BOUNTY a book about Lopez Island farmers, food and community.

Steve and Summer were both professional and fun to work with; and brought about the exact end result I was looking for! Thanks to both of you!

Steve the ladder artist…..; whatever it takes to get exactly the right point of view for that award winning shot! ©INCLINEDESIGN 2017

Summer Moon during the photo shoot; being closely investigated by the local wildlife…. ©INCLINEDESIGN 2020

This last image sums it up well….

This view of the the Barn Gallery shows the ‘patina of time’ we aimed for on the reclaimed wood exterior. Interesting that the older reclaimed wood from a Hollywood movie warehouse (C1930) facing west, is aging more slowly than the boards facing south, which were harvested on the property in 1970, used inside the original house as ceiling joists, and then resawn for the new siding in 2015.