I lived alone, in the woods, a mile from any neighbor, in a house I had built myself, on the shore of Walden Pont, in Concord, Massachusetts

I realize I should have posted the plan of the apartment first before going into any detail of specific rooms:

I have chosen all the bathroom fixtures, however I have not yet drawn them to plan in 1:20. But I did choose the rest of my kitchen.

Thomasville's Cabbot Maple Moss Glaze cabinets.

Craft Art Reclaimed Bamboo Natural Countertop





Restoration Hardware Dakota Cup Pull

and button knob

All the attractions of a house were concentrated in one room; it was kitchen, chamber, parlor, and keeping-room...

While my version of Walden is not limited one room, I am still going to try to stay true to this idea by allowing the different rooms to serve different functions. This is the plan for Thoreau's kitchen. It very basic. Along the window on the left are two stools against a raised counter so he can look out the window while he eats or enjoys a cup of coffee. He can entertain a friend or enjoy his solitude. He can read or write in his journal, or, perhaps, simply do nothing at all.

These are the appliances I have chosen. I still haven't chosen the cabinets or counters. (I intend on having hardwood floors throughout the apartment). The sink, as mentioned in a previous post, is an acid-resistant ceramic over cast-iron apron sink. I am thinking of some sort of green distressed wood cabinetry and wood counter tops, perhaps birch or some other light colored wood. I'm still looking. Ideally it should be recycled or reclaimed.

The pocket doors on the right lead to the bedroom. Between that and the kitchen along the top wall, is some sort of plant. I am placing greenery in various spots around the whole space, as Thoreau did love nature, though I may choose to put the cat's (Ralph) food and water bowls in that spot.

Now that there are no priests or philosophers left, artists are the most important people in the world

Today is Gerhard Richter's birthday, it is also Tu B'Shvat (Jewish Arbor Day). I also managed to accomplish some stuff, like going to the Absorption Ministry to get unemployment. Took my business card to the printer. Went to the doctor; he's starting me on physical therapy - that should give me more to do, given my unemployment. Looked into a program in Industrial Design at a local college; it is intense and I don't think I have the discipline to handle such a huge course load, especially in a foreign language. I have to figure out what I am going to do when the course I am taking ends. I certainly want to continue in the field. Speaking of which, I made some not so minor tweaks to my kitchen plan. I extended a counter so the kitchen area is more of a U than an L. I haven't decided the height of the extension; if it will be table height with a couple of chairs, or higher with a stools.
The two images are Richter's. I saw the Toilet Paper image at a MoMA showing of his a few years ago, and for some reason, this image resonated with me (as did the entire exhibition, but for some reason, this image especially). Also the above are his "Trees," fitting both with Tu B'Shvat and with the motif of my Thoreau apartment. If last post touched on the relationship between artist and viewer, then I suppose one of my themes in this post can be the relationship between nature and art. And, perhaps, photography as art. Gerhard Richter said of photography: "Photography altered ways of seeing and thinking. Photographs were regarded as true, paintings as artificial. The painted picture was no longer credible; its representation froze into immobility, because it was not authentic but invented."

A room without books is like a body without a soul

One of my assignments was to create some sort of logo that represents what we are trying to create in our apartment design. This is what I came up with. It is some sort of representation of Walden Pond, which I'd like to be reflected in my color scheme. The brown will be expressed in Thoreau's apartment by the use of wood (hopefully recycled & reclaimed). My color scheme is comprised of a mossy green and different blues. I'm still not sure how it will be incorporated, but this is a work in progress. I also had the idea of exposed red brick on the walls. At some point I'll post the actual plan. Of course there are lots of bookshelves. I imagine this big bed surrounded by bookshelves, and the headboard is under a set of shelves. In the middle is the entertaining area with banquet seating along to-the-ceiling windows, and a sofa which is all under a big skylight. The kitchen area is on one side and on the other is his desk and an armchair with ottoman near more bookshelves. The master bathroom will have a deep claw-foot tub. I really love my plan, I wish I could really build it for myself. And it is also getting me excited to take on my own real projects. For now, I'll bide my time as Thoreau's architect.

everything but the kitchen sink

I chose the rest of my appliances and my kitchen plan is now drafted in 1:20 scale. I may play around with the appliance placement a little more, but for the most part I am satisfied with how it's turning out. Except for the sink (I'm sticking with the Hawthorne, it only seems right =) ), I went with all stainless steel. My color scheme is based on the above photo, taken at the Van Cortlandt Golf Course (the oldest public golf course in the U.S.). In fact I think I may just use this photo as an inspiration for the whole apartment, given that it is for Thoreau.
On to other things..... I am going to a charity ball tonight. Who knows, maybe I'll meet my Prince Charming? Doubtful, but I'll remain a little hopeful. I don't know anyone else going, so I think I'll bring along the New Yorker. I wish I had an iPhone. I don't know how that relates to anything, just sayin'.