aalona

STATE OF THE ART- presents art by Dominique Fung

2010-03-08T19:18:00.000-05:00

worst blogger ever

2010-03-01T21:37:00.004-05:00

i am the all time worst blogger but i think its time for an update. Super busy lately at studio aalona, weve been finishing up a project on Duke street in hamilton called the Polo Club, a 6 storey condo building makeover. Its been amazing to see the difference this is making to what is actually a really cool building, but was suffering from lack of attention for probly 30 years. Thats over and its goin down aalona style, So I will try to keep you updated on that.

We have also taken on an in house project to create a showroom and live/work space for me in downtown Hamilton. Its funny because people ask me why Hamilton all the time after living in Toronto and Vancouver and all I can say is that after living in those big cities, I took a look at how blown up everthing has gotten in terms of real estate which makes it really hard for young professionals to afford to live in a wicked space. My showroom and live/work space will be an expression of studio aalonas focus on retrofitting older buildings into loft spaces and super fun places to live. Something we are obsessed with is living amongst historical treasures like old brick, wood beams, and detailed craftsmenship combined with our wacky design ideas. To live like this in large cities the costs are through the roof and im into Toronto in an hour on the go-train. Besides if someone really wants me to design their home and they dont live anywhere close to here, I can travel and work :)... k so enough about that. you will have to wait for pictures...it is looking nuts.

The State of the Art parties are something we started doing on the mainfloor of my new space. It is a Storefront on James Street and ive been throwing these parties since November. It has been an awesome way to meet a lot of hamiltonians with a vision for the city and celebrate the talents of many artists. They have also been quite the party haaha. Anyways we will only be having a couple more because once studio aalonas renovation is finished we will be focusing our efforts on the studio. The space was an old cafe, the lighting is crap but the art has been amazing. so I will update you on the next couple events as well.

Aaron

STATE OF THE ART

2009-12-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

Privileged Lifestyle

2009-12-04T13:49:00.015-05:00

My friend Jenny has amazing style and to go along with that her blog is ridiculous..check her out

http://privilegedlifestyle.blogspot.com/

Jay Perry

2009-11-08T11:27:00.013-05:00

Jay is a good friend of mine from high school. We played hockey together and always talked about our creative projects. Its cool to see where Jay is now with his photography and blog. He is doing a shoot with me this week of a lowrider bike I built. It was a total custom project...welded tubular/sculpted frame and airbrushed all by aalona. We are stoked to have Jay shoot it this week.

check him

website....http://www.jayperry.ca
blog........http://www.monstersvsme.com

photography by Jay Perry

Rob Dyrdek Collection x DC Shoes

2009-10-02T08:38:00.002-04:00

Hamilton Coca Cola Ad uncovered

2009-09-27T12:40:00.006-04:00

James St. N. - Recently uncovered Coca Cola sign..close to where I am setting up the studio.

EUROTRIP

2009-09-25T16:01:00.006-04:00

R.I.P. Shawn Mortensen

2009-04-17T14:24:00.009-04:00

yesterday we lost a very cool, talented and inspiring man.
http://www.shawnmortensen.org

Prada Aoyama,Tokyo - Herzog de Meuron

2009-03-09T12:23:00.004-04:00

In 1999 Prada launched the "Epicentre Store" programme to examine different ways of reinventing the Prada retail experience by commissioning avant-garde architects like Rem Koolhaas and SANNA to design their new shops. The latest addition to the programme was Prada Aoyama in Tokyo designed by the Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning duo, Herzog and de Meuron. The result is an innovative solution whereby shopping becomes a hybrid and diffused experience where consumerism and culture fuse together.

Johnston Marklee and Associates - Maison Martin Margiela

2009-03-06T10:08:00.012-05:00

Johnston Marklee is a Los Angeles CA. based architecture firm founded by husband and wife Mark Lee and Sharon Johnston. They have received numerous awards for combining their passion of art with architecture to create truly one of a kind buildings and interiors. I stumbled upon the Maison Martin Margiela store when I was in Beverly Hills. The Facade covered in these tiny chrome discs move with the wind and create a very fluid, inconsistent pattern across the complete exterior of the building.

Graphic wall paper and films printed with photographs of the original Paris atelier are plastered onto vertical surfaces. Neon signs creates a momentary distraction but reorients all guests to new views. Plastic champagne flutes are constructed into a full-height display tower for shoes and accessories.

http://www.johnstonmarklee.com/

CandySticks by aalona

2009-02-26T19:12:00.005-05:00

I just finished a set of 4 custom chairs called CandySticks. Each one is a different colour, pastel pink, turquoise, grey and white. they all have the matching solid maple legs with brass feet. Upholstered in silver Xorel damask. lookin good, im using the one for my desk chair.

Set of 4 forsale -email me

Big Black Chair by aalona

2009-02-21T13:45:00.003-05:00

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Versace Edition

2009-02-18T15:57:00.008-05:00

Bianchi Pista Concept 2004

2009-02-08T00:59:00.001-05:00

soon, you will be mine

Ann Demeulemeester shop by mass studies

2009-02-06T13:46:00.006-05:00

mass studies is a korean based architecture firm that was founded in 2003 by minsuk cho in seoul. the studio recently finished the new flagship store for fashion retailer Ann Demeulemeester. the building consists of four levels, the shop, a multi-store and restaurant on the top floors. The building incorporates greenwalls, concrete structure, seamless glass and organic architectural elements combined with modern store fixtures to create one of the most unique retail projects I have seen to date.

http://www.massstudies.com/

Milos Nemec

2009-02-06T10:57:00.003-05:00

Milos Nemec is a Slovak designer with a clean and simple style, focused more on the form and function of the object. Check out his latest collection of Porcelain.

The Gherkin- London, England

2009-02-02T09:24:00.009-05:00

30 St.Mary Axe, or The Gherkin as it has become known, is an unmistakable landmark proudly claiming it's place on the London skyline. Built on the site of the old Baltic Exchange The Gherkin has modern architecture which is both aesthetically pleasing and forward thinking. In terms of internal space and working environment, this building is truly unique. The Building is one of many masterpieces designed by Norman Foster.

http://www.30stmaryaxe.com/
http://www.fosterandpartners.com/

aalona dog leashes

2009-01-31T12:29:00.003-05:00

We are presently working on some dog leashes because we love dogs. They are lookin super tight!

WALLY

2009-01-28T14:48:00.011-05:00

I have always been fascinated by well engineered cars and boats. Wally is a leader in the world of mega Yachts and have maintained a modern and distinct design approach that makes them stand out above the rest. This video is of the Wally 118, you can view the rest of their boats by clicking the link below.

http://www.wally.com/

Big Black Chair

2009-01-27T13:58:00.003-05:00

Rick Ross is jokes. Here he is in anticipation for the release of the aalona Big Black Chair

Dreshouse- flooring

2009-01-26T20:19:00.008-05:00

The walnuts are in

Dreshouse- details

2009-01-26T19:35:00.008-05:00

This project is really coming together, check out some of the details

this reveal on the washroom ceiling should look really cool. the wall on the right will get a full mirror edge to edge and the cove will be lit. The rest is a secret.

The living room ceiling has a couple coves. The goal was to have the two elements on each side appear as they are floating, so the coves will be lit and they will be accented with paint.

This curve is in the bedroom where the ceiling meets the built in wall unit.

At the top of the staircase we did a reveal so the side of the stairs create a continuous element all the way up the stairs and across the ceiling.

A couple of curves in the bulkhead which wrap into the curved wall. I like how the curves meet the hard angles of the built in desk area.

Dreshouse- Framing/Rough-in

2009-01-26T13:37:00.003-05:00

Dreshouse- Demolition

2009-01-26T12:12:00.002-05:00

Well, it helps when you have a massive human being like Tyrone on your team. We didnt waste anytime. I think the pics speak for themselves.

Dreshouse- before pictures

2009-01-24T19:58:00.016-05:00

In the bedroom this wall will get a built in wall unit, and the closet will get built out to increase the size for Andre.

Looking towards the back of the house we will be removing the washroom on the right side and adding a powder room in the front of the house.

We will be removing the railing and old radiator as the home as been updated with a new gas furnace forced air system. Instead of the railing I am going to do a low wall.

This is the washroom and vestibule that will be replaced by the powder room. This will open up the back of the house for an open concept living area with french doors out to a future patio.

Location for powder room. We will pick up the window in the washroom and have a big curved wall that will become an important detail in the home as you will see in later photos and a bit in the Dreshouse 3D post.

From the chimney back is an addition, im not sure what year it was put on but you can picture the chimney where it stands runnin up the back exterior of the original home.This whole area will get demolished. The chimney will become a focal point as the kitchen island will be built around it and the ceiling height will increase to 11' at this point.

We will be keeping the stairs and refinishing them. I like them because the treads have a natural worn quality to them, so we will be refinishing them to match the new walnut floors. The area below them will be demolished and turned into an space for a built in computer desk. This staircase is going to look killer.

Upon entry looking towards the back of the house. This wall will be deleted to satisfy the open concept floorplan and kitchen layout.

Check the Dreshouse 3D post

Dreshouse 3D

2009-01-23T19:53:00.007-05:00

I decided to open up the complete mainfloor and have the kitchen wrapped around the original brick chimney. The curved bulkheads and wall create a very organic flow through to the kitchen and into the back of the house where we gained an extra 3' in height by vaulting the ceiling. The custom built in fireplace/wall unit is lookin pretty wicked. I will post some progress pics soon.

right click image and open in new window to enlarge

THE HUNDREDS IS HUGE

2009-01-23T09:37:00.017-05:00

Bobby Hundreds interview part I

Bobby Hundreds interview part I

Probly my favourite brand in the world right now. I was first introduced to The Hundreds while staying in L.A. when i visited the Active store in Santa Monica, one of The Hundreds first accounts and a ridiculous sanctuary for streetwear enthusiasts steps from the ocean. Big Ups to The Hundreds...keep it comin
http://www.thehundreds.com/

TOFER

2009-01-22T14:16:00.006-05:00

Christofer Chin AKA TOFER is one of my favourite artists. I love the way he uses colour ranges, drop shadows and distorted patterns to totally screw with your eye and create a visual 3d masterpiece. Huge shout outs to TOFER

http://www.christoferchin.com/

obama mania

2009-01-22T10:17:00.002-05:00

if you dont like this guy....then we dont like you.

Dreshouse

2009-01-22T09:19:00.008-05:00

Dreshouse is really coming a long. I guess first off I should tell you a bit about the project as my blog is fairly new. My client is a 27 year old male, his name is Andre and he was looking to totally transform his home into something highly detailed and sophisticated, yet still funky and ready for a good party. The house is located on Martha St. right in the core of downtown burlington. It is a two level backsplit sitting on a ravine lot with lots of big trees. The house was built in 1914 and is in a row of only a few original cottages left in the area. It has been a rental for 4 years, but the tenants are out and Dre is moving in to the dream bachelor pad. The place is lookin MAD aalona styles. soo stoked.

Sander Mulder

2009-01-22T00:01:00.005-05:00

Sander Mulder has some awesome work.

featured above is the Josephine floor lamp.

http://www.sandermulder.com/