what would you do?

[papaver]

I'm living in a newly built home, that was designed by our architect. A young but very promising talent. Our house is quite original and has a environment friendly design. And we love it.

But now we get weekly phone calls from photographers who want to shoot our home for a great variety of national and international design and architectural magazines.

Would you do it? Would you show your home to the world? I don't mind the exterior that much, but the interior? (that was designed by me).

[Tri Girl]

I don't know. Would you need to ask the architect too? I may let them take photographs but make them credit the architect if they're going to print the photos. Plus, how cool would that be for your house to be seen nationwide? The exterior I wouldn't mind- the interior- no way. Just my two cents. :)

Now I wonder what it looks like, tho. Will you take a picture and show US?;)

[PamNY]

Depends on you and your personality. Some people love attention and publicity; others don't. Only you can decide.

Pam

[papaver]

Of course the architect knows. :) It could be great a breakthrough for him. We were the first who really gave him all the freedom he wanted (keeping in mind the local building regulations of course).


I've got some pics, but they are not recent. A lot has changed since then...

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/IMG_2980.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/IMG_2814.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee261/fattiebert/IMG_2772.jpg

It's not a very common design. It's a kinda you love it or you hate it thing. :D

[papaver]

Depends on you and your personality. Some people love attention and publicity; others don't. Only you can decide.

Pam

Well it's about the house, not about me. :) (fortunately :D ). It's kinda difficult, because i really think our architect can use the publicity. But on the other hand...

[shootingstar]

Guess it depends on the area where you live..and crime rate. How much the home is valued now, etc.

To show exterior of a home, without a photo of yourself and other family members might be the safest.

I tend to think security first and foremost. We live in a pleasant neighbourhood which is well known internationally for illustrating the hot concept of "Vancouverism" --livable neighbourhood with mix of high density housing types/styles yet with longish paths for walking, jogging and cycling by a waterfront (even kayaking in middle of downtown) and close to cafes, services, community centre, etc. Urban planners and architects from other countries tour the area, they talk about our area in conferences...

Won't be posting pics of where we live. Interior isn't worth it with our jumbled taste of furnishings and stacks of incomplete artwork (mine). But we do get terrific city views, including local mountains..and even Mt. Baker in Washington state. on a clear day.

[shootingstar]

I can see the interesting shape/depth of house. It's ok, papaver, this is good enough (for me).

You should visit Vancouver, BC. The biggest difference between here and Ontario where we used to live for many years, is our balmier climate provides greater latitude for architects to be more innovative. But maybe the natural coastal/mountain environment inspires the architects also.

[papaver]

crime rate is very low. And we've got good security. So that risk is low.

[redrhodie]

I would do it. I think it could have a positive impact. Someone who may not be thinking of the environmental impact of their design, may see your house and rethink the possibilities. Also, great for your architect. You seem pleased with his work. It would be a good recommendation for him.

If you're concerned about your personal things being featured, I'm sure you could work with the stylists to hide what you don't want shown.

[lph]

I would do it. But then, I'm a shameless exhibitionist :D

Having to have the place spotless once a week would be a dealbreaker though, the stylists or whoever would have to do all that ;)

[Grog]

I would say yes without an afterthought.

[Tri Girl]

Your house is amazing!!!!! I love every part of it. Your architect is amazingly talented. And it's eco-friendly, too? Cool!!!

[papaver]

it's what we call a 'low impact home'. With lot's of environmental friendly features (like special thermal insulation, a rainwater collector, special heating system, solar panels...).

And the fact that a architectural house doesn't has to be that expensive...

[papaver]

Your house is amazing!!!!! I love every part of it. Your architect is amazingly talented. And it's eco-friendly, too? Cool!!!

;) thanks.

[shootingstar]

it's what we call a 'low impact home'. With lot's of environmental friendly features (like special thermal insulation, a rainwater collector, special heating system, solar panels...).

And the fact that a architectural house doesn't has to be that expensive...


Would agree here..most definitely. It's a good thing that in some parts of North America there has been stronger movement on sustainable housing ...well for certain new neighbourhoods.

Got ideas for a tree or shrubs? (I'm sure our landscape architects in TE could give you tons of ideas.) Enjoy your comfy home!

[papaver]

the trees in the decking are juneberries. I love those trees.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'd do it... if they paid decently! :rolleyes:

[salsabike]

Depends on you and your personality. Some people love attention and publicity; others don't. Only you can decide.

Pam


Well it's about the house, not about me. :) (fortunately :D ). It's kinda difficult, because i really think our architect can use the publicity. But on the other hand...

I think Pam just meant: do what you are personally comfortable with...

[Zen]

If it were me, I'd do it under the condition that I and the house location remained anonymous. The architect would still get some press.

[Miranda]

I'm with Zen on not publishing the local. Though if peeps really wanted to find it bad enough they would. It's sad... but unfortunately there are a lot of crazies in the world.

I think I am in the love camp for your house. I was just thinking about mine the other day. I've come to the point in life I don't need all the "stuff" I had before. I hate the decor, etc. Give me open, clean, simple. It can translate to... spectacular.

I say if you are ok with it, go for it!:)

[Tuckervill]

I'd do it, too. I'd cleanse my house of all the things like family pictures that could identify me. But I'd let them do any pictures they want.

Karen

[smilingcat]

Do you want some exposure for your architect? Are you doing this for him?

Or do you want the photos of your house in magazines so you have once in a lifetime opportunity to have your house showcased? Some people really try to have their house showcased in a local paper "house of the month" and so on. It will be nice memory for the future.

If you have expensive collection of ??? then I would definitly put those away for the photo shoot. You don't want to look like you have prized possesions.

It sounds like your house will be showcased for eco friendly, modern and comfortable. A very nice combo. Exterior is very pretty and love the deck with the trees. It really brings nature right up to the house.

Maybe have a reference to your architect's name and reference you as the couple who commissioned the design. No name. Just a client of the architect...

enjoy your new house.

[papaver]

Fortunately they never mention where the house is located. Only the province and the country. My house is not so easy to find because our road really goes nowhere. :D It used to be a main road, but that was some 50 odd years ago. Now there's only very local passing.

The exterior pictures are for the architect, the interior pics are for my 'work'. I don't have expensive furniture but it are original pieces. I call my interior shabby chic. :D

And I don't have pictures of my family in my home. I never do that. I don't know why, guess I carry them in my heart. :)

[bmccasland]

Papaver - going from memories of a neighbor of my parent's house being photographed.... the conditions are in the contract. For interior shots, the higher end magazines will have a crew and stylists that could concieveably come in, strip many things out of your house and temporarily store them in a storage unit, then redecorate- to the point that you may not even recognize your own home when you see the photo layout. As for exterior shots, even that would be stipulated in a contract, and they certainly wouldn't be giving out your address - "HERE's the new home of The Papavers on 1234 Happy Valley Road, isn't it wonderful, designed by John Doe!!!"

As I recall, when my parent's neighbors house interior was the focus - log cabin, Americana furnishings, and Thanksgiving dinner. The shoot was in July. Of course they wanted a blazing fire going in the fire place. So blazing fire, in July, in Texas. The a/c unit was working overtime. I'm not sure who paid the electricity bill that month. Their name was in the magazine, "home of Mr. & Mrs. Smith of Austin, TX" but unless you knew them, you wouldn't be able to find the house. And as I recall, it was "Mr. & Mrs. Smith", no first name.

If they want to focus on the architect, then it should be "home designed by John Doe, architect in the yourcityhere", area. It's about him, and his designs. Not really about you. ;)

[Skierchickie]

Very cool, Papaver! The whole concept!

Apparently, I wouldn't do it. I know because the place we got our cabinets and countertops from asked afterward if they could come in and take some shots for a commercial they were putting together. I was very flattered (I designed it myself), and very excited at first, but then started feeling uncomfortable. I ended up declining. Probably due to my upbringing, and the feeling that I was bragging somehow. Now the entire house is a perpetual mess :rolleyes:, so nobody would ever ask that again!

[papaver]

Well, we talked about it and we are going to say yes for the exterior shots but we will not go for the interior shots. It's a bit too intimate.

The interiorshots are really about my interior design (i'm pretty good at it). I sometimes use my house as a setting for my work (advertising) and then we take pics of a detail of my interior and not a whole room. I have no problems with a pic of my wallpaper or something like that, but I don't want everybody to see my library where I relax...

Do i make sense?

[skinimini]

I'd do it, and in fact, I've done it--for a local home style magazine. Ours was just for an interior renovation. It was a great experience, although I would say it was a little unnerving to see your story in print. We were at home the entire time and the photographer didn't move anything. The architect did get a lot of publicity. Surprisingly, the magazine did a recap just last summer of "favorite re-dos". I didn't know about that one until the magazine hit the shelves.

Your house is so incredibly cool! I really like your contemporary, eco-friendly design.

[tulip]

My SO's house has been in a magazine. The interior was the focus, since it was a total renovation. It's very modern (originally built in the 1960s). One thing that the magazine wanted to know but that he did not divulge was the cost of renovation/construction. That was off limits.

I think you should do it. Since you have multiple requests, choose carefully. Your architect would probably have the best ideas of which requests are worth responding to.

by the way, your house looks wonderful!

[msincredible]

Well, we talked about it and we are going to say yes for the exterior shots but we will not go for the interior shots. It's a bit too intimate.

The interiorshots are really about my interior design (i'm pretty good at it). I sometimes use my house as a setting for my work (advertising) and then we take pics of a detail of my interior and not a whole room. I have no problems with a pic of my wallpaper or something like that, but I don't want everybody to see my library where I relax...

Do i make sense?

Sounds like a good decision! :)

[TxDoc]

I would allow the photographers to come in and take their pictures. If you have good security, as you said, there will be no problem.
But - I am biased ;) because architectural photography is my hobby so I often call up people to ask for permission to take pictures of their homes...

[malkin]

I love your house!!

[Mr. Bloom]

I'd do it in a heartbeat (with the location protected...).

I think that this inspires a whole new generation of folks to do something similar.

It's a really neat home! Well Done!

[shootingstar]

I would allow the photographers to come in and take their pictures. If you have good security, as you said, there will be no problem.
But - I am biased ;) because architectural photography is my hobby so I often call up people to ask for permission to take pictures of their homes...

There is a TE member here who does this for a living. I met her and her ex-surfing, now kite-surfing instructor hubby. She lives in Hawaii. Obviously she's seen knockout places in her line of work in that part of the world.