Here are some shots of the finished PeaceLove retail prototypes. The installation went smoothly, and only a few minor dimensional changes should be needed to finalize the designs. The model store is still being tweaked and merchandised, I'll post some more photos as the project progresses.
Here's some in-progress shots from the retail prototype build. I'll be posting some more info and photos of the finished pieces over the next few days.
A few months ago I picked up this salon hair dryer from an estate sale shop. After years of use, it was in pretty bad shape, but still worked. For the price, I couldn't pass it up. Knowing absolutely nothing about upholstery, I decided to completely renovate the piece.
The torn and dirty fabric was the first thing to be replaced. I found a few yards of bright purple vinyl at a local store and set to work cutting, stretching and stapling. The cushions were also replaced with new foam, making the chair much more comfortable. I had the piping custom made at a local shop, who also gave me some much needed advice. The white furniture nails serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose, securing the side panels to the frame.
The blower assembly and dials were completely rebuilt and rewired. All of the exposed metal was then painted flat gray. Through some creative taping and masking I was able to save the original foil stickers and dials.
Luckily, the original dome was not cracked, and cleaned up well. However, the arm rests were in bad shape and needed to be replaced. Using the originals as a template, I created a new set from red oak and finished them with a natural stain.
I tend to create a lot of dust and debris when working. So in order to keep electronics and finished projects out of harms way, I decided to turn the smaller space off the back of my studio into a clean room. The biggest hurdle was the irregular shape and size of the opening (about 6'x9')
Other factors also played into the final design. I did not want the door to have a large footprint and take up valuable floor space. I needed something lightweight, and easy to open by myself. There are numerous pipes and conduit running throughout the ceiling at varying heights. I did not want to spend more than $25, and I had absolutely no plan when I started building.
Ropes strung throughout the ceiling meet at an out of service fuse box where I can control and tie off the door. Pulling down on the main rope, opens the door halfway, and allows for personal access. The remaining two ropes fully open the door and allows for passage of larger objects. The two blocks on each side of the door lock it snugly against the wall, preventing any dust from getting in.
I also built a rack to hold all of the wood given to me by my friend Robin of Peacock Taco. I'll be elaborating on that in a future post.
About a month ago, I was asked to build a piece that would compliment the work of artist Tom Zotos. His recent series of paintings, titled "Birth of the Blues," showcases various blues musicians such as Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones. Tom asked for an altar to be built on one wall of PeaceLove Studios which would then be adorned with paitings, instruments and other blues paraphernalia. The only direction given was to draw on the aesthetic of a juke joint.
The finished piece consists of 9 modular units, that when joined with only a few bolts, become a freestanding altar measuring 16' long and 10' high. The inner frame was created with conventional building materials, then finished with wood from recycled pallets and corrugated metal found at a local scrap yard.
Although heavy, the altar was moved and re-assembled in only a few hours. A tree from my art window earlier this year was also on display as a "blues family tree". The opening was well attended, and also featured artists Jeffery Sparr and Jillian Clark, as well as a live blues band. We're going back to add some lights and color on the wall for promotional shots in the coming weeks. I'll be sure to post them once they're done.
Tom Zotos
