Journal
Field Notes
Essays on photography, architecture, interiors, and the order of a house.
Photography
Afternoon light on a Baton Rouge porch
Afternoon light on a Baton Rouge porch. A Baton Rouge field note on afternoon light porch photography Baton
Photography
Photographing a shotgun house without flattening it
Photographing a shotgun house without flattening it. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph shotgun house without
Photography
River fog and the Mississippi bridge
River fog and the Mississippi bridge. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph river fog Mississippi bridge Baton
Photography
Humidity, haze, and the lens
Humidity, haze, and the lens. A Baton Rouge field note on humidity haze lens photography
Photography
Window light in a south-facing kitchen
Window light in a south-facing kitchen. A Baton Rouge field note on south facing kitchen window light
Architecture
The raised house and the air under it
The raised house and the air under it. A Baton Rouge field note on raised house crawl space air
Architecture
Shotgun plans and the middle room
Shotgun plans and the middle room. A Baton Rouge field note on shotgun house middle room
Architecture
A gallery that is a hallway with opinions
A gallery that is a hallway with opinions. A Baton Rouge field note on side gallery hallway house
Architecture
Porch depth and the hour you can sit outside
Porch depth and the hour you can sit outside. A Baton Rouge field note on porch depth shade Baton
Architecture
Ceiling height as a kind of manners
Ceiling height as a kind of manners. A Baton Rouge field note on ceiling height proportion
Interiors
Cream walls and the art that can live on them
Cream walls and the art that can live on them. A Baton Rouge field note on art on cream
Interiors
The one rug that settles a living room
The one rug that settles a living room. A Baton Rouge field note on choose one rug living
Interiors
Dining chairs mismatched on purpose
Dining chairs mismatched on purpose. A Baton Rouge field note on mismatch dining
Interiors
Curtains that reach the floor
Curtains that reach the floor. A Baton Rouge field note on curtains should touch the
Interiors
A kitchen backsplash that does not shout
A kitchen backsplash that does not shout. A Baton Rouge field note on quiet kitchen
Order
A drawer that is a small plan
A drawer that is a small plan. A Baton Rouge field note on organize a drawer like a floor
Order
The bowl by the door
The bowl by the door. A Baton Rouge field note on entry bowl for keys and
Order
Paper, and the one tray it lives in
Paper, and the one tray it lives in. A Baton Rouge field note on one tray for paper
Order
A closet shelf that matches how you dress
A closet shelf that matches how you dress. A Baton Rouge field note on closet shelves by how you
Order
The kitchen drawer of tools, not gadgets
The kitchen drawer of tools, not gadgets. A Baton Rouge field note on kitchen tool drawer not
Photography
The color of a live oak canopy
The color of a live oak canopy. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph live oak canopy
Photography
Brick that has been painted and painted again
Brick that has been painted and painted again. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph painted brick
Photography
Dusk on the levee without a postcard
Dusk on the levee without a postcard. A Baton Rouge field note on levee dusk photography Baton
Photography
A camera on the drawing table
A camera on the drawing table. A Baton Rouge field note on camera on architect drawing
Photography
When the frame is already finished
When the frame is already finished. A Baton Rouge field note on knowing when a photograph is
Photography
Shadows that explain a room
Shadows that explain a room. A Baton Rouge field note on shadows that explain a room
Photography
Ceilings, fans, and the height of a house
Ceilings, fans, and the height of a house. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph ceiling fans room
Photography
Rain on Government Street
Rain on Government Street. A Baton Rouge field note on rain street photography Government
Photography
The ethics of a tidy frame
The ethics of a tidy frame. A Baton Rouge field note on ethics of tidy interior
Photography
Film habits inside a digital file
Film habits inside a digital file. A Baton Rouge field note on film habits digital photography
Photography
Porches as stages
Porches as stages. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph porches as
Photography
Stair rails and the hand that uses them
Stair rails and the hand that uses them. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph stair rails
Photography
Night interiors without the orange cast
Night interiors without the orange cast. A Baton Rouge field note on night interior photography white
Photography
A record of a room, or a portrait of one
A record of a room, or a portrait of one. A Baton Rouge field note on room record versus room portrait
Photography
Cypress, weather, and a slow shutter
Cypress, weather, and a slow shutter. A Baton Rouge field note on cypress slow shutter photography
Photography
Framing a door so the next room stays a promise
Framing a door so the next room stays a promise. A Baton Rouge field note on framing doorways interior
Photography
What a 35mm lens does to a parlor
What a 35mm lens does to a parlor. A Baton Rouge field note on 35mm lens parlor
Photography
Tables after the meal is cleared
Tables after the meal is cleared. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph dining table after
Photography
Light through shutters
Light through shutters. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph light through
Photography
The gray of Louisiana, which is never gray
The gray of Louisiana, which is never gray. A Baton Rouge field note on Louisiana gray color
Photography
A tripod in a furnished room
A tripod in a furnished room. A Baton Rouge field note on tripod in furnished room
Photography
Standing in the corner you are not supposed to notice
Standing in the corner you are not supposed to notice. A Baton Rouge field note on corner viewpoint interior
Photography
Reflections in old glass
Reflections in old glass. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph reflections old window
Photography
Bookshelves without making a catalog
Bookshelves without making a catalog. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph bookshelves
Photography
Morning fog on the LSU lakes
Morning fog on the LSU lakes. A Baton Rouge field note on morning fog LSU lakes
Photography
The horizon in a flat city
The horizon in a flat city. A Baton Rouge field note on horizon line flat city
Photography
Hands in the frame
Hands in the frame. A Baton Rouge field note on when to include hands in
Photography
Plaster cracks as material, not damage
Plaster cracks as material, not damage. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph plaster cracks as
Photography
White balance for cream walls
White balance for cream walls. A Baton Rouge field note on white balance cream walls
Photography
The long walk around a house before the first frame
The long walk around a house before the first frame. A Baton Rouge field note on walk a house before
Photography
A gallery wall where the art stays primary
A gallery wall where the art stays primary. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph gallery wall art
Photography
Overhead fans and the motion you should not freeze
Overhead fans and the motion you should not freeze. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph ceiling fan
Photography
North light on a Gulf latitude
North light on a Gulf latitude. A Baton Rouge field note on north light Gulf coast
Photography
Tile floors and the grid they insist on
Tile floors and the grid they insist on. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph tile floor
Photography
After a storm, before the yard is cleaned
After a storm, before the yard is cleaned. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph yard after
Photography
The camera height that flatters a dining room
The camera height that flatters a dining room. A Baton Rouge field note on camera height dining room
Photography
A fireplace that is never lit
A fireplace that is never lit. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph unused
Photography
Color in the shade of a camellia
Color in the shade of a camellia. A Baton Rouge field note on shade color camellia
Photography
When the best photograph is the plan
When the best photograph is the plan. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph architectural
Photography
A notebook page beside a contact sheet
A notebook page beside a contact sheet. A Baton Rouge field note on notebook and contact sheet
Photography
Thresholds and the one step up into the house
Thresholds and the one step up into the house. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph entry threshold
Photography
Exposing a porch that opens into a dark hall
Exposing a porch that opens into a dark hall. A Baton Rouge field note on expose porch and dark
Photography
The sound of a shutter in an occupied house
The sound of a shutter in an occupied house. A Baton Rouge field note on photographing occupied houses
Photography
Editing toward the room you remember
Editing toward the room you remember. A Baton Rouge field note on edit photos toward remembered
Photography
A year of the same window
A year of the same window. A Baton Rouge field note on photograph the same window for a
Architecture
How a roof pitch talks to the street
How a roof pitch talks to the street. A Baton Rouge field note on roof pitch street
Architecture
The side yard the survey forgot
The side yard the survey forgot. A Baton Rouge field note on side yard as a room
Architecture
Additions that do not apologize
Additions that do not apologize. A Baton Rouge field note on house addition that respects
Architecture
Windows that look at a wall
Windows that look at a wall. A Baton Rouge field note on window facing a wall design
Architecture
The scale of a public room
The scale of a public room. A Baton Rouge field note on public room scale
Architecture
Brick piers and the modern slab
Brick piers and the modern slab. A Baton Rouge field note on brick piers versus slab
Architecture
A plan that starts from the light
A plan that starts from the light. A Baton Rouge field note on plan a house from the
Architecture
Cross ventilation when the air is still
Cross ventilation when the air is still. A Baton Rouge field note on cross ventilation still air
Architecture
The door swing that ruins a dining room
The door swing that ruins a dining room. A Baton Rouge field note on door swing dining room
Architecture
Eaves, shade, and a bigger overhang
Eaves, shade, and a bigger overhang. A Baton Rouge field note on eave overhang shade hot
Architecture
Lining a new opening up with an old window
Lining a new opening up with an old window. A Baton Rouge field note on align new opening with old
Architecture
The fireplace as structure
The fireplace as structure. A Baton Rouge field note on fireplace as structure not
Architecture
What a five-foot side setback does
What a five-foot side setback does. A Baton Rouge field note on narrow side setback house
Architecture
Stairs that arrive in the right room
Stairs that arrive in the right room. A Baton Rouge field note on stair landing which
Architecture
A studio that shares a wall with a kitchen
A studio that shares a wall with a kitchen. A Baton Rouge field note on home studio beside kitchen
Architecture
Drawing at the table before the screen
Drawing at the table before the screen. A Baton Rouge field note on hand drawing before
Architecture
The difference between a hall and wasted width
The difference between a hall and wasted width. A Baton Rouge field note on hallway width house
Architecture
Clerestory light in a one-story house
Clerestory light in a one-story house. A Baton Rouge field note on clerestory windows one story
Architecture
Thickening a wall so a window can sit in it
Thickening a wall so a window can sit in it. A Baton Rouge field note on deep window wall
Architecture
The private room behind a Garden District porch
The private room behind a Garden District porch. A Baton Rouge field note on porch and private room
Architecture
A bathroom that borrows a closet window
A bathroom that borrows a closet window. A Baton Rouge field note on borrowed light bathroom
Architecture
Kitchens that face the yard
Kitchens that face the yard. A Baton Rouge field note on kitchen facing the yard
Architecture
The mudroom a Louisiana house needs
The mudroom a Louisiana house needs. A Baton Rouge field note on mudroom design humid
Architecture
Roof overhangs and sideways rain
Roof overhangs and sideways rain. A Baton Rouge field note on overhang sideways rain
Architecture
One long view that makes a small house larger
One long view that makes a small house larger. A Baton Rouge field note on long view small house
Architecture
Materials that can take humidity
Materials that can take humidity. A Baton Rouge field note on humid climate building
Architecture
The beauty of a simple gable
The beauty of a simple gable. A Baton Rouge field note on simple gable roof
Architecture
How to end a hallway
How to end a hallway. A Baton Rouge field note on ending a hallway
Architecture
Built-in seats the plan makes inevitable
Built-in seats the plan makes inevitable. A Baton Rouge field note on built in window seat
Architecture
A carport that does not become the front
A carport that does not become the front. A Baton Rouge field note on carport not the front of the
Architecture
Renovating a 1940 bungalow without erasing the plan
Renovating a 1940 bungalow without erasing the plan. A Baton Rouge field note on renovate 1940 bungalow keep
Architecture
The center hall and the rooms that deserve it
The center hall and the rooms that deserve it. A Baton Rouge field note on center hall house
Architecture
Proportions before finishes
Proportions before finishes. A Baton Rouge field note on proportion before interior
Architecture
What an open plan costs a house here
What an open plan costs a house here. A Baton Rouge field note on open plan drawbacks hot
Architecture
A courtyard the size of a parking space
A courtyard the size of a parking space. A Baton Rouge field note on small courtyard house
Architecture
Aligning cabinet tops with window heads
Aligning cabinet tops with window heads. A Baton Rouge field note on align cabinets with window
Architecture
The quiet work of a good sill height
The quiet work of a good sill height. A Baton Rouge field note on window sill height
Architecture
How a house meets the sidewalk
How a house meets the sidewalk. A Baton Rouge field note on house frontage sidewalk
Architecture
Screening a porch without losing the street
Screening a porch without losing the street. A Baton Rouge field note on screen porch keep street
Architecture
A studio shed that respects the main roof
A studio shed that respects the main roof. A Baton Rouge field note on backyard studio shed
Architecture
Drawing the furniture before the walls
Drawing the furniture before the walls. A Baton Rouge field note on draw furniture before
Architecture
The room that should stay closed
The room that should stay closed. A Baton Rouge field note on when a room should have a
Architecture
Wood floors and the thermal-mass myth
Wood floors and the thermal-mass myth. A Baton Rouge field note on wood floors thermal mass
Architecture
A section drawing that explains the porch
A section drawing that explains the porch. A Baton Rouge field note on section drawing porch
Architecture
Leaving one window for the tree
Leaving one window for the tree. A Baton Rouge field note on window placement for existing
Interiors
Books as architecture
Books as architecture. A Baton Rouge field note on arrange books as
Interiors
The lamp that does the evening's work
The lamp that does the evening's work. A Baton Rouge field note on one lamp evening
Interiors
Wood tones that can share a room
Wood tones that can share a room. A Baton Rouge field note on mixing wood tones one
Interiors
A bedroom that is not a storage unit
A bedroom that is not a storage unit. A Baton Rouge field note on bedroom without storage
Interiors
Art height for a seated person
Art height for a seated person. A Baton Rouge field note on hang art for seated eye
Interiors
The console that earns the entry
The console that earns the entry. A Baton Rouge field note on entry console table
Interiors
Plants are not a substitute for a view
Plants are not a substitute for a view. A Baton Rouge field note on indoor plants versus a
Interiors
Tile you can live on
Tile you can live on. A Baton Rouge field note on choose floor tile you can live
Interiors
A sofa the room can afford, in inches
A sofa the room can afford, in inches. A Baton Rouge field note on sofa size for the
Interiors
Paint colors that survive afternoon sun
Paint colors that survive afternoon sun. A Baton Rouge field note on paint colors in afternoon
Interiors
The dining table as the house's largest tool
The dining table as the house's largest tool. A Baton Rouge field note on dining table size and
Interiors
Shelves that stop before the ceiling
Shelves that stop before the ceiling. A Baton Rouge field note on shelves that do not reach
Interiors
Hardware that belongs to the door
Hardware that belongs to the door. A Baton Rouge field note on door hardware that matches the
Interiors
A guest room that is ready, not decorated
A guest room that is ready, not decorated. A Baton Rouge field note on simple guest
Interiors
Old frames with a new photograph
Old frames with a new photograph. A Baton Rouge field note on mix old frames and new
Interiors
The runner that makes a hall a place
The runner that makes a hall a place. A Baton Rouge field note on hallway runner
Interiors
A window-seat cushion that was not an afterthought
A window-seat cushion that was not an afterthought. A Baton Rouge field note on window seat cushion
Interiors
A desk that should not face the wall
A desk that should not face the wall. A Baton Rouge field note on desk orientation in a
Interiors
Linen, cotton, and the season of the cloth
Linen, cotton, and the season of the cloth. A Baton Rouge field note on linen versus cotton
Interiors
The coffee table that is low enough
The coffee table that is low enough. A Baton Rouge field note on coffee table
Interiors
The back of the cabinet door
The back of the cabinet door. A Baton Rouge field note on organize inside cabinet
Interiors
A dark ceiling, used once
A dark ceiling, used once. A Baton Rouge field note on when to paint a ceiling
Interiors
Mirrors that double a window, not a mess
Mirrors that double a window, not a mess. A Baton Rouge field note on place a mirror to double a
Interiors
The chair nobody sits in
The chair nobody sits in. A Baton Rouge field note on remove the unused
Interiors
Bedding that calms a small room
Bedding that calms a small room. A Baton Rouge field note on bedding for a small
Interiors
A collection edited to one shelf
A collection edited to one shelf. A Baton Rouge field note on edit a collection to one
Interiors
The third material you do not need
The third material you do not need. A Baton Rouge field note on limit materials in a
Interiors
Lighting a painting without a gallery track
Lighting a painting without a gallery track. A Baton Rouge field note on light a painting at
Interiors
The mat on a photograph
The mat on a photograph. A Baton Rouge field note on mat board for a
Interiors
A house that still looks considered with children
A house that still looks considered with children. A Baton Rouge field note on interiors with
Interiors
A bar cabinet that closes
A bar cabinet that closes. A Baton Rouge field note on hide a bar
Interiors
Rugs on tile
Rugs on tile: a field note from a bungalow hall in Ogden Park on area rug on tile floor, and why rugs on tile depends on a marble scrap used once.
Interiors
The front door's color, seen from inside
The front door's color, seen from inside. A Baton Rouge field note on front door color from
Interiors
Side tables with a job
Side tables with a job: a field note from a Mid City side yard on side table function, and why side tables with a job depends on a wool rug.
Interiors
A reading corner that is a chair and a lamp
A reading corner that is a chair and a lamp. A Baton Rouge field note on simple reading
Interiors
Open kitchen shelves, and the limit
Open kitchen shelves, and the limit. A Baton Rouge field note on open kitchen shelving
Interiors
The vase that is empty half the year
The vase that is empty half the year. A Baton Rouge field note on empty vase in a
Interiors
The wall a headboard needs
The wall a headboard needs. A Baton Rouge field note on headboard and wall
Interiors
A powder room with one good idea
A powder room with one good idea. A Baton Rouge field note on powder room one
Interiors
Table linens for a weeknight
Table linens for a weeknight. A Baton Rouge field note on weeknight table
Interiors
The wall that can hold a television
The wall that can hold a television. A Baton Rouge field note on place a television on a
Interiors
Mixing metals without a formula
Mixing metals without a formula. A Baton Rouge field note on mix metals
Interiors
A nursery that can become a bedroom
A nursery that can become a bedroom. A Baton Rouge field note on nursery that becomes a
Interiors
The last five objects to leave a room
The last five objects to leave a room. A Baton Rouge field note on edit objects out of a
Interiors
How a room looks at seven in the morning
How a room looks at seven in the morning. A Baton Rouge field note on room in morning
Order
A desk cleared to the wood once a week
A desk cleared to the wood once a week. A Baton Rouge field note on clear a desk once a
Order
What belongs on a nightstand
What belongs on a nightstand. A Baton Rouge field note on what to keep on a
Order
The linen closet as a section drawing
The linen closet as a section drawing. A Baton Rouge field note on organize a linen
Order
A house that is not a hallway of shoes
A house that is not a hallway of shoes. A Baton Rouge field note on shoes out of the
Order
Mail, the same day
Mail, the same day. A Baton Rouge field note on process mail the same
Order
A pantry you can read from the door
A pantry you can read from the door. A Baton Rouge field note on pantry organized to read from
Order
Cables and the box they disappear into
Cables and the box they disappear into. A Baton Rouge field note on hide cables in one
Order
The junk drawer, renamed and reduced
The junk drawer, renamed and reduced. A Baton Rouge field note on reduce a junk
Order
Books you will read, and the others
Books you will read, and the others. A Baton Rouge field note on keep only books you will
Order
A calendar that is not an app
A calendar that is not an app. A Baton Rouge field note on paper calendar for a
Order
The entry closet
The entry closet. A Baton Rouge field note on organize an entry
Order
Tools on a peg, not in a pile
Tools on a peg, not in a pile. A Baton Rouge field note on hang tools on a
Order
The box of seasonal clothes
The box of seasonal clothes. A Baton Rouge field note on store seasonal
Order
A refrigerator that is a plan
A refrigerator that is a plan. A Baton Rouge field note on organize a
Order
The table after dinner, reset
The table after dinner, reset. A Baton Rouge field note on reset the table after
Order
Files for a house
Files for a house. A Baton Rouge field note on house files paint warranties
Order
A donation bag that stays by the door
A donation bag that stays by the door. A Baton Rouge field note on donation bag by the
Order
Objects allowed to live on the counter
Objects allowed to live on the counter. A Baton Rouge field note on what can stay on a
Order
The bathroom cabinet
The bathroom cabinet. A Baton Rouge field note on organize a bathroom
Order
Children's art, kept and released
Children's art, kept and released. A Baton Rouge field note on keep and release children's
Order
A camera bag packed the same way every time
A camera bag packed the same way every time. A Baton Rouge field note on pack a camera bag
Order
Drawing tools in one tray
Drawing tools in one tray. A Baton Rouge field note on organize drawing tools in a
Order
The garage that is not a second attic
The garage that is not a second attic. A Baton Rouge field note on keep a garage from becoming
Order
A hook at the height of your hand
A hook at the height of your hand. A Baton Rouge field note on key hook at hand
Order
Medicine in one place
Medicine in one place: a field note from the State Capitol terrace on keep medicine in one place, and why medicine in one place depends on a maple drawer box.
Order
The shelf of things waiting to be repaired
The shelf of things waiting to be repaired. A Baton Rouge field note on shelf for items to
Order
Putting a room back without a weekend
Putting a room back without a weekend. A Baton Rouge field note on reset a room in ten
Order
Where one-in-one-out fails
Where one-in-one-out fails. A Baton Rouge field note on when one in one out
Order
The car, emptied on Sunday
The car, emptied on Sunday. A Baton Rouge field note on empty the car once a
Order
Recipes you cook, written on cards
Recipes you cook, written on cards. A Baton Rouge field note on recipe cards you actually
Order
A guest closet that is actually empty
A guest closet that is actually empty. A Baton Rouge field note on keep a guest closet
Order
Photographs printed, not only stored
Photographs printed, not only stored. A Baton Rouge field note on print photographs instead of only
Order
The mud tray for a wet climate
The mud tray for a wet climate. A Baton Rouge field note on mud tray humid climate
Order
Labels that help, and labels that nag
Labels that help, and labels that nag. A Baton Rouge field note on when labels help
Order
A morning reset that takes ten minutes
A morning reset that takes ten minutes. A Baton Rouge field note on ten minute morning
Order
The office of a person who also draws
The office of a person who also draws. A Baton Rouge field note on organize a desk for drawing and
Order
The basket that is the blankets' room
The basket that is the blankets' room. A Baton Rouge field note on basket for
Order
Spice jars you can see through
Spice jars you can see through. A Baton Rouge field note on clear spice
Order
A workshop corner in a house with no workshop
A workshop corner in a house with no workshop. A Baton Rouge field note on small tool corner in a
Order
The end of a project and the tools going home
The end of a project and the tools going home. A Baton Rouge field note on put tools away after a
Order
Digital files named like prints
Digital files named like prints. A Baton Rouge field note on name photo files like
Order
A house manual for the person who waters the plants
A house manual for the person who waters the plants. A Baton Rouge field note on write a house
Order
The porch, swept
The porch, swept. A Baton Rouge field note on sweep the porch as
Order
A closed door so the rest of the house can be calm
A closed door so the rest of the house can be calm. A Baton Rouge field note on close a door to calm a
Order
What to do with the empty box
What to do with the empty box. A Baton Rouge field note on break down empty boxes the same