We have been on the go, meeting some truly amazing and inspirational people and firming up our events calendar. We also conducted site recces with several contractors. This week, after carefully reviewing several proposals, we finally made a decision and are pleased to announce that Bookworks Design has been awarded the design and fit-out project for our outlet.
Why Bookworks? Well we really like the fact that they work primarily with independent booksellers. In particular, while browsing through their portfolio, we came across the work they had done for Lutyens & Rubinstein in Notting Hill. It has a similar look and feel to Miami's Books & Books, which we love (see our blog entry on that). In fact, its innovative design has had it featured in Vogue, The Architects' Journal and The Architectural Review.
Screeding - according to dictionary.com, this is the definition
Building Trades.
a. a strip of plaster or wood applied to a surface to be plastered to serve as a guide for making a true surface.
b. a wooden strip serving as a guide for making a true level surface on a concrete pavement or the like.
c. a board or metal strip dragged across a freshly poured concrete slab to give it its proper level.
And spurs - apparently in the book trade, its the kind of bookshelving that is offset from another shelf
But you know what? As I told my friend Lin in Chicago today, I can feel it in my bones that this will be a great project; that we will make a space that is meaningful. Maybe we won't kick off with a flying start, and we know it may take years to break even, but somehow, deep down inside, I know that we can make it work and that slowly but surely, it will find its place among other well-beloved independent bookshops.
This is because I know in my heart that what we offer will not be merely a retail outlet. It will be much more than that. At its core, we want to honour stories, especially stories that make a difference. Plus I am stubborn and tenacious, and so is Shivaun. Between us, we will give this project the passion, attention and perseverance it deserves.
Then again, maybe I am kinda stupid in a naive, idealistic way. But hey, we all gotta dream, don't we? - Fran
.