The benefits of the lockdown: home maintenance and online courses

We can undoubtedly say that time has been an element in favor during the whole pandemic. In fact, during those past months, we have certainly had the time to delight ourselves in rediscovering passions, hobbies, and learning new things.

In addition to cooking, house upkeep was one of the most popular activities during the lockdown. We dedicated ourselves to DIY activities, primarily maintenance, followed by gardening and home decoration. These months have been an excellent opportunity to "get your hands on" and experiment with embellishing our homes by fixing, modifying, gardening, or building new things.  

In addition to house maintenance, another popular pastime that filled our days has been to take part in online courses. Many professionals, artists, and teachers have been making their skills available to provide classes, webinars, and live streaming services.  

MSA kept busy during the lockdown. So, we're sharing our home projects. 

pocket Patio by park

We added our pocket patio addition. We were inspired to create an outdoor space right off of our living area. We found excellent floor tile that laid over the existing concrete pad nicely. We used plants that liked indirect sunlight to create a lush and green space, and adding the ladder was a great way to house herbs, Lavender, and Gerber daisies. We love to hang out on our new patio. It feels like another place, quiet and private. In the evenings, we can throw a few logs on the fire pit and make s'mores. I used Tate's chocolate chip cookies and Lint dark chocolate with sea salt. It was a great way to reinvent the old graham cracker and Hershey's chocolate version.

AC compressor by bill

One of the projects I completed was installing a new AC compressor in my car. I had wanted to do it for the last two years but just never found the time. So, when the lockdown began, I decided to dive in. The process involves taking the front of the car apart to get to the compressor. Then, put the car all back together and blowing nice ice-cold air.

She Shed by CHRIS

I wanted to transform my shed into a She Shed, where I can do my artwork and crafts. So my husband and I ruthlessly went through it and cleared it out – that was Step #1. Then I painted the interior white, so it's bright and clean. Added a worktop, filed it with all my art/craft supplies, purchased a new drafting table, and voila! A unique and clean space. I don't have a picture of the interior, but you can get an idea. I made a mosaic "She Shed" sign for the exterior and then worked on my first project – an old oil lamp with no glass globe. I purchased a globe, mosaic-ed it, and electrified the lamp.  YouTube is my new best friend!

learning python by brian

My hobby in quarantine has been learning computer programming with Python, one of the most popular languages.

BBQ AND FIRE PIT BY SHAWN

During the Covid-19 home quarantine, I made some outside home improvements. I added a BBQ and Fire Pit conversation area.

Zoom drawing marathon BY ERIN

I continued with drawing & participated in Zoom drawing marathons which I had never done before. We would draw for 5+ hours. I could "pin" different models to draw. This format offered more flexibility & a variety of models with whom to choose. 

landscaping BY karen

My husband and I had our landscaping completed around our home – finally!  This project was our most significant project of the year, and we are so happy with it.  Fortunately, our property has a deep well to irrigate much of the plantings around our home.

chairs & shed BY jacqueline

I did a lot of projects last year.  Of course, those long weekends helped. I tend to be very productive during my off time consistently. What can I say? I like to make stuff!  So I'm attaching some of my faves, and I'll let you pick whichever you want to use.

  • Renovated some old resin wicker chairs – here's a pic of before and after – side by side. I had never attempted anything like this.

  • I built a shed/outdoor cabinet, for lack of a better word, I called a "Shebinet" – a cross between a shed and a cabinet. I had never built something quite this big, so it was a great learning experience. I wanted to make sure the back was also pretty, as it is the backdrop of my little side patio. I also made the planter next to the cabinet, and I have planted bougainvillea and succulents. The tiles on the face of the planter are pieces from our previous kitchen renovation.

 

Secret menus? Well, they really exist!

Is the regular burger getting boring? Are you tired of the same fast-food menu? Well, no panic, perhaps this news could make you want to order right now!

Many of your favorite quick grab n' go spots offer secret (or not so secret anymore) choices.

It's believed it was just an urban legend for a long time, and many thought it was "too good to be true," but customer testimonials report those secret menus do exist! In addition, some fast-food restaurants have secret menus available only upon request, and among these, including the most famous spots: McDonald's, In-n-Out, KFC, and many others. 

Secret menus were born as requests from special customers, prepared almost under the counter by the employers, partly to feed the myth, somewhat to circumvent suspicious eyes. But, once served, they inevitably started rumors among the food community, so they are not-so-secret-menus anymore.

Since we are lovers of these myths, which have remained more or less secret over time, we have put together the items we like best! 

Red Robin

Not only should Red Robin always be a favorite destination because of the bottomless fries with a meal, but unknown to most, you are allowed to substitute a fried crispy chicken breast in any of their burger/sandwich types. The printed menu only describes beef burgers with their unique flavor combinations. For a fried chicken lover, it is always a treat.

IN-N-OUT

In-n-Out is an excellent safe staple when on a California road trip. They offer up a "not-so-secret-menu," which includes a variety of famous special burgers and fries.

kfc

You might have thought the KFC Double Down was crazy–that's the bacon and cheese sandwich where crispy chicken serves as the bun. Well, the Triple Down is even crazier. It takes the classic and adds a third layer of chicken, cheese, and bacon.


MCDONALD’S

Do you struggle to eat at McDonald's if you are vegetarian?

No worries, you can order a Grilled Cheese Sandwich. It's one of Ronald's most famous "secret menu" items, and it's made by grilling up a slice or two of cheese between a hamburger bun. You can even request they add on a tomato slice. This sandwich is one road trip sandwich we can get behind.

Chick-fil-a

The Chicken Quesadilla is one of Chick-fil-A's more variable "secret menu" items. Although this item is not always available at all Chick-fil-A's, it is more prevalent in the Southwest. They combine their char-broiled chicken with cheese and melt them in a large flour tortilla.

Starbucks

If you are a caffeine lover, next Time you stop by a Starbucks, ask the barista to spike your chai latte with an extra shot of espresso. This energetic and yummy drink has a name: Dirty Chai. 

1976, what an epic year!

The year 1976 is the year of the discovery of Ebola, the death of Mao Tse-Tung, the Concorde's first commercial flight. America celebrates its bicentennial; Jimmy Carter defeats Gerald Ford for the presidency. The Summer Olympics take place in Montreal; Apple Computer Company forms, the Eagles release Hotel California, and Madeline Speer Associates is born!

Madeline opens the doors to her new firm in New York City with several key clients and, within a few short years, has partnered on her first job with Macy’s Department Stores, a relationship that lasts to today.

In the meantime, Stadium rock reigns. Rock’n’roll has completed its 20-year transformation from something seedy and frantic to something easy-going and safe. The release of ABBA’s s majestic “Dancing Queen” in August becomes the most significant single of the year.

With the new millennium, the company got multiple opportunities to grow. In 2003, Madeline Speer Associates became MSA planning + design consultants and ownership changes to John Pawek and Erin Bowes.  Along with the change in ownership, diversification of business sectors, including Healthcare, Workplace, and Institutional, helped grow the business exponentially. In 2009, MSA opened a field office in Seattle to service clients in the Northwest.

In 2014, with business shifting to include complete architectural services, a name change was in order, and we became MSA architecture + design. And in 2016, the office moves to its current location in Oakland, CA. Forty-five years is a long time for a company to survive and stay relevant.  We have done that by listening to our clients, attracting talented and knowledgeable staff, and maintaining long-lasting relationships with clients and consultants.  We look back on many remarkable projects and look forward to assisting our clients in creating environments beyond expectations.

To celebrate this particular year, we have gathered the songs that best represent 1976 and which made history, similarly to us :) From ABBA to Queen and the Eagles, 1976 was indeed an epic year!

The 8 best trends from the future

From self-care to finance, it is impressive to see how we are changing from technology to nutrition in our daily life.  While we looked back at past trends, we are curious to look toward the future for new trends which may influence our way of living. Our list includes eight technological, financial, cultural, and artistic trends that will have a decisive impact in the next five years.  What do you think?

Among the most impacted categories:

  • Technologies and innovation. What are the goals of the new designs? What needs do they intend to satisfy?

  • Beauty and cosmetics. The Z Generation is the protagonist: it is they who are reinventing the world of make-up, breaking some aesthetic habits, and reinterpreting beauty in a not only genderless but also transhuman key. Particular attention dedicates to cruelty-free and innovations from a sustainability perspective.

  • Health and wellness. New ways of taking care of oneself dominate, and as skin occupies the privileged place. Digital health gains momentum by monitoring one's health with a smartphone, an app, and a social network.

  • Finance. Digital currencies and cryptocurrencies. Will we be using digital money in five years?

Digital Currency

Hardly a new topic, crypto-currencies such as Bitcoin have generated splashy media attention for years. Still the rise of Bitcoin’s value over the past 3 months has been meteoric: from US$ 18K on 12/11, 2020 to US$60K on March 14, 2021. Somewhat lost in the major news from Christies’ artwork sale by the artist “Beeple” for US$69.3M was that it was conducted in Ethereum; dramatically highlighting how this blockchain currency is embedded with young investors. The real eyebrow raising news though, and a marker for the future, is China’s push to make the yuan a national digital currency. While cryptocurrencies are designed to be de-centralized to avoid control by a central bank, national digital currencies are very much intended to be government controlled and this makes them a lot more powerful. 

Digital NFT Home on mars

A wide range of industries are being disrupted by NFT technology, including the digital art world, contemporary artist Krista Kim recently created Mars House as first-of-its-kind digital non-fungible token home. As Kim sees it, "Everyone should install a LED wall in their house for NFT art. This is the future, and Mars House demonstrates the beauty of that possibility.

Source: Trendhunter

Dynamic Work of Art with beauty products

Ciaté London together with artist Saskia Gall created an unconventional makeup installation in London’s Hyde Park using its range of foundation and blush colors. Perfectly timed for the arrival of spring when people are appreciative of the season's fresh color palette, the installation shows off Ciaté's Dewy range and pigment-changing paints. The art piece is also an interactive one, as it is covered in hydrochromic paint and only comes to life when splashed with water.

Source: Trendhunter


STARLINK

Starlink is now delivering initial beta service both domestically and internationally, and will continue expansion to near global coverage of the populated world in 2021.

Starlink is ideally suited for areas of the globe where connectivity has typically been a challenge. Unbounded by traditional ground infrastructure, Starlink can deliver high-speed broadband internet to locations where access has been unreliable or completely unavailable.

LIVE VIDEO STREAMING

Thanks in part to social networks, this technology has definitely gone mainstream. The move from streaming sports games and news conferences to live streaming concerts and music festivals is a natural progression, as consumers increasingly embrace the concept of watching events while on the go or from the comfort of their home. 

Green Policies Further In Our Favor

Governments across the world have announced at least $12 trillion in stimulus funds, creating an enormous opportunity to accelerate investment in green technologies, shifting the cost dynamics of the transition.

NFTs

NFTs are unique blockchain-based digital assets that represent an increasing number of commodities, from art and real estate to collectibles like sports trading cards. The blockchain-created certificate of authenticity is used for a digital asset such as art, or in this case, a tweet. Example: This tweet sold for over 2 million.

ELECTRIC CARS

President Joe Biden has pledged to transition the U.S. economy “away from the oil industry.” This goal cannot be achieved without the electrification of road transport. market forces and green government policies are accelerating this shift in the United States and around the world as the electrification of transport is one of the major trends of the 21st century.

Source: Forbes

The 12 best trends from the past

We thought we would never see them again, except in our old photos or some nostalgic TV series. But specific past trends die-hard and inexplicably may come back years later. 

The question we all ask ourselves is one: Why? The answer is not there, and we all need to get over it. Fortunately, even the most questionable trends come back and become cool: the merit goes to the modern restyling that allows these trends to meet our (new) tastes.  

We have compiled technological, architectural, food, and fashion trends that may represent the past and enlighten our future!

Polariod cameras

The original instant gratification camera, first developed in the 1930s, produced images on the spot when film cameras and prints were modern. These cameras were popular through the 1970s. Though Polaroid filed bankruptcy in the 1990s as the digital image became standard. The photo styles' vintage look kept a hardcore following even as its products disappeared from the market. After numerous acquisitions and relaunches in the 21 century, the cameras and film are back. Skip the app and try the original!

AOL Instant Messenger

A past technological trend is AOL Instant Messenger. It’s the first time you could chat / message live with your friends. AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) was an instant messaging and presence computer program created by AOL, which allowed registered users to communicate in real-time. AIM was popular from the late 1990s to the late 2000s in North America and was the leading instant messaging application in that region. 

Art Deco architecture from the 1920’s and 1930’s

A significant trend from the past is Art Deco architecture from the 1920s and 1930s. It was considered very modern and state of the art during that period, but it also took references from ancient Egypt due to the incredible discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. To me, it exudes glamour, opulence, and sophistication.


Walkman

The Walkman was revolutionary, turning people into movie stars, living their lives to a rock soundtrack – Fitness fans could now jog around listening to their favorite music!

The first Walkman had two headphone sockets so friends could share the music.

Two things impressed people; How small the tape deck was and how good the sound quality was. The Walkman was an instant hit.

Ghetto Blasters, (Boom Box)

The boombox was considered a portable radio which became popular in America during the late 1970s, with most then being produced by Panasonic, Sony, General Electric, and Marantz.

PALM PHONE

Palm Centro was a storming success for Palm and accounted for the lion's share of the company's mobile internet traffic, as well as that for the US in general when it first came out. It's since given way as new smartphones have arrived but continued to impress even in 2008.

80’s hairstyle

The 1980s were a decade of bold style, colors, silhouettes, and heaping amounts of permed hair. Big hair was trendy because it looked stunning and dramatic when styled correctly. 

70’s short shorts

70s fashion was a turning point in the whole history of trends. With new materials, sewing techniques, and inspirations available, the 70s gave us space dresses, vinyl jumpsuits, various hallucination-inducing patterns, and double denim in men's fashion. Another thing that this decade gave us is short shorts. The men shorts trend might've had to do with the whole free love vibe of the 70s. 

Fondue: A Food Fad of the 1970's

The 1970s gave us many memories along with trends. Still, one particular fad is how a food origin from Switzerland suddenly became a chic party theme among young Baby Boomers (no, not chocolate, although it could be): fondue! It first emerged at the Swiss Pavilion's Alpine restaurant at the 1964 World Fair in New York but would soon gain a bigger following.


adding machine

An adding machine is a class of mechanical calculators, usually specialized for bookkeeping calculations. The United States built the earliest adding machines to read in dollars and cents. Adding machines were ubiquitous office equipment until they phased out in favor of calculators in the 1970s and personal computers beginning in about 1985. By 2000, these older adding machines are rarely seen in American office settings.

shortwave

Shortwave was the only way to get global broadcast from around the world. It was probably a costly and “trendy” add-on at the time.

Pac-Man

When it comes to home entertainment and just pure fun, nobody beats Namco. Do When it comes to home entertainment and just pure fun, nobody beats Namco. Do you remember those sit-down arcade games popular in pizza parlors during the 1980s? If you would like to recapture that feeling of spending hours (and not the quarters) trying to conquer the high score, you must consider the Pac-Man's Arcade Pixel Bash Cocktail Table from Namco! This sit-down version of the upright arcade game features 32 classic video games from Namco, including (amongst others) Rally-X, Galaga, and everyone's favorite arcade classic Pac-Man! Relive "The Golden Age of Video Arcade Games" in the privacy of your basement, where the public can't see your low scores! Or imagine the ultimate video game room in your home with this table as the centerpiece, inviting guests to sit down, play, and (hopefully) lose to you.