Apr 12

Immortal Merit of Ancient Architectural Designs

By pattisays In architecture, exterior - outdoor design, travel and design /  

THE Acropolis venue – this might be my one and only performance!! Ta Da!! But to be in these places where so much history is embedded in the stone and where modern celebrities have entertained and received worldwide exposure – it is staggering and humbling to even stroll by and see it – imagining the many scenes and who has performed and what on this and other ancient stages – imagining actually being invited to perform there in modern times with the ghosts of the millennia echoing through the zephyrs of the site.The Acropolis
These magnificent structures challenge if not defy our understanding as to how they were constructed so many thousands of years ago. Yet it is fascinating to realize what stunning architectural design impact they left and that we have utilized and incorporated their designs through the centuries and still value and employ today. Who was that first person or team of clever thinkers to determine to put a couple of things upright and something across the top of them and create the column and beam framework for structures? Not to mention the increased weight bearing techniques and incredible adornment that followed to improve and embellish the structures. From the pyramids to the palaces, the arches and vaults, the timeless influence of their ancient building designs and decorative arts is found in not only architectural design, but the design of interior spaces and furniture design as well. It’s inspiring to stop and think about the historical importance and true immortal merit that these ancient designers contributed to our planet.

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Apr 09

A Happy Scene on the Island of Mykonos Inspires Exterior Designs.

By pattisays In architecture, context of interior design, design, DIY design, exterior - outdoor design, landscape design, travel and design /  

At first glance, this looked like a sacrilege. After encountering so much graffiti in Athens , (see the photo album on PATRICIAN DESIGN’s face book page) anything remotely related in appearance took on that “read.” To see the colors applied to, what was actually large local stone embedded in a plastered wall – which we often found painted all white in the Greeks isles, sometimes with white plaster leaving the natural stone exposed and then this – I was startled. But upon viewing this wall the other day in context on the beautiful island of Mykonos, I appreciated it as a happy scene.
When planning your exterior design it can be fun to release some of the norms associated with restraint. The beauty of the conventional use of materials in the built environment is not to be discounted – but neither is the bold expression of other possibilities.
Garden art can take on many forms. When you punctuate your exterior design with a bold red metal sculpture, dangle a glazed ceramic or glass wind chime or add a painted wooden door or furniture, you are making a colorful statement within the context of your exterior design. More on this later…
For now, know that there are many possibilities – and have a little fun creating a happy scene in your exterior design.

Painted wall on Mykonos

A Happy Scene

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Mar 06

Luminous Margolin Sculpture Dances Above Anatole Atrium

By pattisays In architecture, art and interior design, design, design trends, interior design, multi-media design /  

Look…up in the sky, it’s a bird…it’s a plane, – no, it’s a magnificently suspended sculpture, the Nebula, by artist Reuben Margolin. Last week, on a recent trip to the Dallas Design District to research interior design elements with clients, we stayed at my favorite local environment, the Anatole. Oh, there are many options when visiting Market, but not only location, this magnificent facility has always been my favorite. A favorite because, after spending hours inside the showrooms, often without windows to the outside, the circadian rhythm of dedicated designers and their seemingly tireless clients is confused and way out of whack. Returning to the Anatole after a long day presents an interior environment that is open, spacious, interesting, airy, and at once welcoming. There are multiple venues in which to relax and review the work of the day. Large spaces with expansive atrium volume and other spaces more intimate and private – it’s all there under towering roofs, connecting passages with comfortable seating areas, shops, bars, cafes, and exquisite restaurants.
After decades of excellent and reliable service, the Anatole – under new management by Hilton – underwent extraordinary renovation. Yes, for years the Lowe’s Anatole and more recently the Wyhdham Anatole, is now a Hilton signature property. With this exciting series of improvements new water features and seating areas, bars and eateries appear – and above it all in the main atrium is Reuben Margolin’s startling aerial display – a dance of sorts – a wave-like motion of 4,500 amber crystals – are they petals, butterflies, or fragments…? Spectacularly suspended from a complex amalgamation of cables – 10 miles of them – and a staggering number of pulleys, this sensual motorized art piece undulates with luminous shimmering facets high above the scene.
Mobiles – art suspended – add magic to an interior. The penetrating of the space, the pleasant intrusion paired with beauty and grace, movement and fantasy – the perfect contribution, by design.

The Nebula Undulates in Interior Space

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Dec 09

The Struggle, the Dance of Domestic Design

By pattisays In architecture, art and interior design, context of interior design, design, design trends, furniture finds, interior design /  

I’ve consulted in this house for many years. The wife patiently struggles against the architectural grain of her husband in his chosen profession that encourages clean-lined contemporary pieces over her family collectibles (and his for that matter). How to make it all work?
The recent acquisition of a Corbusier “Confort” sofa and chair – the clean lines of the chrome and leather placed upon a brilliant red oriental rug layered on top of burnt orange and yellow clay Saltillo tiles…it could work – yet it’s never done completely. The remnants of previous decisions do not harmonize. The struggle continues… She though compassionately concedes, they (architects) must own these before they die. Like the bucket list of purchases…possessions… She supports this newest statement – but still longs for her traditional environment…the struggle…
“Yes”, I assure her, “the Queen Anne wing chairs can work together with these new pieces.” It’s all about what fabric and what other things, textures, patterns (or not), it’s all about balance. “In fact, often the more interesting interiors do juxtapose disparate styles – but no to the point where it looks like trying and missing”. There’s the art of it all…how to MAKE it work – well.
The trick is to get everyone in the same room at the same time and make decisions that are not concessions so much as they are agreements as to what would look/work best to accomplish the end result – melding the crisp contemporary pieces of modern design and the classic elements of more traditional furnishings…including (from her position)an elegant draping crystal chandelier – well proportioned, this is a key piece around which she wants to create a fabulous new kitchen – in a completely opposite area of the house where it now resides and has for the last 20+ years. He is NOT in favor of this radical departure from the original layout. So this dilemma is not limited to the furnishings but also the architectural space-planning of the over-all layout of the home and how to live in it.
Stay tuned to hear more about the ongoing saga of real-life husband and wife styles and goals, forward steps and lateral moves – the dance of domestic design continues…

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