Oct 14

Seasonal Shifts in Design – When Do YOU Make the Transitions Between Seasons?

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, Arizona, art and interior design, art as gift ideas, artistic expression, artistic talent, artists, autumnal design, Centerpieces, ceramic, cocktails, Color schemes, creative process, creativity, decorative arts, design, design process, design solutions, design tips, design trends, drama of color, fanciful design, fashion and design, fashion design, figurines, floral arrangement, floral designs, flowers in design, folkart, functional art, handcraft, handmade, handmade tableware, hiring an interior designer, inspiration, inspiration from nature, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design trends, interior enhancements, kachina, kitchen, lifestyle, lighting, luminarias, luminaries, Manhattan, patio, personal expression, personal taste, pinks and greens, retail storefronts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, seasonal interior design, selecting colors, silk flowers, southwestern design, Subscribers, summer, sunflowers, table top, tableware, terracotta, trends /  

I am often asked, “When should I make seasonal changes and how?” This can come from retailers debating their front window displays to individuals wondering when, to change the wreath on the front door and on into their interior decor, to reflect the seasons.

The answer is a combination of things. It’s personal – probably starting with where you live. And for me, it is more than just decorative accents, it’s food and drink and clothing for sure. Clothing though might have real, practical adjustments for temperature, but fashion design and seasonal changes are part of the fun!

So to kick-off fall, I shifted into my seasonal drinking modification  – dark drinks – moving from citrus embellishments to the delightful, succulent, marinated cherry at the bottom of a well crafted Manhattan. The perceived warmth of darker drinks is real for me. I would never select a Manhattan in the summer. But I must admit, a vodka martini with a twist is a 365 fall-back beverage for any festive situation.

The rich warmth of a well crafted Manhattan…

Clothing and the opportunity to make design statements that reflect the seasonal shift are also fun to embrace! Along with the Manhattan last Friday night, I transitioned into a felted wool tunic with a local artist’s hand-woven black chenille over-sized scarf. Still sleeveless – as the shift is still a bit of a struggle to let go of summer, it was a decidedly seasonal reality nod!

Truth be known, the wide expanse of floor to ceiling folding glass panel doors were wide open right behind us as we sat at the bar allowing a direct connection with the crowds gathered on the patio beneath the high-hat heaters. Truly a straddling of the seasonal shift – not quite ready to let go of al fresco dining???!!!

Seasonal shifts in weather will be a sure way to respond to a want to change decorative elements. And even being a bit pro-active can be a good thing – but when is too early – too early?

Most of us cringe when we hear Christmas music in October or see the merchandise out that early – combining Halloween costumes and candy corn with Christmas trees and all the ornaments. Awful!!!!!!

Across the country, we have experienced a delay in the autumnal shift this year. Summer kept clinging. Warm weather belied the calendar. But when the weather shifts…and the temperature drops…we want to hunker down and cozy up. Perhaps in addition to the decorative items, you might simmer cinnamon sticks on the stove or light candles with spicy scents. How about a hearty beef stew for dinner?

Here we are in mid-October and summer was here yesterday and gone today with the incoming storms, cool drizzle and cloudy skies.

I just got off the phone with Victoria up and over in Fairfield and she bemoaned the fact that last week she was attending classes in shorts and today she is bundled up in a Patagonia fleece jacket not wanting to leave her bed! The seasons have shifted like a slap in the face!

Color is a key element in expressing the seasons. Between summer and fall, golden yellows bridge the gap. Leaves on our red bud tree change from brilliant lime green of summer to brilliant lemon yellow as fall sets in…lime to lemon – a brilliant color statement!

From late summer sunflowers to early autumn chrysanthemums, the brilliant golden yellow satisfies the transition between seasons.

As fall proceeds, the darker tones of rust and caramels suggest the waning season…crunchy, dried leaves and final wisps of foliage going dormant for the winter.

I’m hanging my Black-eyed Susan wreath today out on the front door! I might even leap to the addition of a funky black cat that I have to welcome Halloween. But it has not been a gradual expression of acknowledging the change in seasons, it has been summer…bam – fall.

DIY – I made this and one for Mom a few years ago – they last. Get a grapevine wreath, select your favorite leaves, fruit and flowers, grab your glue gun and wire clippers – Voila!

What spurred this subject for this week’s blog was seeing my neighbor’s witch’s legs a few days ago sticking out from the elegant planter by her front door. I first thought – what a riot! Then I realized, it’s mid-October and I have yet to accept that!

I am very reluctant to release summer. I’m a warm weather one for sure. I cling to the last vestiges of sunlight as it tracks around out house…less evident, less accessible…shorter days…darker mornings and evenings… NO!!!!!!! I resist, but must succumb. There’s no escaping it. The seasons change and time marches on….The happy fuchsia and pink vinca in our front yard might not make it another day with night temperatures threatening to drop.

The happy pinks and greens of vinca out by the mailbox are about to get nipped!!!

Decorative accessories punctuate the landscape of autumnal interior design. From real pumpkins and gourds, squashes and mums, to their artificial counterparts made from many media. Glass and pottery, papier-mâché and straw-like wraps, silk flowers and faux fall leaves, the possibilities are endless.

This year some outstanding hand-built pottery figurines caught my eye. Artist Robyn Chlad of Tucson, Arizona has designed and created a collection of wonderful statuary luminarias that are an extraordinary design decree for this and all seasons! Kachina-like, these art-pieces make a fabulously functional statement!

This proud raven holds a berry in his beak!

At first I was attracted to their vertical shape and fine detailing. The characters had personality – rigid in their cylindrical forms, yet very animated of expression and fine features.

Chlad has depicted regional animals with a bit of folkloric whimsy (in the jackalope – half jack rabbit/half horned antelope) to  present a collection of irresistible characters to gather at your dining table, or greet you on your entry console, perk-up your powder room, collect on your cocktail table, grace your patio, or animate your kitchen!!! How fun are they?

A caped coyote – the masked bandit!

They each are pierced with designs, to allow the light to glow from inside, that depict the landscape or regional architecture in and around which these creatures roam. Illuminated by electrical lamps, battery bulbs, or candles, they are fantastic!

 

Functional art – these pottery luminarias are exciting art pieces to add a joyful glow to your shorter days and darker hours….

The raw terracotta clay contributes to their natural beauty and complimentary color with a fall palette.  It is a strong statement, yet the surfaces are smoothly burnished and have a soft read. The touches of matte glazes add just enough adornment enhancing the statues with soft earthen color accents.

 

Embrace the seasons and have fun selecting your personal design statements as you transform between seasons!!!

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Oct 07

Urban “Pieced Work” – an artistic narrative

By pattisays In Abstract Art, Albuquerque, New Mexico, art and food, art and interior design, artistic expression, artistic talent, artists, bars and restaurants, branding in interior design, brew pubs, breweries, commercial interior design, commercial remodel, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, decorative arts, design, design and marketing, design process, design solutions, Design Team, design tips, dining and design, drama of color, eclectic design, element of surprise in design, fabrics, folkart, Food and art, food and interior design, glass art, good design, Graphic art, graphic arts, graphic designs in interiors, Greek mosaic, handcraft, handmade, Helen Atkins, hiring an interior designer, history, inspiration, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, interior enhancements, Modern Art, mosaic, mosaic tile, murals, nostalgia and design, patchwork, pieced work, quilting, quilts, re-purpose, recycle, recycle design, Regional design, remodeling, restaurant design, Santa Fe, New Mexico, southwestern design, Subscribers, textiles, textures, tile, Uncategorized, United States history, urban art, urban design, value of good design, wall texture, wall treatments, wallcovering /  1

We are excited to have the opportunity to bring a design installation(s) into a new project that will serve to support the brand with a twist. A nearly completed new smokehouse is coming to Albuquerque. This home-grown eatery blends family history and southern roots with southwestern barbecue flavors including indigenous  wood and iconic chile blends. But this is not about their cooking profile. It is about how we have arrived at a design theme that will define and further the identity in this new, specialized smokehouse department of this larger local brand.

To accomplish this task, we examined the concept the owner had  to remodel an existing facility that had been a popular gathering post serving this community for decades. The fringe barrio location was of a demographic primarily comprised of Mexican/Americans. Decades past it was home to a heavily black community. The fabric of these cultural combinations suggested a mosaic of color and vibrant heritages.

The spark of cultural references lead to discussion of the popular artistic expression of urban mural painting.

 

When we began the dialogue, the decision to have a mural painted by local neighborhood kids, with a mentor to design and supervise the work,  seemed to be the direction we were headed. After subject matter debate and development, I veered off on another tangent that might take a less subjective approach, be weather-proof and more durable for a patio location – mosaic.

This new more impervious and durable medium still offered the opportunity to engage the community, but with less focus on a specific subject and more about geometric color and texture. We discussed the details of installation so as to keep it simple for kids to participate using whole tiles – minimize cutting, if any, for starters.

Inspiration came from several other installations such as the Albuquerque Convention Center’s on-going mosaic mural project wrapping many sections of the buildings with intricate scenes of New Mexican lifestyle and cultural diversity. The colorful mosaic is an elegant and sophisticated contribution to our city’s cultural aesthetic.

Helen Atkins, manager of consignment art at PATRICIAN DESIGN’s downtown boutique gallery and the lead on their current restaurant mural project, has worked on several phases of the Convention Center’s mural project.

We have incorporated mosaic into several of our own design projects such as last week’s blog https://patriciandesign.com/trust-and-custom-designs/about a residential kitchen installation.

Here, in another installation, a fireplace surround of mosaic adds movement, color and textural interest to the room.

Ultimately, one of Helen Atkin’s personal photographs cemented the approach. It was decided that a geometry of different sizes and disparate glazes and designs of tiles pieced together in a colorful, textural  panel would be our design theme.

Helen Atkins, a recognized artist in many media, captured this in passing while visiting New Zealand. It’s crisp, yet irregular composition was intriguing and pleasing. It became the springboard for the concept for a geometric mosaic panel to anchor the theme of this new New Mexico eating establishment.

The idea became more exciting as we began gathering material from local tile distributors and our own personal inventories of favorite treasures saved for a special project. Here it was.  It seemed such a strong design element and therefore offered a new direction for the actual brand of this establishment. We embraced the idea and brought it into the interior and distributed murals throughout the space.

Still under construction, we will not divulge the identity or locations of this project just yet. But suffice it to say, the murals are an exciting part of this interior design scheme.

As we further discussed the plans to implement this project, school started and the ease of coordinating the assistance of neighborhood kids became more difficult. Helen lead the project as primary installer, coordinator and supervisor. She enlisted the assistance of a couple of people – one experienced and the other not at all.

We have named this series, Urban Pieced Work – an artistic narrative. Here we are interpreting generations old sewing patchwork using ceramic, glass and pottery pieces rather than the traditional fabric patches. The original folk art needlework has been in the American vernacular for ages.  In these installations, this up-cycled  use of discarded or discontinued tiles is similar to patchwork fabrics, re-purposed to make clothing, wall decor, window treatments and bed dressing when times were tough – often referred to as “pieced work.”

My paternal grandmother in New Mexico made this twin quilt for my bed when I was a child in Virginia.

 

My same grandmother made this and was given to me by my cousin, her only other granddaughter.

Mosaic is often, like fabric patchwork, a practical art form that puts scrap, shards and fragments to good use in an artistic fashion. Note though that more sophisticated mosaics have been designed more intentionally for centuries not merely as salvaged material. These masterpieces both in contemporary work and antiquities represent many periods in history and movements in artistic expression.

 

This mosaic version connects with the history of the restaurant’s roots and southern heritage. The panels’ mural nature speaks to the urban murals found throughout the community.

Located strategically throughout the interior, these murals have become a strong design element and anchor for this facet of the brand.

 

Another shot of the spectacular cultural story murals at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

We have woven a meaningful artistic statement throughout the interior and also on the exterior of the building. In addition, we will be inserting a graphic version into the signage and logo design.

 

Urban Pieced Work – an artistic narrative, of a New Mexican Smokehouse, will provide pleasing design visuals throughout this new interior, provoke conversation and interaction, weave an element of history and context with the southern roots of this exciting new eatery!

Join the conversation and watch for the first succulent flavors to come out of the smokers later this year.

 

 

 

 

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Oct 01

Trust and Custom Designs

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, artistic expression, before and after, blue and white, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, design, design process, design solutions, design tips, discovering artistic talent, element of surprise in design, engineered concrete counter tops, fireplaces, good design, handcraft, handmade, hiring an interior designer, home improvements, inspiration, interior design, interior design preferences, interior enhancements, joy, kitchen, kitchen design, kitchen remodeling, Mexico, mosaic, mosaic tile, natural stone, personal expression, personal taste, planning a remodel, practical design, remodeling, Santa Fe, New Mexico, slate floors, southwestern design, Spanish Colonial, Subscribers, Talavera Tile, tile, value of good design, wall treatments, wallcovering, white kitchens /   1 Comment

Trust. When asking any kind of advice, you generally ask those you trust. That’s not to say that you might not question the advice. There is never only one way to accomplish something, therefore, advice can be as different as the number of advisers you ask!

From a design standpoint, to offer and create custom elements, it’s often the case that the client will say, “Can you show me an example of that?”  If something is new and different, created specifically in context and for this project, there IS no example. There might be similar things, or close approximations of the design – or not – but not the actual design. Trusting your designer to extract your wishes, taste, preferences and applicability to the space is key to creating something very special.

So, I can show examples of mixed pattern Talavera on a wall. I first did this in Tucson about 13 years ago to create a wallpaper-like full wall installation.

As I referenced this casita installation for my clients, while planning their kitchen remodel, I also came upon a restaurant in St. Louis this last spring that used a similar approach in an Italian theme…Talavera? Mexican? Italian? Oh well…another example I brought to the conversation.

For this new kitchen remodel project, we were working with existing conditions, the layout and the mottled green, rust, aqua, charcoal slate floor. All else was up for grabs. However, because I really feel strongly about context, I mentally gathered elements from other parts of the home and intentionally embraced the floor.

This fireplace was given a face lift last year to add the stone hearth and mantle with the decorative Talavera tile detailing.

I believe to abandon existing design themes reads like a designer show home – each room done by a different designer, without any cohesive design continuity. Pair the idea to make an effort to lace the rooms together, with the effort to adopt certain fixed materials and you have compelling diagram of creative remodeling guidelines.

When it is either not practical to replace an existing design element or when the existence of the that design element makes for an un-self conscious part of the composition, it can be priceless.  The slate floor was of smaller 12″ format tiles than might be more popular today, but it’s unusual color and very organic feel was worth the challenge. Turning a questionable design element into an asset is success!

 

 

Once the flooring was determined to be key in the new design, extracting features (specifically colors) from it became the next task. We had already discussed bringing the blue and white Talavera in from the living room, but my client was not feeling the joy of pairing it with this wildly mottled slate floor.

To meld the design elements together, I selected a concrete-like engineered countertop (which came in two colors both of which were seen in the mottled slate – and provides fodder for a future story). This provided a solid anchor for the design between the mottled floor and the multi-patterned Talavera.

But what might be the one more thing to make this design be even more unique and more cohesive? I set forth to find the impossible, an aqua, handmade tile that would complement the Talavera in the light irregularity and “hecho a mano” feel.

The perfect handmade aqua tile from Spain (photo reads more blue) from DAL tile was the perfect accent.

The absolutely ideal accent appeared unexpectedly as I thought I would be searching farther and wider for this perfect piece. By cutting it into 1″ pieces we would have the artistic accent woven through the patchwork of Talavera, thereby inserting the aqua and adding interest and unexpected detail.

By not planning a symmetrical grid of the accent mosaics, but by creating random lines the unexpected quality of the installation continues.

At this stage, the grout could be grey or white – specifically off white (of which there are many). Opting for the white, to allow the tile to read in its patchwork pattern, without added confusion with a grid of grout competing for attention. We then made a last minute switch on the white grout to a creamier one after seeing the many colors of off-white Talavera up on the wall – leaning more creamy than merely off-white. Could I have shown an example of this design scheme? No, this was created specifically for this project, this client and the space that deserves such attention to detail.

We’re not finished yet. Watch for this transformation to be unveiled in coming weeks complete with before and afters!

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Sep 24

Entrepreneurs! Getting Started with Design!

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, aluminum, bathroom remodel, before and after, branding in interior design, ceiling lighting, Color schemes, color trends, colors, commercial interior design, commercial remodel, concrete finishes, concrete floors, construction, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, design, design and marketing, design process, design solutions, Design Team, design tips, existing materials, flooring, good design, hiring an interior designer, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior enhancements, lighting, logos, metal finishes, paint colors, personal expression, planning a remodel, practical design, remodeling, retail remodeling, retail storefronts, selecting colors, Subscribers, tenant improvements, tile, value of good design, workplace design /  1

Starting out with your first brick and mortar business, the tasks are many. After homing in on your business specifics, selecting a name, designing a logo, deciding colors…you have your license and your business plan, you’ve found a place and then you need to present your business to the world!

A few weeks ago, we began a new project that is just what I have described…an exciting first-timer in the business world, having worked for others is now ready to do her own thing, be her own boss, make her own decisions and assume the risks necessary to take this leap into entrepreneurial adventure.

It’s exciting and scary, daunting at times and fun too. And it should be fun. Finding something that you enjoy, something you believe in and believe that you can do as well as, if not (hopefully) better than, anyone else in your market.

With inventory determined, name and logo designed the last task was to create the space to present her concept. We won’t divulge that today, the project is yet to be presented, but the framework is on what I want to comment.

We began compiling some finish options…paint, upholstery, privacy curtains, carpet and a little brushed aluminum bling!! We want to reinforce her brand with key colors and finishes.

Knowing the terms of the lease agreement – what is the landlord’s responsibility, what is grandfathered-in, what can be changed, any spending allowances amortized into the lease…these are all things that are necessary to determine how to go about designing the interior. It is necessary to establish costs within the over-all start-up budget. Having helpful, knowledgeable, creative people around you with whom to assemble your team is imperative.

We arrived at the site to find a very clean slate. Located in a retail strip center, it was a white box.

We instantly decided the flooring would be a combination of polished concrete and broadloom carpeting, some lights stay and some go, spots will be added, colors will reinforce her brand.

Toward the back, a break-room kitchen area needed demolition. This pocket would become fitting rooms.

There was existing ceramic tile on the floor that also needed to be removed. These were things that our client could attack herself – saving money and getting to know her space.

We learned that the restrooms were grandfathered in and did not require any additional improvements – other than cosmetic.

We learned that we could make changes and additions to the lights and only needed a permit for electrical portion of the work.

Many of these discoveries were of pleasant surprise to our client who had been miss-directed a bit and was in a state of frustration and near defeat. Gathering good information is imperative, in order to save time and money, make good decisions and know your options. Get out there and get busy!!!!!

Soon to bee completed, watch for this transformation in coming weeks.

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Sep 03

FLOWER POWER – A Marketing Imperative

By pattisays In ambiance, architectural gingerbread, architecture, bars and restaurants, brew pubs, breweries, brick, colors, contrasts for balance in design, corporate branding, creativity, design, design and marketing, design process, design solutions, design tips, design trends, drama of color, environmental design, exterior - outdoor design, flower power, flowers in design, Garden, Gingerbread houses, good design, good taste, graphic arts, hiring an interior designer, historic properties, inspiration, inspiration from nature, landscape design, natural designs, nature, patio, practical design, public design, public spaces, Regional design, restaurant design, retail storefronts, signage, street-scape design, Subscribers, summer, travel and design, urban art, urban design, urban planning, value of good design, walkways /  1

While in Park City this weekend, I pondered what might the subject of this week’s story be. Dazzled by the smart presentation of this hidden little jewel of a town, I was continuously remarking about the fresh abundance of flowers, well maintained facades, manicured lawns and medians and the obviously collective appreciation for what draws patrons to want, if not need, to invest in property, art, clothing, home decor and food! Yes, need – it can become an imperative!

Here a restaurant has dressed their facade with brilliant red flowering boxes beneath the sidewalk window.

Oh – oops…do you think it might have been the Ferrari that was drawing attention?

Imagine your patrons being drawn into your establishment as an imperative – a must see, or must buy here, or must try this place, or must check out their wares, or must taste their food or drink their craft beer!

The patio of this brew pub is surrounded by fresh flowers in rustic wooden boxes.

Preparing to open for the day, this pub also has light strings to animate the patio at night.

You see this charming presentation potential in small resort communities and those who have cultivated their assets to the max, reap the benefits of their vision, smart development and on-going maintenance.

 Another brew pub sees value in an eye-catching floral frontage. Courtesy – Heather Harrell

The architecture is decidedly mountain themed, vintage 19th century colorful and textural, but interestingly punctuated by modern elements and fresh ideas. The practical pitched roofs, quaint scale, textural wood trim and detailing, all contribute to this charming scene.

Courtesy – Heather Harrell

To dismiss the value of flowers in marketing is to ignore the Flower Power!

Some places take a little more work to grow seasonal sprays of abundant color in pots, buckets,  bowls, barrels and boxes, but the effect of drawing people is undeniable.

 Courtesy – Heather Harrell

From Key West to Anchorage, the results are proven. Beauty, color, nature sells.

It’s a combination of color being a visual POP amidst concrete and brick, but it is also the positive life-affirming statement that it projects.

We know color in advertising is a draw and we know that anything that adds animation is a draw – flowers colorfully animate the street-scape and draw customers to them.

Here the passers-by are drawn to the menus posted in the window by the red geraniums that brilliantly are placed in planters in front of them.

 

Courtesy – Heather Harrell

They infuse the built environment with nature.

 

Like hummingbirds swiftly hone in on the finest blooms or like bees collecting pollen, we are drawn toward that which speaks visually from the surrounding foliage.

 

Courtesy – Heather Harrell

Texture is another element in this mix. We know that good design is about balance. Flowers balance the otherwise hard surfaces in their periphery. The finishes on a streetscape or sidewalk scene are generally, if not exclusively, hard. Flowers soften the surrounding surfaces and also balance the smooth and hard with random shape, texture, flexibility and even movement.

Whether a casual bar or fine dining restaurant, retail shop or any business wanting to attract and invite the public to them, flowers are an asset.

I feel about flowers similarly to how I feel about twinkling lights on a patio or in public trees. The advantage in the lights is that they can survive the frigid elements and make their statement in all seasons. Lesson here – once the plants are spent for the season, keep the lights on!!! Both elements are valuable draws and enhance the atmosphere of any establishment or environment. (Go back and notice how many photos have visible stringed lights in them!)

And if possible, plant those past-season pots with hearty pansies, ornamental kale or evergreen shrubs to keep the life calling from the sidewalks.

An art gallery has boxwood in steel vessels at the entrance.

A potted evergreen will add life to the paved surfaces when the flower season has passed.

And  for the sake of broadening the reach on this subject, to include not only the flowers and the mention of stringed lights, is the inclusion of creative signs, banners, flags, umbrellas and other elements that contribute to the festive nature that attracts peoples interest and draws them into your business.

Courtesy – Heather Harrell

 

Rooftop bar with flowers, flags and umbrellas – King Edward too!        Courtesy – Heather Harrell

Celebrate the the power of flowers!

 

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Aug 19

Decorative Wallcovering – Fun with Tile

By pattisays In Abstract Art, Albuquerque, New Mexico, architecture, art and interior design, artistic expression, artistic talent, artists, bathroom remodel, before and after, blue and white, breakfast rooms, commercial interior design, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, decorative mirrors, design, design process, design solutions, design tips, design trends, DIY design, eclectic design, exterior - outdoor design, fireplaces, functional art, good design, graphic designs in interiors, handcraft, handmade, hiring an interior designer, home improvements, inspiration, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, interior enhancements, kitchen, kitchen design, kitchen remodeling, lifestyle, master bathrooms, mirrors, mosaic, mosaic tile, murals, natural stone, personal expression, personal taste, planning a remodel, powder rooms, public restrooms, recycle, recycle design, remodeling, residential restrooms, restaurant restrooms, stone, stone countertops, Subscribers, Talavera Tile, tile, update design, updating, urban art, wall texture, wall treatments, wallcovering /   2 Comments

When you think about finishing a wall, you probably think about paint colors…you might think about a wallcovering – wallpaper, or even a mirror – I’ve previously noted how mirroring an entire wall can exponentially expand a room – a dimensional effect/illusion that suggests the room extends well beyond its actual size. But another wall treatment, with which I LOVE to play, is tile!

All over the world, the art of designing and creating decorative finishes with tile has been evolving for centuries. All cultures have utilized mud and clay, glazes and fire to bake beautiful patterns and colors onto geometric slabs. Shapes of rectangular, square, octagonal, dots or diamonds – the geometric shapes are many and the designs are limitless.

As is true with other wall treatments, I prefer not to stop on an outside corner. I believe that the color or material should suggest a built mass – part of the architecture. To stop on an outside corner suggests a veneer. It proves that the finish on the element is not a structural/integral part of a built mass. When you paint into an inside corner and stop, it allows the mass the read as though solid and not merely superficially treated. The same is true with tile. Don’t stop it until you get to an inside corner – if possible. There are situations that force a finished edge on the flat plain of a wall – but avoid outside corners at all cost!!

This entire shower is tiled floor to ceiling, around the pony wall, bench…no door…it reads like a built environment of stone tile.

Think of the surface as an architectural element. Tile from floor to ceiling, inside corner to inside corner – wrapping corners, if needed, along the way.

Take a backsplash…customarily used to do just that – catch splashes at the back wall of a wet area (sink) countertop…bathrooms and kitchens, behind sinks and between upper and lower cabinets – but why stop there?

The entire back wall of this kitchen is mosaic marble tiles in a herringbone pattern.

Think of it as a true wallcovering – wallpaper. Commit to the entire surface. Here are more effective examples…

The backsplash and entire adjacent wall were covered in glass mosaic tiles. It “reads” like wallpaper.

here again, the classic blue and white Talavera tile backsplash is continued along the entire wall from floor to ceiling.

We are currently working on a couple of kitchen projects that will soon be completed. They both use tile liberally. Each quite different from the other. Stay tuned for the finished products!

In bathrooms, the area around a mirror can be more than merely the backsplash. Embed the mirror into the tile surround or tile the entire wall and hang a mirror on top of the tile surface.

This mirror is flush with the surrounding tile, suggesting that it is embedded into a tile wall.

 

Planning this transformation, the mosaic vase was the inspiration. Then loose tiles were scattered on the countertop and the concept began. Note, the existing mirror was attached to wall with light fixture mounted above it and a medicine cabinet off to the side.

 

The transformation involved removing the medicine cabinet, taking the floor tile up the wall and wrapping it floor to ceiling. It was also cut into smaller squares to use behind the sink as a “full-wall backsplash.” Then punctuated with glass and glazed tiles to create an updated design. Relocating electrical to flanking the mirror for a pair of new sconces and a new countertop, faucet and sink with existing cabinets painted resulted in a cost-effective design.

 

Here a mirror is mounted on top of the fully tiled wall. Inside and outside of the shower enclosure the tile is a true wall treatment.

I recently received this advertisement in my email. It was such a spectacular collection that it caught my eye and I share here one of the patterns and context shots as the backdrop to a range.

Mosaic assemblages can be fun! Here is a fireplace surround.

The addition of three-dimensional pieces adds interest.

 

This exterior fireplace surround tolerates the elements – an all-season installation.

Here is a mosaic mural of a dynamic geometric abstraction  discovered in New Zealand. We are using this inspiration to establish a theme in a current restaurant project. An interpretation of this in the form of geometric tiles of various sizes, colors and patterns  will  be used to create a cohesive repeated design element through various areas of the restaurant – both inside and out. Watch for this completed project in coming months.

Commercial restrooms can benefit from full-wall tile treatments too. Not only does it look complete, but it is an ease of maintenance consideration.

Three dimensional tiles add interest to this cactus motif!

 

Fun with color and texture, tile are also easy too keep clean – terrific for public restrooms.

Murals are also terrific ways to use tile as art in your  interior/exterior designs!

This is embedded into the stucco for an integral installation.

When using outside though, remember to consider the range of temperature and moisture to which  it will be exposed. Porcelain is the most durable in areas where the temperatures get to and below freezing. Freezing and thawing can destroy tile. Many murals are made from clay that is not suitable in cold climates!

Inset into the tile wall treatment is this stunning glass mosaic abstract mural.

Tile – it’s a nearly limitless medium. So consider the possibilities for your next project! As a piece of art, an accent wall or an entire installation – full-wall treatments make a statement! Have fun with tile!

 

 

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Aug 13

Southwest Style – What is it?

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, architecture, art and food, art and interior design, artistic expression, artistic talent, artists, bathroom remodel, beauty behold it, blue and white, civilization, color forecasting, Color schemes, color trends, colors, context of interior design, cowhides, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, decorative arts, decorative mirrors, design, design process, design solutions, design tips, design trends, designs in nature, dining and design, drama of color, eclectic design, eclecticism, functional art, hammered metal, handcraft, handmade tableware, hiring an interior designer, historic properties, historical interior design, home improvements, houses, inspiration, inspiration from nature, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, interior enhancements, joy, kitchen, kitchen design, Leon de la Vega, lifestyle, Mexico, natural designs, nature, nostalgia and design, organic design, paint colors, personal expression, personal taste, powder rooms, Pueblo pottery, quilting, Regional design, residential restrooms, Santa Fe, New Mexico, selecting colors, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Spanish Colonial, stone countertops, Subscribers, table dressings, table top, tableware, Talavera Tile, terracotta, textiles, tile, timeless colors, travel and design, trends, value of good design, weavings /  1 2 Comments

Arriving for the first time in our American Southwest, one might feel like they have entered a different country, if not a different world!! To fly from anywhere else where there are rolling green hills, or green fields or dense green wooded landscapes, not to mention tropical environs and cruise over America’s Southwest, it looks like the moon – or some barren planet. Everyone remembers their first impression. Whether exotic or scary, lonely or seemingly uninhabitable, once you get on the ground and explore the beauty and variety of what’s here, you’re bitten – even smitten.

In all fairness, this is a completely defoliated winter shot!! Many now know how lush this magnificent Sandia Mountain can be at the top, in the summer. Yes, I said lush.

No other region has the distinct architecture and tri-cultural identity of what has become the elemental design style and flavor of this magical place. From “sea to shining sea” New England to Southern California you will find nuances of regional distinction – but not to the degree that the American southwest is set apart. Architectural influences from colonization have been the standard guiding style nationwide. Yet the ancient, practical elements, of civilization that long preceded the Europeans discovering the New World, is at the roots of this enchanting design style.

Tri-cultural architecture and interior design results from the remarkable history combining Native Americans carving out of stone walls, building with mud (adobe) bricks, devising simple, practical designs to capture heat and insulate in cold while minimizing solar gain in the warm weather months, with the conquering Spaniards and their colonial influences, and finally the pioneers from the east with their colonial English influences.  Now more often replicated, with frame construction and stucco facades, this unique melding is the core of Southwestern architectural design.

When one hears the term “earth tones” setting a design trend in the 70s, it suggests the brown, tan, orange palette that was terribly limiting. Certainly to label it earth tones, it became a curse of a color scheme. Sadly to link it to a representation of southwestern design was misplaced and unfortunate. And how sad to think that it was so broadly accepted – like lemmings following blindly – everyone adopted this as a truism. So often the case with trends.   The 70’s also spawned a diametrically opposite color scheme of blues and greens to refresh that which had been so mired in the “earth-tone” movement.

However, real earth tones are limitless. Earth tones are all colors…look down…look around. Even if you confine your interpretation to the dirt beneath your feet – the colors are vastly more than the brown, tan, rust, orange that became the rage. Soft pinks and grays, pale blue and whites…look at dirt. It might be more clay, might be more peat – from soft terracotta to dark espresso – dirt is earth and the colors and tones are limitless.

Tom Glover captured the beauty of the natural landscape through his artistic photographic medium that Georgia O’Keeffe and others have depicted through their artistic media.

 

Georgia O’Keeffe saw it and captured it in her own enduring style.

Nature offers color. Natural dyes have riddled that art world through time. Synthetic dyes took it a level further. But nature is at the core of all we have in this world.

http://www.quilthistory.com/dye.htm

Turquoise being a natural mineral in the American Southwest became a signature accent color punctuating the soft earthen tones of the adobe design palette.

Artist Victoria Martinez Rodgers paints a valley apple orchard and the turquoise wall is the perfect backdrop.

Color was always there for those who cared to notice. The great painters of this region presented it well. Their recordings of everything from the many colors of the rugged windswept landscapes to lush green mountain forests with shimmering golden aspen groves – and bosque cottonwoods screaming with yellow brilliance capture and convey so much more.

In autumn, bosque cottonwoods explode with color sending a streak of brilliant yellow all along the Rio Grande. Federico Leon de la Vega create this commissioned oil painting from a photo provided by his clients.

There are the natural and also synthetic dyes that were woven through the magnificent textiles of the Native Americans – blankets and articles of clothing were not limited to buckskin animal hides.

Ernest Blumenschein was the founder of the Taos Society of Artists capturing the color and textures of the realities that he encountered in this Land of Enchantment.

Sunsets everywhere play a part in the imagery of the landscape – here we see vast landscapes with brilliant fiery skies and those exciting corals and lavenders, soft pink and blue wisps provide inspiration for wall colors and backdrops to our richly embellished interior designs.

Yet spare, understated neutral interpretations also offer elegant representations of southwestern style.

So what do you visualize when you think of Southwestern Design? Please don’t say a turquoise wooden cutout of a howling coyote! Death by Southwestern Style – the overdose resulting from overdone clichés and trends that have spoiled the real art and beauty.

It doesn’t have to be all about cow skulls and pelts…but these cow hide butterfly chairs are pretty  cool!!!

Perhaps you see a Mexican influence which is also part of the melding of the regional style – like food, we have a fine line sometimes with certain traditional dishes that when adopted and adapted by American Southwest kitchens took on a unique identity all its own – differing between Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. We all enjoy bringing art and craft from our southern neighbors into our designs.

Borrowing, sharing, combining so many design elements such as adobe architecture, colonial wood trim detailing, fired brick technology, Mexican Talavera tile and pottery,

Native American textiles and so many other handcrafts

The owners of this interior have an intimate relationship with each of the artists that they have collected down to this magnificent mount of a buffalo. They knew him and his name and why he was put down.

from punched and tooled tin, paintings and pottery – southwestern interior design is rich with color, texture, artistic detailing and true soul. The connection to the earth is undeniable and nature always plays a key role.

So how might you introduce southwestern influences into YOUR design scheme? You could tile the wall(s) of a powder room in Talavera Tile. Maybe just a mirror surround?

You might paint an accent wall – or all walls in a room or some other bold color inspired by a regional image

Mango watercolor by Susan Weeks splashes coral against the golden yellow wall with a lime green lighted cabinet showcasing old, traditional, low-fire Talavera tableware. classic Talavera blue and white tile frame the bar opening and on through out the kitchen.

and collect art pieces such a punched tin crosses, wood and straw,

landscape or still life painting, hang a blanket or drape a bed with a beautiful woven textile…introducing different styles speaks to last week’s story about eclecticism. Don’t be afraid to mix things that you like. What brings you joy?

 

 

 

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Aug 07

Eclecticism in Design – What Does it Mean? What Does it Say?

By pattisays In art and interior design, artistic expression, beauty behold it, context of interior design, contrasts for balance in design, creative process, creativity, decorative arts, design process, design solutions, design tips, design trends, eclectic design, eclecticism, element of surprise in design, fine china, furniture finds, good design, hammered metal, handcraft, handmade, hiring an interior designer, historical interior design, history, home, home improvements, inspiration, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, investment pieces, joy, lifestyle, multi-generational design, nostalgia and design, personal expression, personal taste, practical design, re-purpose, retro, Subscribers, table top, Thrift Shops, Thrifting, travel and design, trends, unique serving pieces, value of good design /  1 1 Comment

Looking back (to both sides of the turn of the 20th century), eclectic interiors were only cultivated by the very rich. Those who had the discretionary income to take vacations abroad, had diplomatic ties or nomadic adventuresome types who took precious time off to explore different locations and  cultures other than from whence they came. Others of means might have merely hired decorators to create interiors that suggested such adventure and access, without leaving their drawing rooms. Expensive eclecticism catapulted status.

Leaf through decades of Architectural Digest – THE authority on design for examples and inspiration of fabulously eclectic interiors among all the varied styles they have documented for us!

A surge in eclecticism occurred with the many military personnel and their families who were stationed overseas and were able to transport containers of belongings along the way.

Recognize a meter tray? A meter size diameter of solid brass tooled with hand detailing and pressed/formed/hammered designs. From table tops to wall hangings, they are statement pieces!

They brought back fine and fun arts and crafts from around the globe. These homes were distinctively punctuated with art that was recognizable in those circles – you could tell where people had been stationed by the decorative elements in their homes.

A souvenir from 1970s South Vietnam! Ceramic elephants were the rage!!! From stand-alone accents to end tables and bases for larger cocktail tables supporting glass slabs, these animated novelties of artistic expressions continue to bring joy decades later!

As the original owners handed down these nostalgic treasures, the history of the discoveries was diluted if not lost but the appreciation for many of the collectibles remained and was passed down to younger generations starting their homes. Inherited interiors spawns eclecticism.

Antique collection Rose Medallion passed down in a family.

Many homes have been assembled with the elements gifted by others resulting in a nostalgic, familiar collage of decorative accessories.

Vintage pink glass salad plates, family antique chairs, and a china cabinet of new and old collectibles used and mixed with love and affection.

Pier One capitalized on this decades ago. Their slogan was something like “we shop the world so you don’t have to.” In lieu of experiencing great world travels, the buyers sought exotic, interesting, affordable, mass-produced items and eclecticism expanded exponentially. They actually set seasonal decor trends with their ability to influence the market with their sweeping design reach to international artisans and fabricators, massive buying power, focused design team and extensive marketing campaigns.

Some, in order to create that sense of eclecticism, haunt thrift stores and antique markets. “Thrifting” is today’s trend for gathering eclectic “finds.” From antiques to current cast-offs, the sport can be quite satisfying, cost-effective and can result in some amazing acquisitions!

“Thrifted” antique table and eclectic crystal decanters contrast sweeping contour of limestone hearth.

Eclecticism means varied interests and experiences, an appreciation for what is good and fun rather than merely coordinating. It suggests independence, personal taste and style, with a freedom from convention and changing trends. A successful eclectic interior still requires balance and proper placement and distribution of the varied objects. Have what you like. Be surrounded by things that make you feel good, productive and bring you joy.

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Jul 29

HOME – An Artist’s Perspective

By pattisays In architect, architecture, art and interior design, artistic expression, artistic talent, artists, bars and restaurants, construction, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, design, design process, discovering artistic talent, Do Ho Suh, door hardware, embroidery, fabrics, handmade, hiring an interior designer, home, houses, inspiration, interior atmosphere, interior design, lifestyle, Modern Art, multi-media design, Museums, nostalgia and design, personal expression, SAAM, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Subscribers, textiles, Washington D.C. /  

It was quite by accident that we ran into SAAM! Truly, our destination and plan for the afternoon was to catch a bite at the hip and artsy Jaleo tapas restaurant and head to the Bible Museum to see some cool film of all of the buildings in downtown DC that feature biblical quotes on their facades – or something to that effect. But as we sat there in this trippy Spanish-themed interior, right next to the window, we

watched the staff bring in umbrellas from the sidewalk seating areas as the wind picked-up and the sky darkened. Our plans soon began to change. We dawdled at the table well past our tantalizing tapas feast and watched the rain come down in sheets.

As the time past, it became apparent that the Bible Museum was too daunting a task to embark on after the storm subsided. So we dashed between the drops to the nearby Smithsonian American Art Museum – SAAM!

Having never been there before and not having planned this outing, we entered without a clue as to what we might find – except perhaps the portraits of the Presidents – cool enough. Yet inasmuch as the exhibits were wonderful and many faceted, I want to focus on one inspired installation that pertains directly to architecture and design.

Considered to be perhaps the most compelling architectural artists around today, Do Ho Suh takes nostalgia for “home” to a whole new dimension. He figured out that he didn’t need to wait for enchanted ruby red slippers – no, he re-creates memories of “home” and makes them transportable all over the planet. And by whole new dimension, I mean we walked through fine translucent fabrics – taught and stitched – over concealed stainless steel frames creating hallways of houses where he had formerly lived around the world.

With great attention to detail, he stitched door hardware, radiators, and wood trim details. It was remarkable.

This interactive immersion was thought provoking. I think it is impossible to pass through this presentation without experiencing a few fleeting personal memories of the your own past homes. As Dorothy taught us,”There’s no place like home.”

It was as though the sheer polyester fabric was misty or ethereal as though not really there – a very effective medium to suggest a thought or memory. How fascinating to render a structure with such a diaphanous, fragile sense – tangible yet not.  “Almost Home.” There, but not quite.

The time it must have taken to create this tedious textile architectural art-piece, of delicately painstaking work, surely proves his love for these past dwellings.

This presentation will be the most comprehensive of Do Ho Suh’s work ever shown on the East Coast. And wait – there’s more! After having navigated the Twilight Zone of Do Ho Suh’s recollections, I was even more strongly drawn to this large-scale piece of stitched textile work mounted on the wall! It was a colorful and beautifully complex collection of images of people and homes in various states of movement and fantasy.

 

Colorful threads intentionally strewn from the stitched images of human figures, some sporting houses on their heads, another running with memories flying behind his head…taking the home (s) through life’s stages – memories…home is where the heart is…taking their memories with them…

People parachuting with houses floating through the air…pitched roofs and domes – all manner of interpretations of “home.”

There is a stitched reference to Seoul and a house on a jetty suspended above a wild, choppy sea.

Live – dwell – reside – inhabit…Be quick – it’s only there until the 5th of August.

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Jul 17

Young Family Prioritizes Remodel

By pattisays In artistic expression, blue and white, breakfast rooms, brick, cabinet pulls, Color schemes, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, design, design solutions, design tips, design trends, dining rooms, entertaining, existing materials, fireplaces, flooring, good design, hiring an interior designer, home improvements, illusion of space, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, interior enhancements, kitchen, kitchen cabinets, kitchen design, kitchen lighting, kitchen remodeling, lifestyle, lighting, lofts, Millenial, mosaic, mosaic tile, natural stone, open floorplans, paint colors, patterns, personal taste, planning a remodel, practical design, Refresh, remodeling, room arrangement, selecting colors, stone, Subscribers, tile, timeless colors, update design, updating, value of good design, white kitchens /   1 Comment

We all know that traditional housing floor plans are changing to maximize smaller footprints. The result is a more open layout. This preference, often seen in “loft” design where warehouse space is converted to living spaces – without many walls and with an eye on the interestingly industrial finishes of the existing space.  But this same concept applies to new home construction for starters or down-sizing to smaller homes and is definitely applicable in remodels of existing traditionally compartmentalized plans.

Lifestyles too have opened kitchens. Although often to maximize smaller spaces, they are also more open as cooking is more celebrated in the home and related activities are shared.  Kitchens have truly become the fulcrum of family life. So when this young  couple purchased their first home, the vintage 1960s split-level plan was not quite right.

The kitchen was a narrow galley-style tucked into a rear corner of the main floor. And although it had recently been remodeled, it was confining and not conducive to entertaining and growing a family.

The point of arrival was an open space with entry wall about 12-15 feet from the front door. To the right, the living room had a focal fireplace and the adjacent dining room made an “L” back to where the kitchen was tucked behind that previously mentioned entry wall.

So this progressive young couple thought way beyond merely  opening the wall creating a pass-through bar to better connect the kitchen to the living spaces. No, they said ” Let’s blast this baby out of here!” And with that they proceeded to visualize the point of arrival being the actual kitchen in full-view as guests arrived. Hello!!!!!

The former kitchen containment was revealed to present the new elongated welcoming bar counter-top, luminous glass pendants and supplemental recessed down lights, to meet and greet all who pass through their front door! Original hardwood floors were refinished in a dark walnut stain.

Their priorities were to create a larger, more functional kitchen with a clean, modern look and feel while making all open to better interact with their soon-to-arrive baby!

The clean white on white finishes in the kitchen are fresh and crisp. Lest you think they saved and added to existing cabinets, they did not – all cabinets are new!

And this might be considered gilding the lily, but we added a splash of artistic expression when we hand-painted the small squares in the new brushed stainless cabinet pulls to give them a bit of extra pizzazz!!!

By using the Carrara mosaic as a wall-covering, rather than merely a back-splash, the walls get a truly finished built-environment “read.”

The upper bar counter-top bows at bar-level to offer a more comfortable conversation scene.

The living room became a cozy sitting area off this wonderfully open kitchen and dining area.

Existing brick walls were softened with a grey-taupe to contrast with the white trim making it POP!

The fireplace now has a complimentary new Carrara mosaic in a diamond pattern to coordinate with the new herringbone mosaic of the kitchen wall.

And baby accoutrements adds colorful animation to the beautifully finished scene!

“HELLO!” they say. “Welcome to our beautiful new home!”

 

 

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