May 10

The Beauty of Blood, Watermelons and Apples – Enchanting!

Magestic Sandia Mountain

The freezing cold temperatures this past winter have left a lot of destruction in the landscape. The advice has been “give it a while” to see if there is any sign of life. And as suckers sprout from the base of some of the rose bushes – the actual grafted heirloom plant might not be saved. But as the days pass, it is painfully apparent that many are not coming back.
To think that New Mexico had the coldest days in the entire country including Alaska at some points in January is arresting. No wonder our plantings took a beating! I drove through the valley today and saw multiple large, healthy, rose bushes in full bloom – they must have been insulated from the worst of the freezes…and sometimes a good freeze – if not too much for too long can be beneficial.
The question is – at this juncture – do you want to replant the same or make a change in your landscape design? Framework like a boxwood hedge or manicured rosemary versus wild flowers of a drought-resistant variety – the choices are many.
The new medians along Academy are solidly grounded with gravel, stone and boulders punctuated with brilliant red sage, sparkling yellow poppies and good-sized trees. This xeric landscape is an example of a well-done project. It is thoughtful, thorough and strong. Cars will not want to venture into the median for late night vandalism with all the boulders placed throughout the design. Yet the bountiful balance of flowering and leafy shrubbery is attractive.
We are in the desert southwest – central New Mexico version. We enjoy the cool mountain air paired with the arid warmth of the high desert. Yes, we get snow. This year we froze our foliage off! We have bright sunshine nearly every day and a vista that rivals the vast ocean scenes found worldwide. Sunsets blaze across the sky and our mountains reflect those colors with “sangre” blood red, “sandia” watermelon vermillion, and “manzano” apple rose. We call it the Land of Enchantment.
So be thoughtful about your plantings. Make good decisions that will tolerate our climate, use little water, and enhance your enjoyment of living outdoors in the warmer months to come! EXTERIOR DESiGN!!!

Apr 30

Warm Up and Chill Out – Outdoors!

By pattisays In design, design trends, environmental design, exterior - outdoor design /

The weather outside is shinin’,
And the warmth is so divine in
Backyards of everyone we know
Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow!
A seasonal twist to a familiar tune, something to hum while you’re gardening or sitting and admiring the work of others in your garden as you sip a refreshment from the comfort of your reclining lounge. I asked the other day about where is YOUR favorite outdoor living space and here is a shot of one of mine! Morning shadows, birds chirping, cool air warming with the rising sun…and tequila as shown here – ha! “Tequila Makes My clothes Fall Off,” which is good to be advised to drink it in a warmer climate – to avoid an unwanted chill!!! The back patio of the Casita de Colores is on the 14th fairway of the Oro Valley country club Golf Course – north Tucson. The Linear Park passes by to the west with easy access to miles of hiking and biking trails! It is quite an outdoor paradise!
Last night we gathered (chillaxin’ – thank you for this fun portmanteau, Shell) with friends and enjoyed the soft evening air…sipping margaritas, munching chips with chunky, freshly made salsa and luscious guacamole with a background of latin guitar wafting from the IPod – the Catalina mountains turned pink to lavender as night descended over the desert…it was magic.
The weather is still variable across most of the country – but certainly heading for a constant that we can count on to enjoy the outdoor living spaces! But I would like to pause to praise the strength of so many whom, in this time of devastation being experienced in the recent destructive path of the tornados, are re-building lives where all they see for miles are piles of outdoor debris where homes once stood. May they find comfort in the knowledge that perseverance will restore a new definition to their lives as they reconstruct what once was…and may it be safe and beautiful.
On my computer I have the gadgets posting the weather in some of our regular haunts from St. Thomas to Puerto Vallarta, Washington D.C. to Tucson – Albuquerque usually falls in the middle of the temperature reports which today range from – ooh, ABQ is the lowest right now at 46! St. Thomas is 83 and we here in the Sonora Desert are climbing up, currently at a mild 66 expecting low to mid 80s as the day progresses! The time difference plays a role though since St. Thomas is out there to the east of our east coast time zone – Atlantic as it’s called…well into their day as we are just greeting ours out here in the west coast time zone! So perhaps you didn’t expect a weather report – but it all centers around appreciating opening the doors, letting the air in and enjoying that spilling out from inside to live outdoors for a good part of the year to the extent that your climate will allow!

So, as it warms up – chill out! Enjoy!

Casita de Colores – a favorite outdoor living space!

Apr 24

Happy Easter!

By pattisays In exterior - outdoor design /

Yes! Happy Easter! From our tulips to yours!

Tulips are Easter kisses!

Very red kisses!

Apr 22

Earth Day and the Announcement of our Exterior Design division!

By pattisays In exterior - outdoor design, interior design /

What better day to announce our new division PATRICIAN DESIGN Exteriors but Earth Day!! I have said many times that Interior Design spills out-of-doors with the natural progression of expanding our living spaces in the warm weather. The market grows each year with outstanding offerings in UV and moisture resistant fabrics and the decorative accessories are bountiful! Outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and entire living rooms now, more than ever are a must have for anyone who appreciates what the exterior spaces can offer!
So take in this magnificent Spring air and start planning how to maximize your outdoor living spaces!

Exterior Design for the fun of enjoying the outdoor living spaces!

Apr 19

Easy Do-It-Yourself Flagstone Patio – NOT!

By pattisays In DIY design, environmental design, exterior - outdoor design, landscape design, travel and design /

I love how those home improvement shows always make it look so easy. One that I came upon the other day created a flagstone patio with a stacked stone retaining wall and voila! All during the course of a half hour or maybe it was a full hour – regardless, this is an invitation to disaster.
“Be prepared” is what I must say first. As I spoke to a friend of mine who found a “great deal” on some demolition flagstone on Craig’s List, she personally hefted over 3,000 pounds into the back of a pick-up to begin her own flagstone patio! “Get OUT – three thousand pounds by yourself?!!” I exclaimed! And also offered that perhaps she might not have to go to the gym for the next 3-4 years!!!! But as she further delved into the details and mention of “anyone with high heels best remain on the paved portion of the patio” this now momentous project, I felt it worth a blog…
On TV, they clear and carve the area, level the surface, cut the stone with a wet saw…well, you can imagine – maybe. But in REAL TIME with one or two novices, it becomes more than a challenge. They WILL get finished – and barring anything unforeseen, before the summer is over so that they can actually enjoy the fruits of their labor…Patience and perseverance – one step at a time…one stone at a time…
Often on EXTERIOR design projects, it is not uncommon for the homeowners of the residential plans to want to “help” with the process. It sounds like fun. This is great. It allows for an investment of more than money when one actually participates in the work. So I never discourage this involvement. But I have rescued clients from trying to do it all themselves – when the tension is so thick that you can barely cut it with a garden spade! They say that building a house together can ruin a marriage…the stress can be tremendous – so too can be the landscaping projects and remodels that seem so manageable – until reality strikes! How heavy, how even, how flush…the exacting details…this place is a mess…how much longer is this going to take????? If you survive, it can be satisfying – but at what price this prideful satisfaction?
I shot this beautiful stone path at the Acropolis in Athens a couple of weeks ago. It was so perfectly casual. Stone against plantings is so welcoming – especially meandering through a garden. It provides texture, color, contrast and all with the harmonious sense that it’s a natural occurrence…with a little help from patient and capable hands.

Inviting path in the gardens of the Acropolis, Athens

Apr 12

Build IT America

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

We’ve heard about streets paved with gold – and this is as close as I’ve seen. In Istanbul, we encountered streets paved with what we know it as Porphyry – a granite-like stone quarried in Mexico – billed as a European paving material – we saw it all over Greece and Turkey. Like brick from the standpoint that it is durable, conceals dirt and street soil, these square chunks of non-slip stone give a mottled coloration of reds, grays and dark charcoal tones resulting in a practical, timeless and extremely attractive surface. Not only the pavers, but great tiles of honed granite for sidewalks and shown here, drain channels along the curbs. And we primarily have asphalt and concrete!!!
Milestone in Santa Fe brings tons of it in from Mexico to create luxurious driveways, patios, pathways and anything that might require, deserve and be budgeted for this style and quality of material. It’s unfortunate that the cost inhibits many (including the public municipalities) from using it. Not only the material cost (which might be better valued with more competition) but the labor to install.
This comes back to the lost art of many of the trades and the lost interest of recent generations to continue the trades of the generations that preceded them. We have to import stone masons to restore our historic churches and other edifices fabricated from and adorned with the fine craftsmanship of generations past.
Let’s get the AGC (Association of General Contractors) for example to establish, fund, and promote summer camps for kids to pursue the trades. These 2 to 12 week camps could be located all across the country, supported by the many businesses connected to the construction industry – machine, tool, cable, wire, cement, stone, brick, lumber, adhesive, steel, electric, plumbing, and other companies related to the trades. We have cut so many programs in the public school systems that it’s time for the private sector to step-up and contribute to the betterment of our labor forces. To have a leader like the AGC orchestrate a nationwide program that gathers participation from all manner of associated businesses both national companies and local concerns in each region would be a tremendous asset to our students, labor force, and economy. Whether imported workers or home-grown we need the trades – the fine craftsmanship and the sense of pride and recognition that should be instilled and go along with such good work.
The construction industry has taken a large hit with this down-turn in the economy. Yet the unions and non-union alike could and should be more vocal about constructive measures to improve the morale, growth and development of our labor scene. Not everyone is cut-out for college and the intellectual pursuits of higher education. Yet their talent and aptitude is no less important and should be encouraged and honed – and who better than the industry leaders of this great nation? BUILD IT AMERICA!

Singing in the Rain in Istanbul on shimmering wet pavers!

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.
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.

Apr 10

Backyard Celebration of Spring Flowers and New Growth

By pattisays In color and temperature re: interior design, environmental design, exterior - outdoor design, landscape design /

Purple is the color exploding in my garden today – well, this week…I blew around the yard this afternoon to discover all that was happening. In the blustery wind as the aqua tips of the new growth on the branches of our mammoth blue spruce trembled and the young leaves of the peach tree (we sadly missed the cheerful pink blooms that came and went over the last two weeks while we raced around NYC and flew over the pond to Greece) shook with the gusts, I marveled at Spring’s exhilarating progress.
The redbud tree’s branches are bursting with those red-purple blossoms while the lilac is choked with new green leaves and spires of blue-purple clusters. What an incredible contrast against all that new green growth!
Albuquerque actually looked green from the plane as we landed yesterday – compared with New York and Chicago that are just beginning their long-awaited spring transformation – their vast wooded areas are still brown/gray from the plane window. Yet Albuquerque is quite green from the sky! What usually looks like another planet devoid of foliage by comparison to other more lush and densely forested areas this time of year it sings its song of spring’s seasonal change with bold pride.
I was content to leave the flowers on their bushes today but tomorrow I will clip several bouquets of lilacs and trim some branches off the red bud to bring inside and cheer up the interior in celebration of this wonderful time of year! The fragrance of the lilac is enchanting and promises to waft through the house with the soft breeze that I’ll invite inside on what is forecast to be a wonderfully warm spring day.

Spring Purples

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.

A Happy Scene

Mar 20

The Color Purple is Outrageous and Elegant, Whimsical and Fun!

By pattisays In color and temperature re: interior design, context of interior design, design, environment, environmental design, exterior - outdoor design, interior design, travel and design /

The Color Purple is rich, garish, and outrageous when worn by ladies sporting red hats. Purple is royalty, has liturgical significance and makes tongues brand the color after sucking down a cold glass of grape juice or room temperature bouquet of good – or not-so-good red wine (what a waste).
Alice Walker expressed great symbolism of pain and beauty when writing her novel. It is certainly a complex color which for our purposes of interior design would want to focus on the positive attributes and not the less attractive. Purple continually surfaces in interior design and it’s probably due to be an upcoming trend. Whether eggplant or lavender, it is a wonderful, classic, good color (aren’t they all in some context?), – yes, purple can be quite fun!
In nature, our Sandias at sunset – although said to be “watermelon” red, by their very Spanish name, transition from many shades of pastel colors including pinks, blues, lavenders and rosy reds. Lavender fields, lavender bouquets, periwinkle blossoms, red bud trees…the list goes on… Currently, I am designing a purple scheme in a home that will be all of fun and stunning, whimsical and elegant. It seems that the brighter colors of purple often bring a smile. Extracted from a charming oil painting, of a northern New Mexico calle with brilliant white and purple lilac bushes blooming along a dirt road accented by a royal blue picket fence, that we have selected as a focal point – the colors are enchanting. These will be more robust than pastels but softer than the royals – delineated with crisp white against a neutral backdrop of sage/stone.
I often reference colors in nature influencing interiors – and here captured in the artist’s painting is a scene from nature setting the stage as the focal element of the space.
Meanwhile, take a look around. See the earth and sky, new blossoms and colors in the built environment – and consider the possibilities for building a color scheme or punctuating with accents in your interiors.