Color schemes are limitless. The permutations are endless. Color is exciting and fun. It is personal. Colors evoke feelings, memories, emotions and are key to a comfortable interior.
How often have you been asked or pondered on your own…”What is your favorite color?” Some people hesitate to answer, while others blurt-out readily with their fav. But what color you choose to wear versus what you enjoy in your interior surroundings and how much might be quite different.
Several weeks ago, I launched a weekly post on our PATRICIAN DESIGN Facebook page called “Color Schemes.” The idea is to inspire design ideas by pairing artwork with designer fabrics. When planning an interior there is always a focal point complimented and surrounded by supporting elements. Whether a key painting will command the space or an expansive window with a view will direct the focus to a scene of outside colors and textures – that key element will greatly influence a successful interior color scheme.
Annette Donald creates colorful cubes in her creative take on our beloved chile ristras. A serrano chile oil painting, on canvas, by Federico Leon de la Vega is quite representational. Paired here with Romo and Ralph Lauren fabrics, Sherwin Williams paints…fresh and festive!
Here is the example of a November Scheme and you can scroll back each Monday for the past few months to enjoy a variety of the Color Schemes! https://www.facebook.com/PatricianDesignABQ/photos/a.243005986618/10157154423221619/
We embrace the The Nature of November with its unique colors and textures. As the air becomes chilly and the leaves fade…warm, soft colors bring us indoors. Featured here an elegant fused glass ribbon wall piece by Lisa Checnoff.
There are four primary considerations that I discuss with my clients when determining which colors to choose, emphasize, avoid, use as accents and where. To establish these selections, we evaluate personal preferences, contextual implications, seasonal influences and even trends.
PERSONAL: In planning an interior, I always want to know what colors make our clients happy, comfortable, stimulated, vexed or relaxed. These personal insights reveal important information for selecting types of materials too.
By examining what might be one’s favorite color, the discussion will navigate the distinctions, if any, regarding preferences for clothes versus interior furnishings. Interestingly, they are not always the same – although, by mere comfort and familiarity, they often are. Simply asking about a favorite color is not enough.
Brilliant golden yellows and blues – splash color! Featured here are fabulous photo-realistic acrylic paintings by Sheri Mays paired with amazing fabrics of the same exciting palette.
CONTEXT: The context of the interior might dictate or at least steer the direction of the design. The luxury of having multiple personal environments offers the opportunity to have different color pleasures exercised in different places. The ski condo might be woodsy and textural with browns, greys, stone and wood punctuated with a pop of color versus the seaside retreat with its crisp whites and cool blues and greens punctuated with pastels or bold contrasts. Therefore, the location of an interior might direct the desired color palette.
Inspired by this spa-aqua pottery bowl by Penny Roberts and the custom glass tile mosaic we recently combined to face a newly remodeled kitchen wall – the cool seaside/spa feel balanced with ambers and warm dots of color – pink, fuchsia, orange and golden yellow. Durable brushed cotton solids come in myriad colors and are perfect for pillows or upholstery.
SEASONAL: This one is tricky because it plays on the perceived climate outside – even if the interior is maintained at a constant temperature. It takes a concerted effort to plan a color scheme – including textures and finishes in anticipation of changing seasons and relative temperatures. I previously mentioned that a window with a view might be the focal point of a room…imagine the effect the changing seasons might have on the selection of interior colors and textures versus a consistent tropical scene, for example?
Perhaps you love purple – ever pair it with golden yellow? Here, functional, fantasy pottery designed and crafted with the most precise attention to detail by Jen DePaolo inspires our boldly brilliant scheme.
TRENDS: Inasmuch as I avoid being steered by trends, it is impossible and not advisable – in design – to avoid them. Clients are influenced by them and bring that would-be preference to the table. It is essential to continue to have “colors-of-the-year” and other market-driven colors change to stimulate the economy with buying and selling, replacement and updating. It’s our socio/economic norm. It also serves as an encouragement to re-fresh. But to limit that influence, in favor of long-term personal pleasures, is best. The pressure of this marketing color influence contributes to our being a disposable culture. Not time here for a lecture on such things – but rather to instill an appreciation for and confidence in personal selections an decisions – in this case, color.
Patinaed pearls and stunning glasswork by Margaret Hidalgo Vanderheyden inspire the soft, greyed lavenders and blues of this cool scheme.
An interesting and on-going test for evaluating a successful interior is when designing in one season – it has to work in all others. For example, when I meet with clients in the heat of July with lush foliage and color, warm temperatures and long days, that same interior has to succeed when it is frigid outside, barren, and with darker, shorter days. What might the challenges be in creating a successful scheme and what might be the solutions to make it work?
Having noted all of this and knowing the different reactions people have to color, isn’t it interesting when an interior is so successful that it appeals to many, if not the majority, of those who experience it? This is more applicable to commercial or public spaces – from doctors’ offices to hotels. However, the challenge and success is in knowing the many things to be considered and implementing a balance of them throughout all aspects of the interior.
Anne Marie Werner-Smith’s brilliantly glazed pottery here with Margaret Hidalgo-Vanderheyden’s lovely fused glass crosses along with coral and dyed stone necklace and woven table runner from Chiapas reflect the changing colors of fall leaves…
Appreciating color is a gift to designers. It truly is an imperative to appreciate all colors and have the sensitivity to discern the nuances between various values and the effects of selections and combinations from the infinite choices.
I hope this has given you ideas and inspiration to move forward with YOUR color schemes! Sign-up for our weekly email of Color Schemes with classic blue and white and stunning neutral greys coming!! And follow the posts on Facebook every Monday.
These are amazing times that are truly testing our creativity and ingenuity. We are challenged to alter our work-modes to operate remotely, utilize time very differently to balance work and family, find new ways to communicate and share and even radically re-direct manufacturing for purposes far different from their original intent…these are all very stimulating, creative challenges.
Isabel works from “home” in Denver managing the daily business of PATRICIAN DESIGN.
Where do the masses flock now that they are confined? Craft stores, home-improvement warehouses and on-line instant gratification pick-me-ups.
Don – in his Home Depot orange shorts was a joke that we enjoyed for several years coining the phrase “Everywhere we go – we got o Home Depot!” From China to Albuquerque we took photos of Home Depot, often in his orange shorts! Couldn’t keep us away!
While most people are home-bound and businesses are fallow – wondering how they will survive this down-time and loss of income and the means to play catch-up with their debts – there are those who have been able to re-invent their talents to manufacture items very different from their norm that are in high demand at this time. Re-purposing has taken on a whole new meaning. Where we were re-purposing an old door into a headboard or bicycle parts into wall art, we are now transforming entire production facilities that made widgets of all manner into plants of workers learning how to manufacture masks and ventilators… gowns and gloves.
The creativity is so broad-reaching it will change the way each of us behaves moving forward. It will change policy and priorities in government. It will alter thinking and spawn new ideas and procedures everywhere. It will have global impact and consequences unlike anything we have known. It will prove uniting and divisive, for differing reasons.
Less public displays of affection between casual connections with more formal respect for personal space are certain outcomes. Perhaps a combination of suspicion and respect at the start…but how long will it take to wear-off? When will the guard be dropped and behavior relax? What will be the definition of our new normal? Circumstances – certainly do – alter cases…
Interior design is tactile. It is comprised of textures and
colors difficult to replicate over the computer screen. Before off of this we
recognized that viewing fabric collections over the on-line portals was a way
to get possible candidates for consideration – but more often than not, there
were greater numbers of rejects once the actual samples arrived.
There is much we can do remotely. We can send drawings, send photos of fabrics (providing we have felt them and know them, in order to honestly recommend them), do video walk-throughs to view a space and make recommendations remotely. We can place orders and arranging shipping and receiving, coordinate sub-contractors and make things happen.
Many tradespeople such as upholsterers, seamstresses cabinet-makers can continue to work in the privacy of their own workrooms providing the have the material. Many fabric sources are still shipping orders. We have two sofas and two benches currently being upholstered – the fabric having been ordered, shipped and delivered all last week. With several other fabrics on their way, our seamstress will be very busy creating custom throw pillow, bed dressings and draperies. We can keep many of our talented, local people busy.
Artists in their studios are eager to express their thoughts and feelings and even bring YOUR interests to life in paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculpture…self-quarantined by their own habits – now is the time to commission a custom piece – pottery centerpiece, focal painting, personal jewelry piece, pet and people portraits by sending photographs!
The dynamics and demographics of our communities will be radically changed as a result of this crisis. Remember how upset many were over Walmart coming into towns displacing, if not eradicating small local businesses? Well, watch what’s happening with large national businesses today and their smaller, local counterparts. We will lose so many and replaced by whom? What? How? How will this change the look and feel of Mainstreet?
The interior design profession is so intimate and personal. It is about hands-on…to be there to move furniture, adjust groupings, share the experience of balancing textures, temperatures of color, size and scale… it’s hard to do from your laptop on a remote beach.
So while the ads on TV promote the home decor sites for instant furnishings and decorative accessories – remember that they don’t always look as you expected once they arrive. Many offer returns, but often with freight and re-stocking charges.
During this unusually
unprecedented time when anxiety instigates spontaneous purchases,
designers can still consult to advise and direct, offer ideas, consult about
choices and decisions. They can help make decisions and assist in finding the
right pieces and making the best purchases.
So call them. Show them your finds. Discuss your choices and ideas. Get their opinions and make better decisions due to their experienced advice. It might and should save you money and headaches in the long-run.
Hidden genius can be found amidst seemingly redundant arts and crafts. Walking by you might not notice. Passing by many beach stands, they begin to look alike – very repetitive. The colorful wares and handcraft are striking and eye-catching and full of fiesta, yet if you pay attention you will notice the nuances. Discovering the true designer/artist.
An escape to the tropics and especially to another country offer a reprieve from the cold and add an exotic element to getting out-of-town. Discovering the many indigenous art forms that come from all over Mexico is fun and exciting. Getting to know the makers and the distinctions in their work is another exciting level of appreciation.
As is true with so many things, detail and design matter. I buy a smattering of things for my gallery/gift boutique. I like to support the local vendors and makers that produce these fantasy-filled folk-art pieces. From fabrics to stuffed animals, painted pottery to murals and mosaics, the art is abundant and deserves to be examined.
As an example, I am focusing on Victor Rivera. Victor is an artist and more so, an incredibly gifted designer. His sense of pattern and imagery is exquisite. It reminds me of my mother’s love of Marimekko and Lily Pulitzer in the 60s and 70s. Her appreciation was a tremendous influence on me. The joy of color and pattern was a exhilarating celebration to wear and accessorize your home. Victor seems to possess a like-kind of innate sensibility and talent for devising and executing sensational color, pattern, motif and resulting design. He is currently creating, from a modest beach stand, what I believe is clearly different from others doing what might be thought to be similar work.
Like Maija Isola – a peer of my mother’s, having been born in the 20s her designs transcend the many decades in which she influenced color, pattern and bold imagery. Her work continues to live and influence the evolution of Scandinavian artistic direction and its impact on the world of design. https://www.marimekko.com/com_en/world-of marimekko/design/designers/maija-isola
Watching Victor select his brushes, for the various applications and control on his designs, is fascinating and amazing.
The sense of pattern and design is a different category of artistic talent, in my observation and estimation. A master, of pattern, form, design detail and art, is an artist. However, the focus on the repetition and integral connection of patterns – for this purpose in a one-dimensional application – is an intensely different pocket of an artistic brain.
And this brings me back to Victor. I want someone in a position to embrace and promote him, in the world of fabric design and influence, to catapult him to the level to which he can and should aspire. Shout-out to Alegreea and the fabulous designers at Pineda Colavin!!!!!!!
His hummingbirds begin with a pencil drawing and basic “fill” colors at the start. Working on both clay and wood prefabricated bowls by other artisans, his many layers of colors and details take shape.
With myriad, mostly monotonous, Mexican street/beach artists, Victor is a beacon of light that stands out among the throngs. Once you stop to notice – the work he is creating is astonishingly unique and beautiful. His designs are laced with meticulous detail, outstanding color combinations captivating and beautiful.
He will paint expeditiously simple works to satisfy the tourists and keep an inventory at the ready for spontaneous purchase – but when he has quiet time and is caught-up on his table of offerings, he creates amazing pieces that are truly remarkable. It is important to note though, that his more expeditious pieces still have a color combination with strokes of accents that still are above and well beyond the common.
He will paint commissions all day long – but left to his own devices, his creativity is boundless. And, referencing back to the Scandinavian designers, his floral designs are outstanding!
Taking time to examine the world around you and the beauty of detail that awaits, is a joyful experience of great discovery and satisfaction! Not to mention great fun!!!
After experiencing and pondering the value of incorporating nature’s elements into architectural planning in the previous blog, I find myself winding into the countryside from sea level to a mile high into jungles and ultimately pine forests, across vast expanses of rivers and towering bridges spanning grand abysses…and stopping at a modest panaderia (bakery) on the side of the road.
You can’t tell a book by its cover as this simple little rural structure – standing alone – looked curiously intriguing and quaint enough, with an unpaved parking area transitioning to well-tended pea-gravel. Traffic cruised by, on the way across the bridge.
Those that knew, turned in. We pulled off the road and were told that this couple had a wonderful bakery and were promised an exceptional treat! Fresh empanadas that would bring remarkably satisfying mid-morning joy.
Very tidy and thoughtfully eclectic, this little destination bakery is a precious find.
Oh, were we in for a surprise! At the entry, I stopped to shoot the whimsical cup of coffee mosaic set in a field of stone and concrete. I thought – what a fun design element to greet arrivals and set the stage. But I had no idea to what extent I was about to be elated. What unfolded so exceeded my expectations that I wanted to stay all day!!!
Happy stone and tile-work adorned the pathways. From the textures of stone and brick, tile and wood – it was an organic fantasy – an unexpected design experience.
Simple, yet spectacular – simply spectacular!!!!!
Ceilings of colorful floral blooms – perhaps wisteria – suspended from their vines and other plantings intertwined with the structure.
Spotless and meticulous the eclectic elements were a harmonious creation.Stone walls, wooden slats, vines and adobe all worked together to define the spaces.
The wafting aroma of fresh baked goods – it was more than delightful. From warm savory clouds with mushroom filling and another with chile-laced sausages – and an array of sweet strawberry, cream and pineapple empanadas to corn muffins, banana muffins and more! All nestled beneath colorfully woven cotton tablecloths.
Light and delicious – the best empanadas ever!! With a tiny sprinkles of granulated sugar, for a sweet crunch, before sinking into the fabulous fillings! Muffins challenged any others and savory treats were so satisfyingly delectable. Little buttons of banana slices on top denoted which were the banana muffins!!
Rich Mexican coffee with a touch of freshly ground cinnamon and luscious hot chocolate were served in custom-glazed “barro ware” complimenting the fresh-from-the-oven confections.
The exhibition baking kitchen overlooked the serving line. The buffet of pastries thoughtfully explained by our gracious and welcoming host, Jesus!
Carmen presents fresh strawberry tarts just from the oven!!! A combination of old and new – tradition and technology meet in this cozy kitchen.
Fragmented spaces open, yet enclosed, offered intimate pockets in which to pause and enjoy.
Color-pops insert themselves effectively around the interior and exterior spaces.Inviting seating areas semi-concealed offer private repose. Tucked away – more areas to enjoy…
Clever use of clean blond wood shavings on the floor of the main covered patio created a wall-to-wall carpet of fresh aromatics complimenting the inviting aromas emitted from the ovens. Rocking chairs and rigid sturdy versions, with a fun little rope swing, all surrounded by tropical plantings made a cozy area to gather.
Soft underfoot and subtly fragrant – the wood chips make a great shag carpet!!!
As I meandered around exploring all the interesting spaces, textures, colors and plantings, I marveled at the sensitivity with which this had all been crafted and assembled. It was artful interior design with an exterior feel – open air and charming, with a decidedly handcrafted, Mexican sense of place.
Slices of handsome tree trunks make perfect stepping “stones” with graduated heights.
It was an eclectic collage of furniture, structure and organics – living and static – that was welcoming and artful, delightful and so pleasing, that it was a treat for all the senses.
The cool morning air of the mountains mingled, with the comforting fragrances, creating an atmosphere inviting gentle conversations of people gathered around good food and artfully relaxed surroundings.
Peek in places and through doorways to find worlds of design
waiting to be discovered!!!
Wherever you may be…it’s the time of year when traditions are so much a part of everyone’s holiday experiences. And with that opening sentence – no doubt some of yours come to mind.
Traditions, of course, are not limited to holidays – but for
purposes of this season, it is the primary focus of this missive. Interestingly,
over the past few weeks, I have had a few people ask me about home decor and specifically
starting or perpetuating holiday traditions. I found it so compelling because
traditions are created from repeat practices and experiences.
Fond memories of family friends and their annual tradition of making warm and frothy Tom and Jerrys! I found these vintage china mugs just like the ones from my memories. Have have recently seen them re-created – new – just like these! Perhaps its time to start our own tradition of Tom and Jerrys for the holidays!
You can begin to practice things that become traditions – that’s the key. Of the recent conversations, one person approached me about a week before Thanksgiving. He was single, hosting a few friends and didn’t know where to begin. Could I help? The other inquiry was from a couple of years ago as a young woman who was not from New Mexico found herself here, newly married and in a new home. How was she to create the feeling of Christmas? The answers to both of these queries are at the end …
As is true with all consultation whether it is interior design, medical, self-help, physical fitness, IT…it all begins with questions. The consultant must ask questions to establish information that will guide them to make their recommendations. Here are 4 Tips for Approaching Traditions that will begin the conversation.
Perpetuating a Tradition: Memories are personal references that are the basis for traditions. The repeat performance of these various acts establish traditions. Continuing to practice the traditions insures that they repeat as each like-kind of event unfolds. It takes effort to continue to re-create traditions, but to lose the pattern can become irretrievable. It can be an onus or a joy to perpetuate traditions. I would prefer to embrace the latter! Ideally, any tradition that you chose to perpetuate should be a joy.
This vintage set was given to me by a dear friend. It held precious memories from her grandmother having served hot cocoa from it every Christmas. My friend’s experiences dated back to the 1920s. The set preceded her memory…as her grandmother, born in the last quarter of the 1800s owned it for years prior. We enjoy hot cocoa from it nearly every Christmas morning!
Creating New Traditions: Establishing the approach that perpetuating a tradition should be a joy or the act of something that brings joy, the same is true with creating a tradition. Seems obvious that you wouldn’t want to create a traditional around something that does not bring you joy. But you might be surprised. I have recently learned that sometimes people think that they begin something that is a common practice to create a version for themselves, when in fact it is a perceived obligation rather than a joy. Don’t force it- don’t feel obliged to begin a practice just because others do it. Experience, invent or witness something that brings you joy and replicate it. You might recall it from your past, find it in a scene from a movie or experience at someone else’s home, derive it from participating in an activity or, of course, discovering internet ideas that abound. If something interests you to the extent that you want to practice it – then do it!If you enjoy it enough, you will perpetuate it and it will become a tradition.
This little Santa Doll was handmade by a friend of mine when her kids – now grown with kids of their own – were kids. Not originally intended to be a “Crazy Santa,” his accidental facial expression resulted in his name – held now for over three decades. He comes out every Christmas as an amusing family tradition.
Modifying Traditions: We all need to determine how much we want to take on, how much we want to invest (in time or money) and how we achieve the same or similar results to create the joy. If traditions become too complicated or difficult, it might be time to re-think them. Rather than discard them, modify them. The time to discard a tradition is when it no longer brings you joy. But before that might happen and if the event/activity or degree of difficulty challenge your want to perpetuate the tradition, consider modifying it to suit your changing needs, circumstances and enjoyment.
This might happen if you move away from the context in which the tradition originally occurred, change in participants – if any, change in interests, physical or financial limitations…if the tradition still brings joy – find a way to achieve that with the necessary modification. Circumstances alter cases…like where you might have lived or are living at the time. Your fondest memories might be of chilly temperatures, warm fireplaces and the scent of pine trees…then you relocate to the tropics! This provides an opportunity to retain some of the original traditions and introduce some new. Not to mention, you might move to a different country where an entirely new set of traditions will present themselves – or just the different words for familiar favorites. Even without changing languages, in England they hang stockings at the foot of each bed rather than the mantle. Father Christmas is their Santa Claus. The list of similarities and slight differences goes on…
As I walked in the park last weekend, I spotted this fun, dangling snowman! So I stopped to inquire and capture a few shots. This family celebrates their son’s birthday every year with a piñata. Born on Christmas Day, they select another day close-by to have the piñata portion of the party. A family tradition.
No snowy scene for snowball fights or skiing? Toss a ball or frisbee, take a hike or bike, instead.
No enormous turkey? Roast a breast or a more manageable duck
or chicken.
Become a vegetarian? Using the same type of familiar meal
service and table dressings, modify the menu.
Not convenient to cut and haul a tree from the wild? Buy one
instead. Real tree a hassle? Become the proud owner of a magnificent fake tree-
with a bit of pine-scented room spray! In my case, I occasionally give myself a “bye”
break from putting up our tree (Although I love my tradition of collecting
silver ornaments, of which I have dozens). So the “modification” is
to have a magnificent, tall poinsettia on the entry table and several others scattered
throughout the house to punctuate the interior with splashes of red.
No formal dining room? Gather on cushions around a coffee
table – even if it means a piece of plywood from Home Depot on cinderblocks
with a paper tablecloth! Candles and a centerpiece will set the scene.
Sharing Traditions
Gifting things that represent your traditions is a wonderful way to share. Obviously, baking and sharing traditional delicacies is prime. Making or finding ornaments to gift is nice. I offer cuttings of our family’s Christmas cactus. My grandmother always kept one or more plants from the original plant that was in her family home in Youngstown, New York. She was born in 1892 and her grandmother remembered the plant and told my grandmother that it preceded her in that same house. We don’t know how far back it goes, but at least mid 1800s. I have kept cuttings and grown mature plants from the very plants that my grandmother had her entire life of over 100 years and kept all the while we were growing up in the same house for 20+ years and now my 40 years since! Gifting a traditional food or a CD you compile of favorite recordings, sharing plant cuttings, passing along a treasured possession – all are ways to share traditions.
But what if you are starting out? Memories from childhood might be the basis for beginning your own adult traditions – whatever the springboard, it should be fun to establish your own holiday traditions.
Colton’s Reindeer – A child’s artwork can be passed for generations.
Whether it is handmade decoration, food centered, activity engaging, music oriented, game playing, object collecting…each person has their focus. Even if one is alone for a holiday, there are sentimental triggers that remind of past events.
Food Centered: Main dishes, baking desserts, crafting cocktails…
Party cocktails – always a fun tradition…note here the festive cocktail coasters. Handmade by artist Rebecca Speakes, they make a wonderful gift to start a collection.
Activity Engaging: Playing games, sports – live or on TV, taking a walk, driving around to see holiday displays, theater productions…
Music Oriented: Gathering around a piano (guitar, accordion…whatever)
to sing, neighborhood caroling, participate in a choir, Karaoke games, attending
a concert, background music evoking memories for the occasion…
Decoration: Dressing your interior and exterior for the event(s)…
Hanukkah traditions, decorations – the brilliant blues and metallic accents…Color plays a big part in traditions and their interpretation and practices.
Collecting: Adding to collections…handmade series, vintage pieces, new releases…
Remember the guy before Thanksgiving? He had no formal dining room. He was having 7 friends gather. He wanted to do some semblance of what he regarded as a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I asked him how he preferred to gather – standing with cocktails and appetizers grazing throughout the evening or a “sit-down” approach? He really wanted the feeling of sitting down to feast. In light of not having a formal dining area – and as it turned out, no coffee table either, I advised that he gather on cushions around a coffee table. Since he didn’t have one, I suggested that he go to Home Depot and get a 48″ square cut piece of plywood to position on top of a double stack of cinder blocks. I went in search of finding a table cloth and 8 large cushions (pillows) , votive candles and a centerpiece comprised of a bright yellow mum plant in a basket, with a few mini pumpkins and fall leaves. The scene was set. He used his own plates and utensils, white paper napkins and a package of orange cocktail napkins. He planned the meal and asked for each person to contribute an item that was special for them. After all the dishes were identified, he prepared the main dish, a casserole of boneless turkey breasts surrounded by his traditional favorite, Pepperidge Farm stuffing – baked and beautiful – and two other things that were not being contributed by his friends – canned cranberry jelly (ha ha) and a pumpkin pie that he purchased from a local bakery. Voila!
The gal entering her first Christmas as an adult was not from New Mexico nor was her young husband . They had a new home here and the local traditions were not in her realm of traditions. She wanted a large tree but did not own one single Christmas ornament. She bought a live-cut tree and we bought strings of mini white lights, a couple dozen red feathered cardinal bird ornaments, candy canes and white ribbon. She tied white bows on the tree and scattered the red birds all over it. I cannot believe that I can’t find the photo of the finished product – but it was a memorable solution for a first Christmas presentation.
This year I captured a quick shot of this tree in a friend’s house that reminded me of that young woman’s first Christmas tree. In vogue this year are the bare, stick-like trees that offer twinkly accents and an airy presentation of ornaments of choice and here featured are the very similar red cardinals!
This is the story of a very lucky cat. Her name is Bijou –
French for Jewel. Once the pet, of a
let’s say, “not-ready-for-this-responsibility” somewhat transient
young man living on his own between high school and the next move, she was
along for the ride with kids coming and going, parties and nothing in the way
of consistent comfort and security. Perhaps loved, in a way, but without the
tools or experience to properly care for her, she was collected by a close
friend and given a new home.
This what the new owner saw.
Bijou, a fragile kitty.
This is what her other two cats saw.
Doesn’t play well with others.
She had led such an erratic life with so much activity and
unexpected actions, activities and unsettling inconsistencies, she was skittish
and defensive. She did not play well
with others. Syd and Sam, her two new brothers, were bookends. They were fairly
mellow and had full run of the house…until now.
Bijou was a mess around them – picking fights and acting
untamed. This spread to her reaction to her new people too – the fear of the
other cats made her skittish to the point of biting and scratching for
seemingly no apparent reason.
Her new owner knew that if she took her to Animal Humane
that she would have difficulty finding a home with her bad behavior and
therefore would more than likely be euthanized. This was not an option. For all
of her crazy, she was still loveable and had become part of the family.
Being isolated to the daughter’s bedroom and end of the
hallway bath, Bijou had a quarantined life. And it was not pleasant nor
convenient for the rest of the household either.
Cat solitary…
Cat psychology and medication were not working. The light bulb went off and her generous and
soft-hearted new owner imagined a
“catio.” With that she began
gathering examples from all sources. Some were elegant and lavish while others
were smaller and efficient. But the idea was to provide an environment where Bijou
felt safe and could commune with nature, relax and release her tensions and
enjoy life.
The plans began…
The idea…
The crude beginnings to plot the location and size evolved…
Our magician of a cabinet maker – fine craftsman and
designer of amazing wood cabinets and free-standing furniture, who continues to
claim that he is NOT a welder stepped in to save the day. Against his better judgments,
but with our strong encouragement, Enrique started to investigate.
He and I went on the search for materials. Handsome pavers to compliment adjacent materials, (creating a border of gravel to match landscape material and act as a transition between non-matching surfaces), roofing panels, the right gauge of wire and size of tubular steel.
Who knew that the seemingly common corrugated fiberglass panels were not to be found at the national home improvement stores?
We wanted a durable, translucent roof…diffused to protect from the harsh orientation of the summer sun, but to allow softened daylight to wash the space with protection from thee rare downpour during the monsoons.
Soon thereafter he pulled up on the curb of PATRICIAN DESIGN with the first load of raw steel.
Enrique’s El Camino is loaded down with steel!!!
With many meetings discussing details including access
through the master bathroom window, entry door for humans outside, hiding place
nook, evading code issues with house egress maintained, space for adjacent
barbeque area, dodging and/or accommodating existing sprinkler valves and
transitions between existing pavers and pavement – the physical work began.
Weeks turned into months as summer passed and construction
continued. The work is tedious. The work is perfection. The welding is
invisible. I remarked that Enrique treats iron and steel like fine wood. He is
precise, careful, attends to every detail and proceeds with the intention that
joinery is invisible and details are fine.
Glass panels are inserted into channels and will ultimately be lit at night with the intent of having the family each paint an image on the glass depicting cats, nature – whatever speaks to them about this very special catio.
The roof structure is extended the full length to allow for a new covered grilling area – bonus detail!! A low “hiding area” for Bijou is a work-surface for the grill too!
Bijou has just been introduced to her new environs.
She came in through the bathroom window…
The weather is turning and there is a chill in the evening air, but she and her benefactor enjoy sitting out there with a glass of wine and listen to the crickets as night falls.
The kind-hearted husband is getting into the swing of things by making this perch using weathered wood from their backyard and left-over carpet from their interior remodel.
More finishing touches will be coming in the way of the painted glass panels, ramps and ledges for Bijou, …
…so that every day will bring a more beautifully outfitted catio for this very lucky cat! Watch for the finished product!
Some fabrics are just so fabulous that they can carry a design scheme. You could wrap a rock with them and feel that they are accomplishing the design statement to set the theme, mood and encourage interest, if not confidence in comfort! Stimulating the senses is a major part of design.
Often, a throw pillow can make an effective accent. We joke often when we find exclusive fabrics in the hundreds of dollars a yard and say “Perhaps a throw pillow?” Knowing that the projects affording such luxury for miles of drapery panels are few and far between!
Duralee offers statement furniture pieces of unpretentious luxury and comfort with a collection of fine fabrics that will satisfy any budget. Birds take flight from this delightful Duralee pattern.
Sight Sound Smell Taste and Touch – you know. Colors and textures catch one’s attention. They set the mood.
Upon entering a space you take-in the colors and textures and if fabric is in play.With further tactile examination fabric contributes greatly to these two sensory perceptions – sight and touch.
This playful Donghia organic has fuzzy tactile balls sprouting from the linear twigs. From the “ground” to all the intertwining and overlaying weaves, the complexity of textiles is exciting. Come see these exceptional designer fabrics in our studio.Many fabrics have multiple colorways. If you see an intriguing fabric that’s not “your color”, its worth asking about the entire collection.
Juxtaposition can also be an effective technique. When placing a modern pattern on a vintage piece, you breathe new life into the forgotten history – refreshing and capturing the best of both worlds!
You might not have a lot of confidence in someone who wants to wrap a rock to make a design statement. However, my point is, when you love something you want it regardless of the delivery system! Find fabrics that you love and insert them into your rooms – home or office. It’s like your favorite flavor. Sweet or savory – slather it on a piece of cardboard and you’ll be significantly satisfied. You need not struggle with how to do it – just make it happen. So to get a little taste of an exciting textile, make a table runner, simple dining chair seats, select a backing and make a throw or an accent pillow. Bring the joy of exciting textiles into your interiors.
Here are a series of fun fabrics from our source library – tools of the trade. We LOVE fabrics and must touch the texture, feel the weight and evaluate the colors. Seeing images on-line do NOT do justice to the many incredibly creative textiles are available to enhance interiors.
Cute critters march across this sophisticated yet whimsically novel woven.
Other considerations not necessarily in evidence are the wear-ability/durability of a fabric and the resistance to ultraviolet rays, mildew and other elements. Wool is inherently flame retardant, for example. And exteriors have come alive as these amazing performance textiles will often fool you in disbelief that they have the properties to withstand the radiating ultra-violet rays of the sun and damp conditions which invite mold and mildew. These incredible fabrics are truly indoor-outdoor in appearance and extraordinary performance!
High-performance luxury weaves such as jacquards, piques, tapestries, matelassé, ottomans, damasks and sheers defy their extraordinary performance properties.
Roy Hamilton a recognized designer in many media, brings fresh patterns to Chella. Roy Hamilton, designer of exclusive ceramics, sculptural and textural interior elements and fabrics for over sixty years.
Call for an appointment to explore our source library for the most unique fabrics in the world!
Floor-to-ceiling shelves of samples await your exploration for commercial and residential application!! You can order most textiles by the yard!
If the Basilica in my last blog didn’t get your juices
flowing about incredible public art spaces, the Library of Congress was our
next stop. Yes, it houses nearly everything having to do with writing,
recording, documenting…but the building itself is amazing! It in itself is a
wealth of artistic detailing. The interior has more gold leaf – not gold paint
– but hammered metal gold leaf – than any other building in our Nation’s
Capital. Inside and out, the craftsmanship of the stone carvings and
architectural embellishments is magnificent. This inestimable landmark is so
much more than the sober name suggests.
We parked in the garage of Union Station and walked the few
blocks past the Supreme Court and the Capitol Building to our destination of
the Library of Congress. The brilliant blue skies behind the bright white
edifices belied what some regarded as the oppressive heat. I however am a heat
freak – it’s summer – bring it on!
Columbus Fountain at Union Station also known as the Columbus Memorial is a public artwork by American sculptor Lorado Taft, located serves as a tribute to the explorer Christopher Columbus.The Supreme Court – cool, brilliant white against a striking blue sky – at 100 ° Crouching to get a shot of our Nation’s Capitol Building.
Symbolism is executed with every inch of the design details
both inside and out of the imposing Library of Congress. Ascending the exterior
stairs sets the stage for arriving at a monument of immeasurable wealth of
human dissertation and history. Here I can only touch on the tip of the
iceberg…
Picnic tables out front at our Library of Congress…relax, grab and bite and read a bit before going back to work!!!
From an inauspicious beginning of modest expectations to
greater expanses with devastating fiery catastrophes in between, the Library of
Congress has an amazing story. Thomas Jefferson played a significant role in
re-building the foundation of what we now have today.
While waiting for the tour to begin in the magnificent
Thomas Jefferson building, we were directed to two remarkably entertaining exhibits
on the lower level – a Gershwin gathering and a Hope homage.
The George and Ira Gershwin Room is a tribute to the two
brothers and their contribution to American music. This nostalgic and very
familiar subject matter makes you hum and tap your toes. The exhibit presents
George’s piano and custom-designed writing desk, Ira’s table and typewriter,
self portraits and myriad documents that trace their lives and amazing careers.
The Hope for America Exhibit focuses on the varied careers
of Bob Hope along with other recognizable entertainers. The exhibit offers the
satirical humor – crossing party lines – both socially and politically for
which Hope was so appreciated, admired and beloved. Hope received the U.S.
Congressional Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his
commitment, in his nearly 50 year service, entertaining the men and women of
the armed forces abroad.
As the actual tour began, we were introduced with a short
film as an overview of what was to come. We were then guided up a staircase and
gathered in what was a most astonishingly beautiful, expansive space full of
piercing, daylight, sunbeams glancing off incredibly detailed architectural
stone carving and sculpture. Vast murals, vaults and arches in the 360 degrees
of beauty from floor to voluminous ceiling was staggering.
” Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the
nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark the
imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by
providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and
exhibitions.” Thomas Jefferson stepped-in to save the Library of Congress
after a few inauspicious starts. Not
enough time devoted here to a history lesson – learn more at https://www.loc.gov/ – but this grand space into which we entered is
the Thomas Jefferson Building.
The focus of this blog is to share a bit of the art and
decorative embellishments of this stunning architectural environment –
beginning with the Commemorative Arch by Olin L. Warner (1844-1896) featuring a
young man to the left and a bearded elder man on the right signifying that the
process of learning never ceases…
Grand staircases on opposing sides of the space are adorned
with carvings of “putti” – Italian for little boys – as they are
pictured representing various occupations from gardeners to astronomers – the depiction
of each vocation is fascinating with what it means to have that respective
knowledge to pursue one’s career path.
Beneath the string of putti are representations of the 4
corners of the globe depicting figures of each, Asia paired with Europe and
American paired with Africa.
Minerva, the Roman Goddess of Learning and Wisdom is aptly
featured in a series of statues and images.
Most fascinating to me, up in an adjacent domed ceiling area
was the “Evolution of the Written Word,” a series of lunettes by John
White Alexander (1856-11915). Having previously written about the importance of
handwriting for a million reasons that go beyond, but are directly connected
to, this depicted evolution, I found this to be simple, yet profound. It is a beautifully
rendered and fascinatingly distilled artistic expression of a very significant
timeline. Beginning with The Cairn – we see them stacked stones on beaches for
fun and on paths in the wilderness as markers, but here Alexander renders
primitive man communicating by stacking stones to possibly mark the dead, a
passage or a place of significance.
As the history progresses, Oral Tradition becomes the means
of communication – but only/obviously in personal contact. Words are created.
Then Egyptian Hieroglyphics enter the scene with images representing words
depicted on surfaces.
Picture Writing on animal skin – and ultimately more refined
to vellum – becomes a more mobile means of communication.
Theologians recording ancient stories of biblical history
brought monks to the art of the written word in compilations of the Bible as
the first manuscripts/books became recorded.
And then an exponential leap in communication came with the invention of John Gutenberg ca. 1400-1468 of the Printing Press! Asia had its versions of printing machines even before Gutenberg, but inspired by seeing grapes at harvests being “pressed,” he put that concept into the process of placing individual letters in place and pressing them onto paper. Western Europe then had a movable metal type process that increased productivity of printed material – printing the first ……in Western Europe. The tour guide sadly explained to us that Gutenberg died a pauper as his investors, not patient with economic fluctuations, excused him from his rightful place in the business and left him to live out his life only to receive proper recognition posthumously.
It is the first complete book
extant in the West and is also the earliest to be printed from movable type. This
rare version is printed on vellum.
Unfortunately, at this point in the tour, we had to excuse
ourselves with a quick wave and thanks to our guide as we were departing later
that afternoon. Before leaving the building though, we dashed upstairs to
discover the main Reading Room – entering from a way upper tier, we had a
bird’s-eye view of this grand space. The scale was daunting and the spectacular
architectural detail was breath-taking. The WOW-factor was palpable!
The Reading Room.
Eight giant marble columns each support 10-foot-high
allegorical female figures in plaster representing characteristic features of
civilized life and thought: Religion, Commerce, History, Art, Philosophy,
Poetry, Law and Science.
Layer upon layer of intricate, symbolic details.
The 16 bronze statues upon the balustrades of the
galleries are a tribute to men whose lives symbolized the thought and activity
represented by the plaster statues.
Shhhhhhhhh……it’s the Reading Room
And with that – we only had enough experience and education about this incredible resource and monument of artistic beauty to whet our appetite for more and surely lure us there again for more information about all that comprises this amazing public gift and resource.
Ta Da!!! Seriously – standing there in awe…taken with my phone!
There are so many wonderful things to see and do – get out there and see it!!!
Artistically embellished
architectural splendor is an understatement for all the wonders that await when
visiting our Nation’s Capitol. Washington, D.C. is my home town. Growing up
inside the Beltway, venturing into the District for work or pleasure was once my
norm. I know I took it for granted. Like
many, when one lives and plays in a place, it often becomes routine. Work the
same place, drive the same route, play in the same spots…unless there is a
special concert to catch or event prompted by others to attend, one often
misses the wonders that are right around the corner.
Therefore, when I visit, I try to
make it a point to investigate and experience things I have never seen or
things that I haven’t seen for quite some time. This visit featured the grand
dome of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
It was the focus of our outing,
but the surrounding chapels and all there was to see became such an educational
and eye-candy dazzling afternoon of mosaic artistry that our eyes and neck were
fatigued from staring at the details and craning to view the enormous vaulted expanses
of blazing glory.
Lest you think I exaggerate, know that the majesty of the iconic images have been rendered in such exquisite detail and with such amazing colors of tiny, precisely placed tiles that the work makes you gasp and say “whoa” at every turn.
And this is just touring the many spectacular chapels on the way to the nave where the vaulted domed ceilings explode with color, detailed imagery and astonishingly expansive scale! It is then, upon entering this awe-inspiring space, that gasps and whoa fall away to near breathless speechlessness as eyes well with tears at the splendor.
The detail was similar to that of
the magnificent mosques we experienced in Istanbul – but there, we walked in
and BAM the spectacular space was huge and instantly revealed – definite WOW
factor – but here at the Basilica, it was a fascinating process of discovery as
we investigated each chapel and made our way up to the grand expanse of the
vaulted nave.
I am not going to give you a
guided tour of what we experienced, nor am I going to attempt to convey any
aspect of the historical tracings of the biblical references…but I am going
to attempt to impart the beauty and artistry that one doesn’t have to be a
catholic to appreciate. Photos can’t begin to accomplish what it takes to get
the full effect of these amazing designs, patterns, details…
Marble columns throughout the Basilica are identified by place of origin of the stone.
I encourage everyone to experience this majestic edifice and the beautiful grounds towering above the trees in NE Washington, D.C.. It will not disappoint. https://www.nationalshrine.org/
Have you ever had a moment or period of time when you longed
to create something just for fun? It might be to crochet a blanket or knit a
scarf. It might be to build a model
plane or learn how to cast a bronze. What have you longed to create?
It seems that everyone needs a creative outlet even though
they might not recognize it as creativity. When speaking to a guy about his interest in working on cars, he
didn’t consider his work “creative.” To work on a car for purposes of
enhanced performance, restoration, maintenance or repair all takes a certain
amount of creativity. The thought process of problem solving and taking action
requires creative thinking.
Gardening, painting, sculpting, carving, pottery, collage…there are so many outlets for relaxing creativity. The idea is to not do it under pressure. Lest one defeat the purpose of the relaxing aspect – just for fun – pure joy.
Yesterday I spoke to an architect who said that her creative
juices needed exercising. Despite the fact that her daily work required lots of
creative thought, it was not pure pleasure. It was not all fun. She
wanted/needed another outlet. So she set forth, to do some creative design time,
purely for her leisure. She started creating desert floral collages, in a size
that could be shared, as greeting cards. She brought them to show me, with a
modest timidity, and was most surprised and thrilled when I received her work
with great enthusiasm!
Rebecca has found the medium of paper to be quite
satisfying, It is clean and precise, crisp and conveys her intent. She loves
flowers, lives in the high desert and communes with cacti and appreciates all
flowers – and with that her exciting, yet quiet, introspective, personally
satisfying, creative expression has found an outlet.
With positive feedback from several people, she wants to
launch a re-sale card line! Now the creative process goes another step. She
needs to establish a brand – at least a name for her card line. Will she want a
logo? What about her entire experience can she list in words and cull and
distill to result in the perfect identity?
There are two parts to this situation and the first is to recognize the need for and find an outlet for the relaxing exercise of expressing creative juices and the second is receiving positive reinforcement for your efforts. Inasmuch as the second might seem unnecessary, it is a great affirmation and valid “feel good” feeling to create for the fun of it and have your work appreciated!
It need not be commercial – but “selling” your idea or creative project is even MORE flattering. Although, it is usually not for compliment much less profit.
Creativity can be relaxing, if it is not in a demanding framework. It’s therapeutic. In pondering this subject, I wanted to know more. Seems that this is a complex topic that deserves more investigation. So, I did a bit of reading…I found the Handbook of Creativity edited by Robert J. Sternberg from the Cambridge University Press 1999. In the first section – The Concept of Creativity: Prospects and Paradigms by Robert J. Sternberg and Todd I. Lubart it states “If one wanted to select the best novelist, artist, entrepreneur, or even chief executive officer, one would most likely want someone who is creative.”
It is true for those of us doing hiring – looking for that
spirit that can see beyond…create…are desirable traits. Yet everyone has a
certain creative element in their person. It is the degree to which they have
it and in what capacity or direction which might be more applicable or
desirable, for consideration in a
certain position over another.
The Concept of Creativity
further states that “Creativity is the ability to produce work that
is both novel (i.e., original, unexpected) and appropriate (i.e., useful,
adaptive concerning task constraints) (Lubart, 1994: Ochse, 1990; Sternberg,
1988a; Sternberg & Lubart, 1991, 1995, 1996).
The aforementioned seems obvious.
So is creativity a divine gift? One that makes it difficult to study much less
quantify or discern from another? That is not the purpose of his blog…but to
not mention that query would be leaving something that one might ask – out.
As a professional designer, creativity is part of the daily job description. Yet you will find most designer’s exercise creative outlets that are different from their work. This spring I too launched a greeting card line. It was spawned from hours on the road between San Diego and Albuquerque, with the practice of harnessing myriad ditties that continually race thorough my thoughts. A sudden lightning bolt on one of those trips suggested that I doodle to accompany my ditties. Hence, DATE NITE CARDS were born in March of this year. Little ditties and doodles to bring a smile, start a conversation, set a date, make new friends, rekindle the spark, celebrate friends, love, anniversaries, romance…
