Aug 04

The Wealth of Art That is Our Elegant Library of Congress

By pattisays In art and interior design, artistic imagery, artistic talent, artists, bible, civilization, context of interior design, creativity, custom art in interior design, decorative arts, design, design details, education, functional art, Gershwin, handmade, hiring an interior designer, historic architecture, historic decorative arts, historic interior design, historic properties, historical interior design, history, inspiration, interior atmosphere, interior design, libraries, Library of Congress, marble, Mind Your Handwriting by Leon de la Vega, murals, music scores, musicians, national treasure, natural integrity of the materials, natural stone, painters, public art, public design, public spaces, putti, sculpture, stone, stone carving, Subscribers, summer, Thomas Jefferson, United States history, urban art, urban design, urban living, value of art, Washington D.C. /  1

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!!!

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Apr 19

Designing with Your Story in Mind

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, architecture, art and interior design, art assemblages, art custom commissions, artistic expression, bars and restaurants, branding in interior design, brew pubs, commercial interior design, commercial remodel, context of interior design, corporate branding, creative process, creativity, custom art in interior design, custom design interior design, design, design and marketing, design challenges, design details, design process, design solutions, design tips, design trends, designing with a purpose, dining and design, dining rooms, eclectic design, exterior - outdoor design, good design, Graphic art, graphic arts, graphic designs in interiors, hiring an interior designer, historic properties, inspiration, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design trends, interior enhancements, logo development, marketing the story, mosaic, mosaic tile, murals, Nexus Brewery, nostalgia and design, patchwork, patterns, personal expression, photography, pieced work, practical design, quilts, restaurant design, Subscribers, textures, the story, tile, trends, urban art, value of good design, wall treatments, your story /  1

Is your story important? Does anyone care about your story? And what does this have to do with interior design?

Whether you are marketing yourself or your business, your story has merit. It is about identity, branding and connecting. It is about letting people in a bit. It is about sharing history, experiences and process. It is about your unique reason for doing what you do.

For the past several months, I have been working with a client on a combination of interior design, graphic design, exterior design…it is all intertwined. A successful design laces together all these design elements. And that brings me to “the story.”

Even Facebook features a section to tell “your story.”  Yet, my client resisted presenting/using the story of this new business venture as a part of the design. He told me that was “so seventies.” That he had read that it was a dated concept that was no longer relevant. I begged to differ. For months I begged to differ! We agreed to disagree.

I believe that this is similar to many interpretations of design. What might be considered “dated” is often the manner in which it is used or done – not the thing itself. Whether a color,  a font, a style of furniture, a wall tile or wallpaper, an architectural detail or form…so many design elements are considered dated due to their context. Often, this is fair to observe. But, mix it up a bit and use things differently or with other different elements than the original trend presented and – Voila! You have a perfectly valid, even fabulous design – think outside the box!

The idea of a “story” is not unlike the “mission statement” which became a standard feature decades ago in every company’s presentation on printed media, lobby plaques, conference room walls, break rooms… Some say it is passe, but when something is good and has meaning – re-consider. Like “the story”, “the mission statement” identifies goals and intent…when paired with the story, it provides an overview of the who, what, why that inquiring patrons want to know.

So back to the story…about “the story.”  When a business or any concept is respected or liked, revered or praised, it is natural for people to wonder “How did they get started?” “How did they come up with this idea?” “What is their history in this business?” These are common questions that clever ideas or designs invite. So why not satisfy that interest, create a buzz…Let’s give them something to talk about!!!

In this world of disconnection, making connections seem all the more important. What used to be a natural exchange – of communication, ideas, sharing – is now something that has to be inserted with greater intention.

So this new business, for which I have been designing, is a barbeque establishment. There are a million. They have certain things in common. Without my enumerating them here – can you envision some common denominators that you might connect with barbeque joints? As is true with any venture, I asked: “What makes this one different? Better barbeque? Maybe. Cool interior? Hopefully. Are those the only unique traits? Is that the memorable take-away?  It certainly isn’t a bad one – the idea is to have great food – and a fun environment, but what else might contribute to the experience of this barbecue being unforgettable? What might you have, to tell your friends, to spread the word?”

My opinion was a  combination of an intriguing brand and “the story.” But before I go further, they coined a word to express their beer brewing prowess – exbeerience!  This will enter into the story as we go along.

Now maybe my opinion about their story was so worthy of consideration because there was so much to this story. That certainly helps. It happens to be a great story with layers of interesting twists and turns – riddled with history and significance. Plus, it had a local interest angle that has the potential to create a buzz far beyond their actual location.  

To begin to tell the story, I encouraged the development of a unique logo for this specific branch of the brand. Taking the lead to design it,  and incorporating it into interior/exterior design was part of my vision for a complete design package and presentation. Extracting from the story to create the logo seemed natural. The private persona was becoming public.

As we developed the logo, featuring a wood-carved graphic of an original log cabin/smokehouse, the story was recorded and edited down to a summarized version.

It was available for printed material, social media, and as art to be presented on walls. Yes, it was intended to become a decorative element too.

The Story became a focal piece in the interior along with authentic, original photos of the log smokehouse and an interpretation of patchwork quilts entitled Urban Piecework made from leftover ceramic and porcelain tiles, glass and clay assembled in wall-mounted panels throughout the interior and exterior spaces. 

Photos of the original smokehouse in North Carolina will soon be presented to further reiterate the story on the interior walls.
Urban Piecework commands the interior with bold mosaics reminiscent of patchwork quilts – an intriguing backdrop installed both inside and out.

Connecting with patrons, followers, clients, friends, family and acquaintances is valuable. As a business, it wraps who and those elements that are important to you in a familiar cocoon of context. It can instill a level of comfort and confidence in addition to sparking additional interest that might have taken longer to establish, without the introduction of your story.

The final multi-dimensional and multi-textural wall-piece featuring the story and mission is a striking 4’x6′ multi-textural panel. It offers patrons an opportunity to get a few questions answered as they enjoy their “exbeerience” at BLUE.

It was a privilege to promote, extract and produce this story and contribute such an important and valuable element to this business’s marketing and solidifying it’s new, exciting chapter of their brand.

Consider your story. Own it. Share it. Celebrate the uniqueness of your story. Design with your story in mind.

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Dec 03

DETAILS Found at Hillwood Estate This Christmas

By pattisays In ambiance, artistic expression, artistic talent, beauty behold it, breakfast rooms, Centerpieces, Christmas, Color schemes, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, decorative accessories, decorative arts, design, design details, design process, design solutions, Design Team, design tips, design trends, dining and design, dining rooms, DIY design, drama of color, drapery treatments, entertaining, expressionism, fabrics, fine china, floral arrangement, floral arrangements, floral designs, flowers in design, functional art, good design, good taste, Hillwood Estate, Hillwood Mansion, hiring an interior designer, historic decorative arts, historic interior design, historic properties, historical interior design, history, holiday decor, holiday trends, home, home improvements, houses, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, interior enhancements, investment pieces, nostalgia and design, personal expression, personal taste, pink, poinsettias, seasonal interior design, sterling silver, Subscribers, table dressings, table top, tableware, travel and design, Trees, value of good design, Washington, D.C., window dressings /  1 1 Comment

The world is full of detail. From the wonders of nature and the perfection of a flower, to the man-made creations that come from inspiration of all sorts. The combined influences that result, in interesting and good design, are limitless and we now have layers of platforms upon which ideas are presented. The access to creativity is staggering.

Take Etsy and Pinterest. There the ideas abound. Everyone has access to creative ideas unlike ever before in our world. In the past, a keen eye observed and discerned. The clever managed to find inspiration in the most obscure places, analyze observations and interpret them for their own purposes. Creativity was spawned from observation paired with original thought. Yet, that observation was generally first-hand. Therefore, those that got about more, saw more and had greater exposure to more (and there you have it) were creatively stimulated more!

We (perhaps I should say I since it is from my own vantage point and experiences, from whence I speak/write), often are so busy observing that we don’t take the time to dissect and catalog the information we discover. I am so very guilty of that as I am so captivated by design and creativity that I forget to  remember!!! Ha – yes – forget to remember or record!!!!

I constantly find myself regretting to have taken a photo of something (some who know how many photos I take might want to take exception with this point), but it’s true. I regret not taking a photo or studying something which, retrospectively, I recognize as something quite special. In the rush to experience the entire scene, I fail to notice or retain the details. Have you ever felt that you were so caught-up in a new experience that afterward you feel you should have paid closer attention? I forget to remember to store the observations or I forget to take a photo – regretting it afterward.

The breakfast room aat Hillwood Mansion where Marjorie Post rarely entertained, but was always set to do so. Pink poinsettias are the seasonal choice.

This can be from a class lecture to a theatrical production. I wish I had focused more closely rather than getting distracted by my own imagination which  often runs rampant with the encounter. However, the stimulation can be so great that the imagination kicks in and causes diversions, in the attention, resulting in a deficit of detail gathering. Hence a clear case of un-diagnosed ADD!!!

With all of this having been the prelude to my thoughts for the day, I have elected to pick out a few details from a recent tour of the Hillwood Estate and Gardens nestled on magnificent wooded grounds in the heart of northeast Washington, DC. And how wonderful to have had the opportunity this week to stroll through the mansion, now museum, of the late Marjorie Merriweather Post during the Christmas season.

As previously mentioned, I would have, could have, should have taken more photos, but was so enchanted at every turn by the beauty and gracious luxury that unfolded, I was too busy darting from one magnificent scene to the next to capture more than I share here. I apologize.

Her favorite color was pink and this tree greeting visitors upon arrival is a precious jewel among many beautiful Christmas trees and decorations displayed in the mansion.

 

From the reflection on the polished floors of the little white lights to the shimmering crystal punctuated with pink blossoms bedecking the tree was undeniably elegant.

The railings ascending the staircase at the reception desk were draped with garland and strung with simple gold painted discs which were repeated in the coordinating tree which also featured a collection of blue reproduction Faberge eggs.

 

Marjorie Post was a discerning collector of all manner of artistic beauty including exceptional Russian decorative art. The actual exhibit of Faberge currently available for view on the property is nearing its end. Many dazzlingly detailed pieces from her own collection and others on loan for the exhibit are being shown.

If you are in Washington this month, please treat yourself. This exhibit of Faberge pieces is outstanding.

The gold leaves on this magnificent tree in the dining room would be fun to replicate. Could have easily been dipped in gold leaf. Like lime leaves – or from your garden perhaps photinia or laurel even rhododendron – maybe go faux with silk from the craft store – spray ’em gold!!! Paint magic!

And if you have ever installed a dangle of mistletoe…check this out! This elegant bundle suspended, from the towering heights of the entry hall, puts all other sprigs to shame!!! In the opulent foyer, this grand ball of gilded ribbon-clad mistletoe invites those to tempt the fates of love and superstition, with but a kiss!

Whether it is a theme of gold or a snowy season of white, find details and enjoy the creative opportunities that present themselves to you in passing or from the depths of your imagination and create your own holiday magic!!!

Creating fantasy, festivity or seasonal celebration, gather the details every day from observing all the particulars around you.  It is amazing from where you can collect ideas and be inspired to create your own festive fantasy!!!!!! Then be sure to take some photos!!!!!!!

 

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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 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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Oct 29

George Washington for President!

By pattisays In architecture, decorative arts, design, education, elections, faux finishes, George Washington, historic properties, historical interior design, history, interior design, Mount Vernon, Virginia, Museums, nostalgia and design, presidents of the United States, United States history, Washington, D.C. /  

While in D.C. last week, in this most unusual season of the American Presidential election, it seemed more than appropriate, if not imperative, to visit Mount Vernon – the estate of our first president, George Washington.

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This historic property has been painstakingly maintained and developed into an exceptional educational facility on unspoiled grounds with uninterrupted, breath-taking views. Experiencing the beauty of the surroundings is magnificent. Learning about the history and minute details of this extraordinary man’s life is fascinating.

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Did you know when Washington was elected our  first President in the initial forming of the United States, presidents were selected only through the vote of the Electoral college, rather than by popular vote? The 69 votes that Washington received in 1789, and the 132 he received in 1792 were all of the available Electoral College votes, and resulted in thereby making Washington the only president in United States history to have been elected unanimously.

Did you know that Washington’s presidency founded the United States Navy, established the nation’s official currency, created the State Department, and established the Supreme Court?

Gary S. Smith wrote in March 2010: While praising his military and political record, many scholars contend that Washington’s genius lies principally in his character. The only other American president who has been so highly extolled for his character is Abraham Lincoln. Since Washington, all presidents have been ultimately measured not by the size of their electoral victories or the success of their legislative programs, but by their moral character. His character helped sustain his troops throughout the travails of the Revolutionary War, convince delegates to the Constitutional Convention to assign significant powers to the presidency, secure ratification of the Constitution, and enable the new republic to survive in a hostile world….He took the standards of his age very seriously and diligently strove to be virtuous. To many, the crowning achievement of Washington’s character was his simultaneous resignation in 1783 as commander in chief o the American army and his retirement from the world of politics. Throughout the western world, his unprecedented relinquishing of power (which he did a second time when he declined a third term as president) was widely heralded. Unlike other victorious generals, he did not expect a political or financial reward for his military exploits. Washington’s character, Jefferson argued, probably prevented the American Revolution from subverting the liberty it sought to establish. The Virginian had a sterling reputation for integrity and honor, dedication to duty and his country, and remaining above the fray.

It is with such depth of character and broad view of his world that he was unanimously regarded as the only man who could effect change of the magnitude required to bring people together.

This many years after his death he still has a powerful effectiveness for bringing people together. The tour of this amazingly preserved property is intimate and familiar – even on one’s first visit. It’s partly scale and partly due to the well-versed guides that are scattered in every pocket of the place. They bring the historic home and it’s people to life.

While attending my Alma Mater, Mount Vernon College (no relation), in the interior design program, we toured this historic interior with rapt attention to decorative art and architectural details. One expects the facade to be white painted wood – but as you see it up close, you realize that it reads like beveled stone blocks. It is actually wood, shaped to replicate stone, with a sanded coating that gives a stone-like texture.

Interior finishes also reveal faux artistry upon closer inspection, with the paneled walls and doors painted with wood grain creating stunning matched patterns. Superficial treatments of faux finishes were elegant touches of the day.

Washington was truly a Renaissance man. He worked with the finest minds in agriculture and technology to develop new techniques for farming, implements and gadgets around the property. He recognized the toll tobacco took on depleting the nutrients in his fields paired with the time it took to grow and harvest and heavy taxes that were levied during trade and changed his operation to grow wheat which had limitless less expensive outlets for marketing and was easier on all counts of growing.

On the advice of his Scottish farm manager he created a distillery which produced more whiskey than any of its kind in his day. You too can purchase a bottle of Washington’s whiskey today for a mere minimum of $100 per.

His sensitivity to art and architecture, entertaining and hospitality, paired with the strength to lead the noble cause of freedom, managing troops, raising morale and keeping promises while always at the helm risking his life alongside his men and participating to the fullest in his every endeavor speaks to the moral character and brilliant creativity of this extraordinary man.

So,  to sum up this unprecedented level of discourse in the current election season and questionable characters on the part of our  candidates, I was left with finding levity in the Mount Vernon gift shop…

 

 

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