Serenity and Peace in Water Features

The serene sound of a fountain can provide mesmerizing relaxation. Like white noise, but better. Close your eyes, in close proximity to a little fountain, and be lulled into a wonderful respite zone. Even indoors, this is an effective relaxation element…outside the birds and breeze contribute to the joy. 

Pets reap benefits too! Kona gets a refreshing sip from the fountain!!!
At night, that same fountain offers gentle water sounds and an interesting sculptural effect.

Social distancing and isolation – these two popular terms that have defined so much of our daily living in the last several months and imparted a negative connotation. They paint a picture of living more at home – alone and even “out-of-touch” – literally.  All of my childhood I heard the phrase “ne touche pas!” My uncle’s favorite, for sure! And now I hear it in my mind all the time. Don’t touch the shopping cart, door handle, people’s hands, “ne touche pas!” and if you do – wash and sanitize to a fare-thee-well!

Yet, on a positive note, this stay safe – be safe – living at home has spawned creativity to maximize that environment and relieve stress. It means, more than ever, expanding your outdoor options from placing a pair of chairs and tiny table on a previously unused, diminutive urban balcony or adding a palatial pool in your backyard…there are many options in-between depending on your circumstances and means. 

Our cousin in Tucson has created a lagoon effect with the dark bottom and mosaic trim. an oasis in the desert.

Water features are an amazingly therapeutic design element. Water suggests cleansing. It is refreshing and renewing. Water has promise. It can also suggest escape.

The Calgon add campaign of decades ago resonates today for those of us who remember…”Calgon, take me away…Lose yourself in luxury” The escape and indulgence of a relaxing soak in a tub. The gentle buoyancy relieves tension and encourages rest. It often suggests leisure. It is a luxurious, pampering exercise.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yjGPgs0_S0  Here is a video from the 70s to take you back to “Take me away…” Come back Calgon!!! We miss your commercials now more than ever!!!

Taking that refreshing water scene outdoors is one of the most popular design projects trending today. From DIY to major construction people are discovering ways to escape without leaving home. Water features provide virtual escapes and actual refreshment for many people seeking that added dimension, diversion and sought-after pleasure in their lives.

A friend in Phoenix has tricked out her pool with fabulous landscaping, spectacular iridescent glass tiles and LED lighting – the luminous colors an be changed with her mood!!!!

Swimming pools, a gorgeous grotto, lap lane, all afford the luxury of submersion and even exercise.

We’re speaking with Diamond Spas of Longmont, Colorado this week on behalf of a client who is interested in a partially above ground swim spa!! https://www.diamondspas.com/swimming-pool-spa-collection/custom-pools/stainless-steel-swimming-pools/

The sound of a small water feature to a creek-like landscape addition in your yard – the projects are many. This DIY guy created what he fondly calls “Covid Creek” – a project that took several weeks of focused creativity and back-breaking work all prompted by being stuck at home. The results are a magical mountain stream flowing beneath the trees in their modest-sized backyard. A creek-like water feature or pond can offer a respite to sit beside, dangle your toes and imagine scene far from the confines of our limited environs. You would be amazed at what beautiful illusions can be accomplished!!!

A babbling backyard book built as a therapeutic DIY project during the COVID confinement.

Such multi-sensory water features offering the touch and feel of water, gentle sound and visual beauty are powerful design elements to exercise the senses. Our senses suffer with redundant stimulation.  The reclusive limitations of recent months have us stagnating with sameness.  It’s the variety if stimuli we are so accustomed to experiencing that keeps things interesting and alive. Moving water is one of these exceptional sensory stimulations. 

Organic garden sculptures – chiseled granite boulders with re-circulating water – meld with the landscaping.

Whether a tiny fountain or in-ground pool…even a galvanized livestock tub – investigate your options. Regard your environment and study your spaces to select the best design elements for your setting. 

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Posted On August 16, 2020 By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, ambiance, Arizona, artistic expression, color of light, Covid -19, COVID Crisis and Design, creative process, creativity, custom lighting, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, design theme, design tips, design trends, designing small spaces, designing with a purpose, designs in nature, DIY design, environmental design, exterior - outdoor design, functional art, Garden, good design, hiring an interior designer, home, home decor, home improvements, home spa, illusion of space, inspiration from nature, interior design, Interior design pro tips, interior design trends, joy, landscape architecture, landscape design, LED, lifestyle, mosaic tile, natural designs, natural stone, outdoor pools, patio, patio design, peaceful places, personal expression, personal spaces, planning a new home, planning a remodel, pools and spas, private places, Refresh, relaxation, remodeling, Santa Fe, New Mexico, spa, stone, Subscribers, summer, swimming pools, swimming spas, tips for new home design, trending design, trends, Tucson, update design, updating, urban design, urban living, value of good design, water features /   1 Comment

Before & After – A Startling Transformation

Last August 11, 2019, I left you hanging with a radical bathroom remodel that was in the throws of being transformed. The title of the blog was Everyone Loves Before and Afters. https://patriciandesign.com/everyone-loves-before-and-afters/  Here today, I am excited to present the finished product and a little more to the story…

Everyone DOES Love “before and afters.”  The original blog identifies the material process of the project, but as important as the material applications are the emotional aspects of design and precede the material selections.

The home is a bungalow style home from the 1950s. Charming architectural elements and traditional details set the stage, sensitivity, and the emotions behind any design decisions we were to consider. See the first phase of this home’s updating design in the primary living space at this link:  https://patriciandesign.com/project/classic-blue-white/   The kitchen was also re-finished. Maintaining the same design layout and appliances, the new finishes resulted in a startling transformation. https://patriciandesign.com/project/kitchen-transformation/

The challenge in this project was to retain the character and traditional charm that the couple so enjoyed about their home, while introducing new, modern design features and trends melding with traditional design elements. New custom cabinets for the vanity and linen storage/display unit along with the re-design of the shower – eliminating the tub and making a “doorless” access and a pocket door connecting to the adjacent guest room were the three key construction components.

Dated finishes done in the 80s, by previous owners, were common and bland. The tub and shower were enclosed with by-passing glass doors in aluminum tracks and frames.
This bathroom was the dated and fussy room that we presented last August. The tired and dull finishes needed replacing and refreshing.  It was to be a complete make-over to compliment other recent improvements in the home.

Once the general concept for the remodel is determined, the “what if” stage begins. The stage where ideas are tossed about and decisions lead to other decisions. The options are massaged giving way to different combinations and considerations.

After all the options are discussed the plan is adopted – a combination of everyone’s input. Hopefully not design by committee, but in this case the couple, in whose house we were working, and the me, the designer. After the design is determined, the input of the general contractor and/or the sub-contractors can come into play. They are generally given the opportunity to evaluate existing conditions and voice opinions and procedures or details that their expertise can bring to the project. Everything is considered until a cohesive plan is developed.

New cabinets were locally fabricated to not only insure excellent craftsmanship, but to customize the fit (left to right) and provide specific drawer configurations for the desired new height of the cabinets with an additional sink.
The tub was removed, and the new shower enclosure was clear glass and given a wider footprint to allow for a jog which eliminated the need for a door. The shower valve was relocated from beneath the shower head to the opposite “pony” wall, making it easier to operate the temperature and flow without getting wet first!

Other than the shower reconfiguration, new cabinets, and pocket doorway into the guest room all else was superficial cosmetic design features. This is where the layers of embellishment come into play.

During the process, there were certainly hesitations about the combination of patterns and finishes being proposed…however, you know you’re on the right track when the happy homeowner has fun accessorizing and creates the perfect towel/robe hooks!
DIY – finding these blue, wooden, open-work plaques, our creative homeowner bought polished chrome and glass doorknobs and attached them securely to the plaques – Voila!

In keeping with the traditional design direction previously adopted in updating the interior, the flooring was selected for its natural stone mosaic authenticity. With a warm grey selected for the custom cabinets and white herringbone patterned subway tile on the rear wall of the shower enclosure made for a fresh modern look.

A mix of patterns – a balancing act – the art of design. Do not be afraid.

But wait! These traditional elements and modern trends were further embellished with a second layer of curvy turquoise mirrors installed over the full-wall mirror – suspended between is a polished chrome sphere of open bands providing ambient light and additional task light for the vanity area.

Layer upon layer until the composition is complete!

Classic blue and white screen-print on paper with an overall pattern of vines and leaves fills in the voids creating a not-too-busy backdrop – adding further dimensions to the design.

Natural stone slab of a white crystal-like granite – looks like a stone quartz crystal.

Drapery fabric in a traditional floral on linen with whimsical, modern “martini glass” sheers soften the window and diffuse the incoming light.

The resulting completed interior is a radical transformation from the dull beige and peach of the previous scheme. Fresh and crisp – with just enough busy to be playful – the new owners claim that they smile every time they enter or even walk by.

Remember the first photo? The BEFORE & AFTER transformation is extraordinary.

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Posted On June 14, 2020 By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, ambiance, artistic expression, bathroom remodel, before and after, blue and white, built-in bookcases, cabinet pulls, chrome, cocktails, Color schemes, color trends, composing, construction, contemporary fabrics, contemporary interiors, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, custom cabinets, custom design interior design, decorative accessories, decorative arts, decorative mirrors, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, Design Team, design theme, design tips, design trends, designer fabrics, designing small spaces, designing with a purpose, drapery treatments, eclectic design, eclecticism, fabric design, fabrics, fanciful design, flooring, good design, good taste, graphic designs in interiors, hiring an interior designer, historic interior design, home, home decor, home improvements, home spa, illusion of space, interior accents, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, joy, lifestyle, lighting, marble, martini, mirrored walls, mirrors, modern cabinets, modern interiors, mosaic, mosaic tile, natural stone, nostalgia and design, painted cabinets, patterns, personal expression, personal taste, planning a remodel, powder rooms, raised panel cabinets, Refresh, remodeling, residential restrooms, stone, Subscribers, textile design, textiles, textures, tile, timeless colors, traditional fabrics, trending design, trends, update design, updating, vanitydesign, wall treatments, wallcovering, white color schemes, white interiors, window dressings /  1 2 Comments

Finding Peaceful Places

Where are you finding comfort, peace and a reprieve from the crazy of it all?  I’ve been checking in with people from around the country asking where they are finding peace and tranquility during these unusual times.  Sharing their peaceful places has been fun and thoughtful.  

Isabel sends greetings from “The Beach” – Standley Lake in Westminster, Colorado.

Discovering comfort in familiar and new places is the name of the game during this time of uncertainty and isolation. Some are more isolated than others. Some are surrounded by real or virtual workmates, others family, some have the companionship of a pet while others find themselves living alone and feeling a different kind of isolating solitude.

Several sunsets submitted…seems that is a restful time for most. Jan finds peace, at the end of the day, from her backyard. Nice.

Snuggling up with music or a good book, watching movies, playing  games and exercise are all a part of our daily lives, but in this current situation they are magnified with importance.  Technology has certainly broadened our reach.   The information we can access is nearly limitless and connecting platforms to video chats have facilitated the way we communicate over the miles. Activities and focus on our senses heightens our physical and sensory benefit and enjoyment .

Whether a tablet, paperback or hardcover – nothing says escape like a good book.
Solitaire or a battle of gin…with a little gin.

Interiors are our haven.  Finding peaceful places within your realm is a new adventure of discovery that is occurring as a result of a resourcefulness to stay comfortable and balanced.  It’s a great time to pamper yourself. Who doesn’t like to take a bath? I don’t. But these days, that tub and inviting bubbles and fresh scents are intriguing. If you don’t have any bath salts or bubbles…find some fresh rosemary sprigs or pine needles…lemon juice or grated rind…perhaps a little ginger powder or grated fresh…put it a cloth pouch so as not to clog your plumbing.

Light a scented candle, make your own fragrances, play a little music and escape for a bit.

I usually feel too rushed – and that’s ironic because taking a restful soaker is supposed to be a perfect stress-reliever.  How awful is it not to have time to decompress? Well…we all have a lot of time on our hands – albeit time being utilized differently.

Roll-up a few towels to set the stage – make it like a vacation spa – if only for an hour until the world catches up again!!!

Curling up with a good book. We know that getting up and getting dressed in the morning provides a normalcy and participation that keeps us from feeling less reclusive. Preparing for the day! And inasmuch as it is a rarity for most of us to stop in the middle of the day and read a book – it is a luxury we should allow ourselves. It is an escape, a reprieve.  Discovering new places and positions to enjoy a good read is another way to find peace. Places where daylight filters in is restorative.

Tracking daylight through your interior…you might notice the orientation, time of day and penetration of light with more time spent at home.

Outside, weather plays a big part in how we can expand our isolation beyond or interior walls. From quiet garden spaces to hiking and exploring nature’s playground – the  ability to enjoy exterior spaces is prime. Having warm weather on the way broadens that area of our safe shelters.

Hi Zoe in Northern Virginia!!!!! Families are having lots of outdoor time. “What a GREAT backyard you have!!!!!!!” “The better to stay isolated and still have lots of adventures,” says she!!!!!
Wowee from Maui – thanks Linda for this shot from your window- some people have it rough!!!! Isolation in paradise!!
A quiet corner of a garden can be a new discovery now that we have the time to pause and focus on the details around us.

Biking and walking trails are being explored, in these new times, and revealing great resources within our reach. One of the positive outcomes of this “down time” is a desire to get out and move – the restlessness is prompting a newfound need and satisfaction gained from exercise.

New growth brings new promise as spring peeks through….taking walks is great for both body and mind in the high desert of Albuquerque.
Hello Heather over there in Arlington, Virginia – running over the Rt 66 trail!! Not much traffic!!!!!
Shelley sends this scene from their lovely Lake Keowee neighborhood in the secluded woods of northwestern South Carolina.
My friend Jeannie, who usually works at the now very enormously lonely Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, writes that her Peaceful Place is “on one of these benches in this jewel of an oasis called Carl Shultz Park here on the Upper East Side overlooking the East River. Nice breezes to enjoy and usually lots of pleasure boats. Been doing a lot of reading here and a fine place to get a whiff of fresh air.”

Hobbies and projects have flourished. Weather permitting, outside gardens need tending and indoor projects/hobbies have truly been re-vitalized with renewed appreciation and interest.

A recently added potting table on Cathy’s deck provides a perfect area to focus on preparing patio pots and new growth!!
Adjacent to her potting area, Cathy has a perfect place for repose. Reading or playing cards, enjoying a morning coffee, evening cocktail or a quiet meal – this area provides a perfect retreat.
More fun and games as Bonnie attacks her 5th jigsaw puzzle since the quarantine started just a few weeks ago…with a little refreshment and plenty of early evening sunshine! Love that the days are getting longer!!!!

Plump your pillows and prop up your feet –  inside or out – a healthy combination of  rest and meditation, healthy eating, brain work and physical exercise is the recipe for success during our surreal pause. Find your peaceful place – find your joy.  

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Posted On April 11, 2020 By pattisays In ambiance, bathroom remodel, beach, beauty behold it, cocktails, context of interior design, Covid -19, design, design details, design tips, dining rooms, expanding spaces, exterior - outdoor design, hiring an interior designer, home, home decor, home improvements, home spa, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, joy, landscape design, lifestyle, parks and recreation, patio, patio design, peace, peaceful places, personal expression, personal taste, private places, public spaces, Refresh, spa, Subscribers, tips for new home design, trending design, trends, window dressings /  1