Set Design – Oscars – Shabby Chic Gets the Nod!

“And the Oscar goes to… The King’s Speech” and albeit the acting was superb, I was captivated by the details in the set design. Maybe not the pure magic that goes into such sets as Alice in Wonderland or the sci-fi thrillers that demand a creative fantasy where we are challenged and stimulated to participate in another world order – but from a historic perspective and reality-based imagination, we have seen, talked about, been there and done that with shabby chic – but nothing can compare with the environs of Lionel’s office when Bertie was invited to take a seat on the thread-bare, yet once elegant, gilded settee placed effectively in front of the layers/years of peeling paint and possibly paper being conveyed in the backdrop of depth of character that was the wall treatment. Surely in this case conveying years of previous use and current limited means and not an intentional design statement – except to the extent that the design statement from the standpoint of movie texture, sense of place and imagination was to create that sense of lesser means to that of a King – it is all about design!
When does design convey a sense of place and not an artifice? Well, the movies, of course -perhaps a museum re-creation of an event…The intent is to create a scene, transport the viewer and validate the expression through design. Here a commoner and royalty share a space that has stark contrast between the royals’ living environments and that of a middle class speech therapist. The set emphasizes the class distinction while still capturing a hold on refinements (well worn and decayed over time) rather than a distinction of style differences – Lionel’s office was not one of basic oak desk and chairs, conventional practical elements of the time…it spoke of refinements and elegance since worn.
By stark contrast, Lionel’s home is animated with Art Deco wall coverings – crisp and graphic, geometric, metallic, and colorful, one wonders why the shabby office is maintained as such compared to the seemingly small yet well adorned – exceptionally well adorned – wall covered walls of his home. IF the wall coverings were from a slightly earlier vintage from that of the times, it still begs questioning as to why they were celebrated in the movie as seemingly new and intentionally contrasting to the shabby, tired yet refined furnishings and finishes of his office. If this is striking you as “what did I miss, ?” David Kelps of L.A. Home suggests that if you get a copy of the film “you’ll be pausing your DVD players to get a better look.”
The royals’ environments had a timeless, historical validity of elegance while the home of the therapist had that of new rich expressions of the fashion of the times – or near past times nonetheless. This goes back to the question of when are trends, trends? See the blog… http://pattisays.wordpress.com/2010/11/09/the-magical-mystery-tour-between-trends-and-trendy-%e2%80%93-retail/ and prior blogs referencing trends’ distinctions.
So, “Hoo-ray for Hollywood” thank you tonight for another star-studded event of art, design, fine craft and recognition. Did your Picks win? Who do you think was over-looked or was better suited for an Oscar tonight?
Goodnight, and remember, Lionel asks…”Why should I waste my time listening to you (me)?
King George VI: “Because I have a voice!” Pattisays!!!

Refresh Your Interiors – Eco-style

The Color, GREEN – we associate it with nature’s renewal, growth, promise…it’s fresh, clean and a signature of the environmentally conscientious. In the design world the Eco-style is connecting the inside with the out-of-doors…bringing the green inside with fabulous decorative accessories to refresh your interiors. As we leave January and move through February looking toward March and the promise of springtime’s rejuvenation we long for the sight of green. So to incorporate it into your interior environment here are some ideas.
These delicate hand-blown glass vessels come in a variety of shapes and sizes and make wonderful clusters of color empty or with the added boost using flower stems – only one per each for the lighter, simpler look or bunches of baby’s breath perhaps – delicately drooping tulips or little sticks of near-budding branches from your yard. You decide – they are pocked with bubbles that signify the blown glass method and are translucent with shades of dark to chartreuse green shades – simply wonderful!
As bulbs begin to sprout and trees hint of buds…inside our homes we have the opportunity to push it along a bit. Bring home a pot of tulips or daffodils. Fresh is best – like bowls of artichokes as a centerpiece or feature on your countertop, maybe green apples or pears in a bowl made from renewable bamboo, but if that is not practical we have remarkably real-looking faux fruit to use for the suggested effect – that have an indefinite shelf life! Our faux branches are a hit too as a bouquet for your entryway or table dressing.

Posted On February 22, 2011 By pattisays In color and temperature re: interior design, context of interior design, design, design trends, DIY design, environmental, environmental design, exterior - outdoor design, green design, interior design, seasonal interior design /

Window Treatments: Folk-artsy Fun With Painted Glass Panes

Window Treatments: Folk-artsy Fun With Painted Glass Panes
Scrape it off if you don’t like it. Sounds like mayo on a sandwich. If it’s not all about privacy… and if it is, use more paint…as shown here with a classic white French door with a few panes painted for fun! If you call in a window fashion consultant do you really think that there might be an occasion when they would say “you don’t need anything on these windows!?” I don’t think so.
I always ask, “Do you want window dressings for privacy, light control or decorative purposes?” And I usually ask each one independently waiting for an answer to each stage of that question. It makes people think. It gives me more information.
The La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe presents an historic example of the decorative painting on French door glass panes. Folk-artsy and colorful they draw a lot of attention and spark a lot of creative juices. Often mimicked as we did here, this treatment is not intended for privacy and rather than light control, it plays off of the light passing through the translucence of the paints for a luminous effect. Not unlike stained glass.
But from those hideous vertical blinds to the myriad variations on mini and maxi blinds, wood or aluminum, pleated shades, up down and all around, open cell, honey-combed, plantation shutters, – there are many treatments that have come on the scene after conventional curtains or the more formal draperies.
I like perforated shades. They are less obtrusive and the degree of privacy can be achieved with percentages of “perf” and color used. Day versus night paired with color and perf offer different degrees of effectiveness too.
Formal draperies still rule and the lesser, shorter curtains have their place. Valances, cornice boards, swags and bishops sleeves…the treatments are many. Do you puddle or hold short? Wood or iron? Sheers or not?
Let the light in and consider this translucent paint on glass – it can be formal or whimsical – try it – you can always scrape it off!!!

Posted On February 18, 2011 By pattisays In art and interior design, design, design trends, DIY design, interior design, travel and design /

Artists Gather Along the Malacon Fronting the Estudio Café

Like a groupie at rock concert I stood in front of this towering man of a man as I was being introduced to the artist who made the whales!!! Trying to be cool, I shook his hand and marveled at the reality of this moment. As I previously wrote, this magical scene of a waterfront art exhibit every Saturday at the marina in Nuevo Vallarta in front of the Estudio Café, the setting was already not to be believed. Then, to realize that the very first person to whom we were being introduced was that of Octavio Gonzales the sculptor of magnificent mega-scaled masterpieces, I was star struck. Yes, I’m one of those who have ogled and continue to marvel at the stupendous scale of the elegant hump-backed whales that gracefully swim through the sky at the entrance of the marina in Puerto Vallarta. This encounter was a pleasant surprise!
Anyone visiting Vallarta has seen Octavio’s whales, dolphin, musical mermaids, orcas and other incredible renditions magnificently presented in bronze many of which are located on the main malacon downtown. Highland Park outside Chicago even has one of his incredible whale sculptures -shown unlikely but proudly in Octavio’s portfolio in a snowy scene as winter descends on the humpbacks. Arnold Schwarzenegger owns a desk-top miniature of the whales that he references with fond memories of time spent in Vallarta as evidenced in a personal letter in the artist’s portfolio.
And this was just the beginning…several other fine talents were present exhibiting their work and meeting the people who had come to see the art, have breakfast or just were fortunate enough to happen upon this wonderful waterfront scene. Estella Herrera’s work, with her lively glass mobiles, fanciful hearts, jewelry and architectural panels, was elegant, translucent, colorful and creative.
Gonzalo Espinosa crafts whimsical hearts, fish, clouds and other images from found wood that he shapes, colors with dyes and colored wax pencils posting them on iron stands that suspend them in the air above their surface. We enjoyed an interesting conversation as he told me about his techniques and also about exhibiting his work in Tucson – where I hope to discover his work on our next trip.
Meg Munro paints incredible watercolors with the eye of a camera and the soul of an artist. She captures the details but dilutes with shapes and differing levels of clarity for both perspective and emphasis of composition. Her colors are crisp and bold, real and softened to a pleasing interpretation of the reality that she sees.
I didn’t meet all of them – that is left for another visit. But I encourage anyone interested in beautiful Saturday mornings, magical marina settings, quiet music and delightful fresh food to visit this enchanting art exhibit along the malacon in Nuevo Vallarta. www.estudiocafe.net

Posted On January 29, 2011 By pattisays In art and interior design, art as gift ideas, design, environmental design, exterior - outdoor design, interior design, landscape design, travel and design /

A Little Painting Caught My Eye

At the art show, in front of the Estudio Café on the malecon in Nuevo Vallarta, a little painting with blue blue sky and dancing white leaves falling from a graceful tree gathering in layers upon the ground, caught my eye. It was a happy piece. It conveyed such dimension and texture that the fallen leaves looked like you could remove each one from the painting with the care of a delicate touch. Almost as though tiny translucent grains of rice, these little white leaves, so deliberately rendered, that each individual one had a specific place nestled among the others blanketing the ground
Small things with great impact, it is nice to have the time to savor these details. It’s a luxury to “stop and smell the roses” as they say. Here in Puerto Vallarta, there are many scenes, many different pockets and places, limitless details to examine and enjoy.
After many years of discovering and exploring these myriad nooks and crannies of this fun and fascinating town, we saw things this time through the eyes of our young cousin and niece – both 26 years old and both experiencing Mexico for their very first time. Their wonderment was palpable. There was no pretense to conceal their enthusiasm through cool veils of studied “hip – seen it and done it” placidity. Quite the contrary, these girls were beaming with sparkling eyes and bubbly exclamations for the 10 days that they participated with us in this adventure.
Both are well-traveled. Coincidentally though, neither had been to Mexico. We were thrilled to be the ones to introduce them and share one of our favorite areas. The details that they perceived and about which they enthused were many…from the delicious aroma and tantalizing sizzle of the carne asada cooking on the small grills which circled the plaza in Bucerillas amidst the carnival-like atmosphere of the night’s festivities – to the soft glow of the candlelight dancing on the tablecloths to the sensual beat of jazz in the gentle breeze of the beachside tables at La Palapa – they were amazed.
We tasted tequilas, savored the nuances, and marveled at the smooth warming effects without typical telltale hangovers of the over-indulgent…in fact, they both now swear by the mysterious medicinal qualities of the great blue agaves and their magical distillation! Imagine that! Each tasting experience brought with it a new vessel from which to enjoy the drinks – so exclaiming about the glassware – tall short, green, clear, each had its own unique character that delighted the girls.
The colors and textures of the architecture intrigued them. Those surfer boys on the beach…cute waiters, nothing escaped their observation. Water aerobics in the sapphire blue water of an infinity pool over-looking the sea with thrilling black whales’ tails flipping in the glitter of the sunlight on the water. Surreal…could this be staged? Cameras were constantly clicking off the shots – what did we do before the multi-gigs of our digital camera cards? Hundreds of images were documented for later examination and re-living of the memories gathered in such a short time. An introductory time, we’re sure as each expressed their absolute desire to return again to continue the adventure.
We’ll change gears now and miss their energetic enthusiasm but maybe have more time now to reflect and enjoy before heading back to “reality.” But at home, we’ll see the little white leaves falling through the blue blue sky from the delicate tree branches of the little painting that caught my eye. Thank you Jesus, it’s a treasure.

Posted On January 26, 2011 By pattisays In art and interior design, art as gift ideas, design, design trends, interior design, travel and design /

Picturing Designs – In Advance of Reality

Today started off fun. I saw the finished product of some custom cabinets that I designed with my cabinet-maker, Enrique. We had been working on this for months…stages…interspersed with other projects to keep the peace among eager, anxious clients. The red was vibrant. The maple was clean and contemporary…one project, two rooms, different material, different finishes, side-by-side – sleek, fun, cool.
Also today, I had spoken with another client about her backyard and described to her how after working with a concept and developing it into a design, after awhile the design comes to life so much so that I actually picture the finished product long before it is complete. So much so that I often have entered clients’ homes/yards/offices and not responded to a key component that they had waited weeks to receive and to their disappointment, I had not exclaimed about its addition to the scene. When brought to my attention, I realized that is was as though I had already seen it. I had envisioned it for so long it was as though it already existed. Oops! Sorry…
Then there are the really funny scenes, like that same client this morning who was expressing where she thought her Asian soaking tub should be located and why. She described it in the far corner of the yard…NOT where I had placed it on the plans. She said that she didn’t mind going that far to the tub and that in that particular corner, in the farthest corner of the yard against a fence with spaces between the fence pieces, that it was the most private. Ok, I countered…”So in the depth of winter, when the air is frosty and the night is dark, you are prepared to go streaking in your mid-calf bathrobe with scuffies on your feet to the far reaches of the yard dashing into your steamy soaking tub in the supposed privacy of that far corner of your yard only to find that your neighborhood hoods have set-up bleachers, checked their watches and convened to watch you on your accustomed/predictable schedule through the gaping spaces in the fence that YOU think is a private corner.” She was nearly in tears we were all laughing so hard! I could picture it – she ultimately did.
At the near end of a busy day full of creative consultations and entertaining exchanges, I received a call that my friend Enrique, mentioned in the first paragraph – at the start of my day – my most fabulous cabinet-maker – cut off three of his fingers and of last report, did not know if they could be successfully saved. I picture him mended and back at what he does so well…the stark contrasts between pleasure and pain, reward and disappointment…that’s reality.

Posted On January 13, 2011 By pattisays In color and temperature re: interior design, design, DIY design, exterior - outdoor design, interior design, landscape design /

Let There Be Light

Ho Ho Ho one week until Christmas – are you decked for the holidays? Light up your life!! The bonus of shorter days this time of years is the dazzle and pop of twinkly lights! Everyone customarily puts some version in their front yard – whether you choose the white lights or the multi-colored the festive illumination is magical – but have you ever considered putting them in the back of your home too? Often our evenings are spent oriented to the back of the house – adding lights out there brings dimension and delight to your evenings! Leave them up all winter – who wrote these rules?
Think green! Did you know that LED lights are now available at most major retail and warehouse stores? They use 90 percent less energy than conventional holiday lights, and can save you up to $50 on your energy bills during the holiday season!
My dear friend Beth gave me fabulous branches of twinkly lights that are definitely being added to my repertoire. Not just limited to the holidays, these delicate branches have tiny low-voltage lights that will add a twinkle to any scene. They can be embellished with additional greenery, foil, balls – whatever to fill the vessel if clear or equally handsome springing forth from a rustic pottery urn or slick ceramic piece. Come summer, I will mix them with deciduous greenery for a different seasonal sparkle!! We will be carrying these in the shop so watch for them on our website under “new products.”
Adding large format white lights deep inside your Christmas tree brings detail and depth to your tree. Whether you use small white lights or large colored lights by adding large white lights in by the trunk, the tree has greater presence and form.
Let there be light!!!

Posted On December 18, 2010 By pattisays In design, design trends, DIY design, interior design, seasonal interior design /

Aging in Place – When to Make the Next Move?

When the time comes to make the leap from total independence (if not waning) to a facility that offers a couple of meals a day, maid service, and close-at-hand medical response – what do you do? One of my favorite clients is at the cusp. Her home is perfect in so many ways. She only moved there about 5 or 6 years ago and after having lived in another home for a decade or so this was brand new and to which she added some handsome customizations.
As we worked together today to identify her primary pieces and evaluate the available space in her possible future digs, the crystal clear distinction occurred to me that there is an enormous difference in one who throughout their life has collected and valued things along the way. One who treasures the stories that come to mind with each painting, Indian pot or other memento…A house full of well placed and carefully displayed pieces that mean so very much.
It would be easier if there had not been so many memories kept alive in tangible things. If there had not been that sentimentality that tugs at the heart-strings when faced with the choice of what to take and what to leave behind. It’s not only leaving behind, its asking the family what they want and if they don’t, knowing that it will be discarded in an expeditious manner…without the memories, without the care.
Then the realization that this is so good right now…everything has a place…everything is here…everything that means so much, the elements of a lifetime are intact – but to break it all apart, distill into a minor rendition of the whole in a smaller, cramped space, what then?
It makes one jealous of those who can do without, those who can walk away and start fresh – but is that a fair trade? To wish for a lack of sentimentality or more specifically the attachment to material things that evokes the sentimental responses…
Making this major life adjustment when you still have your faculties and want to make intelligent, responsible decisions, yet aren’t sure that making the move is more a response to what others expect or think is best versus what is the best for you and your quality and enjoyment of life is more than tough.
After you have evaluated aspects of your home that can be improved by the many practical and actually amazing tricks to aid “aging in place,” the next step is often not easy to define or identify.
Without extraneous circumstances such as financial constraints, family being too far away, or loss of faculties – just age is being redefined all the time and each individual ages so very differently… Yesterday’s forty is today’s sixty – isn’t that what they say? The seventies are now what once the fifties were and the re-definition keeps morphing as we explore the possibilities.
Bottom line…as my friend said today – pray for the right path – give it up to a higher power – it’s often too over-whelming to try to rationalize it – it’s not that easy – not that rational to decide.

Posted On December 14, 2010 By pattisays In design, design trends, interior design, nostalgia and design /

Awaken the Neutral Schemes with Color!

I LOVE this statement…”The craving for color is a natural necessity just as for water and fire.” Fernand Léger – Pantone just posted this quote and it comes on the heels of two very coincidental client meetings that I had today.

One began early with discussions about an ongoing project in a newly transformed contemporary interior carved out of a rather ordinary traditional tract-style home. Big points go to the client, who in this case, knows what she wants and has a great eye for design and finding what she knows will make her happy. The basis however, is NOT about color, it is all about neutrals. We have designed a scheme specifically tailored to her requirements that is calm and serene, edgy and crisp, balanced with interesting fabrics for texture against the otherwise smooth hard elements of glass, wood flooring, painted walls and chrome accents -yet neutral (per her) thus far.

We discussed a possible painting that will bring bold color and from which accents will be derived. But even with that intention, it seems unlikely or unwanted that a boldly colored fabric be used on the upcoming chrome-framed bench along the dark chocolate coffee table, framed with brushed nickel of some metal inlay and framework, and across from the slightly iridescent simple cross-weave fabric on the custom settee with an open back up against the new, low to nearly the floor, uninterrupted fixed glass picture window. “Why?” you ask. Because the idea of the neutral is so her and the option to accent on the whim of a mood or change of the seasons suits her spontaneous tendencies.

So, accent pillows that can be tossed on the settee in any manner of color, pattern and texture, or as bold fuchsia orchid now sits in the center of the round glass dining table surface, a future woven throw draped as an accent – this is the way that the starved for color room will receive it’s lifeblood of color – like the “natural necessity just as for water and fire.”

The second meeting today that coincided with the theme of this observation was a humorous comment about a brilliantly colored open-weave Brazilian lace camisole that I was wearing today about which my client chided me – “I love what you’re wearing – must be the inspiration for the colors in our bedroom.” To which his wife smiled and chuckled because her desires for soft, restful colors of pastel to neutral have been decidedly expressed. The idea of bright, bold colors is in diametric opposition to her vision. Yet, with that in mind, her prized possession in her room is a boldly colorful and incredibly realistic oil painting of a larger than life bouquet of flowers screaming of hot pinks, blues and chartreuse (photo below is NOT that painting – but an illustration of another bold piece of white roses by Federico Leon de la Vega inserted into a neutral scheme) – like the “natural necessity just as for water and fire.”

It seems that even the most determined people wishing to create an interior environment of neutral colors and softer tones crave the undeniable exhilarating punctuation of bold colors. The calm must be awakened with the life affirming inclusion of color!

Posted On December 10, 2010 By pattisays In art and interior design, color and temperature re: interior design, design, design trends, DIY design, furniture finds, interior design /

The Struggle, the Dance of Domestic Design

I’ve consulted in this house for many years. The wife patiently struggles against the architectural grain of her husband in his chosen profession that encourages clean-lined contemporary pieces over her family collectibles (and his for that matter). How to make it all work?
The recent acquisition of a Corbusier “Confort” sofa and chair – the clean lines of the chrome and leather placed upon a brilliant red oriental rug layered on top of burnt orange and yellow clay Saltillo tiles…it could work – yet it’s never done completely. The remnants of previous decisions do not harmonize. The struggle continues… She though compassionately concedes, they (architects) must own these before they die. Like the bucket list of purchases…possessions… She supports this newest statement – but still longs for her traditional environment…the struggle…
“Yes”, I assure her, “the Queen Anne wing chairs can work together with these new pieces.” It’s all about what fabric and what other things, textures, patterns (or not), it’s all about balance. “In fact, often the more interesting interiors do juxtapose disparate styles – but no to the point where it looks like trying and missing”. There’s the art of it all…how to MAKE it work – well.
The trick is to get everyone in the same room at the same time and make decisions that are not concessions so much as they are agreements as to what would look/work best to accomplish the end result – melding the crisp contemporary pieces of modern design and the classic elements of more traditional furnishings…including (from her position)an elegant draping crystal chandelier – well proportioned, this is a key piece around which she wants to create a fabulous new kitchen – in a completely opposite area of the house where it now resides and has for the last 20+ years. He is NOT in favor of this radical departure from the original layout. So this dilemma is not limited to the furnishings but also the architectural space-planning of the over-all layout of the home and how to live in it.
Stay tuned to hear more about the ongoing saga of real-life husband and wife styles and goals, forward steps and lateral moves – the dance of domestic design continues…

Posted On December 9, 2010 By pattisays In architecture, art and interior design, context of interior design, design, design trends, furniture finds, interior design /

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