May 27

Inspiration Aroused in a Fantasy Pleasure Ground

By pattisays In architectural gingerbread, architecture, artistic expression, beauty behold it, bronze sculpture, creativity, decorative arts, design, design tips, designs in nature, exterior - outdoor design, fanciful design, Garden, gazebos, hiring an interior designer, inspiration, inspiration from nature, joy, landscape design, lifestyle, natural designs, neurology, nostalgia and design, parks and recreation, patio, public design, public spaces, railing details, St. Louis, Subscribers, Tower Grove Park, travel and design, United States history, urban art, urban living, urban planning, value of good design, Victorian architecture / 1

Like gardens? Like ornate, ornamental, architectural fantasy structures? Do magical forms and colorful design elements arouse your creative juices?

Memorial Day and the holiday weekend offers festivities with family and friends, time to honor in memory those who have performed with honor to preserve and protect our freedom, reflective moments away from the rigors of the work-week, and in our case this weekend an extraordinary encounter with one of the country’s most magnificent “pleasure grounds!” Yes, an introduction to Tower Grove Park (thank you Ali-bali) and the awesome written description of its inception and extraordinary design in the 1860s was our sensational, design stimulating, multi-sensory, experience.

Perhaps these photos will provide ideas for your fence or railing detail or even a backyard gazebo!

If you would like to enjoy the language of the beautifully written original intent of this property in a manner and style that is not often experienced, please follow this link and be enchanted with great vision, joyful optimism and intimate appreciation.

https://www.towergrovepark.org/mcadams1

Art and nature intertwine in these magnificent verdant grounds of Tower Grove Park with its wonderful gardens, charming Victorian pavilions and significant statuesque monuments. Conceived and donated by the visionary, Henry Shaw, in 1866. The writings of David MacAdam (found in the above referenced link) reference taking “ramblings” in the park – originally designed for driving in and through but with emphasized encouragement to go afoot to observe closely, in one’s casual time, these wondrous fields and arbors, around ponds and through gardens.

He writes “A visitor who takes a summer ramble in the park starting from the east entrance and noting the objects of interest we have mentioned, must certainly admit it is a most interesting and agreeable place. Every few steps will open a different view, ornamental structure or some work of art.”

Peeking from pockets of this enchanted scene are fanciful pavilions each with a singular identity.

We hear that winter scenes in the park present a wonderland of snow frosted evergreen trees, quiet pavilions, sculptural dark trunks, statuesque bronze figures and serene blankets of white dotted with the dormant shrubbery that comes alive once again each spring.

MacAdam further notes, “The artist of the graceful and cultivated style pursues, then, a middle course between the picturesque and the formality of the purely artificial, aiming always to preserve the harmony of natural forms and scenes.”

While the landscaping is magnificent, the architectural detail is captivating – conjuring up fairy tale scenes of dancing and romance. MacAdam writes further, in thoughtful detail, about the concept of encouraging the public to experience this grand property with all of its engaging ornament and ultimate beneficial consequence. “To do this thoroughly they can hardly avoid walking a part of the distance, and the attractions of the place should induce them to do this contentedly, recollecting that one of the objects for which it exists is to invite persons of sedentary habits to healthful exercise. ”

I was so excited about the fretwork and fancy details – the sunlight dappled across the frames of these sturdy yet delicate structures.

Inspiration around every corner with design elements that are timelessly graceful. Grill-work and column lines present powerful progressions.

It was as though these structures were attempting to emulate giant confections of fondant and frosting, carving and detail just shy of excess.

Realizing these structures are over a century and a half old, preserved by the enjoyment and appreciation of their patrons – which are all the people of St. Louis.

“The worrying command, “keep off the grass,” writes MacAdam “when the feet are aching to tread the carpet of youth’s memories, does not harass the visitor by springing out on his eye as he turns each curve. Music too is thrown in free in summertime, and thus all elements of pleasure and beauty are woven together in lightness and brightness for the general good. It is on the fact of this freedom in the use of a public park, the hopefulness it indicates in human nature, an the equal consideration it shows for all classes, is based in faith of those who believe in its refining and elevating influence. Such a place does not sermonize dogmatically, nor does nature. She exhibits a truth instead of voicing a doctrine. It unfolds fair spectacles, without restraint or an air of patronage, for all who care to see, and it thus tends to refute the selfish theories of either extremes of society, to reconcile divergent elements, to encourage the gentler ideas and tastes, and to promote innocent recreations and purer manners. The poor are forced to see that wealth beyond their control, and without their asking, has created a resort free for the enjoyment of all, and the rich, by the equality in its use, are reminded of the artificial origin of class and the everlasting kinship of man.”

It was a glorious afternoon of optimism, inspiration and enjoyment. Happy Memorial Day weekend to all and may you find art and inspiration around every corner!

May 13

The Seeds Which Result in Enthusiastic Inspiration.

By pattisays In architecture, artistic expression, building blocks, children, construction, creative process, creativity, design, design process, Discovering Art, fanciful design, hiring an interior designer, inspiration, interior design, joy, kids' art, landscape design, lighting, nostalgia and design, parades, personal expression, Subscribers, toys / 1 Comment

When is the seed planted for a child who might just pursue a career in the arts, architecture or related design fields? How did the aptitude and interest first present itself? When are varied interests honed into a focused passion? If you’re reading this as a “creative,” do you remember the earliest exercises flexing your creativity?

As an budding interior designer, I always enjoyed changing my room and futzing around the house arranging accessories and still-life groupings. Color was always important as were patterns and textures. Balance seemed intuitive too. I loved visiting art galleries and I became aware that I noticed and possessed an appreciation for art in its many forms, styles and media. I derived great joy from recognizing beauty, potential and the creative process. It followed to the out-of-doors too as I loved the gardens, layers of trees and made truly organic “forts” in the log pile nestled in the fallen oak and tulip poplar leaves of my childhood.

I also practiced landscape design – trimming English ivy meticulously from underneath so as not to whack off the front edges. I created exotic fern gardens by finding indigenous ferns in the woods and bringing them into the less wild pockets of our wooded backyard – arranging and placing them just right. Spider plants procreated their dangling off-spring that I trimmed and rooted in multiple clay pots lining our patio wall waiting to mature over the summer and be presented as gifts to admiring plant lovers.

Upon returning from a lively Padres and Cardinals baseball game last night, we were greeted by a spot-lit city and pompous parallel parade. Our boldly preciously precocious 7 year granddaughter

had created a magical world with all manner of pets, creatures, super heroes and trinkets adorning the architecture and riding in the parade of colorful vehicles.

The lighting was particularly effective as it cast shadows and illuminated the many elements and characters that animated the scene. This is the perfect temptation for rival siblings to destroy. One sweeping sword or outstretched arm would send this amazing project to rubble. Tonight however there was no such rivalry resulting in destruction. Rather it was protected and revered until we arrived home for the presentation.

“You like my city, don’t you?” was the confident query – set-forth with an affirmative assumption – regardless of the questioning format, of the comment she delivered. Yes the city and parallel parade was quite exceptional. So much so that it inspired thoughtful observation and examination including this writing today.

As I knelt down and captured various angles of the structures, towers, tiers, columns, pediments and facades with my trusty phone, I realized that this took a tremendous amount of material. The raw wooden building blocks were nostalgically familiar – the very same blocks, triangles, square and round columns, bricks and cubes with which I had built towering structures as a child. Creativity can certainly be spawned with limited resources and often results in remarkably ingenious results, but as looked around this particular scene, I discovered baskets, bins, boxes and piles of things. Things with which to create a limitless fantasy world.

These, paired with her wonderful imagination, were the tools of this creative child who had a treasure trove of parts and pieces, characters and vehicles providing countless components waiting for the imagination to assemble into this and other amazing scenes. Singing while she works, it is evident that this child is over-flowing with artistic expression.

The fantastic architecture and design we admire today was spawned by creative minds using existing tools or inventing new elements to create and ultimately construct seemingly unimaginable buildings around the world. Yet they were imagined and they became realities from fantastic dreams and ideas, bravery and determination. A creative will that was once a seed of enthusiastic inspiration.

Happy Mother’s Day to all, with a particular emphasis on mine for all of her creativity and encouragement though the years, of my many phases of artistic exploration, appreciation and expression.

May 07

Picking PINK!

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, art and interior design, artistic expression, artists, beauty behold it, Bruce Piel, Color schemes, color trends, colors, creativity, decorative arts, design, design tips, design trends, Discovering Art, drama of color, dried flowers, element of surprise in design, etchings, fanciful design, Garden, Gerard Lehner, handmade, hiring an interior designer, Impressionist painters, inspiration, inspiration from nature, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design trends, interior enhancements, joy, lifestyle, Lilly Pulitzer, Lyndia Terre, Marilyn Yates, Mexico, Millenial, nostalgia and design, painters, Peggy Zuris, personal expression, pink, pinks and greens, selecting colors, Subscribers, timeless colors, trends, value of art, watercolors / 2 Comments

Prompted by pieces peppering a pastel presentation for an artist’s opening reception entitled Resilience we held here at PATRICIAN DESIGN last Friday evening, I was pondering this week’s topic when PINK peeked into my thoughts.

Pale pink is an unsung color – often considered to be insipid and lacking ooomph, it really is quite satisfactory. Pounced on by millennials, with their popular color trend “Millennial Pink” passion for all things in fashion and home style, pink has made a bit of a splash in recent years.

Last Friday, with the creation of the display window featuring pottery shards scattered along the floor, artist Helen Atkin’s peachy pastel pink and soft coral glazes melded together against the soft geometric woven textile resulting in a confection of comfortable color and texture.

Helen Atkins’ shards and little dishes sprinkled in the east gallery window at PATRICIAN DESIGN.

I awoke today with this color on my mind. Swirling thoughts, so often the case, as one thing leads to another and I thought – I wonder how much of that most satisfactory and pleasing color I have here in my immediate world. So, I set-forth to find out.

Gathered on the nightstand in the guest room, this cluster of dried flowers is a fragile collection of soft pink tones.

Walking around the house, I came upon so many examples that I really was quite pleased. The re-discovery of each made me feel content. I realize that although they are seemingly insignificant that they are really quite sentimental pieces gathered through the years and each so distinctly different from the next.

One of my first purchases when I moved across the country was this discarded, damaged Tamarind print of a large nearly psychedelic strawberry from the famed print-making institute where rejected failures spoke the language of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and it was mine to adorn my new, naked, New Mexican walls.

Generally referencing feminine imagery and romance, pink is delicate yet full of depth and variation – as with all colors – the range is limitless for value, tone, blending of shades…Contrasting warm yellows and cool blues frame pink so well.

Detail of one of several of my Gerhard Lehner lovlies, I Still Sail to the Virgin Islands. As the artists explains – “An original like-etching a la poupe arrived from drawn textural lines and painted effects which allows the poetic ink to transfer to the fine rag paper.”

Detail – Fine Craft and Dance by Gerard Lehner

Bold floral brush strokes sweep through the pinks and peach, coral and rose, accented with the contrasting vessel in a brilliant cobalt blue, Peggy Zuris was a master of color and style.

Memories of the warm glow of the pink roof-tiled, painted and plastered buildings along the Puerto Vallarta coastline absorb and reflect the rising and setting sun during all exposures of the day.

Detail – watercolor featuring iconic Our Lady of Guadalupe church by Victor Torres Tellas

Meandering from room to room I encounter so many pretty pink things. I obviously gravitate to this amidst my many other colors as a necessary element woven through my comfort zone.

Detail – Fantastically French floral oil on canvas by Anne Sandry

And I adore this finely detailed hand-colored etching showcasing a foreground field of pink lupines,bought decades ago in the artist’s studio at The Torpedo Factory.

Detail of etching by Lyndia Terre

Then I came upon these book bindings stacked unconsciously atop a mahogany dresser , resulting in a study in pinks presenting a pleasing palette.

I realize that I was exposed to the priority of pink at an early age as my mother’s interior design palette incorporated pinks and soft greens in the more formal areas as well as outside on our screened porch and patio beyond, to the gardens with magnificent mounds of screaming pink azaleas blooming and their explosions of color every spring. Surrounded by lush verdant foliage of the woods where we lived, pink contrasted well with the many shades of green into which we were intimately nestled. We were comfortably punctuated with pink. Therefore it was not a foreign color and complimented the transitions into other darker green tones and yellow accents throughout our house. The original scrolled wool wall-to-wall carpet was a medium pinky-clay color. Quite unusual, yet neutral, providing an earthy grounding. Mom also enjoyed the vibrant introduction of designer Lily Pulitzer onto the scene in the 60s and peppered her wardrobe with Pulitzer pinks from carnation to hot fuscia contrasting with chartreuse green. Today her classic iconic colors and patterns still make significant design statements. Mom has never been afraid of color! I inherited that fearless foray into colors of anything fun and fabulous

This handcrafted New Mexican church (birdhouse – having never been outside to host a bird) sports an eclectic array of enchanting elements using pinks to perk up the collection of colors. I realize as I tour these rooms of colorful artwork, that I love the combination of pinks with blues and yellows!!

and also the appreciation for the soft subtleties too. These two magnificent oil paintings depicting New Mexican scenes with the oh-so-pleasing pinks.

Detail – oil painting Church at Golden by Marilyn Yates

Detail – oil painting Moonrise by Bruce Piel

This has been a fun and illuminating exercise. I’ve determined that pink is essential to me.

Why not a pink cabbage plate on the guest room duvet cover dotted with woven clay-pink slubs?

It occurs in so many things that bring me joy.

A heavy, luminous hand-blown glass vase.

Speckled vintage vase – a touch of fun!

As my dear friend Corinne aptly named her shop, it is The Color of Joy. Pick a color – any color – and go around your interior spaces and see what you discover – perhaps you will find your essential grounding color. It just might be a surprise. Find what brings you joy.

Apr 22

Real Jeans are Wabi Sabi

By pattisays In 1970s, artistic expression, creativity, denim jeans, design, design solutions, design trends, Disruption in design, fabrics, fashion design, Fiber art, flower power, hiring an interior designer, history, joy, lifestyle, natural integrity of the materials, nostalgia and design, Subscribers, textiles, trends /

An aside today to address a different design statement – of fashion, not interiors, I’m speaking out about FAKE JEANS. In the design field we watch trends and acknowledge the importance and validity of new design ideas, combinations, forms and functions. When torn jeans made the scene a couple of years ago, it was amusing and seemed to be a cheap, cheesy, frivolous attempt at something overly shabby chic. The discount stores were stuffed with them and the mainstream stores too.

Perhaps a cat clawed this pair to shreds? And the bottom – up above the ankle? Puzzling…

But it continued to make me roll my eyes with disbelief and when I saw well-heeled women sporting them and paying serious money for them. I was truly amazed.

Fraying at the bottom suggests that they were comfortably too long and dragged to this result…but as a crop jean? HOW might one fray up the back of their upper ankle or calf? Hmmm…

Do you have a pair or two or three? All colors? All varying lengths and tapers? How long did you hold out before you caved and found the perfectly worn pair for you? Are they just broken through at the knee or are they riddled with torn, mangled shreds of fabric? Are they lacerated in mid-thigh? How might THAT have happened?

This is a skirt version of the story. But what IS the story? High thigh wear spots…

So does this make me sound like an oldster? Read more and see what you think. It’s NOT about the frayed tears, it’s about where they are, why they are, how they look and how many they are. I see jeans that look like they have been doused with acid! How might THAT happen? But boy when it did – whew, you saved them!! And wore them to tell the story!!!

I think this might have been a bear attack!!!!!

Others are worn in the oddest places of the structure having nothing to do with normal wear and tear – totally random splotches of abraded material – defying common sense.

This jacket looks like somebody got into a bit of trouble!! Including scratch marks!!!

These jeans were my favorite. I loved the fit and the feel, the texture and color of the denim and they got better with age. They were Levis and are now crowding 50 years old!!!

Yes, from the 70s, these jeans were the best. And I’ve saved them out of an inordinate sense of nostalgia. When you find jeans that have all these critical features you wear them to death. And that’s just what I did! These jeans were so perfect and had no stretch to fake the fit! The more I wore them and the more I washed them the softer they became and the more invaluable they became to my wardrobe and hence, my identity. They were my fabulous freaking fashion fundamentals.

After a few years of near daily wear, these jeans began to gradually fade and wear away the darker threads in favor of the lighter cross threads of the twill. The seams and edges were breaking down. They began to show signs of possibly breaking through at the knee. They were experiencing the metamorphosis of Wabi-Sabi and I was anxious about their dematerializing. While a part of me loved these indications that they were truly my favorite as proven by these lovingly worn signs, I was facing a fear of loss.

I have previously written about the intensely thoughtful book by Leonard Koren, Wabi Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers and as I write this I went into my desk and extracted it once again to find a passage that so speaks to this subject of “The Material Qualities of Wabi Sabi…The suggestion of natural process. Things wabi-sabi are expressions of time frozen. They are made of materials that are visibly vulnerable to the effects of weathering and human treatment.. They record the sun, wind, rain, heat, and cold in a language of discoloration, rust, tarnish, stain, warping, shrinking, shriveling, and cracking. Their nicks, chips, bruises, scars, dents, peeling, and other forms of attrition are a testament to histories of use and misuse. Though things wabi-sabi may be on the point of de-materialization (or materialization) – extremely faint, fragile, or desiccated – they still possess an undiminished poise and strength of character.”

“Irregular. Things wabi-sabi are indifferent to conventional good taste. since we already know what the correct” design solutions are, wabi-sabi thoughtfully offers the “wrong” solutions.” (A side note: Koren mentions regularity in mass production and designers looking for ways to express poetic artistry and sabotage perfection to intentionally create irregularity). I don’t think the endless racks and stacks of identically torn, abraded, ripped, and even mangled jeans was what he had in mind!!!

So these jeans of mine expressed unmatched strength of character impossible to replicate in my estimation and as time marched on and they gradually frayed and broke through I mourned the demise. The seams stopped the tears from severing the legs of these amazing jeans. I continued to wear them finding the badge of honest wear quite fashionably cool. But inasmuch as I loved the tears for what it represented in a life well lived and personified aging and the passage of time, I wanted to celebrate the priceless nature of these jeans and give them a revitalization without changing their character. With that I decided to add a little Flower Power, as I whipped out my brushes and paints and embellished them with hipppy dippy flowers to celebrate their age and honest wear.

Honest. I guess that’s what my gripe is about.

Night before last, I spied this common jean scene sitting at a wine bar. These actually look like they could have been naturally worn through in the knees, except you then see the mid- thigh rip – how would that have happened?

I doubt it is empathy that the celebrities sport the fake torn jeans off the rack. It is not empathy for those less fortunate who have torn jeans from wear and an inability to replace them due to cost. Impoverished people in torn jeans are not trying to make a fashion statement and the people who are enjoying the forced-casual novelty of looking like they loved their jeans until they ripped or to make a social statement about “I am really on your level of every man/woman” are not fooling anyone – really? Neither one flies. Neither one is honest.

And to be perfectly honest about these jeans – they don’t button today. I had not tried them on in decades. My skinny, lanky, lovely niece did a few years ago.

And as I held them up today to photo, I decided just to try. I pulled them on exactly as I remember trying not to further rip them unnecessarily, got them all the way up wriggling into the well-worn butt and they weren’t going to button together -not this week.

But I now have a new summer goal! Might I trim-up enough to button my old favs? That would be a feat! Stay tuned!

If your jeans didn’t wear out from love and appreciation, I say, “give it up!” Like the Emperor’s New Clothes, look at them for what they are and exclaim They are NOT Real! Eeeuwwwww!!!!! It’s a ridiculous, silly trend. It’s an affectation of numerous charades.

Good design. It’s in the eyes of the beholder. But I prefer to embrace the real effects of shabby chic and the ultimate wabi-sabi in fashion and interiors. Relaxed and un-constructed is one thing, but these ridiculous artificially torn jeans are beyond the pale!!! Ask me what I REALLY think!!!!!

Mar 25

Quilting – An At-Home Workroom of Color!

By pattisays In Abstract Art, art and interior design, artistic expression, artists, beauty behold it, colors, Contemporary Art, creative process, creativity, decorative arts, design, design process, design tips, design trends, DIY design, drama of color, fabrics, Fiber art, folkart, graphic arts, graphic designs in interiors, handcraft, handmade, hiring an interior designer, inspiration, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design trends, lifestyle, Modern Art, nostalgia and design, patterns, personal expression, quilting, quilts, re-purpose, recycle, recycle design, retro, Subscribers, teaching, textiles, textures /

It’s not your grandmother’s quilting these days…computers have radically altered the landscape of this generations old art form. Two days ago I found myself in an in-home art-studio/workroom that blew me away!

Initially a craft born out of necessity, as creative survivors accustomed to “making something out of nothing” re-purposed scraps of material to patchwork new articles of clothing, homegoods and ultimately art for the walls. This clever, resourceful, utilization was celebrated in Dolly Parton’s song turned movie, about her true-life “Coat of Many Colors.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolly_Parton%27s_Coat_of_Many_Colors

The intricate designs and refinement of pattern details was obviously all done by hand, but with the development of machines and now computers for this purpose, the possibilities are endless.

So as I turned the corner, to see a would-be remodel of combining two bedrooms and expanding to the north of the existing shell, I was astonished to see this remarkable, expansive workroom – all white – punctuated with colorful creativity. Colors, textures, patterns…this extraordinary, rather Renaissance, woman had carved out a generous space to explore this phenomenal art and craft.

As an artist, Sue Watrous’ paintings and sketches are quite photo-real. On a few of her pieces, she has deconstructed the elements in the painting cutting them from fabric of many grey-tones defying the fact that they are textile assemblages.

This original pencil drawing – yes, photo-realistic, is amazing.

Then to create the same image as a patchwork quilt is remarkable!!

Yes, look closely, you can see the patches of fabric that are assembled in the many grey tones to create this amazing piece.

Her joie de vivre is derived from this magical space and the creations that she imagines and brings to fruition.

Upon entering her amazing domain, I felt as though I was entering an operating room – everything in perfect order, clean and spare – like a clean-room at Intel – I should gown-out or suit-up!!!

I might be exaggerating because it was white and clean, but warm and welcoming with the rainbow spectrum of thread spools and quilts both finished and in progress displayed on the walls and on the other many surfaces.

Self-taught, she nonchalantly references the many computerized machines strategically placed around the room. There is an order to the layout and her approach is meticulous. Despite the fact that there is an active quilting community here – they are too busy quilting to teach – so Sue jumped into this after having seen a presentation at a show about five years ago. Years ago she quilted – but at this juncture, she knew at once that she wanted to enter this exciting and challenging realm, of computerized art assist!

Like the shoemaker who has no shoes, her quilts have yet to adorn the walls or bed dressings throughout the rest of her home. She doesn’t sell her work – but her family all has homes riddled with choice pieces.

Her paintings are placed amidst her interior, but not her quilts. Today I focused on a large wall to be the future home of a near-to-be- completed quilt.

She tells me that the fabrics are like paints – she is painting with fabric.

And although she is not yet dying her own pieces, she told me of meeting a textile artist who spun her own thread from her own llamas, dyed it, designed and fabricated her own work. Sue has created most if not all of her patterns and designs and I am confident that before this is over, she will be donning rubber gloves and dunking material in dye vats to find a new layer of creativity.

Jan 21

Remodeling? How to Embrace Existing Conditions – Celebrate the Story

By pattisays In architecture, bars and restaurants, bathroom remodel, brick, ceiling lighting, commercial interior design, commercial remodel, context of interior design, contrasts for balance in design, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, custom lighting, design, design process, design solutions, design tips, design trends, element of surprise in design, existing materials, hiring an interior designer, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design trends, LED, lighting, night clubs, nostalgia and design, practical design, remodeling, restaurant restrooms, Subscribers, theatrical design, trends, value of good design / 1 1 Comment

This happening scene provided fabulous fodder, to observe existing conditions being incorporated into a design, for great benefit on many levels. Applicable to all remodel projects – see what you think!

In this case, Night Club design. The styles are many, but the concept is of a commonality comprised of a few basic functions – a fun place to socialize, meet people and enjoy the entertainment of the overall scene often including live performances. We probably all picture the image of a flashy, glitzy environment.

We were recently in a most unusual space that combined the glitz and bling you might expect with a “nightclub” atmosphere, but juxtaposed with rustic finishes that were unique to the original architecture. This brick expressed in some of the remaining structural elements – walls and column/arched spans of structure – was warm and rich providing an unexpected pleasing combination that so easily might have been eliminated – concealed behind slick new finishes.

To play-up the vintage aspects of the space, ornate traditional chandeliers were suspended amidst myriad dangling strands of sparkling, golden LED lights. These provided a glittering glow of ambient light in the upper reaches of the space effecting both the downstairs and upper level of the club. This mixed lighting treatment was obviously the eye-catching emphasis of the interior.

Ample light was provided by the luminous chandeliers and thousands of dangling LED pin-dot lights along with the indirect lighting of the back-bar shelves. Therefore, the large steel domes that hung suspended over the bar needed not to contribute ambient light, but were limited to effectively cast direct downward light on the bar surface. Their golden interiors provided a warm glow while the exterior surface disappeared into the darkness.

The bar was quite simple and raw, yet read in enough of an interesting and complex fashion, to compliment the scene. The design was sufficient in its components and indirect lighting worked well with all the other design decisions.

The simple Tolix-styled stools were an understated easy fit with the other surprisingly raw materials of the bar.

To answer the need for friendly group conversations, there were comfortable places to gather with zoned seating areas of tufted leather sofas and leopard-patterned rugs, wooden grouping tables, then hi-top tables with stools and finally barstools along the length of the bar. The various areas provided options for patrons to pick the most inviting or appropriate spot to enjoy the atmosphere with friends.

Having choices in any hospitality setting is invaluable. It allows the patrons to make their own decision how best to utilize and enjoy the space. It answers different needs and appeals to different people for different reasons, therefore inviting a variety of patrons to invest their time and money in the establishment. A broader reach of clientele. A broader client base.

I’ve mentioned more than once that having restroom design follow the theme and quality, of the rest of the interior, is imperative. As it relates to night clubs, it is often the meeting-ground for dating, meeting new people, attracting new people and therefore, the restroom should promote attractive feelings of approval and confidence in the guests.

Jazzing up the restrooms in keeping with the jazzy feeling of the club environment should be a natural continuation of the design scheme. That means mirrors – full length – not merely above the sinks, good lighting without down-lights to cast unappealing shadows on the guests.

Here the placement of sinks outside the restrooms frees up space in the stall areas, while adding interest to the extended restroom area. The design theme presents free-standing bureaus for the sink cabinets. Often shared sinks are used in these anti-room set-ups, but in this case opposing sides of the vestibule provided an attractive vanity area for men and a separate one for women.

What was so inspiring and interesting as we scanned the interior were the various zones all within this complex mix of original, traditional architectural elements and adding traditional if not vintage lighting fixtures paired with modern high-tech lighting effects and large brilliant monitors featuring exotic, playful, getaway beach videos. It worked.

Have you ever encountered a structure that at first glance did not comply with the supposed new program? Awkward supports, raw materials, exposed mechanical…so ,many “unfortunate” things to get in the way of your design. Often the “imagined” design over-rides the reality of the moment. The challenge is to allow the moment – the reality of the existing conditions – to participate in the process rather than being briskly eliminated without thorough consideration.

And the additional bonus might often be cost-savings and budget stretching while not betraying that benefit at expense of the finished design. Brilliant to have incorporated the “whatever it is” – wasn’t that creative and hence, interesting!! OK – I’ll take that!

To have concealed or negated the architecture would have been almost criminal – certainly a loss of architectural integrity and textural interest.

The crime of missing opportunities like the seemingly conflicting traditional elements with the need to be glitzy and modern is to be too one-directional . It’s like having “design-blinders” on that direct and focus a theme without recognizing the value of thoughtful salvage of content, contrast and context.

All of what we observed applies to both residential and commercial design. The takeaway is to consider existing conditions and, if applicable, embrace them. Give thoughtful consideration to the opportunities before glossing over them, concealing them or eliminating them altogether. Try to appreciate the gifts that might escape you if you insist on unnecessarily hammering and manipulating a space into submission – design submission. Rather, let it tell a story and contribute to the design process – which would more than likely result in a more unique and creative end project for that thoughtful integration of the existing elements.

Dec 17

When is Too Much, Not Quite Enough?

By pattisays In art and food, art and interior design, artistic expression, bars and restaurants, branding in interior design, camp - retro design, Christmas, clutter, commercial interior design, corporate branding, creativity, decorative arts, design, dining and design, element of surprise in design, exterior - outdoor design, fanciful design, Food and art, Graphic art, interior design, interior design trends, logos, multi-media design, nostalgia and design, personal expression, public design, recycle, recycle design, travel and design /

Perhaps – when you are an avid collector, limitless treasure-hunter and lover of basic Americana (comprised of the appreciation of indelible graphic design and branding mixed with a healthy dose of green chile cheeseburgers, bodacious bbq and good fun) – it’s never enough! We’re in Hatch, New Mexico at Sparky’s once again!!!! The sensational roadside attraction – Sparky’s burger bastion MUST know when too much is not enough!

Nine and a half years ago Teako made a statement and the word has been spreading ever since!

The opening of this fun and funky establishment started out with a few outrageous signs and vintage mascots like the Colonel Saunders on a bench, Ronald McDonald as the un-official greeter

and a dedication to signature green chile cheeseburgers and mouthwatering bbq. Now both sides of the street (and scattered around town) are towering, larger-than-life icons of days gone by and travelers from all over the world stop to experience this unique site.

But inside, the treasures also abound! With each visit we discover new surprises and exciting additions. Because its Christmas, we were enticed by the “Say Queso” photo scene. We donned funky antlers and cozied up to the decked-out tree, with a backdrop of sparkle and ornament, beneath dangling snowflakes,

flanked by a towering toy soldier and Jolly Old Saint Nick himself!

The stockings were hung in clustered abundance over the entryway to the dining room. No such thing as too many or too much here!!!

The walls are plastered with iconic paraphernalia.

Patina etched tin painted and pitted, with pocks of rust and tarnish – weathered through many storms adding further character to the familiar and not-so familiar pieces, until finding safe haven here in this magical collection.

Camp art un-selfconsciously curated on every square inch of interior space. A nostalgic presentation and preservation of graphic design and branding.

If you’re a “picker,” a graphic designer, a nostalgia buff, burger and bbq connoisseur or just a kid looking for a memorable bite on the side of the road,

Sparky’s unintentional museum, of the colorfully entertaining and eclectic, will not disappoint! It is a must-see landmark in this our Land of Enchantment.

Be enchanted at Sparky’s! Thanks for the memories!!!!! Keep ’em coming!!!

Dec 10

Value. What is an “Investment Piece” and Why?

By pattisays In artistic expression, beauty behold it, context of interior design, creative process, design, design solutions, design tips, design trends, Discovering Art, element of surprise in design, furniture finds, hiring an interior designer, inspiration, interior design, interior design trends, investment pieces, joy, lifestyle, nostalgia and design, personal expression, re-purpose, trends /

In the design vernacular we keep hearing the term “investment piece.” What makes an investment piece? Is it that you spent more on it than most other purchases? You splurged? You made an unusual purchase that generally costs more than your norm. Sure, makes sense, I get this. Considered to be a focal piece, this seems to be the nod. However, I often feel entirely differently.

Investment. An investment in time, emotion, thoughts and beliefs…what type of unusual investment? An “investment piece” is usually a focal point or a piece placed in a position of prominence. It makes sense to identify an “investment piece” as something that is monetarily outside your usual comfort zone – but must it?

Consider that there is also the fact that a piece that hits a chord and is not easily replaced – if at all – is an investment. Seeing an objet d’art, on a folding table at a garage sale or amidst the throngs of a flea market, that catches your eye and is yours for a song – the bargain of the decade, or at least that day, is an emotional investment. It’s not about the money.

This “find” might actually have “cred” in a broad evaluation of appraisal. It might be a tiny Waterford crystal bud vase, like I found at a flea market for two dollars, about 35 years ago. I was just starting out, decorating my world, and it’s cut glistened and caught my eye from a cluttered table of garden tools, electric curlers and all manner of debris. There was and still is a true value for this type of piece. It is replaceable – not one-of-a-kind, but a lovely piece. Similarly, at garage sale many years later, I spied a sparkle across many tables to discover a large Waterford ship’s decanter clustered with a few other unmarked pieces. Neighbors selling for a friend, they were cautiously asking twenty five dollars – the bargain of the day.

Once, in a consignment store, I came upon an ARS Italian ceramic box for five dollars that, although marked on the bottom, is not so published as to be easily priced. And I don’t care. Too me it is a one-of-a-kind find. It is old. I can’t replace it. I love the colors of the glazes and little pear top, it’s imperfections speak to it’s vintage and made-by-hand quality. It makes me smile.

When I hear people reference things by their monetary value, it strikes a sensitivity in me that is quite emotional. It annoys me. It frustrates me. Perhaps I am too sentimental, too attached to the enjoyment of “things,” but it’s what these things evoke, what they trigger in the form of memories or just spontaneous pleasure. What brings a smile, a tangible joy, is more to the point. It is a treasure.

Pieces with genuine sentimental value, because they have been inherited, reminding the current custodians of who preceded them and cared enough to preserve and pass down…and contrarily the ease with which some can unemotionally and easily part with something that has passed to them. It can be distilled to what one might find beautiful or not, and what speaks to the point – does this bring you joy or is it an onus?

It makes perfect sense that I am in this field. I see what clients have, ask them about what means what, and sometimes even argue in favor of keeping something that was destined for replacement or complete removal. I want to know what brings my clients joy. I want to make sure they don’t miss something they already have. It might just be the context that makes the difference.

Sometimes my clients have a piece – usually large – that they just don’t know how to use. They would like to, but just can’t find the right place. This is when we might consider other uses than the obvious. A bedroom dresser, might become a dining buffet. We change the context and save the piece. It gives new life and appreciation. It is a combination, in some cases, of function and joy. Thinking outside the box.

To have a careless non-attachment to things, that have not cost a relatively unusual amount, frustrates me. Yes, it can be a good thing, freeing actually. Whereas I am burdened by my sentimentality. The fact that something is disposable merely because it was a “find” or a “bargain” should not make it less valuable – in my estimation. It’s not always about an expense.

It is a similar, yet reverse, process as selecting an item because of its cost or brand as thought that validates it. As though it is the primary reason to make the decision. I prefer to encourage people to find confidence in what they like – not merely a perceived or recognizable value. The result is the uniqueness that makes their world more personal, more individual, more uniquely theirs. It’s a treasure hunt. What is the value?

An “investment piece” should be almost, if not, irreplaceable – not by its cost – but by its unique ability to bring you joy. Have confidence to know it when you see it. It will be the right decision.

Jul 31

Design Inspirations in the City Different

By pattisays In architecture, art and interior design, artistic expression, bar, bars and restaurants, commercial interior design, context of interior design, creativity, custom design interior design, decorative arts, design, design competition, dining and design, exterior - outdoor design, floral designs, food and interior design, handcraft, inspiration, interior design, interior design trends, Mexico, mosaic tile, nostalgia and design, restaurant restrooms, Santa Fe, New Mexico, summer, travel and design, trends, window dressings /

Do YOU know the way to Santa Fe, to play off of a song by another title? Up the hill and beneath a brilliant blue sky, the thunder clouds scatter with dramatic splendor. Past the cedar dotted landscape with punctuation of piñon the seasonal monsoonal green is blanketing the desert. A thrilling view passing swiftly, outside the window, like a series of paintings capturing surreal scenes – always picturesque.

It’s July in The Land of Enchantment and a weekend getaway, in Santa Fe, promises stimulating design treats and artistic inspiration! Every visit is familiar – yet new. Around every corner, there is detail and color, decoration and un-selfconscious art.

Just when you think the Santa Fe market is saturated with myriad fabulous dining options, Paloma hits the ground running, on Guadalupe Street, to shake things up a bit!

The joy of experiencing the very new restaurant of an amazing friend was exhilarating! Marja Martin, la propietaria of this great new venue Paloma, brings limitless talent, outstanding vision and distinctive creativity to everything she touches.

The quite well-seeded Santa Fe dining scene is recipient of her newest endeavor. Already a well-established and well loved caterer, her artistic sensitivity and smart culinary concepts – that have been her signature – now result in a presentation of stunning unpretentious decor and exceptional flavors. She’s giving patrons bold flavors and creative combinations inspired by true dining experiences, with our many-faceted Mexican neighbor’s to the south. The result is fun and transporting, in its authenticity.

Walking home, to the lovely casita of dear friends, the gates and doorways, patterns and particulars – uniquely New Mexican in their expression of design offer photographic treats. It’s magic. It’s exciting. It should be on everyone’s list to take the time to explore.

It’s as though history and current trends collide to create a patchwork of texture and color all to stimulate the senses. Exotic flavors and international everything all presented in the confines and context of this extraordinary place.

Interior design and exterior design bombarding from every pocket including this provocative little prose to ponder at Sonder. Get out there are feed your senses!

Jul 08

Everyone Needs a Little Country Sometime

By pattisays In architecture, artistic expression, beauty behold it, color trends, context of interior design, country living, creativity, custom design interior design, decorative arts, design, design tips, design trends, DIY design, exterior - outdoor design, fireplaces, floral arrangements, floral designs, furniture finds, Garden, handcraft, inspiration, interior design, interior design trends, landscape design, lifestyle, natural designs, nostalgia and design, party themes, personal expression, re-purpose, Refresh, remodeling, rural design, stone, summer, timeless colors, window dressings /

I would like to share a treat of a house in a magical setting along a quiet waterway in the lush rural lake community of Edgerton, Wisconsin. A most talented friend has created a riverside home from a modest rambler. What was a dated structure with limited interior appointments, low ceilings, tiny high windows, and ordinary fixtures is now a soft, sophisticated, space outfitted with treasures gathered in the countryside, filled with history, character and antique charm.

Hands on and knowing exactly what she wanted to achieve, she began collecting interesting fixtures and hardware, furniture pieces and finishes. She hired a remodeling contractor, but worked closely with him and his architect to detail every facet of this home. Unwilling to compromise certain features, she enlarged all window openings, reconfigured the entry, gutted the kitchen, redesigned the bathrooms, ripped out the ceiling exposing structure – increasing volume exponentially – and added a garage.

Exposed beams, new white-washed tongue and groove boards applied to raised ceiling, a found wooden column used for structural support, new crown molding, bead-board wainscoting, re-designed fireplace surround, and creatively concealed storage closets, have re-shaped the entire character of this interior so dramatically that all who entered, not having yet seen this incredible transformation, were awed.

Hearing their comments as they passed through the spaces was amusing in their commonality. Everyone was amazed at the amount of work done, creative elements incorporated, fun finds she had collected to transform this modest house into this cozy cottage. Her two cats have wonderful vantage points to watch the activities in the rooms below as guests gathered to celebrate the weekend’s family wedding festivities.

Daylight streams through windows and floribunda gardens around the house are now communing beautifully with the interior.

Ever-so-soft blues, with whites of every shade, create a soft backdrop to collections of fine china to vintage scales and myriad eclectic antiques.

Outside a recently completed multi-tiered pond emits soft trickling background sound which wafts inside through the many open windows. Not to be reticent about being hands-on, this tenacious designer personally packed 23 loads of boulders and large stones into her truck, off-loaded and placed around the periphery of the pond. She planted tiny creeping vegetation among the stones, water plants, multiple trees and perennials to establish instant-gratification landscaping in her expansive backyard, which is a lush verdant botanical expression that grows abundantly right down to meet the river.

A great get-acquainted bonding of disparate family and friends occurred when we collected buckets of roadside flowers to make arrangements for the reception venue.

Wild bouquets punctuated with spectacular domestic flowers from the gardens surrounding the cottage provided fun activity and contributed to the charm of the scene.

Everyone needs a little country sometime.