Dec 24

Tips to Start and Maintain Joyful Traditions

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, art as gift ideas, artistic expression, cardinal ornaments, Centerpieces, Christmas, Christmas dinner table, Christmas Traditions, cocktails, cooking and design, creative process, creativity, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, design tips, design trends, designing a new home, designing small spaces, DIY design, drama of color, entertaining, exterior - outdoor design, fine china, floral designs, handcraft, handmade, Hanukkah, hiring an interior designer, history, holiday decor, Holiday Traditions, holiday trends, home, inspiration, interior accents, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, joy, kids' art, lifestyle, nostalgia and design, ornaments, personal expression, personal taste, pieced work, poinsettias, practical design, re-purpose, red, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Subscribers, Thanksgiving, throw pillows, tips for new home design, trends, value of good design /

Wherever you may be…it’s the time of year when traditions are so much a part of everyone’s holiday experiences. And with that opening sentence – no doubt some of yours come to mind.

Traditions, of course, are not limited to holidays – but for purposes of this season, it is the primary focus of this missive. Interestingly, over the past few weeks, I have had a few people ask me about home decor and specifically starting or perpetuating holiday traditions. I found it so compelling because traditions are created from repeat practices and experiences.

Fond memories of family friends and their annual tradition of making warm and frothy Tom and Jerrys! I found these vintage china mugs just like the ones from my memories. Have have recently seen them re-created – new – just like these! Perhaps its time to start our own tradition of Tom and Jerrys for the holidays!

You can begin to practice things that become traditions – that’s the key. Of the recent conversations, one person approached me about a week before Thanksgiving. He was single, hosting a few friends and didn’t know where to begin. Could I help? The other inquiry was from a couple of years ago as a young woman who was not from New Mexico found herself here, newly married and in a new home. How was she to create the feeling of Christmas? The answers to both of these queries are at the end …

As is true with all consultation whether it is interior design, medical, self-help, physical fitness, IT…it all begins with questions. The consultant must ask questions to establish information that will guide them to make their recommendations. Here are 4 Tips for Approaching Traditions that will begin the conversation.

Perpetuating a Tradition: Memories are personal references that are the basis for traditions. The repeat performance of these various acts establish traditions. Continuing to practice the traditions insures that they repeat as each like-kind of event unfolds. It takes effort to continue to re-create traditions, but to lose the pattern can become irretrievable. It can be an onus or a joy to perpetuate traditions. I would prefer to embrace the latter! Ideally, any tradition that you chose to perpetuate should be a joy.

This vintage set was given to me by a dear friend. It held precious memories from her grandmother having served hot cocoa from it every Christmas. My friend’s experiences dated back to the 1920s. The set preceded her memory…as her grandmother, born in the last quarter of the 1800s owned it for years prior. We enjoy hot cocoa from it nearly every Christmas morning!

Creating New Traditions: Establishing the approach that perpetuating a tradition should be a joy or the act of something that brings joy, the same is true with creating a tradition. Seems obvious that you wouldn’t want to create a traditional around something that does not bring you joy. But you might be surprised. I have recently learned that sometimes people think that they begin something that is a common practice to create a version for themselves, when in fact it is a perceived obligation rather than a joy. Don’t force it- don’t feel obliged to begin a practice just because others do it. Experience, invent or witness something that brings you joy and replicate it. You might recall it from your past, find it in a scene from a movie or experience at someone else’s home, derive it from participating in an activity or, of course, discovering internet ideas that abound. If something interests you to the extent that you want to practice it – then do it! If you enjoy it enough, you will perpetuate it and it will become a tradition.

This little Santa Doll was handmade by a friend of mine when her kids – now grown with kids of their own – were kids. Not originally intended to be a “Crazy Santa,” his accidental facial expression resulted in his name – held now for over three decades. He comes out every Christmas as an amusing family tradition.

Modifying Traditions: We all need to determine how much we want to take on, how much we want to invest (in time or money) and how we achieve the same or similar results to create the joy. If traditions become too complicated or difficult, it might be time to re-think them. Rather than discard them, modify them. The time to discard a tradition is when it no longer brings you joy. But before that might happen and if the event/activity or degree of difficulty challenge your want to perpetuate the tradition, consider modifying it to suit your changing needs, circumstances and enjoyment.

This might happen if you move away from the context in which the tradition originally occurred, change in participants – if any, change in interests, physical or financial limitations…if the tradition still brings joy – find a way to achieve that with the necessary modification. Circumstances alter cases…like where you might have lived or are living at the time. Your fondest memories might be of chilly temperatures, warm fireplaces and the scent of pine trees…then you relocate to the tropics! This provides an opportunity to retain some of the original traditions and introduce some new. Not to mention, you might move to a different country where an entirely new set of traditions will present themselves – or just the different words for familiar favorites. Even without changing languages, in England they hang stockings at the foot of each bed rather than the mantle. Father Christmas is their Santa Claus. The list of similarities and slight differences goes on…

As I walked in the park last weekend, I spotted this fun, dangling snowman! So I stopped to inquire and capture a few shots. This family celebrates their son’s birthday every year with a piñata. Born on Christmas Day, they select another day close-by to have the piñata portion of the party. A family tradition.

No snowy scene for snowball fights or skiing? Toss a ball or frisbee, take a hike or bike, instead.

No enormous turkey? Roast a breast or a more manageable duck or chicken.

Become a vegetarian? Using the same type of familiar meal service and table dressings, modify the menu.

Not convenient to cut and haul a tree from the wild? Buy one instead. Real tree a hassle? Become the proud owner of a magnificent fake tree- with a bit of pine-scented room spray! In my case, I occasionally give myself a “bye” break from putting up our tree (Although I love my tradition of collecting silver ornaments, of which I have dozens). So the “modification” is to have a magnificent, tall poinsettia on the entry table and several others scattered throughout the house to punctuate the interior with splashes of red.

No formal dining room? Gather on cushions around a coffee table – even if it means a piece of plywood from Home Depot on cinderblocks with a paper tablecloth! Candles and a centerpiece will set the scene.

Sharing Traditions

Gifting things that represent your traditions is a wonderful way to share. Obviously, baking and sharing traditional delicacies is prime. Making or finding ornaments to gift is nice. I offer cuttings of our family’s Christmas cactus. My grandmother always kept one or more plants from the original plant that was in her family home in Youngstown, New York. She was born in 1892 and her grandmother remembered the plant and told my grandmother that it preceded her in that same house. We don’t know how far back it goes, but at least mid 1800s. I have kept cuttings and grown mature plants from the very plants that my grandmother had her entire life of over 100 years and kept all the while we were growing up in the same house for 20+ years and now my 40 years since! Gifting a traditional food or a CD you compile of favorite recordings, sharing plant cuttings, passing along a treasured possession – all are ways to share traditions.

But what if you are starting out? Memories from childhood might be the basis for beginning your own adult traditions – whatever the springboard, it should be fun to establish your own holiday traditions.

Colton’s Reindeer – A child’s artwork can be passed for generations.

Whether it is handmade decoration, food centered, activity engaging, music oriented, game playing, object collecting…each person has their focus. Even if one is alone for a holiday, there are sentimental triggers that remind of past events.

Food Centered: Main dishes, baking desserts, crafting cocktails…

Party cocktails – always a fun tradition…note here the festive cocktail coasters. Handmade by artist Rebecca Speakes, they make a wonderful gift to start a collection.

Activity Engaging: Playing games, sports – live or on TV, taking a walk, driving around to see holiday displays, theater productions…

Music Oriented: Gathering around a piano (guitar, accordion…whatever) to sing, neighborhood caroling, participate in a choir, Karaoke games, attending a concert, background music evoking memories for the occasion…

Decoration: Dressing your interior and exterior for the event(s)…

Hanukkah traditions, decorations – the brilliant blues and metallic accents…Color plays a big part in traditions and their interpretation and practices.

Collecting: Adding to collections…handmade series, vintage pieces, new releases…

Remember the guy before Thanksgiving? He had no formal dining room. He was having 7 friends gather. He wanted to do some semblance of what he regarded as a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I asked him how he preferred to gather – standing with cocktails and appetizers grazing throughout the evening or a “sit-down” approach? He really wanted the feeling of sitting down to feast. In light of not having a formal dining area – and as it turned out, no coffee table either, I advised that he gather on cushions around a coffee table. Since he didn’t have one, I suggested that he go to Home Depot and get a 48″ square cut piece of plywood to position on top of a double stack of cinder blocks. I went in search of finding a table cloth and 8 large cushions (pillows) , votive candles and a centerpiece comprised of a bright yellow mum plant in a basket, with a few mini pumpkins and fall leaves. The scene was set. He used his own plates and utensils, white paper napkins and a package of orange cocktail napkins. He planned the meal and asked for each person to contribute an item that was special for them. After all the dishes were identified, he prepared the main dish, a casserole of boneless turkey breasts surrounded by his traditional favorite, Pepperidge Farm stuffing – baked and beautiful – and two other things that were not being contributed by his friends – canned cranberry jelly (ha ha) and a pumpkin pie that he purchased from a local bakery. Voila!

The gal entering her first Christmas as an adult was not from New Mexico nor was her young husband . They had a new home here and the local traditions were not in her realm of traditions. She wanted a large tree but did not own one single Christmas ornament. She bought a live-cut tree and we bought strings of mini white lights, a couple dozen red feathered cardinal bird ornaments, candy canes and white ribbon. She tied white bows on the tree and scattered the red birds all over it. I cannot believe that I can’t find the photo of the finished product – but it was a memorable solution for a first Christmas presentation.

This year I captured a quick shot of this tree in a friend’s house that reminded me of that young woman’s first Christmas tree. In vogue this year are the bare, stick-like trees that offer twinkly accents and an airy presentation of ornaments of choice and here featured are the very similar red cardinals!

Happy Traditions Near and Far!!!!

Nov 03

Creating a Catio

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, animal enclosures, before and after, catio, cats, construction, creative process, custom design interior design, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design solutions, Design Team, design tips, designing for animals, designing with a purpose, expanding spaces, exterior - outdoor design, handcraft, handmade, hiring an interior designer, home, home improvements, houses, interior design, Interior design pro tips, lifestyle, love, mixing metal finishes, patio, patio design, Santa Fe, New Mexico, steel structures, Subscribers, the story, trends /

This is the story of a very lucky cat. Her name is Bijou – French for Jewel. Once the pet, of a let’s say, “not-ready-for-this-responsibility” somewhat transient young man living on his own between high school and the next move, she was along for the ride with kids coming and going, parties and nothing in the way of consistent comfort and security. Perhaps loved, in a way, but without the tools or experience to properly care for her, she was collected by a close friend and given a new home.

This what the new owner saw.

This is what her other two cats saw.

She had led such an erratic life with so much activity and unexpected actions, activities and unsettling inconsistencies, she was skittish and defensive. She did not play well with others. Syd and Sam, her two new brothers, were bookends. They were fairly mellow and had full run of the house…until now.

Bijou was a mess around them – picking fights and acting untamed. This spread to her reaction to her new people too – the fear of the other cats made her skittish to the point of biting and scratching for seemingly no apparent reason.

Her new owner knew that if she took her to Animal Humane that she would have difficulty finding a home with her bad behavior and therefore would more than likely be euthanized. This was not an option. For all of her crazy, she was still loveable and had become part of the family.

Being isolated to the daughter’s bedroom and end of the hallway bath, Bijou had a quarantined life. And it was not pleasant nor convenient for the rest of the household either.

Cat psychology and medication were not working. The light bulb went off and her generous and soft-hearted new owner imagined a “catio.” With that she began gathering examples from all sources. Some were elegant and lavish while others were smaller and efficient. But the idea was to provide an environment where Bijou felt safe and could commune with nature, relax and release her tensions and enjoy life.

The plans began…

The crude beginnings to plot the location and size evolved…

Our magician of a cabinet maker – fine craftsman and designer of amazing wood cabinets and free-standing furniture, who continues to claim that he is NOT a welder stepped in to save the day. Against his better judgments, but with our strong encouragement, Enrique started to investigate.

He and I went on the search for materials. Handsome pavers to compliment adjacent materials, (creating a border of gravel to match landscape material and act as a transition between non-matching surfaces), roofing panels, the right gauge of wire and size of tubular steel.

Who knew that the seemingly common corrugated fiberglass panels were not to be found at the national home improvement stores?

We wanted a durable, translucent roof…diffused to protect from the harsh orientation of the summer sun, but to allow softened daylight to wash the space with protection from thee rare downpour during the monsoons.

Soon thereafter he pulled up on the curb of PATRICIAN DESIGN with the first load of raw steel.

Enrique’s El Camino is loaded down with steel!!!

With many meetings discussing details including access through the master bathroom window, entry door for humans outside, hiding place nook, evading code issues with house egress maintained, space for adjacent barbeque area, dodging and/or accommodating existing sprinkler valves and transitions between existing pavers and pavement – the physical work began.

Weeks turned into months as summer passed and construction continued. The work is tedious. The work is perfection. The welding is invisible. I remarked that Enrique treats iron and steel like fine wood. He is precise, careful, attends to every detail and proceeds with the intention that joinery is invisible and details are fine.

Glass panels are inserted into channels and will ultimately be lit at night with the intent of having the family each paint an image on the glass depicting cats, nature – whatever speaks to them about this very special catio.

The roof structure is extended the full length to allow for a new covered grilling area – bonus detail!! A low “hiding area” for Bijou is a work-surface for the grill too!

Bijou has just been introduced to her new environs.

She came in through the bathroom window…

The weather is turning and there is a chill in the evening air, but she and her benefactor enjoy sitting out there with a glass of wine and listen to the crickets as night falls.

The kind-hearted husband is getting into the swing of things by making this perch using weathered wood from their backyard and left-over carpet from their interior remodel.

More finishing touches will be coming in the way of the painted glass panels, ramps and ledges for Bijou, …

…so that every day will bring a more beautifully outfitted catio for this very lucky cat! Watch for the finished product!

Oct 27

Taking Time to Observe Intimate Details – Observations from Nature

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, architect, art and interior design, artistic expression, artistic imagery, artistic talent, artists, beauty behold it, Contrasting colors, contrasts for balance in design, creative process, creativity, decorative arts, design, design details, designs in nature, drama of color, flower power, flowers in design, Georgia O'Keefe, hiring an interior designer, history, inspiration, inspiration from nature, interior design, Interior design pro tips, interior design trends, natural designs, naturalist, nature, painters, personal expression, photography, selecting colors, Subscribers, travel and design /

Had I planned this blog, I assure the readers that it would have been more thoughtfully compiled. However, as it is a pure reaction to recent exciting experiences, I am without much fodder that, although was before me, I neglected to document. Such as card racks full of Georgia O’Keefe greeting cards featuring prints of her magnificent work and exact pairings of the amazing landscapes we witnessed with her paintings and her magnified flowers too. Dashing in and out of her distinctive museum just off the Santa Fe Plaza bearing her name and thoughtful work (a MUST see when visiting Santa Fe), to stepping up the steps at the Ghost Ranch Abiquiu property, I didn’t document as I was too busy looking at and absorbing – so much. Yet without prior planning, I seem to have assembled enough that surprises me and therefore has become the body of this blog, about taking time to look…

The striations of color are as though painted – nature and its creator – amazing art and artist.

On this recent road trip and surrounding days in our immediate environs, I experienced inspiring images and pairings, beauty and detail, color and form…that evolved into this blog featuring the landscape and expressive paintings of Georgia O’Keefe. Captivated by the remarkable light and surreal landscape as have been so many artists, O’Keefe settled into the colorful backdrop of Abiquiu where the formations of color, sand, rock, and sky were interwoven with sparse, but all the more beautiful vegetation and flowing water carving its way through the enchanting scenery.

Georgia O’Keeffe. My Front Yard, Summer, 1941. Oil on canvas, 20 1/16 x 30 1/8 inches. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Gift of The Georgia O’Keeffe Foundation. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. [2006.5.173] Although we did not photo this exact scene, the landscape was just as magical all around us.

Those of you who enjoy taking photos, capturing moments, items and scenes will appreciate the exhilaration and awestruck sense of this humble presentation.

Art and nature. Design and nature. Nature inspires artists and designers with color and proportion. The natural world is a limitless collection of examples of perfection, majesty, detail and form. Living in New Mexico presents amazing opportunities for studying so many offerings from the natural world – verdant valleys and lush bosques to towering mountains, contoured mesas, golden plains, glistening rivers and rainbows of geology rising up from the earth. The sculptural land formations are what seem other-worldly. And yet there they are – majestic sculptures against the sky.

O’Keefe was keenly aware of the extraordinary world she encountered and she captured it through her eyes and expressed through her strokes with fluid sensitivity and sense of color.

Georgia O’Keefe loved and appreciated around the world for her sensitivity and ability, to capture and convey her enchanting surroundings.

Very real and hauntingly beautiful landscape of Ghost Ranch – Abiquiu, New Mexico translated into the sharp, crisp, colors and forms of O’Keefe’s paintings.

Years ago a very dear friend gave me an exceptional gift, of a book. The farther along I progress in this world and enjoy the vast opportunities to appreciate the beauty of nature, limitless boundaries of design, art and all that is produced by talented, creative, observers, treasures such as this have increasingly greater meaning. One Hundred Flowers a 1987 masterpiece collaboration of photographer, publisher, editor and scholars presents an outstanding collection representing this significant subject matter – flowers – that she took time to observe.

Up close and personal…in intimate detail she saw and rendered sensational studies of flowers. Expanded to enormous scale well beyond their reality, these explosions of color and contrast, fluid form and detail are amazing to encounter. Even in the pages of this stunning book her work is startling. In person it is awe-inspiring.

Upon returning from the Abiquiu visit, I retrieved my beautiful book. I took great joy in the dust cover – suitable for framing. A brilliant white squash blossom captivates, before even opening the cover. As I leafed through these large format pages in this lovely, exquisitely bound tome, I realized that, within a week prior to this O’Keefe familiarization trip, I have taken photos of flowers for a similar reason as she – stopping to look and observe their singular beauty amidst all else in the surrounds.

Unknowingly, a couple of days earlier I captured this spectaculalr squash blossom that had survived our first frost.

Just a few days prior to the Abiqui visit, while walking among the petroglyphs at the base of the dramatic black volcanic rock rubble of our west mesa, we came upon a singular, stellar squash blossom. Having survived recent frosts, this one was luminous and brilliant among so many other spent blossoms dried and shriveled away for the season. It was irresistible.

Little did I know, at the time we encountered this beauty of a squash blossom, that I would soon revisit O’Keefe’s studies of this wild and magnificent bloom.

Here more studies from the One Hundred Flowers book featuring this dazzling white squash blossom.

In the design world, we often quote architect and furniture designer Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe (1886-1969), one of the founders of modern architecture and an advocate for the simplicity of style with his popular phrase “less is more.” I felt that O’Keefe’s interpretations distilled the forms of her subjects to the essential elements that best conveyed them in a manner of simplicity. Her flowers are bold and clear sweeps and contours, of the design of each. Distilling to these essential elements is the practice of “less is more.”

Her bell-flower trumpets of petunias and hollyhocks in purples, pinks and even arresting blacks reminded me of a photo that I took less than two weeks prior to enjoying my book for this study.

However, she was not sparing with color nor scale. Fabulously daring color combinations and contrasts are signatures of her interpretations along with her magnificent sense of magnification – presenting bold gifts to we, her viewers.

The opening of the book quotes O’Keefe about her profound appreciation for a flower.

“A flower is relatively small. Everyone has many associations with a flower – the idea of flowers. You put out your hand to touch the flower – lean forward to smell it – maybe touch it with your lips almost without thinking – or give it to someone to please them. Still – in a way – nobody sees a flower – really – it is so small – we haven’t time – and to see takes time like to have a friend takes time. If I could paint the flower exactly as I see it no one would see what I see because I would paint it small like the flower is small. So I said to my self – I’ll paint what I see – what the flower is to me but I’ll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it – “ Georgia O’Keefe “About Myself,” 1939

Be surprised. Be inspired. Be aware of your surroundings, for all the beauty of nature and its influence. Embrace color and contrast, punctuations and accents. Take time. How might your next design project reflect observations from nature?

Sep 24

Fantasy Centerpieces in a Magical Setting

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, ambiance, artistic expression, artistic imagery, artistic talent, artists, Centerpieces, color of light, Color schemes, creative process, creativity, custom lighting, decorative accessories, design, design and marketing, design scenes, design solutions, Design Team, design tips, destination weddings, drama of color, entertaining, exterior - outdoor design, fanciful design, floral arrangement, floral arrangements, floral designs, flowers in design, Food and art, hearts and design, hiring an interior designer, holiday decor, indirect lighting, inspiration, interior design, Interior design pro tips, LED, lighted fabrics, lighting, lobster, luminaries, marketing the story, night clubs, organization, party themes, patio, patio design, personal expression, public art, public design, public spaces, Set design, silk flowers, Subscribers, table dressings, table top, tableware, temperature of light, theatrical design, trends, umbrellas, urban art, white color schemes, winter design trends / 1

Inspiration for centerpieces – here – a neutral color scheme – white on white on white…Often limited to weddings, take a tip from a social phenomenon – Diner en Blanc for dramatic centerpieces! Any of which could be ablaze with seasonal color – depending upon your desired theme. And with the advancements in LED lighting, the colors are limitless and instantly changeable.

The Diner en Blanc is an international event that began in Paris, 1988. An amazing concept that began with an invitation among friends to an elegant al fresco affair. This unique gathering was prestigious and decadent.

Someone gave a nod to the city of origin!

Everyone wore white so that they could find each other amidst other crowds who were gathered at the venue. ( Which becomes rather humorous amidst 2,000 people ALL wearing white!!) https://www.google.com/search?q=origin+diner+en+blanc&oq=origin+diner+en+blanc&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.5779j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

The remarkable event spread around the world and Albuquerque has celebrated this creative event for several years. This is my second experience with this white fantasy. Every year the venue is kept secret only to be revealed at the last moment when attendees are assembled and usually transported on buses to the destination. This surprise location was right across from the designated gathering places downtown. And instead of boarding a bus each group, expecting just that, cued up as though to go aboard – only to be led single file across the street to the expansive Civic Plaza!

This year with the Hyatt Regency team screaming with creativity from the table dressings…to the phenomenal food…to the fabulous frivolity – it was magic!

Would you believe luscious, chunky lobster salad served in a half tail, sliced beef filet and many artfully decadent extras…

Asked to wear white, bring your own tables, chairs, table dressings, centerpieces – all in white – the evening unfolds with exciting flurries of fabric, flowers, statuary, lights – all intended to make a spectacular statement for each group’s table.

Imagine all of this theatrical staging with 2,000 performers (we) in one enormous space – outside in the perfection of a last ditch of summer evening. It is a remarkable event.

As I strolled through the tables capturing photos of the various “tablescapes”, I realized that the creativity was applicable to so many possibilities of table dressings – with color added!

LED lighting set the scene aglow with myriad magical colors! It changes the perceived temperature of a scene.

So enjoy seeing these creations and imagine them in seasonal splendor – fall now…winter coming…spring bursting forth and summer ablaze with color – for your upcoming parties throughout the year!

With magnificent mariachis to flowing flamenco dancers the entertainment was dazzling and morphed into an enthusiastic DJ who rocked the stage for dancing into the night… It was an exterior nightclub – an excellent setting for a many faceted affair! https://www.facebook.com/DinerEnBlanc.Albuquerque/

An elegant table for Dion’s Pizza and water bottles!!!

Cheers to elegant parties! Who needs an excuse???

Sep 16

Upholster a Rock?

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, art and interior design, artistic expression, Color schemes, colors, commercial interior design, contemporary fabrics, contemporary interiors, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, custom furniture, decorative accessories, decorative arts, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, design tips, design trends, designer fabrics, designing a new home, designing small spaces, designing with a purpose, dining and design, drama of color, drapery treatments, fabrics, fanciful design, furniture finds, good design, Graphic art, graphic designs in interiors, home improvements, interior accents, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, joy, modern interiors, new home design, patio design, personal expression, personal taste, planning a new home, planning a remodel, re-upholstery, recycle, Refresh, Subscribers, table dressings, textiles, textures, throw pillows, tips for new home design, traditional fabrics, trends, update design, updating, upholstery, weavings, weavings /

Some fabrics are just so fabulous that they can carry a design scheme. You could wrap a rock with them and feel that they are accomplishing the design statement to set the theme, mood and encourage interest, if not confidence in comfort! Stimulating the senses is a major part of design.

Often, a throw pillow can make an effective accent. We joke often when we find exclusive fabrics in the hundreds of dollars a yard and say “Perhaps a throw pillow?” Knowing that the projects affording such luxury for miles of drapery panels are few and far between!

Duralee offers statement furniture pieces of unpretentious luxury and comfort with a collection of fine fabrics that will satisfy any budget. Birds take flight from this delightful Duralee pattern.

Sight Sound Smell Taste and Touch – you know. Colors and textures catch one’s attention. They set the mood.

Upon entering a space you take-in the colors and textures and if fabric is in play.With further tactile examination fabric contributes greatly to these two sensory perceptions – sight and touch.

This playful Donghia organic has fuzzy tactile balls sprouting from the linear twigs. From the “ground” to all the intertwining and overlaying weaves, the complexity of textiles is exciting. Come see these exceptional designer fabrics in our studio.

Many fabrics have multiple colorways. If you see an intriguing fabric that’s not “your color”, its worth asking about the entire collection.

Juxtaposition can also be an effective technique. When placing a modern pattern on a vintage piece, you breathe new life into the forgotten history – refreshing and capturing the best of both worlds!

You might not have a lot of confidence in someone who wants to wrap a rock to make a design statement. However, my point is, when you love something you want it regardless of the delivery system! Find fabrics that you love and insert them into your rooms – home or office. It’s like your favorite flavor. Sweet or savory – slather it on a piece of cardboard and you’ll be significantly satisfied. You need not struggle with how to do it – just make it happen. So to get a little taste of an exciting textile, make a table runner, simple dining chair seats, select a backing and make a throw or an accent pillow. Bring the joy of exciting textiles into your interiors.

Here are a series of fun fabrics from our source library – tools of the trade. We LOVE fabrics and must touch the texture, feel the weight and evaluate the colors. Seeing images on-line do NOT do justice to the many incredibly creative textiles are available to enhance interiors.

Cute critters march across this sophisticated yet whimsically novel woven.

Other considerations not necessarily in evidence are the wear-ability/durability of a fabric and the resistance to ultraviolet rays, mildew and other elements. Wool is inherently flame retardant, for example. And exteriors have come alive as these amazing performance textiles will often fool you in disbelief that they have the properties to withstand the radiating ultra-violet rays of the sun and damp conditions which invite mold and mildew. These incredible fabrics are truly indoor-outdoor in appearance and extraordinary performance!

High-performance luxury weaves such as jacquards, piques, tapestries, matelassé, ottomans, damasks and sheers defy their extraordinary performance properties.

Roy Hamilton a recognized designer in many media, brings fresh patterns to Chella. Roy Hamilton, designer of exclusive ceramics, sculptural and textural interior elements and fabrics for over sixty years.

Call for an appointment to explore our source library for the most unique fabrics in the world!

Floor-to-ceiling shelves of samples await your exploration for commercial and residential application!! You can order most textiles by the yard!

Sep 09

Pull Up a Seat and See What’s Trending

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, apartments, blue and white, cowhides, creative process, custom design interior design, custom furniture, design, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, design tips, design trends, designer fabrics, designing small spaces, designing with a purpose, hiring an interior designer, home improvements, illusion of space, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, interior enhancements, open floorplans, ottomans, room arrangement, San Diego, California interior design, seating arrangements, seating options, Subscribers, trends, Tucson, upholstery /

It’s always a good idea to have extra seating, but in small spaces, it’s not always easy to make a room arrangement work. Apartments, lofts, condos…pulling up dining chairs isn’t necessarily the best solution. What is a great solution is something low that does not block the scene and can be easily moved to change the groupings.

Footstools, benches, poufs, ottomans…as an ensemble with a chair or a stand-alone piece, the options are endless. Trends are often spawned from necessity or convenience of not change for the sake of change.

Bedrooms can also offer footstool/ottomans when there is only room for one chair. For reclining to read or as a pull-up for a second seat.

It’s not a wonder that we have sold numerous of these clever SURYA Cotton Poufs in myriad colors in our shop!

Often used for coffee tables – with a tray for stability beneath drinks, benches or ottomans can double as a foot rest or table-like surface.

An upholstered bench can be pulled in front of the fireplace or used as a cocktail table with a sturdy tray.

Something as simple as a rattan stool can be easy to pull-up.

A pair of ottoman frame a seating area. An ottoman never has its back to anyone or anything.

You can seat more than one person on a good-sized piece.

A round one can have guests facing different directions to join in different conversations around the room.

Low in front of a fireplace, tucked beneath a coffee table or a console table, they can easily be pulled out when needed.

Here a pair of square cubes are stowed beneath a console and pulled up to the group for extra seating.

They add a splash of color or pattern.

Or they can meld in with the color scheme.

These cats think they are hiding on these custom fabricated cow hide stools.

Cow hide camouflage makes the perfect perch for these cats…but they are intended to be handy for guests as pull-up seats around the coffee table in front of the fireplace.

Look at your room and see if it wouldn’t benefit from an extra low-profile seat or two.

Sep 02

Cool Rides Hot Design!

By pattisays In airbrush techniques, airports, Albuquerque, New Mexico, art assemblages, artistic expression, artistic imagery, artistic talent, artists, chrome, Contemporary Art, creative process, creativity, decorative arts, design, design details, functional art, Graphic art, graphic arts, hiring an interior designer, inspiration, interior design, interior design trends, love, low riders, metal finishes, Modern Art, motorcycles, personal expression, personal taste, public art, Subscribers, travel and design, urban art, urban design, vehicles, vintage cars / 1

Racing through the Albuquerque Sunport several times this summer, I had seen in swift passing the blindingly brilliant bling of the Low Rider exhibit that had been set-up at the end of June. Last week I had an opportunity, while waiting in the arrival area, to peruse the many amazing rides that commanded the concourse.

This powerful art exhibit of the unique Latino culture of Low Riders represents great personal pride and emotional attachment on behalf of the owners and artists (often one and the same).

These finished products are almost like songs…from memorials to love interests, family and friendships – they express heartfelt emotions to present and share with the world.

Once stereotypically thought to be limited to the bad boys taunting law enforcement with their wild paint jobs, gleaming chrome, bold moves, wild suspension, blaring music in a defiant statement of cultural expression, these amazing art pieces have since been recognized by distinguished museums worldwide for their exquisite attention to detail and the stories they tell.

In this exhibit, these moving statements of artistic expression are all home-grown. Yes, each made here in New Mexico it makes it all the more relevant.

Visitors to the Sunport have this wonderful opportunity – up close and personal – to examine the seemingly flawless machines adorned with sensational color, pattern and design. “Kids” of all ages will appreciate this show!

Each as though a canvas for the artist…motorcycles, kid’s versions and cars adorned with glitter, shine, polish and paint colors all contributing to the each unique statement. From airbrush to tedious handwork and limitless patient detailing results in exciting assemblages.

There are also decades of photos featuring the evolution of the culture here.

By highlighting these fine, local examples the City hopes to elevate the art form on its merits and dismiss some of the stigmas attached with the stereotypes.

And we all will have a little fun imagining the thrill of taking a ride in/on one of these beauties!!!

Aug 18

Back to School: 10 Pro-tips for Setting Up a Dorm Room

By pattisays In 1970s, Albuquerque, New Mexico, apartments, Arizona, artistic expression, before and after, clutter, Color schemes, color trends, colors, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, decorative accessories, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design solutions, design tips, design trends, designing small spaces, designing with a purpose, dorm room design, existing materials, expanding spaces, fashion and design, hiring an interior designer, how to select colors, illusions of space, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, interior enhancements, lifestyle, nostalgia and design, organization, personal expression, personal taste, pink, practical design, selecting colors, Subscribers, throw pillows, trends, Tucson / 1 1 Comment

It’s that time again…the end of summer and getting kids back to school…exciting, hectic, a bit stressful and today, very nostalgic. I (who saves everything) still have my little black and white Sony TV, embroidered fiber art that hung on my wall, floral twin bed sheets and bath towels! I remember the white chenille bedspreads that I got – giving one to my bestie/roommate so we’d match – even though she was a red accent person and I chose blues and greens!! We picked each other, our college and designed our neat and tidy package.

Earlier this weekend, as Victoria navigated this information highway that is the lead-up to getting her dorm room assignment, roommate and all the related details, she texted her yet-to-meet roomie and asked what her color scheme was going to be. Victoria, having established her pink (dusty rose) and grey scheme last fall upon entering her freshman year elsewhere, was hoping that she was not going to have to share her intimate space with a shocking orange scheme or similarly discordant color. All of a sudden, from the back seat came a exclamation – “NO Way!” To what, we asked – “What?” And she said “Guess what her color scheme is? Pink and Grey!!! YAY!!! What were the chances?”

Well, strolling through the stores with their piles of offerings displayed in tempting color-coordinated arrangements, pink and grey still carries over from last fall in a big way – so the chances, it seems, were not all that far-fetched!! LOL.

With the prominent pink and grey, popular turquoise and grey and for the boys (if we are being color/gender-esque) black and grey – seems grey is the common denominator facilitating merchandising and keeping everyone in color-trend order.

Pro-tip #1 Make a list of what you’ll need prior to hitting the stores with their limitless temptations for dorm decor! It can be daunting if you go shopping – cold. It can be daunting anyway – but best to attempt to be prepared! As I looked around all the displays leading these trends…leading these kids…I wondered how many – if any – might veer off course and pick an orange and lime green theme or brilliant cherry red…and what does it say about one if they buck the established trends? Some might be oblivious to the trends – despite being bombarded in every store by the “must have” selections. Those independent thinkers who like what they like – if it matches or not. The eclectic ones who are driven by memories, personal expression and acquisitions gathered and honed over the years that were not guided by trending decor influencers.

However, it is entirely possible to genuinely LOVE the trends and invest in the colors for more than the first semester of eager dorm room decor! We were living it! What was purchased last fall was saved and expanded upon, with new-found knowledge of the tips learned from the pros! There are boxes, bins, rugs, lamps, staplers, desk organizers, linens, bulletin boards, throw pillows, blankets and throws – all color coordinated making the job relatively easy and swift.

The stores are prepared. Welcoming students – their signs are out and their shelves are stocked! Rows of pillows, mattress covers, foam pads, artsy accessories and accents galore…all to enhance the otherwise bare rooms that will soon come to life!

The morning of the move, they staggered the move-in time to insure an orderly point of arrival and processing to the rooms. We were assigned 9:30 and met curbside by a handsome posse of volunteer boys who were armed with rolling cartons cleverly created using carpet-wrapped moving dollies upon which were mounted large, sturdy cardboard cartons. These rolling bins were piled high with contents from the cars and wheeled into the dorm rooms with efficiency. Co-eds in red t-shirts identified them as the RA staff – the ones with the answers to all of your questions.

Being organized is key. Victoria had benefit of a previous semester where she watched the pros and got their tips! Pro-tip #2 Be organized!

To that end, utilize your limited space to the max! Capture all available real estate! Pro-tip #3 Bed risers. The beds are high – high enough to stack storage drawers/bins beneath them. They can be raised even higher with risers. Pro-tip #4 The plastic stacking drawers are cool because they make easy access to contents just like added dresser storage space.

Victoria had it all figured out. Pro-tip #5 To consolidate luggage, she packed a lot of her clothes in the bins – all in very specific order and folded making it easy to transfer once in the room.

Once in the room, she raised the bed even higher on 4 cone-shaped plastic riser units that she had purchased. She then placed her new mini frig (Pro-tip #6 Get a mini frig) and bins beneath the bed in an organized fashion. She emptied the bins one-by-one into the chest of drawers thereby freeing the bins for other supplies such as snacks, kitchen supplies and miscellaneous other necessities.

Having a mini frig in the room keeps personal perishables under control and handy instead of having to label things in the shared frig down the hall.

Pro-tip #7 Take extension cords and multi-plug surge protectors. This was handy for the reading lamp waaaaay up high above the now super high bed and also to run power to the mini frig. You can never have enough power sources and another bonus was that one of the set of four bed-riser units had power outlets and a short cord!

Pro-tip #8 Get a collapsible shoe rack/shelf (for ease of storage and transport). They have nifty wooden ones – but we took ours back as the closet had a tidy set of built-in shelves perfect for shoes.

Once the power was all connected and the bins organized clothes put away, it was time to make the bed and add the finishing touches.

It was beginning to look like a home-away-from-home! Pro-tip #9 With hanging implements that will not harm the wall like Command Strips, the walls will gradually come to life with strings of photos clipped with clothes pins, twinkly lights, bulletin boards and other imagery.

Pro-tip #10 Take photos – the memories are priceless!!!!!!

Thanks Sam, for the memories!!!!!

Aug 11

Everyone Loves Before and Afters

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, bathroom remodel, before and after, blue and white, Color schemes, color trends, construction, creative process, creativity, custom cabinets, custom design interior design, decorative mirrors, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, Design Team, design tips, design trends, designing with a purpose, good design, hiring an interior designer, home improvements, illusion of space, illustration, interior design trends, interior enhancements, marble, mirrored walls, mirrors, modern cabinets, mosaic, mosaic tile, natural stone, painted cabinets, patterns, planning a remodel, powder rooms, Refresh, remodeling, shower design, stone, Subscribers, tile, trends, update design, updating, vanitydesign, wall texture, wall treatments, white color schemes, white interiors / 1

Everyone loves before and after shots – they are so telling, dramatic and fun to compare. How about during? This week, we are nearing completion of a project that has been in the works for the past few months. Not quite finished, here is a little story about the stages of the design process…

Are YOU planning a remodel…a room an entire house?

Once a project is identified, the options are studied. Usually each party involve has their preconceived notions…images and ideas come to mind. The mind is that arena from which it is tough to articulate images and especially between people. The design process requires that ideas need to be expressed, defined and argued – pros and cons.

This room was dated and fussy. The finishes were tired and needed refreshing. The project was described as a complete makeover to compliment other recent updates in the home.

The scope of work was to remove the tub, replace the cabinets, add a second sink and create an opening into the guest room. At that point, the “what ifs” began.

Healthy arguing ensues – meaning sharing ideas back and forth, explaining the approach and concepts. More like presenting than arguing. It’s actually a fun, creative process – full of choices, ideas and seemingly limitless opportunities. It’s the “What if…” stage. Sketches are used, arm-waving and samples, photos and words all contribute to the compilation of the ultimate design. Each person contributes to the process until a common plan is adopted.

Whether formal plans are needed depends upon the code requirements, if applicable (“cosmetic only” changes requiring no modifications to structure, electrical or HVAC – for example – might not need formal drawings). Therefore, the development of documents is dependent upon the requirements of the municipality and/or methods of the contractors. Regardless, sketches begin the process.

If code requirements necessitate permitting, the process must proceed through that stage prior to commencing the work. So after weeks of ideas being tossed about, a plan was conceived, client approved drawings were made and the process moved forward.

The scheme was set with the first materials selected – glossy glazed imperfect wall tiles for an interesting and textural herringbone pattern with a stone mosaic for the floor.

The demolition – always a shock – but “you have to break and egg to make an omelet!” Unbeknownst to anyone, the floor was rotted beneath the toilet and required repair. Mirror, glass block, tile and much sheet-rock was removed.

Old cabinets were removed and after all the dust had settled, the bare bones exposed and a clean slate presented, the new work began.

The new cabinets were to accommodate a second sink and slightly longer counter-top. To make sure access between the shower and counter-top was not too restricted, I designed a radius to ease the squeeze. Enrique made a template of the radius that would be represent his end shelving and counter-top. When Rocky Mountain Stone arrived to shoot their lasers to measure for their templates, the radius template Enrique had made was very helpful.

The end of this cabinet will have radius shelves with counter-top following the radius. Until then, Enrique made a template of the shape so that the counter-top could be measured in advance of end piece being completed and installed.

The laser process to template the counter-top begins…with the help of the mock-up of the radius!

Decisions regarding lighting had not been finalized, with the completion of the plans. Having eliminated the desire to have recessed fixtures, whether to use a center sconce, two flanking sconces or a single pendant in the center between the sinks was still up in the air. Love the pun! Debating a full height panel of mirror versus two wall hung framed pieces, was also undecided.

But here’s an “oops” when we discovered the power for the light fixture off-center for a center-hung pendant.

Taking the risk to be disappointed, but with little investment to do so, our client elected to buy the two curvy framed mirrors that almost promised to be too small. Upon arrival one of the two mirrors were broken. Bummer.

The inevitable, unexpected happens on every project…we had decided not too use these so rather than have the one of the pair replaced, we requested a refund. However, upon further study, we modified the design to accommodate both mirrors – we are re-ordering the second mirror.

But in an effort to determine if we wanted to have the broken mirror replaced or refunded. We held it up on the wall, as we feared, it was confirmed that they could not carry the space. We asked that the company not replace the broken mirror, but refund the cost.

We really loved the whimsical quality of the curvy framed mirrors and their distressed turquoise finish was a great addition to the otherwise blue and white scheme. So, a week later, after pondering the dilemma of the mirrors…I offered what seemed to be a radical suggestion (but not really), and that was to install a full-panel wall mirror – backsplash to ceiling – and then mount (over it) the two mirrors. To do so, our very able and talented glass master, Robert, would have to cut (prior to installing) holes in the mirror panel located behind where the framed mirrors were prepared for hanging. The result would be the pair of mirrors hanging on top of the full panel creating a floating, multi dimensional effect. Watch for “afters” in a couple weeks, of this completed installation.

As the project proceeds, the flooring is nearly completed and all but the finishing touches remain.

Pilasters were added at each end to stop the tile on an inside corner, rather than having it quit flush on the wall. The shower will not have a door, but nearly encapsulated with frame-less clear glass to give an illusion of a more spacious room.

Best to stop here and reserve the finale for the finished “after” shots as promised.

Aug 04

The Wealth of Art That is Our Elegant Library of Congress

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

If the Basilica in my last blog didn’t get your juices flowing about incredible public art spaces, the Library of Congress was our next stop. Yes, it houses nearly everything having to do with writing, recording, documenting…but the building itself is amazing! It in itself is a wealth of artistic detailing. The interior has more gold leaf – not gold paint – but hammered metal gold leaf – than any other building in our Nation’s Capital. Inside and out, the craftsmanship of the stone carvings and architectural embellishments is magnificent. This inestimable landmark is so much more than the sober name suggests.

We parked in the garage of Union Station and walked the few blocks past the Supreme Court and the Capitol Building to our destination of the Library of Congress. The brilliant blue skies behind the bright white edifices belied what some regarded as the oppressive heat. I however am a heat freak – it’s summer – bring it on!

**Columbus Fountain** at Union Station also known as the **Columbus Memorial** is a public artwork by American sculptor Lorado Taft, located serves as a tribute to the explorer Christopher Columbus.

The Supreme Court – cool, brilliant white against a striking blue sky – at 100 °

Crouching to get a shot of our Nation’s Capitol Building.

Symbolism is executed with every inch of the design details both inside and out of the imposing Library of Congress. Ascending the exterior stairs sets the stage for arriving at a monument of immeasurable wealth of human dissertation and history. Here I can only touch on the tip of the iceberg…

Picnic tables out front at our Library of Congress…relax, grab and bite and read a bit before going back to work!!!

From an inauspicious beginning of modest expectations to greater expanses with devastating fiery catastrophes in between, the Library of Congress has an amazing story. Thomas Jefferson played a significant role in re-building the foundation of what we now have today.

While waiting for the tour to begin in the magnificent Thomas Jefferson building, we were directed to two remarkably entertaining exhibits on the lower level – a Gershwin gathering and a Hope homage.

The George and Ira Gershwin Room is a tribute to the two brothers and their contribution to American music. This nostalgic and very familiar subject matter makes you hum and tap your toes. The exhibit presents George’s piano and custom-designed writing desk, Ira’s table and typewriter, self portraits and myriad documents that trace their lives and amazing careers.

The Hope for America Exhibit focuses on the varied careers of Bob Hope along with other recognizable entertainers. The exhibit offers the satirical humor – crossing party lines – both socially and politically for which Hope was so appreciated, admired and beloved. Hope received the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his commitment, in his nearly 50 year service, entertaining the men and women of the armed forces abroad.

As the actual tour began, we were introduced with a short film as an overview of what was to come. We were then guided up a staircase and gathered in what was a most astonishingly beautiful, expansive space full of piercing, daylight, sunbeams glancing off incredibly detailed architectural stone carving and sculpture. Vast murals, vaults and arches in the 360 degrees of beauty from floor to voluminous ceiling was staggering.

” Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark the imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions.” Thomas Jefferson stepped-in to save the Library of Congress after a few inauspicious starts. Not enough time devoted here to a history lesson – learn more at https://www.loc.gov/ – but this grand space into which we entered is the Thomas Jefferson Building.

The focus of this blog is to share a bit of the art and decorative embellishments of this stunning architectural environment – beginning with the Commemorative Arch by Olin L. Warner (1844-1896) featuring a young man to the left and a bearded elder man on the right signifying that the process of learning never ceases…

Grand staircases on opposing sides of the space are adorned with carvings of “putti” – Italian for little boys – as they are pictured representing various occupations from gardeners to astronomers – the depiction of each vocation is fascinating with what it means to have that respective knowledge to pursue one’s career path.

Beneath the string of putti are representations of the 4 corners of the globe depicting figures of each, Asia paired with Europe and American paired with Africa.

Minerva, the Roman Goddess of Learning and Wisdom is aptly featured in a series of statues and images.

Most fascinating to me, up in an adjacent domed ceiling area was the “Evolution of the Written Word,” a series of lunettes by John White Alexander (1856-11915). Having previously written about the importance of handwriting for a million reasons that go beyond, but are directly connected to, this depicted evolution, I found this to be simple, yet profound. It is a beautifully rendered and fascinatingly distilled artistic expression of a very significant timeline. Beginning with The Cairn – we see them stacked stones on beaches for fun and on paths in the wilderness as markers, but here Alexander renders primitive man communicating by stacking stones to possibly mark the dead, a passage or a place of significance.

As the history progresses, Oral Tradition becomes the means of communication – but only/obviously in personal contact. Words are created. Then Egyptian Hieroglyphics enter the scene with images representing words depicted on surfaces.

Picture Writing on animal skin – and ultimately more refined to vellum – becomes a more mobile means of communication.

Theologians recording ancient stories of biblical history brought monks to the art of the written word in compilations of the Bible as the first manuscripts/books became recorded.

And then an exponential leap in communication came with the invention of John Gutenberg ca. 1400-1468 of the Printing Press! Asia had its versions of printing machines even before Gutenberg, but inspired by seeing grapes at harvests being “pressed,” he put that concept into the process of placing individual letters in place and pressing them onto paper. Western Europe then had a movable metal type process that increased productivity of printed material – printing the first ……in Western Europe. The tour guide sadly explained to us that Gutenberg died a pauper as his investors, not patient with economic fluctuations, excused him from his rightful place in the business and left him to live out his life only to receive proper recognition posthumously.

It is the first complete book extant in the West and is also the earliest to be printed from movable type. This rare version is printed on vellum.

Unfortunately, at this point in the tour, we had to excuse ourselves with a quick wave and thanks to our guide as we were departing later that afternoon. Before leaving the building though, we dashed upstairs to discover the main Reading Room – entering from a way upper tier, we had a bird’s-eye view of this grand space. The scale was daunting and the spectacular architectural detail was breath-taking. The WOW-factor was palpable!

Eight giant marble columns each support 10-foot-high allegorical female figures in plaster representing characteristic features of civilized life and thought: Religion, Commerce, History, Art, Philosophy, Poetry, Law and Science.

Layer upon layer of intricate, symbolic details.

The 16 bronze statues upon the balustrades of the galleries are a tribute to men whose lives symbolized the thought and activity represented by the plaster statues.

And with that – we only had enough experience and education about this incredible resource and monument of artistic beauty to whet our appetite for more and surely lure us there again for more information about all that comprises this amazing public gift and resource.

Ta Da!!! Seriously – standing there in awe…taken with my phone!

There are so many wonderful things to see and do – get out there and see it!!!