The serene sound of a fountain can provide mesmerizing relaxation. Like white noise, but better. Close your eyes, in close proximity to a little fountain, and be lulled into a wonderful respite zone. Even indoors, this is an effective relaxation element…outside the birds and breeze contribute to the joy.
Pets reap benefits too! Kona gets a refreshing sip from the fountain!!!At night, that same fountain offers gentle water sounds and an interesting sculptural effect.
Social distancing and isolation – these two popular terms that have defined so much of our daily living in the last several months and imparted a negative connotation. They paint a picture of living more at home – alone and even “out-of-touch” – literally. All of my childhood I heard the phrase “ne touche pas!” My uncle’s favorite, for sure! And now I hear it in my mind all the time. Don’t touch the shopping cart, door handle, people’s hands, “ne touche pas!” and if you do – wash and sanitize to a fare-thee-well!
Yet, on a positive note, this stay safe – be safe – living at home has spawned creativity to maximize that environment and relieve stress. It means, more than ever, expanding your outdoor options from placing a pair of chairs and tiny table on a previously unused, diminutive urban balcony or adding a palatial pool in your backyard…there are many options in-between depending on your circumstances and means.
Our cousin in Tucson has created a lagoon effect with the dark bottom and mosaic trim. an oasis in the desert.
Water features are an amazingly therapeutic design element. Water suggests cleansing. It is refreshing and renewing. Water has promise. It can also suggest escape.
The Calgon add campaign of decades ago resonates today for those of us who remember…”Calgon, take me away…Lose yourself in luxury” The escape and indulgence of a relaxing soak in a tub. The gentle buoyancy relieves tension and encourages rest. It often suggests leisure. It is a luxurious, pampering exercise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yjGPgs0_S0 Here is a video from the 70s to take you back to “Take me away…” Come back Calgon!!! We miss your commercials now more than ever!!!
Taking that refreshing water scene outdoors is one of the most popular design projects trending today. From DIY to major construction people are discovering ways to escape without leaving home. Water features provide virtual escapes and actual refreshment for many people seeking that added dimension, diversion and sought-after pleasure in their lives.
A friend in Phoenix has tricked out her pool with fabulous landscaping, spectacular iridescent glass tiles and LED lighting – the luminous colors an be changed with her mood!!!!
Swimming pools, a gorgeous grotto, lap lane, all afford the luxury of submersion and even exercise.
The sound of a small water feature to a creek-like landscape addition in your yard – the projects are many. This DIY guy created what he fondly calls “Covid Creek” – a project that took several weeks of focused creativity and back-breaking work all prompted by being stuck at home. The results are a magical mountain stream flowing beneath the trees in their modest-sized backyard. A creek-like water feature or pond can offer a respite to sit beside, dangle your toes and imagine scene far from the confines of our limited environs. You would be amazed at what beautiful illusions can be accomplished!!!
A babbling backyard book built as a therapeutic DIY project during the COVID confinement.
Such multi-sensory water features offering the touch and feel of water, gentle sound and visual beauty are powerful design elements to exercise the senses. Our senses suffer with redundant stimulation. The reclusive limitations of recent months have us stagnating with sameness. It’s the variety if stimuli we are so accustomed to experiencing that keeps things interesting and alive. Moving water is one of these exceptional sensory stimulations.
Organic garden sculptures – chiseled granite boulders with re-circulating water – meld with the landscaping.
Whether a tiny fountain or in-ground pool…even a galvanized livestock tub – investigate your options. Regard your environment and study your spaces to select the best design elements for your setting.
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!!!
If the Basilica in my last blog didn’t get your juices
flowing about incredible public art spaces, the Library of Congress was our
next stop. Yes, it houses nearly everything having to do with writing,
recording, documenting…but the building itself is amazing! It in itself is a
wealth of artistic detailing. The interior has more gold leaf – not gold paint
– but hammered metal gold leaf – than any other building in our Nation’s
Capital. Inside and out, the craftsmanship of the stone carvings and
architectural embellishments is magnificent. This inestimable landmark is so
much more than the sober name suggests.
We parked in the garage of Union Station and walked the few
blocks past the Supreme Court and the Capitol Building to our destination of
the Library of Congress. The brilliant blue skies behind the bright white
edifices belied what some regarded as the oppressive heat. I however am a heat
freak – it’s summer – bring it on!
Columbus Fountain at Union Station also known as the Columbus Memorial is a public artwork by American sculptor Lorado Taft, located serves as a tribute to the explorer Christopher Columbus.The Supreme Court – cool, brilliant white against a striking blue sky – at 100 ° Crouching to get a shot of our Nation’s Capitol Building.
Symbolism is executed with every inch of the design details
both inside and out of the imposing Library of Congress. Ascending the exterior
stairs sets the stage for arriving at a monument of immeasurable wealth of
human dissertation and history. Here I can only touch on the tip of the
iceberg…
Picnic tables out front at our Library of Congress…relax, grab and bite and read a bit before going back to work!!!
From an inauspicious beginning of modest expectations to
greater expanses with devastating fiery catastrophes in between, the Library of
Congress has an amazing story. Thomas Jefferson played a significant role in
re-building the foundation of what we now have today.
While waiting for the tour to begin in the magnificent
Thomas Jefferson building, we were directed to two remarkably entertaining exhibits
on the lower level – a Gershwin gathering and a Hope homage.
The George and Ira Gershwin Room is a tribute to the two
brothers and their contribution to American music. This nostalgic and very
familiar subject matter makes you hum and tap your toes. The exhibit presents
George’s piano and custom-designed writing desk, Ira’s table and typewriter,
self portraits and myriad documents that trace their lives and amazing careers.
The Hope for America Exhibit focuses on the varied careers
of Bob Hope along with other recognizable entertainers. The exhibit offers the
satirical humor – crossing party lines – both socially and politically for
which Hope was so appreciated, admired and beloved. Hope received the U.S.
Congressional Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his
commitment, in his nearly 50 year service, entertaining the men and women of
the armed forces abroad.
As the actual tour began, we were introduced with a short
film as an overview of what was to come. We were then guided up a staircase and
gathered in what was a most astonishingly beautiful, expansive space full of
piercing, daylight, sunbeams glancing off incredibly detailed architectural
stone carving and sculpture. Vast murals, vaults and arches in the 360 degrees
of beauty from floor to voluminous ceiling was staggering.
” Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the
nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark the
imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by
providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and
exhibitions.” Thomas Jefferson stepped-in to save the Library of Congress
after a few inauspicious starts. Not
enough time devoted here to a history lesson – learn more at https://www.loc.gov/ – but this grand space into which we entered is
the Thomas Jefferson Building.
The focus of this blog is to share a bit of the art and
decorative embellishments of this stunning architectural environment –
beginning with the Commemorative Arch by Olin L. Warner (1844-1896) featuring a
young man to the left and a bearded elder man on the right signifying that the
process of learning never ceases…
Grand staircases on opposing sides of the space are adorned
with carvings of “putti” – Italian for little boys – as they are
pictured representing various occupations from gardeners to astronomers – the depiction
of each vocation is fascinating with what it means to have that respective
knowledge to pursue one’s career path.
Beneath the string of putti are representations of the 4
corners of the globe depicting figures of each, Asia paired with Europe and
American paired with Africa.
Minerva, the Roman Goddess of Learning and Wisdom is aptly
featured in a series of statues and images.
Most fascinating to me, up in an adjacent domed ceiling area
was the “Evolution of the Written Word,” a series of lunettes by John
White Alexander (1856-11915). Having previously written about the importance of
handwriting for a million reasons that go beyond, but are directly connected
to, this depicted evolution, I found this to be simple, yet profound. It is a beautifully
rendered and fascinatingly distilled artistic expression of a very significant
timeline. Beginning with The Cairn – we see them stacked stones on beaches for
fun and on paths in the wilderness as markers, but here Alexander renders
primitive man communicating by stacking stones to possibly mark the dead, a
passage or a place of significance.
As the history progresses, Oral Tradition becomes the means
of communication – but only/obviously in personal contact. Words are created.
Then Egyptian Hieroglyphics enter the scene with images representing words
depicted on surfaces.
Picture Writing on animal skin – and ultimately more refined
to vellum – becomes a more mobile means of communication.
Theologians recording ancient stories of biblical history
brought monks to the art of the written word in compilations of the Bible as
the first manuscripts/books became recorded.
And then an exponential leap in communication came with the invention of John Gutenberg ca. 1400-1468 of the Printing Press! Asia had its versions of printing machines even before Gutenberg, but inspired by seeing grapes at harvests being “pressed,” he put that concept into the process of placing individual letters in place and pressing them onto paper. Western Europe then had a movable metal type process that increased productivity of printed material – printing the first ……in Western Europe. The tour guide sadly explained to us that Gutenberg died a pauper as his investors, not patient with economic fluctuations, excused him from his rightful place in the business and left him to live out his life only to receive proper recognition posthumously.
It is the first complete book
extant in the West and is also the earliest to be printed from movable type. This
rare version is printed on vellum.
Unfortunately, at this point in the tour, we had to excuse
ourselves with a quick wave and thanks to our guide as we were departing later
that afternoon. Before leaving the building though, we dashed upstairs to
discover the main Reading Room – entering from a way upper tier, we had a
bird’s-eye view of this grand space. The scale was daunting and the spectacular
architectural detail was breath-taking. The WOW-factor was palpable!
The Reading Room.
Eight giant marble columns each support 10-foot-high
allegorical female figures in plaster representing characteristic features of
civilized life and thought: Religion, Commerce, History, Art, Philosophy,
Poetry, Law and Science.
Layer upon layer of intricate, symbolic details.
The 16 bronze statues upon the balustrades of the
galleries are a tribute to men whose lives symbolized the thought and activity
represented by the plaster statues.
Shhhhhhhhh……it’s the Reading Room
And with that – we only had enough experience and education about this incredible resource and monument of artistic beauty to whet our appetite for more and surely lure us there again for more information about all that comprises this amazing public gift and resource.
Ta Da!!! Seriously – standing there in awe…taken with my phone!
There are so many wonderful things to see and do – get out there and see it!!!
We are excited to have the opportunity to bring a design installation(s) into a new project that will serve to support the brand with a twist. A nearly completed new smokehouse is coming to Albuquerque. This home-grown eatery blends family history and southern roots with southwestern barbecue flavors including indigenous wood and iconic chile blends. But this is not about their cooking profile. It is about how we have arrived at a design theme that will define and further the identity in this new, specialized smokehouse department of this larger local brand.
To accomplish this task, we examined the concept the owner had to remodel an existing facility that had been a popular gathering post serving this community for decades. The fringe barrio location was of a demographic primarily comprised of Mexican/Americans. Decades past it was home to a heavily black community. The fabric of these cultural combinations suggested a mosaic of color and vibrant heritages.
The spark of cultural references lead to discussion of the popular artistic expression of urban mural painting.
When we began the dialogue, the decision to have a mural painted by local neighborhood kids, with a mentor to design and supervise the work, seemed to be the direction we were headed. After subject matter debate and development, I veered off on another tangent that might take a less subjective approach, be weather-proof and more durable for a patio location – mosaic.
This new more impervious and durable medium still offered the opportunity to engage the community, but with less focus on a specific subject and more about geometric color and texture. We discussed the details of installation so as to keep it simple for kids to participate using whole tiles – minimize cutting, if any, for starters.
Inspiration came from several other installations such as the Albuquerque Convention Center’s on-going mosaic mural project wrapping many sections of the buildings with intricate scenes of New Mexican lifestyle and cultural diversity. The colorful mosaic is an elegant and sophisticated contribution to our city’s cultural aesthetic.
Helen Atkins, manager of consignment art at PATRICIAN DESIGN’s downtown boutique gallery and the lead on their current restaurant mural project, has worked on several phases of the Convention Center’s mural project.
We have incorporated mosaic into several of our own design projects such as last week’s blog https://patriciandesign.com/trust-and-custom-designs/about a residential kitchen installation.
Here, in another installation, a fireplace surround of mosaic adds movement, color and textural interest to the room.
Ultimately, one of Helen Atkin’s personal photographs cemented the approach. It was decided that a geometry of different sizes and disparate glazes and designs of tiles pieced together in a colorful, textural panel would be our design theme.
Helen Atkins, a recognized artist in many media, captured this in passing while visiting New Zealand. It’s crisp, yet irregular composition was intriguing and pleasing. It became the springboard for the concept for a geometric mosaic panel to anchor the theme of this new New Mexico eating establishment.
The idea became more exciting as we began gathering material from local tile distributors and our own personal inventories of favorite treasures saved for a special project. Here it was. It seemed such a strong design element and therefore offered a new direction for the actual brand of this establishment. We embraced the idea and brought it into the interior and distributed murals throughout the space.
Still under construction, we will not divulge the identity or locations of this project just yet. But suffice it to say, the murals are an exciting part of this interior design scheme.
As we further discussed the plans to implement this project, school started and the ease of coordinating the assistance of neighborhood kids became more difficult. Helen lead the project as primary installer, coordinator and supervisor. She enlisted the assistance of a couple of people – one experienced and the other not at all.
We have named this series, Urban Pieced Work – an artistic narrative. Here we are interpreting generations old sewing patchwork using ceramic, glass and pottery pieces rather than the traditional fabric patches. The original folk art needlework has been in the American vernacular for ages. In these installations, this up-cycled use of discarded or discontinued tiles is similar to patchwork fabrics, re-purposed to make clothing, wall decor, window treatments and bed dressing when times were tough – often referred to as “pieced work.”
My paternal grandmother in New Mexico made this twin quilt for my bed when I was a child in Virginia.
My same grandmother made this and was given to me by my cousin, her only other granddaughter.
Mosaic is often, like fabric patchwork, a practical art form that puts scrap, shards and fragments to good use in an artistic fashion. Note though that more sophisticated mosaics have been designed more intentionally for centuries not merely as salvaged material. These masterpieces both in contemporary work and antiquities represent many periods in history and movements in artistic expression.
This mosaic version connects with the history of the restaurant’s roots and southern heritage. The panels’ mural nature speaks to the urban murals found throughout the community.
Located strategically throughout the interior, these murals have become a strong design element and anchor for this facet of the brand.
Another shot of the spectacular cultural story murals at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
We have woven a meaningful artistic statement throughout the interior and also on the exterior of the building. In addition, we will be inserting a graphic version into the signage and logo design.
Urban Pieced Work – an artistic narrative, of a New Mexican Smokehouse, will provide pleasing design visuals throughout this new interior, provoke conversation and interaction, weave an element of history and context with the southern roots of this exciting new eatery!
Join the conversation and watch for the first succulent flavors to come out of the smokers later this year.
While in Park City this weekend, I pondered what might the subject of this week’s story be. Dazzled by the smart presentation of this hidden little jewel of a town, I was continuously remarking about the fresh abundance of flowers, well maintained facades, manicured lawns and medians and the obviously collective appreciation for what draws patrons to want, if not need, to invest in property, art, clothing, home decor and food! Yes, need – it can become an imperative!
Here a restaurant has dressed their facade with brilliant red flowering boxes beneath the sidewalk window.
Oh – oops…do you think it might have been the Ferrari that was drawing attention?
Imagine your patrons being drawn into your establishment as an imperative – a must see, or must buy here, or must try this place, or must check out their wares, or must taste their food or drink their craft beer!
The patio of this brew pub is surrounded by fresh flowers in rustic wooden boxes.
Preparing to open for the day, this pub also has light strings to animate the patio at night.
You see this charming presentation potential in small resort communities and those who have cultivated their assets to the max, reap the benefits of their vision, smart development and on-going maintenance.
Another brew pub sees value in an eye-catching floral frontage. Courtesy – Heather Harrell
The architecture is decidedly mountain themed, vintage 19th century colorful and textural, but interestingly punctuated by modern elements and fresh ideas. The practical pitched roofs, quaint scale, textural wood trim and detailing, all contribute to this charming scene.
Courtesy – Heather Harrell
To dismiss the value of flowers in marketing is to ignore the Flower Power!
Some places take a little more work to grow seasonal sprays of abundant color in pots, buckets, bowls, barrels and boxes, but the effect of drawing people is undeniable.
Courtesy – Heather Harrell
From Key West to Anchorage, the results are proven. Beauty, color, nature sells.
It’s a combination of color being a visual POP amidst concrete and brick, but it is also the positive life-affirming statement that it projects.
We know color in advertising is a draw and we know that anything that adds animation is a draw – flowers colorfully animate the street-scape and draw customers to them.
Here the passers-by are drawn to the menus posted in the window by the red geraniums that brilliantly are placed in planters in front of them.
Courtesy – Heather Harrell
They infuse the built environment with nature.
Like hummingbirds swiftly hone in on the finest blooms or like bees collecting pollen, we are drawn toward that which speaks visually from the surrounding foliage.
Courtesy – Heather Harrell
Texture is another element in this mix. We know that good design is about balance. Flowers balance the otherwise hard surfaces in their periphery. The finishes on a streetscape or sidewalk scene are generally, if not exclusively, hard. Flowers soften the surrounding surfaces and also balance the smooth and hard with random shape, texture, flexibility and even movement.
Whether a casual bar or fine dining restaurant, retail shop or any business wanting to attract and invite the public to them, flowers are an asset.
I feel about flowers similarly to how I feel about twinkling lights on a patio or in public trees. The advantage in the lights is that they can survive the frigid elements and make their statement in all seasons. Lesson here – once the plants are spent for the season, keep the lights on!!! Both elements are valuable draws and enhance the atmosphere of any establishment or environment. (Go back and notice how many photos have visible stringed lights in them!)
And if possible, plant those past-season pots with hearty pansies, ornamental kale or evergreen shrubs to keep the life calling from the sidewalks.
An art gallery has boxwood in steel vessels at the entrance.
A potted evergreen will add life to the paved surfaces when the flower season has passed.
And for the sake of broadening the reach on this subject, to include not only the flowers and the mention of stringed lights, is the inclusion of creative signs, banners, flags, umbrellas and other elements that contribute to the festive nature that attracts peoples interest and draws them into your business.
Courtesy – Heather Harrell
Rooftop bar with flowers, flags and umbrellas – King Edward too! Courtesy – Heather Harrell
