Architectural Details - A Minor Change – Major Impact

There was something missing on my living room wall.  I had redecorated the corner, (which is really pleasing now) but it needed something, though I couldn’t put my finger on what. 

One of the showrooms at the Seattle Design Center, Designer Woodworks, specializes in mantles, stairwells and hand-carved wood decorative moldings.  I dropped in and found an especially French/antique/architectural fragment-looking piece and set to work.

My inspiration was to replicate the wonderful green/gold stitches of the young man's garment found on the large Cluny tapestry copy hanging nearby.

I sprayed on primer, then applied a dark green mixed with some black and raw sienna.  After that, it was simply a matter of blending the acrylics, layering with gold metallic and lighter green/darker green.

I love the way this tiny piece of carved wood completes the scene!  Stay tuned.....

Good design can be found many places

Recently, I was intrigued by the Restoration Hardware catalog that arrived in my mailbox.  We’ve all become used to the ubiquitous lighting, quality bedding in every color, window treatments and hardware, furniture and casegoods that RH is known for but this issue contained something new: a collection of reclaimed woods (elm, pine, oak, etc) that have been reborn as chic furniture and accessories.

Now, I’m a huge fan of good design whether it’s found at the Seattle Design Center in “To the Trade” showrooms or on the pages of the glossiest shelter magazines, but - Restoration Hardware?  Granted, they’ve upped the bar for most do-it-yourselfers with their collection of good-looking bath fixtures in a range of styles, and their bed linens and bath towels are quite wonderful…. But I wasn’t expecting this!

The October, 2009 Elle Décor features a short article about the Restoration Hardware CEO’s belief in taking his store’s goods upmarket in downward times because, “Nobody wants to waste money in an economy like this.”  Too true, but producing beautiful - as well as socially conscious - goods in “this economy” is so commendable!  Now, if they’d just increase their Designer discount……

Embracing change

Summer began – unseasonably for Seattle – in June this year.  That may sound strange to those living in other parts of the country but, normally, we can expect the skies to clear sometime around July 10^th.   And rarely before the fourth of July.    But this year, we’ve even had some record breaking high temperatures – 103 degrees!  In Seattle…..?!

Yet, after basking in warmth for nearly three straight months, the weather has taken a turn.  Today, September 7^th, the high temperature is in the mid-60’s and it’s rained all weekend long, sometimes drenchingly.  This morning I gathered dozens of rose boughs that had been knocked to the ground by the deluge - but I say, if you have to cut roses, make a bouquet!   

In a few weeks summer will officially be over.  Soon it will be time to pick apples, rake leaves, mulch the roses, prune, generally batten down the hatches for winter... and contemplate the inevitable and wonderful changes that are part and parcel of life on this beautiful planet.

The colder weather has me anticipating the shift in seasons, from the advancing autumn to the Holidays - which will be upon us in no time.  It’s really not too early to start pondering holiday décor, or even planning new furnishings with which to entertain friends and family (or, in this tepid economy, maybe new accessories!).   As the air becomes brisk and we beging to spend more time indoors, it's time to think about freshening up our home for the season.  More on that next time…….

Color

The September issue of House Beautiful is devoted to color.  In addition to some absolutely fabulous homes (!) that are amazingly bold and very beautiful, there’s a fun, interactive section called “What’s your COLOR personality?” 

In it, you’ll find a reading list, a color numerology quiz, (I’m Yellow – who knew?  “Cheerful, charming, magnetic, intelligent, confident, creative.  Somewhat psychic, and enigmatic.  A good leader and negotiator”  hmmmmm… )  and loads of other fun, informative, and interactive mini articles.

For those of you with iPhones, you’ll find a list of really cool color applications to download. For the spiritually-guided, there's a link to a website about angels and their particular color affinities......

It’s well worth it to pick up a copy of the magazine and/or browse it online ... House Beautiful

Color is an interesting thing:  intensely personal, emotional, and transformative.  How many times have you picked up a paint brush to update the color of a room, and then - stood back in awe at the change?  It's a great feeling.

As a designer, color is a passion.  It’s an inspirational moment when a color palette is decided upon with a client - and then the fun begins!