Tag: inspiration

Splatter

I had an idea for a Pollack-like, splatter look for a client’s wall that was inspired by some very cool splatter designs I’d been seeing.

I’m often fascinated by what comes up during the course of a project.  I had an idea for a Pollack-like, splatter look for a client’s wall that was inspired by some very cool splatter designs I’d been seeing.  I like how the splatter can be condensed or  loose.

Splatter ceiling. Design by Kelly Wearstler.
Splatter ceiling. Design by Kelly Wearstler.
Splatter bedding from D. Porthault.
Splatter bedding from D. Porthault.
Jonathan Adler dinner plate.
Jonathan Adler dinner plate.

When coming up with a splatter design for my client, I worked with an artist to develop not only the look I wanted, but the correct consistency of paint.  The key was to use a paint that would splatter on the wall, but not drip.  It took some trial and error to concoct just the right mixture.

One of the splatter sample panels I designed.
One of the splatter sample panels I designed.
Another, looser, splatter panel I showed my client.
Another, looser, splatter panel I showed my client.

Even though the client chose not proceed, it is all about the process and the journey. Working with the artisan to understand the process and the selection of the correct color palette to make the masterpiece come together was a great experience.  It’s also fun looking forward to the moment of being inspired by that client who opens the door for exploration into something unique.

Walter Arnold: The Art of Abandonment

Arnold’s series “The Art of Abandoment” has taken him to a host of dream-like places, from empty and decaying castles to haunted looking asylums.

I first became acquainted with Walter Arnold‘s photography after a friend saw his work at the iconic Woolworth Walk in downtown Asheville, North Carolina.  A Florida native, Arnold eventually made his home in the mountains of North Carolina.  The local natural beauty surrounding his new home inspired Arnold to pick up camera and learn photography.  One day, he stumbled across an airplane graveyard and discovered a passion for abandonment photography — the art of photographing places and things that have been left behind.

Altitude Zero
Altitude Zero
The Tennessee Brewing Company
The Tennessee Brewing Company
Ascension
Ascension

Arnold’s series The Art of Abandoment has taken him to a host of dream-like places, from empty and decaying castles to haunted looking asylums.  He has a gift for capturing the unusual light of these forgotten places.  His photographs allow us to glimpse the beauty that used to exist in many places.  They invoke a kind of stillness and leave viewers wanting to know more about why these places were abandoned.

The Salon
The Salon
The Mason's Castle
The Mason’s Castle
Ride to Ruin
Ride to Ruin
Ascending
Ascending

What I love about these photos is that they show the complete opposite of what we design and curate.  These are places that are no longer cared for.  In spite of the decay and ruin, you can still see the architecture, what once was there, and find inspiration in the beauty of desolation.

Sunlight Sonata
Sunlight Sonata
Marine Hospital
Marine Hospital
It's Always Summer Here
It’s Always Summer Here
Our Home
Our Home

Arnold’s photos are available as metal prints, meaning the images are actually infused into the surface of a sheet of aluminum before being treated with a high gloss finish.  The resulting print is astonishingly vibrant, lending a light to the abandonment photos that must be seen to be fully appreciated.

At Odds
At Odds
Braced for Impact
Braced for Impact
In the Ninth Hour
In the Ninth Hour
Invasion
Invasion

You can see more of Walter Arnold’s photography on his website.  You can also find him on Facebook.

 

laV Restaurant and Wine Bar, Austin, TX

Located in Austin, Texas, laV Restaurant and Wine Bar is a beautiful place.

Located in Austin, Texas, laV Restaurant and Wine Bar is a beautiful place.  Designed by McAlpine Tankersley Architecture and interior designer Susan Ferrier, laV epitomizes the concept of sophisticated dining.

laV Austin TX 8Owners Ralph and Lisa Eads had a vision for laV centered around the idea of creating distinct rooms within the restaurant — casual outdoor dining, energetic wine bar, sophisticated lounge, welcoming dining room, and an elegant private wine room.  The overall atmosphere is warm and captivating.

laV Austin TX 9laV Austin TX 2laV Austin TX 5

The architecture and the grand scale of LaV are beautiful but intimate, like a home.  I love the tufting and the height of the banquettes.  The haziness to murals creates a European flair, but mixed with an industrial vibe.  The atmosphere is so sultry — I feel like I could stay there for hours.  I love how they mix traditional lanterns with clusters of glass globes for a kind of yin and yang effect that works so well.   There’s such a calming palette with tones of moss and taupe.  It reminds me of wanting to be home.

laV Austin TX 7laV Austin TX 6laV Austin TX 4laV Austin TX 3

You can learn more about laV on their website or find them on Facebook.

Favorite Things: Holiday Flowers

For dressing up your own home for the holidays or as a hostess gift, nothing makes people smile like fresh flowers.

For dressing up your own home for the holidays or as a hostess gift, nothing makes people smile like fresh flowers.  The holidays are a great time to year to add flowers to your decor, whether you use them to add cheer to the mantle or the dining room table.  You don’t have to stick with a red and green theme — instead, think white, purple, and green.  Rustic elements like branches, pine cones, berries, and luscious greenery also evoke the season.   Here are some of my favorite examples of holiday flower arrangements.

From Winston Flowers, Greenwich
From Winston Flowers, Greenwich
By Rikky Snyder Photography
By Rikky Snyder Photography
From McCardles, Greenwich
From McCardles, Greenwich
By Carolyn Roehm
By Carolyn Roehm
By Bunny Williams
By Bunny Williams
By Aerin Lauder
By Aerin Lauder
From Winston Flowers, Greenwich
From Winston Flowers, Greenwich
From McCardles, Greenwich
From McCardles, Greenwich
By Carolyn Roehm
By Carolyn Roehm
By Aerin Lauder, via Veranda
By Aerin Lauder, via Veranda

 

 

Winter Design Books

I am always looking for new design books to add to my collection, and this year some great new titles have been released.

Interior design books are much more than a source of inspiration for me.  They’re a valuable resource, too.  I am always looking for new books to add to my collection, and this year some great new titles have been released.  It’s always fascinating to read about another designer’s approach to a project or to see an interior take shape from another perspective.  I never get tired of looking at beautiful photos in a well done design book!

Any of these books would make a great holiday or hostess gift.

Here are my picks for design books.

1.  Carrier and Company: Positively Chic Interiors

Carrier and Company Positively Chic Interiors

2.  Jeffrey Bilhuber: American Master

Jeffrey Bilhuber American Master

3.  Mrs. Howard, Room by Room

Mrs Howard Room by Room

4.  Greg Natale: The Tailored Interior

The Tailored Interior Greg Natale

5.  Mark A. Hutker: A Sense of Place: Houses on Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod

A Sense of Place

6.  Brian J. McCarthy and Bunny Williams: Parrish-Hadley Tree of Life

Parrish Hadley Tree of Life

7.  Michael S. Smith:  The Curated House: Creating Style, Beauty, and Balance

The Curated House

8.  John Ike, Thomas A. Kligerman, Joel Barkley, Marc Kristal:  The New Shingled House

new shingled house

9.  John Barman: Interior Design

John Barman Interior Design

10.  The High Line

The High LIne

11.  Paul Vincent Wiseman: Inner Spaces

Inner Spaces

 

Color Obsession: Rum Raisin and Salmon

Salmon and Rum Raisin just marry so well.

I have been so obsessed with the color salmon lately. This color has  feminine appeal and,when paired with a deep, rich, sultry color as plum or rum raisin, it pops with energy.  The beauty of salmon is that it can swing towards a pinkish tone picking up on rose gold, which you can introduce as hardware or a lush orange palette.  When paired with rum raisin, there is a yin and yang, light and dark effect that I love.  The two colors marry so well.  Rum Raisin adds depth with out being too close to black for the perfect level of impact.

Amy Hirsch Greenwich Design 3 copy

1.  Fashion by Christian Lacroix

2.  Coral Reef 012 by Benjamin Moore.

3.  Christian Lacroix Houte Couture

4.  Softline Swivel Chair from abc carpet & home

5.  Sergio Rossi Suede Pumps

6.  Carina Lang, Tree and Cloud 3

7.  Agra Fort, photo by BhuddaMountain

8.  Photo by Guiliano Bekor