Ok, here it is - the new me. I like everything but my double chin! I probably should have gone a little bit shorter but I'm taking it in stages.
Friday, 10 August 2007
Thursday, 9 August 2007
Five Weeks Until My Book Launches
It's coming down to the wire and I must confess I am getting excited. I expect my copies of The Design Directory of Window Treatments to arrive in the next couple of weeks and then it hits the stores on September 24. Getting a book published is a ridiculously slow process. It's enough to drive you batty!
My book is meant to be a visual reference and source of inspiration for anyone looking for window treatments. My goal is to encourage designers to think out of the box and expand their range of options when designing for windows.
Here's a preview of a few pages from the chapter on Lambrequins.
Lambrequins are usually thought of as a very traditional type of treatment. However, I have seen a resurgence of their use in recent years and designers are beginning to put a modern twist to this classic design element. I like to use them because the abundance of surface space gives you ample opportunity to explore shape and texture. They are an excellent element to use if you wish to manipulate the architectural layout of the window and wall.
Nothing makes my skin crawl more than when I see a fabulous interior with boring, everyday, window treatments! One of the main focuses of my book is to identify the standard, individual elements that are used to construct common window treatments and use them in alternative ways to create new, cutting edge treatments.
My book is meant to be a visual reference and source of inspiration for anyone looking for window treatments. My goal is to encourage designers to think out of the box and expand their range of options when designing for windows.
Here's a preview of a few pages from the chapter on Lambrequins.
Lambrequins are usually thought of as a very traditional type of treatment. However, I have seen a resurgence of their use in recent years and designers are beginning to put a modern twist to this classic design element. I like to use them because the abundance of surface space gives you ample opportunity to explore shape and texture. They are an excellent element to use if you wish to manipulate the architectural layout of the window and wall.
Nothing makes my skin crawl more than when I see a fabulous interior with boring, everyday, window treatments! One of the main focuses of my book is to identify the standard, individual elements that are used to construct common window treatments and use them in alternative ways to create new, cutting edge treatments.
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Homage to The Peak of Chic
If you aren't already a devotee of the fabulous design blog The Peak of Chic, visit it immediately for a crash course in fine design theory and inspiration.
Today's Peak post shares some stunning paintings of interiors by James Steinmeyer and Jeremiah Goodman. Looking at these wonderful paintings I was reminded of the work of a talented artist, Page Laughlin, that I came across some time ago who uses images from shelter magazines as her inspiration for her paintings.
When I first saw her work I was awestruck. They are the most inspirational and thought provoking images of interiors that I have ever seen. She has the ability to capture the emotional resonance of the room.
When I look at these paintings I feel as if I am transported into the room.
Page is clearly an under achiever! She was named an Echols Scholar at the University of Virginia and received her MFA at the esteemed Rhode Island School of Design. She is currently a Professor, and Smith Young Family Research Fellow and Chair of the Department of Art at Wake Forest University. (Hope I got that all right)
This quote from Laughlin's website gives us a glimpse into the motivation behind her paintings.
"In the subject matter of my paintings, things are often not quite what they seem: lovely interiors, on closer consideration, lead to disquieting seduction; wallpaper details, luscious statuary, give way to recognition of issues of power and subjugation. I try to make work that has beauty to attract and complexity to sustain observation." Page Laughlin
I am so impressed by this kind of exceptional talent. I am looking forward to seeing her forthcoming works.
See Page Laughlin's work featured in Traditonal Home Magazine.
Images courtesy of www.pagelaughlin.com
Monday, 6 August 2007
More Goodies from the World Market Show
CAS- Creativity * Assortment * Style - is a well established production art and mirror manufacturer. They produce a huge selection of mostly traditional pieces that are infused with a classic elegance that will never go out of style. Their trend oriented items posses a timeless quality that keeps them ahead of the curve. In a line that includes over 500 items over half are design exclusives. All this and a very reasonable price point make them a staple in any designer's source library.
Coral done right! A classic interpretation of an overdone trend - these prints could hang on your wall for centuries and remain in vogue. This particular set of prints is offered in two sizes with two frame options.
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Shells - another popular motif today. Understated and elegant these monochromatic prints would add class to any interior.
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A classic black and white floral on a grand scale - these botanical beauties are 50 inches high!
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I am absolutely in love with this collection of prints that make up a large - 4.5' x 3.5' image of "Old London". What a great way to fill a large space!
Beautiful turquoise mattes with ivory detailing frame this interesting set of prints with lofty titles such as Obstinacy, Flattery, and Fortune.
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A traditional Victorian, fretwork, curio mirror is given a modern twist with a matte black finish.
This gorgeous mirror is finished in a French gold with a turquoise glaze. The juxtaposition of the traditional styling and the trend forward coloring is wonderful.
Another example of the wonderful finish shown above in a very traditional French tryptic mirror.
The modern black frames on these cobalt matted prints showing vintage light "machines" is another example of this companies ability to mix old and new to create classic.
The companies website www.caswalldecor.com is easy to navigate and shows the bulk of their collection. Click on the link to take a quick tour.
Coral done right! A classic interpretation of an overdone trend - these prints could hang on your wall for centuries and remain in vogue. This particular set of prints is offered in two sizes with two frame options.
.JPG)
Shells - another popular motif today. Understated and elegant these monochromatic prints would add class to any interior.
.JPG)
A classic black and white floral on a grand scale - these botanical beauties are 50 inches high!
.JPG)
I am absolutely in love with this collection of prints that make up a large - 4.5' x 3.5' image of "Old London". What a great way to fill a large space!
Beautiful turquoise mattes with ivory detailing frame this interesting set of prints with lofty titles such as Obstinacy, Flattery, and Fortune.
.JPG)
A traditional Victorian, fretwork, curio mirror is given a modern twist with a matte black finish.
This gorgeous mirror is finished in a French gold with a turquoise glaze. The juxtaposition of the traditional styling and the trend forward coloring is wonderful.
Another example of the wonderful finish shown above in a very traditional French tryptic mirror.
The modern black frames on these cobalt matted prints showing vintage light "machines" is another example of this companies ability to mix old and new to create classic.
The companies website www.caswalldecor.com is easy to navigate and shows the bulk of their collection. Click on the link to take a quick tour.
Saturday, 4 August 2007
I'm in Desperate Need of a Makeover
It's getting closer to the release of my book in September and the beginning of a year of traveling to promote it. With that in mind, I need some help. I want to update my "look" and add some serious style to my hair. I've had long hair for years and it has worked well for me but now I feel like it is making me look older. (It could be the many years I've got under the belt or the extra pounds that I'm lugging around but I prefer to think that it is all my hair's fault).
I hate this picture of me!!! The photographer didn't want me to smile so I look like I am constipated. He told me my hair was very 80's. Fabulous!
I have a hair appointment this week and I need to bring in a picture of my new hairstyle! I found a few I like and of course after I put them together I realized that they are almost exactly the same.
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The only thing I am worried about is going too short as I am a very big fan of the pony tail. I'm thinking of starting out somewhere between #1 and # 6. I can always go shorter. What do you think?
I hate this picture of me!!! The photographer didn't want me to smile so I look like I am constipated. He told me my hair was very 80's. Fabulous!
I have a hair appointment this week and I need to bring in a picture of my new hairstyle! I found a few I like and of course after I put them together I realized that they are almost exactly the same.
.JPG)
The only thing I am worried about is going too short as I am a very big fan of the pony tail. I'm thinking of starting out somewhere between #1 and # 6. I can always go shorter. What do you think?
How I Spent My Weekend: Hanging Wall Decor
My How I Spent My Weekend posts are providing me with the inspiration to catch up on some much needed home maintenance and decorating. After spending the last two years running a full time design business, writing 2 books and teaching, my poor house is in a shambles.
Now, don't get me wrong. My house has always been somewhat of a disaster and very much a continuous work in progress. I constantly cycle furnishings and accessories in and out. The piece of art or tapestry hanging in my dining room today might very well be hanging in a clients home tomorrow. I like to see how long it takes for my husband to notice that a particular piece has been subtracted or added.
I have never really trusted a designer who's house is perfectly done. I think this is a sure sign that they are not busy enough with real design work. Most good designers I know live in a perpetual state of organized disorganization!
Ok, let's get to this weekends project:
The Big Blank Wall...
We all have one. That gaping huge space that we have to fill. Here is mine. It is the wall over my sofa in my Family room. This room is Von George central. (my last name is Von Tobel, my husband's is Di George, so we have morphed into the Von George household) we spend all of our time here.
My philosophy with a large blank space in a room that is meant to be cozy and comfortable is to use a collage. A mix of accessories and art will fill the space while allowing it to remain intimate.
Step 1: Choose Your Weapons - You need just the right mix of stuff to make this work. I find if you lay it out on the floor first you can re-arrange until you get it right. This saves you from punching unnecessary holes in your walls.
I liked the style of this round mirror but it just wasn't working on the long rectangular wall.
Step 2: Line em Up
I decided to go symmetrical with a variety of rectangular shaped pieces. I placed them in a vertical arrangement. By creating a towering effect with the bottom being wider than the top, the ceiling is heightened and the width of the wall is minimized.
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Step3: Hang em High
Hang your accessories on the wall.
Super Secret Trade Tip:
Lay your arrangement out on top of butcher paper on a hard surface (tape sections of paper together to create a surface big enough for your size wall). Make sure your pieces are level.
Trace the outlines of the pieces on the butcher paper.
Plot where the nail holes need to be placed.
Remove your accessories and hang the butcher paper on the wall. Now you have a road map of where your hangers should go right on the wall - no measuring no guessing!.
Apply your hangers directly through the paper at the pre-marked spot and remove the paper only after you've determined everything fits perfectly.
Hang your pieces and your done.
The Finished Product
Yes, I do have a dead tree in my family room and an obscene amount of candles - but that is a story for another day. Happy Accessorizing!
The Before & After
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Now, don't get me wrong. My house has always been somewhat of a disaster and very much a continuous work in progress. I constantly cycle furnishings and accessories in and out. The piece of art or tapestry hanging in my dining room today might very well be hanging in a clients home tomorrow. I like to see how long it takes for my husband to notice that a particular piece has been subtracted or added.
I have never really trusted a designer who's house is perfectly done. I think this is a sure sign that they are not busy enough with real design work. Most good designers I know live in a perpetual state of organized disorganization!
Ok, let's get to this weekends project:
The Big Blank Wall...
We all have one. That gaping huge space that we have to fill. Here is mine. It is the wall over my sofa in my Family room. This room is Von George central. (my last name is Von Tobel, my husband's is Di George, so we have morphed into the Von George household) we spend all of our time here.
My philosophy with a large blank space in a room that is meant to be cozy and comfortable is to use a collage. A mix of accessories and art will fill the space while allowing it to remain intimate.
Step 1: Choose Your Weapons - You need just the right mix of stuff to make this work. I find if you lay it out on the floor first you can re-arrange until you get it right. This saves you from punching unnecessary holes in your walls.
I liked the style of this round mirror but it just wasn't working on the long rectangular wall.
Step 2: Line em Up
I decided to go symmetrical with a variety of rectangular shaped pieces. I placed them in a vertical arrangement. By creating a towering effect with the bottom being wider than the top, the ceiling is heightened and the width of the wall is minimized.
.JPG)
Step3: Hang em High
Hang your accessories on the wall.
Super Secret Trade Tip:
Lay your arrangement out on top of butcher paper on a hard surface (tape sections of paper together to create a surface big enough for your size wall). Make sure your pieces are level.
Trace the outlines of the pieces on the butcher paper.
Plot where the nail holes need to be placed.
Remove your accessories and hang the butcher paper on the wall. Now you have a road map of where your hangers should go right on the wall - no measuring no guessing!.
Apply your hangers directly through the paper at the pre-marked spot and remove the paper only after you've determined everything fits perfectly.
Hang your pieces and your done.
The Finished Product
Yes, I do have a dead tree in my family room and an obscene amount of candles - but that is a story for another day. Happy Accessorizing!
The Before & After
.JPG)
Friday, 3 August 2007
Bed Ribbons
California Kids has always been one of my favorite custom children's bedding lines. They have hundreds of great fabrics to choose from and will mix and match just about anything. At their showroom yesterday they were showcasing a new product that literally stopped me in my tracks!
They have created a series of ribbon and string curtains with the unique feature of a connected, spaced, tab heading. This design is composed of thin strips of batiste embellished with matching rosettes and weighted, in some cases, with a bead at the hem. I can't even begin to tell you all the wonderful ideas I have for this innovative product.
1. Use them as Room Dividers
2. Hang them over the face of a contrasting tabbed panel as an accent.
3. Hang on decorative hooks from the ceiling to create a faux canopy
4. Use them as wall decor, a funky tapestry if you will.
5. Hang them under a traditional drapery treatment for a touch of whimsy.
6. A party planners dream! Can you envision the white batiste used as decor for a wedding?
Here is the whole collection. Bright fabric pom-poms, gauzy poofs, ethereal rosettes and brilliant flowers. Some hung on strips of gauzy batiste, others on string. They are all fantastically whimsical and just plain fun. Just when I think there are no original ideas left someone proves me wrong. Great job Cal Kids!!!