Designing soft goods for large projects is probably one of my favorite tasks. When you are also doing period design, double happiness (as they would say in China). I am becoming somewhat of a Georgian expert in the design of windows and their layers. There is nothing like a combination of swags, jabots, tails, draperies, under draperies and tied back sheers to make you a believer. I love the combination of fabrics, trims and treatments. I love the tone on tone expressions, the lux textiles and the installation meetings to strategize attachments, fullness, and puddling.
I have a wonderful task in front of me this week in the design and technical detailing of two large homes in New Albany. The soft goods are coming together in sync with the project. Large pieces are becoming established, layouts are becoming a reality and now the soft goods are pulling these rooms together with aplumb. I am enjoying my little berg more and more everyday.
This labor of love will live as long as I do. Draperies lasting 20 -30 years is not uncommon. New Albany homes typically are redone every 7 years (when the wood has to be replaced on the exterior, typically draperies are redone, as well. But the quality of what I am doing is beyond those short life spans. This is textile design art.
I truly love my work.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
February in New Albany
Folks say that this is the wildest winter on record in Ohio. We have enjoyed over 38" of snow in the last three weeks. As people have fussed and fumed, I have watched a different reaction emerge. The snow melts a little now everyday. Sun on brick pavers tends to do that no matter what the temperatures. My driveway is going from a picturesque series of 5' trenches and piles to a manageable 3' of snow piled on the sides. I honestly feel that I will miss it. It had a nice cuddle and glow feeling about it, that kind of protected my little family and the joy that takes place in this little house.
The weather gurus are promising snow again this week. We can all hardly wait. I doubt if it will reach the epic proportions of what we have experienced, but if we can hit 40" of snow in one month in Ohio, I am pretty impressed. Makes me kind of hope that spring holds off just a bit longer. I want to enjoy every historical moment of this.
The weather gurus are promising snow again this week. We can all hardly wait. I doubt if it will reach the epic proportions of what we have experienced, but if we can hit 40" of snow in one month in Ohio, I am pretty impressed. Makes me kind of hope that spring holds off just a bit longer. I want to enjoy every historical moment of this.
Friday, February 19, 2010
New Albany - The Design Mecca
I am so pleased to be working and living in New Albany Ohio. The client base that I have established in New Albany, and many diverse areas of Columbus affords me an extremely diverse list of suppliers and manufacturers that are critical for the success of my interior design practice.
I have been so fortunate in the wonderful people that have sought me out, and hired me to do design work in their homes, offices, and places of work. My design practice continues to grow, and succeed, in spite of national crisis and international trauma.
We are in a magical little berg that is created for maximum impact of quality of life. It is a joy to be here and be practicing good design with amazing clients. Thanks for letting us into your lives.
I have been so fortunate in the wonderful people that have sought me out, and hired me to do design work in their homes, offices, and places of work. My design practice continues to grow, and succeed, in spite of national crisis and international trauma.
We are in a magical little berg that is created for maximum impact of quality of life. It is a joy to be here and be practicing good design with amazing clients. Thanks for letting us into your lives.
Moving in New Albany
The act of moving in New Albany has become second nature to me now. I have been somewhat of a nomad since moving out of the "marital house" in East Lansing, five short years ago. It was huge. It was perfect. It was a creation for a life that was lived with gusto and no regrets.
I now get to experience many different Georgian houses in New Albany with typically one year leases and new neighbors and adventure. I actually do not mind moving. I am not a pack rat and use it as an opportunity to clean out the old and donate it, find uses for it, and reconsider whether it is worth moving at all. Up until 50 years ago, people sold their homes furnished, and I think I understand why. Moving wears most people out. There is something about moving my art, china, casegoods and crystal that inspires me. It can make any of these Georgian homes look great. I always take it on as a personal challenge to inspire myself with how to effectively lay out the house with a different flair, or approach than is typical. I love the creative aspect of moving. I love finding recognizable places for everything. I love the adventure of setting up rooms with layouts that are different each time.
My friends tell me that I must have been from a Nomadic tribe in a former life. No, I am part of one now. Celine, Baxter and I are enjoying this. We scope out the houses, and make joint decisions about how to use which areas. We entertain constantly, and know we must support that with our choices. Poker parties on one floor, while twelve year olds cook and watch movies on another floor. We love being the destination of choice. We love inviting everyone in.
I am famous for "third day parties". Throwing a part on the third night that we are living in a house. This forces art to be hung, books to be shelved, and the kitchen organized. It always seems to be Cinco de Mayo. Sounds like we might do that again this year.
I now get to experience many different Georgian houses in New Albany with typically one year leases and new neighbors and adventure. I actually do not mind moving. I am not a pack rat and use it as an opportunity to clean out the old and donate it, find uses for it, and reconsider whether it is worth moving at all. Up until 50 years ago, people sold their homes furnished, and I think I understand why. Moving wears most people out. There is something about moving my art, china, casegoods and crystal that inspires me. It can make any of these Georgian homes look great. I always take it on as a personal challenge to inspire myself with how to effectively lay out the house with a different flair, or approach than is typical. I love the creative aspect of moving. I love finding recognizable places for everything. I love the adventure of setting up rooms with layouts that are different each time.
My friends tell me that I must have been from a Nomadic tribe in a former life. No, I am part of one now. Celine, Baxter and I are enjoying this. We scope out the houses, and make joint decisions about how to use which areas. We entertain constantly, and know we must support that with our choices. Poker parties on one floor, while twelve year olds cook and watch movies on another floor. We love being the destination of choice. We love inviting everyone in.
I am famous for "third day parties". Throwing a part on the third night that we are living in a house. This forces art to be hung, books to be shelved, and the kitchen organized. It always seems to be Cinco de Mayo. Sounds like we might do that again this year.
Getting on With It
Seems like most people that we meet in business are pretty clear about their initial intentions. It is later, when we meet obstacles that people become unsure and unsteadfast in their approach to problems. Design is one of those areas that proving oneself is a necessary part of the relationship. Often we must have successes in the early stages of a relationship to gain the momentum to be respected and eventually revered. I am quite used to this set of rules.
In my past life, in practice in Michigan, my reputation was better established and my voice had more impact. Today, I find that joyfully I am starting some of that over. No fear. I enjoy the proving of my talent, as much as the design process itself. I am a natural speaker and enjoy the communication aspect of design. Watching the lights come on with a client is a joy forever.
As we earn the confidence of our clients, and begin the real work on their home, their office, their hosptial or their church, we get to enjoy the fruits of our labors over and over again.
Design for the masses is of great influence. It encourages people to live better, move better through their environment and be able to keep it clean and well maintained. There is always a method to our madness of specifications, details and placement. Clients typically understand this after one small installation. The stage becomes set to do good things. Getting on with it.
In my past life, in practice in Michigan, my reputation was better established and my voice had more impact. Today, I find that joyfully I am starting some of that over. No fear. I enjoy the proving of my talent, as much as the design process itself. I am a natural speaker and enjoy the communication aspect of design. Watching the lights come on with a client is a joy forever.
As we earn the confidence of our clients, and begin the real work on their home, their office, their hosptial or their church, we get to enjoy the fruits of our labors over and over again.
Design for the masses is of great influence. It encourages people to live better, move better through their environment and be able to keep it clean and well maintained. There is always a method to our madness of specifications, details and placement. Clients typically understand this after one small installation. The stage becomes set to do good things. Getting on with it.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Brave and True
We must be brave to be an entrepreneur in a creative field. Our talent must always come through and speak the truth. If we try to do something that we do not believe in, it shows. This sounds like an easy thing to do and say. In a wonderful place like Columbus Ohio it is much less stressful than other places that I have practiced. I have the lucky position of doing work that I love, and being able to share it with people that believe in me and are willing to pay me to do it. I have had so much fun getting started in this thriving market. I brought a vast experience with me and honed it until it all fit together and is flourishing. I am very happy and fortunate to be here.
When designers are challenged sometimes they run away. It is easy to run away from confrontation if it intimidates you. Many people that lead with their art have a difficult time sticking to it when the client is a bit tough or the design challenge is beyond them. I find it intriguing with times get a bit more challenging. I like to find compromise and a happy client underneath it all. I like to dig through it and make it work. Most people think that designers do not compromise. Most people think that to work with a designer means that they are in charge and they must give up their own ideas to adapt to the creative side of someone that they hire. This is true to a point. But to us that thrive on client satisfaction, this is just not our style. I am true to my art. I will not do something that will not ultimately look great. But oftentimes listening is the most difficult task. We all have different ways that we communicate. Taking the time or the step back to really listen and understand someone else is crucial in the process. When we do listen we usually find common ground. We usually find a truth that we can live with.
When designers are challenged sometimes they run away. It is easy to run away from confrontation if it intimidates you. Many people that lead with their art have a difficult time sticking to it when the client is a bit tough or the design challenge is beyond them. I find it intriguing with times get a bit more challenging. I like to find compromise and a happy client underneath it all. I like to dig through it and make it work. Most people think that designers do not compromise. Most people think that to work with a designer means that they are in charge and they must give up their own ideas to adapt to the creative side of someone that they hire. This is true to a point. But to us that thrive on client satisfaction, this is just not our style. I am true to my art. I will not do something that will not ultimately look great. But oftentimes listening is the most difficult task. We all have different ways that we communicate. Taking the time or the step back to really listen and understand someone else is crucial in the process. When we do listen we usually find common ground. We usually find a truth that we can live with.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
SNOW and Design Influence
When you have over 30" of snow on the ground and it just seems to keep falling everyday, you end up being drawn to cozy, warm spaces, with light flooding the corners, and accents of deeper metal and suptle textiles touching your skin.
I keep thinking that I am having a cocooning stage, but it is definitely influenced by the survival of the fittest and the weather surrounding us. We shovel daily. We come in and wrap ourselves in fleece blankets, drink hot tea, and cuddle alot more!
I think when this is all said and done, we will miss the closeness of this February. The fresh baked cookies, the nonstop working on projects and the focus that a snowy, cloistered day offers. It is a very productive winter, and will prove to be a great season for business.
Spring is just around the corner and we will all come out and stretch and start planting to get some green in our lives to replace all this stark cold white. But for now I will celebrate the SNOW and enjoy the sparkle and the blustery influences.
Four seasons are the best!!
I keep thinking that I am having a cocooning stage, but it is definitely influenced by the survival of the fittest and the weather surrounding us. We shovel daily. We come in and wrap ourselves in fleece blankets, drink hot tea, and cuddle alot more!
I think when this is all said and done, we will miss the closeness of this February. The fresh baked cookies, the nonstop working on projects and the focus that a snowy, cloistered day offers. It is a very productive winter, and will prove to be a great season for business.
Spring is just around the corner and we will all come out and stretch and start planting to get some green in our lives to replace all this stark cold white. But for now I will celebrate the SNOW and enjoy the sparkle and the blustery influences.
Four seasons are the best!!
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