Mijn wens....

Mijn wens voor 2011: voor iedereen een goede gezondheid, innerlijke rust  en veel genieten van de mooie dingen van het leven, hoe klein ze ook mogen lijken.
Neem de tijd om stil te staan bij de belangrijkste zaken in je leven en vergeet al de rest....
Enjoy life....
Sabine

Van Eyck tot Dürer

Tip voor een 'cultureel' uitstapje: expositie in Brugge


De grote tentoonstelling ‘Jan van Eyck, de Vlaamse Primitieven en het Zuiden’ die het Groeningemuseum in 2002 organiseerde, toonde hoe de Vlaamse Primitieven Zuid-Europa veroverden. Nu kijkt Brugge richting Oosten.
‘Van Eyck tot Dürer’ illustreert voor het eerst wat voor een artistieke revolutie de Vlaamse Primitieven teweeg brachten in het Centraal-Europa van hun tijd. De kunstzinnige en technische vernieuwingen van talentrijke schilders als Jan van Eyck wisten zich razendsnel over deze bijzondere regio te verspreiden en inspireerden de lokale kunstenaars en de jonge Albrecht Dürer. De kruisbestuiving tussen trotse tradities en nieuwe invloeden leverde een rijke erfenis op.
Van Eyck en Dürer zijn grootmeesters uit de periode 1420-1530, titanen uit de westerse kunstgeschiedenis. Het
Groeningemuseum verenigt hen in een prestigieuze tentoonstelling met belangrijke bruiklenen uit Europese en
Amerikaanse topcollecties. Meesterwerken van grote namen zoals Bouts, Campin, Lochner, Memling, Schongauer,van der Goes en van der Weyden en topstukken van hier minder bekende maar niet minder geniale meesters uit Centraal-Europa. Schilderijen maar ook tekeningen, miniaturen, prenten en sculpturen nemen je mee naar de boeiende confrontatie tussen de Vlaamse Primitieven en kunst uit Centraal-Europa.
Een van dé culturele belevenissen van 2010. Nog tot 30 januari 2011.

Groeningemuseum, Dijver 12

                           

          

(bronvermelding: website Groeningemuseum)

Flash in the Pan?

Sometimes I see new design trends briefly and suddenly, it is everywhere you turn.  Others, I see a few times, and they're gone.  

Like these . . . 

http://remodelista.com/posts/windows-floor-walls-white-cowhide-rugs

http://remodelista.com/posts/windows-floor-walls-white-cowhide-rugs

When I first saw these cowhide tile rugs a couple of years ago, I thought, "They'll be everywhere in a couple of months."  But that has not really been the case.   And, for what it's worth - I love them.  I think they are modern in a very neutral understated way.

OK . . . don't get me wrong [all you uber trendy design junkies], I have seen them out and about.  But what I am talking about is real main stream, like a Martha Stewart knock off or the robin's egg blue/chocolate brown phenomenon that just won't die.    

So, it begs the question - are these a flash in the pan or are they slow to hit the main stream?  Can you think of any other flash in the pan trends that you liked? 

Love That Wall Color!

How many times have you seen a wall color and wondered what the name of the color is?  Or you get the old, "I can't remember?"  Well, never again my friends!!!  

My oh so cute hubby got me an iphone for Christmas, and I spent a little time in the app store during the holidays.  I discovered that Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams now have free applications (yes, I said free) that you can download onto your phone.  With both, if you would like to match a paint color you simply take a picture of the wall with your iphone and the application does the rest.  It will analyze the photograph and tell you the name of the paint color!!  Love it. 

So, for future reference,  if you don't want me to know your paint colors, you might not want to invite me over! 

Design Series Tuesdays - Canopy Beds {part 1}

During my week off, I decided it would be fun to do a design series once a week during the winter months.  I realize we have very mild winters in Alabama, but sometimes the short cold days can be down right depressing, so I thought we could focus on something cozy instead.  

Each Tuesday in January, I am going to be talking about canopy beds.  Why?  Because they've been on mind lately.  And, no, I don't have one in my home, but I do think they are an amazing design feature, when done correctly. 

 

So, a few housekeeping items before we get started:

1. You must, I repeat, must have a large room  - a canopy can become visual clutter if you try to cram one into a bedroom that is too small (there are a few exceptions to this we will discuss).  

2. You need high ceilings that are in really good shape - The canopy will draw your eye up to the ceiling and any imperfections on the ceiling will glare at you. 

3. Quality fabric - Don't go cheap on the fabric you use on the canopy.  There is a lot of it and cheap fabric will be noticed (there is a way around this that we will discuss).  

OK, there are four basic types of canopies - with lots of interpretations of each.  We are going to start with the most basic.

Traditional Four Poster Canopy Beds

Canopies for beds began as bed curtains surrounding a bed and were traditionally used to create a cozy warm place for sleeping in large drafty bed quarters.  The bed was surrounded in curtains that could be pulled at night to allow for more comfortable sleeping.  Now, with central heat and smaller rooms, the canopy bed has become a beautiful feature for a bedroom.  

Peter Dunham
We can't talk about canopy beds without first talking about who I consider a master of the traditional canopy bed - Peter Dunham.  I think he includes one in every space he does!  So, he knows a thing or two about how to pull it off.  Here are a few samples of his take on the canopy bed.

In this example, the canopy is getting all the impact with the patterned fabric while the rest of the room remains neutral.  Notice the bed is placed on a "fabric wall" that is the same neutral color as the draperies in the space.

Peter Dunham




In this example, there are no panels on the bed, just a valance.  This creates and airy light feeling.  I love the look with the painted bed.

Peter Dunham

Again, an open airy feeling with the light panels on the canopy bed - no valance.

Peter Dunham

This one I love, love.  Notice, it breaks one of my rules (must have a large room); but, by not including any fabric on the canopy and using wrought iron (rather than thick dark wood), he has pulled it off.  I am not sure, but I think the drapery panel to the left is used as a partition where you can close off the bedroom from the rest of the room.  Also, the vertical striped wallpaper gives the illusion of tall ceilings.

Peter Dunham

I think it is important to remember that a beautiful canopy bed can stand on it's own - you don't necessarily need fabric panels to get a great look.  In this case, the grass cloth wallpaper and lush draperies give you the texture this bedroom needs.

Peter Dunham

In this picture, the canopy has been left open (valance only) but the walls and ceiling have been upholstered giving you the cozy feeling without the visual clutter. 

Peter Dunham

OK, below are several other canopy beds that I thought were worth mentioning.  When most people think of a canopy bed, they think of very traditional versions which are beautiful.  

But, there are more modern takes on a canopy bed.  Like this curvy creature. 

Or a rather sexy version. Like this (btw: would you look at those floors and the benches at the foot of the bed?!).

Or this (notice the tufted back on this one - gulp). 

Also, you can use the canopy bed to create a romantic french feeling in your space.

And then inject a shot of modern to the same style bed to achieve this yumminess (notice the ceiling while you're at it).

Also, remember, you can add fabric just to the top and down the back of the bed and still get something interesting.  I would much rather see this done with high quality fabric than an entire bed done in cheap polyester. 

via decorpad

All this said, before you decide to go out and buy a canopy bed of any type, come back next Tuesday to see some versions that do not require a special canopy bed!  

Still wanting more on canopy beds??? Here are two really great posts I found during my research that are definitely worth a read!  Taylor Galen at Outside the Workroom and Jennifer Mitchell at Design Hole Online.

  

Another Project in Progress

Thought you might like to see another project in progress.  This is a commercial space for an accounting firm.  They are starting with a small space and wanted to work with a lot of what was already in the space.  Also, because they are just starting out, the budget is tight.  Here's the design board.

I think it is much more challenging when your client wants you to work with what they already have and does not have a ton of money to spend.  If you start with a clean slate for every design job and have a nice fat budget, it is easy to make a space look amazing.  So, I had to find some deals to include in the overall room.   Also, because this is a commercial property you really have to select items that will withstand a lot of wear and tear and still look great. 

 As background, the previous tenant was an architectural firm, so the space is very modern and unique.  There are three separate rooms - a reception area, a conference room, and an office/work room.  This is the first part of the design and is for the reception area.

Here are a few before shots.  Notice the full kitchen and bar area!  I am standing in the doorway/entrance to the space.  This space is not free standing, but rather in a building with other tenants.  So you walk into a lobby or foyer to access their space.  There is a large wall of glass separating their office from the lobby.

The kitchen/bar area is going to stay in place.  It is very high end (with granite countertops, full sink, refrigerator, stove and dishwasher drawers).  And I think very cool and different! We will add new hardware to the cabinets, and a penny tile backsplash to the the back wall.  Then barstools on this side of the peninsula.

This is the main sitting area of the entrance.  The room beyond the wall of glass is the conference room area.  This wall of glass will have to stay in the space so we are placing a console table in front of it with a pair of lamps.  We will then hang artwork from a track on the ceiling on both sides of the glass to create a sense of privacy in the conference room.   

It is very hard to tell from this really bad picture below (I was the photographer), but there is a wall of windows beyond the desk area (it is just a bright light in the picture).  We are taking out the entire built in desk area to open up the sitting area and will include a free standing desk to the left for the receptionist.  The carpet will be replaced by dark hardwood and a rug.  

We are going to keep one of the square marble pedestals and use it as a coffee table.

We wanted to keep the professional accountant vibe with gray neutrals, but added a punch of modern to utilize many of the features inherited with the space.  Also, there will be four of the gray leather chairs to surround the marble table (I only included two on the design board).  

I'll have to show you more as the project progresses! 

Happy Happy 2011

First off, any year that begins on a Saturday is tops in my book!  I think that says a lot about this year's personality - laid back and not taking itself to seriously.  Only time will tell.

So, I had a wonderful break last week, but I must say I really missed blogging!  I am very glad to be back at it this week.  I thought I would start the year off in the most traditional way . . . the dreaded list.

I've never been big on resolutions.  For me, the minute I tell myself I can't have or do something, I become fixated on wanting it.  I am way better off thinking about things I would like to do and giving myself 365 days to put it into action.  Also, life is so full of restrictions, rules and un-fun responsibilities that I've decided to put together a list of "try its" (as my daughter's brownie troop calls it) to look forward to in the new year.  So here goes it - in no particular order.

1.  Paint my Kitchen - All my close friends know how I feel about the light maple cabinets in my kitchen and breakfast room.  It's truly the only thing about my house that I would change instantly, if given a genie wish!  

2.  Plan More Girl's Weekends - I organized one of these last Spring, and had a blast.  I really think girls need to get together at least quarterly throughout the year. 

3.  Go to Scott's Antique market in Atlanta more often(maybe make it a girl's weekend and knock out #2 at the same time)!  

4. Create Some "Summer Boredom" for my kids.   If you don't know what "summer boredom" is then you are very young( which means you grew up with tons of technology) or you are from a very large city.  "Summer boredom" is when a child has absolutely nothing to do but when thrown in with other kids, will create games and activities independent of you that are completely clever.  They will spend hours (maybe even days) outdoors playing these made up games without a single care in the world.  They will create memories that will stay with them for a life time.  I can make myself laugh out loud if I think of some of the stuff we did as kids during some summer boredom.

5. Meet some of the bloggers that I have gotten to know (via email) during my very short time doing this blog.  There are some very cool people out there with some of the most interesting thoughts on interior design.  I would love to actually meet a few of them and talk about blogging.  I know I still have tons to learn about it all. 

6.  Have more improptu gatherings at our house.  Whether it's cocktails with a neighbor after working in the yard all day on a Saturday, a Pot of soup and sports on TV on a Sunday evening, or a cookout (once the weather warms up).  I really want to invite people to our home on a more casual basis.

7. Pray more - I have a wonderful devotional book (some of you know about it, b/c I've given you a copy of it) that has the most enlightening thoughts in it.  It was written by a missionary's wife in 1925 "Mrs. Charles B. Cowan" (in 1925, it wasn't proper for a woman to use her own name, in this case Lettie Cowan).  The book is entitled "Streams in the Dessert."  I got my copy on Ebay years ago.  I love reading the daily entries, but don't always make time to do it.  I would like to read it daily followed by a quiet time of prayer.

8. Learn a new skill - (maybe knitting) or something else that I have no clue about at the moment.

9. Be more frugal.  Think of new ways to do more with less with interior design, but also lots of other things (like cooking, fashion, etc.).

10.  Laugh more - I know that sounds corny, but I really think this encompasses so many different things that I wanted to include it.  This past year (for lots of reasons I will not go into) has made me so much more appreciative of my blessings.  I want to focus on them more this year and less on the "if only's" that creep into my mind. (i.e. if only I were thinner, smarter, busier, [you fill in the blank])

So, that's my list.  I have a little bit of everything on there from frivolous to serious.  What's on your list?