This I Believe

I know that I often come across as caustic and sarcastic (we could spend hours talking about childhood trauma, etc., but won't). So, I thought I'd risk a little vulnerability by exposing my true design philosophy. I recently submitted the following in a blog contest. Apparently they were looking for something either a lot more esoteric or even more caustic and sarcastic. Oh, well.... read and let me know what you think.

I can’t tell you how many times a prospective client has asked me to “define my style”. At first I felt like a deer caught in the headlights. What is the “right” answer? What do I need to say to land this job? Over the years, I have found that the answer isn’t simple or pat. My style has evolved as an expression of my client’s. I have made it my duty to consider their needs, personality and lifestyle while creating a design solution that reflects their taste (no matter how much I might question it) while morphing it into something beyond their expectations. Yeah, I know — easy to say — not so easy to do. First, it requires checking the ego at the door. What? This isn’t all about me? Oddly enough, it’s not always about being published or racking up awards (I can already hear heads exploding). Second, it requires listening… really listening. Finally, the fun part — I have to DELIVER, often being forced out of my comfort zone to do things that I would have never dreamt about doing before. At times I feel a bit like a “design chameleon”. Call me Sybil, but I’ve come to love the fact that you can look at my projects but can’t easily single me out. It keeps things fresh and interesting, unlike my past life, where I cranked out the same look for each client, day in and day out. It was easy, safe and very lucrative, at the cost of my creativity, which underwent a slow, numbing death. Lately, I’ve been asked to deliver interiors ranging from “Belgian Farmhouse” to “Hindu Courtesan”. You read that right — “Hindu Courtesan” — but that’s another story. The point is, each client and project provides a unique and challenging opportunity. Each day, I’m pushed to find new resources and ways of doing things. And yes, each night I go to bed wondering, “How on earth am I going to pull this off?” But, somehow I do. I learn and grow with each experience. And, most importantly, the client gets what they want… only better.

Coming up next — my experience with the unwashed masses at the Atlanta Home Show — stay tuned.

Sticker Shock Redux

I attended an event at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with the Yogini and Andrew Harris last evening (generously sponsored by 3form, Baker Audio, Maharam, Global, ESI, Office Images, and Patcraft). What I noticed upon arrival forced me out of my blog sabbatical. Those of you who read my May 19 post (ranting) about UL stickers will remember that I threatened to attack the entry sign with a bottle of Goo-Gone. Well, someone beat me to it! HALLELUJAH! My faith in man is somewhat restored. I'd like to think they read my blog and were shamed into removing those hateful things. Well, one can dream. Below are pics taken by Andrew on his phone along with one from my original post in case you don't feel like referring back to it (too many clicks can be very exhausting). Let's keep up the momentum — get out your Goo-Gone and help to make Atlanta sticker-free!


Before: UL stickers create visual clutter and are just plain ugly.


After: A sticker free sign is a happy sign

Bright Ideas

Because of the economic downturn, the Yogini has put me on a strict budget. That means no Whole Foods, suffering through $5/bottle wine, and lots of meals at home. It also means getting creative with home improvement projects. We've recently updated the lighting at the cabin and did it on a shoestring. Here are two of the fixtures we created.




Island Pendant
Mortar Tray — We found this at Lakewood a few years ago and thought it was fun and crusty enough to use at the cabin. It sat on above our cabinets, unused, until a few months ago...$45
Under Cabinet Light — from CSL...$32
Nickel Chain — Home Depot...$5
Electrical Conduit Pole — Home Depot...$4
Total Cost: $86




Bed Room Surface Mount
Old Aluminum Warehouse Pendant — We found this at Scott Antique Market and loved it. It was just the shell of the fixture with none of the electrical remaining. I like how beat-up the exterior is; the inside glass reflector was in pristine condition...$65
Lamp Kit — Home Depot...$4
Chrome Reflector Lamp — Light Bulbs Unlimited...$3
Total Cost: $72

I DARE anyone to call me a spendthrift!

To Market, To Market

Well, another Market is upon us and the Design Yogi, Yogini and our friends and colleagues, Martha Nicholson & Andrew Harris, made the bi-annual pilgrimage to the Portman Labyrinth known as America's Mart. Anyone who has been can attest that it requires major winnowing of the wheat from the chaff (lots of chaff, very little wheat). Here are a few noteworthy exceptions.


This new series was introduced at High Point. I especially like the stool. Picture it in a bright Ikat.


OK, this is some of the chaff, but I had to throw it in. There are so many things I could say, but won't. I think it speaks for itself.


This ottoman would be pretty wonderful in the house I'll be working on in Jackson Hole. So, where is that client anyway???


This burlap upholstered bed is really fun. How about all white bedding?


More curves and a graceful stretcher make this a great little console. It looks great backed-up to "Satan's Settee".

We were finally rewarded when we snuck into the 2nd floor temporaries (they were closed at the time... we're such rebels) and found two talented metal workers. Here are some of their creations.


There was a pair of these beauties... I nearly wet myself.


The same artisan created this bench from an old conveyer belt... love it! He's thinking about adding a chaise to the series... uh oh — I almost wet myself again.


The clever marriage of a steel punch form and concrete — I can imagine an entire furniture line.


An old cable spool and foundry mold were cut in half and combined to make a pair of consoles. Add a larger, chunky concrete top and now we're talking.


Another industrial chic piece in the form of a cocktail table base — this one showcases an old train spring.


Of course no Market is complete without its senseless bling. This one was no exception.

A Tisket, A Tasket

Last month the Yogi and Yogini traveled down to Charleston, SC to pay homage to the Dowager Yogini (my mom) on the occasion of her 7oth birthday. While we were down there, Spoleto Festival was in full swing. One of the featured cultural festivals was the Sweetgrass Festival. We got there early to avoid the heat and crowds. This allowed us plenty of time to visit with the "basket sewers". They are descendants of a long line artisans who brought their craft from West Africa to the rice plantations of the South Carolina Lowcountry in the late 17th century. Each basket embodies the rich history and culture of the Gullah people. Painstakingly gathered local vegetation such as palmetto fronds & thorns, bulrush and pine needles are composed to create a study in artistry, utilitarianism and sustainability — an exquisite, personal and perfect expression of design.

Unfortunately the resources available have been greatly diminished due to development of rural areas. Add to this their ever-increasing popularity, and the limited number of artists that master the craft... well, you can see where I'm going. They can get quite pricey, especially those created by "master sewers", like Vera Manigault.

The next time you're in Charleston, wander on over to the stands on Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant (where they've been sold since the 1930s) and hold a piece of history in your hands — even if you can't afford to own it.








Ms. Vera Manigault's tour de force, "Baby Moses Basket", is a whopping 36" long, constructed of palmetto thorn, took her over 12 years to create, and will set you back a cool $4000.

Let The Buyer Beware!

I have a small, OK... HUGE, confession. One of my guilty pleasures is watching extremely bad reality TV. Somehow it keeps things "real" for me. Anyway, Monday night I was sacked out on the sofa watching the antics on the Bachelorette and found myself screaming out in disbelief. I saw Ali and borderline nutjob, Frank, haggling with a Turkish rug merchant at the Bazaar for a Kilim rug that the Yogini and I bought at Ikea. I kid you not. I thought that maybe I was imagining things, but the Yogini screamed out at the same time, "That's our rug!" This is where it gets good. The price shown on the merchant's calculator was 980. Considering that the rug costs $149 at Ikea, that's quite a mark-up for the right to say that you purchased it at the Bazaar in Istanbul (not to mention shipping charges back to the States). Even if the 980 were Turkish Liras, that would translate into about $620 US. He did, however, throw in two pillows to sweeten the deal.

Here's the description direct from Ikea's website:




KIBÄK (I love Ikea's names... does ANYONE know how to pronounce them?)

Rug, flatwoven

$149.00

Product Information
Key features

• The rug is hand-woven by skilled craftsmen, and is therefore unique.
• Woolmark. 100% pure new wool.
• Pure new wool makes the rug naturally soil-repellent and durable.
• Its flat woven pattern is equally visible on both sides making it reversible.
• Flat woven rug. Suitable for use in the dining room because it is easy to keep clean and chairs can easily slide in and out.

I especially like the first bullet-point. It's apparently "unique" enough to pawn-off on clueless American tourists.

FYI, You can also purchase the same exact rug from overstock.com for $179.99. They call it the Indo Kilim Multicolor Rug — I think I like KIBÄK better.

Don't get me wrong I'm not bashing the rug. It's a great value, and we love the way it looks in our Cabin. But, honestly, Frank, I hope ABC footed the bill for your purchase.


The KIBÄK / Indo Kilim Multicolor Rug / Turkish Bazaar Rug installed at our cabin.

designer:

One Man's Trash

First of all, for those of you who follow me (I'm talking to both of you), I'd like to apologize for the lapse in posts. It is truly my intent to publish at least once a week.

I was flipping through last month's Charleston Magazine and ran across a piece about artist, Jonathan Brilliant (yes, that's his name... and, yes, he is). I just love his works on paper that are created from coffee cup sleeves, stirrers, lids, sugar packets... you name it. It's fascinating to see ordinary discardable items turned into extraordinary works of art.


Coffee Cup Sleeve Mandala (print made from coffee sleeves)


Untitled (1000 black coffee lids & 1000 white coffee lids)


Sticks, Straws, Sleeves & Lids (detail)

Even more impressive, are the temporary woven sculpture installations that he constructs from wooden coffee stirrers. The scale and execution are nothing short of amazing. The pieces are held solely by tension (Moms, keep your kids on a short leash).






This particular installation at the City Gallery in Charleston was composed of 70,000 stirrers and took 10 days to create.

Jonathan is currently on his "Have Sticks Will Travel World Tour", creating site-specific installations. Do yourself a favor, and check out his website. Be sure to look at the gallery of installations. You'll never look at your latte the same.