Modern 'tude Mood Board

I started out on this 30-day blogging challenge strong. Woo-Ha!!! But I fell off the wagon mid-way while taking care of business development stuff for my company, Design Magnifique, Inc.. HAHA, it feels so good to say my company. Marketing takes up a big, huge chunk of one's time and not to mention meetings after meetings. I've been super busy and enjoying every moment. Anyhow, that's the reason for my absence. 

I was fooling around on Pinterest, which is my last stop on the super highway before going to bed. Some people read, I pin things of interest. During one of my pinning moments, this nature image made me say "wow". It's the sandstone waves in Coyote Buttes North, AZ. The colors are rich - a nice combination of yellows, golds, oranges and browns. Those of you who've been a long time reader, know I have a thing for nature and colors. So I decided to use this picture as my inspiration for my 'tude mood board. 

I call this the Modern 'tude mood board. It has all the elements of a contemporary space: clean lines, simplicity, texture and neutral tones with a splash of color. Orange is my fave - another line I've used before. But it really is. I'm drawn to this color because of what it represents. Orange is a very social, happy color that seems to affect people on that level. 

As for the two rugs to the lower left, I would absolutely layer them for interest and depth. This is by far my favorite design style because it's an extension of me. It's uncluttered and interesting and allows me to design without the necessity of the bells and whistles. Less is definitely more.  

What design style is an extension of you?

Just Thoughts.......

 One of the best joys in my life is getting together with old friends, basking in the laughter, walking down memory lane and just plain ole' catching up. Hanging out with a few friends I hadn't seen in years is how I spent my Saturday. And, although we have FaceBook, it will never be the same as seeing them in person. This day is forever imprinted on the most treasured moments of my life. 

Which brings me to share some of my favorite quotes. Great tidbits, people tend to forget some simple life lessons that will make their lives and others around them stressfree. One of my favorites from the list is listen without interrupting; you may actually hear what people are and are not saying. Talk less, listen more. 

Some of my friends are so in tuned with this quote. If you continue to believe you can't do something, guess what, you'll never move forward. Trust in yourself. However, there's a limit to convincing. They must trust and believe in themselves.

Then there are the uptight, anal, impatient people in my life. I tell them all the time calm down, stress kills. Relax, have a glass of wine or something. 

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My alltime favorite quote. If I'd listen to naysayers three years ago when I first told people I was going back to school to get an interior design degree, I would not be where I am today. The people who really know me, knows that I live by this creed. 

Designing with Mirrors

More than just a tool for the last minute check before heading out the door, mirrors are nice design features to update your interior space. More often mirrors are used for bringing additional light into a space where light is lacking, may also be used to make a space appear larger, dressing a dining table, or in the nonfunctional sense, dressing a space. I have quite a few mirrors myself. Mirrors are nice to design with for they now come in many styles to suit your desired taste. 

Placing a mirror over a server is a typical design feature. It adds stunning drama to a feature wall and accents the furniture very well. For a dramatic effect, place a mirror that is more than ordinary, especially if the mirror is non functional and simply used for decor.  

Although not new, layering mirrors, which I'm a big fan of, creates depth where there is none and gives the area a nice textured perspective. This is a great method for playing up the standard builder wall mirrors. 

Create your own mirror design using different shapes for an interesting feature. This is definitely a conversation piece. I especially like that each mirror is at a different height, which is great for people who are below or above average height. 

What's a mirror without lighting? Clever placement of lighting helps diffuse shadows in the wrong places. 

Even architectural details needs attention. Great use of the mirror to create an illusion and depth. 

How do you use mirrors? Do you find that you don't use them decoratively because you have to constantly clean them? 

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Cheers!!!!!

Things are happening

Today was a good first day in the office; my office in my new company. Yes, I have opened my own company/firm (interior design of course), which was something I'd been planning to do for over a year now. It was only recently, one month ago to be exact, that my business partners and I finally took the time (which we were seriously lacking before) to get things in motion. And everything is in motion. It is the most exciting feeling just knowing that it's all up to me and my motivation, my goals and my stamina. 

(photographed and designed by me)

Back to why my day was good. We scheduled some appointments, had a business meeting that went very well and sketched some concept designs for our first client. Business development is in motion and I must say, it's quite rewarding. There's noting better than tellin' fear to step-off, this gal has a business to run!!!

Cheers!!!!

Weekend wrap.....

As an end of summer treat, we spent our Saturday at Bush Gardens with my daughter and nephew; who, by the way, ditched us within five minutes of entering the park. Other than the blazin' Florida sun, which pretty much wiped me out for the rest of the day, we had a good time. Enjoy the pictures I snapped of a few of the animals we saw strolling around. 

Isn't this little guy cute thing. 

Hope you guys had a great weekend......

Cheers.......

JCrew Office Update - Contract Design

 

Lately, I have been spending quite a bit of time with 3Ds Max trying to master the rendering process; at least enough so that my portfolio will have the look I desire. Any one who has ever  approached 3Ds Max knows that there is a learning curve - for me that learning curve was steep.

There are so many dang buttons in that thing. Half the battle is knowing what they all do so that you can get the desired results. But with any new program, if you are determined, you'll keep trying until you get it right. Well, that's me. 

One of my sticking issues was the proper way to map and tile materials. Being able to bring in any material I want and applying it to whatever element I wanted sounded like a piece of cake. Ha!! Thank God for books, my notes and friends who are always willing to assist.  

These are just draft/practice renderings - testing my abilities, which I think are pretty good considering how much I've improved. This time I allowed myself to make mistakes and not get totally frustrated with the fact that I know I can do something but it just doesn't work out the way I want it. So I try try and try again.  

Remember this picture. This was my first introduction to 3Ds Max, which, by the way, I received a lot of assistance.

The next step is to figure out the lighting process, which will give the renderings a more realistic touch. 

Cheers...........

Through a photographer's eye

On my to-do list of tasks is to learn how to take great photographs. I've always admired and appreciated the eyes through the lens. It's not an easy thing to do, capturing great photographs. By all means it doesn't stop at just having a great camera. There's an art to it. One of my favorite hobbies is to photograph architecture. Like another secret love, I can get lost for hours just staring at beautiful architecture through the lens and capturing their secrets. 

The last two images were taken by me and are two of my favorites. They were taken while I was in London in August 2010. What exactly do I see? Inspiration for a design project, a little mystery, some texture or how the buildings relate to each other. Whatever the reason, architecture appeals to me. 

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I'm being terrorized.......

......by jibber-jabbers of two fourteen year olds, my daughter and my nephew visiting from Boston. It's time for them to vacate my premises, stop eating my food and running up my electrical bill and get their tails back into school.

Although their conversations, mostly about video games, are quite funny, I can't help but think how peaceful my house is going to be when she's in school, he's back in Boston and I'm in my peaceful house. Oh, how I cherish those infrequent moments.

As a tribute to me, here's a video of how I'm feeling right now. This video cracks me up every time because I don't believe I'm the only parent out there that looks forward to this time of the year: end of summer and beginning of school.

Ahhh....sheer bliss ;)

Untitled

I have nothing important to write about tonight because my mind is mostly on London and what's currently happening. I have family and friends there and they're ok. Last year about this time I was footing around London having the time of my life. It is a beautiful city and to think about what's happening right now is unbelievable. But then again, it's not so shocking, is it. This sort of thing can happen anywhere and anytime for similar reasons. 

To read the FaceBook status updates from my London peeps is disheartening. The looting, violence and utter destruction of people's property is madness. Here's an updated article documenting the current event in London. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/looting-arson-spread-widely-in-london-as-civil-unrest-escalates/2011/08/08/gIQAkUW12I_story.html

To Marcy, I know you'll read my blog at some point tomorrow. I tried to call you today to find out if you're ok without success. Shoot me an 'I'm ok" email....will ya. 

Color Inspiration - Violet

I know I wrote about violet before, but when I saw this beauty below, I had to share. There's something quite calming and inspirational in a magical kind of way about this picture. The colors are truly captivating. 

My color inspirations are sometimes nil and sometimes it hits me at the moment when I least expect it. I look to nature or some form of decorative object for most of color inspirations. Nature does it so flawlessly with little effort. You can take those same colors and apply to any interior and yield some really great results as in the featured space below. Can you see the color connections?

Not only because of all the straight lines that defines this space makes this space, but also because this is a typical contemporary color scheme: violet/purple with grays and whites that never goes out of style. 

What I particularly like about this space is that not everything matches but they do relate in some way; Like the color tones and wood tones. I also fancy that the ceiling is not an afterthought in this room. The designer took an opportunity to include the ceiling thereby completing this room. 

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Cheers guys.......

Photoshoot

Although this week started out rough, it ended pretty sweet. I had the best day at work today. Other than doing all the interior design stuff like calling vendors, placing orders, checking on the progress of contractor's work and drafting floor plans, we had a photo shoot today a client's bathroom that was recently completed. 

Have you ever seen a picture of a beautiful bedroom or bathroom in a magazine and really fell in love the design not really thinking about how that picture came to life. This was the first photo shoot I'd ever attended and it was amazing to see the entire shoot unravel. 

When we first arrived on scene it was pretty much setting the stage: rolling towels, polishing faucets, lighting candles and placing flowers. Really, just making sure every element was photo ready.....not a hair out of place. Everything must be perfect. Then for a couple of hours the photographer did his thing. Most of the time we were standing around watching, waiting, watching and waiting. The bathroom is one of the most challenging rooms to photograph because of all the mirrors. Trying to keep the camera out of the mirror while photographing the mirror can be quite tricky. A good photographer knows what he/she is doing. I managed to sneak a few pics of the bathroom with my iPhone - sorry for the blurred images.

Cheers.....

Tile Inspirations

Sometimes I like to get lost in design inspirations and tonight is no different. After a very busy week of final projects and presentations, I think I'll get lost in some designs right now. 

I found some solitude with the lonely bathtub sitting in this room. Looks like the perfect escape, doesn't it. Something I could use right now. The tiles are what drew me to this image. Reminiscent of old world wood, they do a nice job dressing up this bathroom. Actually this space looks more like a showroom floor with the glass wall to the right. Nonetheless, love the look. 

I wonder what lies behind this yellow door. The tile designs are inspiring - Moroccan, middle eastern with its scalloped arch that frames the myterious door. Bright blue and yellow tiles are always a great vivacious combination.  

 This is a nice clean contemporary bathroom with cool hues and a touch of warmth from the mademoiselle chair. Check out the sexy shower head. I love this bathroom. 

Plum, purple, violet, whichever color term you prefer, provides a nice backdrop for the soaker tub. These iridescent tiles look great especially when doused with shimmers of light. They'll sparkle everytime.  

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