Bras for a Cause!

In preparation for breast cancer awareness month in October, next Friday night is a special Bras for a Cause runway event at the casino!  The catch is, all the models are male real estate agents in the area.  Forgive me, you won't be seeing any final photos but I just had to share our design.  This bra was is so amazing I would love to attempt an entire dress out of cards.  Maybe I'll save that for a Great Gatsby party coming up in November. 

Floral Design : Modern Fall Naturalist

Inspiration Sketch : Gallery Wall Project Part 1

[bosworth hoedemaker via houzz]            [hamptons design house 2012]

A very dear client of mine has been struggling with a focal wall in her dining room.  She's had a nice painted piece up that fills up the space but its not personal and is lacking a wow factor.  Its always best to start with something you love and build from there.  Whether your designing a sitting area around a great rug you've purchased in Morocco or a painting you found on a weekend getaway in New England; great design must work for you and pull forth an emotion that makes you happy.  We knew we wanted to incorporate her love of the ocean which she shares with her husband, but we didn't want to go overly coastal.

This vignette is a very naturalistic approach to the sea.  We also really like the idea of mixing real artifacts behind glass to really create a collage feeling. [images via Pinterest]

We started with a formation that suited the wall and grew our concept from there.  Stay tuned to see where this inspiration took us.  We have a few custom pieces still to source but you can be sure we'll have everything installed before the big holiday dinner!

Hatch Entrepreneurial Center : Project Part One

I've been helping friends of mine with the design for a center they've created for young Rhode Island entrepreneurs cleverly titled, Hatch.  They've spent months developing the concept and converting two floors of their historic bank building into a space that will help foster young businesses.  Nestled amongst the campuses of Johnson & Wales, Brown, RISD and PC this space is sure to appeal recent graduates and start ups in the area.  The idea is similar to a shared office space that allows tenants a place to hang their titles instead of at the local coffee shop.  There's conferencing space, access to printing, wifi, mentoring and advice through a business network and an actual mailing address.   Its a brilliant cause that's dear to their hearts so I was more that willing to help transform the space into an environment that harbors inspiration and professional development for the local community.

This is the pallet I had to work with, (gorgeous right?) coined the "beehive" this will be the flex area for morning coffee, checking emails and impromptu meetings.  Standing in the turret you overlook a bustling square just in front of the Providence Performing Arts Center.  You can literally feel the energy in this room.

For design of the space I wanted to let the natural lighting, breathtaking windows and refinished floors stay center stage.  The elements we brought in had to be quiet, clean and airy like the rest of the room.  Design for this room would essentially become the feel of Hatch to be reflected in the entry way, elevator remodel and the work space elements once you enter the space.

The last couple weeks have been all about construction, painting, receiving furniture, final element sourcing and installation.

This adorable fiddle leaf fig tree isn't quite as tall as I wanted, but for New England end of summer, we're looking at it as having plenty of room for future growth!  We'll try to cheat it in a larger pot for some height - a little set design illusion never hurt anybody!  Ian, my go-to furniture installer, problem solver and brother; helps with the heavy lifting.

Later that day, the guys humor me as we try to get the precise placement for these wood pendants.  Just wait 'till you see them with the floors!

Grand Opening is Wednesday, September 18th!  Stay tuned for final photos and my favorite notes on the project!

What I'm Loving Right Now: Arial Maps

Whether they're behind plexiglass in a public works office or tastefully framed over a seductive sofa; I'm loving arial map inspired artwork.  Traditional styles vary betweeen hand drawn sketches or bluepriints of old world grounds and gardens, but this new modern take is just as admirable.  If a piece of art is worthy of grand style, I say the bigger the better.  How Bobo Intruiguing Objects or Restoration Hardware achieves interest with their oversized black and whites, I believe you can aquire the same feeling with a blown up arial.  Now i just need the perfect client!

These arial maps from David Thomas in kaleidoscope formation:

 

They remind me of a modern take on inkblots, one of my other favorites pieces to use.  Can you tell I like things out of the ordinary?

These arials are closer in view of the Eiffel tower in Paris and the gardens at the Palace of Versailles.   I visited both of these breathtaking pieces of history with my family while I was in highschool  I would love to revisit on a photography mission!

What sort of pieces have you buzzing lately?