Design Components...

Living in a loft in a large city is very different than living in a neighborhood.
The logistics of a parking structure and elevators, hallways and public spaces really make you think about what you bring into your living space. I am liking it. This space is a "Clutter Free Zone".
Components is an interesting word, literally meaning separate articles that make a whole. When we think of components in a home we think of furnishings and accessories. What is your style? Tailored, Bohemian, Romantic, Country or City Chic? All of these styles have basic ideas in common. In any living space we need a place to share a meal, have a conversation, and sleep. The personal part is style of the furnishings and accessories, this is where components come in. In a modern space it is important to have clean lines and very little clutter. Art needs to be bold, and simple. Bedding should be clean and somewhat tailored with simple strokes of color, bold or subtle. If you are going for a sleek look, stay away from choices that feature embellishments, lace or other fru fru additions. Remember it is most important to honor clean lines this will go along way in creating a modern look.

I love to bring in nature whether it is plants, Orchids, Bromeliads, Fresh flowers, Nests (under glass if possible), Rocks, Shells and cool Twigs. I also like to incorporate items that feel as if they are drawn or inspired by nature. This "Nature Style" goes with many home styles, the difference is how you display your objects. Fun shelving, cabinets, bookcases, and tables are the usual ways to display articles you would like to live with.

I recently picked up some interesting square cubby style bookcases. What is interesting is that each rectangular cubby is its own little still life. These are cheap and available at Pier One Imports. You can even order them online. By the way I also picked up my Damask Style chairs there, wow affordable, chic home decorating. When you are thinking about what to bring into your space think of these three rules. 1.Does the object, or piece of furniture share something in common with the rest of the style and theme you have adopted into your living space? Style, Color, Texture, something needs to tie it in the whole vision.
2. Is the piece of furniture or object trendy? A few rules, don't pay so much for it, that way when you tire of the bright color or overly cheerful pattern you won't feel like you just can't waste your money and replace it until it is worn out. Trendy is great for throw pillows but not for couches.
3.Do you LOVE it? Yes, always ask yourself this question. If you do not LOVE it, do not bring it into your home. This is also wise because you won't have a lot of clutter around.




I always ask myself these three important questions and adhere to them as my divine design rules. My answers to these simple questions have served me well over the years.

Wing Haven Garden

Some gardens can be mysterious and magical. I visited The Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary on a recent Saturday morning. I was transported back to a gentler time, when folks gardened with a passion. The couple who created this garden spent decades adding new areas and garden rooms.







Wing Haven has many varieties of Shrubs, Trees, Roses, Herbs and Perennials that form a dense canopy and undergrowth for the many birds who call this garden home. I was reminded of Rosemary Verey's garden at Barnsley House in England. Rosemary was a magnificent designer I had met in England and her gardens were magic and very photogenic. I loved the way the paths in her garden interconnected and created a never ending garden stroll! (Rosemary was Prince Charles Garden Designer) Eddie and Elizabeth Clarkson had a dream and it was to create a garden that would become a sanctuary for birds and fellow gardeners and friends. Lovely, indeed. Creating a garden that fed all of the senses is tricky business and requires a strong vision, passion, time, money and patience. Patience to plant a small tree and understand it's eventual standing in the space in which it lives.It was pure joy to walk in this garden. I was delighted as I strolled down the garden path each curve providing a new view, a water feature or a seating area. Pure alchemy. The sound of water from a fountain, wind rustling in the leaves above, and birdies, yes birdies everywhere, darting in the canopy above or the hedgerow beyond. Sheer heaven. I will be back to visit this little slice of heaven often.




FMI: Log onto www.winghavengardens.com the gardens are located in the Myers Park area of Charlotte and are truly worth the visit, most anytime of year. Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary is open to the public several days a week.

CLICK ON SLIDESHOW OF WINGHAVEN GARDEN

Personal Space, a photographers vision...

Sarah Szwajkos is a talented photographer, and a very special friend of mine. I admire her work and her passion. She has created a collection of photographs of people's personal space. The photographs offer an intimate glimpse of lives being lived. Her approach is unique. She does not style a shoot, she studies the space and then finds the best angle to tell the story. When I was moving from Green St. she asked if she could come over and shoot my house as I was moving out. I had seen her work and knew she would tell the story of my space and the de-constructing of my home.



















Sarah been an Art of Photographer for many years. She has studied with Master Photographers including Amy Arbus, Joyce Tenneson, Jean Pagliuso and Paul Caponigro to mention a few. She is inspired by personal spaces and how people occupy that space and sees photographs wherever she goes. Sarah is a treasure I am impressed with her work and her ability to convey the energy of the objects or space she is photographing. She has slide show galleries on her website and they are fantastic. If you would like to view her collection from the Green St. House, click on Galleries then click onto Green St. Take the time to look at her other collections.
Oh and think about this, wouldn't it be fun to hire her to shoot your personal space?
FMI:
damnrabbitstudios.com
Sarah Szwajkos
207.232.8541
sarah@damnrabbitstudios.com

Alchemy at "The Airee"... Loft Living

Alchemy, there is no other word for it. Wow living above a city and watching it all happen below you is truly magical. Now I know why birds are always tweeting so happily. It is exhilarating to watch the sun come up from the beyond illuminating the mirrored buildings.






The light reflects around to the inner corners of this 24th floor loft. I am enchanted. The balcony is breezy in the evenings and the city lights are knock out gorgeous. Never have I seen so much from one spot. Funny, me being the organic nature girl. I am really enjoying this place. Interesting observation, nature is everywhere but in a different context from such a high spot.
Birds fly by at eye level, and I have a front row seat to the ever-changing sky. I have had a wonderful time finding the components to furnish this magic place. I decided to create a style that is based in nature. The twist is organic natural shapes in modern materials, with a bit of whimsy and fun thrown in. The look is sophisticated and artistic all at the same time.Sort of Naturalist meets Urban Loft Dweller! I have looked at the history of traditional modern, now that is a contradiction in terms. It really is retro because the first modern architecture was dreamed up by Frank Lloyd Wright at the turn of the last century. For fun look at his architectural drawings and notice the sleek modern lines of his buildings then check out the people he put in the drawings for scale, they are dressed in the clothing of the time, bustles! It is fun to look at and think about, Frank Lloyd Wright was an Avatar and so ahead of his time. The next wave of modern sleek was the late 30's and 40's, it was called Modern. The movement de-constructed the fru of Art Deco and post Victorian and embraced lean lines in furnishings, dishes and accessories. The third go round was in the late 50's thru the late 60's. This incarnation was more futuristic and pop like the popular Jetsons cartoon. Let's flash to now. Modern has resurfaced and shape shifted into not only modern looking but the manufactures of furnishings, fixtures and accouterments are using slick new materials, many of which are Green and Sustainable. What a great time to be a designer. Fun, and interesting. The popular colors are bold and strong.





I am back to blogging 3 times a week, log on often and learn more about urban loft living.

Arty Still Life...

Today I am going to write about the creative muse that lives within us all. My friend Janice Micek is an incredibly talented artist. Her specialty of the moment is assemblage art. She lives her life in an artful manner. I went to a workshop in her home and asked if I could come back and photograph her "Arty Still Life's".





I was inspired by her love of nature and her ability to tell a story with objects.
Tables filled with silver from a bygone era, shells and other treasures from the sea, a bowl of pieces and corners of old frames, not to mention the charming natural whimsy that was the underlying foundation to her display work. Janice also had a fair amount of nests and all were displayed in a cozy and nesty fashion.
Oh yes, this is a woman I could and will be very good friends with.





She loves art and the natural world and she understands how to integrate them into pieces that are clearly personal and pure magic. You go girl!