Elizabeth Lyons at Architectural Digest Home Design Show

If you read my blog, you know I love glass. Elizabeth Lyons is one of my favorite glass artists. She's from my home town, Rochester, New York. Above are the Petite Trios.

She creates these amazing bottles in the most vibrant colors. The ones above are known as Twilight. I love the sky blazing with these colors. The ones below are called Vineyard.


I love the saturation level she reaches. Elizabeth also does soft ethereal hues as seen ion Water Color Wash below. If you're heading to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, stop by Elizabeth's booth and see for your self just how gorgeous her art is.

Enjoy!

A Day Made of Glass

You know I have an obsession with glass... well, have you seen this? Pretty amazing. Tell me what you think!

Beautiful Details

On Monday I showed you a wide angle shot of this project. Here is a detail shot. You may already know this about me but I love using glass... art glass, glass tile..... I am always mesmerized but the play between light and glass. This leads me to state for the record ~ lighting is critical for great design. You can see I used glass tile that captures the palette. These are illuminated by under cabinet lighting. In this design, I also have lit top cabinets along the entire perimeter of this kitchen. Of course, the shelves in these cabinets are a bit too high for daily functional use but functional use is not why they are there. I designed these cabinets to hold a two art glass series that I love from Cyan Design. They are not terribly expensive ~ GREAT! They are, however, very impactful.



When these glass pieces are illuminated, they are spectacular. The entire perimeter of the kitchen glows with champagne and soft green. Hmmm.... maybe I should take a picture of them in the evening (duh!). Next time :)

More details to come!

Glorious Doors

I received my copies of Architectural Digest and Elle Decor. I sat leisurely perusing them this weekend. I was a bit under the weather so these shelter magazine were a great escape. I always find something that truly takes me away to another place. This time it was doors. Not just any type of door but ones that connect you to the world beyond. This one comes from the Shifting out of Neutral story in Elle Decor...

I love the arch, the iron motif, and the diffused light. This is a front door so privacy is important, which the frosted glass provides. What about a back door though...

Ahhhhh, that's a breath of fresh air ~ literally. This comes from Renaissance Man (aka Richard Shapiro) who's beach front home appears in Architectural Digest. His home is stunning and the views magnificent.

Its amazing to me how a door can bring with it so many visions and dreams.

Elizabeth Lyons Glass Art

Elizabeth Lyons has unveiled her latest collections of glass jars (aka art). Take a look...

Zest2

Bottleglass

Warmth

Blues

Simply gorgeous!

William Yeoward

I have to say I am truly smitten. I had the pleasure of attending the debut of William Yeoward furnishings in the United States the other day. It was a lovely event held in the Edward Ferrell & Lewis Mittman Showroom at the Washington Design Center. William did a "dry run" of his presentation on his new fabric line with Osborne & Little. He was going to NYC for the formal bash ~ we were his "guinea pigs" as he put it. I was happy to be one. First I'll say what I love about William; then I will tell you what I love about his creations.

William was the most gracious host I have ever seen. He was rearranging furniture to ensure people would be comfortable; he was taking the guests empty plates away; he wore jeans. I would live in jeans if I could. William was self-depreciating and humble. I have met people with half of his talent and success with egos the size of Minnesota; who wouldn't look at you when they spoke. I assure you I will not use their product lines in my designs. But William was down right endearing AND he is incredibly talented. His new fabric line was inspired by where he grew up ~ Cornwall, England. He treated us to pictures of Cornwall and how the fabrics relate. His brother was also in the pictures, which, of course, made it all the more personal.

William has many product lines. Sometimes when designer get too diversified, the magic can be lost. Not so here. Here has upholstery, case goods, pillows, accessories, and crystal. Now that is a man after my own heart. You know I have an affinity for glass and crystal and William did not disappoint. I also love embroidered pillows. William's are gorgeous and all done by hand.

His fabrics are lush and real. The cottons and linens he introduced were amazing. They are robust and beautiful.


I fell in love with his Pila Chair. Here's an important point ~ I sat in many of his chairs. They are comfortable! The Pila Chair in particular was very much so. Here is another point I love ~ you can dress his upholstery up or pare in down to accommodate any room in your home. Take a look...

The Pila Chair on the left is currently displayed in the EF & LM showroom. That is a fabric for last year's collection (I love it!). This version is formal. Now look at the one on the right ~ this is casual done with his new earthy fabrics. Each equally lovely. Why? It's the shape of the chair. Graceful. The back wraps around you. Look at this detail picture...

I love the little touch of the solid fabric surrounded by the nail head. Beautiful!

William seems to often use two fabrics on his furniture. That is another detail that I enjoy. It makes the piece interesting and can provide a gentle pause to a highly patterned fabric.

William has wonderful books as well. Click on each to get them...

He is mindful and talented. I definitely will be using his lines.

He's just that good!

Wouldn't these be wonderful in.....

The other day I posted about Elizabeth Lyons. When I was reviewing photos that I have saved for inspiration I couldn't help but place her glass art in the rooms. You know when something is fresh in your mind and you think about how it would relate to what you're currently doing? It was like that. I found two rooms compliments of Architectural Digest where the glass art above can easily be placed.

Some of the pieces would be a lovely addition to these rooms. What about these chic ones?!
Can you see them in this sophisticated space?!
I have to admit ~ my favorite colorways by Elizabeth in her latest and greatest are what I had on my mind when I was looking through pictures. It's funny how these things stick with you. I suppose that is how fabulous pieces usually get placed. The piece lays in the subconscious of the designer and a room can be designed just for it. That happens often to me after Market or after perusing one of my favorite hautes for antiques. And now it just happened with Elizabeth's work. I wonder where they'll end up??!!

Elizabeth Lyons

I have written about Elizabeth before.

I interviewed her for my Artist Series. I am happily on her mailing list. I enables me to keep current on her work. You know the special place I have in my heart for glass and crystal art. I love Elizabeth's work. She is from my hometown but that is not how I know her. I was visiting once and happened upon her studio. It was a chance encounter that I enjoyed. Here are some of her latest works of art...
The colors are spectacular. I literally want them all!

Thomas Long Glass

Glass blowing is not for the faint of heart...

Take Thomas Long for example...

The furnace is hot ~ 2100 to 2400 degrees...

Yikes!

The construction meticulous or else....



From his website I gleamed this information ~

The Work: During the last few years I have been focusing on large architectural, sculptural installations out of blown glass. The process starts out with a sketch which I do on site if possible. Once the design is finished, I hand blow each piece and lay out each part of the sculpture into the evolving work. I then template the piece and fabricate my framework to secure the sculpture. The usual turn around for a custom wall sculpture is about 2 months or less depending on location. I have work in homes and commercial spaces throughout the US, and have my work in collections in Hong Kong, the UK, and traveling the seas on a luxury cruise ship. Please visit my video page to see the process of blowing glass in the studio.

About the Glass: In the studio we have an electric furnace that maintains the temperature of the glass between 2100-2400 degrees. The clear glass that we use is from the Phillips company and is shipped from Holland. It contains pure refined quartz with virtually no impurities. In my work I utilize the highest quality glass colors available internationally today, which enables the rich colors to come through in my glass and patterning.

Green info: We strive to limit any waste in our studio. Waste glass is reduced through our streamlined process in our hotshop and any leftover glass is recycled and used by a glass artist in North Carolina to make seaglass candles.

The results are spectacular...




Want more? Watch this video of Thomas and assistant creating ONE piece for a wall sculpture.


Gorgeous, just gorgeous!