Monday's Method

Today I am starting a new series ~ Monday's Method.

A while back, I asked my readers what they would like to see or learn about on my blog. Some folks asked for design advice. Great! Love to do it. This is a marriage made in heaven to me. First of all, I love to design and I love to help ~ some of you know I already do an advice column. Second, I am a huge fan of Susan's Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday. If you have never attended Susan's party, you are missing a wonderful event. Susan invites people to link their Before & After posts. So many ideas are there for all to see and be inspired by!

My Monday's Method will differ from Susan's but relate. My concept is for those of you that have a design question, just drop me a note at paula@paulagracedesigns.com. Be as specific as you can and send photos. I'll offer a design solution for you! It may be the first step to your metamorphosis. If you implement the solution, you'll have a follow up post to link with Susan's party! How fun is that?!!

For the first Monday Method, I'm answering the design question of a lovely gal who also writes a fabulous blog, Karen at Strictly Simple Style. Karen writes about her defined scale problem:

Hi Paula,

I've attached a few pictures of the fireplace area of my great room. The fireplace is 62 inches (The mantle is 69 inches). The open areas on either side of the fireplace are 64 inches each. I would have to dig out the blueprints for an exact floor to ceiling measurement, but they are approximately 16 feet high.

As I mentioned in my comment on your blog, the horrible old television set will be going. I'd love to hide the new set in some type of built-in unit. The other issue is the window treatments. They were custom made just two years ago and I'd like to keep them, but the panel near the fireplace wall could interfere with a wall-to-wall unit. Can you see why I need help?!

Thanks for taking a look Paula. I look forward to any suggestions you might have.

Karen

Some pictures of her dilemma.....
I see what you mean. This is a question I get asked a lot actually because many of the homes around my parts have these soaring ceilings. They are both awesome and challenging. You mentioned built-ins but were concerned about them interfering with your lovely drape panels. You could do built-ins but just not wall to wall. Another option is to embrace and control the expanse at the same time. How?

I love paying homage to architecture such as this with a floor to ceiling application. The soaring vertical line will give one the feeling of freedom ~ reaching new heights. Plus it may be enjoyed by both floors, main and upper levels. The best way to show you is with an elevation...
Here I have remove the existing mantel (carefully so I may donate it) and replaced it with a floor to ceiling application of slate tile. I found these samples at Mosaic Source...


Prairie Falling Water, Prairie Octagon

Desert Gold Falling Water, Desert Gold Octagon

Slate is beautiful and familiar thus almost universally loved. Great appearance for the here and now, wonderful for resale. I adore these neutral hues in either of these samples (the upper being a bit warmer than the bottom palette). I think the hexagon is a bit more unusual so I am drawn to that one. Plus I like the metallic inlays.

The television can be mounted just above a simple mantel so a separate cabinet won't be needed. Since this is in a public room in your home, I would suggest you conceal the television while not in use. It is simple now-a-days with a mirror or art ~ there are many options. I found these examples at Home Entertainment...


The gorgeous slate and television could be flanked symmetrically with larger scale cabinets with a traditional style and interesting details such as the French Window Cupboard from Sarreid, Ltd. (I love Sarreid for large scale pieces)...
The symmetry along with the horizontal line provided by the tops of the cabinets will contribute a more formal appearance and secure feeling ~ balancing the expanse of the slate. Beautiful, tall vases or other accessories may be placed atop the cabinets for added height and interest.

This design with enable you to keep your beautiful window treatments, provide display and storage cabinets, and highlight the architecture with an eco-friendly slate tile that will be very easy on the eyes.

Thank you Karen for the suggestion and submitting a great question! I hope this helps.

There is always several ways to resolve a dilemma. Any other ideas for Karen?

Also, if you have things you would like for me to cover other than advice, just let me know!

Just read Cottage Instincts blog ~ lovely ~ I'm joining that party too!

There are so many great parties out there! The Shabby Chic Cottage's Transformation Thursday is wonderful!

Found another lovely blog ~ the photography is amazing and the music beautiful. Little Red House ~ I joined Mary's Mosaic Monday party. Please take a look! You'll be glad you did.

Epigenetic Design ~ Deborah Burnett

Meet Deborah Burnett. I spoke with Deborah at length about Epigenetic Design. Say what??! Here is how its described by Deborah....

"What is EPIGENETIC DESIGN....and why is the relationship between genetics and the built environment so important? When it comes to human health, job performance, workplace productivity, sleep, cognition, and even how fast we heal, the answer is a shining bright light at the end of a long, dark, tunnel of windowless environments, overly bright nights, acoustically noisy and overly-chilled spaces, inadequate lighting, and design for the sake of aesthetics alone.

An emerging practice of intent-driven, evidence-based architectural and interior design devoted to a working knowledge of how the body and brain are directly affected by design related environmental cues, the case for universal understanding of EPIGENETIC DESIGN is becoming increasingly clear in light of recent scientific and medical research from world class universities and research labs around the world."

I came across Deborah's work though a newsletter I receive from Kohler. When I hopped over to her site, I was intrigued. I recognized that I was reading something very important plus with my background in health care, it was right up my alley. I called Deborah to discuss Epigenetic Design. She has devoted her work to uncovering and then educating about the relationship of interior design and health. She is even delving deeper to understand designs' impact on our genetic make up ~ things we need daily to lead a healthy, successful life ~ sleep, light, air quality, etc. Deborah graciously agreed to be interviewed for my blog. Here is an excerpt.....

Deborah: So since then I’ve been devoting my time specifically to reviewing the research, conducting clinical human studies and speaking at medical conventions, professional architectural and design conventions, women’s groups, and healing centers so that I can share this information on how the body and brain are being negatively impacted…. and how simple it is to do something about it ! And that was when I realized that EPIGENETIC DESIGN was occurring without anyone really understanding how or why it was happening. The studies showing the increase in kids math and reading scores and patients being discharged days earlier simple by being in rooms with natural views and large widows was making the news but no one in the A&D community knew how or whyit was working! It was then that I made the commitment to understand, learn and teach how and why these scientific studies were getting the results they were achieving from design related situations. Also it was at this same time that I began to realize that the very genes we carry in our humanness was being impacted by the environment in which we live. Thus EPIGENETIC is a term that I coined to show how the design of every space impacts the body and brain including something as important as the genetic expression and silencing of our genetic makeup!

To read the entire very informative interview about Deborah herself and the research she has done to date, click on the link below.
Paula Grace Interview with Deborah Burnett

Grab a cup of coffee or tea. The interview will make you do a bit of pondering. I always ponder best when I have a warm, soothing beverage in my hand to sip.

Let me know what you think? Will it effect the way you design or think of interior design?

Faux Iron

Have you ever seen faux wrought iron? It can be very beautiful. I have used it in moderation but have not had the chance to use it as a ceiling application. There, I think it is spectacular. These photos are from Faux Iron Solutions ~ my vendor for such things. Their website has other application pictures but these I find to be stunning.



I am not crazy about the dense design in the arched transom. I would prefer more negative space to let the light in but I do love the idea. I think the contrast in a ceiling applications are lovely. Too much of a good thing in some of the photos.... but individually, each use is beautiful. This is also a LEEDs qualified product as it is made from recycled material. Just think of what you could do with this... where you will be able to place since since it weighs almost nothing BUT looks like authentic wrought iron. It comes in many designs and finishes plus one may design their own. It also can be made fire resistant ~ that is a plus as I used it to hide under cabinet lighting over a stove top (excuse the picture... me and my little Canon)....

And yes, that is glass subway tile ~ go figure ~ glass tile in one of my rooms!

What applications can you see using faux iron in?

All Things Glass II / Artist Series II

I was going to do a blog on art glass - part two in my "All Things Glass" series. Then I decided I could not do a blog on art glass without referencing the creme de la creme of glass artists - Lino Tagliapietra. I was overjoyed when one of my favorite publications ~ Traditional Home ~ did a story on him in their June/July issue. The first line in their story reads "Lino Tagliapietra is the greatest living glass artist you've never heard of." There are accolades left and right about his magnificent works from people in the know - Corning Museum of Glass, Steuben.... In fact, Art of Glass 2 whose mission statement begins "Art of Glass 2 is a regional cultural partnership that will bring to Hampton Roads the best in contemporary glass from around the world..... " displays Mr. Tagliapietra's work on every single page of their website.

Mr. Tagliapietra's life began in the right place - born on the Venetian Island of Murano - a place known for its glassmaking industry dating back to the late 13th century. At the young age of 21, after 10 years of apprenticing, he earned the rank of maestro. In 1979, Mr. Tagliapietra was invited to teach at the Pilchuck Glass School - since then Pilchuck has become one of the most influential glass centers in the world. The maestro's influence as a teacher can be seen in numerous works of other glass artists. It has been said that his generosity as a teacher was beyond compare. Not only does he have my respect as an artist, he has my heart because of his generosity as a teacher.

As I have said, I love glass. I would love to have one (many really) of his pieces in my home but according to Traditional Home, a pink bowl with applied red decoration he made sold for $4,750.00. YIKES! Maybe in a few years.

Fortunately, Mr. Tagliapietra's artistic works are always on display - on his website, at Heller Gallery in NYC and Traver Gallery in Seattle, WA (East and West coast, how thoughtful), and right here on my blog.







I adore this piece...


The detail is extraordinary...


If you are interested in seeing beautiful art glass, check out Art of Glass 2 and they will tell you where to find it.

Don't worry, in a subsequent blog, I will show you beautiful art glass that we don't have to break the bank for, including the pieces I have in my own home. Stay tuned - the gem of the week is coming up.....

Working Paint

I have used functional paint in several of my designs. I used magnetic paint in the Child Advocacy Center to help maintain a comfortable room size. I also used it underneath children’s wallpaper so they could place magnets directly in a scene. I have also used magnetic chalkboard paint for get the best of both. See Magnamagic. Fun! Chalkboard paint can be tinted to be used with almost any décor – from children room to kitchen…. See Rustoleum. I recently came across another functional paint that I have not used – washable marker board from Idea Paint. Just one coat turns any surface into a dry erase board. Great! How eco-friendly! In fact, they address this directly on their website, “Idea Paint is the most environmentally friendly dry-erase product on the market, making significant improvements in raw material utilization, energy consumption, and air quality. “ Wonderful! I can see using this in many applications - home office, kitchen, laundry room, pantry, playroom….. Many folks came up with great uses for functional paint – take a look. Send me your photos using functional paint and your ideas and stay tuned to see your contributions.

Wallcovering Continued

Lillian Weist sent me an email reminding me of National Guild of Professional Paperhangers, Inc. I actually knew about this organization but completely spaced out. Thank you Lillian for keeping me focused.

Here is what they offer to consumers - this is directly from their site:

"The National Guild of Professional Paperhangers is an organization of wallcovering installers dedicated to superior craftsmanship in the hanging of every type of wallpaper. We are an industry leader for the advancement of the use of wall coverings in residential and commercial environments. Founded in 1973, this association of independent wallpaper hangers and vinyl contractors has been instrumental in maintaining high standards in the hanging of historic wallpapers, scenic murals, silk papers, bamboo, grasscloth, English pulp papers as well as traditional fabric-backed and paper-backed vinyl materials. We work closely with interior designers to insure the proper installation of hand prints, English wallpapers, and untrimmed screen prints. Our members pride themselves in staying current on state-of-the-art methods for wall paper installation and wallpaper removal while still preserving the time-honored practices of installing historic wallhangings."

Now there is a resource anyone can get their head around!