Pop of Color: I’ve Got The Blues

“She don’t believe in shootin’ stars/but she believe in shoes & cars/Wood floors in the new apartment/couture from the store’s department” ~ Flashing Lights by Kanye West 

Today Design Minds we are all about BLUE!!! Yup, blue. The color of the sky and ocean that is also synonymous with the word “BOY”. Blue is peaceful, its tranquil and has a calming effect, making it popular in bedrooms.  I must admit I’m not really a blue kinda girl. It’s one of those colors on the color wheel that just doesn’t speak to me. I try to avoid it when possible. Well, blue jeans are probably the only exception to this rule.  Oh, I can’t forget about Tiffany blue. I digress. Anywhoo, when I first saw this picture my mouth literally dropped wide open.  Blue, which is known as a cool color,  is very dominate in this design yet there is still an essence of warmth in the room. I’m impressed.  *claps*  If Tiffany had a living room this is probably what it would look like. 

Designer Gerald Tolomeo via Decorati

The painting below is the work of Australian artist Campbell Laird, entitled, Modu Series #6. Laird is an award-winning artist who creates limited edition modern prints. His work can be found across the globe in Trump Tower in NYC to homes in the Hollywood Hills, London, Madrid and Tokyo.    

Photo via 2modern

Design Minds, can we please take a moment to acknowledge the beauty of these Kartell jewel-toned stools? A-MA-ZING!!! I know today’s theme is blue but I had to throw in a freebie.  These stools are a great way to add a touch of glamour to any space. They come in a variety of colors and can be used as a side table. Plus, ladies love things that sparkle. *wink* 

 

 

Here’s a unique desk lamp by Perch! called Frida. It’s fun and whimsical. A perfect lamp for a blogger’s desk. I don’t know about you but it makes me wanna grab my laptop and check out my favorite design bloggers while sipping on a cup of green tea on a cold rainy day. Ah, I’m feeling blue. 

Photo via 2Modern

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Design Envy: Fox Theatre Atlanta

“If I ruled the world/Imagine that/I’d free all my sons, I love em love em baby/Black diamonds and pearls/Could it be, if you could
be mine, we’d both shine/If I ruled the world/Still livin for today, in these last days and times” ~ If I Ruled The World by Nas

It was a hot Sunday afternoon in Atlanta when Bestie and I decided to take a stroll down Peachtree St.  to the Fox Theatre. When we got there, I was fascinated by the architecture and decor and immediately started taking pictures. There was something about it that drew me in but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Fast forward a few weeks later, the nerd in me (I was a history major in college) decided to Google the Fox Theatre Atlanta and I discovered that the interior and exterior is a mixture of ancient Egyptian and Islamic architecture. I was amazed at how these cultures influenced the design of the Fox Theatre which is also a historic landmark in Atlanta and listed on the National Historic Register.

The Fox Theatre was built in 1929 by French architect Olivier J. Vinour.  Vinour designed the building using Middle Eastern motifs. The Egyptian Ballroom is designed after a temple for Ramses II.  The ladies lounge  features a replica of the throne chair of King Tut and makeup tables feature tiny Sphinxes while the men’s lounge includes hieroglyphic adornments.

Trompe-l’œil, an art technique that makes images appear 3-dimensional, can be found on the ceilings throughout the building.

I am in love with the windows above the doors.

Here’s a glimpse of the Fox Theatre’s exterior. The architecture looks like an Islamic mosque.

The side of the building reminds me of ancient Egyptian pyramids.

Next week I will do a post on the Fox Theatre Detroit or St. Louis. A design comparison would be fun and educational.  Design Minds can pick the best design. Stay tuned.

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Design Mind: Harvey Gantt

“Successful people have a strong sense of their own selfworth, and that sense of self-esteem is the foundation on which they reach out and move forward.” ~ Harvey Gantt

Harvey Gantt was born in Charleston, SC in 1943 and has been described by his peers as a Trailblazer. He is a well-respected Architect, Politician, Philanthropist and Community Leader. He first gained national attention during the 1960’s when he became the first African-American to be admitted to Clemson University. He went on to graduate with honors with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and holds a master’s degree in urban planning from MIT. In 1983, he was elected as the first African-American mayor of the City of Charlotte. Today, Gantt manages Gantt Huberman Associates, an architecture, urban planning, and interior design firm based in Charlotte, NC. In 2009, the City of Charlotte opened it’s doors to the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture. The Center celebrates contributions made by Africans and African-Americans in art, music, dance, theatre, film and community outreach.

Harvey B. Gnatt Center for African-American Arts and Culture

 

Harvey Gantt is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National, Organization of Minority Architects. In 1987, the American Institute of Architects paid due recognition to Gantt by making him a Fellow in the Institute. He serves on the North Carolina Board of Architecture and the AIA National Minority Services Committee. He’s been a member of accreditation committees at Howard University and Southern University School of Architecture and lecturered at several colleges and universities nationwide, including Hampton, Yale, Cornell, UNC-Chapel Hill, Michigan, MIT, Mississippi State, Tuskegee, A&T, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech. Havey Gantt has distinguished himself as a designer of structures and a builder of communities. In 2006, Gantt Huberman Associates was awarded “North Carolina Firm of The Year” by the  North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Gantt Huberman Associates Projects

Imaginon, Children's Museum in Charlotte

Imaginon

Aycock Auditorium Renovation - Photo courtesy of Tom Kessler

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DecoAccents: Wallpaper Made Easy

“So tonight/Gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf/And just enjoy yourself/Groove/Let the madness in the music get to you/Life ain’t so bad at all/If you live it off the wall/Life ain’t so bad at all/Live your life off the wall” ~ Off The Wall by Michael Jackson

Happy Friday, Design Minds!!!

Are you looking for a simple yet creative way to decorate your home? Having difficulty deciding what color or pattern wallpaper to use? Want to add a splash of  color to your walls but also want the freedom to switch things up, especially if you don’t like the end result? Well Tempaper may be a viable option for you. Tempaper is self adhesive wallpaper that’s simple to put up and take down.  The wall decor was created in 2008 by set decorators in New York who needed temporary, hassle-free wallpaper that could easily be repositioned on the wall. Simply tear off the self adhesive backing and apply it to your walls. When you’re ready to take it down, it peels right off. No tools or no messy glue water required. Tempaper comes in a variety of patterns and colors. And they recently introduced a line of kid-friendly designs called, Tempaper Tots. Tempaper is great for nurseries, renters and apartment dwellers. Spice up your dorm room or office.

 

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DecoAccents: The House of Dereon

“I’m a survivor (what)/I’m not gonna give up (what)/I’m not gon’ stop (what)/I’m gonna work harder (what)/I’m a survivor (what),/I’m gonna make it (what)/I will survive (what)/Keep on survivin’ (what)/I’m a survivor (what)/I’m not gonna give up (what)/I’m not gon’ stop (what)/I’m gonna work harder (what)/I’m a survivor (what)/I’m gonna make it (what)/I will survive (what),
Keep on survivin’ (what)” ~ Survivor by Destiny’s Child

Beyonce and her mother Tina Knowles are branching out into the home furnishings industry with a new line of bedding, House of  Dereon and Dereon. The House of Dereon collection has European inspired prints and is suitable for master bedrooms while the Dereon collection has a fun, youthful appearance and targets customers between the ages of 15-30. Both collections will be sold at major retailers nationwide at prices ranging from $150 to $200 for House of Dereon and $50 to $100 for Dereon. The bedding collection is expected to be in stores later this year.

 

 

 

 

 

What say you Design Minds…Does this collection have what it takes to “survive” in the highly competitive home furnishings industry?

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The Mind Artist

“How I got over/Where the people come apart/Don’t nobody care about cha/Only thing you got is God.” ~ How I Got Over by The Roots 

 

I have the pleasure of knowing this talented artist personally. He’s a remarkable painter, fashion designer, and activist who educates people on the importance of building wealth by investing in art. His name is NaRada and he calls himself a “Mind Artist”. 

“My focus is the creative awareness and balance, expressing opposites and the center as guides. The impulsive drum I beat for. Peace and power in my life, and then others starts with in,…..; mind.” 

  

Poetry Night - NaRada

NaRada was born and raised in South Carolina and studied martial arts as a child. At age 13, he began to hone his skills as an artist. The self-taught artist would draw portraits of people who lived in his community. Painting his personal diary of awareness and humanism, NaRada’s work is often shocking as it portrays the harsh realities of life and the beauty of it. His latest collection, Art from Intuition, comes from a deep place of intuition. Using a free-styled approach, he didn’t sketch out what each piece would look like. The inspiration for his paintings came from within. He says this is proof of an “internal knowing” that guides us where we need to go in life.” 

Stilled Increase - NaRada

Knowing - NaRada

La Nell Om (The lover's orgasm) - NaRada

The Process of Life - NaRada

I am fortunate enough to have the painting below hanging on the wall in my home. I’m an art collector and this is one of my favorites.

10s - NaRada

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Design Mind: Didier Gomez

Didier Gomez began his career as an opera singer before branching out into interior design and product design during the mid-80’s. He’s a critically acclaimed designer whose high-profle clients include: Yves Saint-Laurent, Pierre Bergé, Carrousel du Louvre, LVMH, Bernard Arnault, Céline, Louis Vuitton, Galeries Lafayette, Vivendi Universal, Kenzo, Christian Dior, Pomelato, De Beers and L’Oréal. Gomez currently designs furniture for Cinna, Ligne Roset and Artelano.

            “To replace the human being at the centre, in a modernity which shall only be miscegenation.”

 

Gomez has roots in Andalusia and his work is influenced by African culture and Baroque style. Here are pictures of his 50’s inspired home in Rio. You can see the African influence in the artwork and use of natural materials in his designs. I need to know who did these paintings?  They are adorable.

Photo Courtesy of Architectural Digest

Photo Courtesy of Architectural Digest

Furniture pieces Gomez created for the France furniture company, Ligne Roset.

Corto Armchair - Linge Roset

Dessau Chair - Ligne Roset

 

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Naturally Inspired: The Great Outback

“Don’t you know you’re life itself/Like a leaf clings to a tree/Oh, my darling cling to me/For we’re creatures of the wind/And wild is the wind/So wild is the wind” ~ Wild is the Wind by Nina Simone

I spotted this chair inside of a little boutique in Atlanta. It sorta reminds me of the Great Outback. I love how nature inspires design…and our feelings.

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Hue of The Month: Marilyn Russell

“Every woman has a purpose/Nothing happens by chance/This is your life here in your hands/You gotta fight to take the stand” ~ Ay Yo by Melanie Fiona 

July’s Hue of the Month is an aspiring interior designer based in Florida named Marilyn Russell.  She’s a student and career changer who proves that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Marilyn has a good eye for color and effectively uses color to create balance in every space she touches. 

Name: Marilyn G. Russell 

Current City: Orlando, FL 

School Name and Degree: International Academy of Design & Technology (IADT) 

Current Employer or Business Name: Historian for the Interior Design club at IADT and Blogger for Marilyn’s Design Studio www.loveaffairwithcolor.com 

Design Specialty: Color, Kitchen & Bath, High-End Residential 

Professional Associations and/or Certifications: Student Member of IIDA, ASID & NEWH, which is the Network of the Hospitalilty Industry 

Tell me about yourself. 

I am a Jamaican native who spent her teenage years in Boston and is now living in Florida. I am married with three children, two boys (21 and 18) and one girl (13). I have a Bachelor’s degree in business management and am now pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. I love school. If I could afford to be a professional student I would. I’m even thinking of obtaining a Master’s degree in Interior Design. In fact, I’m headed to London in two weeks to study the history of interior design for a semester. My hobbies include photography and sketching. I take photographs every chance I get. You should see my mack-daddy camera with its multiple attachments. I can’t wait to share with you my findings in London. Sketching is another favorite pastime. I sketch different interior designs when I have time. It’s very soothing to me.  

I’m a laugher, and loudly too. I embarrass my friends sometimes. I’m always laughing at myself. Laughter is good for the soul. My favorite quote is “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds” from Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song”. This line to me says stop the self-inflicting doubt and believe in oneself. 

Tell me a little bit about your design background. How did you get started in the industry. 

I’m relatively new to the industry. It is my love for interior spaces and redesigning and restyling my own space that has propelled me towards obtaining a degree in interior design. 

Why did you decide to pursue a career in interior design? 

I decided to pursue interior design shortly after learning my mother was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. She was only 66 when she passed, four months before she was to retire. She told me the day before she died how proud she was of me and to continue developing my craft because I was so good at it. I honed in on how my mom never got a chance to do all things she wanted to do. Which is why, at that moment, I decided that life was too short to not pursue my passion. Therefore, I said goodbye to my 15-year insurance adjusting career and now here I am. 

Describe your first interior design project. 

My first project was a residential project for school, which I absolutely loved, although it was quite time-consuming. We (the class) were given a 3,000 sq.ft. floor plan in which the only condition was to redesign the space (move rooms, walls, etc) using tools we previously learned. This was my second space planning project and was quite challenging. What I learned was that a design job takes a considerably amount of thought, research and reworking until the desired outcome is reached. In the end, my professor thought my floor plan, project and presentation was the best. Something I’m very proud of. 

How do you define your personal style? 

My personal design style is contemporary with loads of color, comfort and elegance. I believe in color. It doesn’t have to be obnoxious or scary. I also love the mixes of old with new, rough texture with smooth texture or the expected with the unexpected. Opposites do attract. 

 

 

 

 

What inspires you? 

Colors and people from other cultures inspire me. It’s weird, but when I look at something, I see color first and then go about examining the details of the object to see if it fits. Regarding people of different cultures, I enjoy learning about other people’s perspectives, and their beliefs if you will. I like to hear what other people think or why they feel the way they do; I might just learn something. Being open-minded is such a blessing. 

Marilyn's Living Room

What is your dream interior design project? If you had the money, resources and a ready and willing client what would you create and why? 

My dream project is a nightclub/dance club because I love music and love to dance. Lucky for me my husband is a DJ. Give me a 5,000 sq.ft space and watch me work my magic with colors, lighting, space planning and creative aesthetic features to create a booming atmosphere. 

Who is your favorite interior designer? What are some of your favorite design vendors, stores, books/magazines, and websites? 

Two of my favorite interior designers are both named Kelly. U.K.’s Kelly Hoppen for her timeless elegance and America’s Kelly Wearstler for her creative and bold implementations of color. 

My favorite stores are Crate and Barrel, Design Within Reach, West Elm, Pier One and Room & Board. Favorite vendors would have to be Lee Jofa, Kravet and Robert Allen for their innovative textiles, furniture from Holly Hunt, accessories by Jonathan Adler, and paint from Benjamin Moore. My favorite magazines are Interior Design and Architectural Digest. I’m currently reading The Story of Architecture by Jonathan Glancey and Colors, What They Mean and How to Make Them by Anne Varichon. My favorite website for sourcing products is TODL.com, which is exclusive to interior designers. 

What do you find most rewarding about your job as an interior designer? What do you find least rewarding? 

The most rewarding aspect of interior designing is when the customer or my instructor is completely satisfied with the project. Seeing my project on the Hall of Fame at school gives me a high sense of accomplishment. My second favorite part is interacting with people. The least rewarding aspect is that there is never enough time. It takes a lot of time to plan, research and implement. Time is the most valued commodity and should be respected as such. 

As an African-American interior designer, do you feel that African-Americans are under-represented in the design industry? What do you think should be done to encourage more African-Americans to become interior designers? 

Without a shadow of a doubt, a resounding yes, African-Americans are highly underrepresented in this industry. There’s an article in the March/April 2009 ASID ICON issue titled “The Face of Interior Design: Why Isn’t the Profession More Diverse” that discusses this very issue. The statistics are: 78.2% Caucasian, 13.5% Hispanic, 4.8% African-American, 2.8% Asian. The article states that some of the reasons for lack of diversity are cultural, lack of finances and unfamiliarity of the profession. Even in my classrooms, the lack of representation is quite apparent and disheartening. I don’t believe that minorities are encouraged enough to explore the arts as a career. On the other spectrum, I don’t see where the interior design field in the United States is inclusive of other cultural perspectives. Many people are familiar with a traditional, contemporary, etc. design style. But what about Asian interiors, African interiors, and such. The only time these cultural design styles are implemented is when the customer requests it. I think more education about the profession should be at the forefront for educating and encouraging our fellow African-Americans to pursue interior design careers. 

What advice do you have for other African-American interior designers reading this interview? 

My sincere advice is to create opportunities for yourself where you believe and/or are led to believe there are none. Learn to circumvent the word “no”.  And always believe in yourself despite what letdowns or obstacles may be at the forefront (these are temporary only challenges). 

What is something you would like the world to know about you or your ideas? 

My ideas are mine and generated based on my love for design, creativity and inspiration. I absolutely love finding diverse pieces and putting them to work in a space. I want the end-user to look at my design and say that’s the hand of Marilyn G. Russell. Don’t find fault about my ideas or anyone else’s for that matter. Instead of criticizing, take the time to learn what I’m thinking or what may have inspired me at the time of creation. If you see something inherently wrong, then steer me in the right direction as I would for you. 

Where do you see yourself as a designer 10 years from now? 

Owning and expanding my interior design firm. A color expert. Becoming LEED, AP certified and pushing sustainability where possible. And, designing my own furniture line called “The Marilyn” for production.

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