New Blog Alert

Dear Readers,

A Design State of Mind is officially closed. Check out my new blog, Gray Living at http://www.grayliving.net

Best Regards,

Danielle

Read Full Post »

Blog Relaunch

Hello Design Minds,

It’s been a few months since my last post. But have no fear, new posts are coming soon. On December 1st, A Design State of Mind will be relaunched under a new name. The website will also have a whole new look. Thanks for continuing to stop by and posting your comments. Be on the look out for the new name, new website, and new discussion topics.

Best Regards

Danielle

Read Full Post »

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

Read Full Post »

Happily Ever Designed

“Shorty get it in (but daddy go hard)/Shorty get it in (da-d-daddy go hard)/Shorty get it in (but daddy go hard)
Shorty get it in, Venus vs. Mars.”  ~ Venus vs. Mars by Jay-Z

A friend of mine recently got engaged and the “happy” couple is in the process of moving in together.  On a weekly basis, he entertains his Facebook friends with witty comments about planning the wedding, finding an apartment, and moving in with his significant other. The other day he posted this statement on his page, “I’m sitting here watching (insert fiancée’s name) throw out all of my childhood memories. She could have taken some of her stuff to Goodwill too”.  I laughed out loud just thinking about the disagreements they will probably have in the near future about how to  decorate their home. His Facebook posts will probably tease question her choices in paint colors, furniture, and fabrics. The thing is, most men, especially single men, are reluctant to give up their beloved black leather sofa, shag rug,  and glass coffee table that’s missing the *coughs* glass.  And ladies, let’s not forget about the all-pink-everything decor, extensive doll collection, and other girlie nick nacks that really belong in storage or  the trashcan.  So how do two people merge their belongings and individual tastes together to create a balanced home enviroment that they both love…while remaining happily ever after? Here are a few tips for newly married couples:

1. Compromise, Compromise, Compromise – Each person should have at least ONE item that they love that gets to STAY in the house. However, if one person is throwing out something, the other person should also have to throw out something too. It’s only fair.
2. Plan Early – Take inventory of what furniture items will stay in the new home and select items to donate, sell, or throw away.
3. Make a Decision – He loves modern. She loves contemporary. One good thing about interior design is that it’s easy to merge different decor styles together to create a cohesive look using color, space, line, form and texture.
4. Start from Scratch – If all else fails the couple can purge EVERYTHING and hire an interior designer to serve as the mediator.  Well, the purging everything part is not realistic, but it would be fun. Hmmm, maybe not. The point is, it’s just “stuff”. Don’t like it ruin rule your relationship with the love of your life.

 As a designer have you ever worked with a newly married couple who had completely opposite taste in interior design decor? How do you handle clients who have difficulty making decisions?

Read Full Post »