Blog has moved

http://i4interiordesign.com/i4-blog.html

Blog has moved to my site.. See you there...

Arts Décoratifs

I don't necessarily believe in reincarnation but if I did, I would know from which I came. Without a doubt, I would have been a Parisian bombshell with a long cigarette, in a satin gloved hand in the late 20s.. I feel so mesmerized by that era. While The Jazz Age and all it is about gets me overwhelmed, more so, it is The Art Deco  that came about in that time that really gets my heart going (the jazz just adds to it!). We all know that The Industrial Revolution sparked some amazing progressions, but the greatest thing is that the old way of thinking was transforming into new, even juxtaposed thinking.

Being a non-curable romantic, the prior Art Nouveau and all its incredible curves where fabulous. However, I think the geometric ideas, and non-traditional materials used were ingenious in Art Deco. It was not the same old thing. It brought interest, excitement, and fun details.

Art was truly given the appreciation it so deserved, with such greats as Picasso. And the Architecture is still some of the greatest, with Raymond Hood doing such greats as Radio City Music Hall. (I hear stories of my Brooklyn raised Mother being taken there by my Grandmother several times to see various plays and I try to picture how it really must have been the 60s when Deco was on the rise again and so many places were "deco-ed" out.)

Here are some pics of my finds and I will find items from that era for many years to come. And I will always secretly wish to be in it (or maybe go back to it ;) ....

 

The Chrysler building in Manhattan. 

You can have your very own... Check out the layout of this fold up from www.Papertoys.com. How cool!

Radio City Music Hall...Wow!! 

It just so happens to be the largest indoor theatre in the world. Imagine all the history that has happened in there!

I love all the wonderful posters that came from that Era too! 

Dreaming away...  Let me know when they successfully make a time machine... I want to go back.

Home Is Where The Heart Is..

Being a free spirit in my youth, I, of all people learned this statement, "Home is where the heart is" all too well. Running away from my small town southern roots and living in large metropolitan cities, I can now say, being back in a small southern town, this statement is so true! I love where I am and even more so, love that I am so near to good family and great friends. Hope you enjoy this heart filled day. Check out some romantic inspired items I have found..

Fiberglass chair from Giovannetti. Just looks cozy! The back even looks fantastic..

I won't go into detail as to what this ottoman is actually used for but a lot of it will be happening today I am sure...

 The Heller Bocca Loveseat...

 

And last but definitely not least... One of my most passionate past times, painting. Art invokes so many feelings. I live for art. And one of my most influential artists, Brandy, my cousin and owner of one of the greatest studios ever, with no pun intended,  Hart-Ureel. www.hart-ureel.com. 

Enjoy your day and be passionate!

The Greatest House In American History

Asheville, NC... the area I took for granted growing up... the area I was influenced by....the area I wanted to run away from... and now the area that has my heart.... and inside that area... one of the"gems", the "angles" of my heaven.. The "magic" of my youth... the "beacon" to my designer call... The Biltmore House.... Thank you, Mr. Richard Morris Hunt....

No big deal to me that as a child. I grew up going almost yearly on a field trip with the yellow school bus, the rowdy kids just excited to be away from school, being bad, but good enough to be able to get in.. as the teacher always threatened for us to behave or we would sit in the bus the whole time... And yet, every year to me, got a little more exciting...

Well, now, after going after my big city dreams, pushing all the tradition and what I preconceived as stale away and running as fast as could from the area, I found myself more excited than any kid on any bus at any time this past weekend when I took the tour once again. Only this time it was so vastly different.. So invigorating.. So eye opening... I cant even begin to tell you the thoughts that I have... The influences of my design style, and ironically, the correlation to my modern approach...I am realizing I didn't get anywhere without the history I have pushed aside and the infatuation I now have.... It is, especially for me, not a writer by nature, so hard to put in words, but if you can feel my passion, it will speak for itself. Man, kids are dumb! What we take for granted.....


Just the entrance gets me excited... I know, upon seeing this, the beautiful journey I have in store for me...

3 miles later....you finally arrive, after the view of breathtaking greenery, (and this time snow!, beautiful snow!) and creeks, and amazing trees....The 125,000-acre estate was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the creator of New York's Central Park!

 

Interestingly, George Vanderbilt opened the doors to this 6 year construction on Christmas Eve, 1885. How appropriate. It is a gift that continues to give to millions of guests each year.  Being like a kid on Christmas, I couldn't wait to get inside once again, however, the outside architecture takes quite a few moments to get over in itself! The cast iron roof crestings, the tall elaborate roof chimneys, the heavy stone detailing, the gables and gargoyles peering out.

Inside the heavy wooden carved doors, of which the host greeter could bareley hold open, was like the first tearing open of a beautifully wrapped gift. The house features 4 acres of floor space, 250 rooms, 34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces! What a place!

Cameras are not allowed inside so I managed to find some of the interior rooms on the net... Just a hint of amazement...

 The Winter Garden, when you first walk in by The Entrance Hall to the right.. 

 The Banquet Hall has a 7 story ceiling! I love dinner parties, but to host a sit down one for 38 people, I think a little help would be needed! That is were his 30-35 servants came in handy!

The Library, one of my favorite rooms.. Has books top to bottom in over 8 different languages!

Everywhere you look is beautiful. Asheville is such a beautiful place in general. Took me to leave and come back to realize just how so. The surroundings are incredible, and in the winter it is amazing to see with the all the snow on the ground. I just can't wait to come back in the springtime to see the gardens, and over 250 rose varieties! They do everything over the top! Here is a link to their Garden Guide with outdoor amazement all year long.... http://www.biltmore.com/visit/house_gardens/gardens/garden_guide.asp

I loved it this time, as always, and will be back 30 more times God willing... Untill next time....

I'll be hanging on to all those memories once again! Being influenced, infatuated, and passion fueled!

Humor, Because We All Need It.

I always try to do something fun or out of the norm in my designs of interiors. Maybe not as much as these designers, but it is always fun to take the stark edge away. I am not pretentious and do not design that way. Life is too short to be so serious..... Have fun!

 

If you think of wall and floor materials with an open mind, anything is possible.

Even soft wood..... I really like this rug and in the right setting, I'd use it!

 Mosaic Tiles are lots of fun and you are only limited to your imagination with these little guys! 

100s of styles, colors, ideas!

Inside Maison Moschino Fashion Hotel in Milan. Whimsical!

I think they need to add throw pillows. lol

Funny! Love it.

Definitely would be a conversation piece!

Who said the toilet has to be a bad conversation?!

The possibilities of making people smile.........

CHANDELIERS

Lighting is everything. I enjoy layering Interiors with various types of lights. Lighting for different functions is very important. It can make or break a space. I love all fixture types, but the subject is way to diverse to not concentrate on one at a time. I'm starting with one of the oldest intelligent inventions. The Chandelier.

Today you can find them made out of everything form Baccarat Crystals to Forks and Spoons. I want to explore some of my favorites, all though I see new ones I like all the time. I also want to show you some of the more over the top, avant-garde ones too.

Regardless, don't be left in the dark! Get your light on...

According to Wikipedia, A chandelier is a branched decorative ceiling-mounted light fixture with two or more arms bearing lights. Chandeliers are often ornate, containing dozens of lamps and complex arrays of glass or crystal prisms to illuminate a room with refracted light.

  

A photo of some of the earliest date back to the mid evil times..

Candles and Wood...

Some (only some!) of my favorite chandeliers...

 Very transitional and elegant!

Capiz shells are so great!

Champaigne-blue-Giclee-chandelier. Think of all the pattern possibilities!

 I really enjoy giving old things new life.

 

Sophistication done well!

Can say so much about this one. Two of them spaced out over a beautiful long dining table...Wow.

 This would be great in a little girl's bedroom or even bathroom! Has princess written all over it. 

Impex Modern 5 Light. Classic hints in a modern decor, yet not over the top. Perfect.

Just did this one by Savouy House for a client who is an automobile enthusiast. It is appropriately called, "Skylark"

Perfect for updating that dated dining room, or even better, hung over a round draped table with books piled high and  slip covered chairs around.

This one by Horchow is sharp!

 They had too much fun with this! How cool would that dinner party be?

 And some zany ones too! Not loving some of these. Some are hideous, but someones art, none the less.

 The Barcode.. Might be good in an upbeat commercial setting.. I guess.

Courtesy of your Grandma's attic... 

 Barbie's hair for the Life Size Barbie House Chandelier? Uggggh!

  Jonathon Adler takes us through a tour of a real Malibu "Dream House" 

 Pottery Barn's "Edison", rightly so.

I could see this in a little boys room. It's kinda cute.

And then there's his college dorm room....

Good pointer's:

Question: How do I determine the proper size chandelier for a foyer?

Response: To determine what size of a chandelier would fit best in a foyer, or any room, simply add the room dimensions together. For example: if your foyer is 12' x 16', add 12 + 16 = 28. The proper size chandelier for this foyer would be 28" in diameter.

Question: How do I determine the proper size chandelier for a dining table?

Response: A good rule of thumb is to choose a chandelier with a diameter equal to ½ of the width of the table. For instance, if the width of your table is 54", select a chandelier that has a diameter of 27". The chandelier should be hung so that the bottom of the fixture is approximately 30" above the tabletop.

http://www.cardello.com/faq.htm