African Tribal Art And Interior Design , What It Teaches Us.

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Peggy

The Naples Botanical Garden has an astonishingly beautiful sculptural installation throughout the grounds. It is a showing of Zimbabwean artists promoted and represented by Zimsculpt. The company is owned by Joseph and Vivienne Croisette , and their exhibit travels the world bringing African Stone Sculpture to places as far flung , as well , Naples , Florida.

As I wandered among the various areas of the Garden and photographed the impactful and exciting stone art forms , I was continuously impressed with the raw and remarkable Principles of Design reflected in each Sculptural creation.

Rhythm and Repetition are used powerfully to strengthen the visual effect of the piece. You often see trios of objects grouped together , and multiples of the same animal or shape cascading fluidly into one finished sculpture. Multiples are always a more powerful way to convey a design statement .

Contrasts of light and dark areas in the stone literally work to draw the eye into the depth of the selection , furthering the 3-D effect. It is Lighting 101 , without the use of any electrical fixture. We need both Shadows and Highlights to bring drama to our own spaces , whether as artwork or a room.

Line and Form  as well as Proportion are used Masterfully here .The female curvilinear shapes are seductive and inviting. The hard , strong masculine lines cut geometrically across  the surface , some how both imposing and yet compelling. The exaggerated facial features and over sized proportions secure an undeniable focal point among any setting. The end result is almost hypnotic , and certainly unforgettable.

I walked away from the Sculptural Exhibit wondering about our definition of  the word Primitive. I was the student and the simple art form the teacher. It reminded me that in our purist and  most basic approach to a design problem , applying some tried and trued concepts , we may find the best solution.

Today is Monday , go to your gut and find the raw and real you . See things both simply and yet sharply. Be as solid as the stone. Sculpt out the week ahead with masterful strokes.

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

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Oscar de la Renta , The Elusive Larimar , And Me.

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Peggy

Oscar de la Renta has a new nail polish coming out in October that is based on the color of the elusive , even reclusive stone Larimar. This is something that Oscar and I have in common , our love of Larimar. I have a necklace , earrings , ring , bracelet…well , if you know me I have a lot.

Larimar is found in only one place on earth , deep in the mines of an Island in the Dominican Republic. It is a relatively new stone first discovered around 1915-16. It gets it’s name from the discoverer’s daughter Larissa , and the Spanish word for sea , Mar.

They say it is the color of the Caribbean sea with white clouds crossing the sky. It is believed by some to be a healing stone , with feminine qualities to relieve stress , aid pregnant women , and improve emotional well being.

I say it is the color of a trio of Porter paints when compared to my own necklace. We can all now have walls the color of Larimar in our bedrooms , baths , or better yet ceilings.

Larimar also matches Duralee fabric 32449 color 260 Aquamarine. Guess it is too late to rename this fabric as the new sample book just arrived , but I will call it Larimar anyway.

And finally , Larimar is the exact color of our late afternoon Naples , Florida sky when viewed through the trees above.

Larimar is rare , beautiful and now can adorn your finger or toe nails. Those nails will be able to match your throw pillows and bath paint if you take my advice. And if you live in South West Florida , they match our sky.

Happy Thursday , buy something the color of Larimar or even the stone itself. Feel the healing powers soothe your soul. Oscar de la Renta and I recommend it , well , I do!

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

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Chocolate The Perfect Food , Medicine , and Even Color!

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Peggy

Valentine’s Day gives us an excuse to indulge our Chocolate addictions . But Chocolate is actually really great for your health and should be considered another food group. Experts say to eat it in moderation , I’m working on that part. But forget about learning about flavonoids( or something like that). And don’t Google up antioxidants . Chocolate is good for your heart , blood pressure , brain , and libido. All that appears to be true , but really it just tastes sinfully wonderful.

The color Chocolate is enveloping and sensual to live around. Chocolate walls are a great Gallery like background for your art. There is nothing with more richness than Chocolate leather. A Chocolate wood floor making everything on it look expensive.

So today have your fruit , vegetables , dairy , and Chocolate food groups. It’s healthy , makes you happy , and is a natural high!

It is Valentine’s Day , first love yourself , and then let the reserve spill over to others like a Chocolate fountain. Allow yourself the blush of romance and the magic of the moment. Give a card , a rose , or a box of Godiva. It’s Tuesday , but so much more.

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

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To My Mother On Her 80th Birthday.

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Peggy

Today my Mom turns 80. My brother , sister and I will gather together in Cape Coral with other members of our family to celebrate this milestone.My sister has arranged a lunch at a restaurant called I believe Rum Runners , which is a favorite gathering spot for the locals. I keep picturing peg-legged eye-patched pirates as servers , but it will probably be somebody named Madge.

Yesterday my  brother David and I were texting about the cake I was picking up , a Publix Fruit Basket layer cake. The fruit fillings can vary , but there are usually 3 , in our case Banana , Strawberry, and Pineapple. David said this is his favorite cake , and it is mine as well. As much for the memories of the family events it was at , as the flavor.

My mother made me literally , as I am her biological child , and my mother made me professionally by example and environmental osmosis. As a Home Economic teacher she taught me how to make clothes at 8 , and this inspired my love of fashion and ultimately Interior Design. She tolerated the time I decorated the bedroom in yellow , red and topped it off with a deep blue ceiling paint. She loved a nice looking house , and she  still decorates and updates her home constantly.

I thank her for all of this today , and so much more on her 80th birthday. I appreciate that as a widow with 3 children  you were able to find the strength to move us from the Midwest to the Florida I love so much , and begin a new life for all of us. I thank you for trusting us all to ultimately find our way and do the right thing.And for staying put in Cape Coral where we can all still gather together like today to engage in the special language only siblings and a parent can share . One of memories , mirth , a little madness , and much merriment.

Happy birthday Mom !

It is Saturday , have you hugged your Mom lately? At least wrap her in your arms in your mind and give a nice squeeze.

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

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Putting Your Heart Into Your Designs.

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Peggy

As Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching , we  traditionally associate the heart symbol with romantic love. As the old French saying goes ,”Two souls , one heart.”. Hearts as a theme are often considered childish or even tacky. Yet lofty thoughts can also be interpreted through the heart. The Egyptians considered the heart the symbol of the soul. Aristotle felt the heart was the seat of thought , reason , or emotion.

The illustration that we use to convey a heart looks absolutely nothing like the human one. The symbol itself is thought to have come from many different sources. It does resemble the Silphuim seed , which is ancient times was used as a herbal contraceptive. And some say it was derived from the ritual of two swans mating. Certainly looks that way when you see their neck’s shapes when courting.

We often say we love our designs , but do we put our heart into it? Not in a romantic giddy kind of way, often with passion  that lacks foundation. But as Aristotle said , with thought , reason , and yes , even emotion. For it is the emotions our designs convey that capture the human heart after all .

Are you following your heart ? Or are you following trends , burdened with budget constraints ,  and client pressures? Do you love your designs? All of these factors , budgets , clients  , and trends influence us. Yet we must not lose the reason we got into design in the first place , and that is we wanted to put our heart into something . Let us all try to reaffirm our commitment to our careers . Remember that heart and soul are interchangable , and necessary in order to achieve the greatest we strive for. Remind yourself that you “heart” design.

It is Thursday , we often feel heartened to know the weekend is around the corner. Some of us run even faster toward the goal , and some of us start to stroll with the end in sight. Whatever your pace , make this trip a meaningful one. Bring your heart to everything you do today , it will ignite the candle in your soul.

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

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Do Your Designs Make Your Clients Sick?

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Peggy

Sometimes when we are not part of the solution we are part of the problem. And although Interior Designers are most often hired for their creativity alone , do you have a responsibility in making sure that your designs are healthy as well?

The answer should be yes , as you can do so without compromising the artist in you. We are in a position to greatly influence the mental and physical health of our clients ,  as well as leaving them with a pretty room. So here are some suggestions to include in your design plan.

1. Window treatments that are not dust magnets . Folds , swags , creases , etc all are the perfect hiding places for dust. If you have a client with a respiratory condition , eliminate too much fabric draping.

2. Color therapy . Depressed , anxious , or otherwise stressed out people can benefit from the correct use of a color scheme , rather than the hue that is the flavor of the month. When interviewing the client , find out if the need a relaxing green , or a mood lifting warm hue. Remember a dulled out color plan can be soothing or sensory depriving. Think it through before picking up the paint brush.

3. Off gassing . if you don’t want to make them well , at least don’t make them sick. Check the materials you are installing for content. Avoid formaldehydes and other potential air pollutants.

4. Tripping hazards. With our elderly clients and those who have problems with mobilization , eliminate the use of small throw rugs . Try to keep pathways open and install surfaces that are non-skid. When renovating a bathroom , use grab bars in the shower and tub enclosures.

5. Surfaces and bacteria growth. Remember to consider healthy counter tops such as Quartz in kitchen and bar areas. Shy away from anything too porous that can encourage mold growth.

These are just a few simple steps that get you thinking in the right direction. Leave it looking beautiful , and the inhabitants feeling great . It is easy to do both  if we just think beyond the surface application.

Tuesday has arrived , and we rev ourselves up for another day. Sometimes we are allready burnt out with the long week still stretching ahead. Find your own special time to have a few minutes of inner peace. You owe it to your body , and your mind.

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

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Be Captivated By Cobalt Blue.

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Peggy

I have long been in love with Cobalt Blue . My first introduction to it was in Art Deco Glass , and the richness and depth even surpassed Black .  Cobalt Blue does share many of the psychological connotations one experiences when in the presence of Black. Drama , intoxication , and sophistication . Some even say that wearing Cobalt gives you superiority.

Cobalt is actually a brittle yet hard metallic element. It is used in it’s salt form to supply the pigments in Blue glass and ceramics. The word Cobalt comes from the German Kobalt, a variant of Kobold or goblin. This was derived from silver miner’s belief that goblins were stealing the silver from the mines and leaving Cobalt in the place of it. I’d be more likely to take the Cobalt and leave the silver.

Right now is a great time in both Fashion and Interior Design to enjoy the allure of Cobalt . It is trending and therefore accessible. Bring some Cobalt into your spaces , whether as accessories , fabric  , or a boldly painted wall. Feel the endlessness of the color , Cobalt.

It is Monday , may all your blues be Cobalt , deep rather than depressing .  Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

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It’s 80 Degrees Today , Think I’ll Bundle Up

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Peggy

It may only hit 80 degrees today , a little chilly but we’ll rough it through. Could have to start the morning out with a light sweater of some kind , and I may not be able to put the top down on my Miata until noon.

I do not recommend hitting the beaches for some Gulf swimming unless you hail from Atlanta or the Yankee states above it . The rest of us locals may need to stick to our heated pools. You see our blood has growth thinner and we just can’t take the chill in the air.

Oh well , another weekend of golfing , shopping , fabulous dining , art shows , botanical gardens , and general enjoyment of the natural Florida beauty. Think I’ll grab a glass of freshly squeezed Orange juice and brace myself for the nip in the winter air.

It’s fabulous Friday , make it fun-filled and frost free!

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

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Did You Match Your Design Into The Mundane?

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Peggy

Some clients  turn on their micro-vision as I call it , to make sure their fabric colors all perfectly match. They perceive slight variations in hues that truly quite astound me . They agonize over the slightest variations in shade , seeking an absolutely identical saturation of color in each wall-covering , rug , or accessory item. They worry about the room looking “off ” if colors are slightly “off ” themselves. Unfortunately you can match your design into blandness or invisibility.

Successful spaces are always about the rush of positive feelings we receive  projected from the visual impact of dozens of items   that are blended together like the music from a perfect orchestra. The various instruments of your design are unique when solo , but as a group are even more dynamic and moving. In order to create this incaptivating symphony of color “sounds” , we must seek variety amidst our  palette.

It is often better when hues “feel” the same  , than look the same. When everything is the exact  mix of color , we see even an all Red palette Beige out into boredom. There is no sizzle for the eye , no delightful differences. Everything disappears into sameness , and even the most fabulous design fades away. You matched yourself into oblivion.

It is difficult for the untrained eye to see the relationship between slightly different or even markedly different hues and why they would work in the right combination. It is a Balance of percentages of color , evenness of tonal value , complementary differences , and yes  , about being able to imagine a room that is only then in the mind’s eye. This is usually the work for a professional Interior Designer or Colorist.

It is safe to match , but safe designs don’t make us feel happy , excited , or emit that aura of endorphin eye candy that we seek. They are simply present , like plain old  rice pudding . Filling , starchy , and soon forgettable.

Today is Wednesday I think , a whirlwind of a week that runs at a race horse pace. Let us cut away from the pack , refuse to blend into the blandness , and head at our own speed toward the finish line.

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

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Scale And Proportion In Interior Design

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Peggy

Scale and Proportion in Interior Design always sounds so math – like and boring. And it is mathematical , based on the Golden Section of the ancient Greeks  where “the ratio of a smaller section to a larger section should be the same as the larger section to the whole.” Basically how an object relates to the space it is placed within. But how do we demonstrate that theory in our own projects?

Of course we think some things are instinctive , big things in a big room , little items in a smaller room. And yet as we move through out other people’s homes and businesses , we often encounter room arrangements and groupings that do not feel or even look correct. Clearly is it not just common sense.

And then how does volume factor into this ? Rooms can be high and cavernous , seeming to reach up forever. It is about getting design down to people level. Before we worry about climbing the walls with artwork and tall shelving , etc. We need to focus on the inhabitants of the space , and how things relate to the over all scale of the room within eye level viewing.

Rather than being tempted to go to Minimalism in your design approach , consider how the other Design Principles ,  in particular Balance , aid us in achieving the correct Scale and Proportion in a space.

Focal points that are one massive item , like a large entertainment unit , can almost immediately throw off the Balance , and often Scale and Proportion of a setting. Your first goal is to ”mirror” the size and impact  of the large object with an arrangement of several items on the wall across from it , (like a big painting over a console with a tall lamp) Use a grouping that will take up almost the same visual weight. Or perhaps a large picture window of the same basic size is on the wall opposite  the dominating furniture piece. This will help your design selections start to relax into their surroundings.

And basically math does come into play here , are you leaving proper pathways throughout the room ? A give away that something is out of whack is if it is hard to get around the items in a space.

Are your chairs and sofas of a usable size or appear diminished within the room? If items look like they belong at a children’s tea party , you need to go back to the drawing board , literally.

If you are going for an open Contemporary feeling , you can not suddenly crowd up one area. Consistency is the key here.

Scale and Proportion are usually off when we design from the gut , meaning only thinking in the creative mode rather than the functional mode. Or when we are forced to use too many inherited items that were more at home in their previous residence. We then really depend upon our room arrangement and additions , and possibly some eliminations in order to reach our goal of a beautiful and yet livable space.

Today is Tuesday and I hope the Scales of Balance lean in our direction , and the Proportion of good things allotted to us from the universe fall into our pathway.

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

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