Friday, April 30, 2010

for the ex pat...

an ex pat asked me what they could to do add a subtle touch of ireland in their home without being cheesey or too derivative...

i thought that a print of an old irish stamp would be a lovely feature on a wall or a sideboard...a nice understated touch...

surely they available as a print somewhere...


what do you think of that idea...?

Thursday, April 29, 2010

meet andrea cornwall of iSpace designers...

i've known andrea cornwall for about 6 months now...i met her at the first ASID meeting i went to, and she has been great at introducing me to other designers and architects and other ASID meetings and events in the area...

the last time i met andrea was at an art exhibition in the fayetteville underground, she introduced me to some of the artists and we ended up getting a tour of the studio spaces...she then picked my brain over some art and i ended up helping her choose a piece for one of her latest projects...

i always love to give my 2cents worth...


andrea happily agreed to take part in one of my q&a sets...so here we go...

iSpace is an award winning interior design firm, offering a full scope of commercial and residential interior design services, specializing in assisting the client through the process of endless decisions that develop as the project unfolds, whether they are building or renovating...

What profession do you enter on your identity card...?

Registered Interior Designer


When did you know this was your calling in life...?

In high school – I loved mixing colors and patterns in all the clothing designs I made. It was my mom that brought this to my attention when I was unclear of my direction in life.

Whats the best moment of the day for you...?

Mornings – I love the peacefulness of the early morning – my best ideas/design creations come during these hours.


Who or what has influenced and inspired your style…?

My background & training for the last 30 years is interior architecture. I’m influenced by the entire design process & the client’s well being - from the raw space to the finished interior - I strongly believe in incorporating psychology design principles & environmental design.

Through the use of color and the functional fit between the clients and their environment, I feel interior design greatly improves the well being of our clients through the spaces we create. I opened iSpace studio in 2002 to harmonize the professions of interior design & architecture.


Do you think that men and women approach interior design differently...?

NO – if both designers are designing for the client’s needs and to improve the client’s environment – I think there is only one way to approach the solution.

Now the finished creative/design solution, is widely different between all designers. That’s what is fun about our profession, the diversity!

What trade or retail store inspires you most...?

Holly Hunt – The Chicago showroom is incredible – I could spend all day there.


What books do you read...?

John Irving’s books - I love the “The Cider House Rules” & “The World According to Garp” –timeless classics. Also enjoy reading Barbara Kingsolver’s books – “The Bean Trees” is a favorite.


Who is your favorite designer and why...?

Elsie de Wolfe, the first professional interior designer. In 1913, Elsie wrote “The House in Good Taste”. She was believed to be the person who first invented the profession of interior design. Her interior design philosophy was, "I opened the doors and windows of America and let the air and sunshine in."

Some of her home decorating touches include:
  • Uncluttered rooms
  • Comfortable chairs
  • Eighteenth century French and English furnishings
  • Light, fresh colors
  • Chinoiserie print wallpaper
  • Chaise longues
  • Delicate writing tables
  • House plants, especially potted palms
  • Persian rugs
  • Mirrors in silver and gold gilded delicate frames
  • Faux finish treatments
  • Animal prints
She was so ahead of your time. Her interior design touches are still in practice today – it’s astounding – how timeless she was.

What materials do you frequently use...?

The interior materials that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle. Some of my favorites are: Cork flooring, Recycled Glass tiles, Hemp upholstery.


If you were not doing this what would you do...?

If I did not have my own design studio, I would be teaching children about psychology of colors, drawing and planning spaces.

i really enjoyed finding out about a local designer here in fayetteville, arkansas - what makes her tick, where she likes to look for inspiration...i was impressed about her strong consciousness for design psychology and environmental design...

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

gone fishin'...

i'm back...i literally was 'gone fishin'...

isn't nature inspiring...

Friday, April 23, 2010

see you monday...

its the weekend...time to think about a nice drink somewhere cool...maybe in shanghai...maybe london...maybe galway or new york...

Ian Schrager's Gramercy Park Hotel NYC - Rose Bar by BigBoyBThe Rose Bar by Sarah_Ackerman.

fayetteville works for me...

Thursday, April 22, 2010

meet susie graham...

susie graham is a great friend of mine...we went to university together at napier, edinburgh...although that said it wasn't until my second year that i got to know susie when the design school went to new york on a design study programme...

susie now lives in san francisco...i left my heart there once...

susie is all up in the eco-friendly, green and sustainable design issues...so i thought i would take a wee moment to catch up with her over a wee q&a set...and all very appropriate for earth day...

susie consults for an interior architecture and design firm in San Francisco that focuses on earth friendly solutions for both residential and commercial spaces...one of the founders is a “Certified Green Building Professional” through Build it Green “CGBP”...as a consultant for Garner Design, her personal focus and passion includes re-purposing and updating vintage furniture and re-using old materials as well as taking a holistic approach to interior design...


how did you get starting working with eco-friendly/sustainable design...?

I became very inspired since moving to the States as there are far more second hand and vintage stores as well as garage sales here. I became drawn to that eclectic style as well as designing my own apartment on a tight budget. I also became involved with Garner Design - a new company that focusses on sustainable design through a friend who had similar beliefs.

how do you think eco-friendy/sustainable design has evolved since you graduated...?

When I was doing my degree, sustainability was not even discussed so I feel it is something that has become more important since leaving university.

what are you working on now...?

Right now I am doing projects involving re-using and renovating old furniture,materials and fabrics.


what are your favourite blogs or websites...?

Inhabitat which is a design website and Ava Non toxic which deals with the cosmetic industry and all the chemicals that can be found in our day to day products.


riva eco interiors...

eco inspired interiors from riva eco interiors...stylish, lavish, stunning and eco friendly...



"All of our design projects show that it is possible to embrace sustainable, recycled, organic and ethically produced materials without compromising on style, creating a classic contemporary look to last a lifetime..."

from the orchard county to the natural state...

in honour of earth day i thought i'd show you all where i'm from...and a few visitors in the garden where i live now...

home...kilcreevy, co armagh...views from the bottom of the driveway...


a few visitors in the garden here in fayetteville, arkansas of a morning last week...


and a few new arrival in herself's office window...

images via google earth, myself and herself...

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

tell me what it means...

What does Earth Day Mean to You...???

as we all probably know...tomorrow is Earth Day...

JMA op Earth Day in Nijmegen

To me...Earth Day should be a very important day in our lives, and it probably should have been around since the beginning of time...

Earth Day is our chance to give something back to the planet that we call home, the only planet that we live on, the planet that we abuse day in and day out...

On Earth Day, I think everyone in the world should give up a little bit of their time and help keep the Earth clean...if we have a cleaner Earth, we will have a cleaner environment...

could you imagine everyone giving up one hour of their day tomorrow to do something for the Earth...

think about everything the planet gives us...the air we breathe, the water we drink, it gives us our very existence...

we need to take care of our planet so that it can continue to take care of us...

so...what can you do without screaming 'the end is nigh'...

here are a few ideas i thought of...pick up garbage on the roadside or the park while your out walking tomorrow...plant a tree in your garden...tell others not to litter...turn off those unnecessary lights or turn the TV off, don't leave it on standby...spread the word about Earth Day to others...

thats hardly rocket science now is it...

http://www.earthday.org/

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

a tad shady..

spring is in the air for sure...the leaves and flowers are popping out...

check out these vintage wallpaper shades with flowers from the 1920's to the 1950's...

available from shandells of new york...

Monday, April 19, 2010

I had a bit of fun and made this for herself...

i think by now everyone has seen the google ad 'Parisian Love'...well i made our own wee romantic adventure into a story of our own...

luxury...

anytime i was ever in london i always made a quick trip into 'armani casa' on bond street...

just for the craic...not that i was ever buying...i was always inspired by the ideas and notions of luxury and exclusivity and grandeur and being special...


and inspired i was...

today i saw a feature on the coolhunter via facebook and i thought they posed a very interesting question...


"If luxury brands all want to sell the idea of exclusivity and being special, then why are their identities so similar?"

so...what do y'all think and what are your ideas and perceptions of luxury...???

sunday loungings...

i've had quite the lazy sunday...here are some of my findings from photographer bill kingston...divine, lush, cool interiors...

Thursday, April 15, 2010

keep calm and...

say your rosary...

Keep Calm and Say Your Rosary - 8 x10 Digital Print - Green

not quite sure if i'm 100% keen on buying this...it looks a bit pixellated to me...but still, i like the humour in it...

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

retro bathroom...

i think this image is fantastic...

Retro Cheery Bathroom-Small Bathroom Decorating Inspiration

vintage movie posters from spain in white frames, hung against the yellow and white print wallpaper, give the overall look a fresh and pop-arty retro vintagey kinda feel...

dontcha think...

come here...there's more...

not from him...from me...


last week i was appointed as the...drum roll please...

"North West Arkansas Interior Design Examiner"

i have added the tab to my blog, which you can see on the left hand side...and I will also be posting my articles via facebook and twitter...so you can follow me there too...

looks a little bit like this...so please follow the link below and stop by...add it to your RSS...
go raibh mile maith agaibh...



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