While I was at The Persian Carpet in Chapel Hill, I found this beautiful runner that worked perfectly with the color scheme of a project I’m currently working on.

Although it’s a new piece, it’s made to look like an old runner made in Asia.  I love the pomogranate motifs and the greek key-like border.  The short pile to gives it a warn look at a much lower price than an antique rug.  Unfortunately it is too long for the project I intended it for, so you can see it for yourself at their showroom.

Steve and Barak helped me find the perfect rug for another project while I was there.  (They are standing beside one of their camels in the picture above.)  You can easily recognize their store front on 15-501 with the camels in the windows!

One of our clients in Olde Raleigh was looking for a colorful rug for their formal loving room.  This one worked perfectly with the drapery and pillow fabrics we’d already selected.  The sofa and chair shown will soon be reupholstered with fabrics that pull colors out of the rug.

And here is their dining room rug that we also selected at The Persian Carpet.  The needle-point like fabric on the dining chairs is by Old World Weavers through Stark.

If you are looking for a rug, we’d be happy to help you select one to go with existing furniture or select furniture and fabrics for a whole new look in your home!

Lauren

Just last week, Molly and I had the opportunity to meet with a rep from Atlanta’s J Nelson design showroom.  He mentioned that what he had to show us wasn’t cheap, but that it was worth it.  I think we were both a little hesitant, but in the end we were wowed!  Beaumont & Fletcher has some of the most remarkable embroidered fabrics – check them out!

Here’s a sample of embroidery on leather!  The dimension and detail is incredible!  The stripe design would be perfect on the lead edge of a drapery panel.  (But I probably wouldn’t do window treatments in leather; they embroider any fabric of your choice!)

This traditional pattern might be done in a monochromatic scheme, but there are so many different grays in the threads when you look closely.  Other patterns better show the use of many different colored threads.  These embroideries combine color like a fine rug!

For a more contemprary and completely unique look, they even embroider with metal threads!  Below, the same pattern is done on suede and on burlap.

This design uses metal threads as well, with Svarovski crystals sewn in!  Beautiful!

Here’s a detail view – the craftsmanship is incredible!

I mentioned that they aren’t cheap – BUT you could get a lot of bang for the buck by simply doing a pair of pillows with one of these patterns!  And if you’ve limited your emboirdery use to a set of monogrammed towels – take a second look!

Until next week – Lauren

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to visit one of our new construction projects in windy Blacksburg, Virginia.  Situated beautifully atop a mountain, the European manor style home feels more like a comfortable fortress.  The duties of the day included an electrical walk through with the electrician as well as finalizing the paint schedule with the client.  The most satisfying part of the day was seeing this door that Judy & I had designed: come to fruition in real life!

Did I mention the spectacular view?

Be sure to check out Design Lines in other states, like New Hampshire, here!

-Brittany

On February 26, 2010 at the Marbles Kids Museum in Downtown Raleigh, BGM Creative Group accepted a bronze Addy Award from the local American Advertising Federation (AAF) Raleigh-Durham chapter, for their efforts on the award winning interior design firm, Design Lines Ltd. website.

The ADDY Awards are “the world’s largest and arguably toughest advertising competition. The ADDY Awards represent the true spirit of creative excellence by recognizing all forms of advertising from media of all types, creative by all sizes and entrants of all levels from anywhere in the world.”

The partnership with BGM Creative Group started almost a year ago. We knew our website and blog needed a face lift and after the initial meeting we immediately knew BGM Creative Group was a great fit for Design Lines. Judy Pickett owner of Design Lines says, “With very little input from us, Bryan was able to nail it from the start. He knew exactly what we needed even though we didn’t know it.”  Our original thought was to create a site that was fresh and timeless while also giving the viewer an unforgettable experience.

At the beginning of the process we gave suggestions of websites we loved and also ones we terribly disliked. Hilaire, the Communications Director at Design Lines and Bryan, the Executive Creative Director at BGM Creative Group, continuously went back and forth on the communication matrix and strategies. The creative direction Bryan gave was superb. Judy and the rest of the team was there every step of the way giving feedback and offering perspective.

We are thrilled to be a part of this wonderful success and cannot say enough about what the site has done for the success of the firm.

We only hope that you continue to visit our website and stay a little while. Better yet subscribe to our blog, so every time we post you will get an email right in your inbox. See you can get hooked to Design Lines!

March is all about CURRENT PROJECTS! We have several “before and afters” to highlight including a couple guest bedrooms, a local television set design and a family room.

We also will have updates for you on projects that are still in the works! This is an exciting time here at the studio.

Laurie, our Business Administrator, who knows all the operations of the firm; will be interviewed this month for the Designer Profiles.  

There will also be two introductions to the Guest Blogger Series: two local businesses Eidolon Designs and Taps & Latches in Garner.

Oh and we can’t forget that we will be introducing our television segments on “My Carolina Today.” You got it, behind the scenes of the team on set and even the chance to follow on our “on the air” segments for the best interior design tips.

So hurry back, grab a cup of coffee and a nice blanket as we settle in for the March blog posts.

Judy was honored today at the Business Leader Media Triangle Luncheon for the 2010 Top 50 Entrepreneurs in the Triangle. All 50 winners represented the community in and around Raleigh. The Design Lines team is very proud of Judy and all her accomplishments since she started the business in 1979! Judy was nominated by Ashley.

Way to go Judy!

Performing Arts meets Interior Design!

Design Lines was spotted out last night at the Durham Performing Arts Center to see the eight-time Tony award winning production of Hairspray. Judy and Hilaire are avid supporters of the performing arts and when the invitation arose they just couldn’t resist. You might have remembered seeing the 2007 movie revival with John Travolta, MichellePfeiffer and Queen Latifah.

One of our recent projects was coming up with the set design concept for the newest local television show on NBC-17 called “My Carolina Today.” You might have seen promos running during the Olympics. I know I have! The hosts of the show are Sharon Delaney, Page Crawford and Valonda Calloway.

We were thrilled to be a part of the creative process of constructing the set design. Next Tuesday we will bring to you  the “befores & afters” with a big extended post on the whole project from start to finish. It was a very rewarding and fun experience working with the team at NBC-17.

Plus, check us out on air as we give you and the greater Raleigh community the best advice in interior design.You can catch the show everyday starting March 1st on NBC 17 at 11:00am right after Kathie Lee & Hoda. We will let you know in advance when we will be on so you can DVR it if you are at work.

We should yet again receive Gold medals in  Olympic Sport Spectating. I asked the Design Lines team to answer the following question: What 2010 Winter Olympics event have you enjoyed watching the most?

Hilaire’s answer was half-pike Snowboarding, Laurie & Molly answered that they adore watching the mens & women’s snowboarding events, as well.  How about those US Snowboarding team jackets?  We found them to be cool and fashion forward- it would fit right at home in this child’s study designed by Judy & Lauren.

Lauren’s answer to my question: ” Ice skating & Apolo Ohno- I know he’s not an event, but still.” Apolo Ohno has won his fair share of Olympic medals (the Vancouver medals shown below) but who doesn’t want to go for the Gold with this fabulous Fang Gourd Table Lamp in Antique-Burnished Brass with Natural Paper Shade from Visual Comfort?

Personally, I like watching the  ski jumping and the women’s Aerial.  I find both events to be thrilling- though I’m happy when they land on the ground again.  Wouldn’t it be great if the Olympic inspired Rio rug from our friends at Niba Rugs in warm Miami was underfoot?

Ashley’s favorite:” Curling, it is so amazing & addicting.”  Judy has been watching figure skating and has been cheering on the US Hockey team on its way to a gold medal! Go Team USA!  Check out Jasper John’s beautiful interpretations of the American flag:

What’s your favorite Olympic Sport to watch? For our 2008 Summer Olympics Inspiration from China, click here.

-Brittany

We are sharing the wealth and bringing to you the newest online magazine. Nesting Newbies!

Click on the icon above to see the  complete winter 2010 issue!

Another favorite is Lonny Magazine.

Cinderella Cinderella Cinderella! Hurry before the clock strikes midnight! This past Saturday Carolina Ballet hosted their annual Cinderella Ball at the Downtown Marriott City Center in an effort to raise money for the ballet company. Today Carolina Ballet is one of the top ten dance companies in the country. Design Lines started helping with prepreations back in late November 2009 on both the Logistics and Decorations committees.

(Above Brittany and Judy pin tulle on the table skirt.) 

(The Design Lines team helping decorate the carriage table.

This is the first thing the guests see when they arrive.)

(Above Brittany and Molly tying turquoise ribbon on the back of the carriage.)

That evening Carolina Ballet honored Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Roberg and Mr. & Mrs. Steve Techet, who have contributed to Carolina Ballet since the company started 12 years ago. The Techets and Susan Garrity, the Cinderella Ball Chair, also happen to be two of our longtime clients. Susan, the ball was fabulous! Thank you for letting us be a part of such an amazing event. Michele Weathers of Carolina Ballet and the rest of the committee chairs did wonderful job!

The velcro slipcover carriage was inspired by Stewart Woodard was engineered and built by Walter Newton and painted by William Strickland. At midnight the carriage turned into a pumpkin! How awesome is that! Stewart and Nancy Church collaborated on the decorations and overall the look of the evening to create a stunningly beautiful event. Below are a two shots of the ballroom centerpieces. Stewart and Nancy, they look awesome.

Let the ball begin!  The evening had many surprises. The Live Auction Items included trips to Paris, Tortola, BVI and even a two night stay in NYC. There were also 70 silent auction items that attendees could bid on. My favorites were the dove hunt in VA and a weekend trip to a mountain home in Echota, North Carolina. Oh did I mention the food was delicious! Beef Tenderloin seared with toasted cardamom seeds and to top it all off  a white chocolate editable slipper with fruit for dessert. Yummy! By the end of the night our tummy’s were full and ready to hit the dance floor.

(Molly and Judy at the Cinderella Ball.)

To see more on Carolina Ballet’s 2009-2010 Season click here. Also please join us in helping and spreading the word about the “Fund A Dream” program, which helps a specific need for every dancer, pointe shoes. These shoes are the lifeline for the dancers and with each pair costing $70 the shoe bill adds up. Over the course of a year, the bill exceeds $90,000. By contributing to this effort we can help the dancers at Carolina Ballet have the best pointe shoes. To donate call (919) 719-0800 ext. 229.

To see more of Design Lines in the community head to our community involvement category.