What better place to look for color inspiration than a master Painter?  And who better than Giorgio Morandi (1890-1964), an Italian painter who specialized in still life?

After 1922 he developed the signature style he would become known for, focusing on subtle gradations of hue, tone, and objects arranged in a unifying atmospheric haze.

His beautiful paintings, though created decades ago, are surprisingly fresh. In fact, Morandi’s color palettes seem surprisingly contemporary.

Take a look: they might be the perfect inspiration for your next design project.  Can you imagine a room painted in these gorgeous tones?

-Robert

image 1 & 2: Art News

image3 & 4: Heidi Haseltine Photography

Have you ever wondered why there are so many pillow options out there?  It’s crazy talk. There are some that are perfect for your head and others just plain stink, leaving you with little to no support while you sleep. We are starting a new series called “Design Defined” which highlights the simple luxuries within your home.  

Most pillows are filled with either a poly filled, a feather/down blend or a combination of both.   Down means the pillow is filled with either duck or goose feathers, and a poly filled pillow has synthetic stuffing. The real question is what do you like? Your bed pillow is all about your personal preference and the position in which you sleep. On your side, back, or tummy. Do you want to go the organic route? IS someone in your family allergic to dust mites or is sensitive to fibers? The DLL team always recommends getting pillow protectors – which can be found at your local Target stores. We are a fan of the ones from Garnet Hill.

Spending an extra couple of dollars on pillows might insure a restful nights sleep.  Experts at Real Simple put 35 different pillows to the test and have come up with 7 different winners. Check them out!

Believe it are not pillow cases do matter. No one wants a rough fabric rubbing up against your cheek. Try a washed linen look from Garnet Hill. These are oh so luxurious.

National companies like Serena & Lily & Potterybarn  have even gotten creative when dressing the bedroom. 

Sweet dreams! 

Images 1. Pinterest  2. Garnet Hill 3. Potterybarn

An artist from Durham is currently being featured with a solo show at the North Carolina Museum of Art.  And you won’t want to miss it!

Reflections: Portraits by Beverly McIver celebrates the last decade of work from the native of North Carolina.  She is renowned for her expression-filled, emotive canvases that commemorate her life and the lives of those closest to her—in particular, her mother, Ethel, who passed away in 2004, and her sister, Renee, who is mentally disabled.

The exhibition highlights these two subjects in McIver’s work, focusing solely on her self-portraits and on portraits of Renee and other family members. “All of my portraits are self-portraits,” says the artist. “I use the faces of others who reflect my most inner being.”

The show runs through June.  For more info: http://ncartmuseum.org/

-Robert

image 1: contemporary art co

image 2: nccu.edu

image 3: westcityfilms

text: http://ncartmuseum.org/

There are brief periods of time reserved during the new year for reflection, strategic planning, and goal setting. In fact, this is one of my favorite times of the year. As we look ahead into 2012, here are just a few of our dreams.

1. Get published in a national interior design magazine. We are truly honored each time we receive press on our design projects and to step into the national arena would be a dream come true for Judy and the rest of the team.

2. We are always trying to find ways to improve the client experience. As a team, every year we go back to the drawing board to fine tune our business strategies all in an effort to give our clients the very best.

“Rework” by 37 signals founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson is a national bestselling book and a must read for this year. We were first introduced to 37 signals’s online project management tools several years ago and use Basecamp on a daily basis to communicate with our out of town clients.

3. While we support one other in the day-to-day operations of the business, we also find joy in celebrating those personal life milestones with each other. In 2012 we will be celebrating a wedding, moving into a new home, cutting a child’s 2nd birthday cake and all the little in between occasions as well.

4. Branded Spaces - At Design Lines we believe design affects everyone both within a residential setting and a commercial space, or as we like to call it the “branded spaces.” “The branded spaces serve as a tangible extension of marketing messages and corporate culture, becoming touchpoints where first – and lasting – impressions are made.” Last year, we had the honor of working with a team of talented individuals to build the NC State’s Chancellor’s House, and other commercial projects, which are outlined here. This year, we dream of continuing to take on more branded spaces projects. Wouldn’t it be cool to design a restaurant, a store, or even a hotel?!

5. Judy and I will attend “Blogfest 2012″ in New York City this Spring. We are super excited!   For us it is important to hear and engage in this social media conference. The media platforms we use to communicate with are always changing and we want to be prepared for those changes.

In the new year, what do you want to see from the Design Lines blog? We care about what you have to say, so email us at hpickett@designlinesltd.com.

images: 1. Ruzzel & Hazel 2. Design Lines 3. Amazon 4. Cupcakes & Cashmere 5. Pinterest 6. Blogfest 2012- Kravet

When you think of plaster, you probably think of a material smoothed onto walls.  But this simple material – a mixture of powdered gypsum and water – can be magical in skilled hands.  Alberto Giacometti, famous for his bronze sculptures, sculpted all of them out of plaster first:

In fact, plaster has been one of the most important artistic mediums for thousands of years – which is why I’m so impressed by the freshness of a new collection by Stephen Antonson.

Using plaster as his main material, he sculpts all sorts of decorative objects.  From mirrors to candlesticks and chandeliers, Antonson’s elevates this humble material to serene beauty.  My favorite is his lamp for Dessin Fournier:

-Robert

image 1 & 3:  West Elm

image 2: tumblr

images 4 : Stephen Antonson

The Design Lines crew has just returned from the holiday break and we have already jumped right into 2012 designing and serving our clients. Don’t worry we haven’t forgotten you, our blog readers. You are important to us!

Give us another week, as we spend time preparing for all the upcoming and exciting editorial on our blog! We have some surprises and we can’t wait to share, so stay tuned. In the meantime, grab a cup of coffee as we take time to celebrate our successes of 2011 and make our goals for 2012.

Needing some questions to get started with your personal goal setting? Try these questions from the Simple Mom Blog.

See you soon!

images 1. Wake Up Mrs. Singh 2. Simple Mom Blog

The signed copy of Grace Bonney’s Design*Sponge at Home book goes to…

Congratulations to Beth!!  She shared that this isn’t the only book she’s hoping to get for Christmas, “I have really wanted this book, but there are a lot of other design books this year that I also want ~ Patina Style, Meghan’s Method, etc.”

Thanks to all who participated in the giveaway!

Want a neat idea for your mantel?! You’ve only got a few days left until Christmas. Molly’s best friend’s mother, Margie, through the years – has given her beautiful Santa Clause figurines. A few years ago Molly decided that rather than putting them in different places she would put them all on the mantel and enjoy the Santa Parade!

Molly adds a few of her own and has even ordered a funky little 26″ tall boiled wool Santa to add to the crew from Garnet Hill. I add in a fresh wreath above for a simple yet memorable Christmas display. Amazing how quickly the kids look forward to this newly inducted tradition. “It is not overly creative but I just love the memories that each one brings as I unpack them from the attic. The middle one may be my favorite because it was one of the ones that Margie gave me.”

Merry Christmas to all!

images: DLL

We were thrilled to share a signed copy of the Design*Sponge at Home book with one of our readers!  It has been one of the best interior design books to come out this year.  If you’ve followed the blog, you know what I’m talking about!  The book has some of the same features but even better spaces and projects!  

Brittany got to meet the author Grace Bonney when she was in the Raleigh area for her book signing at Anthropologie. 

 
You’re sure to love all of the sneak peaks of homes featured in the book.  They showcase homes of some very interesting people, like TLC star Genevieve Gorder (you may recognize her from Trading Spaces or her new show Dear Genevieve.)

 And of course they include a how-to guide with a multitude of DIY projects, giving you all the instructions (including a supply list).

And get inspired by the before and after photos of fascinating projects that others have completed!  My favorite section is the flower workshop, showing you how to construct gorgeous arrangements right at home.

We know you’ll love it!  Or if you’re searching for gifts for friends and family, it would be the perfect gift for someone on your list!

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Leave a comment on this post letting us know your favorite book that you’d like to give or get this year.  (Simply click on the comment link in the taupe box just under the title of this post.)

2. Share this contest via Facebook!  Be sure to mention Design Lines Limited in the post so that it shows up on our page as well.

3. Share this contest via Twitter by tweeting: RT to enter the @DesignSponge at Home Book Giveaway from @DesignLinesLtd for a chance to win through 12/22! Details – http://www.designlinesltd.com/blog

Doing any of these will enter you in the contest, and completing all three will give you three chances to win!   The winner will be announced on our blog at noon on Friday, December 23rd.  You have until midnight on the 22nd to get your entry in!  We will select the winner at random and contact you to send the book your way.  Good luck!

I love to notice how good art can inspire design and vise-versa.  So you can imagine my delight when I saw the new “Zipper” sconce from Urban Electric Company. 

Designed by Amanda Nisbet, the “Zipper Sconce” draws inspiration from the sculptural work of Romanian-born Constanin Brancusi.  The undulating form is based on his “endless column,” a motif that appears repeatedly in his work.

Brancusi’s most famous sculpture may be “The Kiss”.  Have you seen this one before?

One of my favorite sculptures by Brancusi is “Bird in Space” (below).  I wonder what Urban Electric could turn this one into?

This is just one example of how the fields of Art and Design are not mutually exclusive.  Take a closer look, and I’m sure you’ll notice many others.

-Robert

image 1: urban electric co, charleston

image 2: wikipeida

image 3: sheisfrench

image 4: guggenheim museum