Chris Elliott, Principal of Creedmoor Elementary School (CES) approached several interior design firms in the Raleigh and the Durham area about helping create a more stimulating environment for the children at CES. When we heard what Chris was trying to accomplish, we jumped at the opportunity to help the school and also at the chance to give back to the town of Creedmoor. The team at Design Lines firmly believes everyone deserves good design and for these kids, this was no exception.

Brittany and I drove out to Granville County on Friday and met with Chris and a few administrative staff to select some paint colors. The walls, doors and trim throughout the school are in a dire need of a new coat of paint.

We believe children learn better when the are around stimulating colors, and so does Chris.

Brittany first was inspired by this Lincoln Log picture in the April 2008 Dwell Magazine. She took the inspiration a step further with these CB2 his & her bathroom signs.

As we toured the school with Chris, we instantly understood the vision for creating a place where children feel proud of where they go to school. Brittany even had a neat idea for Chris’s office-create a Lego wall.  

 As the school project progresses I will be sure to update you on the transformations and even get a couple of the kids reactions when they arrive at school on August 16th.

Thanks Chris for letting  us be a part of the team, we cannot wait to hear all the buzz it creates around town.  

THANK YOU , THANK YOU- To the Junior League of Raleigh!!

The 2010 Showcase of Kitchens was a huge success and we were thrilled to be a part of the tour. Above you see (Left to Right) Pat the owner of the Lake Boone Trail house, Laura from ROCKin’teriors and Hilaire from Design Lines, posing in their lime green aprons. They were so fun!! You just might find me wearing mine flipping some juicy hamburgers.

There were volunteers at every house greeting the visitors and answering any questions. What a fine organization! 

Meredith and Hilary hats off to you ladies — fabulous job.

This tour was also fun for the whole team at Design Lines. Below Lauren and Hilaire take a quick break to snap a shot. Throughout the weekend all the designers took part in the tour.

For more pictures on the Lake Boone house click here and you will be re-directed to previous posts. Tomorrow we will show you some pictures of the master bedroom. My are they gorgeous!

Yesterday, April 28th was the kickoff for the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market 2010 season, which runs April 28 through October 27. Legendary chef and pit master Ed Mitchell from The Pitt was on hand preparing the barbecue for the barbecue sandwiches. My were they worth the long line. So why was Design Lines out and about at the Market? Who wouldn’t want to support the local economy! We are all about it.

Above: Ed Mitchell the Pit master.

No, there is a reason for our outing. Brittany and I met up with Damon and John from Triangle Blvd for a sandwich at the kickoff. For about a year now we have  known each other. The business partnership started when Design Lines was approached by Damon. He said we can help your firm produce a really hip and cutting edge video for our website and whipped out his iPhone to show us exactly what he was talking about.

From there we produced the video you see today on our site and have joined forces on another video for Howard Parry & Walston on how to spruce up before you sell your house.

The team at Triangle  Blvd is all about promoting the great city of Raleigh and surrounding areas through their Triangle Web-TV network.  We are huge supporters. Be on the lookout for one of their most popular events Restaurant Week coming up May 17-23.

Above are shots of local vendors at the kickoff.

Brittany, Lauren, Judy and Hilaire joined others from the local Cary area to celebrate the re-opening of Opulence of Southern Pines at  Saltbox Village last night. This re-opening happened after a horrible fire left the first store completely damaged from all the flames and smoke.

The move couldn’t come at a better time. This new location is perfect, right next to the fabulous  Write Image, and a couple doors down from Cary’s hottest new neighborhood butcher “The Meat House” .

Owners Neal and Tanda of Opulence of Southern Pines with Cary Chamber of Commerce President Howard Johnson for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

This is an amazing rainbow of color made from towels!

Brittany, Lauren & Hilaire

It was raining outside!

A beautiful display of red and coral pillows, right in front of the luxury linen line – Sferra.

As we browsed at all the new items, these two floral pillows wowed Brittany.

And what would be a party without a raffle! Above Judy with her poppy hand towels that she won.

Get the DVRs ready! Design Lines will be on “My Carolina Today” a local television show March 16th at 11:00am on channel 6 (NBC 17). This premiere will showcase the work we did along with Eidolon Designs, Taps & Latches, Gonzalez Painting, Select Forest Products Flooring, ICI Paints in Cary and Sun Protection to build the set design for the show.

The show will grow through the construction process and even showcase a time lapse. There are interviews with Judy and the rest of the team. It is really neat, you must check it out and let us know what you think!

We will also have the show on up on our YouTube Channel so you can view it later if the ever infamous DVR doesn’t work and you are stuck at work!

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.

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.

Back in the Fall of 2009 we were introduced to Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh.  Immediately we found a need for our discontinued samples that are traditionally thrown way.  The “Studio Style” in the IDEAWorksGallery encourages kids to use these discontinued samples and their imagination to create masterpieces! The whole focus of the gallery is to foster creativity with everyday resources.

Below are a few materpieces I was able to bring back for the staff. Thanks Michelle for showing me around!

Several members of the staff joined other area architects, landscapers and developers at the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) “Walk & Talk” in Durham, this past Wednesday as Rex Bost of FreeRain and others spoke about the Landing at Southpoint project.

A majority of the discussion was centered around rain harvesting and how this process enabled the project to receive the honor of becoming the “first LEED certified condo community in North Carolina.”

So what is rain harvesting? Good Question! Click Here to find out more.

This process is beneficial not only for commercial use but it can be used in residential homes as well. Rain harvesting helps the environment while also saving the homeowner huge amounts of money on utility bills.