Tag Archives: Raleigh interior design

A Closer Look Series

A Closer Look: Jackson Pollock

 

In honor of my trip this weekend to New York, enjoy one of that city’s most famous (and largest!) paintings. Autumn Rhythm (No. 30) hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  It measures over 17 feet long, and was painted by Jackson Pollock on unstretched canvas on his floor.  Make sure to see this cultural treasure the next time you’re in New York.  The Met has a ” pay what you wish ” policy every day, which means you can see it for next to nothing, though it’s worth over $100 million.

-Robert

image 1: the slide projector online 

image 2: artchive.com

A Closer Look Series

A Closer Look: The Furniture of Franz West

FRANZ WEST Divan, 2004 Metal, foam, linen, 38 3/16 x 98 x 32 5/16 inches, (97 x 249 x 82 cm)

 

It doesn’t matter what art looks like, but how it’s used.
–Franz West

 
Franz West

Franz West is an Austrian artist whose work began as a reaction to the Action and Performance Art of the 1960s.  Instead of making objects to be viewed, he created sculptures to be touched.  His “adaptives” were sculptures meant to carried around the gallery, so that viewers could observe how they “adapted” to their bodies.

FRANZ WEST (b. 1947)

More recently, West began creating “adaptives” of a different sort – this time they took the form of furniture.  In his chairs, couches, and light fixtures, West blurs the line between furniture and art.  I like how his efforts pay off – art objects become familiar to the viewer on a more personal level, though they always maintain the presence of a sculpture.  One of my favorite pieces is his floor lamp (below) made of rebar topped by a bare lightbulb.

West’s furniture, like his sculptures, have an awkward and sometimes grotesque appearance.  But at the same time, they are surprisingly elegant and beautiful.  Take a look.  See how they change the way you look at furniture.

 

-Robert

 

image 1:  Gagosian Gallery

image 2: New York Times Magazine

image 3: Christie’s

image 4: Phillips de Pury & Co

image 5: Artnet

A Closer Look Series, Community Involvement, Current Projects, Resources

A Closer Look: Art Inspiraton for the Chancellor’s House at NC State

The Chancellor’s house at NC State is coming along nicely, and we’re starting to think about the decorative touches that will make this house feel like a home.  In such a large house, with both public and private areas, we had to get creative about where to find the right pieces.

We’ve mined the University Archives, Gregg Musuem, and the work of local artists to find the perfect collection worthy of such a grand building.  Below are some pieces that have inspired us….

Mining the Musuem

One of the best sources of art for the Chancellor’s house is the Gregg Museum at NC State.  We will adorn the walls with several loans from their permanent collection.

Some of my favorite pieces are the photographs of esteemed North Carolina Photographer Elizabeth Matheson (above).  Her work is currently in a show at the North Carolina Museum of Art, and we hope to place similar work on the main floor of the Chancellor’s House.

Another great artist in the Gregg Collection is George Bireline, whose abstract expressionist painting (above) will look amazing in the Chancellor’s study.

 

Mining the Archives

Another great source of art will be reproductions made from the University Archives.  This vast collection includes all sorts of wonderful images.

An illustrated Entomology book by E.A. Seguy (above) is one of our favorite finds.  These large prints of insects and butterflies are striking.

We also discovered the archive’s collection of printed sports memorabilia.  We’d love to incorporate some of this fun and colorful artwork.

The university also has an impressive collection of glass slides from botanist B.W. Wells.  He used these hand-colored slides to instruct his students on the biodiversity of natural ecosystems.  These slides can add a touch of beauty to the house, while also bringing to mind NC State’s role in the sciences.

 

Finding Local Talent

One of our main goals was to incorporate the work of local artists.  Below are two examples of the artists who have inspired us, and who we hope to work with.

Ashlynn Browning (above) is a talented painter based in Raleigh.  Her bold, colorful paintings are masterfully produced, and can add a punch of color to any wall.

Steve Staresina (above) is a local artist who creates large-scale frescoes.  He is creating a large-scale work commissioned specifically for the Chancellor’s Parlour.

 

Decorative Touches

To round out the collection, we’re looking to additional sources to add diversity to the collection.

We love the (above) wall piece from Ironies.  Cast resin painted with a metallic pigment make this wall-sculpture look like formed metal.

Another great source for decorative pieces is Natural Curiosities.  They offer many interesting works in a variety of formats, and can add a sophisticated touch to any home.  The abstract paper collection (above) is one of our favorites.

The Jean Baptiste Collection (also from Natural Curiosities) is another collection we’d like to use in the home (above).  The same set of prints was featured in this month’s issue of House Beautiful magazine (below).

We look forward to updating you as the art collection continues to come together.

-Robert

 

image 1: http://web.ncsu.edu/this-red-house/

image 2, 3: http://www.ncsu.edu/gregg/collections.html

image 4, 5, 6: North Carolina State University Archives

image 7: http://www.ashlynnbrowning.com/

image 8: http://www.staresina.com/

image 9: http://www.ironies.com/index.php

image 10, 11, 12: http://naturalcuriosities.com/

 

Current Projects, For the Kids

Current Projects: An Arts & Crafts Nursery

A young couple expecting their first child came to us for direction on the design of their baby girl’s nursery. The clients knew they wanted an Arts & Crafts inspired nursery because the rest of their house is true to the Arts & Craft movement. As a result, Brittany researched the Arts & Crafts color palette and motifs for the project.  Before, this space was an office which, featured a vaulted ceiling and an arch dormer window.

 

Design Lines Interior Design Nursery Project

Steering away from the typical little girl pink, Brittany used a pale peach on the walls and designed custom drapery treatments from a Brunschwig & Fils large botanical print in coffee brown. Stanley’s versatile built-to-grow crib can easily change into a toddler bed or even a twin bed as the little girl grows up. A swivel glider chair from Lee Industries also adds convenience for either parent.

After choosing the color palette, we wanted to create a composition with vaulted ceilings in mind. The bronze bird medallion, indicative of the Arts & Crafts period, overlooks the crib. The other details, include a tole decorative bird floor lamp and a coordinating jute shade as well as an oval framed mirror.

Design Lines Interior design Nursery Project 2

Check back on Thursday for another nursery project.

Current Projects

Current Projects: This Olde Farmhouse Update

  Interior Design of Farmhouse Raleigh NC Design Lines

Time for an update! Back in November of 2008 Ashley started this olde farmhouse project. The overall concept was to use all the existing material from the original house which dates back to the 1800’s. There are only two new additions to the house; the hardwood floors in the master bedroom and the two exterior dutch doors that were built by the contractor.

 

The front door view above shows a large stone step which was part of the original foundation of the house. We still are missing shutters, a swing, a few good rocking chairs, and the screens for the back porch. I can totally see myself moving in tomorrow!

 

Exterior hardware is also not shown yet.

Interior Design of Farmhouse Raleigh NC Design Lines3 

The interior kitchen area is still under construction, we are missing the doors to the cabinets. The overall aesthetic feel of the farmhouse style is best shown through the Rohl faucet, Rohls cast iron farmhouse sink, Venetian Calcutta marble from Rockin’teriors, and the Walker Zanger hand-glazed tiles.

Interior Design of Farmhouse Raleigh NC Design Lines2

 The master bath, will take on an old rustic feel with the original fireplace, mirror, and walls.

Interior Design of Farmhouse Raleigh NC Design Lines4

Above are some of the details of this olde farmhouse; the latch on the dutch doors, horizontal wood panels in the master bedroom, and the ceiling detail in the living room. This reclaimed farmhouse has come a long way and has a little bit longer to go. But look for more the 1st week of September after our furniture install, completion of cabinets and final touches are complete. To see previous updates from the project click on the dates, July 9th 2009 and August 20, 2009.

Design Lines Communications

Design Lines & BGM Creative Group Win An ADDY Award!

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!

Award Winning Interior Design | Raleigh, NC