LET'S DRESS THINGS UP AND CELEBRATE!!!

     This Sunday we celebrate Easter – a time of rebirth and jubilation. And in honor of this day, we really love to dress things up. . . our churches are filled with white Easter lilies, our little girls are adorned in frilly pastel colored dresses (complete with matching hats or bows) and our eggs are tinted in hues of yellow, pink and green. We’ll add a spring wreath to our front door, a bouquet of tulips to the foyer table and fill our homes with ceramic bunnies, yellow stuffed chicks and candy filled baskets. Oh, what fun!!   

     While we’re at it, let’s not forget our dining and buffet tables – the place where we gather round in celebration with family and friends. This is where I think it can be the most fun to decorate. Personally, I prefer to avoid the anticipated bunnies and decorative eggs, and shoot for something a little less expected.  Below is some great inspiration for doing just that.    

If the temperatures aren't quite warm enough for

outdoor dining, then bring spring's flowers inside.

FLORALS BY TONY GARNER

PHOTOS FROM COUNTRY FRENCH FLORALS & INTERIORS BY CHARLES FAUDREE

 DESIGN BY NINA CAMPBELL

                               

COURTESY OF VERANDA

FLORAL DESIGN BY MARIO BUCCELLATI

But if the temperature allows, by all means, take it outside.

COURTESY OF TRADITIONAL HOME

COURTESY OF VERANDA

Here's wishing you all a very blessed and happy Easter!!!

A PASSION FOR ART

Passion drives my art

The pure love of color, texture and light

The ability to bring something to life

That never before existed

I thrive on the challenge

To push something through

to the next level

always taking the risk

always moving forward

The ability of the human spirit

And it's ability

To rise against adversity

Is a constant inspiration

I search for it in

history

literature

and music

Particularly in the lives of those around me

Through my work

I hope to offer this optimism

Back to the viewer

    Paula Des Jardins                         

 

 

     These are the words of Paula Des Jardins, a local artist whom I had the pleasure of meeting a number of years ago when the La Jolla design firm I was working at was displaying some of her oil paintings in their showroom.  I instantly fell in love with her abstracts. 

UNTITLED ABSTRACT

     Since a computer monitor generally compromises the true beauty of a painting, I was  hesitant about showing her artwork online. But Paula's paintings have an intensity that manages to still come through, even on a computer.  

 

STATE OF BALANCE

BREAKING THROUGH II

IT'S ALL GOOD

       Every other month Paula opens her studio to visitors for a viewing of her work, which is really the very best way to experience her creations.  Just think of how incredible these paintings are live and in person!  She will be holding her next "Open Studio Night" on May 14th, 2010 and I strongly encourage anyone who will be in the San Diego area to attend.  You will not be disappointed.  Check out her website for further information and to view more of her work.

BEFORE AND AFTER

     I love it when I open my mailbox to discover the most recent issue of Architural Digest tucked inside, just waiting for me.  Despite wanting to sit down immediately and dive right into it, I refrain from doing so because I know it will be all the more enjoyable when I can take my time and work my way from front to back while enjoying my morning coffee or even better, an evening glass of wine.  The one exception to this is when it's the "Before and After" issue - I almost always end up opening that issue to take a quick peak at the magic acts  performed by various designers.

     So, today I thought I'd share with you some before and after photos from a small project completed by LPC Designs, which was a home office remodel. 

When our client hired us for this remodel

she was working on completing her PhD

in clinical psychology. Her desire was for

a space that would be both funtional and

comfortable, representative of her personality

and could eventually be utilized as an office for

meeting with patients.

Our challenge was to provide ample storage for

a large book collection and filing system, conceal

the computer equipment to maintain a clean look

and eliminate the many exposed wires. We needed

to bring light into a very dark space and provide

access for visiting patients.

After gutting the entire space, the exterior wall was opened and the existing windows were replaced with a pair of French doors and casement windows. This allows natural light to fill the space, provides access for patients and a view to a beautiful rose garden.

AFTER

     Custom designed bookcases, painted in an antiqued soft yellow, were added to store computer equipment, books, files, etc

 

AFTER

AFTER

AFTER

The pallet of yellow, green, off white and burned orange work to enhance the lighting, as well as create a continuous flow from the inside to the outside.