I’m a quote junkie. I collect them obsessively and love to share them, so today is all about the cleverness of others. I hope you find one that strikes a chord, touches your heart or motivates you.
“The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.” – Clairee Belcher, Steel Magnolias
Don’t you love this concept? I guess “ability to accessorize” encompasses opposable thumbs, higher reasoning, etc. Let’s do more accessorizing to show our superiority.
Accessories & art show we're superior?
Nicely accessorized bookshelves.
”Don’t make the mistake of picking out one hue and trying to match everything too closely. You always want 2-3 shades of the same color running through walls, carpet and upholstery to give a room some depth.” – Vincente Wolf, interior designer
The photo below is from his book Learning to See, available from my Amazon link on my Bookshelf page. The dark blue chairs and sofa in the niche anchor the room, the room is softened by the medium tone blues in the ottoman and side chairs and the very light blue walls and pillows brighten the room. The red used judiciously around the room balances and warms up the blues so the room isn’t so cold.
Designed by Vincente Wolf.
”Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun.” -Mary Lou Cook, interior designer
Over the course of my design career I’ve certainly experimented and taken some risks – some not so successfully. I had a project for a home theater company and they wanted something dramatic in the lobby. I envisioned a water feature and convinced them of it’s feasibility. It was nothing but trouble and none of it worked out as I planned. The tile I specified was gorgeous but too rough and caused little droplets of water to spray all over the wood floor (so I added a throw rug). I framed it in stainless steel for a cool, really modern look, but the hard water splashes caused it to be spotted all the time. I had the company logo etched on glass and floated over the tile – again the splashes made spots and more spots (increased the distance from the tile). The water was supposed to trickle down from the top evenly across the width of the fountain – the sides were always dry…..you get the idea. So I experimented, took a risk and made several mistakes – it actually wasn’t much fun! But I did learn and grow and next time I designed a fountain, I was much more successful.
A lobby fountain (photo by Terrie P)
”Kitchens should be designed around what’s important - fun, food and life.” – Daniel Boulud, chef
I like that fun is in first place of what’s important – especially since I don’t really cook much and the food part is definitely secondary. Kitchens and bathrooms are rooms that definitely are designed more specifically around function…..but let’s not get too stuffy.
A kitchen that is the opposite of stuffy, and the epitome of fun.
A kitchen designed for entertaining.
This kitchen with it’s 2 layers of island countertops and lots of room looks like an ideal place for a party. (Did you notice the cabinet hardware? Set on an angle, it’s creative and makes a unique design statement.)
Another open plan kitchen for entertaining.
Another modern kitchen with 2 bar seating areas that really makes it easy for guests or family to keep you company while you prepare the meal. With the sink centrally located and the fridge at the end of the kitchen, a good work triangle is created.
Friendly and inviting, I'd love to attend a party here.
Great wall color, an unusual tile floor and that fabulous piece-of-furniture island make this kitchen ever-so-appealing. Let’s party!
One last quote to ponder:
“Move the table.” – Frank Lloyd Wright – his response to a client complaining that rain was leaking onto the dining table
I certainly hope I can offer better advice than that! Watch the site for lots of good tips and advice, and if you have a specific design dilemma or something that’s just driving you crazy, email me. The emails come directly to my email box and I’ll answer right away. Look forward to hearing from you.
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