Time Designed Series, Part 4: Medieval Times

Here's part four of the Time Designed series (see part one, two, and three).  This mood board is a modern, fanciful take on Gothic design.  Because the Gothic movement is associated with many churches and castles, I combined the idea of a throne room and a church.  The amazing mural by Peter Ostuni was inspired by stained glass; because of its size and color, I used it as a dramatic backdrop for the throne atop the steps.  The throne itself is the famous Smoke Chair by Maarten Baas.  Because the Gothic movement is associated with religion and spirituality, I placed two Icarus Lights by Tord Boontje to look almost like angel wings.  The traditional gilded end tables and solid brass torcheres contrast the bold modern pieces and make the space feel more luxe and regal.

The board itself was inspired by (as seen from left to right below), the votive crown of Visigoth king Reccesuinth, artwork of Richard II presented to the Virgin and Child, and the cover of the Carolingian Gospel Codex Aureus of Sankt Emmeram.

A Modern Twist on Medieval Times:

Sources:

1. floor lamps  |  2. rug  |  3. end tables  |  4. chair  |  5. mural  |  6. light

Natural Inspiration: Mother of Pearl

Mother of pearl has been a material used for jewelry, furniture, and interior design for thousands of years. Manufacturers use something called "nacre" with artificial iridescence to create the material we know today as "mother of pearl."  Nacre is a blend of secretions from various mollusks that form a protective barrier inside their shells.  By using this mollusk byproduct, mother of pearl tiles give kitchens and baths a glamorous natural touch that glass tiles can never give a room.  Below are stunning mother of pearl antiques on 1st Dibs, followed by my favorite examples of how beautiful this material can be in interiors:

1. Cartier clock  |  2. Mirror  |  3. Verner Panton ceiling fixture  |  4.  Inlaid dresser  |  5. Inlaid table

(via Houzz)

(via Lonny)

(via Houzz)

(via Houzz)

(via Houzz)

(via Houzz)

(via Houzz)

Loud and Clear

One of my favorite current design trends has been ubiquitous lately: LUCITE.  Lucite pieces can add a dramatic impact without taking up too much visual space, so they're especially good for small spaces and can blend seamlessly with many styles.  I've hunted down some fabulous lucite chairs, tables, and accessories from 1st Dibs here:

Sources:

1. lamp | 2. coffee table | 3. candy dish | 4. zig zag chair | 5. lamp | 6. bar stool | 7. console

Do you still love this trend, or do you think it's on its way out?

Time Designed Series, Part 3: When in Rome (and Greece)

Here's part three of the Time Designed series (see part one here and part two here).  This mood board was inspired by my favorite time period, ancient Greece.  All Classical design has roots in the beautiful architecture of ancient Greece and Rome, the masters of proportion and engineering.  The board itself was inspired by (as seen from left to right below), is the east pediment of the Parthenon (part of the Elgin Marbles), ceramic vase portraying Heracles and Athena, a recreation of the lost colossal statue and a fresco from Pompeii.  I love the deep reds in their ceramics and frescos and the amazing sculptures from that time.

Ancient Greece and Rome:

Sources:

1. column  |  2. curtains  |  3. Greek key rug  |  4. Klismos chairs  |  5. zinc urns  |  6. table  |

7. wallpaper  |  8. chandelier

Natural Inspiration: Lake Retba in Senegal

"Nature always wears the colors of the spirit." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Images via lakeretba.com

The Sommerso Technique (Or: Not Your Grandmother's Vase)

While browsing accessories on 1st Dibs today, I came across these amazing Sommerso vases from Murano, Italy.  The shapes are so dynamic, almost like water moving, and the colors are so dramatic and deep.  My interest was piqued, and a quick Google search of the technique led me to here, here, and here. For the curious, I made a list of the basic breakdown of the steps required to make a true Sommerso vase based on my super scientific research:

• Molten glass of a solid color is set against an even layer of clear glass in order to seal the color and prevent fading into the next layer. 
• Another layer of glass, either clear or colored depending on the desired result, is added on either side of the colored center to create a sealed, layered effect.
• Step 2 is repeated until the desired result is achieved.

Famed twentieth century Italian architect, furniture/lighting designer, and glassmaker Carlo Scarpa (1906-1978) created Murano glass as well.  Here are some of his innovative pieces available on 1st Dibs if you'd like to see.

Sources:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Which vase is your favorite?  I think they're all gorgeous, but I'd say this one is my favorite.

*Sommerso in Italian means "submerged."

Gold Rush

To start the weekend off right, I've collected some beautiful modern and antique examples of one of my favorite current design trends: GOLD.  The key to mastering this trend is moderation and balance, or else we're going to start veering off into Tacky Territory (think: Las Vegas high roller suite).  You're not going to want to use all of these pieces in one space, but one or two combined with turquoise or gray would be really glamorous.

Sources:

1. wallpaper | 2. mirror | 3. wall studs | 4. bowl | 5. table | 6. chair | 7. lamps

Are you loving this trend as much as I am?

Color of the Month: Radiant Orchid

What better way to kick off the first 2014 Color of the Month than with Pantone's Color of the Year, Radiant Orchid?  I'll show you how to work with the hue if (1) you're a less-is-more kind of person, or if (2) you're a more-is-more kind of person (because who isn't at least some of the time? :)

So, here it is: the first Optimism + White Paint's Color of the Month: Radiant Orchid!

Sources:

1. rug | 2. vase | 3. chair | 4. table | 5. pillow | 6. wallpaper | 7. lamp | 8. suspended lamp | 9. credenza | 10. chair | 11. rug | 12. feather headdress | 13. pillow | 14. wallpaper | 15. lamp | 16. end table

Time Designed Series, Part 2: Design Like an Egyptian

Here's part two of the Time Designed series (see part one here).  I was really inspired by the motifs of ancient Egyptian art and design: mostly the exaggeration of the eye, the reeds along the Nile River, the pyramids, and the x-base benches.  The Egyptian palaces were incredibly luxurious with they're rich colors and use of gold, but there's an interesting contrast with hard, geometric line movement in the hieroglyphics.

So here it is, Ancient Egypt:

Sources:

1. white gold chevron wallpaper  |  2. velvet curtains  |  3. floor lamps  |  4. rug  |  5. x-base ottomans  |  6. nightstands  |  7. pendant lamps  |  8. Egyptian cotton bedding  |  9. blue pillow  |  10. gold pillow  |  11. green pillow  |  12. bed frame

The amazing bed frame is from Kelly Wearstler on 1stdibs.  The carving reminded me of the way the reeds along the Nile River are portrayed in hieroglyphics.  I chose the nightstands for the beautiful wood carving - it reminded me of the way the ancient Egyptians wore their eye makeup.  The pendant lights from Lamps Plus are shaped like pyramids, so I couldn't resist!  I knew I had to include some x-base benches, as the design was originally invented by the ancient Egyptians to be used as folding chairs.  It was love at first sight with the gold leaf floor lamps.  They reminded me of the palm fans Egyptian servants used to cool down the Pharaoh on a hot day in the Sahara.  Finally, the bedding is made from Egyptian cotton, of course.

And as for the inspirational Egyptian art, from left to right, is the funeral mask of King Tut, a scene from the book of the dead of Hunefer, and a gold, glass, and lapis lazuli sculpture of Isis, Osiris, and Horus.

Time Designed Series, Part 1: Caveman Chic

Let me start by saying this: I'm an art history nerd.  I love learning about history through the lens of art and architecture.  Learning about time periods' creative achievements show how people of that time were interpreting what was happening to them, and designers today can look back and reinterpret what was influencing our ancestors.  How cool is that?  Our past is a gold mine for design inspiration.

To jump off this idea, I'm starting a series called Time Designed, where I'll take great works in art and design history and create mood boards inspired by them.  Think of the possibilities!!  They're endless! Are you excited?  Because you should be!

First up, Paleolithic times:

Sources:

1. cotton curtains  |  2. ceramic and walnut table lamps  |  3. petrified wood end tables  |  4. hanging rattan chair  |  5. resin tables  |  6. leather chair  |  7. Finn Juhl sofa  |  8. Mongolian lamb fur pillow  |  9. crewel pillow cover  |  10. chevron crewel pillow cover  |  11. ikat pillow cover  |  12. red leather hide pillow  |  13. teak mirror

I love how this mood board came out.  My fear was that the palette would feel heavy, unbalanced, and too masculine - you know, too much Fred Flintstone not enough Wilma Flintstone.  But the palette is surprisingly light.  I chose pieces that showed off the inherent beauty of their components, so I stuck with earthy, natural materials like walnut, teak, leather, lamb fur, clay, linen, cotton, and rattan.  I think this really drives home that caveman look, since things like plastic were (obviously) not available in Paleolithic times.  My favorite pieces are the resin tables - they look like contained molten lava and add a lot of drama.

And in case you were wondering, the cave paintings on the bottom, from left to right, are found in the Lascaux Cave in southwestern France, the Cave of Altamira in northern Spain, and Lascaux again.

Now I'm in the mood for a giant turkey leg.

Optimism and White Paint

"I always use plenty of optimism and white paint." -Elsie de Wolfe (1865-1950)

I love the idea of optimism and white paint: the phrase evokes new beginnings, fresh opportunities, a blank canvas - an excitement, a hopefulness, a plethora of possibilities. This is what I'm feeling as I launch Optimism + White Paint, a blog named for a quote by Elsie de Wolfe, the founder of the interior design profession and lover of the color white.

Speaking of white, as I'm writing this, New York is expected to experience a blizzard starting any moment now.  Remember those childhood nights before a snow storm, when you'd eagerly wear your pajamas inside out and place a wooden spoon under your pillow in hopes of a snow day?  (Or maybe it was wear your pajamas inside out or place a wooden spoon under your pillow, or else you'd cancel it out?  I can't remember, and now I feel old.) Anyway, to start this blog off, here are some beautiful white interiors.

 

(via Lonny)

(Architect John Pawson's home via minimalissimo)

Happy 2014!