Happy Valentines Day

 

"Laughter is the closest distance between two people" --Victor Borge

Photo Credit: Colour Me Happy

Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, "What's HOT" in the world of Design, as well as sneak peaks of her work.

The Ultimate Flou Beds

This is my idea of the perfect bed.

The frame of the mattress is on a suspension system that lifts easily -- just hit the release button and it pops up with a light tug-- very ingeniously designed. The frame is separate from the head-board. Also, the enclosed space stays clean, unlike underneath a bed. Made in Italy by Flou

Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, "What's HOT" in the world of Design, as well as sneak peaks of her work.

These are a Few of My Favourite Things

My Motto is "When you live with beautiful things, you stimulate your mind, you enjoy life a little more."  
I have a tray in my bathroom that I look at everyday that holds some of my most favourite things. 
It makes me happy every time I look at it, and isn't that what makes life worthwhile to find beauty and happiness in the little things. 

• The Ivory necklace that I got when I was on Safari in Africa brings back fond memories.

• The little Hermes bag that is filled with fragrance samples that I got as a gift when I made a purchase at Hermes -the orange color and the delicate brown ribbon makes me smile.

• My favourite fragrances: Jo Malone & Cartier.

• The Louis Vuitton zippered case, lined in brown suede holds my favourite pieces of jewelry.

• The engraved silver lidded bowl that holds my watch and bracelets at night.

• The two crystal silver toped jars, the taller one is a Victorian sugar shaker that I have re-purposed to hold talcum powder and the smaller one is a vintage ink well that now holds a small portion of my favourite cream.

Why not try rounding up a collection of some of your favourite things that make you happy every time you look at them.

 

Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, "What's HOT" in the world of Design, as well as sneak peaks of her work.

Barcelona Pavilion Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

This picture was sent to me by my good friend, Colin Kwok, who is an Architect and an extraordinary Sculptor. It is the Barcelona Pavilion designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. I thought I would share it with you as it is very inspirational for me. I would love to visit Barcelona and view this sculpture in person one day. Enjoy.

 

 
Barcelona Pavilion, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

The Barcelona Pavilion, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, was the German Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona. It was an important building in the history of modern architecture, known for its simple form and extravagant materials, such as marble and travertine.

The building stood on a large podium alongside a pool. The structure itself consisted of eight steel posts supporting a flat roof, with curtain glass walling and a handful of partition walls. The overall impression is of perpendicular planes in three dimensions forming a cool, luxurious space.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed the Barcelona chair for the Barcelona Pavilion, hence the name for the chair. The Barcelona Pavilion was dismantled at the end of the exhibition, but a replica has since been built on the same site (1981-1986 replica Barcelona Pavilion by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe).

Above Photo: Sculpture Colin Kwok
Interior Design Patricia Gray
Click here to see a posting I did on the above of Colin Kwok's sculpture titled: Jeanne d' Arc in a client's bedroom.

 

 

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture,  and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

This is Amazing

This video just melts my heart.  As a fellow animal lover I think this clip will astound you!

Hero Dog Tries To Help Wounded Dog - Watch the best video clips here

For those of you who read this by email click here to view the video.

Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, "What's HOT" in the world of Design, as well as sneak peaks of her work.

Abstract Art - Go Big or Go Home

"Interiors are motivation; and they speak louder than voices. People are searching for spiritual experiences. Environments featuring art and design can provide those experiences." Mary V. Knackstedt from A Schematic Life

In the past year (2008) I have noticed a proliferation of large scale abstract art being used in living rooms and dining rooms. The effect is bold and dramatic and creates a strong focal point in a room. Most of the rooms shown in the pictures below are large in scale architecturally and benefit from a strong focal point. Over scale in size shows abstract art to it's very best. Abstract art is non-representational and lets an eclectic array of furnishings and accessories stand on their own merits as works of art. Abstract art is beautiful and organic in nature...... Enjoy the slide show.

Definition of Abstract Art: A cluster of theoretical ideas lies behind abstract art. The idea of art for art's sake – that art should be purely about the creation of beautiful effects. The idea that art can or should be like music – that just as music is patterns of sound, art's effects should be created by pure patterns of form, colour and line. The idea, derived from the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, that the highest form of beauty lies not in the forms of the real world but in geometry. The idea that abstract art, to the extent that it does not represent the material world, can be seen to represent the spiritual. In general abstract art is seen as carrying a moral dimension, in that it can be seen to stand for virtues such as order, purity, simplicity and spirituality.

For those of you who read this by email click here to view the slide show.

Left Photography Jen Wong / Right Jeffery Bilhuber

 

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design, architecture,
and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

Somethings Gotta Give - Paintings by Kenton Nelson

Paintings in Something's Gotta Give / Image from movie Something's Gotta Give

Kenton Nelson's paintings and artwork have appeared in numerous films over the years including, Father of the Bride II, The Parent Trap, What Women Want, Mission Impossible 3, and perhaps most famously seen here in Something's Gotta Give, with a special recognition by Jack Nicholson. (Painting shown is titled Swim Party.)
Paintings in Somethings Gotta Give

Image from movie Something's Gotta Give

The painting seen in the entry of this famous movie set (Something's Gotta Give) is by Kenton Nelson

Paintings in Something's Gotta Give / Image from movie Something's Gotta Give

The painting of the Lighthouse in the Family Room of the set Something's Gotta give is also by Kenton Nelson.

Kenton Nelson was born in 1954 in Los Angeles. He attended Long Beach State University then the Otis Parsons Art Institute, and for the past 27 years has been operating an art studio in Pasadena. He has been on the faculty of the Otis Parsons Art Institute in Los Angeles and the Academy of Art in San Francisco.

The New Yorker has used Kenton Nelson for cover images over the years.

Top picture of Somthing's Gotta Gove Image from movie Somethings Gotta Give by Linda Merrill of Surroundings
Picture 2 & 3 of Something's Gotta Give Cote de Texas
All other photos from Artist's web-site
Paintings in Somethings Gotta Give

Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, "What's HOT" in the world of Design.