Asparagus Interiors

This weekend my sister a friend and I went to the DIY Trunk Show in Chicago. It’s a group of 100 local crafters that are pushing the edge in hand made goods and artwork.

I purchased 3 prints from Emily Kberman , she applies a reprinted Audubon bird to a painted canvas, accenting the birds colors and positioning them to appeal to the graphic nature of the print.  I’m loving these birds, most likely appreciated in groups.

Other artists I found interesting:
up in the air somewhere - Delicate papier-mâché and ceramics - just delightful!

Laura George - Artwork and Illustration - quirky and mod, I love it.

Circa Ceramics - Fun ceramic bowls, cups and goodies.  Cutie, bold and kitschy.

Art Goodies - Handmade towels and pillows with animal block prints.  Very "Leave It to Beaver" but fun.

While out on a Sunday drive with the fam, I wanted to take Mike past a favorite building of mine in St. Charles, IL.  The Aquascape headquarters.  It’s won LEED Silver certification by the USGBC.

I love the architecture as the roof slopes, widows allow natural light in from the East, and the use of raw metal and painted steel to add a modern mix.  The green roof is living and has grown since I first saw the building. A little prairie in the mix of the midwest.

This past weekend we had a night out in downtown Glen Ellyn and spent the next afternoon in Geneva, IL.  I’m trying to make a point of it to shop local and dine in the downtown areas surrounding Naperville.  It’s fun to see what local restaurants are offering and how the old school ambiance can be a refreshing change from the big box scene.

I’m a sucker for nostalgia, unique architecture and beautiful landscaping.  We strolled by Giesche Shoe Store in Glen Ellyn.  Giesche is a Glen Ellyn staple and has been around for many years.  The architecture of the store is similar to the International Style, steel and glass buildings, you often see in Chicago.  The decorative plants echo the buildings longtime presence and have been cultivated to reflect the buildings style and era.

A Sunday stroll along Geneva’s, 3rd street shopping district, lead me to the vibrant almost ornamental rhubarb.  I’ll have to confirm the species with my friend Geno over at Neri Landscape , but the bright stems of fuchsia, orange, yellow and red got me thinking.  Are these colors the jewel tones of the fall?  Purple fall cabbages are great ornamentals adding color and texture to any front entryway.

With all the political hullabaloo going on this season and the push for grass roots involvement. I’ve decided to get out there and become involved in my community.

The Naperville Centennial Beach Bathhouse is going to be reworked and I’ve decided to join the community based feedback team. My involvement is two fold:

1. I’m a member of the Naperville Centennial Beach and a mother of two young girls who benefit from the pubic recreational facility
2. I’m a designer at heart and any opportunity I can get in some design recommendations, and green ones at that, is a source of great enthusiasm and passion for helping to solve a public need

I’ve decided that my husband and I have lived in Naperville too long not to get involved, and join the ranks of other townies that make Naperville a great place to live.

Look for me at the 2nd Annual Waubonsee Community College Renewable Energy Fair.
I will be presenting design examples and discussing ways to make your home a more eco-friendly place to live.

The Second Annual Renewable Energy Fair
Featuring renewable energy, organic, and green products
Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove Campus
Saturday, October 18, 2008     9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Erickson Hall Gymnasium

Last week we vacationed in Holland, MI.

We visited the beaches, Windmill Island, Saugatuck and Grand Haven.  But no trip to Michigan is complete with out doing a little local shopping.  The artist community in Saugatuck and Douglas is a great way to find unique art, garden features and housewares.

Shopping locally not fuels the local economy, but mixes up your decor with unique items that become little treasures.

We visited the Holland Farmer’s Market to check out the fresh produce, flowers, plants, pastries and goodies that the locals bring to table.

I found this wonderful deep purple sage wreath for my front door.  The crafter also made very cool wreathes out of dogwood sticks and other branches to form almost a lacy puff ball effect that jumped out at you.

I love the farmer’s market vibe.  It feels good to buy from your neighbors and support the local community.

Why of course, I spotted a refreshing sense of design at Lincoln Park Zoo this weekend.

In addition to the animal prints of Zebra, Tiger and Leopard, the beautiful “Endangered Species Carousel,” sent me reflecting on the carousels of my youth at the House on the Rock in WI, and of those we spotted in Paris. The intricate details, majestic patterns, an surreal animals so ornate and vibrant in color.

How does this apply to interiors? As we move into the Spring season the annual awakening occurs and a refreshing of our interior environment comes to light. I’m thinking of hand printed papers to hang, wall coverings, lighting and window treatments. The “accessories” for the room that can change without structural impact.

Like the carousel, I’m loving the jewel tones this season. Vibrant orange, lime green, turquoise and yellow in a moderate saturation level. Layering colors and pattern add depth to the design elements and using the same hue levels keeps the palette constant and not one color jarring.

Some inspiring items for Spring:

Cole and Son Wallpaper - Cow Parsley

Shine Home - Drake Table Lamp

Stray Dog - Bird Stool

Paper Source - Red Paisley Print

(Thanks to my friends at Croncast for the carousel photo.)

This week, I’ve been inspired by the craft of woodworking both personally and through readings.

I’ve stumbled upon the work of the late George Nakashima.

Known throughout the fine furniture and artistic community as a craftsman that that is inspired by and embraces nature. Nakashima and now his daughter Mira, carefully select trees and used the uniquely natural features to design furniture pieces such as tables and chairs. His story and process are worth reading and shed light on how we can pursue and cherish artwork from local craftsman.

As I work with clients and design my home, I’m pushing myself to make selections that are not found in the everyday big box store. Let’s look at what our craftsman are offering and how their art can be integrated into the design of our everyday lives.

A little tribute to my parents, whom with my mother’s artwork and my fathers woodworking crafted us up a “real fish” for our basement bar. I’m challenging myself to start looking to the next level of artistic creation and figure out a way to become part of a “process.”

Big thanks go out to my Mom, Kate Cavanagh, and Aunt, Rita Kerley, who with a glass of wine and extra think glue installed my grasscloth wallpaper.
The grasscloth wallpaper is made of a 100% natural materials. The paper backing has an orange color topcoat and strips of grass are woven onto the paper with thin threads of yarn.

The inherent natural fibers create a random pattern. When hung there is noticable seaming, but it adds to the natural beauty.  I would recommend it to anyone looking to add dimension and texture to a room.

I’ve been doing a lot of painting around the house these days, and have commented on my site about my new found love for the Aura paint by Benjamin Moore.

The Washington Post just featured an artical discussing the topic, “Gauging a Paint’s Performance Before It Hits the Wall.” Are we really getting great performance and durability and out of a $60.00 gallon of paint?

The article is worth reading if your in the market for paint. I’ve listed some highlights below:

“The differences begin to emerge after the job is finished and you start using the space. In 10 years, the $60-a-gallon wall, which can be cleaned, will still look good. The $15-a-gallon one may have been repainted three times because when you tried to clean it, the color came off or the stain couldn’t be removed.”

“At the high end, the pigment will be made entirely of titanium dioxide, which is much more durable but much more expensive. Titanium dioxide also reflects light better; to the discerning eye, the color looks brighter and more vibrant.”

“The salespeople may also talk about “coverage” — the area of wall that a gallon will cover. The industry average is 400 square feet, but the more expensive paints can cover more area, so you may need fewer gallons to do the job.”

I recommend doing your research before buying. Paint can get expensive, but get the most out of your gallons for durability, colorfastness and coverage.

Happy Painting!