Speaking of Walls No. 12 - The Art of Picture Rail Systems

 

It all started with an idea that came into vogue in the 1840's. Decorative moulding to hang pictures from using hooks that could be moved at will to display artwork without marring the wall surfaces. And then came the brass picture rail systems inspired by art galleries.

Several years ago I was designing the lobby areas of a commercial space and curated very large pieces of artwork to hang under contemporary benches. This project was the perfect place to install the artwork suspended from lengths of well-scaled brass chain, which complimented the brass legs on the benches. Since each piece of art was going to be hung individually, we opted to forgo the railing system to keep a polished look. The solution was to hang the artwork directly to the wall and then install the chain to create the illusion the artwork was suspended from chain. It turned out fabulous.

 

It's important to treat the picture rail system in a space as another moulding. It can be hung very close to crown or frieze wood moulding or drop down from and hang at a parallel level below that. Consider the all architectural elements in the space for proper height. Some of the determining factors are ceiling height, architectural challenges, furniture placement, and artwork to be suspended from the railing system.

Another design element that may come into play is the finish on the metal or alloy rail system. You play by the rules and need your metal finishes to match or you don't. Or the artwork collection has a patina that works best with one finish or another. It's like selecting the jewelry to complete your outfit.

And metal or alloy rail systems come with their own "jewelry" too! Beyond the finish choice is the finial style, if the railing isn't running wall to wall. Does the artwork that is being suspended from this railing system need illumination? What choices are best for lighting that artwork? 

Another decision is how much picture railing system in the space. Too much of a good thing is too much, a mistake. May seem like an oxymoron, but too much is underwhelming. It is underappreciated because a well-thought out design includes restraint.

What story are you telling with the artwork collection you want to suspend from picture railing? Or should it be to emphasis one special piece, one gorgeous mirror, or a trio of small pieces whose perfect place is suspended from picture railing on a small alcove wall?

Be inspired to explore the art of picture railing. 

Sources: Robert Kime Design, Collier Webb, Eye for Design, Pinterest, British Institute of Interior Design

Garden Design No. 30 - Chinese Chippendale in the Garden & The Psychology of Shapes

 

We need to be living our lives with more meaningful observation. One such area is in the choices we make for our home and garden.  When the choice has a story the choice becomes more meaningful. We chose it not because it was just the latest trend or because it was a pretty piece. We also chose it because it means something. It has a story to tell.

And even if we keep the story it is telling a secret just for us, that's alright. Especially in our garden. 

Think of the saying, "ancient Chinese secret" or the soul nourishing moments you have experienced in your gardens. And now let me share a theory about the psychology of shapes and Chinese Chippendale in the garden. 

If we study just a bit the shapes found in the Chippendale design we notice the circle, the square, the triangle and both vertical and horizontal lines. This after we take in the breathtaking overall design. And perhaps even the shadows the overall design casts on a sunny day.

But the true satisfaction of noticing these shapes is understanding the meaning of each one. Here are the meanings according to the psychology of shapes.

Circle: the circle shape signifies harmony, the sense of calm, love.

Square: the square shape elicits stability and balance.

Triangle: the triangle shape conveys strength and energy.

Vertical Line: the vertical line communicates tranquility.

Horizontal Line: the horizontal line gives a sense of moving through time.

Just like flowers have meaning and history. So does the Chippendale design. Incorporating these meanings into our gardens brings life to our souls. Soul nourishing calm, harmony, balance, strength, tranquility and movement. And when I say gardens - I mean even those potted gardens on a lovely quaint porch. Meaning can come in small packages like a Chippendale planter.

Be mindful of these meanings when designing your garden gate, or fence, or gazebo, or bench. Make sure you remember the simplicity of life when introducing them into your garden. After all, these meanings are not heard or felt in the loudest moments of our lives, but when we stop, pause and listen in silence.

I wish you calm, harmony, strength, tranquility, and movement. Be inspired!

Resources: Content in the Cottage, Southern Living, Houzz, Elle Decor, Hull Millwork, Shelley Johnson Design, Garden Sheds, Inc., Chelsea and Meade, Pinterest

Well Dressed Home No. 67 - French Bistro Shelves

 

I wish I could make this post a scratch and sniff. Let's imagine the aromas that ignite us from the moment we walk into a French bistro and like most good memories, let us also think about bringing that delight into our own homes.

The experience of a French bistro is daunting. There is so much to take in and it takes all five of our senses. Luckily, the French lifestyle beckons us to take our time, there's no rush. 

After the initial pause to take in the sensation of the breads, coffees, and casual French traditional foods we start to notice. Notice the laid back, coziness of our surroundings and we begin to relax into them subconsciously. We don't catch ourselves smiling off into the distance as we drink in our first eye scan of this experience.  

We don't want to miss even the tiniest detail that must be embedded into our soul for retrieval for many times to come. We are adults playing the I Spy game and loving every moment of it.

Memory retrieval number 1,000 - the French bistro shelves. It's been 15 years since my visit to Paris (not to sound like the Gloria Stuart as Old Rose in Titanic (1997), and I still remember the shelves with their most important job of holding the fresh baked goodies in that bistro. Yes under all the layers of surreality that is the French bistro experience, my eyes caught the bistro shelves and fell in love. And I'm not the only one.

The use of French bistro shelves are yet another way to bring our story into our home. To add a chapter that marries a memory with function. And I love that this chapter is in the kitchen, the heart of the home. Every day we touch these shelves and display well-chosen pieces to sit on them. Just like the French baker proudly displays their handmade provisions. 

The French bistro shelves are the perfect perch for your favorite glassware, vintage or everyday dishware, that near and dear piece of art, or a crock of spoons and bistro white bowls for the late night ice cream attack. 

Rustic or sophisticated, the French bistro shelves are at home with vintage or crystal. Polished or warm brass. 

Relax and enjoy the simple things in life. Next stop, the local bakery!

Stay tuned for my obsession with French bakery cabinets.

Resources: The Linen Rabbit, Style at Home, Studio-McGee, Amuneal Manufacturing, William Sonoma, Pinterest

Rethinking the Look of Things No. 66 - Coloring Outside the Lines: A Guide to Hanging Artwork

We all can remember when we starting coloring with crayons from the big yellow box. "Stay inside the lines" was a phrase often heard. I wonder how many creative wings were clipped with this lesson. I hope that those wings learned to spread wide and fly high so that a strong creative mind was cultivated.

In design we can find ourselves with limitations that present challenges, but how many of those limitations are unshakable?  Many times I've found myself with my tape measure in hand measuring inside the boundaries of wood moldings and been disappointed to find that the perfect piece of artwork wasn't going to fit. Until I realized that the lesson of staying inside the lines I was taught while coloring do not need to apply in design.

Learning to stretch design boundaries and push yourself to recognize the challenge is not always architectural, but often in playing by the rules. And sometimes rules are meant to be broken or rewritten. 

Don't get me wrong, I am a designer who loves a well-curated space, everything in its place, in unity and pure beauty. What I find myself thinking when a challenge arises is that in this space in front of me now - what is the best outcome for a meaningfully designed room?

After all, every design project is a different work of art. Not all rules apply to all projects. So let's learn to color outside the lines and see where that takes us. What we will see is that the perfect piece of artwork becomes even more perfect in its rebel state. That the seating not centered with the lines of the wood molding interrupts the architecture but it certainly doesn't change its beauty. 

Rethinking coloring outside the lines allows us to notice that every piece of artwork in a collage hanging over top wood molding rather than inside is worth a pause. It elevates each piece of artwork in the collage to pause status. It says, "notice me." 

We'll notice that hanging a wall of artwork where some are inside the wood molding and some are ignoring it is an indication that a creative genius was at work.

And when all the layers are placed carefully in their spots the entire space, where rules were broken; traditional thrown to the wind, has answered the call to color outside the lines.

Be inspired to rethink coloring outside the lines!

Resources: Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, House & Garden UK, Veranda, Decor Pad, New England Home, Tumblr, The Glam Pad, Pinterest

RSVP Collection No. 60 - Buchette del Vino (Wine Windows)

 

Talk about a hole in the wall! These buchette del vino (wine windows) in Florence are the perfect tiny little portal just large enough to fit a bottle of wine. Hand me a bottle out one of these wine windows with a label that is a great design and I'm weak in the knees. 

If you know me, you know that a bottle of wine with an intriguing label design wins over others. 

In the 16th century wine windows became a craze as a way to avoid paying taxes on selling wine. Nearly every Florence family who owned vineyards had a wine window in their residence. Knock, hand your empty bottle through the window with payment and a full bottle of wine was returned to you.

The revival of this old tradition has led to the discovery of about 150 existing wine windows that exist inside Florence walls and another 100 plus throughout Tuscany. Prior to the recent embrace, the wine windows were boarded over, painted over - some with traditional art, some with graffiti, repurposed as doorbell posts, or hidden completely. 

These lovely portals remind me of the days when milk was delivered through a small door beside one's front entrance (I actually have one of these doors at my apartment.), but wine through a door, does a body good!

The wine windows in Florence are to be found most likely at arm's height. Cin cin! Saluti!

Resources: Conte Nast Traveler, Wine Spectator, My Recipes, Intrepid Guide, CNN, Pinterest