Designing with natural elements

I read an article in the September 2013 issue of Architectural Digest that intrigued me very much.  It's about using semi precious stones that are infused with energies and incorporating these elements into interior design by way of tables, wall tiles, flooring and however else your budget would afford.  I know it sound quirky or hippy-ish, but this is not a new movement from the dawning of the age of Aquarius...no these concepts of healing and energies have been around from the beginning of time.  It is only recently that we are seeing some of the most amazing technological advances like infusing semi precious stones with energies manually. 
Even Einstein knew that all things that affect the human body, good or bad, occurs in the energy field around us.
Here is how it works:
earth elements, like quartz, agate, Onyx...already naturally have energy, however, according to Energy Tools International...you can have those materials improved by adding or "infusing" Subtle Subatomic Energy or SSE to a special saline solution.
SSE is too difficult for me to explain and make sense out of but I understand it to be measurable energy. To learn more for yourself you can read "Subtle energy, the universe and us" by Yury Kronn Ph.D
Subtle Subatomic Energy has been proven to help a persons body counter the damaging effects of the radiation and negative energy from all the wonderful technology around us like our computers and cell phones and so on.

On a field trip to Chi Town we visited the Mart, in the Holly Hunt showroom I saw the most amazing little brown agate side table, when I looked at the price tag I was astounded to see $12,500.00!
 I wonder if it was infused with energies?  I know if I owned one of these sweet side tables...my energy would be through the roof!

http://www.hollyhunt.com/ShowProduct.aspx?ProductID=6883&ManufacturerID=29

 

Agate is a type of quartz that calcifies around a host rock, it shows a beautiful banding of layers that look almost translucent. It is said to bring confidence, health, wealth and long life just to name a few. 

 

 

There is the Onyx.  Like agate, Onyx is another type of quartz stone only it's bands are more like fishers or lines vs. the curved bands on the Agate.  Onyx has been died different colors for centuries and now in recent years has become a popular hard surface option for interior design that can be back lit for an incredibly beautiful and luxurious finish product like the floor tiles and reception counter in the pictures below.

  Onyx energy properties are said to deflect negative energy and encourage self control.

 

 

http://www.daginter.com/backlit-onyx-stone-glass/

 

Another semi precious stone the article talked about was Concetto Puro, which is a collection of handmade cut and bound precious stones by Caesarstone. 

The white Puro stones are calming, balancing and heal emotions. 

 

http://www.stoneholding.com/index.php?mod=MyDB&p=detail&product=387

This is an incredibly beautiful product called Concetto Puro, what a way to bring life to a plain white bathroom...backlight everything! 

So whether it is for residential or commercial applications, I would encourage any designer to incorporate these type of earth elements into their design (if budget allows of course) and consider the positive effects of infusing energies with any of these semi very precious stones.

 

 

Modern Baroque

 

We finished a very interesting period of design in one of our Deco arts class called Baroque.

Baroque is a design style from the 17^th and 18^th century that was very exaggerated and had a lot of movement both with interiors and architecturally.  I really enjoyed researching the Italian and French Baroque periods especially because of the pure awe inspiring architecture, sculptures and elaborate interiors.  There is something so genius, so brilliant about an artist and architect, like for instance Gianlorenzo Bernini, who could make marble look like it was breathing, so soft and real.  Borromini had an incredible talent for the curves in his architecture, and Grinling Gibbons would carve wood so exaggerated it could look like fabric.   Such attention to detail in the carvings of the furnishings made me do a little cruising through the internet.  I have some pictures of what I think that would look like today, a sort of baroque revival! I found some beautiful inspiration rooms for you to view and I hope you enjoy!

See the modern pargework on the ceiling and the marquetry on the flooring...

http://www.minimalisti.com/architecture/interior-design/02/modern-interior-design-ideas.html

 

I would venture to guess the inspiration for this dining room was the Hall of Mirrors...what do you think?

http://pinterest.com/pin/200480620884334234/

 

I love the bold fuscia pop of color behind the bookshelf.

 

http://ifitsnotbaroquedesignblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-design-style.html

 

I think this is a beautiful example of modern baroque.

 

http://pinterest.com/pin/152207662377426454/

 

The wall covering is in excess geometrically but works so perfectly with the lucite carved side lamps and the glamorous gold fabric

 

http://pinterest.com/pin/22869910580153278/

 

I love this inspiration for hanging framed mirrors over a mirror and the ooh lala chandelier

http://designers.elledecor.com/rooms/designer-2-liv-chic-llc-room-4280

 

Large and overexhaggerated, love it

http://pinterest.com/pin/57632070203343508/

 

the architecture of the room here is what catches my eye, that long barrel vaulted hallway...how clever to have rounded seat backs for the dining chairs to continue with the curved lines.

http://pinterest.com/pin/462604192943829435/

 

 

Discover A Designer

 Kelly Wearstler

http://designers.elledecor.com/designers/67-kelly-wearstler--inc--los-angeles-CA-designers

I immediately knew the Designer I wanted to write about.  I’m so drawn to Kelly’s eccentric design style because she is fearless with her designs.  Her philosophy is

“Take Risks” and she does.

 I went through some of my magazines and noticed I have several pages of Kelly Wearstler designs or advertisements that are folded (which means I loved something about it that was worthy of revisiting).  Kelly Wearstler in one word would be ENERGY! 

Who is Kelly Wearstler? She is a wife and mother of two,  currently designs her own Jewelry line, fashion lines both couture and ready to wear that you can find in boutiques, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus stores.  She designs her own wall coverings and textiles working with Lee Jofa and The Rug Company.  She’s designed dinnerware, accessories and most importantly, in my opinion, she does custom home furnishings.   She is the founder of the Kelly Wearstler Interior Design (KWID) firm in Los Angeles and all around Design Extraordinaire.  

 Kelly is author of “Rhapsody”, “Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style”, “Domicilium Decoratus”, and “Hue”.  In the words of the Police, “Every little thing she does is magic”! These books are must haves for up and coming interior design students.

Kelly’s style of design said to be old Hollywood, modern baroque, neoclassical but she calls herself a modernist.  Whatever you call her design, she is definitely a trend setter.

Kelly has been on the design scene for some time now.  She did the redesign for the Avalon Hotel in California.  This success led to several more hotel, contract and residential work that has established her career today.   Her icons were Dorothy Draper and William Haines.

When asked in an interview with Elle Décor, “What is the essential element of any room?” Her answer is, “It’s not a thing but a spirit: The essence of a room is the emotion it conjures”.  Wow, what an answer! 

 

http://www.idesignlove.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/kelly-wearstler-elle-decor.jpg

She is a master at layering colors!  Love the glazed moiré wall covering, the artwork and the iconic hand chairs.  Is that hide on the ceiling and rug?

Picture courtesy of: http://copelandsblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/viceroy-miami.jpg

The back wall is very 3-D, and I love her bold color choices. 

Picture courtesy of: http://crystalamesbury.blogspot.com/2011/01/symmetry.html

She mixes crazy (that means awesome) mixes of patterns and graphics along with the color scheme yet there is symmetry and balance

Some of Kelly’s staple pieces I see in a lot of her designs are:

Picture courtesy of:http://thewanderingwonderer.com

http://www.fortyfiveten.com/fouroneone/category/for-home/

“Saints hands”

Picture courtesy of: http://smittenincle.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html

Picture courtesy: https://www.onekingslane.com

These are the Porter Chairs that I see a lot in her designs typically in vibrant colors.

Picture courtesy: http://fortheloveofblack.blogspot.com/2012/11/kelly-wearstler-rhapsody.html

Another staple is her own Elliott Chair.  Also noteworthy is the geometric tiled marble floors btw…amazing.

Picture courtesy of: https://www.facebook.com/OneKingsLane

Do you see a pattern here?

Design inspiration can be found anywhere, you just have to look.

Picture courtesy of: http://www.chivasskincare.com/Goat-Milk-Soap-and-Skin-Care/2009/10/

Happy Day!

Top 5 Blogs

Hey all, here a my top 5 favorite blog sites:

http://katie-d-i-d.blogspot.com/

What I loved about this blog is the seasoned elegance the author Katie Denham has in the design industry.  She has immersed herself in design of all aspects like interiors, clothing, trending styles and patterns, and the people to watch for or the people we should know about as interior designers.

You can find color inspiration anywhere

Check out that sweet little mongolian lamb stool with everything else being larger in scale

Rug...that's hide!

 http://www.cocokelley.com//

The editor Cassandra Lavalle is a trendy designer that gives very practical examples of how to enhance your space with pieces you may already have, just throw a trendy paint color on it and voila!  Her philosophy is “design is in the details”  so what I’ve learned from this blog is to pay attention to even the smallest of details in design, even if it’s just a tablescape.

Fun tablescape idea with a little succulence

http://lovelyuglydesign.blogspot.com

I feel overwhelmed after viewing this young lady’s blog.  Wow, her blog is intense with fashion but the designs behind the runways or that are the runways make me want to get out more and take more pictures to document these amazing images that are out there…that some incredibly artistic individual saw in their mind and brought it to life.

Fireplace, YES! also noteworthy is the ceiling pendants

Love the wall covering

AMAZING!

http://www.houseofturquoise.com/

Erin is the editor of house of turquoise and she is obsessed with all things turquoise.  Turquoise is very fun to say!  It is also very fun to see in an interior because it really pops in any setting.  So what Erin has done in her blog is find beautiful pictures on the internet and off to the right is where she specifies a particular item, say a lamp or bedding and then she lets us know exactly where we can get it for ourselves or our clients.  I love this site because it’s a bit more down to earth and practical.

Hey camera hog (sorry, I couldn't resist)

http://www.westsidetile.com/blog

Westside Tile and Stone has an amazing website for all things tile and stone.  On the blog it gives you incredibly beautiful and trendy design concepts with what you can do with tile and mosaics.  This site will be my go to when I need fresh ideas on backsplash and fireplace surrounds.

So not only are the tiles beautiful on the fireplace, look around at the room... I love how the seating flows into the dining space.