Lone Star...Texas or Bust...

All Images Photographed by: Maggie Wooldridge Campbell

The Lone Star State amazed me as we explored different venues and learned to appreciate the collections of various dealers and showroom owners.  Particularly fascinating was the collection at Abraham's Rugs, with a noteworthy clients, Sam Abraham began his collection in 1974...

We spoke of different tribes and families in Iran, Turkey and India perusing so many wonderful rugs.  The colors and knotting techniques intriguing and beguiling at once.  The patterns of the Oushak and patina of time make them universal in their inclusion of simple and monochromatic design intentions.  The wonderfully aged Serape & Sarouk rugs took my breath away as we looked at detail that one can only imagine in some faraway place was knotted by hand in a pattern so intricate that it puts the Sistine chapel on the same plane. 

This one amazing piece had this form  repeated over and over again reminding me of a Nautilus pompilius, cephalopod. 

"Fun with Math as far back as the ancient Greeks, the shell of the chambered nautilus has been a symbol of perfection. This shell can be described mathematically as a logarithmic spiral. It is often confused with a very specific type of logarithmic spiral that the Ancient Greeks described. This special logarithmic spiral has a ratio of 1:1.618 and is called The Golden Ratio or the Divine Proportion (See: The Nautilus Shell Spiral). In truth, while Nautilus is a beautiful example of a Logarithmic spiral, it is not in the proportions of The Golden Ratio. Please see the article by John Sharp that proves this." 

 from http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/

Here are a few of the amazing pieces we unrolled during our design seminar at Abraham's Rugs, Houston, Texas.  Special Thank You to Sam Abraham for hosting the event. 

Houston Decorative Arts Center

 http://www.abrahamsrugs.com/index.htm

Infusing Color & Pattern Where There Was None...Vol. 1 Issue 4 2010

Sneak Preview...To Tweet or are we Twits?

Photographs Courtesy of Brad Ford ID

http://www.designtherapy.com/

I had the pleasure of taking part in this wonderful discussion with Design Therapy’s Brad Ford hosted by ADAC last week. The topic was the use of social media marketing, Facebook, twitter, blogging and other web based media outlets. His view was that it is now a necessary credibility factor for small business owners and other creative fields. The circular movement between the different resources becomes imperative to convey strategic messaging. In his words great ideas and concepts 'become viral' in their nature on the internet...

There are so many blogs and other online editorial resources out there, it is important to differentiate yourself from the competition. “Websites are static, blogs are a constant conversation” Expert designer Brad Ford (a fellow twitter user with 13,000+ followers’) feels that the way we are connected is becoming a very necessary media.


Design Therapy’s Blog has timely and informative third party information that is not focused on self-promotion—a common thread among successful industry blogs. Of course the intriguing part of blogs is that they are somewhat personal and much more interesting than that of a highly edited editorial—and that can be the drawback if the blogger or owner does not focus on readership or relevance. The other great offering of blogs is much more detailed information on how to or unique ways to look at projects. It is almost like having a bird’s eye view into the day to day life of designers, artist, architects and photographers.

To get the most current design news and style secrets design enthusiasts must now look directly to the inspiration and sources/designers as so many journals and magazines have fallen. The great news is these are relatively free hobby reading and can become very much of a friendly resource. Bloggers & their subscribers are loyal and tend to be able to point one another in the right direction as well as Facebook fans and twitter users.  The jury is still out but I recommend several of the following to get you started reading up the minute industry news:  Enjoy!  Laura


Design Sponge— http://www.designspongeonline.com
Habitually Chic— http://habituallychic.blogspot.com
The Peak of Chic— http://thepeakofchic.blogspot.com
Tobi Fairley— http://tobifairley.com/blog
A Daily Dose of Architecture— http://archidose.blogspot.com

Oushak, Serapi, Kilim...

Won't You Join Us for Mimosas & Muffins at Abraham's Rugs in Houston, Texas?  We will be discussing 'Which Type of Rug Perfects & Compliments Your Personal Style.'  Question & Answer Session to follow. Bring a friend or two as we look at the age old art of rugmaking... 

June 25th 10am-12noon

5120 Woodway, Showroom # 6010

Houston, TX 77056

 

Hosted By:
Abrahams Rugs & L. Green Studios

http://www.lgreenstudios.com/

http://www.abrahamsrugs.com/locations.htm

And the Winner of the Tres Chic Room Makeover is...

Michelle Wlodarek!

Selected completely randomly, Michelle will have a room in her house redecorated for free. Congratulations! Stay tuned for pictures and more!

This really wonderful house...

Watch while we infuse wonderful layers of color

throughout this wonderful house...

Today I am working on this really great house with beautiful details, as we frame up the

interior finishes & millwork details, we are layering our own samples with beautiful

pots of paint to create this almond and platinum/palamino combination. 

While the homeowners are in Cabo we are tweaking the color theory behind the design...watch as we play with color and it's application...Enjoy!

Our Latest Editorial from The Roswell Current...

http://www.theroswellcurrent.com/

Join Us for...

Join us for a few upcoming events we will be designing & discussing 'Using What You Have Well & When to Know the Difference'...

July 22nd  10am  Mimosa's & Muffins

Now & Again Buckhead

August 19th 7pm  Wine, Cheese & Refreshments 

Sandy Springs Antiques & Interiors

September-December Events Details will be posted closer to the event time...

Looking forward to seeing you!! ~Laura

Seeking Style that Transcends the Common Trend...

Seeking Style that is transcendent of the common trend is becoming harder to do with the information superhighway and availability of goods worldwide...

As designers we constantly strive for a well collected look that sets us apart from 'the pack' so to speak, with the access of the markets online and mass marketing conglomerates that is becoming harder to do.  But I will argue the point that pulling it all together is still a craft that bears heavy weight in this market.  We are busier than ever and enjoying the way we are working with so many different types of projects.  Continuing to guide the specification and sourcing process for each project.  

This amazing pottery collection is one of my recent favorites...available at etsy.com

Although the material objects are easier to find, the definition of them and appropriate uses seems to be becoming more rare.  The more I see~ the more I am left wanting a more palatable way of pulling items from artisans across the globe.  

A few weeks ago we ordered this amazing one of kind piece for a client's Keeping Room, it is a tremendous let down when you then realize that this piece may or may not make it's way stateside without being imitated or copied by another onlooker using his vantage point to create objects for a mass production.  Sacrificing quality yet again for easy access and the almighty profit.  Arguably it is getting harder to discern quality & authenticity or do people even care anymore???

So as you seek your personal style...more to come, late to a meeting...

And the Winner of This Weeks Tres Chic Giveaway is...

This week's Tres Chic Giveaway winner is Ashley Culberson!!  To claim your custom black lacquer barstools and schedule delivery please email us at info@lgreenstudios.com with in 20 days of winning.  Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend...

And the Winner of This Weeks Tres Chic Giveaway is...

The winner of this weeks giveaway item an wonderfully aged persian rug is Heather Gentner!!  Please email us at info@lgreenstudios.com to schedule delivery to your doorstep...Congratulations!!

The Roswell Current, May Issue

Introducing Organic Prints to Your Palette

Editorial By: Laura Green Thome;May 2010 The Roswell Current;http://www.theroswellcurrent.com/


Sophistication used often, but rarely defined well~ in homes it seams anyway! Most of us live a cluttered life and an overwhelmingly distracted existence. Par for the course for most everyone with all the gadgets and devices we use frequently. Simply defining your style and color palette along with a little or a lot of spring cleaning will help you incorporate a more sophisticated approach to day to day life. Many of you have written in and requested actual color recommendations. So here we go-keep in mind hours upon hours are spent by designers in color theory classes and studying color, hues, shades and tones. So my recommendations are limited at best in their application to each consumer—that is why there are so many options to suit each individual best!


Let’s start with one of my favorite color teams. Experts forecasted color this year as being vivacious, fun-loving and lively for the season. Here is a color sampling of what is in store for the duration of the year from Pantone’s color forecast 2010:
If you are ready to paint your living room this season try Farrow & Ball’s Arsenic in a pale room full of neutral furniture, have it mixed in a satin finish and try three coats with a glossy glaze on top. The resulting color intensity will evoke a fresh invigorating feeling as you pass through and enjoy evenings at home during the coming months. In the fall try adding a few indigo colored throws around and adding a chunky hound’s tooth fabric on a few ottomans with dark architectural legs. Also introduce a few dark indigo lamps with chocolate card shades for another layer of richness. You will want to drink this color up all year long!


It is of the utmost significance when balancing color intensity with crisp definition to use natural fibers and nubby woven textiles in combination to form a wonderful warm palette. While using solids introduce a few organic linen prints or tobacco leaf prints as a focal point on a settee or as a drapery panel. Many times I use a tobacco leaf print coated in vinyl as a powder room wallpaper. This adds an element of both confidence and comfort, organic patterns are so important in adding that touch of personality whether light and airy or stunning and contrasting, go ahead and introduce a few patterns to your palette.


If you are wanting a bright and cheery sunroom or breakfast room after this years long cold winter~Try Farrow & Ball’s Citron in ½ strength formula. The color will intensify in large areas so make certain with a sample pot that you like it’s acidity for your home. If you have the panache to carry it you have the talent to put together the proper art and accessories—I assume?




On the subject of panache, I absolutely love pistachio’s are they related, of course not! But it did remind me that my favorite Guest Room I have ever worked on was the color of a pale pistachio ice cream and we used it in combination with ivory lacquer on the bed and Ivory/Taupe subtle strie on the drapery panels. The bedside table was an antique primitive American piece done in a walnut. It was so simple but just called you to have a mint julep and unwind after a long day…For that color try: Pantone Paints, Luminary Green 12-0525 similar to Endive shown above. Shown here is a recently completed Great Room in Atlanta done in a crisp and understated green, we contrasted the wall color with crisp Belgian Linen Panels balancing the simplicity with a few Hinson & Bergamo Fabrics.

According to Devoe Paints Color Psychology: “If green is your favorite color, this indicates stability, balance and persistence. Organization is fundamental to your environment. When you start something, you finish it. You tend to be honest, moral and sensitive to social etiquette. Exceptionally intelligent, you understand new ideas and before making decisions, you recognize the importance of having all the details and considering outcomes.” Check out other impacts of color on your mind at: http://www.devoepaint.com/Jahia/home/color/clrcolorpsychology