Spotlight: Orr Ambrose

Hi There . . .

Another artist I fell in love with at the Hart Witzen Show was Orr Ambrose.  These pieces I found amazing in their detail and vibrant color.  Mixed media on canvas and on a large scale, these pieces would bring any space to life.  I particularly love the color combinations and the intricacy of these pieces.

From his site:

American artist Orr Ambrose, born 1970, was raised in Greenville, South Carolina. His early art education began with drawing classes at the County Museum. From there he went on to receive private instruction and enroll at the Greenville Fine Arts Center. He earned his BFA from the University of Georgia, majoring in Painting and Ceramics. In addition, Orr spent 7 months in Cortona, Italy studying drawing and refining his painting technique. He completed a 3 year residency program at Odyssey Center in Asheville, North Carolina. Orr Ambrose has shown in solo and group exhibitions in galleries across the eastern US, demonstrating a path of focused growth. His paintings are included in private and corporate collections and he has been commissioned to create works for private collectors. Using painting, drawing, and photography, his work addresses the emotional impact of visual art upon the viewer and the atmosphere that paintings create in a space. Orr currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.

His portrait work and landscapes are quite beautiful as well.  Check out his other work at www.orrambrose.com

Spotlight: Dana Gibson

Howdy . . .

While in Atlanta recently at the Design Blog Conference I came across the patterns of Dana Gibson.

Dana Gibson is a ceramist and a mixed media artist.  She has partnered with Stroheim for a vibrantly fresh fabric and wall coverings collection.  Inspired by traditional designs from far-flung and familiar places, this collection features ancient ikats, curvaceous ogees, intricate fretwork designs and small-scale prints with coordinating fabrics and wall papers in bold colors.  Through Dana's brushstrokes, centuries old deigns are made new, fresh and modern to brighten and transform any space.

Take a look at this great find and give us a call - be happy to source for you !!! 

photo by laura trevey, founder of bright bold beautiful.com

Fresh and bright - ready for Spring !

Install of the Day !

Hey There !

Jodie Pannell, fun client.  Always game and always willing to be surprised!  Jodie's home has come together over the years and continues to always get better and better.  This go around we tackled their bonus room.  You know the typical - big, full of toys, craft stuff and generally a big TV.  This space thought, had one more use - a dance space.  With two girls, both dancers, Jodie wanted a huge mirror and dance floor incorporated in the space, along with storage, crafts, TV watching and most of all clean and pretty.  Her pop color in this home - teal.  We installed it Friday - take a look !

This Ikea sofa saved us a ton of money and it's comfortable !  The bottom pulls out for extra sleeping.  Great for sleep overs.  

I chose the paint the entire space black and white so the chandelier popped.  The accent paper is just on one wall to add even more impact.  I love this clean and organized look.  Being such a mulit-purpose room with several "zones" the clutter is cut down and well organized !

The wall - o - mirror and rubber floor is perfect for these up and coming dancers !

Two huge black lacquer storage pieces cover one wall with the TV mounted over.  Lots of storage !

photos by Mekenzie France

 Always a job Jodie !!! I know you love a color coordinated house, now this space flows as well with the rest.

What's next Jodie ?

My Current Obsession . .

Happy Sunday!

I have a current obsession.  Allow me to elaborate.  Yesterday I played with all the things I love, one is pondering new ideas.  I hate repeating things.  There are too many ways to be inspired and directions to go and being original is the goal.  But first of all,  I was up early just to get on the One Kings Lane site to snag a piece or two from Iris Apfel private collection that went on sale at 8 am.  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to have something from a design icon.  Within minutes everything was spoken for.  I was surprised the site didn't crash.  But I hung in there and the piece I wanted, which was "on hold" suddenly became available (you have 9 mins to purchase).  I grabbed it.  A marble covered mask.  I know, a little odd.  I love it, not that I plan to wear it, (but you never know) I plan to frame it in some sort of amazing way (and Veronica - I will be seeing you!)  I also scored a cool, metal bracelet-like belt and her book "Rare Bird of Fashion."  

I love her.  She is a Rare Bird and a no-bull shit - 93 year old that doesn't worry what anyone thinks. She's a true original in everything she is, sees and does.  Get the book, her life is amazing.

So back to the obsession thing.  It's the look of marble and other semi-precious stones, hence the marble covered mask.  I say "look" because it's not just the real thing I love, it's the natural (and exaggerated, human tweaked)  patterns.   I want it in art, in wall paper, in jewelry, on counters, on furniture. This obsession of mine started originally with Kelly Wearstler (another icon I obsess over).   Her use of this material in it's true sense, on floors, on walls, on furniture is stunning.   Her layering is amazing,  her color tones I could get lost in.  Take a look at a few of amazing spaces and you'll see what I mean.

I love following her on instagram and somewhere along the way her images with their amazing color combinations, and patterns inspired me and became something I wanted to incorporate in the way of fabrics, papers and most importantly, art.  There was something rich and luxe about the movement of the patterns.

 Addison Weeks also started appearing in my travels.  I first got a look at her jewelry at Slate Interiors and have loved ever since.

Addison Weeks

My obsession only continued when I was introduced to Calico wall paper one trip to New York.   This was the first I had seen of this type of paper and after talking with the creators , Rachel and Nicholas and learning a little bit about the process, I became even more obsessed.

So much so, I used one of their papers on an install of my own . . .

Then Zoffany came along with their Quartz line of papers. Oh man.  Had to use.

We just recently back these built in cabinets with one of their papers then I went further in the space and added those touch of gold and metals to bring it all to life.

The new project I am working on will incorporate another pattern in the same Quartz book I love !  Stay tuned for that.  My new clients Leslie and Jef Pearce have just finished building their dream house.  Ultra modern and sleek.  I was thrilled to jump in (thank you Jill Pleune) to help pull together the look to go with the architectural design that Jef created himself.

Their master should be as luxe as Miss Leslie herself.

When it comes to art, marble paper was used way back when as a mat to frame a piece.  You remember, those tacky green marble mats surrounding a painting, print or photo.  Well get rid of those.  What I am interest in is the over piece resembling the look of anything marbleized on a large scale.

Give me any one of these vintage marble papers in the form of a large painted piece.

Keith, my artist husband, loves working in mixed media.  He has created encaustic pieces (using pigments mixed with hot wax that are burned in as an inlay) and has recently started working in ink.  The look is exactly what I am talking about.  This piece was one of his first encaustic pieces where he played with the movement of the wax, acrylic and metallic.  I love this one and had it framed in my office in the most gorgeous mint lucite frame (thank you V)

I am sure my love for this look will continue.  As like marble - it stands the test of time.

Stay tuned, Mekenzie shot the show at Hart Witzen Friday night, which will give you a better idea of encaustic and show off some of Keith's work!