Decorating My Loft In Rockford, Illinois

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My lovely loft was located in the William Brown Building, U.S. National Register of Historic Places, states,
one
of the last remaining commercial buildings of significant Romanesque Revival architectural style in Rockford, Illinois. About this historical monument, the

". . . with the recent rehabilitation

of its first story storefronts, the

building has excellent integrity,

particularly in its exterior detailing

and design . . ."  

I moved into this old bank building (built in 1891-92) which now hosted 30 loft-style apartments and a first floor anchored by commercial/retail space.

Those apartments, with their high reaching 11' tall walls overlooked Rock River. (I was on the fifth floor.)  My kitchen pantry was a huge, old bank vault. Is that cool or what! I found it extraordinary.

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Here are photos and narrative about the decorating of my loft (you gotta' get you one!)

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Whether it is working with a design client or whether I'm designing my own home, I am looking to create a surround of collections that reflect memories - or - of items that are cherished, items of interest or even that can be of interest. I have decorated using the things that I have, things that I love, integrating them into this incredible space.

I love art and artwork, I mix up my art placing contemporary impressionist pieces next to classic oil paintings and antique pieces.

In this particular home I was challenged with the enormous walls.  The design principle of proportion was integrated to assure that my furniture pieces did not look too small, almost like Barbie-doll pieces.

In the two photos at left, the oversized, colorful oil paintings have much visual weight and give me 'purchase' of my high ceilings.  By careful placement of other items under and around them there is scale, and by distribution of all of the furniture and accessories there is rhythm and unity.

The photo at right shows the opposing wall, made up of a grouping of various artworks and objects including a precious antique wall-mounted grandfather's clock.  The high-reaching top pieces provide needed elevation, and the two antique, French Provencial side chairs (being of smaller scale individually) each gain more presence when grouped with the nestling table.

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This is a small table grouping, I like the mix of texture of the wooden duck decoy, the books (which also give my grouping height), the small pillow and the floral wreath.










At left, another table top grouping or vignette. When displaying objects, groupings of three or five work particularly well and are visually stronger than a group of two or four.  It is also pleasing to the eye to vary the height of your objects.  (Keep in mind that books are an easy, interesting way to create a platform for smaller objects.)






At right, another small vignette, this one includes hanging plates as art.  Note that there are five items:  two hanging plates, a vase, an elevated book and books.  It is a beautiful still life, pleasing to the eye.

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Presenting Grilled Peaches Bonus Recipe In Honor Of The 'Rockford Peaches'

In case you were not aware, the Rockford Peaches
were a women's professional baseball team who played from 1943 through 1954 in the All-American Girls Professional baseball League representing Rockford, Illinois.  The Rockford Peaches were also featured in the 1992 film "A League Of Their Own."


Grilled Peaches Bonus Recipe



Yield:  Serves Four

Ingredients

2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
4 ripe peaches, cut in half, pits removed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Vanilla ice cream, optional

Preparation

Preheat grill or grill pan to medium.
In a small bowl mix sugar and cinnamon.
Brush cut side of peaches lightly with butter.
Oil grill.
Place peaches cut-side down on grill and cook until grill marks appear, approx. 3 - 4 minutes.  Brush peaches bottoms lightly with remaining butter and turn peaches over.  Sprinkle sugar-cinnamon mixture over cut side of peaches.  Cover grill and cook until sugar has melted and caramelized and peaches are easily pierced with a sharp paring knife, approx. 3 to 6 minutes longer.
Serve immediately, with ice cream, if desired.

This recipe will also work well with other fruits like nectarines, pineapples, apples and even strawberries (try grilling berries on kebab skewers).

Credit:  My Recipes Grilled Peaches Bonus Recipe

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Accordia Project Wins Design Prize

High volume, high density housing. It is all around us.

But not this kind. When a development project is done right, it is good for the developer/client and it is good for the community. When a project results in an improved bottom line for everyone, that is a serious win-win.
Accordia in Cambridge in London is the Stirling Prize 2008 winner. InteriorDesign.Net reports that development projects typically involve an architect, a building contractor and the developer/client, and of course the local governmental planning authorities. Notable about the Accordia Cambridge project is that it was a consortium of three very different architectural firms – Feilden Clegg Bradley, Maccreanor Lavington and Alison Brooks Architects (FCBS).

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On a brownfield site in Cambridge, London – formerly owned by the military - FCBS beautifully designed high-quality architecture in high-volume, high-density housing. The local governmental planners led by the remarkable Peter Studdert have been imaginative and firm with objectors. Developer/clients are too frequently met by local government planning departments who use their powers to withhold permission - unless the developer/clients use good architects to produce fine architecture, as was done here. The Judges said: "The local governmental planning department led by Peter Studdert recognized remarkable design plans."

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* What other authority would have allowed terraces at first and second floor level, instead of banning them on grounds of over-looking?
* Where else would house-builders have been dissuaded from bowing to the supposed need of homeowners for a minimum 15 metre strip of garden behind the house?
* Here several busy residents spoke to judges about their sense of liberation from the demands of gardening. Instead there is common land where children safely play as if in some idyllic throwback to the 1950s.
* Houses and flats have good-sized, well-proportioned rooms with views out ranging from urban to rural pasture.
* There is plenty of variety in the house-plans too, from the understated simplicity of the FCBS layouts, to the highly complex plans of architect Maccreanor Lavington with their two staircases and their ambiguous inside-outside spaces; and the scissor plan stairs in some of the architect Alison Brooks houses.
* The detailing too varies with the architect, producing a different aesthetic in each. These are traditional houses but with a twist
* Much of the construction was fabricated off site to increase speed of construction, reduce waste, and to improve site safety and environmental performance
* This is a Span-type housing for the 21st century, much community aspirations and aesthetics with plenty of individuality in the flexible house plans. Mews garages have often been turned into studios or offices, even granny annexes; there is privacy on (most of) the terraces and balconies; but there are village greens and strips of common land, cars are tamed not banned – this is architecture that treats adults as grown-ups and children as people with different needs.

Accordia has already won numerous awards: Housing Design Awards – overall winner (2006); Building for Life Awards: Gold Standard (2006); National Homebuilder Design Awards (2006); Civic Trust (2007).

Accordia, Architects: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Alison Brooks Architects, and Macreanor Lavington; Client: Countryside Properties

Den With Zen By Christina Miller, The "Decorina"

Fantasizing about an escape from the chaos of daily life or the teenage lounge lizards that inhabit your living room? If a little space is what you dream of - a place to meditate, jot down poetry, connect with your spouse, or just read your gossip mags without judgement, well, take heart! Peace and tranquility are a few simple steps and a juicy paint color away!

Taking a small space and making the most of it can be a daunting task when faced with the dilemna of what stays?

What goes?

What colors?

What now?

And can we really do without the extra 'storage' this room provides?

Give yourself a break while I break this project down into a few simple steps that will have you OM'ing in no time.

First, relax your mind, breathe deep and give yourself permission to have your own space.

*Let Go: Have you noticed the bigger your desk, the more 'stuff' seems to accumulate on the top of it? Scale down. Throw a fabulous yard sale, donate to charity, store it or toss it but if storage is an issue, get rid of what isn't truly necessary. Un-cluttering is the beginning of the Zen process so let go and move forward.

* Color me clever: Add a splash of exotic color to at least one wall (I say, paint it all!) but at least one wall, preferably across from the entry of the room and watch how it draws you in! Rich, dark color creates a feeling of introspection and quiet. It's a myth that dark color closes a room in. Does your tiny powder room feel more stately painted bright white? Go rich and watch how soothing the space becomes.

* Kick off your shoes and stay awhile: Add cozy seating and intimate conversations are sure to follow. Simple decor with a 'hidden agenda' like a hide-a-bed loveseat, or a storage ottoman will allow for double-duty without clutter.

* Tone it Down: Lighting put on a dimmer switch will change the mood of the room from cheery to seductive with a simple adjustment.

* Breathe Deep: Keep window treatments natural and airy using texture versus color like woven wood shades or cotton sheers to billow in the breeze.

* A couple of comfy floor pillows over a natural bamboo floor will open the room up. (Feel free to try Down Dog position when no one is watching).

* Art is very intimate so do what inspires you and gives you joy to look upon. Less is more so a few larger prints instead of a dozen little ones are best.

* Scent and Sound are vital and can be achieved with a stereo system and exotic candles or simply an iPod and inscence. A small fountain makes a melodic sound as well!

Claiming some personal space is good for the mind, good for the body and therefore good for everyone around you. You are now ready to conquer the clutter and create a personal sanctuary with style. Namaste!

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About The Author: Christina "Decorina" Miller Is An Interior Designer From Southern Orange County, California.

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Photos of Homes Of Frances Bowes & Dr. Maya Angeloou From: A Room of Her Own: Women's Personal Spaces by Chris Casson Madden




Asian Dragonfly Fountain (98354) The Water Fountain
Knoop II The Rope Table
Club Coffee TableThe Cherrywood Table
Jessie Coffee Table The Jessie Table

Steps To Creating Beautiful Interiors - With Staircases

They take you from here to there. They're efficient. They function well and they are oftentimes a home's major focal point.

So I am baffled and disappointed when staircases are treated mundanely. Please don't ignore your staircases.

They should be allowed to show off,
to be focal points. Staircases are some of the
world's most beautiful architectural pieces.

There are unique and fun situations when a staircase that is just barely visible, not situated directly in the open view, can actually add interest to a room. The revealing of only a slight glimpse can cause intrigue, the thought of: 'up those steps may be another world, only accessible via that passageway.'

Above Photo From the Book: "The Heart of France"

If your staircase currently is just a means to an end......
if it exists now just to take you from one floor level to another.....
take a fresh look at it. What can be done to make it
a beautiful feature of your home.

* Make them a real destination.
* Treat them like sculptures.
* Highlight their features.

This article includes some beautiful pictures of stairs. Some with railings of wrought iron that are super ornamental. Some have been decorated with paint and mosaic tile patterns that just draw you to the stairs. Many of these stairs are simply just beautiful architectural details themselves, but look beyond that. Consider how the steps, the stair landings, the surrounding walls and floorings have been designed, what treatments have been used. Look at each composition as a whole.

Above From Book:
Breaking the Rules: Home Style for the Way We Live Today

Stairs and stair landings are naturals for display. This is where you might mount your favorite art pieces, hang an unusual quilt or set of masks. Add a vase, use a large mirror at just the right spot. Build your stair composition with whatever things you have, play with it, until it is its own art work or art sculpture. Don't limit yourself. Try different looks and your stairs will be the focal point that they deserve to be.

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If you are in need of an interior designer, our Directory of Designers can help you locate a professional in your area. Working with an interior designer helps assure you get the look you desire while helping eliminate costly mistakes.

Design Art - Brad Pitt & Marc Jacobs (& We) Can Enjoy The Style

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Actor (and more recently along with wife Angelie Jolie, increasingly social activist) Brad Pitt recently purchased Dutch designer Jeroen Verhoeven's Cinderella Table ($293,000). On this same shopping spree at Design Miami/Basel, the actor also picked up two Max Lamb Bronze Poly Chairs ($25,000) and two Family Lamps by Atelier van Lieshout - all of which are outstanding design art pieces.
This design art style is unique and highly appealing (and unfortunately, exorbitantly expensive.)

The Cinderella Table is beautifully made - it consists of a solid block of white marble. This one piece provides a good example of the significance of contemporary process art. The birch version of this captivating table sits in The Collection of New York's MOMA.

div>Design art is a continuation of elements of mid-century modern art, which was whimsical but highly controversial. It polarised art critics, but Harold Rosenberg acknowledged it and supported it. During the transformation of artist Jackson Pollock's painting style into existential drama, Rosenberg stated, "what was to go on the canvas was not a picture but an event".

When Brad Pitt purchased his furniture art pieces, he was at Design Miami/Basel - considered by many to be the grandest of the contemporary art exhibitions, the "Olympics" of modern art". The furniture art style is part of a new but rapidly-developing market. Fetching it may be, it can be understandably intimidating to consider starting a collection from highly influential artists such as these mid-century modern artists (i.e., George Nelson, Paul László, Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Isamu Noguchisamu).

W.Magazine reports that even such talented, immersed in the design field people such as Marc Jacobs have been known to get intimidated by the art world. He is reported to have said, "I had in my mind that only incredibly grand, extremely wealthy people lived with art of any sort." This is Marc Jacobs, one of the world's most influential style setters - he's been artistic director at Louis Vuitton for the past decade. Marc Jacobs has had his own label since 1994.His foray started with a Christie's auction catalog, not too unusual. He fell in love with an 18" x 13" canvas oil painting, "Mary Calling Up A Storm," by Karen Kilimnik. He paid $31,000 for the portrait of a dark-haired young woman and within weeks, he acquired three Mike Kelly prints from Skarstedt gallery. His collection includes a Lalanne sheep sculpture, the "Peach" by Ed Ruscha and many other creative journey, mid century art pieces. (Click here to see designer Marc Jacobs Paris apartment.)Not all of us have the design genius of Marc Jacobs or the budget of Brat Pitt for the $230,000 Cinderella Table. For those of us who are still wanting to incorporate this serendipitous style in our home interiors, there are less costly alternatives. It isn't the quantity of the art but rather how striking the piece is, that makes it distinguished. Even one piece in a room can be effective. If you are lucky to have found a piece of mid century modern art that you cannot live without, the cost may very well be worth the investment.
Do: mix it with your other styles. Do: embrace it (don't be afraid of it). Do: use imagination in the placement and presentation of this piece. And, finally, do: consider that the fascination includes mid century modern art pieces as well as reproduction modern art (they are available at a much lower cost).
When done well, incorporating this new style is really another link in what should be the creative journey toward a beautiful living environment. These artists did not believe that the beauty was the end product. Rather, the fun, the inspiration and the stimulating, positive interaction between the product and the user, the artists felt, extended the beauty. In our individual lives, how we create, evolve and interact with our home interiors as well can define and extend real beauty.

How To Be Happy (Cont'd)

Article continued. Click here to return to original post.

Preparing food and festivities for family and friends can be more than just an entertaining task. We can magnify the occasion when we look at the ordinary as a blessing, a gift.   

It brings to mind a bon mot that I've lived by for like forever.  It is entitled, "Life Is 100 Percent."

"Life Is 100 Percent" 

"Life is 100 percent.
10 percent is wonderful,

 mountain-top experiences.
10 percent is bad,

devastatingly-horrible.
80 percent is boring,

 every-day, regular life.

"It's what we do with the 80 percent, boring,

every day, that determines how happy

we are in life." 

It is so true.  Do something fun, go out of your comfort zone and invite some friends to your home,  Do something that helps determine how happy you are in life, ordinary or extraordinary.  Just do it.

Try a new recipe like this one from the Pampered Chef, "Pecan Pie Muffins."

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A Bonus Recipe For You:

Pecan Pie Muffins Recipe
by the Pampered Chef

Ingredients:

1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chopped pecans
2/3 cup butter, softened
2 eggs, beaten

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease mini or regular muffin cups generously. Grease them well or they will stick.  In medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour and pecans. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and eggs together.  Stir in dry ingredients just until combined. Spoon batter into muffin cups about 2/3 full. Bake for 12-13 minutes for mini muffins or 15 - 17 minutes for regular size muffins.  Run a knife around the edge of each muffin and pop it out.

See more recipes in "The Pampered Chef, All The Best, From Our Kitchens To Yours"

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More Something Beautiful Journal Bonus Recipes:

Heirloom Tomato Tarts Recipe
Spinach Balls Appetizer Recipe
Pecan Pie Muffins Recipe
Tuna Apple Mini Melts Recipe