Category Archives: Community Involvement

Community Involvement, Design Lines Communications

November Forecast

78Oct.Nov. Issue 2010 of Lonny Mag

 

The holidays are near and there are several reasons why the Design Lines blog is a must read for November! Besides our continuous updates on client projects we will have a behind-the-scenes blog post on how to prepare your table centerpiece and mantels for the holidays. Our local television show, My Carolina Today will be at Judy’s home to bring you live coverage on all these recommendations for the holiday season.

As Thanksgiving approaches we will also share 12 reasons why the Design Lines team is thankful this Thanksgiving. Some posts will be design inspired while others will stem from the human spirit.

Like reading books? We will also inform you of the best interior design books out there. There is a lot of DIY (Do It Yourself) folks and design enthusiasts and we want to be sure you are walking away from our blog with the best information.

Have you thought about perusing a career in interior design? Or thought maybe you would like the interior design profession but unsure of what the daily tasks entail? We will bring you a post on the day in the life of an interior designer, plus a behind-the-scenes look as Hilaire and Molly speak to the interior design classes at Broughton High School next week.

So stay tuned!  

 

image: 2010 Lonny Magazine p. 78

Community Involvement, Current Projects

Current Project: An Update on Creedmoor Elementary School

Originally, when we were approached by Chris Elliott, the principal of Creedmoor Elementary School, we knew he needed some help with giving the elementary school a face-lift; however, little did we know the school would be transformed in nearly two months!  

The main building had a smorgasbord of different colors on the walls and a stale red stripe running through the entryway and cafeteria, a chipped stage floor where you could see the endless layers of paint over the hardwoods, and poor lighting throughout the school. It felt like an institution rather than a school.

Brittany and I jumped at this opportunity. The Design Lines team believes the kids at Creedmoor Elementary deserve a stimulating learning environment!

Design Lines & Creedmoor Elementary School Makeover (7)

The exterior doors to the school got a fresh coat of paint.

Design Lines & Creedmoor Elementary School Makeover (6)

Brittany recommended Tony Taupe and Aesthetic White from Sherwin Williams  for the main entrance hallways. Changing the color delineation to a 2/3rd proportion was more appealing than cutting the hallway in half as the stripe did in the before pictures.

Creedmoor’s stage is in the cafeteria and was in dire need of a refinishing job.

Design Lines & Creedmoor Elementary School Makeover 2010 (5)

 

Dedicated principal, Chris Elliott, refinishes the stage himself.

Design Lines & Creedmoor Elementary School Makeover 2010 (4)

Before the hallways were uninspiring, now the hallways bring creativity to the space as well as way-finding for those lost kindergartners, i.e. the art hallway is located in the mango orange hallway.

Design Lines & Creedmoor Elementary Schoo Makeover 2010 (3)

 

The administration of the school had been staring at white walls for far too long. Now the taupe walls feel warmer and the white trim brightens up the space.

 

Design Lines & Creedmoor Elementary School Makeover 2010 (2)

 

 The cafeteria and auditorium is Brittany’s favorite transformation. The Sherwin Williams Billiard Green trim reminds us of an old schoolhouse chalkboard.

Design Lines & Creedmoor Elementary School Makeover 2010

Thank you Chris for this opportunity to improve Creedmoor Elementary School. We hope the kids enjoy the makeover!

Previous Post: July 12, 2010.

Community Involvement, Design Lines Communications, Design Lines Special Events

Current Project: Design Lines Gives Back to Creedmoor Elementary School

DLL & Creedmoor Elementary School

Chris Elliott, Principal of Creedmoor Elementary School (CES) approached several interior design firms in the Raleigh and the Durham area about helping create a more stimulating environment for the children at CES. When we heard what Chris was trying to accomplish, we jumped at the opportunity to help the school and also at the chance to give back to the town of Creedmoor. The team at Design Lines firmly believes everyone deserves good design and for these kids, this was no exception.

Brittany and I drove out to Granville County on Friday and met with Chris and a few administrative staff to select some paint colors. The walls, doors and trim throughout the school are in a dire need of a new coat of paint.

We believe children learn better when the are around stimulating colors, and so does Chris.

 Design Lines School Inspiration from April 2008 Dwell Magazine

Brittany first was inspired by this Lincoln Log picture in the April 2008 Dwell Magazine. She took the inspiration a step further with these CB2 his & her bathroom signs.

 Design Lines School Inspiration 2 from CB2

As we toured the school with Chris, we instantly understood the vision for creating a place where children feel proud of where they go to school. Brittany even had a neat idea for Chris’s office-create a Lego wall.  

legoWall

 

Design Lines & Creedmoor Elementary School 2

 As the school project progresses I will be sure to update you on the transformations and even get a couple of the kids reactions when they arrive at school on August 16th.

Thanks Chris for letting  us be a part of the team, we cannot wait to hear all the buzz it creates around town.  

 

Community Involvement, Design Lines Special Events, Showhouse & Home Tours

Junior League of Raleigh: Showcase of Kitchens [Lake Boone Trail Kitchen# 6]

 

Junior League Kitchen Tour 2010 Rockinteriors

 

THANK YOU , THANK YOU- To the Junior League of Raleigh!!

The 2010 Showcase of Kitchens was a huge success and we were thrilled to be a part of the tour. Above you see (Left to Right) Pat the owner of the Lake Boone Trail house, Laura from ROCKin’teriors and Hilaire from Design Lines, posing in their lime green aprons. They were so fun!! You just might find me wearing mine flipping some juicy hamburgers.

There were volunteers at every house greeting the visitors and answering any questions. What a fine organization! 

Meredith and Hilary hats off to you ladies — fabulous job.

Junior League Kithcen Tour 2010

This tour was also fun for the whole team at Design Lines. Below Lauren and Hilaire take a quick break to snap a shot. Throughout the weekend all the designers took part in the tour.

Design Lines, Raleigh NC

For more pictures on the Lake Boone house click here and you will be re-directed to previous posts. Tomorrow we will show you some pictures of the master bedroom. My are they gorgeous!

Community Involvement

Networking Lunch with Triangle Blvd at The Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market Kickoff

Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market

Yesterday, April 28th was the kickoff for the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market 2010 season, which runs April 28 through October 27. Legendary chef and pit master Ed Mitchell from The Pitt was on hand preparing the barbecue for the barbecue sandwiches. My were they worth the long line. So why was Design Lines out and about at the Market? Who wouldn’t want to support the local economy! We are all about it.

 Ed Mitchell from The Pitt at 2010 Raleigh Farmers Market Season Kickoff

Above: Ed Mitchell the Pit master.

No, there is a reason for our outing. Brittany and I met up with Damon and John from Triangle Blvd for a sandwich at the kickoff. For about a year now we have  known each other. The business partnership started when Design Lines was approached by Damon. He said we can help your firm produce a really hip and cutting edge video for our website and whipped out his iPhone to show us exactly what he was talking about.

From there we produced the video you see today on our site and have joined forces on another video for Howard Parry & Walston on how to spruce up before you sell your house.

The team at Triangle  Blvd is all about promoting the great city of Raleigh and surrounding areas through their Triangle Web-TV network.  We are huge supporters. Be on the lookout for one of their most popular events Restaurant Week coming up May 17-23.

2010 Raleigh Farmers Market Season Kickoff

Above are shots of local vendors at the kickoff.

Community Involvement

Re-Opening Celebration of Opulence of Southern Pines in Cary

Brittany, Lauren, Judy and Hilaire joined others from the local Cary area to celebrate the re-opening of Opulence of Southern Pines at  Saltbox Village last night. This re-opening happened after a horrible fire left the first store completely damaged from all the flames and smoke.

The move couldn’t come at a better time. This new location is perfect, right next to the fabulous  Write Image, and a couple doors down from Cary’s hottest new neighborhood butcher “The Meat House” .

 Howard Johnson & Opulence in Cary Ribbon Cutting

 

Owners Neal and Tanda of Opulence of Southern Pines with Cary Chamber of Commerce President Howard Johnson for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

 

Opulence in Cary Towel Wall

This is an amazing rainbow of color made from towels!

Raleigh Interior Design Firm at Opulence in Cary

Brittany, Lauren & Hilaire

It was raining outside!

 

Red pillows in Opulence in Cary

A beautiful display of red and coral pillows, right in front of the luxury linen line – Sferra.

Brittany's Favorite Pillow in Opulence

As we browsed at all the new items, these two floral pillows wowed Brittany.

Judy was winner at Opulence in Cary

And what would be a party without a raffle! Above Judy with her poppy hand towels that she won.

 

Community Involvement, Current Projects, Design Lines Communications, My Carolina Today TV Show

March 16th Design Lines Will Premiere on “My Carolina Today”

WNCN My Carolina Today Logo Full

 

Get the DVRs ready! Design Lines will be on “My Carolina Today” a local television show March 16th at 11:00am on channel 6 (NBC 17). This premiere will showcase the work we did along with Eidolon Designs, Taps & Latches, Gonzalez Painting, Select Forest Products Flooring, ICI Paints in Cary and Sun Protection to build the set design for the show.

The show will grow through the construction process and even showcase a time lapse. There are interviews with Judy and the rest of the team. It is really neat, you must check it out and let us know what you think!

We will also have the show on up on our YouTube Channel so you can view it later if the ever infamous DVR doesn’t work and you are stuck at work!

Community Involvement, Design Lines Communications, My Carolina Today TV Show

Design Lines at Hairspray with NBC 17 Hosts

Hairspray20title20treatment

Performing Arts meets Interior Design!

Design Lines was spotted out last night at the Durham Performing Arts Center to see the eight-time Tony award winning production of Hairspray. Judy and Hilaire are avid supporters of the performing arts and when the invitation arose they just couldn’t resist. You might have remembered seeing the 2007 movie revival with John Travolta, MichellePfeiffer and Queen Latifah.

One of our recent projects was coming up with the set design concept for the newest local television show on NBC-17 called “My Carolina Today.” You might have seen promos running during the Olympics. I know I have! The hosts of the show are Sharon Delaney, Page Crawford and Valonda Calloway.

We were thrilled to be a part of the creative process of constructing the set design. Next Tuesday we will bring to you  the “befores & afters” with a big extended post on the whole project from start to finish. It was a very rewarding and fun experience working with the team at NBC-17.

Plus, check us out on air as we give you and the greater Raleigh community the best advice in interior design.You can catch the show everyday starting March 1st on NBC 17 at 11:00am right after Kathie Lee & Hoda. We will let you know in advance when we will be on so you can DVR it if you are at work.

Community Involvement, Design Lines Communications, Design Lines Special Events

Design Lines Donates Time to the Carolina Ballet Cinderella Ball

 

Cinderella Cinderella Cinderella! Hurry before the clock strikes midnight! This past Saturday Carolina Ballet hosted their annual Cinderella Ball at the Downtown Marriott City Center in an effort to raise money for the ballet company. Today Carolina Ballet is one of the top ten dance companies in the country. Design Lines started helping with prepreations back in late November 2009 on both the Logistics and Decorations committees.

Design Lines helping Carolina Ballet(3)

(Above Brittany and Judy pin tulle on the table skirt.) 

Design Lines helping Carolina Ballet(2)

(The Design Lines team helping decorate the carriage table.

This is the first thing the guests see when they arrive.)

Design Lines helping Carolina Ballet

(Above Brittany and Molly tying turquoise ribbon on the back of the carriage.)

 

That evening Carolina Ballet honored Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Roberg and Mr. & Mrs. Steve Techet, who have contributed to Carolina Ballet since the company started 12 years ago. The Techets and Susan Garrity, the Cinderella Ball Chair, also happen to be two of our longtime clients. Susan, the ball was fabulous! Thank you for letting us be a part of such an amazing event. Michele Weathers of Carolina Ballet and the rest of the committee chairs did wonderful job!

 Design Lines helping Carolina Ballet Carriage

The velcro slipcover carriage was inspired by Stewart Woodard was engineered and built by Walter Newton and painted by William Strickland. At midnight the carriage turned into a pumpkin! How awesome is that! Stewart and Nancy Church collaborated on the decorations and overall the look of the evening to create a stunningly beautiful event. Below are a two shots of the ballroom centerpieces. Stewart and Nancy, they look awesome.

Carolina Ballet Cinderella Ball

 

Carolina Ballet Cinderella Ball(2)

Let the ball begin!  The evening had many surprises. The Live Auction Items included trips to Paris, Tortola, BVI and even a two night stay in NYC. There were also 70 silent auction items that attendees could bid on. My favorites were the dove hunt in VA and a weekend trip to a mountain home in Echota, North Carolina. Oh did I mention the food was delicious! Beef Tenderloin seared with toasted cardamom seeds and to top it all off  a white chocolate editable slipper with fruit for dessert. Yummy! By the end of the night our tummy’s were full and ready to hit the dance floor.

(Molly and Judy at the Cinderella Ball.)

Judy Pickett & Molly Simmons at Carolina Ballet Ball copy

 

To see more on Carolina Ballet’s 2009-2010 Season click here. Also please join us in helping and spreading the word about the “Fund A Dream” program, which helps a specific need for every dancer, pointe shoes. These shoes are the lifeline for the dancers and with each pair costing $70 the shoe bill adds up. Over the course of a year, the bill exceeds $90,000. By contributing to this effort we can help the dancers at Carolina Ballet have the best pointe shoes. To donate call (919) 719-0800 ext. 229.

To see more of Design Lines in the community head to our community involvement category.

Community Involvement, Design Lines Communications

Design Lines Partnership with Marbles Kids Museum

MARBLES_COLORBack in the Fall of 2009 we were introduced to Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh.  Immediately we found a need for our discontinued samples that are traditionally thrown way.  The “Studio Style” in the IDEAWorksGallery encourages kids to use these discontinued samples and their imagination to create masterpieces! The whole focus of the gallery is to foster creativity with everyday resources.

Below are a few materpieces I was able to bring back for the staff. Thanks Michelle for showing me around!

 Marbles Kids Museum StudioStyleGallery copy