Tag Archives: Interior Design Raleigh

A Closer Look: Corporate Art Culture at SAS

When I think of art collectors, names like Cosimo de’ Medici and Peggy Guggenheim come to mind.  But art collecting these days is not limited to individuals and their families.  In fact, many of the most impressive collections in the world belong to large corporations.  The local software company SAS is among them.  I spoke to Roxanne Hicklin, the director of Art and Scenic Operations at SAS, to find out more. 

The Art department at SAS began with a love for artwork and creativity shared by CEO Jim Goodnight and his wife, Ann.  The couple began avidly collecting art in the 80’s and 90’s, and soon after established an Art department at their company capable of managing the growing collection.  They believe that art contributes to a pleasing environment for employees, inspiring creativity and enhancing productivity.  They must be getting it right:  for two years running, SAS has been named No. 1 on the Fortune 100 list of Best Companies to Work For.

SAS has a unique approach to supporting art.  Unlike most companies, who simply buy art from outside sources, SAS chooses a more active role in the creative process.  They strive to create from within, employing two prolific artists-in-residence to create many of the paintings on their 900 acre campus.  The Art and Scenic Operations departments employ nearly 20 additional people with a vast array of capabilities: from CAD design and cabinet-making, to painting and framing.  They even have metal welders, who can fabricate large-scale sculptures like this one at Wake Med Soccer Park:

 

Among Roxanne’s favorite pieces from the collection are three glass bowls by Dale Chihuly (below) and a mixed-media piece by Antonio Arellanes.  But I discovered from her that the collection is not simply a group of objects;  it’s also a way of enriching lives.

 

For more information about SAS’s art collection, visit the employee culture section of their website

-Robert

images: sas.com and caryvisualart 



A Closer Look: Dorothea Lange

Two of my favorite art pieces that will adorn the walls of the Chancellor’s House are by Dorothea Lange.  An influential American documentary photographer and photojournalist, Lange was best known for her Depression-era work for the Farm Security Administration (FSA). Lange’s photographs humanized the consequences of the Great Depression and influenced the development of documentary photography. 

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The two photographs we selected are from the Gregg Museum’s Collection at NCState University.  They depict scenes of depression-era North Carolina, including a tobacco barn and country store.

Lange’s photographs are haunting and beautifully-crafted works of art.    We’re honored to include them as part of this project.

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-Robert

image 1: wikipedia.org

image 2: rvision.com

image 3: wikipedia.org

A Closer Look: Gaetano Pesce’s Unusual Chairs

One of the advantages of mass production is consistency and predictability.  But when it comes to home furnishings, what if we want something unique and personal?

Gaetano Pesce has come up with a solution to this problem in a most unusual way.  An Italian designer known for his colorful resin furniture, Pesce enlists the help of furniture makers in determining the final look of his chairs.  Each piece is manufactured according to a standard design, but there is  alot of room for improvisation.  The furniture makers ultimately choose what color the chairs will be.

Take a look at the examples in this post – all of these “Brodway” chairs start out the same, but they soon become as unique as their makers.



Pesce is achieving something that we at Design Lines strive for everyday: creating unique solutions that are personal and anything but mass-produced.

-Robert

Current Projects: A Living Room with Classic Southern Charm

 

One of our clients phoned DLL late last year after feeling like something was missing from their Raleigh home.  We began the design process together and started in the living room- as it is the central space where our clients entertain with their family and friends.  Keeping in mind the needs of the family with three kids and two dogs, we started with a nice canvas as the room featured beautiful symmetry, excellent natural light streaming through a trio of arched windows, built-in bookcases, a coffered ceiling classic, columns, and a gracious fireplace. 

 

Before Shot of a Design Lines Ltd. Project

 

A traditional Oriental rug with hues of copper, chocolate brown, cream, grey, and red presented the color scheme, and lounge chairs were in great shape so we were able to reupholster the pair. In order for the room to undergo the style transformation from builder’s best to beautiful- we went through the following processes:

 

 

Step one:  Wall Paint

Builder beige painted walls received a weathered French blue paint treatment. The color saturation is my favorite element of the room and the texture adds an aged look to keep the house from looking too new. 

 

Step two: Let there be light

Before- the architectural millwork wasn’t receiving any attention and the evenings were dimly lit. We searched for the perfect addition and this wooden chandelier from Currey & Co. won the prize.  The room benefits from another layer of light and the decorative fixture adds dimension and detail to the ceiling.  Personally, I like the shadow that’s reflected upon the ceiling- I think it feels like magic!

  

Curry & Co. Light

 

Step three: Consider more seating

Instead of utilizing the oh so average sofa plus cocktail table and a pair of chairs seating arrangement- the room was large enough for the space plan to include the clients existing pair of chairs (recovered), a new sofa upholstered in a dog friendly fabric, a leather cocktail ottoman, a small leather chair with French details that has become the daughter’s favorite, and what I call the “Papa chair” or a modern wingback with an ottoman. For any party, this space can reasonably sit 9! 

 

Step four: Personalize the space with great art

This beautiful Brian Hibbard painting, purchased at Artsource of North Hills above the mantle was a wedding anniversary gift exchange between my clients.  I love that the gift is something they can both enjoy daily and it adds a serene element that feels at home upon the textured walls. 

 

 

As a designer, the beauty of this room is found in the mix and composition of the finishes- wood, paint, metal, leather, and upholstery fabric.  When all was said and done- I think we achieved a classic Southern aesthetic without being too fussy- a room where my clients can look forward to relaxing with family after dinner or playing the role of hostess. The texture of the walls feel like what you might find on the ceiling of a sweeping porch, the dainty French chair is something that Bonnie Blue eyes would pull up in, and the character of brass upholstery buttons on the cocktail ottoman remind me of the buttons of a soldiers coat.   

What interior elements characterize Southern style and beauty to you? 

-Brittany

 

Current Projects: The Before & After of a Kitchen Remodel in Raleigh

Kitchen Design Before Raleigh NC Design Lines

Judy worked with a couple to transform this once unexciting white kitchen to an updated  and more functional space.  The picture below is the old breakfast nook; Judy kept the chairs but oh what a difference a new light fixture and wall finishes can make.

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After three months, the transformation was amazing!

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Judy worked with Robert Taylor and our client to re-design the cabinetry, appliances, and finishes.

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Triangle Tile & Stone of NC was the source for all our backsplash tile. Below notice the updated butler’s pantry (which is on the right side) it use to be a closet door into a walk in pantry.

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Without adding any new square footage we have increased the function of our client’s kitchen while also making it beautiful. What space would you want transformed in your house?

Current Projects: Remaining Details of Our 1960’s Ranch Style Home Project

 

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For now this will be complete our last blog post series on the 1960’s ranch style home update, until mid-December when the house is completely full with furniture. Once all the final details are in place we will bring you professional photographs, illustrating every detail within this house. You won’t want to miss this!

Above and below reveal  two different color schemes the children have chosen for their bedrooms and bathrooms.

 

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The playroom (below) is decked out with the coolest tree mural thanks to artist, Trapper. Can you find the birdies?

 

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Just in case, here are some close ups.

 

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Trapper also complemented another child’s love for travel with this sign. The wood paneling also gives this room a rustic Caribbean feel.

 

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 The dining room before furniture – the chandelier is centered right above a  porcelain tile inlay.

 

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 A sneak peak at the kitchen before all the pots and pans fill the cupboards, while to the right the breakfast nook is ready for entertaining.

 

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For the final spaces, we bring you two bathrooms unique in their own way. One existing guest bathroom maintains a transitional feel while the other exudes more modern contemporary. 

 

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 (Below) A close-up of the faucet and dramatic wallpaper.

 

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To see more previous posts on this project click here and remember check back mid December for more photographs!

Current Projects: Master Bathroom “A Gracious Space”

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Continuing with the 1960’s ranch style  project, the  master bathroom complete with radiant floor heated tiles, a rain shower head, and beautiful hardware.

 

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Rectangular sinks under-mounted in praline marble.

 

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A beautiful oval tub surrounded by glass and onyx mosaic tiles.

 

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 Here is yesterday’s post  incase you missed the exterior architectural and interior details. Next up…more bathrooms and bedrooms!

Current Projects: Jumping A Creek to Classic Design

 

Back in May 2010 we first brought you this 1960’s ranch style home and since the framing update, this house has come a long way! Here are a few exterior architectural and interior detail shots to start your complete overview of this project. There will be more in the coming days so stay tuned.

 

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 Now there is a new two story structure spanning the creek (above), originally there was just one story, which is pictured below.  

 

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(Below)  New exterior railings to match rhythms of interior details.

 

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The back porch stone fireplace  blends in with existing landscaping stones.  

To get the front entry floor stain exactly as Molly envisioned, we tested various stain colors on the actual hardwood floors. The round discs you see are made of antique pine.

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 The final picture of the entry floor inlay looks breathtaking and definitely gives the house character when you walk in the front door. It was a tedious process but well worth the final result. What do you think?

 

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Above shows  the repeat of the rhythm on the  interior railing, while below is a close up of the parquet flooring in the powder room.

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Above a slate tile mosaic inlay with a wood inlay border – a good answer to high traffic zones where a rug would never stay in place.

Next up… the completed master bathroom!

Local Design: RDU Terminal 2

I had the pleasure of fetching two friends from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport over the holiday and was excited to see the architecture of newly completed Terminal 2.
Descending from level one to baggage claim, I fell in love with Lydia Rubio’s aluminum & steel tree sculpture. The sculpture’s trunk is firmly mounted outside the airport, with its branches continuing inside the terminal. I liked it so much that I went back the second time with my camera. Read more about it here , or even better, check it out live.
What are your thoughts about RDU Terminal 2?

Award Winning Interior Design | Raleigh, NC