Tag Archives: Interior Design

A Closer Look Series

A Closer Look: Plaster

When you think of plaster, you probably think of a material smoothed onto walls.  But this simple material – a mixture of powdered gypsum and water – can be magical in skilled hands.  Alberto Giacometti, famous for his bronze sculptures, sculpted all of them out of plaster first:

In fact, plaster has been one of the most important artistic mediums for thousands of years – which is why I’m so impressed by the freshness of a new collection by Stephen Antonson.

Stephen Antonson Ledge

Using plaster as his main material, he sculpts all sorts of decorative objects.  From mirrors to candlesticks and chandeliers, Antonson’s elevates this humble material to serene beauty.  My favorite is his lamp for Dessin Fournier:

 

-Robert

image 1 & 3:  West Elm

image 2: tumblr

images 4 : Stephen Antonson

Branded Spaces

Branded Spaces: The Public Face of Design Lines

We are excited to introduce a new section of our website this week.  Branded Spaces encompasses a variety of projects that we want to share with you, because in addition to our residential work, we also relish the challenges and opportunities of projects with a more public face – offices and restaurants, showrooms and meeting spaces, banquet halls and hotel lobbies. 

“At the intersections of business and customer, host and guest, landlord and tenant – great design can open eyes, and doors.”

Please take a moment to browse the site, and discover something new about Design Lines.

 

 

Designed by: Everest Agency

A Closer Look Series

A Closer Look: Abie Harris

As the Chancellor’s Residence at NC State University nears completion, I wanted to take a moment to recognize Abie Harris, a local artist whose works will grace its walls.

Abie had a long career as the Campus Planner for NC State University.  Now in retirement, he is a tireless and prolific artist creating a variety of works on paper ranging from large abstract drawings to dreamy vignettes of Raleigh.

The Chancellor’s Residence will have a total of 6 works by the artist, including a large mixed-media drawing based on Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations.

Harris created numerous pieces in this series, which feature abstract interpretations of Bach’s music organized in numerous areas of dense linework.  Sometimes, these works are created in real time, as part of a performance with musicians.

Abie’s beautiful and poignant work shows that a second career can shine as brightly as the first.

Thank you Abie, we look forward to hanging your work at the end of this month!

For more information on Abie Harris and other local artists, visit the Roundabout Collective in Raleigh.

-Robert

image 1: virtual pianist

image 2: rebus works

image 3: ncartblog.org

image 4: pasinfonia.org

 

 

Architecture, Community Involvement, Current Projects

Current Projects: NCSU Chancellor’s House Update

The Chancellor’s House at North Carolina State University is really starting to take shape!  We wanted to share some of the most recent photos with you.  The exterior is beginning to look awesome with the addition of concrete patios and planter boxes (below).  When all the landscaping is complete, it will be an inviting backyard retreat, and a great place to hold university functions.

Since we last posted, the interior has undergone major transformations with the addition of drywall, paint, and cabinetry.  Below, you can see one of the house’s 8 fireplaces, newly fitted with its stone surround and wood mantle.  This room will serve as the living quarters for the Chancellor’s distinguished guests.  A built-in desk will make it a comfortable place to work.

One of the biggest transformations happened when the staircase was painted.  The sensous curves of the stair are newly accented by black picketts lining both sides.  It looks really smart!

Upstairs, work is nearly complete on the Chancellor’s family room, a lofty space with tons of natural light.   Below, you can see a few of the home’s finished doors.  All the doors will be painted black and accented with polished chrome hardware.

The floor stain was finalized last week (below).  Applied over a beautiful oak floor, the timeless color we chose will complement the mahogany woodwork throughout the first floor.

When we visited, the kitchen cabinets were still being installed.  They are looking great! (above)

The master bathroom is starting to come together – marble tile of different sizes is being applied throughout.  Glass panels for the shower will be one of the finishing touches.

There are so many new things to see everytime we visit the house.  It’s exciting to see how quickly things are coming together – but there is still a lot  to be done!  Above, you can see the fireplace in the Dining Room waiting for its wood mantle (above left).  One of the most impressive features of the house (yet to be installed) will be the front door and flanking windows.  Currently, a temporary plywood partition protects the opening (above right).  I can’t wait to see how beautiful the entrance hall looks when it’s finished!

For more on the Chancellor’s house, check out our previous posts:

March 23, 2011

July 19, 2010  

-Robert

images: by DLL

Uncategorized

Current Projects: A Fresh Blue & White Master Bedroom

When this retired schoolteacher came to me for help, she felt overwhelmed by her master bedroom.  Since retiring, she now spends much more time at home, and the dark and dreary space wasn’t the cheerful room she was longing for.  She collected many special pieces over the years and inherited quality furniture that she wanted to use.  With a little editing and design, the room came together beautifully! 

The floor plan on the left shows the arrangement we began with.  By removing several pieces (and changing the wall color), we really opened up the space!  Take a look at where we started:

The color scheme was set – blue and green are her favorite colors.  Because of the lack of natural light in the space, the tan background of the previous window treatments just looked dingy.  We needed something light and bright!  Fabrics from Kravet, Stroheim, and Schumacher were the perfect solution.

 Sherwin Williams #6141 Softer Tan was the right neutral for the walls.

An antique tobacco chair and her collection of Seagrove pottery are among some of her most cherished posessions.  The large taupe piece is actually a chicken feeder!


Classic furniture paired well with traditional fabrics like the plaid sofa, striped shams, floral window treatments, and small scale leaf fabric on the bed skirt.  While these types of patterns have been around for ages, the fresh color palette helped make the space very current.

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From where we started, this room came so far, and I was thrilled to see the client so happy with the results!  I hope you enjoyed them too!

– Lauren 

Current Projects

Inside the Beltline Remodel

I couldn’t resist sharing this gorgeous detail from a remodel project I’m working on:

This image comes from the front stoop of the home- an early 40s gem of a house located in Raleigh that possesses so much personality and potential. The owner and contractor, Robert Taylor of Taylor Build Construction, has already expanded the attic to reveal a second story living area. Together with his wife, Elizabeth, we’re currently working on the selections for the kitchen, bathroom, and the refinishing of the hardwood floors.

Our inspirations: a color palette that includes apricot, paprika, and black & cream, Peter Dunham Textiles, & their pug Daisy.


Design Lines Communications

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The designers have been contemplating this Valentine’s Day post for a while. For the occasion, Hilaire created the graphic below and Lauren & I followed it up with some inspirational room images all in our favorite lipstick-worthy shades. Love the touch of black- it grounds the feminine, ethereal atmosphere.


Paris Hilton’s Bedroom (below) she. would.
This space could inspire a whole cosmetic line. Easy, breezy, beautiful…


Party space fit for the original Barbie

Can I live here, please?
We thought this bedroom was over the top, but we had to include it anyway.

*Note the red leather bedding

A relaxing retreat (in contrast to the last 2 images) the neutral gray balances the energy of red


Adore the chest….

& from our own portfolio, these images from the ASID/Women’s Club of Raleigh Showhouse

Powder Room above by moi and living room designed by Judy.

Both spaces are indisputably fit for Valentine’s Day.

Have a lovely weekend!

*Valentine by Miss Anna Simmons (Molly’s Daughter)

Leopard Print Fabric: Vervain’s “Trophy” Print


Hickory Chair

Hickory Chair University

Judy, Molly, Stephanie, Ashley, Lauren and I are off to Hickory, North Carolina this afternoon for a short excursion to tour the upholstery & case good factory of furniture manufacturer Hickory Chair . All of their products are beautiful, with collections from designers Alexa Hampton, Thomas O’Brien, & Suzanne Kasler.

We’ll be back on Wednesday evening to write about our experience (with pictures, too). Until then, feel free to salivate over these gorgeous images from their look book.


Favorite Technology/Media

Save the Watts for the holidays

This morning Hilaire & I attended a fabulous Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Meeting. A conversation regarding a balanced approach to energy was led by our new friend & Progress Energy Community Relations Manager, Marty Clayton.
We already strive to implement & specify only responsible lighting systems & appliances in the new construction projects we have. But the discussion was insightful & got us at Design Lines really thinking about what we could do to use energy in a more responsible way everyday. We learned some valuable lessons this morning & though we can’t share with you the Compact Florescent Light Bulbs Marty gifted to us (thank you Progress Energy) we’d like to share a few of the major points Marty shared with us & some other Chamber members.
1- The easiest rule of energy conversation really is simple & responsible:
Don’t need it? Turn it off.
2- Why don’t we all consider researching/looking at Senate Bill #3 ?
3- Savethewatts.com by Progress Energy really is an education in simple energy saving tips. For instance:
“Unplug your home office when not in use! In the average home, 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off but still plugged into the wall. “
I know when I leave for my Illinois home next week I will be turning the thermostat down to 60 degrees & will turn off my water heater.

How will you save energy for the holidays and the New Year?

*I took the photo above a few winters ago at my Grandmother’s home in Idaho.


Uncategorized

Molly’s Find: Lighting!

Designer Molly Simmons is always finding beautiful items to place in her client’s homes. A few days ago the following page from the Anthropologie catalog was open on the Design Lines Lunch Table:


Wouldn’t this lamp in ivory porcelain look fantastic on a buffet in a kitchen or a dining room? We love the bit of whimsy it could add to a formal asethetic.

These cloisonne lamps are also very beautiful and could add some color & pattern to a mostly neutral space.

I hope to showcase more of Molly’s finds in a bi-monthly blog series. Be on the lookout for more items spotted by Molly.

Product Photos from the Anthropologie Website.


Award Winning Interior Design | Raleigh, NC