Mantels

So here I am sitting in front of the fireplace, a few days before Santa is scheduled to come down the chimney….well, at least for those of us that have been good in 2010!!!!
As my eyes scan over the stockings, and the little Christmas trees, miniature Santa’s and other holiday figures decorating the top of the mantle, I am awestruck by the beauty of it all. Of course a week or two from now all these wreaths, and trees, and tiny reindeer, and stockings will be taken down and packed away in a variety of boxes and shoved back into a closet or an attic and unfortunately all of that beauty and magical holiday wonder right along with them! I can always remember my mantle feeling empty and at times downright depressing when I place the same items back on display that have sat on that mantle for the past 50 weeks. How come the mantle can’t look and feel like it does today and on Christmas morning everyday of the year???
Well, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays in July, because there are a multitude of ideas and ways to maximize that special holiday “mantle” feeling year round without feeling like you are missing out!
Take a look at some ideas on how to enhance the look and feel of your “year-round” mantle and maximize the seasonal impacts as you move into a brand new 2011 and beyond!

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Over the years the White House has been a revolving door of politics and artistic preferences.  1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has amassed a treasure of roughly 450 works, mostly 19th century still lifes, pastorals and portraits.  In a sharp departure the Obama's have casted a wider net by choosing bold, abstract works of art by minorities and female artists in the celebration of diversity. The pieces of art that were selected for loan act as a bridge between the historic legacy of the permanent collection and the diverse voices of the 20th and 21st century artists.  Here is a peak into what hangs on the walls of the Obama's private residence and offices, including the Oval Office.

"Nice" by Nicolas De Stael

"Homage to the Square" by Josef Albers

"Sky Light" by Alma Thomas

"I Think I'll" by Ed Ruscha

"Black Like Me" by Glenn Ligon

"Berkeley No. 52" by Richard Diebenkorn

Beau Holland Studio

With a heightened awareness and attention to sustainable design and green concerns, we always try to find resources that offer green options and do our part to keep our world healthy. Beau Holland Studio at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center includes a unique and distinctive array of reclaimed wood furnishings in a range of styles from traditional to edgy and industrial with a touch of "Parisian flea market chic" and fine antiques for good measure. Beau Holland Studio truly offers tradition with a twist and a conscience.

As if the wonderful assortment of beautiful furniture, accessories and lighting weren't enough to bring us into Beau Holland Studio,

 our visits begin with a friendly greeting from Beau's faithful sidekick, Pearl.

These are just a few of the "oh so cool" items in Beau's exciting assortment.



Pomme de Terre Table



Antique Factory Windows circa 1880, repurposed as Mirrors



This industrial mesh cabinet is edgy, rustic and chic, all at once.



Iron Coffee Table with reclaimed Tin Top

 

Custom Iron Dining Table with Reclaimed Wood Top



Repurposed Radiator Table Lamp

HOT!

Another day at the office for Pearl

Send us your questions or share your design delimnas. We'll consult  with Pearl and get back to you.

The Late Work

If you live in the Atlanta area or plan on visiting soon you should take the time to visit the High Museum and check out the Salvador Dali exhibit. We think you will find his work delightfully unexpected, much like the artist himself.  The High is the sole venue for the first exhibition to focus on Dalí's art after 1940. The exhibition, featuring more than 100 works including 40 paintings and a related group of drawings, prints and other Dalí ephemera, explores the artist's enduring fascination with science, optical effects and illusionism, and his surprising connections to artists of the 1960s and 1970s such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Willem de Kooning. The exhibition continues until January, 9 2011 and here is a small sampling of what you will see....

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Are you heading to the northeast for business or pleasure?  Be sure to spend some time in one of our favorite places and explore exceptional elegance and inspiration in architecture, art and interior design.  Upon arriving on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, RI, be sure and head straight for The Breakers. A spectacular 70-room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo that the Vanderbilt family called their "summer cottage."  The symmetry of design, opulence and lavish use of alabaster, marble, mosaics, and antique woods rival the magnificent northern Italian Renaissance palaces after which it was modeled.

Then it's down the road to Rosecliff  which was built strictly as a summer residence for Tessie and Herman Oelrich. The most notable feature is the impressive heart shaped limestone staircase, also know as the sweetheart's staircase.  As you enter the 40 x 80 ballroom you may recognize it as where Arnold Schwarzenegger tangoed with Tia Carrere in "True Lies"

The Ballroom

The Dining Room

Be sure and visit Chateau-sur-Mer which is considered one of America's finest examples of lavish Victorian architecture and design   Victorian society looked to a future built on industrial wealth and science, while its art looked to the past, inspired by a romantic fascination for history, nature, and adventures in exotic lands. Chateau-sur-Mer is a landmark to all of these Victorian interests. Truly a must see!!

Visit http://www.newportmansions.org/ for information about all 11 properties, located on 80 acres of gardens and parks!  Safe travels!!

FORM

At iNvision Design Group, our tag line is Form, Function, Experience. We strive to utilize the elements and principles of design as a guide in choosing product for our work. The following imagesshow the importance of FORM, the shape of an object, and how straight lines (masculine) and curved lines (feminine) establish ...the form of a piece. Remember that FORM can be geometric (man-made) or natural (organic). By using this element carefully to pull together the design of a room, we create beautiful and inspired spaces. We'd like to share our great FORM with you.....