Thursday, October 28, 2010

Residential Inspiration

This week's blog is about residential inspiration.  I have always been intrigued by the magnificent historic homes here in Weatherford.  I took this opportunity to go on the Historic Residential Driving Tour in Weatherford Texas.  A Historic Downtown Walking Tour is also available.  Around Christmas every year they also do a candlelight tour.  This year it is on the second Saturday in December. 


The first house that caught my attention on the tour is the R. W. Kindel Home that was built in 1881.  It is a Texas Historic Landmark.  This house has always caught my attention, but I didn't know the history.  I had always joked about how it would make a great haunted house for a movie.  So, I thought since it was almost Halloween it would be fun to show it here.  Mr. Kindel was a local druggist for 60 years and owned a castor oil business in Weatherford.  It is the same style, Neo-Renaissance, as the courthouse in Weatherford.  It is limestone with a copper roof.  It has square porch columns and 20" thick walls. 
The other house on the tour I would like to showcase is the C. D. Hartnett Home built in 1896.  It is now Angel's Nest Bed and Breakfast Inn.  C. D. Hartnett founded Hartnett Wholesale Grocery Company, still in operation today in Weatherford.  It is a 10,000 square foot mansion with a turret from the first to the third floor, a wrap around porch, and a wine cellar. 
I would love the opportunity to restore a historic home to its original glory someday.  Don't miss out on seeing these historic homes.  I was told that the interiors can be viewed during the candlelight tour in December.  Here is the website for more information Parker County Heritage Society.  Next week...career spotlight.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Bloggy Inspiration

This week I had to search for blogs that inspired me.  The first one I came across was Yanko Design.  They have some fun and funky items that they post.  Here is one example of "A Green, Green Bed." It's got lights above your head, speakers to listen to music and a flower box so ivy can grow up and over the bed!  Pretty neat!
I found Desire to Inspire.  They have some very interesting room designs that use color and light very well.  My favorite part of this blog is the unique light fixtures they showed.  Like this one that is a whole bunch of desk lamps put together to make a chandelier type overhead light.
 I have always been a fan of using natural elements in design.  2Modern had some terrific furniture that combined modern elements with natural materials. Here are a couple of my favorites.

Stained glass has always been a favorite design element of mine.  I found Go Erie that has a fabulous stained glass window that I just loved.
So, these are some of the things that inspired me this week.  Next week....residential inspiration.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Designer Spotlight

This week I was tasked to do some research on Interior Designers.  I was to pick one that inspired me and post a little about the designer with some pictures.  I have chosen Clodagh as the Interior Designer who inspires me this week.  Clodagh was born in Ireland and has traveled extensively.  She has a vast amount of design experience from cosmetic packaging to grand hotels, and everything in between.  Clodagh has been a designer for 26 years.  She is married to Daniel Aubry, a photographer, who takes the photos for her books.  This week I read her book "Your Home, Your Sanctuary."  My favorite quote from the book is "Your home should take care of you, calm you, and leave you refreshed."  I think that sums up Clodagh's style very well.  She believes in Feng Shui, which is an ancient Chinese art of placement where homes are seen as direct extensions of the people who live in them.  There is supposed to be a balance between the five elements of earth, fire, water, wood, and metal in each room in your home.  Her designs show clean, organic spaces.  Everything has a place, there is no clutter.  Her designs are very peaceful.  I think we could all use a bit more peace in our lives.
 
This is one of Clodagh's great room designs.  The coffee table is reclaimed wood.  Clodagh uses environmentally friendly materials as much as possible.  It has a slate tile floor, which brings in an organic feel from the earth.  The wall covering adds more texture and interest with a great simple line. 
 This is a kitchen that Clodagh designed.  It is very functional and has easy accessibility to items.  Clodagh believes in making your kitchen work for you.  If you do not cook much, there is no reason to have a fabulous gourmet kitchen.  No matter what you use your kitchen for it should reflect who you are. 
When I was doing my research I came across this bedroom that was designed by http://www.livingdesignandstaging.com/FengShui.htm.  I thought that this bedroom was done with the same ideas that Clodagh uses in her designs.  I love the simple lines, different textures, and how everything has a place.
So let's start to simplify our lives and our homes.  Clodagh says, "contemplate, cleanse, clarify, and create."  I'm sure we could all use some of that!  Until next week...