Lynn Read Treats Us With Bargello Murrini

Interior designer Jason Ball over on Facebook said "Lynn Read has a showing at Vetri in Seattle." He accompanied his update with pictures of Read's work at First Thursday. I was struck by the unusual designs and creativity of his work and wanted more information.



Lynn Read's website says:

My recent series of murrini vessels is called Bargello. This body of work, glass is an exploration of patterns inspired by Florentine textiles. This Florentine embroidery is loosely referred to as Bargello style. The style typically has bold color and strong graphics. These patterns are both retro and contemporary. I use the murrini to embellish the surface and create shapes that balance the complexity of pattern with clean and minimalistic lines. The shapes are very intentional and illustrate my interest in design and the craftsmanship of execution.

Right away I wanted a definition of "murrini" and "Bargello."

Murrini - is an Italian word meaning colored glass patterns made by Venetian glass makers. This video shows how one glass factory makes patterned glass:



Bargello - "is a type of needlepoint embroidery consisting of upright flat stitches laid in a mathematical pattern to create motifs. The name originates from a series of chairs found in the Bargello palace in Florence, which have a "flame stitch" pattern."



Thanks Jason!

Bev & Mike
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A Solution For The Space Challenged

At Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery, we like furniture that does tricks. We've had on our showroom floor a teak coffee table that converts to a dining table and cocktail tables that double as extra seating. We sell lots of sleeper sofas to couples that want to convert the TV room to a guest room. Sleeper sofas work well for smaller homes that need a place for guests. The main drawback to some sleeper sofas is the mattress. They must be the kind that fold.

That's why we are adding a new vendor, Murphy Beds from National Casegoods, a great solution for the space challenged. Murphy Wall Beds can help you overcome space problems and provide you and your guests the comfort of a real mattress for a good night's sleep.

National Casegoods starts with real wood and is responsible by working to generate as little waste as possible. They avoid the use of particleboard, plastic laminate, melamine and Thermofoil. They believe their product is higher quality , more durable and more attractive.

Murphy Beds from National Casegoods come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty on the piston lift mechanism, a 10 year Limited Warranty on hardware parts and a one year Limited Warranty on the finish and wood parts. Basically labor is not covered.

The Murphy Beds come in five styles, five finishes and three sizes; Queen, Full and Twin. In addition, side cabinets are available in all styles and finishes.

Come to Landfair Furniture to view the Murphy Beds catalog. Bev will be happy to give you a quote for your particular project.

Bev & Mike
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It's Bridget Otto Thursday

You've been in homes where you enter into an entry with two-story ceilings. I've always thought they were a waste of space and probably responsible for high heating bills. Today, Bridget A. Otto writes about a family in Beaverton couple who need a bit bigger house and yet nothing they look at is quite as good as their present home.

Deepa Rao and her husband Prantik Nag considered adding on, but didn't like the alternatives; how it would change the appearance or change their traffic patterns or fit their budget. Then they asked, "What if the second-story space in the entry became a loft of sorts?"

Enter Joel Fraley of Neil Kelly Design/Build Remodeling. He had fielded many calls from people seeking the same kind of answer, so was familiar with the solution. He solved the problem by inserting a loft without blocking the natural light that they loved so much.

Another problem solved by a professional who could picture a final product before it was tackled. You can email Fraley at joel.fraley@neilkelly.com.

Bev & Mike
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6 easy-to-follow tips on how to turn your bargain beach rental into a fresh retreat

Everybody may be cutting back and one way is to rent the little beach bungalow instead of vacationing at the fancy beach resort. But, there are drawbacks! In this fresh look, Interior Designer Susan Corson offers 6 easy-to-follow tips on how to turn your bargain beach rental into a fresh retreat. She says:

Simple is beautiful and just a little smart planning can really help bridge the luxury gap.

First: Expect a moist environment.

Everything from pillows to sofas may have that way-too beachy feel. The solution: bring a bunch of coverlets . These are light-weight, cotton bed covers that make wonderful slipcovers for sofas, chairs, etc. The best part is, they’re clean & fresh and can be washed if needed. Buy white or chambrey – it goes with everything.

Second: Don’t be afraid to remove the moist stuff.

Roll up offending area rugs and stash in the closet. Much easier to sweep up the sand without them anyway.

Third: Nothing makes a place cozier than candles & flowers.

Bring a bunch of CHUNKY pillar candles and a few of those vases that have piled up from flower deliveries. The wild flowers you gather or the cut flowers you buy yourself will be perfectly at home.

Fourth: Kitchen not gourmet?

Maybe you’re not going to pack your pots and pans but definitely bring some knives. Your chopping chef’s knife and a sharpie for those summer tomatoes. Find the big salad bowl and FILL IT with fruits and veggies from the farm. And don’t forget to buy BUNCHES of their local wildflowers (Remember the empty vases you're bringing along.) Plentiful displays have visual power so overdo it.

Fifth: Making a luxurious bed means bringing your own sheets AND pillows.

What’s worse than sticky, scratchy poly sheets and a rubbery pillow? Two words: WHITE COTTON. And of course some of those flowers & candles.

Sixth: After a day at the beach what’s more delicious than a hot outdoor shower and a soft absorbent bath towel? Either bring your towels from home or grab a few from Target. White is always the softest since it has no dye and it has that spa-like feel. Loofahs, scented soaps and essential oil body scrubs keep skin pampered and a rich body lotion is the finishing touch.

Now your temporary beach home feels and smells good.

Susan Corson Designs, founded in 1986, is a national interior design firm recognized for elegant simplicity.

Bev & Mike
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Bridget Otto Thursday On Saturday

Photos by Doug Beghtel/The Oregonian

Yes, it's Saturday and I'm late with Bridget A Otto. This weeks Otto subject was friend Kathryn Delaney owner of ColorSplashes. Delaney found Portland via a circuitous route from South Africa and claims Portland, Oregon is the best place on Earth to live. Her art started with faux finishes, to murals and then original art. Recently, she's gone digital.

"I've been getting into taking my art digital. Once I've done the piece, I get them professionally scanned."

From this digital source, she has them printed using the giclée method, which reproduces an archival-quality print.

It appears to be an easy jump to wall decals when your art is digital. Delaney is an infrequent, but interesting blog poster at ColorSplashes.

Bev & Mike
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That's Green Living!

Isn't this a great idea:



You do your business, the water is recycled and sanitized and then you can drink it or wash your hands in case you are a food preparer!

Well, not really! It's a new sink-toilet combo for living areas that are short on space. The Profile Smart is from Caroma and received the Popular Mechanics Product Breakthrough award for innovative design and engineering in 2008. It is a standard looking toilet with an elongated tank that has a sink instead of a lid.

It might be easier for a man than a woman to use it, however.

Hat tip to 3Rings. and Designer Pages

Bev & Mike
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Suffering In The Heat

You know that when summer arrives here in the northwest on October 30th, we will need some relief from the searing heat. I'm thinking of adding a home misting system like I've seen in Las Vegas outside near the bus shuttles. Read this:

To escape the oppressive heat during the summer days, an outdoor misting system, based on evaporation of water, can bring the temperature down and provide cool comfort to open spaces. The misting system converts hot air into cold air and brings relief from a scorching summer.

I got a request to add Cool-Off to our blogroll. I don't want to do that, but I will write about their products, misting systems, shade sails, outdoor cooling system, shade structures, home, garden and sun shades with a little humor.

Bev & Mike
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Book Review: "Putting the Luxe Back in Luxury " by Pam Danzinger

The Sunday San Diego Union-Tribune says what all of us are feeling: Homeowners slowly open wallets for improvements. We've certainly noticed a pick-up in business and we are seeing long-lost interior designers in our store. However, Pam Danziger, President of Unity marketing, says in her new book, "Putting the Luxe Back in Luxury," that the consumer is different from the one we knew from 2000 to 2006.

First, Danziger writes, there has been a demographic change in the luxury consumer. More than half of luxury consumers were in the $100,00 to $149,000 annual income. Now, more numerous luxury consumers are in the $250,000 incomes and up and many of of the lower income luxury consumers have dropped out. Where once there were over 21 million consumers in the $100,000 and up bracket, there are only 2.5 million in the highest income level.

Second, there appears to be a "luxury drought." The luxury drought is characterized by affluents sharply reducing their spending on luxury as they reevaluate, reprioritize and reassess their lifestyles. No longer valid is the motto: He who dies with the most toys, wins. Now there is evaluation of ones lifestyle.

Third, luxury brands lost their "mojo." Is it really worth it to pay ten to fifty times for a luxury brand name product.

Part of the reason for this shift is Fourth, the recession has consumers rejecting their materialism. for the goal of achieving personal happiness and fulfillment. After all, when you are dead and gone, maybe all that's left is stuff that your kids put in a box and place the box on a shelf in the garage.

You can download the first chapter of "Putting the Luxe Back in Luxury" and sign up to receive a signed copy of her completed book.

Bev & Mike
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A New Bedding Line From Very Influential Celebrity

Beyonce Knowles, whom Forbes listed as fourth on the list of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential Celebrities in the world, has teamed with Arrow Home Furnishings to turn out a bedding line geared to the master bedroom. The collections feature "European inspired prints and colors, bohemian patchwork pieces, metallic threads, shams with diamond quilt stitching and feminine dressmaking details."

The collections are being presented to major department and specialty stores with retail prices ranging from $149.99 to $199.99 for House of Deréon and $49.99 to $99.99 for Deréon.

House of Deréon addresses the master bedroom, while the more print-oriented Deréon line targets a younger customer, age 15 to 30.

Sheet sets in House of Deréon will feature richly embroidered cuffs in four embroidery colors on white or ivory that can tie back into the bedding ensembles. Sets will retail for $69.99.

Look for details soon on her House of Deréon website. In Oregon so far, only Joy's Uptown carries Beyonce's fashions.

Bev & Mike
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It's Bridget Otto Thursday!

Today, in The Oregonian, Bridget A Otto has two articles. The first offers information before you shop on carpet basics and terminology. Otto is a little sketchy on Berber, however. You might want to check my blog at Home Accents Today for What Are Berber Area Rugs?

The second article is titled A 1949 video on the ideal kitchen shows what's changed -- and how much still rings true. The "...1949 movie clip out of the federal Bureau of Human Nutrition and Home Economics advocates and demonstrates how the U-shaped kitchen can help ease the chores of the "housewife" in the "modern farm kitchen." Otto talked with four interior designers and got their reactions to the film.

• Lori Brock, interior designer, of Brock Designs
• Interior designer Julie De Jardin of De Jardin Design
• Designer Arlene Lord, one of the principals of Mosaik Design
• Designer Deb Seeley of Deb Seeley Designs

We always enjoy Otto's articles and it's great to see our friends mentioned as resources.

Bev & Mike
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