Design Observations: Seattle, Washington Celebrating the Art of Dale Chihuly

Posted on Feb 28, 2013 in Blog

Creative genius at work!

 

Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.” –George Bernard Shaw



Design Observations: Seattle, Washington Celebrating the Art of Dale Chihuly

Posted on Feb 27, 2013 in Blog

Chihuly Garden and Glass: Ikebana and Float Boat

 

Great art picks up where nature ends.” –Marc Chagall



Design Observations: Seattle, Washington Celebrating the Art of Dale Chihuly

Posted on Feb 26, 2013 in Blog

Chihuly Garden and Glass: Mille Fiori

 

Great art is as irrational as great music. It is mad with its own loveliness.” –George Jean Nathan



Design Observations: Seattle, Washington Celebrating the Art of Dale Chihuly

Posted on Feb 25, 2013 in Blog

Chihuly Garden and Glass: The Persian Ceiling

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had not words for.” -Georgia O’Keefe



Design Observations: Seattle, Washington Celebrating the Art of Dale Chihuly

Posted on Feb 24, 2013 in Blog

Chihuly Garden and Glass: The Sealife Room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No great artist ever sees things as they are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.” -Oscar Wilde



Design Observations: Seattle, Washington Celebrating the Art of Dale Chihuly

Posted on Feb 23, 2013 in Blog

Chihuly Garden and Glass: The Northwest Room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art is the color and textures of your imagination.” –Meghan, Los Cerros Middle School



Design Observations: Seattle, Washington Celebrating the Art of Dale Chihuly

Posted on Feb 22, 2013 in Blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was introduced to the art of Dale Chihuly at one of my client’s homes close to 20 years ago while designing a family room and library sitting area in an addition of her 1870’s rustic farmhouse. For years I had admired the historical property and was relishing our collaboration on the design project. As we finalized the floor plan and fabric selections, my client graciously invited me to tour the rest of her lovely home.

As I was absorbing all of the architectural details and admiring the remarkable period craftsmanship of the home, I spotted a fabulous art glass sculpture on her living room end table. I cannot recall to this day what her color scheme was or how the room was decorated, but I can recall every aspect of her stunning art glass!

The morning sun was shining through the rich, green ripples of the glass and it took on a life of its own. It reminded me of a living sea creature – so fluid and organic yet created entirely of hand blown glass. As I admired the piece, my client fondly stated, “That’s my Chihuly!” A Chihuly?! I was thinking, what in the world is a Chihuly?! My client, who collects fine art, explained Dale Chihuly’s history, his art and how she came to purchase the piece many years earlier at an art festival. She was passionate about the artist and his work. I was intrigued, and to this day I hope to acquire a piece of Dale’s work.

So fast forward many years later to Seattle, WA and imagine my joy when I learned there was an entire exhibit dedicated to Chihuly’s work, or should I say his masterpieces.

I hope you enjoy my photos and the quotes I’ve chosen to represent each gallery. If you are traveling to Seattle, WA and can only visit one attraction, you must go to the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition. It is located in Seattle’s City Center within walking distance of the iconic Space Needle. If you are working in Seattle, I insist you break for lunch and take the monorail to the exhibit. You can dine in their fabulously delicious café, explore the bookstore and experience the creative genius of Dale Chihuly firsthand.

I travel all over the country and my visit to Chihuly Garden and Glass was one of my favorite highlights for 2012! A special thank you to Jeffrey Wright, Chairman of the Space Needle, and to Dale Chihuly; may you both continue to inspire generations of patrons with the extraordinary beauty of your new landmark, Chihuly Garden and Glass.

I’ve included Dale Chihuly’s bio below, courtesy of www.chihulygardenandglass.com:

Born in 1941 in Tacoma, Washington, Dale Chihuly was introduced to glass while studying interior design at the University of Washington. After graduating in 1965, Chihuly enrolled in the first glass program in the country, at the University of Wisconsin. He continued his studies at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he later established the glass program and taught for more than a decade.

In 1968, after receiving a Fulbright Fellowship, he went to work at the Venini glass factory in Venice. There he observed the team approach to blowing glass, which is critical to the way he works today. In 1971, Chihuly cofounded Pilchuck Glass School in Washington State. This international glass center has led the avant-garde in the development of glass as a fine art.

His work is included in more than 200 museum collections worldwide. He has been the recipient of many awards, including eleven honorary doctorates and two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Chihuly has created more than a dozen well-known series of works, among them, Cylinders and Baskets in the 1970s; Seaforms, Macchia, Venetians, and Persians in the 1980s; Niijima Floats and Chandeliers in the 1990s; and Fiori in the 2000s. He is also celebrated for large architectural installations. In 1986, he was honored with a solo exhibition, Dale Chihuly objets de verre, at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Palais du Louvre, in Paris. In 1995, he began Chihuly Over Venice, for which he created sculptures at glass factories in Finland, Ireland and Mexico, then installed them over the canals and piazzas of Venice.

In 1999, Chihuly mounted an ambitious exhibition, Chihuly in the Light of Jerusalem; more than one million visitors attended the Tower of David Museum to view his installations. In 2001, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London presented the exhibition Chihuly at the V&A. Chihuly’s affinity for glasshouses has grown in a series of exhibitions within botanical settings. His Garden Cycle began in 2001 at the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. Chihuly exhibited at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, in 2005. Other prestigious garden exhibitions include New York Botanical Garden (2006), Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (2006, 2007) and Missouri Botanical Garden (2007). Recent major exhibition venues include the de Young Museum in San Francisco, in 2008, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in 2011.

For more information, visit www.chihulygardenandglass.com.



Art for your sofa!

Posted on Feb 20, 2013 in Blog

Red splattered paint printed across a white silk pillow makes a bold design statement. Use this pillow as an accent or grab an armful of them for an eye-catching impact on your sofa.



Talk about trend-setting style!

Posted on Feb 19, 2013 in Blog

All I can say is wow! How fun is the chair featured here?! Set a playful tone in your décor with our “painterly” inspired contemporary chair. Bold splatters of ‘paint’ drip across the cover to create a modern effect. Pair the chair with a sleek, modern sofa in bright red and you have just created a memorable interior.



Are you inspired by this month’s blog theme, the ‘Painterly Effect’? Here is a fun D.I.Y. project to do on a snowy day…

Posted on Feb 18, 2013 in Blog

To Purchase:
1. 9 square or rectangle stretched canvases
2. A painter’s drop cloth
3. Several (up to 8) small bottles of craft paint in colors of your choice
4. A variety of paint brushes

Step 1: Turn the canvases over so that they are face down.

Step 2: Tape the canvases together with masking tape.

Step 3: Turn the canvases back over so that they are face up and place onto the drop cloth.

Step 4: Water down a little paint and start painting bold strokes of color across the canvas for your base design.

Step 5: Dip your paintbrush in paint and loosely splatter paint across the canvas in patterns you find pleasing.

Step 6: Let dry completely, sign and varnish for sheen if desired.

There is no “right way” to paint. Relax, have fun and trust the process! Send us a photo of your masterpiece and we’ll post it! Seriously, are you in?!



I’m still dwelling on yesterday’s post and Mati Rose McDonough’s art! Would you like a sneak peak?

Posted on Feb 17, 2013 in Blog

I thought you’d enjoy her bio too!

Mati Rose McDonough lives in San Francisco where she regularly encounters lucky elephants, talking birds and a mysterious girl who always wears feathers in her hair. These creatures of mystery and grace remind Mati daily
that no one is too old for magic or too young for beauty, so she paints their stories for fans of hope and adventure all over our dear world. When she’s not covered in paint you can find her biking on her sea foam green bike, drinking tea and searching for colorful baubles of inspiration to share with you.

Mati studied painting at the California College of the Arts and has had many shows around the country. Mati has taught at painting retreats around the country and abroad in Italy. She is represented by Lilla Rogers Studio in illustration and licensing and has had her art published on Patagonia shirts, University Game boards, Pier 1, Calypso cards, Madison Park Greeting products and Oopsy Daisy canvases. Mati’s book “Daring Adventures in Paint” debuted in summer 2012.



Since I’m taking inspiration from artists this month, I’d love to introduce you to Mati Rose McDonough and her new book “Daring Adventures in Paint”!

Posted on Feb 16, 2013 in Blog

I adore Mati’s (pronounced Matey) whimsical art and her creative spirit and I’m sure you will too. The most valuable takeaway from this book was the section on painting called “Show the world your magic”. I’m not going to spoil it for you, but it will inspire your creativity! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all woke up tomorrow and decided to show the world our magic? Just sayin’…

Available now at the Frank L. Weyenberg Mequon-Thiensville library or for purchase locally!



We’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with a catered luncheon from Café 1505!

Posted on Feb 15, 2013 in Blog

If you love farm fresh healthy food, treat yourself to Café 1505. This great American style bistro is located at 1505 W. Mequon Rd. in Mequon, WI. I love how Café 1505 is committed to sourcing produce and ingredients as close to the café as possible for their 100 mile menu. You may not know this but they have their own seasonal garden for fresh herbs and produce. No wonder every dish is so fresh and delicious!

Thank you to Bill and your amazing staff; we love your restaurant!  -Jim & Tara Wilke

Café 1505
(262) 242-7076
Hours:
Monday-Friday 7am to 3pm
Saturday 8am to 5pm
Sunday 8am to 3pm



It’s time to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Bubbly anyone?

Posted on Feb 13, 2013 in Blog

Toast your valentine tonight with our graceful champagne flutes. Tall and narrow, these crystal glasses are designed to preserve the sparkling nature of your drink. I love to serve champagne sparklers during the holidays. The cocktails are light, easy to make and look so festive.

 

 

 

Try my favorite cocktail, a champagne pomegranate sparkler; your friends and family will love it!

1. Chill your favorite champagne and pomegranate juice.
2. Pour 1 ounce of pomegranate juice into each flute, then gently pour 4 ounces of champagne down the side of each flute. This step is important because you will retain the bubbles in the champagne.
3. If you like your cocktail sweeter, add one sugar cube to each cocktail.
4. Don’t care for pomegranate juice? Try cranberry juice instead and garnish with an orange slice.

Cheers!



Victorians believed a heart shaped pendant represented enduring love and devotion…

Posted on Feb 12, 2013 in Blog

Our lovely necklace features a heart charm with a tiny keyhole. This style was popular over one hundred years ago! The delicate double chain adds substance to the entire piece of jewelry and is hand-crafted in Paris, France. I could see it becoming a cherished keepsake for a mother or daughter…or perhaps a romantic gift to receive for Valentine’s Day (hint, hint)!



Set the stage for a romantic Valentine’s Day with our charming heart shaped votive!

Posted on Feb 11, 2013 in Blog

Add a warm glow to any space with this charming ceramic votive. The delicate pierced heart glows from within when lit. Group them in three’s or scatter across the mantel for a lovely effect. These could also be used on birthday or anniversary celebrations. Start a new family tradition; there’s nothing better than showing loved ones how much you care!



The ‘painterly effect’, featuring artistic table tops…

Posted on Feb 10, 2013 in Blog

A soft contemporary floral motif flows dramatically across the top of our vintage style cocktail table. Rich, deep woods and a traditional style table give you a vintage vibe while the art takes the design to a whole new level. Love it!



Bright Ideas: February’s lamp of the month!

Posted on Feb 9, 2013 in Blog

Our lamp features a stunning ‘painterly effect’ and was hand-crafted by a ceramic artist. Rich earth-tone glazes drip down the oval ceramic base creating an abstract painting.



This magnificent art glass bowl takes the ‘Painterly Effect’ in an exciting new direction!

Posted on Feb 8, 2013 in Blog

The opalescent moonstone charger swirls in a fluid, organic, free form shape and shimmers in the morning light. This one of a kind piece is superbly crafted and captures the creative expression of the glass artist. Could it be your future family heirloom? Call me!

Available now at McNabb & Risley.



What’s underfoot this month?

Posted on Feb 7, 2013 in Blog

TARA’S TAKE ON DESIGN:
Here’s an example of a fresh spin on an ancient painterly technique called marbleizing. Originating in the Middle East, marbleized papers were used for documents and in the decorative arts. As trade routes opened to western Europe in the 1600’s, new design concepts were introduced. The French were fond of marbleized paper and began to develop their own marbleizing techniques. They placed the decorative paper in books, small boxes and even lined drawers in elegant furniture with the hand painted paper! Later, the French devised a way to marbleize walls, architectural details and even furniture.

Now, back to our featured area rug! Company C has taken this marbleized concept and created a soft, thick wool area rug that emulates this historic design. The bold color scheme and large scale lend themselves to a modern feel and would be at home in a contemporary setting.

Beautiful and available through McNabb & Risley!



The painterly approach to design has even appeared in ceramics!

Posted on Feb 6, 2013 in Blog

The smaller plate in front features an ikat design which is hand painted. The larger plate in the back has bold, multi-colored brushstrokes and looks like an abstract painting. I can’t decide which pattern I like best; what do you think? We love your comments!

TARA’S TAKE ON DESIGN:
I would layer these two dishes, one on top of each other, on a large cocktail table as an artistic decorative accent. Think of them like miniature paintings, only in ceramic. You could also use them individually and place a small grouping of votives on them for a little extra ambiance.  Another option would be to layer them on a large bookcase to add interest and a pop of color.

Let your imagination be your guide!

Yours, Tara Wilke



Have I mentioned my pillow obsession lately?

Posted on Feb 5, 2013 in Blog

The hottest trend in textiles on the 2013 Spring Runways was the use of digitized prints…and now they are appearing in the home front!

This beautiful image of a coastal village is captured digitally on cotton sateen and is backed in indigo velvet. The water is reflected in luminous painterly shades of blue – truly a piece of art on its own.

New and available locally through McNabb & Risley.



Painterly fabrics in bold colors are so hot right now and I’m loving this dynamic color scheme!

Posted on Feb 4, 2013 in Blog

The shapely upholstered headboard features a fun tribal pattern (normally seen in kilim tribal rugs) updated with deep saturated hues of pink, green, turquoise and chocolate. This quirky palette works on so many levels because of the hand-blocked effect, the subtle shading of the print and the contrast of the crisp white background.

A playful, hand-painted bolster provides contrast to the crisp white sheets while the grand scale floral duvet appears classically fresh.

All custom bed coverings, headboard and textiles are available locally through McNabb & Risley.



Looking for something amazing to pair with that splashy print chair from yesterday’s post?

Posted on Feb 3, 2013 in Blog

I’ve found the perfect accent for you! I love this fuchsia and green leopard print ottoman; super glam and the smaller scale animal print balances the large, bold print of the chair beautifully.



This chair just makes me happy! It’s my top pick for this month’s ‘Painterly Approach’ to design. Read on…

Posted on Feb 2, 2013 in Blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s talk about making a design statement. Our stylish contemporary wing chair sports a bold floral print. Splashy abstract flowers in fuchsia, plum, citron and green are sprinkled across a crisp white backdrop. The finish was customized to match the textile perfectly. Deep fuchsia walls and a whitewashed console complete the look.

*Get it now at McNabb & Risley.

TARA’S TAKE ON DESIGN:
This chair style looks great in a pair or as a stand-alone piece. Let your imagination be your guide!



I am inspired by the ‘Painterly Trend’ in design this month!

Posted on Feb 1, 2013 in Blog

February’s design focus is on the hottest trend in textiles and home décor: the ‘Painterly Aesthetic’. Imagine soft, hand-painted watercolor florals, bold abstract brush strokes and drippy splatters of paint on a huge variety of home décor and textiles. I’m spotting the trend in bedcoverings, pillows, area rugs, even ceramics! I hope you are inspired by the collective talents of all the great artists who bring us this playful trend. Enjoy!

Yours, Tara Wilke

This month’s special section: Design Observations – Seattle, Washington!

Get a sneak peak at the extraordinary work of art glass artist Dale Chihuly.



February 2013’s Inspire Me Page!

Posted on Feb 1, 2013 in Blog



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