in memory of teddy

Dear Heather,

Recently, My dear friend Heather lost someone very special to her.It is times like this that we all need to reflect upon the value of friendship and family. We draw near to those that we love and care about for support. Knowing that the bond of devotion gives us strength during this turmoil.No words can truly say what we feel.

When you visit her store, The Consignment Gallery in Portland you will always be greeted warmly. Her shop has a wide variety of high quality consigned furniture and decorative arts. I would go there often with dear friends to hunt for the "right thing" for our own homes. It was more about the hunt and the wonderful conversations that we all had with Heather and her staff. I now find myself traveling to her shop by myself as I have now found a new path for myself. I fondly recall those days shared with special friends.
Heather, thank you very much for supporting me in my time when I struggled for my life. Your wise words helped me during my recent path toward freedom and emotional loss. You are a good friend. You are in my thoughts.

In your own words
"Teddy was such a gentleman. He was a gentle soul whose devotion left me in awe. We miss him terribly."

www.consignmentgalleryportland.com

Love your friend,
john

Things Are Not As They Appear.

"Things are not as they appear" were a group of words that someone once told me to give me understanding in a time shrouded with pain, mystery and the unknown future. I never quite understood what that meant. I would have preferred to just have it put to me very bluntly instead. After all the suffering I had gone through, the blunt truth would have been best. As with most things in life the mystery of the future can only be revealed as the next page of our life's novel is opened. I have since learned to write my own future and taken charge of my own destiny. Those words have become my inspiration for today's blog which is show you how to trick the eye with the ancient art of trompe l'oeil.
take care beloved readers.

love,

john

What is trompe l'oeil decoration? Trompe l'oeil is a French term which means "fools the eye". It is the use of painting techniques to create an illusion of textured surfaces as well as to give three dimensional appearances to flat walls and ceilings. Through the use of shading, artists are able to produce these desired three dimensional effects. This is unlike decorative painting, which only serves to embellish a surface rather than to give it the appearance of depth.



Trompe l'oeil painting has been used for over two thousand years and as a painting style dates back to 400 BC. It was part of the rich culture of the Greek and Roman Empires. Although the style has changed over time, the concept behind it has remained the same. Early examples of trompe l'oeil can be found in the ruins of Pompeii as well as Eurculaneum, which dates back to the first century AD and are the only murals of ancient trompe l'oeil that exist today.

Paula's request for ART DECO

Art Deco is a decorative style that is essentially an extension of the French Art Nouveau and English Aesthetic styles, but also includes elements of Arts and Crafts form. Some historians claim that because of its eclectic borrowing from so many sources, it should not be identified as a distinct style. Yet it has enjoyed recurrent popularity, and has contributed to later stylistic developments. The term Art Deco is used to describe a design style that originates around World War I, and runs through to World War II (c. 1915-1945).
The style emphasizes surface embellishment, drawing heavily on the colors and styles of some of the early modern art movements, from Impressionism through Cubism. Like many of the modern art styles, it was inspired by Chinese and Japanese art, both of which were popular during this period.

Art Deco furnishings frequently used marquetry, enamelling and other techniques to create surface interest. During the 1920's vivid color was often used. Both furniture and textiles tended to use decorative designs that exhibited a strong painterly quality reminiscent of Impressionist, and post-Impressionist, Fauve, and Cubist techniques. The forms of furniture and interiors combined sleek curves with angularity, the forms often quoting earlier decorative styles in a simplified form.


In the 1930's the color palette became more subdued with white, black, and metallic surfaces combined with softer hues. Decorative design in textiles continued to quote from modern art, with Cubism appearing as a more apparent influence, in addition to other styles. The characteristic forms, a combination of smooth curves and angles, continued to be the dominant feature of the style. The style came to be associated with a high technology, futurist view of American culture in an age when the romance of air travel was at its peak. The idea of streamlining based on aerodynamics became a feature of design used in everything from architecture to appliances. Classic examples of Art Deco architecture include the Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center in New York City, and the Miami Beach waterfront. The graphic designer Erte created a characteristic Art Deco style in illustration and decoration.


OK, I haven't run out of ideas, however if there is a subject matter which you would like to read more about. Please let me know.
I
am the
epicenter
of good
things
happening.
So
I am
shaking things
up
a bit.
Please
give me your
feedback about interior design,love to all,

John

my inspiration from my favourite movie

This morning I woke up and realized how we are truly influenced by our surroundings. When we go through major changes it is good to get a fresh start. what better way than to redecorate. Recently I was given an opportunity to redo my whole house or at least my living room. I thought a new splash of paint would do. However I realized that new furniture was in order. So I hauled it all away in a Uhaul van. I kept a few choice pieces such as a black and taupe striped cabinet, a chinoiserie hanging cabinet, a 19th century Chinese scholar's chair and a coir area rug.
over the past year while recovering from STAGE THREE COLON CANCER. I have made some major changes in my life. I also watched my favourite movie over and over again. The Devil wears Prada
My inspiration for my new living room is The classic scene at the beginning of my well worn DVD disc. Our heroine,Andy, makes light of two "identical belts". Her employer, Miranda Priestley soon sheds some light on her ignorance about the belts. I just love how she informs her about the colour Cerulean with her vast knowledge about the colour and how it is used in fashion.
So my challenge begins, As anyone that knows me it will be all about the eclectic mix. It will be a fun blend of chartreuse, rust,gold,silver, black,taupe,old and new. This time I am going to have a feather and down wrap on the sofa cushion.hey why not.



Cerulean, also spelled caerulean, may be applied to a range of colors from deep blue, sky-blue, bright blue or azure color through greenish blue colors.

The first recorded use of cerulean as a color name in English was in 1590.[1] The word is probably derived from the Latin word caeruleus, "dark blue, blue or blue-green", which in turn probably derives from caelulum, diminutive of caelum, "heaven, sky".[2]



Please take care all and have a HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

love, john

I think I found a photo of one of my blog readers, Patricia Gray, an Interior designer from Vancouver. thanks Patricia for the great inspiration.

calm and serene

I have been thinking about Labour day weekend all week long. I am looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend away. I thought I would leave you with some serene photos of some interiors and gardens. Please take care and seek serenity and peace throughout your life. What better way than your surroundings in your home.

take care,

love, John

broaden your horizons

There is something about a horizontal stripe that I find intriguing. Often it is used in a contemporary setting. In actuality it is a classic concept. The Florence Cathedral is a prime example of the classic horizontal stripe.
I know this is short and sweet, but nothing needs to be said other than start thinking about stripes and life in a different way. You never know what exciting adventure may come your way when you open your mind to a different thought process.

FYI:I am starting a new project for a client's bathroom. so I will be taking you all on a crash course on tiles.

TB with you all later,

john

it's time for a change

Autumn is right around the corner. The other day I noticed Halloween candy in the aisles at the grocery store. Soon Christmas will be massed produced. We will be bombarded with the glitz and glitter of the season. All of this reminded me of how I am trying really hard not to eat candy.I actually almost drowned myself in a mountain of candy earlier this year after I finished chemotherapy.
I am making healthy choices for my life feeling better than ever before.
The other day, a friend of mine told me that I have actually made such headway in my efforts in bicycling. As an avid cyclist, that means a lot. especially since I haven't been able to ride in almost two years because of my poor health that I have had. FYI to those who are just getting into my blog. I AM A COLON CANCER SURVIVOR. My goal is to stay healthy and to continue to be fit and trim. so with all of that and a
little bit of an imagination I decided that I would write about trim. Trimming, gimp, cord on tape, tassels and tie backs are all about the detail that is given to our interiors.it is this attention to detail that give our rooms, furniture, pillows and drapery excitement and power.

Passementerie or passementarie is the art of making elaborate trimmings or edgings (in French, passements) of applied braid, gold or silver cord, embroidery, colored silk, or beads for clothing or furnishings.

Passementerie worked in white linen thread is the origin of bobbin lace, [1] and passement is an early French word for lace.[2]

Modern passementerie includes the gold braid on military dress uniforms, the elaborate trims on used on some lampshades and draperies, and for decorating couture clothing and wedding gowns.

Fringe and tassels are categorized as forms of passementerie

Get trim, stay healthy and add a little detail to your life.

love, john