DC Design House

Untitled

Its a very small part, but I am a participant in the DC Design House thanks to my new designer friend Melissa McLay!! Melissa and I met through Houzz. She works all around Maryland and DC as well as northern Virginia and is based in Severna Park. She has a great website and blog, "Pretty Inspirational."

DSC_0404

Melissa was selected to design one of the third floor bedrooms in this year's DC Design House. In order to achieve her vision, Melissa had me do a pinstripe around each wall and ceiling and I was happy to oblige.

photo-73

I completed the renderings for Melissa's design Board submission and she said they helped her win her space.

melissa-1 copy

I have to admit I had some celebrity shock when I was there working. There were designers participating that I have admired for years since becoming a decorative painter so I was totally flubbered when I got to meet one, Mr. Chad Alan (apparently flubbered is not a word, but anyway.) It was fun to see all of the rooms in progress, I can't wait to get back to see them finished!

There's a great article in the Washington Post about the house where you can see photos of the rooms.

I hope you can make it down, its a pretty nice drive.  I don't even have to touch 495!

I'll show you mine if you show me yours...

I've decided to start a new series where we share our work spaces...I hope to post more photos as people share them with me. If you have some you'd like to share, email me at dee@deelitedesign.com I've always loved exploring how other artists organize and use their space for work and inspiration. I've asked some of my artist friends to share photos of their spaces.  What was so surprising is how embarrassed they were about showing their space! As if a messy studio was a sign of failure! I know when Im working, my space blows up.  After each project I have to reset; clean up, put things away, reorganize. When I'm working I am in the moment. As my mom would call it, it looks like a dumping ground! (Keep in mind, both of my parents are neat freaks so having a mess was a n0-no.) Back when I first started working as an artist, my time was split between my basement and my parents' basement. They had tall ceilings where I could do murals. Nothing is better than being able to leave and shut the door without worrying about who's going to care about my mess!

My studio: in current condition...

me-2

Storage underneath tables that roll, paints on metal shelves, and storage above for things used less often. On the mural wall, a work in progress. The wall itself has been used as a practice surface for large scale glazing.

me-1

Ladders and scaffold against the wall, and to the right of the frame, my spray area. Currently being used as storage.

Without further ado, here are some other studios who's owners have graciously allowed us to peer inside. Enjoy!

My neighbors Bill Knapp, billknapparts.com and Barry Sheehan, barrywsheehan.com, who share a space...they are metal sculptors. Each have their own separate businesses but share space.

bill-2

Bill

bill-1

Bill's area

barry-1

Barry working.

My other neighbor, Zach Bowler's studio. He is a ceramic artist. I love what he's done with creating a lounging area in the back.

photo 1-3

photo 3-1

My friend Jeanne Shnupp works in Long Island and does decorative painting like me... jeanniesdesigns.com It seems we all have a need for places to store things!

jeanne-2

jeanne-1

Arlene McLoughlin's space. She also works in Long Island as a decorative artist. arlenemurals.com

arlene-2

arlene-1

Thanks for sharing your spaces with us!

Spotlight on Paula Henry of Simply Put Interiors

Continuing my Spotlight Series, I've focused this post on one of my designers, Paula Henry of Simply Put Interiors. We've done several projects together, many of which have been Decorator Show Houses. What do you do?

I make people cry happy tears and want to hug me.  I am a Decorator and pride myself on “hearing” and respecting my client’s goals and lifestyles.  When a project is complete, it is not uncommon for the tears to flow and for me to get hugs of thanks.

BSO Show House 2013 "Cozy Corner"

  -How did you get started in this field?

Decorating has been a life-long passion of mine.  I decided to take it from casual designing for family and friends to a career after selling another business.

Library/Office, Private Residence

-What is your background?

I was involved in Real Estate management for many years and also owned my own business.  I founded Simply Put Interiors, Inc. in 2006.

BSO Decorator Show House, 2012 (Ritz Carlton Residences)

BSO Decorator Show House, 2012 (Ritz Carlton Residences)

-what does your business offer clients?

Simply Put Interiors is a full service Interior Decorating company.  You can hire us for an hour just to get you started or to design and manage large projects.  We are your one-stop shop for floors, ceilings, window treatments, walls and everything in between!

BSO Decorator Show House 2011

-What is the most challenging part of your job?

Getting my client’s to envision the final design plan from the early stages and convincing them not to get too far ahead of themselves.  Once they learn to trust me and accept my guidance, it is usually a pretty smooth sail.

Private Residence, Ritz Carlton Residences

-What do you enjoy most?

That is hard to say because there is such a range to the services we offer and I enjoy them all.  Re-Designs are probably the most rewarding because I use primarily what my client already owns to create a brand new look.

Private Residence, Ritz Carlton Residences

-What adjustments have you made to your business to keep up with the changing economy?

Honestly, I can’t think of any remarkable adjustments.  I have always been cognizent of budgets and goals.

Paula in her booth at the American Craft Council "Make Room" Exhibit

-What makes a good client?

It is important to have a good working relationship.  I want my clients to feel like I understand them and with that comes trust.  So, a client who trusts me to accomplish their goals.

American Craft Council "Make Room" Exhibit (with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake)

-Do you have a location (store/studio/workshop) where clients can come meet you or do you come to them? (Please provide address if desired)

I normally meet with my client’s in their homes or offices.

-How do we get in touch with you?

phone: 410-252-9911

website: http://simplyputinteriors.com/

An Insider's Look at the "Make Room" exhibit at the ACC show in Baltimore

before

Before, a 10x10 box.

This past February, Paula Henry asked me to create a piece for her "Make Room" exhibit at the ACC show in Baltimore. Its essentially a "white box challenge" where designers are offered a few pieces by artists exhibiting in the show.

paula acc

The finished room.

Paula chose the cocktail table and two chairs to inspire her design. In addition, they were given a theme; this year's being "Entertainment." To add to this theme, I decided to do a dynamic painting of glasses and bottles in a limited color palette to convey the feeling of celebration and excitement.

the party

The piece measures 36"x48". It is currently available. (can be hung vertically also.)

paula with the mayor

We had a great time, even the mayor stopped by!

me, gael, paula

Gael Summerhill of Summerhill Cabinets, Paula Henry of Simply Put Interiors, and myself.

Recap of Gilding Class with Annie Lemarie

We had a great time with Annie, several decorative artisans from GMDA as well as CADA came to learn the secrets of Architectural Gilding on Thursday and Glass Gilding on Friday. We even had a student come down all the way from New Jersey! Here are some photos...enjoy!

annie's class

Annie talking about the gilder's knife.

annie's class 2

Melanie Kershner and Leslie Nesbitt practicing cutting and laying 23k leaf with Karen Jones looking on.

annie's class 3

Annie placing the first leaf on glass.

annie's class 4

My panel gilded, waiting for size to dry.

annie's class4

All dry, look at that shine!

mine and Deb's

My piece on the left, Deb Watson's on the right.

my glass piece

A closer look...

annie's class 5

Thank you, Annie!!