Step Back in Time at the Vintage Bazaar

Oh hello!

The Ballroom in the Aragon.

My adventure back in time began with walking into the grand foyer of the  Aragon Entertainment Center http://aragon.com in the Chicago neighborhood of Uptown. The Aragon was originally built in 1926 with a Spanish palace courtyard style.  This building is amazing!  Every surface is painted and adorned.  In the midst of the building lays a beautiful ballroom were an approximate 50 million people have danced through the years spanning the 20s to the 40s! Now-a-days the space is used for special events, dances and concerts.

The pleasant and cordial Rose.

On the day I visited it was hosting the Vintage Bazaar http://www.thevintagebazaar.com. The Vintage Bazaar is a blog as well as a Pop-Up market focusing on vintage decor, fashion, and accessories. June's event was no exception to amazing finds and interesting characters. It was inspiring to see folks so excited about decor, fashion and relics of the past and giving them a new homes.  The event was so large, in addition to the dozen venders inside, there was 90 more outside! This was a great event.  Folks were buying, negotiating and bargaining.  While leaving I saw several cars packed full to the point of stuff hanging out of the windows and trunk!

Visiting the Vintage Bazaar was great!  I got to see a great space, visit with folks and get inspired!  The next Vintage Bazaar will be July 8th!  Will I see you there?    

A great little vignette setup by Karen Cooper.

Vintage Edison...Jim Ligon creates amazing lighting units using
recycled wine & liquor boxes and bottles!
Check him out at  www.vintageedison.com 

Chair and Pillow by our friend Nara!

Good Day

--D. Charles

NeoCon...Think Big...and they did!

Oh hello!

What do you get when you put hundreds of furniture venders, thousands of designers and decor enthusiasts together  under one roof? NeoCon 2012  (www.neocon.com)  of course!

This year's theme was "Think Big." This was my first year to attend and I was drained after leaving!  This is a three day event packed full of venders, presentations and seminars.

NeoCon is a mecca, a destination - the largest exposition and conference for commercial interiors in North America.

 So what did I get from this year's NeoCon?  A few things...

Trending

• Bright colors (not excluding White)  bright Green and/or Orange seem to be most popular
• Sleek, clean design focusing on functionality and ergonomics.
• Customization of work-spaces
• Floor covering panels
• High-back chairs
• Oh yes...and men's bow ties!

Couple Points of Interest


--Moving Murals www.movingmurals.com
These amazing LED murals move in "True Definition."  I was blown away with the detail and realism of these murals.  You need to check this out! Oh...and there is audio as well!


--Miliken Floor Covering www.millikencarpet.com
As mentioned above floor covering is a "happening" product to have.  Miliken takes it to another level by incorporating Design and Color through their new Color Wash.  

Color Wash is the latest collection that highlights Milliken’s contemporary and advanced methods of reimagining the floor plane, while illustrating large scale, continuous and seamless gradation with nuanced color change.


Good day!
--D. Charles

Out and About...Mike Manning

Oh hello!

While walking through the historic streets of Springfield, Illinois I came across an artist painting a decorative guitar.  I was intrigued!  I introduced myself and before I knew it I was adventuring through his studio!  He has a great storefront in the Old State Capital Plaza. This gallery is an amazing collection of art! The store features the works of the renown Springfield Artist Mike Manning! His playful approach to his art and life makes him an amazing artist.  Mike has be doing professional art for 23 years and Springfield folks have enjoyed his work and playful character.  He can be seen out and about with his easel and/or paper and pencil creating art.

It was a pleasure to spend some time with this artisan.  If you are interested in his work please email me and I will convey the message.  Below are just a few pictures of his collection, however they barely scratch the surface!

Good day!
--D. Charles

Bringing Old Discarded Metal to Life!

Oh Hello!

Re-use and re-purpose are hot topics in today's culture.  I love the concept and principle of using items over again and giving them a new "purposeful life." One of my friends is doing that exact thing, however she is making art!

From the tin of old barns artisan Jennifer Rouston of Metal Girl is creating one-of-kind pieces for the home and lawn. She has been creating these pieces of art for only year, but she is already in high demand! Folks are going wild over her hand-painted designs.

After a shape and size is determined by Jennifer and/or her customer; she then gets out her paint and brushes.   Vivid colors, stripes and polka-dots are diligently hand-painted onto what some would consider as simply an old piece of metal.  Suddenly a design unfolds and a unique, fun inspired piece is created!

I love her whimsical designs and aesthetics.  It is amazing to see a piece of old discarded tin made into a piece of art that everyone enjoys!

Please have a look at the following pictures and be inspired.  If you would like to inquire with Jennifer regarding her creations for your home decor or yard please contact her at jen.metalgirl@yahoo.com.

Each piece begins as raw metal from barns.

After an undercoat application the piece is ready for color!

Good day,
--D. Charles

Discussion: Douglas Herman...Decor, Life & Design

Oh Hello,

I recently had the privilege to spend an evening with my friend Douglas.  I have always admired Douglas' sense of design, style and artistic eye. We spent the evening talking, laughing and discussing home decor.

From Douglas' humble beginnings grew a desire to obtain a life of design, art and a true sense of happiness. As a young man Douglas had limited means, however this was instrumental for him to learn to be resourceful and gain a passion to change his world. Even as a young man he had an appreciation of beauty and design.

Douglas loves and appreciate all styles of home design...as long as it is done well.  His personal style is one made of "mixing things up."  He merges and incorporates design styles and makes them harmonize into a home of comfort, style and happiness.  He believes that it all balances on the ability to properly arrange items so that they produce a conducive energy in the space.  When one has this energy in the home it can highly effect that person's outlook, feelings and daily life.

Douglas is open to counsaltation; if you have any questions or a trouble area in your home decor contact Douglas at dwdesigns@gmail.com

 

Good Day

--D. Charles

FORM...Art and Floral...What a Show!

Oh Hello!

When my good friend Angela Bryant from Abryant Gallery asked me to attend Form: Art + Floral, I was intrigued.  I love art and I love flowers...so what better show to go to? The show at the Loft on Lake was a juried group-exhibition made up of ten artists and five florists sponsored by Natural Beauties Floral, Reenie Rose Abryant Gallery and Kristine Aletha Weddings.

Form was exactly what the title says "Art + Floral."  An artist submitted an original work and then a florist interpreted that piece into a floral arrangement.

The artwork and accompanying floral arrangement are on exhibit to show the dialogue that happens through the art of interpretation.

The artists and florists at this show were amazing!  Their creations and interpretations were awe inspiring. To see the original piece of art an then how the florist saw it through the creative eye of floral arrangement was fascinating.

I've included a few pictures of the event.  I also listed the artists and their contact information, please have a look at their websites...you''ll be inspired.

Angela Bryant-www.abryantgallery.com
Robert Burnier-www.world3ideas.com
Tom Burtonwood-www.tomburtonwood.com
Young Cho-www.young-cho.com
Helen Maurene Cooper-www.hmcooper.com
Robin Dluzen-www.robindluzen.com
Loreen Hospodar-www.reeierose.com
Sam Jaffe-www.samjaffe.org
Mike Nudelman-www.mikenudelman.com
Morgan Sims-www.morgan-sims.com

Natural Beauties Floral-www.naturalbeautiesfloral.com/

Reenie Rose-www.reenierose.com/

Abryant Gallery-www.abryantgallery.com

Kristine Aletha Weddings-www.kristinealethaweddings.com

Good Day!

--D. Charles

The Majestic St. John the Divine

Oh Hello,

During this past weekend while visiting New York I discovered an inspiring, beautiful and tradition cathedral on the Upper West Side.  While walking in Harlem I notice in the far distance a large domed building.  Following the sight I soon found this gem.  The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine http://www.stjohndivine.org sits majestically on the corner of Amsterdam and Cathedral Parkway.

Walking up to the church I was in awe by the staircase, statues,and enormous doors. When entering the medieval style cathedral the sounds of a choir echoed through the sanctuary. Colored light from the amazing stained glass windows cascaded down the walls and floors. I was inspired by this majestic marble and stone building. As I was exiting the church the pipe organ bellowed an amazing hymn. The sound was so overwhelming it literally vibrated within me.  Wow what an invigorating experience! Please enjoy the following photos and think how they may inspire your own creativity or home decor.

Good Day!
--D. Green