CLARA LANE HOME

New Year New Blog!

2011-01-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

I am on a new road now, I am headed down a short straight path to graduation in May!

This new years brings much thought about the future. What will I want to do with my degree? I have some plans in mind, I want to focus on color and fabric. These two things are what started me on my journey in design and it is logical that I would now want to devote more time to them specifically.

I have been color consulting professionally for the past three years. I have been a life long stalker of color and texture which includes painting, sewing, embroidery, faux finishing and even my own line of purses and lamps and really so much more.

Jean Queen Purses sold in local boutiques


original designs embroidered onto sweet bassinet ensembles

vintage hats and bases, so charming in person

I have designed, created, marketed and sold much of what I love. And now I plan do the same with other products of color and texture. I have only a science and math course this semester and I will cross the finish line in just a short four months. I have decided to start a new blog called LANGUAGE OF COLOR AND TEXTURE!
Here is to the next chapter in my design life!

Feeling Good!

2011-01-13T20:14:00.000-08:00

Isn't this wall awesome looking! It is three dimensional and looks like a plaster. Is located behind those partitions on the left side of picture below. It is what greets you when you walk in the door.

I had to go for my annual mammogram and it was made a lot more comfortable by the beautiful design. The Breast Health Center design felt like it high end hotel or spa. It wasn't clinical or cold. I asked who the designer was and the girls working did not know. Shame, I would love to see their web page.

The colors were mainly brown and pink of course with a touch of green. The pink tones went front light to bright and represent the international breast cancer symbol.

The lighting was moody and fun, this picture makes this look a bit funky but it was innovative and pretty in person. The whole acrylic block looked glowing.

This is the changing room that was small but beautiful and had everything a girl would need.

Wall paper that was used throughout.

The little dressing rooms are down this hall and then you wait in your spa robe to be called for your state of the art digital mammogram. This pretty cabinet houses extra spa robes. Couldn't you just see buying a plain cabinet like this at IKEA and then stenciling it in an oversize damask pattern and then add white paint! Great IKEA hacker idea! Notice the carpet transitions from stripe to a free form damask interpretation. In the way back they have another pretty crystal chandelier in the ultrasound waiting room.

you can see the wall paper here

One last detail, the brown silk like taffeta fabric was is attached to a copper rod that is simply strapped to the wall with plastic anchors, so simple. They used an elbow piece and then just bent the copper rod around the small sink and attached the other side in the same fashion. The little bit of copper that shows is a small detail that does make a difference. That little box is a self contained water heater. I Highly recommend the JOHN C LINCOLN BREAST HEALTH CENTER.

It's My Year

2011-01-06T19:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Year 2011,

First I want to say welcome, I'm so glad you made it. I have been waiting for you to get here. It is going to be a great relief to see your month of May. You see that is when I will finally graduate with a degree in interior design! You are a welcome relief and at times I thought you would not ever get here. I really didn't know that 2011 was the year I was waiting for. Back in 2006, I got whey laid with my plans to finish school because I had a horrible infection in my hand that put me so behind on my plans for the future. 06 was a  real stinker, glad it is a goner for sure. 07 improved but I was slow to shake what had turned my life upside down. I regrouped and had a pep talk with myself in 2008 and then finally, I really gained steam for finishing school in 2009. 2010 was filled with classes and projects and an end in sight to the completion of the goal I started back in spring 05. So year 2011,............my goal is near,graduation is really just so close I can see it. Don't even think about throwing a road block my way. I am so happy that I will complete what I started,and thankful for all the support I've had from my kids and husband. I missed many- many things including but not limited to; band concerts, young authors night, science fairs and more. I sacrificed and they sacrificed and now it's just about in the can! You know 2011, I have high hopes for sweet endings and new beginnings and you better not let me down,you have the potential to be one of the best years ever. I'm counting on you to be the best you can be. I will write again and let you know how it is going. Until then take care and go out and make it a great year.

Warm Regards,

NEW YEAR- NEW OPPORTUNITIES!

2011-01-01T12:42:00.000-08:00

For last year's words belong to last year's language

And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
~T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"


OIL ON CANVAS -http://www.jackfischergallery.com/lora_fosberg/

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
~Edgar Guest

2011 IS A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

How cunningly nature hides every wrinkle of her inconceivable antiquity under roses and violets and morning dew!~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy New Year & new beginnings
with lots of opportunity for 2011!

Making it Homey with box full of Empowerment

2010-12-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

"Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt

I have a lot of stuff. I love painted walls, no builder white for me, although I do like muted cream walls with a hint of an undertone that picks up color from the fabrics in the room. There are so many ways to make a room your own.

Art of course makes a room and is absolutely essential in my décor. I am not talking high brow like you would find at the Musée du Louvre
in Paris, France. I like pop art you may find on Etsy or old inexpensive portraits you pick up at the flea market or garage sale. Watercolors are a favorite too.

http://www.bromstad.com/

I am not past getting an ugly canvas at the goodwill and knocking off a copy of something modern a la David Bromstad style with his squirt bottle in one hand and paint brush in the other.

You need tools to hang the art which will make things look homey. I impatiently want to put a new piece up right away as soon as I get home with something.

The first time I had an apartment of my own I had no tools and the art was stacked in neat piles in all three of the tiny rooms for weeks maybe even a few months before I found the most amazing pink box of DO IT HERSELF tools.

I wasn’t looking for a box tools when I found it but it spoke volumes to me. The hammer and needle nose pliers had cute pink rubber grips and the tape measure I needed to get columns and rows just right was so pink too! This premier box of goodies was neatly packed in a self contained pink plastic case of goodness for $20. What really went into the cart was a box full of pink empowerment. You see this loaded tool box in all its pink regalia said you can do anything you want. It was telling me that I did not need help and that I could achieve and reign supreme! And achieve I did. Specifically, I gained a deeper sense of self worth when I bought myself and used tools with the color that celebrates femininity. I know! who would think such a little thing would mean so much.

I have a confession………I covet my pink tools. I delight that they are mine and we have a history.

Pretty tools anyone for the holidays?!!!!!!!!!

Napkin Floor Plan

2010-11-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

sometimes inspiration can strike when you least suspect. this was the case at lunch today. while sipping thai ice tea and visiting with a fellow design school student, we brain stormed our "team" final kitchen project. the results are on the napkin. i am not usually a fan of the team style project and i have had to do team projects every semester. i plan to post some of my kitchen and bath drawings soon.

kitchen drawing NTS!

Strangers- no danger and Random stuff

2010-10-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

the helping hand of kindness

i have recently been touched by kindness through the acts of total strangers. I find it surprising and wonderful. I have come to know that I will most always talk to strangers. My Grandpa was talker, I am a talker and so is my brother.

i just want to say thank you to those who have been kind enough to take the time to be such generous friends and family and strangers to share yourselves, your time, your input. It means a lot!

the rug reminds of a Frank Lloyd Wright design seen at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, of course the colors are different and the scale is much larger here.

a nod to pink for the month of October's Breast Cancer awareness. Sue I am so happy you are healthy!

I AM LUCKY!

2010-09-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

THIS WEEK HAS BEEN A ROSE WITH NOT ONE THORN.

THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE A NICE LITTLE SCRABBLE OF IMPORTANT THOUGHTS AND MOTIVATIONAL WORDS. THIS IS THE KIND OF THOUGHT PROCESS THAT ALLOWED ME TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND LEARN WHAT INTERESTED ME.

I CAN HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT IF YOU DO WHAT YOU LOVE, AND LOVE WHAT YOU DO, IT WILL LEAD YOU ON A PATH OF HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS! I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO WATCH MANY LOVED ONES DO EXACTLY THIS. TODAY, I FEEL JOYFUL AND THANKFUL THAT ONE SPECIAL BOY IS NOW CLIMBING THE STAIRS TO HIS DREAMS AND I WISH HIM ALL THE HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS HE CAN HOLD!

Descion Time! This post is dedicated to my long time friend Betty.

2010-09-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

i have been pretty enamored with concrete for sometime now, say ten years at least.


this is the saw you need to use with a diamond blade to cut patterns into the concrete which will make your floor one of a kind!

this is what my floor looks like, it is the first thing people comment on when they come to my house for the first time.

ABOVE: concrete island counter and side panels make a modern statement coupled with that cool Ann Saks onyx glass tile wall.

A polished edge so the aggregate detail shows, adds texture.

Concrete is here to stay, and if you should tire of it, just cover it with any other material.

glossy sheen on a very mottled acid stain floor.

when choosing your flooring and counter tops remember to coordinate them like you would an outfit, e.g. your shoes and your blouse/top usually compliment each other. the cabinet acts as your skirt/pants. Of course there are other ways to choose but this is the simplest analogy to share.

a honed finish in the bathroom with a eased edge.

beautiful ogee edge detail following the legs of the island with a small clipped corner for safety as corners can be dangerous!

Betty you have great taste and whatever you choose it will be the right thing!

Anyone would who like a complimentary consultation on any and all design dilemmas just email me kal0707@gmail.com or leave a comment. Karen

note: working on learning to format, it will get better.

GREAT KITCHENS

2010-09-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

This semester I am taking INT 240- KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGN. We are learning about all the high end appliances and what it takes to get them in properly. So I thought I would post some great kitchens!

High end integrated fridge hiding under panels on right. Contrasting black cabinets on left. Like the beams on the ceiling. A white kitchen never goes out of style.

A wolf brand cook top. This is a great hood because it is about 6 inches larger than the stove which means it will capture all the steam and grease that rises.

This has another wolf range and a gorgeous carrera marble back splash and counters. Aren't the bar stools great! I don't care for the Asian inspired figures on the range mantle, vintage pottery would have been better. This kitchen is a bit over styled for the photo via House of Turquoise blog.

This kitchen feels European, the cabinets are two toned and are hiding a high end integrated fridge (behind the island). The mix and match of wood colors and counter top material keeps it interesting along with the zinc top table and Versailles pattern on the floor. Can old world really go out of style when it is done as clean as this?!

Balance

2010-09-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

This pair of Louis tub chairs needed some partners in the room for quite a while. The room was out of balance so I added some brown cotton velvet drapes. The room began to level as soon as the first panel went up. They also have rythmn with the newly painted interior doors.

Brown as color is off trend now. It makes me love
it even more. Lots of Prints.

Keith Scott Morton for Country Living

Jonathan Berger for House Beautiful

...

See in the back......Louis Chairs similar to mine with a lovely brown floral!

SHOCKING........I have dark doors!

2010-09-02T05:00:00.000-07:00


A study in contrast........

Sad but true, in most modest track homes there simply are no special architectural details. In this case, calling attention to the height of the doors draws the eye up & makes a bit of drama in a rather plain space. In person the acid stain floor has always been the attention getter. Since going dark on the doors, the eye goes to the doors and then up to the ubiquitous 1990's pot shelf. The eye then travels around the room to see the other elements such as the lighting fixtures that are also dramatically dark . The dark is foiled by a warm neutral paint by Sherwin Williams called Nantucket Dune. The trim is Sherwin Williams -Basket Beige and the doors are also Sherwin Williams, color Manor House. I say don't be afraid or better yet ordinary, GO BOLD-GO DARK!

If you want to see more dark doors go here and enjoy some glossy black doors that look so good!

dreaming design........Karen

Color + Pattern + Texture ='s Visual Interest

2010-05-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

In this commercial bathroom I was working with only paint for the budget!

The bathroom had some taupe dal tile and a stainless receptacle and that was the extent of the inspiration. The best idea was to bring in some fresh green with a bit of the organic. First, I started with a combing technique for texture. Below is a good close up of the texture that results from combing.

Next, I used a laser level to mark out my pattern with blue painters tape.

Then I made a circle stencil out of cardboard from the side of a box, nothing special needed. I penciled in all the circles on all walls. I chose a taupey brown to complement the tile and painted all the circles with the same details as I was going for a symmetrical wallpaper look.

Next, I cut out another stencil of uneven squares out of a file folder!After penciling them in I continues to paint the squares in the same taupey brown.I tried to make the same type of squares on each circles, devil is in the details.

Close up of the next detail-making a "Z" pattern inside the little squares.

The "Z" pattern was also applied in a uniform pattern

Another color was added in quick straight line and then once it dried I put another quick top coat of silver metallic over just the blue stripe for shimmer and interest.

SCALE MODEL 1/2" =1'-0"

2010-05-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Won't you join me for a glass of wine in the Castle Drawing Room!

YES! That is Clarence House red mohair velvet....I know you feel the luxury with your eyes!

Love the Spanish honed limestone on castle walls and floor...simply elegant!

English Mahogany end table with antique vase....nothing but the best!

Historic Viennese style piano and bench....I do hear Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata!

Hope you enjoyed the drawing room for my son's production design I class,I sure did!!

PAPERS ARE IN !!!!

2010-05-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Just a few images that will inspire some possibilities!

MODERN FLAT SCREEN TV UNIT

2010-05-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

First, these are fuzzy because they are both sketches which don't scan so well!

TV armoires are considered passé now that the age of very slim-flat screens have taken over. Good news is..... There are many choices for the flat screen. I have designed two custom units. The first one is a fairly complete drawing sans dimensions and the other is a draft of the first; you will noticed how it morphed into a more refined design. Shall I design one for you!

Poppies!

2010-04-24T22:35:00.001-07:00

Here is a bit of spring color that I want to share! These poppies are from seeds the Huz collected quite a few years ago in beautiful Lake Tahoe, California. They are prolific bloomers if you use a lot of water.

CUSTOM MADE!

2010-03-25T09:53:00.000-07:00

Here is what I have been working on for Int-175 Custom Class.An interesting part for me is to create what my faux client wants in their space. Of course there is no client and I get to run wild with the project, hence the eldeberry leather sofa & chair!

These are items that my faux client may want to have in their family room.

Pillow Fabric

Eldeberry leather & welting.

SCHEMATIC ELECTRICAL PLAN

2010-03-09T13:27:00.000-08:00

These are reworked drawings that were returned without a grade.The second one on the right is a detail drawing of the rope lighting in the tray ceiling. Practice makes perfect! If you want to check them out- click on each picture. Int 268- Interior Lighting is proving to be a challenge.

CUSTOM BEDDING ENSEMBLE

2010-03-02T15:44:00.000-08:00

My design is no Jackie Von Tobel beauty, but I did enjoy putting the entire design together. I love vintage fabrics and would love to design fabric. Drawing & rendering, like so many things in life, is self taught with only the very basics given in school. Jackie's book has been great reference material.Check out the Queen of bedding and window treatments at http://jackiebluehome.blogspot.com/.

Fabric & Yardage Legend

Valley Light Gallery + Jayne-Young = Amazing light fixtures

2010-02-26T07:52:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday was a hurry-rush kind of afternoon and I did not get all the time in the gorgeous showroom that I would have liked. I did meet a fascinating lighting designer named Gary Butler out of Newport Beach, Ca., his company is Jayne-Young; http://jayne-young.com/. He & his wife manufacture authentic working pots into beautiful lighting fixtures. The copper pots are from all over the world and are unique, beautiful one of a kind fixtures that will add charm to any room.

Small part of the showroom

Valley Lighting in Scottsdale, AZ has been around forever and the jam packed showroom is sure to please, as they have just about everything! Visit their sight http://www.valleylights.com/ This event showcased their expanded showroom,introduced several lighting designers and provided mini lectures about all latest and greatest lighting trends. The incandescent bulb is becoming a thing of the past & the rising star is LED. The powers at be promise LED is the little engine that could and will be the wave of the future.

CUSTOM DRAPERY COMPLETE!

2010-02-24T22:03:00.000-08:00

MASTER BEDROOM FLOOR PLAN

RENDERING OF THE SLIDING DOOR

CURVED WALL WINDOW TREATMENTS
(Still need to dimension this one)

CUSTOM DRAPERY

2010-02-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

Lee Jofa Bordeaux Toile- Colour:1621 Sienna & Charcoal

Okay, so far it seems all I post about is my INT 175 custom design. I am also working on INT 285 Portfolio Development and INT 268 Lighting design. Thus far, I don't have anything amazing to post about these classes. I am working on a portfolio that I may post in the future. None the less, lighting and portfolio design are project intensive.

Custom Design drapery project-Elevation Rendering of part of one window.
There is more, this is just the first part I got done. I wish the color reflected the true rendering better. Next post will be the completed project.

GREEN PRODUCT

2010-02-20T19:35:00.000-08:00

Eco chic is in vogue and all the teachers make "green" apart of many assignments. Last Semester I took INT 190-SPACE PLANNING and had to make a journal out of all found or recycled materials. I was to journal about all the ways I was personally saving the planet. What this had to do with space planning I did not know. I am pretty sure it was just liberal ideology seeping into the classroom disguised as a project but, I digress. Anyway, I pulled out all the stops on this project and used burlap,cardboard, suede string, and dried latex paint that I had saved from the bottom of plastic bucket. I knew someday I would find a creative use for that paint! I sat at the sewing machine and before I knew it the journal was created. The teacher truly loved it, and no one in the class had seen dried paint used in this manor.

Grade A - Project Board!

2010-02-19T18:40:00.000-08:00

I have to share how it never ceases to amaze me how other students come to class with their boards incomplete. Currently it is part of the curriculum to present your work. I am routinely surprised at the students who work feverishly to glue or tape their boards to completion while others are presenting. My pride would never allow me to do such a thing unless there were dyer circumstances and even then I would rather turn it in late and have it done perfectly. The other astonishing thing about the last minute construction of these projects is the students feel like they deserved and A when clearly they did not present an A project. I wonder how these students will get a job and keep it because the devil is in the details!

Nautilus Rug

2010-02-08T19:18:00.000-08:00

Progress on the rug for my custom design class.Color pencil on computer paper.Design Board due this Thursday. Will post when complete.

Yes! I rendered my blog header!

2010-02-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

For the record, I did the header on my blog as an assignment a few semesters ago in the Drawing & Rendering class. The class was very challenging for me. There were more than a hand full of great, skilled artists in the class and I was not able to draw much past a stick person. I did learn a few things and I am proud of what I learned and accomplished. I did not do much art in school and drawing is not my strongest suite. I would like to say that one can always learn! I still have a lot to learn.
Go forth and draw!

Karen

Preliminary Sketches for Custom Rug

2010-02-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

Shells and seaweed quickly sketched on computer paper!

The large Nautilus shells repeat an accessory in the small massage room. I like this design the best so far but it needs work. I like the rhythm!I feel it has the best potential.

I think this design might turn out like a large blob in the middle of the room.

The next part of the design, sizing, naming and writing a design statement.

INSPIRATION IS HERE!

2010-02-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

Designer Wendi Young 's rest & recharge space

Sherwin Williams 2010 Palette " Treasured"

The first part of my custom rug assignment was to search for a magazine picture for inspiration and direction, as if I had a client and a space to work with. I wanted a room with a blank slate, one that I could put my own stamp on. I found inspiration from the October 09 issue of Traditional Home Magazine in Designer Wendi Young's island Colonial style home. The rug I am designing is for small room off the master bath on the way to the dressing room. The day bed is a massage table in disguise! The rug in the picture is non-descript and I plan to use the above yarns that correspond to The Sherwin Williams palette named Treasured. It feels like the colors will flow with the rest of the house in the article. I am working on three designs and will choose one to take further into the design process. Sometime in the future I plan to post another project I did last semester where the same color palette was used.

Wish me LUCK! Karen

INT 150 COLOR & DESIGN

2010-01-31T19:35:00.000-08:00

This is a custom rug that I designed a few semesters ago in
INT 150 COLOR & DESIGN.
It is done in water color on vellum and the paper crinkles a bit when attached to the matt board. I pulled it out for some kind of inspiration for my current project in
CUSTOM DESIGN INT 175. Strange thing, I did not need it for inspiration!

Custom Design

2010-01-21T19:52:00.001-08:00

Tonight was first class of INT175 Custom Design. First off, it is a miserable rainy day and to say the campus was soggy is an understatement. My cute polka dot umbrella just about took me straight up like Mary Poppins and I was soaked when I made it to class. The class began like most with the obligatory reading of the syllabus by the instructor and the personal introduction of each student. I don't care for the intros as just about everyone knows one another and if you don't, you will very quickly while working on projects and comparing test grades,etc.

First project is a custom designed rug. This should be fun. My first inclination, per the instructions, is to select a beach house that I will then design a rug for a specific room. As the design is developing I plan to post my process. For now, the following are inspiration for sure!
Stay tuned.............