The Most Beautiful Waves of Hawaii. Photograher, Clark Little

One of my blogs purposes is to share all things BEAUTIFUL and this is a winner!

Waimea Bay shore-break surfing pioneer, husband, and father of two, Clark Little has gained nationwide recognition for his photography with appearances on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, and many local news stations across the U.S

It all started in 2007 when Clark 's wife wanted a nice piece of art to decorate a wall.
Voluntarily, Clark grabbed a camera, jumped in the water, and starting snapping away capturing the beauty and power of monstrous Hawaiian waves from the inside out.

" Clark 's view" is a unique view of the ocean that most will only be able to experience safely on land while studying one of Clark 's photos. Now with a camera upgrade and an itch to get that better shot, Clark has taken this on full time and has moved his office from land, to the inside of a barrel.

Since the recent stir of Clark 's work, his images have been run on the Today Show, ABC World News Now, Nature's Best Photography, Paris Match (France), La Vie (France), Hana Hou (Hawaiian Airlines) magazine, Surfer magazine, Surfer's Journal as well as multiple publishers and newspapers in the U.S. and overseas.

See Clark's interview on the TODAY SHOW.  How DOES he get these incredible shots?

These incredible images of waves in the Hawaiian Islands were taken by Clark Little, the number one photographer of surf.

He has a beautiful book of his photos for sale online.

His photos can be purchased in many sizes and formats including canvas transfer.

One Of My Favorite Artists, BARBARA WOODS

I have always loved the themes and the fun colors in the art of Barbara Woods. Luckily I have  a few pieces of her art in my limited collection. (Not originals I am sad to say).  I thought you might like to see a few pictures from her collection.  These first ones are retired prints now created onto pillows.  I think these would be a really fun addition to a bedroom. They are currently on sale on her online store.  I got an email. Here is what it said.

"In addition to the framed art sale - Barbara is also putting her Artistry on Pillows on sale! Regular price is $59.95 - mention this email and you can choose as many pillows as you want for $29.95 each! The pillows can be seen here:"


http://www.barbaraawoodgallery.com/Pillows.html

Pillow Sale! 

"Priscilla"

Taken from an oil pastel done as a whimsical and fun piece, this image sold out as a print many years ago. Priscilla's ringlets, floppy hat and big red flower remain delightful.

More of her retired prints on pillows.

You can purchase art from Barbara Woods online.

http://www.barbaraawoodgallery.com/ /

She is having a 50% off sale on framed pieces so please go take a look.

Many of these are the only ones available as the editions have been sold out.

Below are some of the ones I have in my own collection.

This is the one I want next.

Want to know more about Barbara Woods?

A great Review of the 2010 Maison & Objet Show.

Fabulous Trims

As designers we are always interested in what is happening all over the world in design.  Maison & Objet in Paris is a show that we all want to hear about.  Fabulous fabrics & trims & haute couture . Here is one of the better reports.  You might like to read all about what was shown.  Attendees are restricted from  taking photos but there are a few here.

Photos & report by Rebecca Deming Rumpf reporting for Helser Brothers.  Thank you very much for such a nice report.

Very Large Patterns

I love draperies and I thought this was a very beautiful header treatment.  I have used pleating at the bottom of panels but never tried this. Very lovely.

Fabulous Drapery Header

http://www.whyhelser.com/category/helser-field-bloggers/paris-2010/

Designers Can Now Create Their OWN Fabric Designs in Small Runs

Check this out.  There is a company, (DIY Textiles) that lets you send in your own fabric designs that can then be printed onto a variety of different types of cloth. It is done by digital printing.  Previously designers who wanted custom fabric of their own design had to commit to bolts of the pattern and a very large price tag. That made it somewhat prohibitive for smaller companys to have an "exclusive" but now you can do small runs.  Think of the possibilities. Custom pillows or chairs, bedding, whatever you could think up in your very own design.   I would like to see a sample of some of their prints.  I think I will contact them..
Read all about it

Another company that does the same thing. Fabric on Demand  Fabrics as low as $17.00 yd.

Karma Kraft is another company that has a special niche. They use high quality reactive Dystar dyes for printing on fabrics constructed with natural fibers. Reactive dyes are known for their deep rich colors, great colorfastness and the final product has great hand and drape. The reactive dye process is much more time consuming than printing with textle pigments. Using reactive dyes allows the color to actually penetrate into the fiber as opposed to just laying on the surface of the fabric as with textile pigments.

Dystar reactive dyes are environmentally safe. They meet Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) requirements for organic cotton printing.  They can print as little as one yard & you can upload alost anything you can create in your computer from photos to crazy art designs.

You can even make your own fashion designs

New Construction Mexican Style

My Favorite Mexican Hacienda

I really love this home that is currently under construction in Pescadaro Mexico just 8 miles south of Todo Santos well known for its galleries & artists. I love the special architectural details that I never see done in our area of the world. (Oregon). By Mexican standards it is not so unusual though. Some of the architecture is pretty typical for nice Mexican homes.

I just love some of the details that this type of home has.  The curved brick ceiling insets are done completely by hand. I wish I had been there when they were doing it.  I can't imagine how they keep the bricks from falling into themselves as they build them. This kitchen hood is awaiting hand painted mexican tiles. The palapa ceilings are made from  thousands of local palm fronds & fastened to the support beams with hide on hair leather strapping.  It really looks great, especially from the inside.  It is covered with a thick netting to keep it contained.  A recent heavy rain tested this roof system & it did not leak a drop. Amazing. Since the windows are not yet installed there have been some friendly visitors.  A bird took up residence in the palapa ceiling & happy little geckos can be heard chirpping at night. (They eat bugs so they are ok)

The interior is all plaster & is being hand finished with a venetian plaster. It takes 3 hand applied coats and lots of burnishing to get the final finish.  Hard work and very time consuming but it is so beautiful.

Outside there is a great pizza oven that will be used for all kinds of slow cooking as well as Dana's famous Friday night home made pizza.

The whole house is being finished "gringo style" using solid wood cabintry & hand made door & window systems.  My son Jason, the builder & designer of this home is hard at work as we speak getting the doors & windows ready to be installed.  He and his family have been working on this home as they had time for the last four years and it looks like they might be coming close to a move-in.  They have built me a lovely "Grama Suite" which I am anxiously awaiting.  I will post further progress pictures as I get them.

The final night before I left on this last visit  we inaugerated the home with the official "First Dinner".  We made a table out of plywood & saw horses & sat in the "dining area" to watch the sunset on Ceritos beach & the hills.  It was a lovely evening.

If you would like your own little home in the Cabo area I know a really great builder!

TURQUOISE IS THE NEW COLOR FOR 2010

Turquoise is the new Pantone color for 2010. 
See the artical from designfynder

It is such a pretty color . I can see it with browns & oranges Maybe in a toss pillow on the sofa or table napkins.  Give us your ideas on how to use it.

How would you use this color ?

Great Drapery Hardware

Need A New Look?  

How About  Some New Window Draperies & Cool Hardware!

Compositions is a new way to design drapery hardware. Resulting from a collaboration between the Helser Brothers and renowned product designer Debra May Himes, this component based drapery hardware gives you building blocks to create an entirely unique design for your application. With over 20 different shapes, 20 finishes and materials including crystal, Sicis tiles, and iron, the possibilities are truly limitless!

Call me  to discuss your new look.

Boris and the civilising effects of the unfitted kitchen

Boris and the civilising effects of the unfitted kitchen

Interesting artical about sizes of apartments in Europe & how an unfitted kitchen can be great in small spaces.  I am a fan of Johnny Grey kitchen design. 

A Reminder About the Designer Sample Sale

Don't forget that the 1st annual designer sample sale is coming up next month.

Save the dates February 12th-13th. 9:30-5:00

2127 U.S. 97

Redmond, OR 97756-2635

http://oregondesigncenter.com/

If you are a designer who would like to participate please contact Anita at The Design Center.

541-548-6900.