Designer Meeting

Over my thanksgiving break I sent some of my apartment designs to an architect, Denny Funderburg, at Aspenwood Home Design. I sent them over email because I could not arrange a time to meet with him in person unfortunately. We are still in contact even a week later about different ideas for the project. My apartment design incorporates a lot of curved walls and big open spaces. For the most part he liked my ideas, but there were still quite a few things we discussed. It is much harder to discuss ideas and get a creative flowing conversation going online however. There were a few issues discussed about having a curved wall into a closet and how that would affect the doors (because that may not be possible, or at least not without added expense). My bathroom design also appeared to be a little too long and narrow. Overall, Denny said he'd like to see a few more walls go up in the design, or at least a better balance of space sizes, but I think I prefer my open space plan with all the smaller rooms together on the north side. At this point, I think I will end up keeping most of my ideas as they are, whether or not they seem possible. It would be more practical to make a few of these changes but in order to stick to my concept I think it would be better off as it is.

(More to come later!)

Hybrid Drawing

I don't think I have ever been this proud of my work! For once I have created something that I personally love. Not that I don't love most of my other work, but usually I love it for the client's needs, not for my own personality and style. Here I actually got to try out a combination of classic and modern, two of my favorite themes put together. It inspires me and I think it's a great start to developing my own designs.

There are so many features that were thoroughly thought through. The ceiling is incredibly high, so I used a dark ceiling to make it feel less substantial. The columns are square with corinthian capitols, to put a new twist on the old style. All the furniture is mismatched, but typically have classical structures whilst being painted and upholstered with modern techniques. Surrealist art hangs at the back, two copies of the same painting. This creates a sense of classic symmetry even though it's modern art. The wall encasing the fireplace is black glass from floor to ceiling, as well as the wall set back behind the reception area. The reception desk itself is set at an odd angle intentionally to throw off all the symmetry happening in the background of the space. Chandeliers are of the classic style, but made of turquoise glass. Along the walls framing the reception and behind the front seating area are irregularly inset lights, with turquoise glass gems hanging from random corners. And of course, the men depicted in the picture are members of the band 30 Seconds to Mars.

The most exciting part of this whole design though was trying to find web images that fit with my drawing, and giving them certain effects. The fire glows, along with all of the lighting and you can see reflections in both glass walls. It was an awful process for me and my lack of computer skills but absolutely entertaining once I got going with it. I love the outcome! =]