Silk, Chintz & Moire - Design Divas

{knick*knacks}_1 pantone rubix cube

2009-03-29T09:32:00.000-07:00

when i was in high school - i wasn't the most attentive student, particularly during geometry or calculus or trigonometry. i would either sleep, sneak in snacks or doodle on the borders of my handouts.

one day the teacher decided it was time to spice up our class and move our seating arrangements. i ended up being seated next to one of the most quiet people in class. i will dub him "Q" - now Q wasn't very chatty but he was very good in math. So he tended to join me in not paying 100% attention. instead he would pull out a rubix cube and play with it.

i've always been fascinated with them and i fancied that one day i too would solve one. i asked Q to teach me the ways of the cube. turns out - Q was a regular chatterbox... very knowledgeable in the language of the cube. i was a padawan and he was the jedi master - teaching me the ways.

fast forward 10 years later - i still thank him for teaching me how to solve that blasted cube. whenever i see one, i have this need to fix it so its colors are all where they need to be. the cubes are always the same color - and after awhile it gets boring to look at.

then i found this one. is it too early to hint for a birthday present? hehe... i ❤ it.

silk

location: MLA

music: O+S; what do we want to

drink: none

images: not mine

{things i covet}

2009-03-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

klas fahlen is one of my favorite illustrators. as i was poking around the internet the other day - doing {designer secret #1} i.e. see previous post - i stumbled upon these magazine holders.

my current magazine holders are the standard, white, economical ones from IKEA - just by seeing these ones i am inspired to scribble away at my own. i will post pics once i have some drawn out. aren't they just lovely?

le sigh.

silk

location: MLA

music: silence

drink: none tonight

images from: ART Department

{designer SECRETS}

2009-03-12T08:14:00.000-07:00

hola!

i came across this comic. not entirely sure where from - but definitely not mine and i just had to share it with all of you.

designers (or diva's to you..) are a very peculiar type of person. although we all live and breathe design and it seems that we sprout creativity like your local ON DEMAND channels on television... that's not always the case.

so for all you designers out there.. and for everyone else's amusement... see a designer secret..below.. i know i am guilty of this... actually - v.v. guilty.

happy friday the 13th everyone!

silk

location: MLA

music: Like a Prayer - Madonna; The Immaculate Collection

drinking: the internet

images: not sure - if you know - let me know so i can credit them...

{coLorstroLogy} - explore your color

2009-02-25T04:02:00.000-08:00

i am forever thankful that i have the ability to see COLOR. i can stare in wonder at rainbow's on sunny/rainy days and i can marvel at how van gogh managed to swirl all the colors in his starry night. i can appreciate the beautiful blue-green hue of the waters in the caribbean and in my mind i can attempt to recall the exact shade of purplish-blue of one of my favorite flowers - hydrangeas. color brings such depth to everything around us and at times we forget to stop and really look at what is there.

we all have favorite colors. i cannot even tell you what mine is for it changes everyday. there are even times when it is dependent on my moods. black for days full of gloom and white for days when i feel bright and shiny. did you know that there is a study that was done called Colorstrology? A singular color that is representational of who you are based on you date of birth. For giggles I decided to seek what my birth color was.

www.colorstrology.com

Having been born on the 23rd of June here is what my color was:

❝you are enormously creative and are capable of making things happen. you know how to make magic if you do not let your emotions overwhelm you. you need encouragement and supportive friends and allies. your personal color gives you breadth of vision. wearing, meditating or surrounding yourself with Bright Aqua disperses self-doubt and increases your vitality and sense of self.❞

it makes me giddy to see a description that could not be closer to the truth. this is all in good fun.. so tell me divas... what color are you???

silk

location: MLA

music: Life in Technicolor - Coldplay; Viva La Vida

drinking: hot green tea

images: kunderwood:flickr / screencaptures from Colorstrology.com

Moire's Wordle Picture

2009-01-21T05:16:00.000-08:00

OK Guys, here is my Wordle picture. What does it say about me?

Moire

Oh Yes!! 2009 Baby!!

2009-01-20T08:29:00.000-08:00

Hello All!!

I hope that everyone has made it into 2009 in one piece (possibly a little tattered, but one piece none the less). I have to say that I had a difficult 2008....it sucked really! I am so excited about the possibilities that 2009 holds. Out with the old (a president that shall remain nameless) and in with the new (Obama!!). I know that times are hard all around the world right now. I am bringing up this point to say that life is what you make of it. I am choosing now to concentrate on the things that matter most to me and that make me happy (family, friends, my home, career, my significant other and of course my girls, Betty and Goldie). If you think about it, happiness is all you can really ever ask for. There will always be some dark cloud somewhere because life is unpredictable. Hey, think of it as a bad surprise party! You just have to get through it until all the guests go home. Then you discard any unwanted or just tacky presents, clean up and forever forget the person's name that threw the party. Now you can then get on with the rest of your life.

See how easy that was??!!

Anyway, I would like to leave you with a few inspirational images that make me happy. One of the pictures is of my visit to Moire's part of the world and another will be of my visit to Silk's part of the world. The other's are a few of my favorite things (Hum the song in your head as you view the photos if you like. I will start you off..."Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens....")

Remember,

Be Happy, Love and Be Loved, and of course...Make Things Beautiful!!

Chintz

Found a Great Blog

2009-01-19T08:40:00.000-08:00

I Love this blog, and it's one I will be following closely. It's a blog which celebrates "the ordinary and the extraordinary, happy colors, good design of any kind..... There's beauty in your dish-soap"

Happy Mundane

Stop by there and smell the flowers!

Moire

myLife09

2009-01-19T07:12:00.000-08:00

greetings from 2009!!!!

silk welcomes you back considering we divas have been on an extended

leave from posting here. biggest news for this year - moire, chintz and i are on three different corners of this globe and we intend (fingers crossed here..) to bring you design from across the oceans. my first posting for this year is a link to a fantastic little site online called WORDLE (www.wordle.net) - it brings me the giggles to see some of my favorite words randomly arranged into a visual palette of grays and black. why don't you give it a try and send us any of your creations! looking forward to a fabulous year!

silk wishes for everyone

magic

laughter & adventures!

silk

location: MLA

music: Kings of Leon; Only by the Night (Deluxe Edition)

drinking: hot green tea

the things i have learned in my life so far...

2008-08-17T20:56:00.000-07:00

Stefan Sagmeister is a well-known graphic designer from Austria based in NYC.... this interesting list comes from his brilliant mind... can you relate? do you agree? or do you disagree?

*complaining is silly. either act or forget.

*thinking life will be better in the future is stupid. i have to live now.

*being not truthful works against me.

*helping other people helps me.

*organizing a charity group is surprisingly easy.

*everything i do always comes back to me.

*drugs feel great in the beginning and become drag later.

*over time i get used to everything and start taking it for granted.

*money does not make me happy.

*traveling alone is helpful for a new perspective on life.

*assuming is stifling.

*keeping a diary supports my personal development.

*trying to look good limits my life.

*worrying solves nothing.

*material luxuries are best enjoyed in small doses.

*have guts always works out for me.

CHAIRacter: Serena van der Woodsen & the Barcelona Chair

2008-07-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

Beautiful. Dangerous. Fallen.

Serena van der Woodsen is no wallflower. A kind of person whose physical presence cannot be ignored. She has a that certain "je ne sais quoi". Take this characteristic... throw in wealth, status and reputation among the Upper East Side (UES) - it is easy to sea how she has carved out a niche for herself within the exclusive life of the superrich. What makes her an interesting character is that despite leading a very privileged life - she is flawed and is prone to making bad decisions. It makes her more human. Our first encounter with her is through a text message via the anonymous gossip girl, the eyes and ears to the ins and outs of everyones favorite love-to-hate UEsiders. Her reception is neither warm nor friendly. Her return motivated by a brother in need and not caring for whatever is being said about her.

What is most curious about this is that aside from BFF Blair - everyone is seemingly ok with her return to the nest. Despite being away from the scrutinizing view of the UESiders, she proves to still being a hot topic of discussion - her daily life does not fail to fascinate and engage everyone around her. Throughout the first season she proves to be a forgiving person - perhaps giving others a chance so that in return... they can give HER a chance. Serena's character is the one whose journey entails overcoming who she was and becoming more than what she already is.

The Barcelona Chair was designed by Mies van der Rohe to be displayed at the German Pavilion at the 1929 International Exhibition Barcelona and became an instant hit among designers and critics alike. It's unique (and instantly recognizable) design is the perfect marriage between modern and classic forms. In keeping with the ideas of the Bauhaus movement, van der Rohe believed in well-designed homes and impeccably manufactured furnishings for the "common man". This however, could not be the case with the Barcelona Chair. Even with it's minimal form, the tufted, buttoned and supple leather cushions were hand sewn and individually stitched resulting in a high quality product that was enhanced after van der Rohe's redesign in the 1950's with the advancement of stainless steel. The chair you see today is the result of a symphony of contemporary ideas, antiquity, form, function, and quality all intended for the everyday, but somehow elevated above the rest.

One look at this iconic chair and we knew it was the one that best suited Serena's character. Physically, it is without a doubt a - beautiful chair... recognizable and definitely memorable. Its form is sleek, elegant and one-of-a-kind. Its details are simple and timeless. Its price tag - infinitely more than any chair you can purchase at iKea. It spurs intrigue, interest and is a constant topic of conversation. It can be safely stated that it remains be one of the world's most coveted chairs. Does that sound like someone we know?

Interesting factoid - poly-b's research on the Barcelona Chair reveals that its birth follows the devastation of the first World War. A time when everybody was waiting for something new - it became the period when design and innovation would matter again. This became an introduction to change and continued to be the catalyst that launched an era of great design. Serena can be seen as a similar match that lit candle that set fire to the change that occurred in the UES. Her return and new outlook in life opened up the gateway between Brooklyn and UES. We (silk and poly-b) concur that she is the reason as to why Dan, Vanessa, and Jenny (non - UESiders) are now recognized fixtures among their social circles - why Dan and Blair (they don't particularly like each other) have moments of heart to heart or why Nate is discovering a different view of life with Vanessa. Her relationship with them - changed the group dynamics that existed... group dynamics that were never questioned nor allowed to change. Previously unaccessible - now more seemingly approachable.

The Barcelona Chair and Serena van der Woodsen are parallels of each other. Beautiful icons, effortless elegance and catalysts of change.

silk & polyester-blend present....CHAIRacters

2008-07-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

silk and poly-b would like to welcome you all to our joint project we would like to call.... CHAIRacters.

Most days - " we" silk and poly-b can be found talking about the ins and outs of everything and anything around us. Our topics can range from culture, society at large, the GAP store displays, next seasons shoe and fashion lines, the latest design magazine spread, a font type we really like, or even the contents of our mystery lunch boxes - (poly-b's is a wasabi green color and silk's is a doubtful looking blue box that passes for a small cooler).

So it was not a surprise when we stumbled upon a topic of conversation that has swept forum chatter and break-room rendezvous' all over. We found ourselves heavily discussing the ins and outs of the hit show... gossip girl.

Perhaps - we may have stumbled upon a topic that cannot possibly interest all you divas - but with this subject at hand - we would like to prove that there is good design... if not great design within a show whose characters (all ridiculously good-looking) lives are followed and reported on in a Page Six kind of manner.

In between bites of hummus and pita bread - we (silk and poly-b )debated about the characters - their plot lines - their choices - and the outcome of their choices. Call us unnaturally obsessed but one cannot fault not raising an eyebrow to the sheer genius of a show that has not only revived the preppy/chic look (brought back the headband didn't it?) but continuously influences the masses of people that watch it. (mostly - according to demographics - under 25-ish).

we were exhausted in trying to find the right words to express our views on the character's developments. And then it clicked.... we remembered that we are visual people. What we cannot express in words - we seek other means to express it. we doodle... we sketch... we draw... we look for inspiration... we look for anything that helps make our point clearer.

so what solution did we come to? how could we sum up a character's strengths, weaknesses, attributes and flaws all in one.... we assigned it a CHAIR!

a chair you say? i hear skeptics... but allow us to enlighten you on this matter. we have placed much thought, research and some hope that this series - will be to your liking.. if not to your amusement....

are you game?

if you are - we (ahem... silk and polyester-blend) invite you to our first posting on the series we have nicknamed....

*CHAIRacters* - gossip girl

introducing.... polyester blend

2008-07-16T19:21:00.000-07:00

From silk & poly-b
divas... divas... divas... Silk here!

it is not often that we get to introduce a fellow DIVA guest blogger... to our world stage but allow me to indulge for a moment, our newest diva is a hard one to define.

POLYESTER blend is an enigma of a designer. Just when you think you've got her pinned down - she wiggles her pink-y toes and a whole new designer appears before you. The talents she has lie all across the board but her focus is to create something extraordinary out of the seemingly ordinary. Not an easy feat, mind you. She has a thirst for knowledge that rivals us resident divas and a passion for design that is inspiring to all.

Our hope is that you meet someone like Poly-B. An excellent listener and a great sounding board all in one creative package! I was fortunate enough to become her colleague and soon after-friend.

In the short time that we have known each other - the ideas, brainstorms, brain farts and eureka moments have never ended.

So divas... until you find the Polyester Blend in your life - silk, chintz & moire would happily like to share with you another reason to be inspired.

silk back from the abyss.....

2008-07-14T00:29:00.000-07:00

hello! hello!!!!!

silk here back from the crazy-busy life that keeps me from being one of your guides to a design filled life!

it has been quite some time since we have last posted and we vow to make sure that we do not go under the radar for long periods of time.

but in our absence... we've got some exciting new posts for you in the next couple of weeks.

some of the major things to look forward to:

* two NEW design divas have joined the ranks of silk, chintz & moire! we will introduce you to the multi-dimensional "polyester blend" and the ever-so-practical "linen". both divas will be blogging with us and blogging for us. look out for their posts in the next couple of weeks.

some updates on silk, chintz & moire:

*silk and chintz along with NEW and oh-so fabulous guest blogger " polyester blend " went to experience the sights, sounds and most definitely the TASTE of Mexico City - so many stories to tell.. from tacos on the street corners to hiking up a pyramid - it was a weekend full of adventure! so if your interested in a weekend in Mexico City - we just have the itinerary for you! watch out for it....

* party favorite chintz is on the move this month! watch out for chintz and moire are meeting up for a much anticipated reunion. unfortunately, yours truly could not make the trip hop... so i along with you (our beloved readers) shall await for news from the other side of the pond... i wonder what we shall hear from them about...

and finally

*as design divas our interests have no borders - this particular trait has inspired silk and polyester blend (poly-b for short) to do a column series on the much talked about series here in the US called "gossip girl". see the series characters represented through famous chairs - what do you think? do you think they will make the right selection? ... look for our first column to appear on July 17th - Thursday (for fans - this is the DVD release date...we figured we would make it a significant day to start posting this special blog series.

until next time...

XOXO

silk

Better late than never! The party continued...by Chintz

2008-05-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

Hello all!!
First let me apologize for not getting back to you sooner with the follow-up to the party. Yes, sometimes work gets in the way..not that I am complaining mind you. I love the sight of money in my bank account, don't you know. I also was away in Las Vegas for a design convention. A convention in Vegas does not suck, I promise you. What better place to see how to really throw a party!!

Ok, let me tell you how the party went.
It was a huge hit!! My friend Monique didn't have to lift a finger because I had it all under control. Let me share a few tips for any party that are huge time savers.

Planning: You don't have to take weeks to plan a party, but you can do certain things in advance that will make throwing a party much easier. One of these things is having glasses, plates and flatware already on hand. I would rather not use paper plates and plastic glasses...unless it fit my theme for the party that is. Instead, I have clear glass plates in various sizes, glasses in various shapes and sizes and stainless steel flatware that I have picked up on sale that I use for parties. After holiday sales and restaurant supply stores are great inexpensive resources. You would be surprised how inexpensive a restaurant supply store can be. Don't try to be fancy at this type of store. Just find nondescript pieces that can be versatile. I like simple clear glassware because it molds itself to any party colors or themes. I also have clear glass pitchers and serving pieces for parties. You can also use white serving pieces as long as they are simple in form and pattern. Once you have all the decorative elements in place, the clear glassware works perfectly. I do buy quality paper napkins because they help bring a theme together nicely and you won't be doing laundry for days afterwards.

Use your resources: My friend Monique has a neighbor who makes amazing Mexican food. When we invited her to the party and told her the theme she offered to help with the food preparation as a birthday present to Monique. This saved us time and money. When you invite people to a party they will usually ask if there is anything that they can bring. Take them up on the offer, but with good direction as to what they can bring. I have a friend with a large grille/smoker in his backyard. I have thrown large outdoor parties during the summer and asked him if he would cook the meat. I purchased the meat and he cooked it which saved me so much time. Granted, I knew he was a good cook before I asked him. Also, you can get something from a local restaurant in bulk for a party. We purchased tortilla chips from a local restaurant that are far better quality than if you purchased them from a grocery store....and they were still warm when we served them.

Keep it simple (Make it look fabulous):
You don't need to have a million selections on the party menu. Just a few good recipes that will also suite varied palettes. A table will also be more appealing with something en mass verses many little plates of many different things on them. The menu for Monique's party was Tamales (chicken or pork), the fabulous grilled tequila lime chicken breasts, guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo, tortilla chips (quality from a local restaurant), charro beans and let us not forget the fabulous birthday cake. For a special occasion order a cake/dessert from a local bakery and it will make all the difference. Monique's cake helped make the party extra special and it was far more delicious than anything from a store. When you see the photos from the party, you will understand what I mean. Speaking of photos...notice the flowers on the table. Fresh flowers are a simple way to make any occasion special. You don't have to be a florist to make a beautiful arrangement. I like to use one or two flowers en mass to create arrangements. We will save the floral tips for another time as that can be a great topic on it's own.

Guest lists: Think ahead about the number of people you are going to invite, as well as the vibe that you want the party to have. Certain people can make or break a party. If you have friends that don't get along, it probably isn't a good idea to invite them to the same party (also on that note...think about if they are really people that you want to associate with if they can't be civil at a party that you are throwing).The size of the party can also make it or break it. Take into consideration the size of the party venue. Too many people crammed into a space is a party disaster. Too few people in a large space will make your guests uncomfortable and have them wondering why people don't like you enough to at least come for the free alcohol. Think about it. The people that you invite also need to fit the occasion. I have been to large parties with a diverse array of people and had a wonderful time. I have also been to large parties that bored me senseless. One example of a large party gone bad is having everyone from work over and then inviting your next door neighbor who isn't in that line of work. Your neighbor will be incredibly bored while everyone else talks about work. Some of the best parties that I have ever been to or thrown have been quite intimate. Having a few people over can be a fabulous thing as long as they are the right people. A great combination of interesting people can be a magical experience. I have been to dinner parties of less than six people and had the most amazing time. The intimate setting was relaxed and the conversation flowed so easily. That was the result of a great host and guest list.

I will now post a few photos of the party. Enjoy them and please feel free to write me and ask any questions that you may have. I promise you that someone else if probably wondering the same thing.

Just remember to keep it fabulous. Keep it simple. And finally, enjoy the ride...it is a party afterall!!!

Hidden Treasures - by Moire

2008-05-13T00:52:00.000-07:00

The last in this series of pictures from Singapore. I LOVED this sculpture of boys jumping into the river. On a steamy hot Singapore Summer day, this is exactly what you want to do.

Hidden Treasures - by Moire

2008-05-13T00:43:00.000-07:00

If there's a sign that's LESS likely to make me want soup, I don't know what it is! - Food Hall, Indoor Market, Singapore

More Hidden Treasures - by Moire

2008-05-13T00:23:00.000-07:00

Upstairs level of shop house, Singapore. How different is this from living above a shop in the UK?!

As you say......Hidden Treasures - by Moire

2008-05-13T00:12:00.000-07:00

I love to travel, and experience the world through the designs and patterns of different cultures. So I have trawled through the pictures I have taken on my travels to share with you the colours and flavours of the world. I begin this series with Japanese sweets in an indoor market in Singapore. I LOVED all the colours and shapes and the way they were laid out. It's so me...... everything in its place.

Moire

silk : OFF THE BEATEN PATH - San Miguel de Allende y Celaya

2008-05-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

hola! hola!

como estan todos?

silk here... reporting from the second floor of a house whose location i cannot reveal just 30 minutes in Celaya outside of the beautiful city of San Miguel de Allende here in Mexico!

i guess i should let you all know on a side note - that i suffer alot from wanderlust and so due to the extensive travel list i have written down... expect to hear from me from the oddest places you could ever imagine... or maybe just from off the beaten path. think of me as your kinda nutty yet extensively knowledgeable guide to the world as i discover it.... so grab your knapsacks, notebooks, cameras and maps and come with me!

so in my adventures or could it be misadventures... i promise to keep chicanery to a minimum but i cannot promise that it won't occur - hey.. we have to have some fun right???

i'll keep an eye out for places to visit, shops to check out, the best photo ops (we all want to know where we can take the best photo to take home, print and frame or post online for the world to see), hole in the walls with the most comfortable beds and mouthwatering foods, local fares you just have to try not matter how strange or peculiar it sounds ( i promise to try it.... first), and my favorite the top 5 design experiences. i am now currently sorting through all my notes and photos and putting together my entry for San Miguel de Allende so watch out for it the next couple of days.

i like the idea that we can all share anything and everything about places we've seen, places we have planned on seeing and places we MUST see... trust me.. if i could make a living travelling - there would be no arm pulling involved for me.... do you have any great DESIGN experiences from places you have been too? let us know and we'll make a posting for it... we look forward to hearing about it - remember it could be the best meal you ever had or the most comfortable chair you ever sat in while you were waiting for someone in the lobby of a hotel... perhaps the most friendly concierge you ever came across or the best smelling bathroom.... i want to hear all about it!

so my wanderlusters .... are you excited??? I AM!!! ... my frequent flyer miles are looking snappy... and my passport looks like its ready for some more color.... stamp away my very nice immigration officers ... so wanderlusters....where are we going next?

silknotes: as i am on the road - my photos and some updates will follow... but keep dropping by to keep up with my musings off the beaten path....

photo credit: photo is not mine.... borrowed it off the web until i can replace it with one of my own shots.

Throw a fabulous soirée....what are you waiting for?? ??!!! by Chintz

2008-04-26T18:36:00.000-07:00

Well hello! Girl, you look fabulous...really!!

Ok, niceties aside, let me ask you a question. When was the last time you had a fabulous party? Let me clarify... by fabulous I mean effortless, beautiful, festive, affordable and a joy for you and all your guests. Well, today is Saturday and my friend (the beautiful, the talented) Monique is having a birthday tomorrow. I will be throwing a fabulous party for her at her house. It will be a Fiesta themed party with the appropriate cocktails...margaritas and sangria!! I will be preparing a spicy lime tequila chicken that I will grill to perfection and pair it with homemade tamales (not my home, but more on that later), charro beans and fresh guacamole. Honestly, I have not fretted over this party for one second. Does that surprise you? Well, my dears, entertaining is my passion and over the years I have assembled all the basic elements that I need for any get together. Over the next several postings, I will walk you through the preparation, recipes, festivities, etc. to show you how easy it is to throw a fabulous party. I will also be posting pictures of all the phases of the event, so you can truly see how successful and effortless a great gathering of friends can be. I will warn you though of one thing.....I will probably have a cocktail in my hands at all times. Well, it is a party after all!!!

Until next time....Keep it Sassy! Keep it Fabulous!! Spread the word!!! The Design Divas can't conquer the design world if we keep this a secret!! I don't mind, really. Blab, Girl, Blab!

Chintz

STUFF-onomics....BOOK: 'Designers on Design' (silk)

2008-04-21T22:16:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Silk here reporting from the comfort of my bedroom - typing away in the middle of the night.

What can i say - design INSPIRATION strikes at the oddest moments and times in my life.

Tonight, i had a brainstorm of the things i wanted to share with you.
since my interests cover a large range of topics - i will break them down for you into various columns.
be on the look out for all of them as i shall start to post with more frequency in the next couple of weeks.

Today - i am writing a review for a book that you all must EITHER own in your growing design libraries or borrow from someone else to read and absorb...
while i was engaged earlier with updating my iTunes library with a new CD from Paolo Nutini (love it... must have for anyone else's library... but i digress) i flipped through this book that i have been reading for quite sometime.

"DESIGNERS ON DESIGN" by Terence Conran and Max Fraser

This is a fascinating book to peruse. it is a compilation of interviews with many of the today's most influential designers (architecture/interiors/product/industrial/graphic./etc.).
the authors decided to create this book in order for you (the consumer) to read and understand the motivations, inspirations, and characters of the designers responsible today for contributing to the changes we all see in our three-dimensional environments.

Some of the designers include - hella jongerious :netherlands, eoos:austria, james dyson:great britain, stephen burks:usa, marre moerel:spain, frank nuovo:usa, marc newson: great britain/france, james irvine:italy, and naoto fukasawa: japan
to name a few.

Their interviews are candid and honest - and some even humorous.
they answer questions about their products, their inspirations, their feelings on trends, teamwork, alternate career choices and aspirations for design. there are also photos of their works.

It was interesting for me to learn about what inspires them.
it is not always peaches and cream being a creative individual and i think moire and chintz will agree with me that INSPIRATION can escape you until the last possible second before you are suddenly hit with it.
By reading and learning about how and where influential designers (of any age) find that drive and push to overcome those creative roadblocks was an eye opener.

Let me tell you now that WE (silk chintz and moire) aspire to also make a difference - we want to inform you about design: its possibilities and its fascinations in any form that it comes in.

So be inspired!
Happy reading... and thank you for coming along for the ride with us.

until next time...
cheers!

Silk signing off now...

The Simple Home - by Moire

2008-04-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

As both Silk and Chintz will attest, I like to keep things simple. I tend to start my design process with a simple idea, then I simplify it some more, then I strip it back to it's bare bones to see just how simple I can make it.

My favourite way of simplifying a home is to have 'stations' for activities throughout the space. When you think about your home in terms of 'stations', I bet you can come up with many that you had never even thought of before. For example, the TV, sofa and coffee table together form a station for relaxing with your favourite beverage and watching TV; the bed and side tables form a station for relaxing and sleeping; and of course the most obvious is the triangle of fridge, stove and sink, your food preparation station.

My first step is to start with a stripped bare floor plan of the house. If an existing one is not available, some basic measurements around the perimeter of each room can give you the basic shape of the floor plan, accurate enough for this exercise. Sketch this out on a piece of grid paper. Draw an arrow into each room and at the blunt end of this arrow list all the activities you use this room for. For example, your list for the living room could read: watching TV, chatting to friends, answering e-mails on laptop, embroidery and sewing and writing letters and cards. Your kitchen list could read: preparing and cooking food, everyday family meals, kids crafts, family calendar, pet feeding, paying bills & filing.

Of course everybody's list will be different, even people who live in the same house will do different things in different rooms. Therefore it is very useful to make a number of copies of the basic floor plan and get everyone in the house to do the exercise for themselves. Gather all the information onto one master plan and look for areas which everyone uses for the same purpose and areas that different people use for different purposes. This will be the basis of your 'stations'.

Over the next few weeks I will be introducing hints and tips for creating stations in your home for many of the purposes you will come across. In the meantime, try out the above exercise, and see if you can identify your own stations.

Moire

Silk introducing Moire

2008-03-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

I am a lover of literature and in the stories that I have read (and there have been many) I have come across characters who without a doubt could change the world. In real life - we cross paths with many individuals but only a handful of those that you come across WILL change the world. Chintz and Moire are two of those people. I have been fortunate enough to have both of them in my life and could tell you all about each of them but right now I want to direct your attentions to the incomparable... Moire. Today it is my pleasure to share her with you (consider yourselves extremely lucky!).

Moire is one of the most focused people that I have met. She has the innate talent of creating order out of complete chaos. She is our resident "green" diva, a role model for eco-consciousness. She has the ability to REALLY SEE into any situation, approach it with a discerning eye and create solutions that make life much easier. Her skills and talents also extend to varied areas which include making quilts that tell stories, preparing mouth-watering dishes, and even writing page-turning novels.

Not only does Moire have a mind and an eye for beautiful design, she also brings to our table her practical sensibilities and a keen business savvy. If you ever meet her ask her to teach you how to juggle, a talent she extends into all parts of her life. The inner balance Moire carries with her is truly why she is such an inspiration to this little diva and hopefully she will become an inspiration to you.

Silk

Moire introducing Chintz

2008-03-01T14:34:00.000-08:00

Chintz is one of the most talented and versatile designers I know! His attention to detail knows no bounds and even the most miniscule element of a design in considered with the same importance as the bigger picture. A star all through the Art Institute, everyone knew that once he graduated he would shine even brighter.

He loves a luxurious feel to his environment, and knows how to create it without breaking the bank. Chintz's own home is spectacular; a mix of divergent elements that he brings together to express his soul perfectly. He epitomises the Kahlil Gibran quote: "Your home is your greater self".

Hospitality is a word I most often associate with Chintz, (as well as titillation, but that's a story for a different day!) His parties are always dazzling, again with every detail considered for his guests' comfort and enjoyment. He's the kind of person who redecorates for an event, pulling elements into the space to create the perfect theme.

So, it is no surprise to us girls that he has ended up designing exclusive hotels for a living.

Moire

Chintz introducing Silk

2008-03-01T14:08:00.000-08:00

Chintz here!

Our first mission of this blog is to each introduce one of the other design divas. So I hope you are sitting down.....Let the experience begin.....

Though I am never at a loss for words, it proves quite difficult to describe someone as rare as Silk. Try to imagine a combination of an amazingly powerful personality tempered with boundless energy. Take that combination and add a large splash of ingenuity and curiosity, then mix in a ton of talent. Can you grasp all that? Well, now add a large portion of exotic beauty and zest of laughter. Now you have Silk.

Silk approaches every situation with a positive attitude and confidence in knowing that there isn't a situation that she can't pick apart and put back together in the most fabulous of manners. She works and plays at a break-neck speed while always making time to connect with friends and family. She values those in her life and selflessly gives all she can to help anyone in need.

Silk has a vast knowledge of a variety of subjects from medicine and chicken adobo to fine art and karaoke. Her design style is quite varied as well. She is as comfortable in minimalist modern as she is in any period of Louis. Yes, she is a complex one, our Silk. She is a natural born leader (as are all the divas here) and can make the impossible seem effortless.

Chintz

Introduction

2008-02-20T06:20:00.000-08:00

There once were three Design Divas who went to The Art Institute. They worked hard, graduated top of their class...But now they're out in the REAL world!

Silk - Exotic, natural and exquisite.

Chintz - Vibrant, strong and expressive.

Moire - Subtle and classic, upon closer inspection shows dynamic pattern and versatility.

Together they are Silk, Chintz and Moire, and they want to conquer the design world!

Silk, Chintz & Moire - Design Divas

{knick*knacks}_1 pantone rubix cube

{things i covet}

{designer SECRETS}

{coLorstroLogy} - explore your color

Moire's Wordle Picture

Oh Yes!! 2009 Baby!!

Found a Great Blog

myLife09

the things i have learned in my life so far...

CHAIRacter: Serena van der Woodsen & the Barcelona Chair

silk & polyester-blend present....*CHAIRacters*

introducing.... *polyester blend*

silk back from the abyss.....

Better late than never! The party continued...by Chintz

Hidden Treasures - by Moire

Hidden Treasures - by Moire

More Hidden Treasures - by Moire

As you say......Hidden Treasures - by Moire

silk : OFF THE BEATEN PATH - San Miguel de Allende y Celaya

Throw a fabulous soirée....what are you waiting for?? ??!!! by Chintz

STUFF-onomics....BOOK: 'Designers on Design' (silk)

The Simple Home - by Moire

Silk introducing Moire

Moire introducing Chintz

Chintz introducing Silk

Introduction

silk & polyester-blend present....CHAIRacters

introducing.... polyester blend