Marie Durrett

October 28, 2011

Golden Age

Last weekend, I picked up a sale skirt at Anthropologie and as I was checking out, I noticed a sign at the cash wrap advertising “At First Sight…” I asked the sales person what it was and she said, “Oh, that’s our Holiday Display Workshop!” Say what!?! Sign me up! So last night, I went to my local Anthropologie and helped craft some of their displays for the holidays! I know it was free labor on my part, but who cares? I had so much fun!

Much to my shame, I arrived late and missed most of the introduction about the history of their displays and how that department of Anthropologie works. I want to know more, “do they need my help!?” and, “can I be your friend?!” We jumped right into crafting!

There were two tables set up and one table added cute decorations onto already cute Anthro mugs. The table I was at made ingenious “spoon orbs” (as I like to call them) to hang from the ceiling. We had a styrofoam balls, wrapped in masking tape, and spray painted either gold, bronze, or silver (they did this prep work for us). Then we were given spray painted plastic spoons:

They said they were going for a gradient effect, with the lightest part at the spoon, and they clipped the ends of the handle to make a sharp point (be careful!) in order to make it easier to stab it into the sphere. It took a good hour for me to finish mine, but they came out to be so cool!

Leave it to those girls to come up with such a great idea. They are given tight budgets to work with, so they try to use the cheapest materials they can find.

The set up we were in was beautiful, they gave us treats, they answered our nosey questions about the store and discounts, and their workshop that’s in the back of the store! They sent us home with ornaments they made too as a thank you!

They put the spoons we were using in the bucket–I mean, really, nothing is left undecorated or done less thoughtfully.

Check Anthropologie’s Facebook page events to see when it’s at your local store. I signed up to be notified for other display events–I highly recommend it! I’m going to go back in a couple of weeks to see where they hung it up and then stop everyone who walks by to let them know, “See that thing with the spoons? I did that. Yeah, it was pretty hard, I gold some gold on my hands…”

October 22, 2011

Can’t Buy Me Love

I don’t normally like garage sales. I’m not a big fan of thrift stores. I don’t enjoy digging through piles or racks. I don’t want to spend all day driving from store to store looking for the best deal. I prefer pouring over catalogs, magazines, and websites and dog-earring or bookmarking my favorite things, that I begin to obsess over until I finally go see it in person and purchase it. It takes longer this way, but I rarely return things or regret purchases.

Today was an exception, my church had their annual garage sale to benefit missions, so I thought I should check it out. Maybe there would be a side chair that needs reupholstering? I knew my sister needed some little things for her apartment, so I had something in mind and I found this lamp:

Only three dollars! It really only needs a new shade to update it. I texted a picture to Adrienne and she wanted it (I was ready to keep it for myself if she didn’t). She loves purples and reds, so this mustard yellow should complement those colors well.

After my one-for-one success, I headed to Again & Again in Dalls for the Riverfront’s Fall Antiques District Streetwide Sale. I’ve never been to the store and they post great things on Facebook, I had to go!

This bench/ottoman/coffee table reminds me of the antique rug ottomans I’ve been seeing so much of (and wanting) lately. This one was super long; I wasn’t ready to drive back to Fort Worth with that in my tiny car. You can see so much great stuff in the background–I will be back!

I loved this mirror! It has a crack in the lower left hand corner, but you could put a plant in front of that, right?

This was my favorite of all the awesome lamps.

I had gone through half the store before I realized there were fixtures for sale on the ceiling too! This store has too many good things to mentally process and the staff was very helpful too.

I walked around to some of the other stores in the area and there were so many great deals to be had!

Oh hey, is anyone looking for an “XL Blowfish on Art Deco Chrome Stand?” I know where you can get one.

I audibly gasped when I saw this sign–it’s like when you’re little and you see the personlized license plate keychains or magnets with your random non-Lindsay name on it:

Bizarre! I tried to take more pictures of it, but a lady (who I hope worked there) came up behind me and said, “I don’t think they want you taking pictures of that!” I did my patented high-pitch-nervous-laugh-mumble and left the store. Really? That’s what I should have said, “Really!??” I don’t do much shopping for clients, but surely, I could take pictures of things to show them. Hmm…

I cheered myself up back in Fort Worth with a skirt from Anthropologie and some new software for my laptop. Retail therapy always cheers me up! Happy shopping!

September 28, 2011

Windowsill

The other day my sister sent me a link to some curtains she’s thinking of getting for her new apartment:

First of all, I love them! I’ve realized (as I want some new curtains too) that I opt for solids too often, thinking that I should keep it simple. I need some more pattern in my life! These are for her bedroom, where the only other pattern is a plaid bedspread. This scroll pattern will definitely liven up the room and give it some color.

The problem is she’s not in the apartment yet (and doesn’t have a key), but she wants to get the curtains now. She texted me this stalker picture saying, “Here’s the bedroom window!”

She has a tiny yard for her tiny doggies! Jealous.

By looking at this picture, I can use my interior designer context clues to make a guess on the size she needs. Door headers are typically at 7′-0″ high and it looks like the top of the window aligns with the top of the door. The shortest curtain length is 84″, i.e. 7′-0″. Unless she wants to hang the curtains right at the top of the window (not recommended), she needs to go longer. I texted back a professional sketch:

I’m assuming she will have, at least, 9′-0″ ceilings. The next length offered is 95″ (1″ short of 8′-0″, why? Why not just 96″ JC Penney?) so she could hang the rod a few inches above the window, which is a better proportion for the height of the room and the window. I like to have my drapes just touch the floor, some people want them to puddle, some people don’t like to vacuum around them–personal preference!

It’s still a month before she moves and until I can check my guess-work. Maybe I’ll have to get myself some drapes to test the theory on myself…

September 26, 2011September 26, 2011

Holiday

I spent Labor Day weekend in Washington DC! I went with Philip and his family, who were scheduled to perform in a choral concert at the National Cathedral, but it was canceled due to damage to the cathedral from the earthquake. We had our plane tickets and we weren’t going to put them to waste!

I had not been to DC before, so I gawked and pointed shamelessly at all the neat stuff. We were there for six days and exhausted ourselves filling everyday with sights and tours and walking! So much walking!

Me, in front of the Capitol.

Being an interior designer, I spent much of my time inspecting and taking pictures of floors and ceilings. DC did not disappoint!

Wood parquet flooring at the National Gallery of Art.

Wall/ceiling/soffit at the National Museum of the American Indians.

I’m standing in the basement, also known as The Crypt, of the Capitol, on the center that divides Washington into four quadrants.

I have no idea what kind of stone this is, but I was beautiful in person.

The Capitol rotunda ceiling featuring, “The Apotheosis of Washington.” My ignorance of art history really showed on this trip. This depicts Washington ascending and becoming a god.

Mosaic floors at the Library of Congress. There was a very prominent European influence on many of these buildings. Our tour guides said it was because we wanted to show Europe that we were just as good as they were.

Amazing ceiling at the Library of Congress–again, all mosaic!

I hope I get to go to DC again soon–there is so much to see!!! Besides interior finishes…

August 18, 2011August 18, 2011

Walking With a Ghost

It’s been so hot lately, but I can’t stay inside all day anymore. I love taking a walk in the evenings after a hard day of sitting at a computer. Tonight, I got a big bottle of ice water and stepped out in my old haunts around TCU, Park Place, and University Place.

I’m fascinated by this Art Deco-y, Park Hill Drive bridge from 1910 (which is pre-Deco). It’s well worn, but there are neat details–blue accent tiles and blue painted railing with a triangle pattern at the top.

I love the little shops at University and Park Hill. I remember they used to advertise in the Skiff and give students discounts. I miss Byrd and Bleecker being there (easy access to fabulous greeting cards), now that they’ve moved to Camp Bowie. Shoe Gypsy is delightful! The girl who runs the place is a joy. I keep meaning to go in to get some TOMS, so I can be cool like the current TCU students.

There are some beautiful houses in this neighborhood (which is why I like to walk here), I try my best to guess the style or era of all the different custom homes.

This is so close to the Fort Worth Zoo! You can see the back of it over this bridge

A friend of mine used to live in Mistletoe Heights and said she could hear lions roar in the morning sometimes. Yikes!

Here’s hoping for better walking weather soon!

August 17, 2011

Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

A couple of weeks ago, Philip and I celebrated a project milestone of mine at Blue Mesa, and yes, I do mean some celebrating-with-blue-margaritas. After, we wandered over to Barnes and Noble, which is customary on any post-meal trip to University Park Village and I audibly gasped (shrieked is more like it) when I saw this:

We’re getting a J.Crew! Not exciting news for everybody, but for me who’s been a devoted J.Crew prep for years, it was one of the things I still missed from living in Dallas. Last November, we were graced with an Anthropologie in the same shopping center and it just keeps getting better! (Now I just need a Crate & Barrel, maybe West Elm…)

A few years back, there was a large development on the east side of University coming called “West Bend.” The retail anchors promised in the promotions were Anthropolgie and J.Crew. Exciting!

08_0509-West-Bend-Overall — via Trademark Property Company

It was a very large parking garage with retail at street level. In my opinion it was not a great approach–further back from the street behind some restaurants, not pedestrian friendly (I know University Park Villiage isn’t ideal, but it nice place to walk around once you’re parked), and the structure itself was disproportionate to the surroundings. Well, unfortunately, the funding for this project fell through and now we have a huge unfinished steel structure with no apparent plans. University Park Village is going strong and staying fairly full. I know it will probably be just like every other J.Crew in the country, but they’re not the madras plaid, lobster-embroidered pant place they once were.

Yesterday, I read the ENTIRE J.Crew blog: JCrew | 770 Behind The Line. There’s great styling tips from their employees, behind the scenes info, and beautiful photography. I ended up wearing as many J.Crew favorites of mine as I could find today!

August 8, 2011

Re: Stacks

My desk is currently in a state of piles and stacks–stacks of fun things though! I thought I would share:

So many carpet tiles! Lately, the joke at my desk whenever I get a package is, “Is it more carpet tiles?” I’m frantically reselecting stuff and in essence, hoarding carpet tiles until the client makes their final decision. The two tiles that actually made it ON TOP of the desk are the front runners.

I got a package of vinyl fabric samples in today from Maharam–who knew they could be so beautiful!? I’m in love with the pixelated plaid print.

This is the glass tile from Daltile that everyone seems to love. We’re using stripes of these colors with a neutral field at wet walls for all the toilets. Sometimes I think the colors are a bit too boy-ish, especially when their done in stripes, but then I look around my apartment and that’s the palette so… Hmm…

More fabric! But a little more artfully displayed. Would it freak you out to have all these fabrics in the same room? What if it was a 5,000+ square foot lobby? Yeah, that’ll probably look all right.

3 Form panels and some decorative glass by Suzanne Tick–they will mostly used as room dividers.

And finally, the not so pretty stack of to-do lists and post-it notes! I’m dying to clear off some surfaces–wish me luck!

July 14, 2011July 20, 2011

Update: Show Yourself

This was my day today:

Cutting out my Photoshop renderings and putting together boards for a presentation on Monday. I consider this some of the “fun” stuff. I always enjoyed coloring, so this is really just coloring electronically!

I learned how to do Photoshop in college; our professors brought in a graphic designer to teach us and we were skeptical (“I thought we were learning AutoCAD?”). At first we just learned how to fix the red-eyes in photos, but we eventually learned how to render up elevations and floor plans. Clients really seem to understand the ideas better when we can show them something as plain as this–“Here’s a cartoon of what the space will look like.” It’s easy to take the .jpg from the manufacturer’s website, who will have the best images anyway, of their fabric, flooring, woods, etc. Even Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore will give you the RGB numbers to get the colors right. I think my rendering style is a little heavy with the shadows and can look a little cartoon-y at times. At least I have a “style,” right?

Some tile options for the restrooms using Concept Surface’s Vivid Series. I’ve been obsessed with this line for a while now, so I hope I get to use it. There are so many good colors.

The actual tile sample (Concept Surface’s Visionary Series) next to the public restroom rendering. I think it’s just the right amount of excitement or “umph” in there–but really, I think it would look great if the whole wall was striped!

We’re showing four different schemes which means many renderings, which leads to many boards! I don’t care which one they pick because I’ve grown fond of them all–it makes it easier to sell them too! Wish me luck!

UPDATE: The green scheme/my favorite scheme was selected! Although it became a hybrid of the “green scheme” and the “red scheme” minus the red. I’m very happy with the results, now we’ve just got to get it documented and constructed!

July 7, 2011July 9, 2011

Update: Falling For You

You know, I’m still trying to get the hang of blogging. I’m still trying to get the hang of design. I’m still trying to get the hang of Fort Worth! This new blog, beyond} Simple puts me to shame! Sherry Griggs of Simple Things, the most amazing furniture store in Fort Worth, has started a blog and is doing amazing events–the first one being “Furniture, Foliage and Food Trucks.”

From Facebook: “She’ll be showing loads of fabulous furniture and accessories, and you can tour some beautiful green grounds with koi ponds – while also enjoying yummy things from some of the best food trucks around. Come try the noshes from Central Market’s HEAT; Yes! Taco; Wiener Man; Il Cane Rosso; Yum Yum; and Salsa Limon.”

Tonight was the first night, but I’m a little too worn out from the work day. Plus, I think Philip is eager to join me and try more of the food trucks that are popping up around Fort Worth! AND tomorrow is pay day!! I shall look for “fittings” for my home.

Go to Facebook for more info on the event, hosted by Texas Toast Culinary To urs. And it’s also mentioned in the lasted issue of 360 West!

Update: Philip and I fun at the event last night–we ate some delicious pizza from Il Cane Rosso (they’re the guys outside Times Ten Cellars on Thursdays) and sampled chardonnay from Lange Twins and Philip tried a few of the beers. We loved the teepee set up!

The party was well attended in the heat and the furniture and accessories were beautiful! Sherry was super nice too. I either need a larger apartment or a come-to-Jesus meeting some of my current pieces. Can’t wait for the next beyond} Simple event!

June 22, 2011June 22, 2011

My Doorbell

I spent a good half hour looking at The Rug Company’s collection online after seeing Studio Ten 25’s latest blog post. I decided I NEED this rug, but it probably costs as much as the balance on my student loan.

“But wait Marie, you DID just buy a rug!” Oh yes! On an impromptu trip to Target, I impulse-purchased a welcome mat from Dwell Studio for Target! (Guess I’m not much for planning.)

For $20 I finally fit in with the rest of my hallway at my apartment building and have a place to wipe my feet. I instantly felt more hospitable to my neighbors and guest. It’s the little things, isn’t it?