Forecasting the Future

Imagine someone projecting your feelings, passions, and desires five years from now. How could they possible know what you could want? What you will love? What will move you to take action?
Do they really know or will they guide you to what you want? And how about not just you, but your friends, your colleagues, a nation, the world?
Welcome to the world of color forecasting. Armed with the past and firmly focused on what they hope we will want, the world's best forecasters (Pantone and the likes) attempt to take the world's pulse years before it knows the answers. Where will the world economy be? What crises or joys will spring up in the next half decade? Their  job is to foresee this through the lens of  color and then guide us to the desired outcome. 
This year is the year of nurture with a side of playful curiosity. The palettes give a nod to the simplicity of centuries gone by. With that is a sense of security and an anchor in what is tried and true. Historic colors that have stood the test of time and therefore have earned our respect and gratitude. But if there is not balance, there is only heaviness. The world must have tradition to fall back on, but also the hope of something whimsical and carefree. To counterbalance this, forecasters have given us a spirited collection of colors that speak to the more adventurous soul in each of us. 

A bit of a dare, if you will.

Pantone's Color of the Year is Radiant Orchid
It's intent is to inspire creativity and curiosity. It is a complex mixture of purple, pink, and fuchsia intended to relate to the complexity in ourselves and the world. It is also a harmonious color in that it plays as well with greens and darker blues as it does with gray's and taupes. 

 Here is an example of how we used a variation on this color in one of our little cottages in Maine.
 We surprised this little guest room with a healthy dose of these vibrant tones, but then downplayed it in the public spaces with calming creams and hits of green.









Farrow and Ball took their inspiration from nature and created a palette that is steeped in history and comfort. Purbeck Stone #275 acts as a strong neutral and allows a room to feel anchored and cohesive.

Similarly, our intent was to invoke a sense of back to nature as we designed this three seasons porch using Ben Moore's Texas Leather. While darker in tone, it still works as a great grounding tone and because of both it's grey and brown undertone, it works well with a variety of metals and woods.

Continuing on the pathway to nature, Ben Moore's 2014 color of the year is 806 Breath of Fresh Air.
A whisper of a blue, this shade is eager to mimic and extend our color vision from afar.  This color proves to be a wonderful choice for those that are just beginning their journey into the world of color. It is highly versatile on walls, fabrics and furnishings. 

Rounding out the forecast, is another welcome bow to curiosity and magic with the Sherwin Williams collection.
Rich, voluminous colors meant to harness the mysterious and perhaps even macabre, this palette pushes the limits of safety and invites the adventurous on a sultry and organic journey of color....

This year's collection of delicious colors provide a little something for everyone from adventure to the comfort of back to nature.

Feel free to let the emotion of color wash over you, envelop you, transform you. Let it be an expression of who you are right now. 
And if that seems like a daunting task, fear not as we at Mandeville Canyon Designs are here to walk the path with you. We guarantee once you have started down the weathered road, you will be glad you took up the journey...

In good health,

Renee

Snow Day, with a Twist

Alright in "celebration" of yet another snowy day, here is today's design inspiration, with a twist. I try to let my inspiration magic carpet take me where it may, and obviously I subliminally wanted an ocean feel as well. Perhaps its the movement in the snow drifts....

Snow drifts water effect

Mermaids by +Graham and Brown

Blue Suede Shoes~Paint by +LaurenceLlewelyn-Bowen

Ben Moore Harbor Haze and Spellbound

Monterey by Surya

Bocce Bud Vase by +Tracy Glover

Pendle Witch paint by Graham and Brown

Holiday Happenings!

Mandeville Canyon Designs and Whirlygigs gearing up for another fabulous tree!

 

 

 

 

 

I can't believe the fall has flown by and we are already thinking about the Festival of Trees! 

Many thanks to those of you who had the chance to tour Tablescapes this past weekend in Portsmouth.
Tablescapes is wonderful event featuring some of the top designers from the Northeast each designing their own interpretation of the ultimate table setting. All proceeds from the weekend event and gala preview party go to aid Arts In Reach  offering afters school and enrichment programs for girls 13-18 in the fields of visual and performing arts.
My table was entitled: Table of Contents and featured a whimsical interpretation of a dining table with a dream team dinner guest list~ Edgar Allen Poe, J.K. Rowling, Lewis Carroll, and our own Dan Brown. The table was made entirely of books that had been upcycled and stacked together (which in itself was a feat in physics!). I gathered items to represent the authors from all over the United States, including commissioning an original oil and acrylic on books entitled, "Into the Sea~ Edgar Allen Poe" by the talented L.A. artist Mike Stilkey. The subtitle of the piece was, "Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover" and it required viewers to look beyond the initial chaos of the piece to find calm. I so enjoyed watching guests linger and return to for subsequent viewings to bring about a deeper understanding.
The piece was a success as it took home the People's Choice award and is hopefully headed for a little tour of it's own starting with the Children's Museum in Dover. We hope it will make a stop in a few local libraries and then is slated for an art gallery in Portsmouth in the fall.

So, now that Mr. Poe and his not so contemporaries have been tucked in for the night it's time to move on to the Festival of Trees.
For eight years now, I have had the pleasure of teaming up with Whirlygigs to design some of the most out of the box trees the festival has to offer. We have created pirate trees (complete with a floating Tinker Bell who dropped down to sprinkle fairy dust upon the tree), circus trees with a spinning dumbo, to Beany Babies,  Fuzzles, and three very "ugly" trees as a home for Ugly Dolls.
Last year we even featured a retro 60's tree with a giant bubbler in the center!
This year promises to be just as wonderful as we go traditional, with a twist, of course.

This wonderful event to benefit the Children's Chamber Fund will take place on November 29th from 11- 8pm.

I am very excited to also announce my new location at 99 Water Street in downtown Exeter. My new studio is on the second floor and has a wonderful view of the bandstand. I will be hosting an open house on the evening of the Festival of Trees from 4:30-7.  Please pop in to say hello and get a first hand tour of the space. I will be featuring some great holiday items such as the felt animal menagerie (which just expanded to include our buck) and the Recycled Rascals made of post consumer newspaper overruns. Proceeds from the sales that evening will go to the Children's Chamber Fund.

I do hope to catch up with each and every one of you this holiday season!

Warm wishes,

Renee

Charkras and Chromatherapy

Since the beginning of time, color has had a powerful and personal impact on our psychology. Ever present, even in our sleep, it is a driving force for our emotions. Red is the color of passion, green of serenity, purple of nobility. Coca-Cola hopes that by merely seeing their branded version of red, it will evoke a thirst that can only be quenched by them.
As a designer, our color choices have an immediate and impactful meaning for our clients homes. Creating a mood would be impossible without the use of color, even if the desired effect is the absence of color.
Chromatherapy is a healing method which uses color and light to help balance that which may be lacking in our bodies, whether it be physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Using the Charkra system developed by Indian Ayurvedic healers we can see how the different colors in the spectrum correspond to our emotional selves.

Violet- Top of the Head: The most meditative of the colors. Used to sooth organs, relax muscles and calm the nervous system. Best used in meditation rooms and nurseries.
Indigo- Forehead: Promotes perception and intuition. It is applied in health treatments for the eyes, ears, nose and is often used to treat addiction. This color, when used sparingly, can bring focus to a study area or office.
Blue- Throat: Promotes peace and infinity. It is believed to relieve headaches and migraines, stomach pains and cramps. A blue scarf around the neck may support those in public speaking and the vocal arts.
Green- Heart: Creates a harmonizing effect. Promotes relaxation and detoxification. Again for a space of healing or family gathering space where peace and grounding may be needed.
Yellow- Stomach: Promotes feeling of freedom. Strengthens the metabolism and the nervous system. Yellow is great in an entry way or a room where energy is needed. Be warned though that yellow is not the optimal color for a study, especially for the those dealing with ADD/ADHD as it has been known to stimulate the brain.
Orange- Pelvis: Orange evokes compassion. It symbolizes the sun and makes us alert and cheerful. Orange is used to treat depression, discontent and pessimism. Orange is a nice choice for common areas, family rooms and kitchens.
Red- Lower Body: Associated with loyalty, courage and perseverance. Red, the color of life and desire. Said to increase blood pressure and circulation. For decades red has been used in a dining area to stimulate conversation, appetite, and digestion. Some designers will argue whether it is an appropriate color for the bedroom. On record to say that my entire bedroom is BM Affinity Moroccan Spice and I adore it and I don't know anyone who has been unhappy with red in the bedroom.
Later I will speak of adding this therapy, along with aromatherapy, to the spaces of your home, such as the bath and bedroom. I would encourage you to experiment with the colors based on your Chakra needs and be bold.

Art On Union Street

                            Welcome to Spring and Art On Union Street

  
Mark your calendar! The 7th annual
Spring Art on Union Street will take place on Mothers Day Weekend~
Friday, May 11th from 1-7 and Saturday, May 12th from 10-4.
New buds of spring bring plenty of fresh color and inspiration.

Rose will displaying her stunning original art along with her charming tiny paintings measuring up at a pocketsize 3x3. If you haven't had a chance to start collecting these tiny gems, no better time than this spring.

8 Union Street

        I am honored once again to be a part of Art on Union Street and am thrilled to offer an afternoon of speed designing. For those of you that had the chance to meet with me this winter, you know how much we can pack into a 20 minute session. Come with your arsenal of problems, photos, and ideas and we will work magic. The time slots fill up quickly so drop me an email to schedule:

info@mandevillecanyondesigns.com

Lily Designs will be displaying her stunning one of a kind jewelry next door on 109 Front Street.
I invite you to peruse Lisa's web site and fall in love with both her designs and design philosophy. Lisa seamlessly weaves art, nature and sustainability into each of her designs while also giving back. To so perfectly quote from her site ~ One must know not just how to accept a gift, but with what grace to share it. ~ Maya Angelou

Back over at 8 Union Street, Deb McLarnon Photography will once again be displaying her breathtaking nature inspired photography (although her architecture is equally impressive!).

Maize Argondizza, Portland Maine guest artist will also be displaying her art at 
8 Union Street

Container arrangements by Jendiss Frizell on Friday and Saturday with an herb sale by Seacoast Family Promise on Saturday morning.  8 Union Street

Fringe scarves by Lois Matheson also at  8 Union Street

Festive Tree was a huge hit last season and returns to 
8 Union Street this spring. These unique hand made wooden trees are very portable and storable, although the are also so beautiful you may choose just to leave them out all year!

Please plan on joining us this spring for great friends, great art, and great laughter.

We look forward to seeing you!

Best,

Renee

  

Prism Awards

 I am so proud to announce that my project partner, Stephanie Morrison, and I were the recipients of the 2011 Gold Prism Award for Clubhouse Design from the BAGB (Builder's Association of Greater Boston). These awards take place every other year and feature some of the most talented designers in the industry.

 The PRISM (Prestigious Results in Sales and Marketing) Awards pay tribute to housing industry professionals for excellence in building, design, sales and marketing, and a myriad of other categories. Winning a coveted PRISM Award is a sign of excellence in your field and recognition of superior achievement.

Our second bit of exciting news is the opening of our new Marketplace.

This marketplace will feature many of the items that we have featured in our most popular residential and commercial designs. We are committed to bringing you some of the best designers like sustainable furnishings by Martha's Vineyard Furniture and handblown glass designs from Tracy Glover Studios.  We will also be featuring some wonderful nature inspired accessories from all over the world. We encourage you to pop over to the website and take a look and come back often as we will continue to add items as we finish new spaces.

Like us on facebook and you are automatically entered to win a $50 gift certificate to use on the site. Have friends and family like us too and for each person you bring we will add your name in again!

A few more announcements include the upcoming Festival of Trees on Thursday December 1 from 10 until 8 in downtown Exeter, NH.

Each year we are so proud to be involved in the Chamber Children’s Fund Festival of Trees. Fifty live trees are decorated each Christmas holiday by local businesses and families and then auctioned off in a wonderful evening of good cheer and charity. Over the years, we have made Tinker Bell fly atop a magical pirate tree, the circus has come to town complete with Dumbo spinning gracefully above, and last year we dressed up a fabulous spinning turquoise tree with Fuzzles and a giant monkey.  This year’s tree promises to have people standing on their heads!

The Chamber Children’s Fund, established in 1989, raises money that is turned into vouchers from local area merchants.  These vouchers are distributed through local social service agencies to their clients.  Parents can take these vouchers to participating merchants and use them as they would a gift certificate to buy clothing, outwear, or bedding for children up to 18 years of age.  The fund supports children up to 18 years of age and serves families in Brentwood, East Kingston, Epping, Exeter, Kensington, Kingston, Newfields, Newmarket, Raymond and Stratham.

That same weekend please join us for Art on Union Street

 I am so pleased to be a part of this wonderful weekend this year.
This event will feature a torrent of talented artists presenting  jewelry,
photography, oil paintings, metal work, and so much more.
I will be conducting some "Speed Designing" sessions. Bring your photos, designs, drawings, or just inspiration and sign up for a 20 minute slot. I will have all my paint samples and CAD wear, so we can redesign any problem spot. To sign up for a slot on Friday or Saturday just pop over to rosebryant@earthlink.net to reserve your spot! 
For more info on this wonderful event and to see a full list of vendors go to:
www.ArtOnUnionStreet.blogspot.com

Check back later in the month for our gift giving idea blog.

Best!

Renee

 

Falling into Design

Welcome back to all our visitors! No better time to start back with our blog than in the fall. So many wonderful textures and colors and holidays just around the corner give us plenty to chat about.








I have lots of news on the horizon.... It was a wonderful summer full of design inspiration and plenty of projects. For our latest project I had he chance to work with the wonderful textile artist, Bridget Bleckmann of Penumbra Textiles on the 2011 York Decorators Showhouse in York, Maine.
Bridget invited me to work as the outdoor stylist for the stunning Emerson House. We wanted to really
take advantage of the outdoor living room concept, so Bridget worked her magic with a amazing collection of vibrant fabrics that were all suitable for casual outdoor living.
We then had the wonderful fortune of working with Knoll Furniture of Boston who graciously supplied us with many of our contemporary outdoor furnishings. Using a clean modern esthetic was a big risk in an ultra-traditional 1700's home, but we felt we needed something light and refreshing as visitors left the home. By pairing it with lush plantings and unusual displays of greener, such as our living wall from Wentworth Greenhouses, we managed to capture the perfect balance of color, texture, and whimsy. For more photos from the Showhouse, we invite you to visit our website:
Mandeville Canyon Designs.

Other exciting news this fall is the launch of the new website. Months in the preparation, I am very excited to present this new interactive site that I hope you will find easy to navigate and a pleasure to peruse.
One of my favorite features on the website is the addition of the marketplace. Here you will be able to find some my very favorite items from the residential, commercial, and outdoor installations.




I will feature such designers as Tracy Glover and Penumbra Textiles, plus sustainable designs by Martha's Vineyard Furniture Company along with one of a kind accessories from around the world. I do hope you will take the time to pop over to the website and click on Marketplace. You will also receive 10% off your opening order as a grateful thank you for your support.
We would also love your feedback on all the updates. Please feel free to comment here or like Mandeville Canyon Designs on Facebook. I would love to hear from all of you!

Look for the holiday shopping blog in October full of ideas and sustainable holiday gift giving ideas!

Enjoy fall's beautiful display!

Warm regards,

Renee