To Bee or Not to Bee

The Fabric of Our Young Lives - Teen Contest inspired by Frank Stella Designs

N.C. Museum of Art partners with Spoonflower for First-Ever Teen Fabric Contest: OK, so   when did cloth become fabric (or vice versa) ... and is it material? Also, at what age do we even care? Well, perhaps the answers are best left to the next generation as the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) has announced a partnership with Durham-based textile and design company, Spoonflower, to offer the first-ever teen fabric design contest. The "Teens Inspired by Stella Fabric Design Contest" was created to celebrate the Museum's fall Art of Fashion online high school course. The contest invites teens ages 13-19 to submit designs inspired by Frank Stella's Protractor series. That series includes the Museum's Raqqa II  (pictured above ... & possible the inspiration for Raleigh's Hillsborough Street roundabouts). The top ten designs will be exhibited at the museum January- April 2014 and the winning designer will be recognized at NCMA's ArtScene Teen event on April 26th, 2014.

Contest Rules and Deadline: Teens Inspired by Stella is a color-limited contest based on the shapes and colors of Stella's Protractor series of paintings, which uses bright colors and interlocking circles. Designs entered into this contest can use no more than three colors (with black, white, or gray as an additional color). High school students can scan hand-painted designs or work in photo-editing programs, such as PhotoShop or GIMP. To enter the contest, participants should visit the Spoonflower website (Click Here). The deadline for entries is October 1, 2013.

Spoonflower - A Cut Above:  Founded in Durham in 2008, Spoonflower allows customers to create their own fabric, wallpaper, decals and gift wrap or select a customer's design. The company's website, the first and largest of its kind, has cultivated a loyal community of more than 600,000 crafty customers. There are weekly design contests and specials and seemingly endless options.  This is a great "Buy American" concept that is best explained by browsing their website or going to their FAQ page. 

Think Inside Your Box - NY Fashion Trends That Your House Can Wear

New York Fashion Week felt like it went on for a month! The spring 2014 runway shots have been critiqued and analyzed by every fashion guru across the nation. But we thought to put a new spin on the new (and not so new) fashion trends that can be translated into home designs as well.

We asked interior designer, Michele Zaytoun of Zayoun Interiors to help us "localize" these trends and show what can be easily accomplished for your homes right here in the Triangle.

Trend #1: Orange You Glad? Beautiful orange hues were everywhere! Michele's clients young and old are gravitating to colors such as persimmon, tangerine, deep peach and sienna. She's used deep chocolate accents or black for balance. A great find of lacquered orange re-purposed furniture from Acquisitions Ltd. (in Five Points) was used for a pop of color that modernized this space (right photo) but at the same time kept it comfortable and interesting.

Trend #2: Peekaboo airy whites and sheer fabrics - Can this work in a room? Of course it can. But it doesn't have to be just fabric. Transparent looks can be windows, mirrors, etched glass, room openings, and cabinet doors. Use this to make your home more architecturally interesting, or mask an area that you don't want as your focal point. Photo (left) paneled frosted door in kitchen is closed to the walk-in pantry.

Trend #3: Not-So-Heavy Metals - Many a metallic fabric was seen on the runway, mostly softened by light cream. Garish golds gave way to softer gold and champagne. We asked if this could  work for a room? Absolutely. The inspiration is glamour but not all out  bling bling. It's elegantly restrained. The photo shown (right) is an example of a room designed by Michele using the owner's art, antiques & accessories but adding new seating and decorative pillows in metallics, creams and taupe that give the room a new look in elegance.

Trend #4: Graphic Content - Mixed geometric patterns & floral - This mixed with a wide range of colors came together to form a single outfit. Mixing patterns in rooms is fun but tread lightly and don't overdo it. As you gain some confidence at mixing flowers and geometric prints, experiment with throw pillows, which aren't a big commitment. A mix of curves, triangles and squares enlivens a living room, with light neutrals providing balance.

Trend #5: Abstract Art thrown on dresses and skirts - Where do you think fashion designers got this idea? Need not look too far to see modern art on walls in traditional, transitional and modern rooms. A final tip from our designer, start with your neutrals and amp up the bold colors one piece at a time. Just keep asking yourself, what would Diane Von Furstenberg do?

Zaytoun Interiors: Phone: 305-793-8510, Call for a phone consultation. Various fee plans are available to suit individual client's needs; hourly fee, fixed fee, cost plus or project fee. All will be presented by Michele.  Website.   

House for Sale: $625,000   

Core Results - Personal Training is teaching people from all over the Raleigh, Cary and Triangle area how to meet their fitness goals. From kettlebells to TRX, everything is top of the line and brand new at the private Core Results studio. Call and make your first appointment for a Complimentary Session!

Core Results: 1330 St. Mary's Street, Suite A00, Raleigh, 27605, Phone: (919) 946-1737, Email:info@coreresults.net, Website.  

Kenna Custom Painting is available to tackle your residential painting needs.  With their great crews that perform very professional jobs on residential homes, you won't believe how quiet and unobtrusive they are.  So if you have that "itch" to freshen up your home, interior or exterior before springtime, contact them now.  Call 919-855-0082 or Email: kennapaint@bellsouth.net.  Website.

Join My Blog Simply-Refined: We are an Interior Design team that can inspire and help you with your designs and decorating needs.  We have been designing and decorating homes for over 20 years.  Please call for a consultation. We can serve with a whole design package, or just consulting only...no job is too small.    

Call Zaytoun Interiors if you're finally ready to decorate or re-decorate your home or office.  What's your style?  If you're not sure, we can help you tap into your inner self and find what makes you want to come home again.  Website, Email, Phone: 305-793-8510. 

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