Monday, July 29, 2013

2013 Designer Series-Meade Design Group



Introducing Ivan Meade, one of the most inventive Interior Designers  in North America and our discussion of  his companies innovative works!



Ivan  is the principal designer of Meade Design Group Inc., a multi-disciplinary interior and graphic design studio in Victoria, BC, Canada that creates interiors and graphics to elegantly reflect the needs and style of their clients.





Ivan tell us about your beginnings in design and some of your background, when did it all click?

One Christmas dinner my mother allowed me to set the dining table. I illustrated all of the place cards and menus by hand, and collected ornaments from around the house.  Everyone was very impressed and I received a large round of applause for my efforts.  The feeling has never left.  That was probably my first experience with design.  I was also very fortunate to grow up in a family that truly appreciated the art scene; As a kid I was exposed to artists, writers, museums, theater  ballet.  My mother was a very stylish lady in her own right, and she had 2 phrases that have stuck with me: “Good taste is a cultural product” and “Luxury is in the things you touch every day”.  – The first is a reminder to never stop learning and being observant, inspiration can be everywhere; It can be in art piece in a museum, or in the architectural lines of a building. The second is about quality, saying that things don’t need to be expensive, but that quality is the key. These phrases are, in a way, my design philosophy. The reason I am a designer is that I spent many years studying business, but I missed the creative aspect.  Owning my own business has given me the opportunity to do both, to explore the analytical side and the creative one.



Your firm is widely renowned as a multidisciplinary firm. How do you and your team juggle Interior Design, Graphic Design, Client branding etc.

I guess, I was a kid who learned to listen to and keep the good family advice!  My grandfather (who was a really good business man) always said that in order to succeed in any business you need to have two businesses in one business.  When one doesn't do well the other one will help you to pay the bills.  In almost 12 years owning a multidisciplinary firm I have to say that this has been the best advice I've ever taken. When the economy collapsed in 2008 – Interiors was dead, but graphics on the other hand, we were insanely busy with (everybody wanted to stand out). You also have to be able to recognize what your weaknesses are and accept the support of your team.  Everybody has different strengths.  I owe a lot to my team.




What an exciting time to be in the design business. Do you find your clients receptive to new ideas, looks from Contemporary, Mid Century Modern to Traditional to old World European elegance?  Is there a movement you see of importance trending?

It definitely is an exciting time in design.  Thanks to the internet, we have more options available. We also have been experiencing a different type of client – a client that is more educated in what is available to them.  I live in Victoria, British Columbia, so I am an islander which has made the internet one of my main tools. 

In the International market, I see a big mix happening right now.  People appreciating good design from the past and mixing it with the best that modern design has to offer.  An eclectic mix of good design.  Victoria has a smaller population with a very diverse market. I am against a signature style per-se, as I am not the one who is living in my clients homes. My clients are my priority and they are the ones living in their space – I definitely bring my design aesthetic to a job, but it is the clients personality that has to stand out.  You can see this in my body of work, both graphics and interiors. We just finished an Edwardian home, (very traditional but with the conveniences of today), we are also currently working on a young family's first home where the kids are the priority.  On the other side of the coin, we are working on a modern penthouse for a couple with transitional style that have a passion for collecting art.  In a sense, I think people are more open to explore an interpretation of their own personal taste rather than following a trend. 



What is your working relationship with your clients like?

This is a very interesting question.  The client/designer relationship is like any other relationship.  We are working with core aspects.  A brand identity will represent the client’s business as they'd like to be viewed, and a home will represent the lifestyle that the clients want to have.  We need to be really careful to understand the clients needs and how to fulfill them – basically, we need to do our homework.  Once we have done this part, we also have to leave room for spontaneity and creativity and bring something new to the table – That is when the magic happens.   

For instance, the majority of my graphic design clients are people in design.  Architects, Interior Designers, Landscape Designers, Furnishing business, etc.  We have become known as 'the designers for the designers'.  First of all, I need to understand who they are and also to make them stand out in their own market – what is their unique niche.  Because my graphic design clients are design educated I need to make them aware that we need to design something to attract that ideal client that they are looking for while maintaining their personality and uniqueness in the mix.  It is challenging but very rewarding.





Can you describe your personal design aesthetic? Has it evolved over the years?

I like quality and uniqueness.  I love playing with volume and I usually try to have one bold gesture in the spaces I design.  I think that is what makes a space memorable.  Of course, my design aesthetic has really evolved over the years.  I guess we can always refer back to the cultural aspect;  travel and lifestyle inspire me.  My own home is very laid-back, my studio on the other hand, is an elegant eclectic mix for my clients to find what they like and what they don’t like.  It is  harder to mix styles than it is to use only one, but it also feels less stiff and is much more interesting visually.  Adaptability is the key.





Is there a particular project that stands out as truly a masterpiece of your work or simply a favorite all around?

I will have to say that my studio is one of my favorite projects.  It is always evolving.  I spend 8 hours per day here, so it needs to be an extension of my own home and a reflection of who I am while being a place where my clients also can feel comfortable and inspired.  It can be a bit more complex to design a work space than designing a residence since oftentimes so much more time is spent there – especially in one place, the ergonomic factors are entirely different.  I was kind of my own client, but I still had to keep my clients tastes in the back of my mind.



How important is it for art and collectibles to take place in your designs?

Really important! Actually for me, it is a must!  Art is the only thing that truly showcases your personality.  Art is emotional! You can tell the personality of the inhabitant of a space by the art hanging on the walls.  I try to bring as much “real” art as possible to all my projects.  I also believe in supporting our local art community and showcasing their talents.  Technology is helping us in many aspects of our business, but this is one aspect where it destroys the opportunity to have artists and artisans involved in our projects (thanks to mass production).  A unique piece of art, always will be unique.  There is one and only one, not 3000 from the same series.  We are each unique, so why not embrace uniqueness?




Please give some advice to the person starting in this entrepreneurial business?

Find what is unique about you and exploit that as part of your brand.  The lessons I learned from my mother and grandfather are core values of my brand. When people start comparing you to other designers they will find you more attractive if you have something that is unique to you.   You also need to understand who your client is, their specific needs and how to over deliver - that is the key to gaining referrals.  Understand your business and value your business.  Design is our passion, but we also need to make a living from it.  I am a very fortunate person to do what I like to do in life and live off of it.  Design is not an easy business, but when you have specific practices in place, you can really enjoy the ride. 

You may reach Ivan through his website, Meade Design Group  www.meadedesigngroup.com or his blog http://meadedesigngroup.blogspot.com 

Thank you so much Ivan, for participating in The 2013 Design Series! 




 xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena


Please leave a comment as it means so much to both our guest and to me!


Look for more exciting features to come and be sure to Follow Art by Karena to keep up with the latest !!


The winner of the Giveaway of A Designer Pillow
By Jane Schott of Empress of the Eye
Is Dore of Burlap Luxe! Congratulations Dore!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

2013 Designer Series-Empress of the Eye and a Fabulous Giveaway

The Story of  The Empress of The Eye 
                              Introducing Jane Schott


The Story Behind I Married Adventure!






















Now for The Giveaway!
Jane is offering a Designer Pillow
Featuring The Book Cover Image from 
"I Married Adventure!"

A very Special Giveaway Valued at $285.00 plus shipping in USA

This Giveaway is Open to USA residents.
You may enter by:

1) Go to Jane's Etsy Shop and Tell us another Pillow Favorite you see.

2) For each additional opportunity please enter separately that: you Follow Empress of the Eye Blog.

3)You Like Empress of the Eye Pillow Collection on Facebook.

4) Visit Jane's Ebay Page.

5) Finally,  Share my post  about Jane and her amazing life to your Friends and Followers. Buttons are at the bottom of this posting!

Remember to enter each separately!


The Winner will be chosen on Sunday July 28th at Midnight EST!

Thank you to all of my friends and followers who support the arts! The Beauty of The Art's make the world a better place for all of us!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena



Monday, July 8, 2013

2013 Artists Series Featuring Kerry Steele

An Interview with Artist Kerry Steele
Many of you will need no introduction to a favorite artist and interior designer in the blog world. Kerry's art has been featured  at Aesthetic Oiseau, the Pink Pagoda, Bijou and Boheme, Chinoiserie Chic, and Oh Captain, My Captain.  She has also been included in many juried exhibits which can be found at 



Indigo Bunting
Sold


1)      At what point did you realize you had the passion for painting? How important was that moment/ time to you?

I don't know that there was any one magic moment. I have always loved creative pursuits and have painted on and off since I was about 7 years old. The delight with which my work is sometimes received has really fueled my passion. The realization that some people save up for a while to buy a painting I made is very humbling and keeps me going during moments of self-doubt.

Wet Words
24 X 30
 2)     Tell us about your inspirations when you start a work of art.

My inspirations vary widely. Often they are just vague ideas of an intended mood using specific color combinations and other times I see flowers or a landscape on Pinterest and just get going on a canvas.


Figure 4
Sold



3)     Kerry who are some other artists that you admire or have been mentors to you.
I absolutely adore Christina Baker, who has been a sweet friend and mentor. Her art is top notch and she is a darling person too.

K) I do admire her works of art!
What if God Wears Boots?
18 X 24 Oil
Available Contact Kerry

4)     How did your color palette come into being? It is very distinctive.

I am beginning to see that my color palette of choice is totally authentic to who I am, what I love. 

People that meet me in person in conjunction with my art tell me I look like my paintings. I think if I took a photo of my closet it would look like one of my paintings. Hmmm..maybe I'll paint my closet.



Secrets of the Sky
Oil and Acrylic Commissioned
 5)     I understand you accept special commissions, how would you like readers to contact you and what are your various social media links?


I often do commissions and have a special page devoted to common questions about the process (http://kerrysteele.com/commissions-faq.html) I am happy to answer further questions through my website contact form at (http://kerrysteele.com/contact.html)

I am on Pinterest here :http://pinterest.com/designdumonde/boards/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/KerrySteeleArt?ref=hl
Instagram : @KerrySteeleart
Twitter : KerrySteeleart
My Etsy shop : https://www.etsy.com/shop/KerrySteelefineart


Fleurs Trouvee
Available
Contact Kerry


Laying Under the Table and Dreaming
Oil on Linen
Sold




Bluestocking Babe
Oil and Charcoal on Linen
Contact Kerry
6)     Kerry where is your studio, in your home or a separate space?

My studio is at home. It is currently still in the dining portion of my kitchen. I have plans for a dedicated room but a few home improvement projects are in the way of that at the moment.

(K) I have done both and will say that sometimes it is nice to work early in the morning or late at night without leaving the house!



Elemental Memory
24 X 30
Oil on Canvas
A work in Progress!
Contact Kerry

7)     What are some words of wisdom you would impart to the beginning artist of any age?

I think the best advice is just do it. Make your art. Feel the fear and jump in anyways. If its a little scary then you are probably doing something interesting.


Watery
24 x 30
Available in Art First Gallery
in Fredericksburg, VA

Thank you Kerry, for participating in The 2013 Artists Series.

Dear readers and faithful supporters of the Arts, I hope you will leave Kerry a comment about her works of Abstract Expressionism. I am taken with her spontaneity and often an element of joy in her works of art.

Kerry is offering a 15% off code on her paintings!
The Etsy code is KAREN2013 it is for 15% off anything in my Etsy store and expires at the end of July. 

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

PS Dear Readers, as Google Friend Connect Reader is phasing out, please follow Via BlogLovin at the top of my page or via email. That way you will not miss any of The Series OR Exciting Giveaways being Offered!

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