I began thinking about this single word “structure” and how it applies to design. At first, a very easy task, after all we use it almost every day. I couldn’t have been more incorrect. What I found was quite different from my initial thought. I began referencing the objects we live and surround us in our homes. I got lost in the details; A carved leg, a surface design, a color….Almost every design has been influenced by “organic structure”. First was the apparent, a curling fern, the acanthus leaf, even the fullness of a bloom. My idea of structure grew from here.
Most of you know my love for the beach and how I’ve incorporated the lifestyle into almost everything. In my home, besides the driftwood mounted on the wall (you’ve heard that one before) I have a collection of rustic oars hanging on a Robins Eggs Blue wall. The painted surface designs scattered about emphasize the always inspiring structures of English gardens. One of which is in this journal entry; a surface design intended to be a print for scarves, complete with Latin botanicals that I created. As if that weren’t enough, I even planted Sea Oats outside my kitchen window just for the texture and color last weekend. I’m looking forward to it taking hold and providing another visual opportunity. Perhaps it’s just another way of introducing structure into my personal space, but I find that details make the worthwhile difference of making house a home. How will you incorporate it into yours?
www.michaelryandesign.com
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A Clean Slate

A friend asked me the other day, where I get my influences. The answer’s easy: sea glass. I’ve spent hours walking up and down the sandy shores of Lake Michigan hunting for the illusive red sea glass in order to finally beat my daughter in our own little summer completion each year. At first, the game was merely a silly way to escape the heat of Chicago. Yet, while I write this, I understand that the glass has embodied something else entirely, the seemingly insignificant moments of summer that I cherish the most. This post is reminiscent of this, meaning the clean crisp colors that are found randomly and influence design.

By picking out hints of color here and there or the ultimate wallpaper for example, like my family tradition, may seem ordinary and insignificant. However, when you finally rest in your home, surrounded by the colors peeking from behind the curtains, a sense of accomplishment and pride emerges. You have finally captured the mood.

Now go out and find your sea glass.

www.michaelryandesign.com
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Thank you for including me in your blog Juliane. It has been so nice to meet a few new people and get to know you better. 

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