Throwback: Progressive Design

Posted on November 8, 2019

I am a sucker for efficiency. I’m a subject matter expert. The Gilbreths were my people. I was unable to sell my soul to the marketing devil after graduate school and thus I’m cornering the market on efficient design.

One of my favorite things to do is progressive details. I love love some design elements and don’t want them to disappear after 30 days so I have found a clever way to multipurpose everything I possibly can.

Here lemme show you…Fall channeling Halloween

Our dining table doesn’t get the use it deserves but it is the one room in the house that is always pretty and presentable-oK most always. It is also where we play board games and leave them for weeks or the occasional puzzle. I want to find pieces that will have function through different seasons and celebrations. I don’t like to be pidgin holed into using something for only its intended purpose or what the designer tells me. I know, I’m a bit of a nightmare as an artist because I can’t decide on just one way for it to be.

Black and White and Warm all over

Moscow Mules are my jam and I jumped at the chance to own these from Pier1 which is also where I found the plates. These plates have mad-multifunction. They are on my table from the start of school until Christmas week. Paired with Red and Yellow they become back to school simplicity, then halloween black and white fright and cozy comfort for the rest of Fall. Buffalo Plaid is huge and I love it and how I can mix and match these simple cozy pattern again for Valentines. I’m on the hunt for an efficient taupe dinner plate to rest underneath so the disparity of the salad size plate and charger/placemat isn’t as great. (Taupe is one of my favorite neutrals because it can swing warm or cool-think browns or grays)

Owloween & Texturetopia

We live in the northeast, so our fall and winter and spring are all chili with a side of snow. If my table is dressed then I have a happy place to sit even if its just to read a book or sip some tea. To bring some of the elements of outside into my home is better than putting me in the elements most days! Fall is so full of textures and colors. I picked a monochromatic palette to evoke warm and cozy with mixed metals. I can add more Halloween elements and then replace with Fall or Thanksgiving while keeping the main setting of the table the same-it save on time, money and storage!

This web table runner plays off a plastic one in the adjacent kitchen and one beaded placemat I use as a centerpiece for the island. The theme is transferred throughout creating flow and graduated design. The kitchen is more utilitarian and fun then transfers into the more mature and sophisticated space of the dining room. As soon as Halloween night is over-I fold up the runner and wa-la a Fall design.

Thats why I have a fetish for pumpkins so they can just stay put! natural black candlesticks with different tapers can change the mood and design instantly without holding candlesticks. The other ones I own are mercury glass or clear so I can incorporate them interchangeably with any and all design in any room.

I don’t get tired of my design year after year-you can slowly build your collection adding a new layer and element each year; keeping classic pieces to ground the design. And my changing the chargers or cups or center piece I get a new look for each season with endless possibilities!

Let your design keep moving forward and progressing through the season! YAY DESIGN!