Featured on Houzz.com

I am so excited to annouce that Studio B Designs was featured on Houzz.  Check out the article...http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10544953/list/12-Home-Stages-That-Put-on-a-Great-Show

Houzz is a great place to get ideas on your home remodel, decor and building a new home.  It's also a great place to share your ideas with your builder, interior designer or architect.

Fresh Squeezed - Twine is coming...

I haven't blogged in ages due to the fact that I work 24/7 running two businesses... Yes, I said 2!  Jessica and I are starting a web-based Interior Design business called Twine!  It will have DIY room designs and unique furnishings for sale.  We are hard at work, nose to the grind, preparing for the launch which will happen in the next month or two (fingers crossed and lots of prayers).  We decided to start another blog on a temporary site until the website goes live.  We thought it would be fun for our cheerleaders to follow our progress and get a sneak peek on what we are up to!

So here is all the social links to the the 411 on Twine!

Our website is www.twineinteriors.com (be sure and check it periodically!)

Meanwhile, for insight on the new business and more of the same great topics as Creative Juice check our our temporary blog  www.twineinteriors.blogspot.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/TwineInteriors

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/twineinteriors/

We are launching soon so this is a little teaser video we posted to our new youtube channel...stay tuned! ~Brandy

http://www.youtube.com/user/TwineInteriors?feature=watch

The Pulp - The Tortured Artist

I googled (of course) and this is such a common way to describe an Artists that it is in wikipedia...The tortured artist is a stock character and real-life stereotype who is in constant torment due to frustrations with art and other people.  They are often mocked in popular culture for "thinking too much," being quixotic, or coming across as pretentiously adverse to happiness and fun.

"The Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh.  

He committed suicide and struggled with depression and illness throughout his life.

Artist is an all encompassing term not just for painters or sculptors but also writers, singers, architects, actors and interior designers.  I believe it is anyone who is creative and who puts their work out into the world and opens themselves to criticism. This is the website designer, graphic designer, crafter, photographer, wedding planner, director, poet, etc. 

Some think that artists long for and even cause themselves pain in order to produce their work, thinking that the pain produces their work.  I disagree.  I have a need to create ever since I was a little girl.  I made clothes for my dolls, rearranged my room a million times, built things, demolished things, made beautiful mud pies and tried every craft I could.  I took painting lessons when I was 12 and have been in art ever since.  If I am not creating then I am frustrated and frustration leads to anxiety and depression (in my case).  And if I am creating, then I am open to criticism.  It's a double edge sword.  Not everyone will be happy with everything you create.  I logically know this and I try to be confident and just say to myself that they don't know any better but in reality it's a kick in the stomach.  My head knows you can't please everyone and not everyone agrees with what is beautiful but my heart says "I put this out in the world and the world doesn't appreciate it".  It's hard to balance this.  Not only the criticism is hard to deal with but to having your creativity be given parameters by the commissioner or client.  Parameters are good and necessary but it's a struggle for the creative person to have this beautiful design be hacked away at by budget, poor workmanship, the client selecting something on their own, etc.  What was beautiful in your mind is a far cry from what actually is produced and not by your own doing.  Frustrating to no end!  

I believe the pain that artists feel (at least for me) is based on the frustration of not being able to create, the criticism that comes with creativity that is almost impossible to divorce yourself from, and the frustration of not being able to make what is in your head a reality.  It's not the pain that produces the art it's the art that produces the pain, the not being able to create it or the backlash from the world.  If you know an artist, which I imagine most of you do, try to tell them how you love their creativity (even if you don't like their work), pat them on the back for putting themselves out there.  Creative people need time to daydream, brainstorm or imagine.  I know I need to explore new things and new places to renew my creativity so vacations are a big deal for me.  Support that or whatever renews your spouse, friend or relative.  

Let me know if you agree or disagree~ Brandy

Vitamin B Boost: Fresh start to 2012

Wow!  It's hard to believe it's 2012!  I always feel the need for a new beginning, clear out the old and freshen up at this time of year.  Of course, I watched a marathon of the show "Hoarders" over the holidays which always makes me want to throw out stuff even more.  I feel the need to focus on going through each room in my house and organizing this January and February.  I will blog about products I find, ideas I have, how-tos and inspiration!

This looks like something I would do!!

Let's start the new year by getting rid of old linens- sheets, towels, stained napkins.

It feels great to sleep in fresh linens so it's great motivation to keep going!  I always gravitate toward white or cream linens just because face creams can bleach out colored linens.  I like Egyptian cotton sheets but bamboo has intrigue me.  I have bamboo towels and would love to try the sheets.  Something to consider is the higher the thread count the softer the sheets as well as the type of cotton.  The softer the sheets the more wrinkled they are.  So it's a preference on what type you prefer.

There are many types of linens, just to name a few...

Linen- is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant.  Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather.  It Wrinkles.
Cotton- The higher the thread count the more expensive and softer the sheets.
Bamboo- Types

1. Bamboo / Cotton Blend: Usually somewhere around 60% bamboo and 40% cotton, these sheets attempt to provide the comfort of bamboo with the familiarity of cotton.  The cotton helps these sheets retain their color while the bamboo provides the softness, comfort, and anti-microbial properties you're looking for.
2. Rayon Derived From Bamboo: There are so many chemicals in these that they aren't considered organic.
3. 100% Bamboo:  Usually available in more limited colors, 100% bamboo sheets can be hard to come by.

Cotton Sateen-Sateen is usually applied to cotton.  Better qualities are mercerized to give a higher sheen.  Sateen produces the sheen and softer feel through the use of a different structure in the weaving process.
Organic Cotton -Organic cotton is generally understood as cotton and is grown in subtropical countries such as America and India, from non genetically modified plants, that is to be grown without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides.
Egyptian Cotton- is usually applied to the extra long staple cotton produced in Egypt and used by luxury and upmarket brands worldwide.
Silk
Flannel-Flannel is a soft woven fabric, of various fineness. Flannel was originally made from cardedwool or worsted yarn, but is now often made from either wool, cotton, or synthetic fibre. Flannel may be brushed to create extra softness or remain unbrushed.

Some good brands are Anichini, SDH, Sferra, Ann Gish, John Robshaw and Peacock Alley.

Athena by Yves Derlorme -100% Egyptian Combed Cotton Percale
500 Thread Count - Queen set $650.00

John Robshaw- 300 count, Queen Set $490.00

Catherine by Anichini -500 count, Queen Set $795.00

Bamboo Dreams by Yala - 100% Viscose from Bamboo, Queen set $238

So much to choose from ~Brandy

Hand Squeezed - Mirror Christmas Tree

WOW!! How time flies!  I feel like Christmas is tomorrow and I'm super behind.  I have been very busy decorating for Christmas at a client's office (I will have photos soon).  Finally, I had time this past weekend to decorate my own house for Christmas.  I decided to do something completely different and I only had a limited budget and limited time so I had to get creative.  I thought it would be cool to use mirrors that would reflect candlelight.  But I didn't want to do your standard large mirror on my mantle, so I came up with using mirrors in the shape of a tree.  I feel like it's a work in progress and by the time I get it right in two years, I'll change again!!  Here's how I did it....

Sorry about the pictures.  I had to use my iPhone and there was very little light.  Oh well, now I need to find new stocking holders and buy some antique mercury glass for next year's decoration.  I want it too look more abundant than it does now.  A good tip is .... to take pictures of your decorations, so that you can remember what you have if you want to buy something for next year or plan something new.  Also take pictures of the new decorations you buy on sale after the holidays so you don't forget 10 months later.

Happy Holiday Decorating! ~ Brandy

What were they thinking Thursday? Plants gone wild

I have noticed in many pictures from interiors magazines that they have gone a bit crazy with the styling of the rooms.  Especially Elle Decor, their stylist loves to put a over sized limb or leaf in every room.  While this is great for a beautiful photograph, it is not that practical for everyday life.  Use caution when trying to implement this idea of over-scaled foliage in your home.....

The stove might set the leafy branch on fire!

Love the room but I am afraid this branch might put an eye out.

I certainly love this large leaf plant in the corner compared to your typical plant.  The arrangement on the mantle protrudes into the room a bit too much.

The arrangement on the coffee table won't stand a chance with a kid in the house!

This is beautiful, dramatic and out of the way so bravo on this design!

 

The arrangement on the table is a nice size for drama without being too large.

This oversize foliage really brings the outdoors in, it seems to blur the division of the wall.  Very well designed.

The foyer table needs a dramatic arrangement like this.  This room is just a bit off symmetry, which I find disturbing.  The picture on the left should be hung at the same center as the one one the right.  The small vase on the table is pointless and you might as well center the large vase on the table to complete the symmetry.

Lovely!

Any other ideas about what magazine stylist put in a room that is not practical?  Send in your comments!! ~ Brandy

Vitamin B Boost: Sleeping in

This week has been SO hard to get up in the morning.  The weather has turned crisp, it's just before the time change, so it's dark outside and I am nice and cozy in a warm bed.... all the makings for sleeping in.  Beep, beep, beep... alarm goes off a zillion times and I dragged myself out of bed, but tomorrow is a different story, it's Saturday and I plan on sleeping in!!! I am going to dream about being cozied up in these beautiful beds.....

The ultimate bedroom from the movie "The Holiday" with Cameron Diaz

Beds that are high that you have to climb up into make it hard to climb out of.....

What about Beds that envelop you...ahhhhhh

The books are in reach so you don't have to even get out of bed.

 

There is something about a mix of prints and textures that make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.....

 

A casual room makes me want to run and take a flying leap into bed....

These bedrooms are crisp and minimal.  There is something comforting about not having clutter....

These bedrooms are about what is beyond them...

I love these bedrooms....

Perfect for not sharing!!

Nice rooms but.....

Seems cozy enough except for Napoleon staring at you.

 

Avoid phallic symbols it you have sleep on your mind.

Zzzzz ~ Brandy