Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts

Monday, March 17, 2014

Crazy for Reclaimed Wood!

There's a love affair going on.  I'm sure you're aware.  
There's not a barn, a factory or an old warehouse that isn't being eyed, even lusted after
for it's beautiful, worn wood walls, ceilings and floors!
We can't wait to get our DIY and designer hands on this reclaimed wood these days.
The older and more beat up, the better.  We'll pay a handsome price for it, too.
And look what all we can do with it...


Courtesy of Retropolitan, Original Art:  Candice Sone

This wall is from a project of mine.  The homeowners and I picked out the pieces 
together and I laid them all out on their driveway in the freezing cold.  
I think it actually started to sleet before I was finished with my layout!  
The installation turned out great, and they loved it.  
It added such warmth to the room and was the perfect backdrop for the 
commissioned art piece by Candice Sone.


 florelladesign.com & houzz.com   *   birdseyebuilding.com & houzz.com
I love the simplicity of these wood treatments.  Nothing fussy.  Warm but modern.
Nice, thoughtful uses of a beautiful, reclaimed product.  


rbrantdesign.com & houzz.com   *   indulgy.com & houzz.com
We're getting a little more daring here with rough hewn planks of different tones
and planks that are painted, layered, and scraped.  Lots of personality here.
I love that they carried the wall treatment right onto the shower door 
in the photo on the left.  You just want to run your hands
along the walls in these rooms, don't you?


unionstudio.com & houzz.com   *   mmarch.net & houzz.com
nnarchitecture.com & houzz.com   *   collectionsdebrueil.com & houzz.com
 No doubt, these installations are a feast for the eyes.
A little rustic, a little modern, and a lot architectural.
They create artistic, organic focal points with rich texture and pattern.

  
terrafirmahome.com & houzz.com   *   avaloninteriors.com & houzz.com
I love the thought put into the design in these two rooms.  
The top photo boasts a wood treatment that is as much art installation
as it is dramatic furniture piece.  And the bottom photo...genius.


peacedesign.org & houzz.com
Now this is beautiful, too.  I love all the woods of different hues, and on
so many of the surfaces, too.  I think the bleached out custom
bath furniture is warm and wonderful.  
Who wouldn't want to brush their teeth and wash their face 
in this lovely bathroom?


markhickmanhomes.com & houzz.com
And I would be straight up lying if I didn't say this was my favorite
kitchen...ever.  Just ever.


Courtesy of Retropolitan, Custom Wood Wall:  Doug Regen
  
This is another image from my own portfolio.  I must say, I didn't get to design
or lay out this wonderful treatment.  Its installation preceded my work
on the project, but what a nice feature wall to design and decorate around.
Gorgeous!

You are right on trend if you're loving these reclaimed wood treatments 
as much as I do.  It's nice when trending is also reclaiming, recycling
and repurposing, isn't it?

Go green!

- Amy





Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Artvante Garde

Artvante Garde

What do I like to do on a rainy day?  Well, first things first.  Coffee.
And not some manly, black liquid staring back at me
from the lip of a plain, ceramic mug.
I'm talking something foamy and sweet with some wonderful design on top.
And in a to-go cup, too, with a fancy sleeve.  I'm taking mine on the road.
Where, you ask?  Well, the nearest art gallery, silly.
Of course, they might not allow me to have my coffee while I browse,
but I will most likely have enjoyed the heck out of it before I get there anyway.

Art galleries are one of my favorite places to go for inspiration.
I love all kinds of art and all kinds of art galleries.  I just can't get enough.
Over the years, working with clients in styling up their homes
has often brought up questions like,
"I'm stumped. What should I do over my sofa?" and "Is there a right way to hang my art?"
It seems that art placement is an intimidating and overwhelming task to many people.
So, from art gallery to your living room, here are some thoughts...

Mayberryfineart.com & houzz.com
When people think of hanging their art, they often think of how pieces are 
displayed in a gallery.  Gallery Style art installation allows pieces 
to breathe and to be enjoyed in and of themselves, 
without being crowded or distracted by other pieces.
If you have the wall space and the lighting for Gallery Style, it's wonderful...
and more power to you, because most of us have to think on a different, 
more "every day" scale.

remodelista.com & houzz.com
It's pretty common, also, to think of art placement in a traditional way.  
Like the single piece displayed over the mantle or in the dining room.  
That's a lovely default, and again, a great way to give that one piece a place to shine. 
But sometimes, the piece isn't quite big enough or doesn't feel right in the room.  
Well, good news.  
Happily, centered and single is not the only way to display that art you love so much...

settingforfour.com and houzz.com
Salon Style.  A term I learned years ago from an artist I admire very much, 
opened up the possibilities of interior art installation for me.  
It's a broad term and maybe a bit technical, so I prefer to think of it 
and to describe it to my clients in terms of having the freedom 
to think in "collections" or "arrangements" with their art.
Above is a lovely collection.  Obviously the commonality is in the blues.  
Very restful.  Very collected.  It makes me feel like I'm getting 
a sense of the people who live here.  I like that.

courtesy of Abigail Ahern & houzz.com
The collection above spans almost the entire living room wall.
Every one is different: framed, unframed, photographed, painted, sketched.
The thing that ties them together is portraiture.  I love this.  
Again, I get a sense of the artistic people who must occupy this space.

bhg.com & houzz.com
Salon Style can be done with a serene, thematic approach, 
evoking a peaceful, ordered feeling...

Artadvisecollect.com & featured in ElleDecor magazine & houzz.com
or you can pull out the stops and go wonderfully crazy.  


Either way, and whether you go a little more formal with a 
Gallery Style installation or a relaxed Salon Style collection, be sure 
to let your art tell the story of you, your interests, your passions, your life.  
Allow it to be an inspiration, and an interesting jumping off place for
conversation, relationship and the deeper things in life.

...and don't forget the coffee.  You know how I take mine.

- Amy


















Monday, January 30, 2012

Insta-Store Love

"Sunburst"

"Lovebirds"

"Salute"

"Capture Nashville"

Instagram.  Love it.  Can't get enough of it.  It's helped capture some of my favorite items we have in the store right now.  

A vibrant Starburst mirror - perfect to energize a room.  Behind a sofa?  Above a mantle?  Or if you have high enough ceilings in your foyer, why not hang it above your front door?  
It will look gorgeous anywhere.

Peacock Lovebirds - These loveys will bring shocks of color and drama to any room.  
And peacocks are hot right now :>)

Salute! Toast friends and family using unexpected wine goblets.  
How fun to pull these out at your next party?  Not only do they look good, 
but wine tastes better out of them, too.

Capture Nashville - This piece is an homage to the city we all love.  It's big and bold and all Music City.
Clocking in at 7 feet tall, it's all you need to make a big statement in a room.  
And it's made by a local artist (free-hand!), so win-win, right?

If you hear the siren's call, please do stop in the store.  We're here for ya ;>)

-Kate







Thursday, December 15, 2011

Serene Beach Modern...in progress!

Just hung this gorgeous commissioned art piece today by Candice Sone for design project in progress...Serene Beach Modern.  Candice is a Retropolitan resident artist.  Her pieces are bold and colorful, thoughtful and intriguing.  You can always find her work at the store, and of course, if you need something specific, her commissioned pieces are to die for (as you can see)!


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Welcome to Retropolitan Style



Welcome to the Retropolitan Style Blog.  Retropolitan, an interior furnishings store, is conveniently located in Hillsboro Village - a delightful shopping district in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee.

We help you create beautiful interiors...


and so much more!  


Come to us for your every styling need.  Interior Styling, Home Staging, Photo Styling...

"Vibrant Highrise Modern"


Your home should be your haven.  Your office should be invigorating and comfortable.  Your studio should inspire creativity.  Your holiday party should be the talk of the town!  We'll help carry the burden of making your space or event feel just right for you...




We also feature some of the best artists in town!  From whimsical...

Leigh Ann Agee "Zoolanders at Steeplechase"


and abstract....

Scott Moore

Dana Kahan



We mix New....





with Vintage...




Modern....




with Antique...





...For a style that is all Retropolitan.



Stop by and see us!  Our team is always ready to help you stylize your life.



Retropolitan
1813 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212