Beauty and Inspiration

       As the spring season looms over our shoulder we begin to spend more time outdoors surrounded by the art that's painted by the hand of creation and nature.
       What exist around us is a world of beauty we have the pleasure to be one with and make how we live a representation of how we view the world and our lives.
       Beauty is everywhere; in details both large and small that give us inspiration to create intimate spaces that reveal different dimensions of ourselves.  The colors of the sky, the grass, the flowers, the trees, the leaves and even manmade materials give us a well of ideas we can use to embellish our santuary like stew made with love.  No matter how humble or elaborate, there are a myriad of ways to absorb yourself in pleasure and comfort.
      I admire the energy and passion used to take the time to add to a world often left mundane and taken for granted.  There is something special about the effort and thought to extend beyond mediocrity and imbue the senses to make us pay attention to what's around us and allow the best of us to be shared.
      We are our dream and so seek to decorate life with light, color, texture, style and passion; exemplifying the love for being alive and surrounded by the beauty that ultimately is the light that lives within and shines through us.

AURA

       In the words of the immortal Bob Marley, "There's a natural mystic flowing through the air;" the energy of creation by which we are all connected.  Our divine energy is not a pretense, but an acceptance of ourselves through love and the unique expression of who we are as individuals.
     In terms of decorating, this expression comes to light  beyond mere objects we choose to embellish a room, but more so by the aura and feeling we want to convey daily by transmitting messages to all that enter our space; where the senses are aroused and a sensation is discerned instantly as if meeting a potential lover for the first time (you know immediately what's next or what's not).
      Greeted by a room that invites you in with a gentle kiss and a firm embrace summons one to relax and enjoy the touch; where stresses fall from the shoulders and repose soothes the soul by composing a sonnet entitled, Sanctuary.
     Lighting is quintessential for this.  When a room is dimly lit, the presence of calm and intimacy dominate; accentuating the mystery yet to be solved.  Warm fluorescent Edison bulbs that reveal a golden filament is a decorative way to illuminate as if using candles, which are also great, but a collection of interesting lamps or pendants that display personal style, more evenly blanket a room with warmth; highlighting the features you want exposed and those you want concealed.
     In Germany for instance, patrons bought out and stocked up on the fluorescent bulbs that were being discontinued nation wide because they preferred the atmosphere provided by warm light over the more energy efficient bulbs replacing them which lack allure.  In plain and simple terms, lighting makes us feel a certain way, as in enjoying sunsets, candle light, or the glow of fire. It induces the sensuality of being cozy, inspiring togetherness, serenity, happiness, pleasure and even love; allowing you to seize the moment to remember the beauty and the fervor desired to share.
      Other ardent components are color and scent.  Choosing color is like defining your character and determines exactly what air you'd like to emanate; painting a picture of your world and all of the fun things inside.  The sense of smell always takes us to various places and even induces memories that remind us of where we were or would like to be.  Fresh cut flowers and budding branches in spring add a dramatic effect; bringing natural elements that are designed to exhilarate.       
     Although silence has its place, to further enhance the ambiance let us not forget the music.  Music in and of itself is magical and inspirational, a language that stimulates the senses as it envelopes a room like fog; unifying spirits to bring elation or massaging the ears with mellifluous sound. In her dulcet voice, a sweet butterfly said unto me, "What is real is not physical form, but the essence of things." It's this palpable energy that effects our perception and thus our reality; giving visitors as well as yourself a supernal gift.
     It's in the essence that we understand everything has its place which fosters clarity and balance; where your personal poem is written and expressed inviting romance and indulgence; as each second ticking is a reason to toast and celebrate the artistry not only seen, but experienced.
     May the spirit of the season fill your hearts and your homes. Until next year, be well. Cheers!

SIMPLICITY

     Under a blanket of the current economic atomopshere, there is a tranformation taking place where we are compelled to re-evaluate what is really important and consider different approaches to how we live and think.  Through the years many of us have aquired things out of shere consumption; symbolizing our worth by materials instead of our consciousness. Although it is difficult to part with certain valubles we've worked hard to obtain, there is something cleansing about reducing the clutter from your enviroment and therefore your mind.
      One of the first things to do is to accept the notion of simplicity.  This allows you to create tranquility without sacrificing style as the iconic Designer and Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe demonstrated with his understanding of, "less is more," which he is acredited for phrasing.  It is often desired in western culture to fill the room with things that display a narrative which speak for the occupant; where in Japanese culture for instance, minimalism is desired to keep the room simple  allowing the occupant to speak; producing clarity of thoughts and the ease to articulate them.  I think it's apropos to create balance by incorporating both philosophies where your choices are specific, personal, and thinly layered; averting clutter and bordom simultaneously.
      When beginning to simplify you must first and foremost learn to just let go.  If you haven't used an item or items in years, especially things stuck in the back of the closet or rooms deemed as closets, chances are you'll never use them.  Sift through your belongings and quickly dispose of the things you don't want or need before deceiving yourself into believing it still has relevance; or put it aside for sale, but only if you are serious about putting in the time to sell it.  If it's worthless, throw it out, and if not, donating it is also a noble option. Imagine packing a suitcase; many of us have the tendancy to over-pack with the "just in case" items, then we examine what we have and end up removing a fraction, thus keeping what we really need and will actually use.
       Once you've gone through the piles and laid the unwanted to rest, it's time to organize.  This is one of the most daunting task to the already drained earthly citizen.  Breathe, and take the time to rearrange and put things in its place.  Indirectly, you will find yourself creating a new enviroment with less drag where you can revel in the beauty and travel lighter.  Then you can relax comfortably emerced by enough detail to tell your story and at the same time, lay back to hear your thoughts.

ISLAND HOMAGE








        One of the best things about traveling or living abroad is the first hand look at seeing how people really live.  Walking through Le Ville Du Gosier in Guadeloupe French West Indies on a heated evening, I make my way home under the canvas of a sky painted orange and blue. My senses absorb a culture and it's people as they emerge for their evening rituals.  The sensuality of various foods and mystical spices flow through the air while Creole voices speak of the who's who and what's what of the day.  When I peek through the double barn like doors had by many of the homes, I capture the details and see a people at it's most relaxed; watching TV, having supper, or sipping rhum. The denizens look at me curiously as my swagger stands apart from theirs. One who I met by a fisherman post recognized me by the old Panamanian cut hat I often wear and spoke calling "Amerique."  "Ti Mal (my man in Creole)," I replied regonizing his face and therefore placing my hand on my heart as a sign of respect and regonition. 

      I too am curious as I watch the elders watch me, conversing on the patio with friends, or simply capturing the breeze while thinking thoughts personal and unknown. With the swiftness of my pace (habit of being from the city) I rush by, but not before capturing every detail I can with cursory glances to get a feel for the lifestyle.  "What are their interest and choices?" I wonder.  Some you can see have taken the time to implement some sort of cohesion and story into their decor such as the common tea area styled with beautiful antique wood chairs, old polished side tables, and the ever so elegant wood and weaved straw chaise. Others simply use pieces for function like plastic patio furniture or what appears to be shotty pre-owned furniture paired with the ubiqutous leather sofa for that contemporary feel. Okay I can't help it, as a child I remember looking into random homes to see how people put rooms together or left them tattered.  I could even spot the interior of an apartment in the distance while being driven down the FDR.  All I can say is, It's amazing what you see when you're passion is in overdrive.
       Anyway, as I walk through this town I embrace its milieu, living on the outside in unfamiliar territory trying to make it familiar.  Saying bonsoir and ca va to the locals in an effort to make me and my counterparts feel comfortable despite my armor.  As I get closer to home and in the thick of things I get to see the roots of Kaz Creole (creole style housing) and island architecture.   One thing that is standard here is the absence of screens in the windows. I was initially perplexed by this practice as it could help with the myriad of critters that seek to cohabitate your home, but I came to understand that in the islands you live outside in, where homes open up to maximize air circulation and when necessary, close easily to reduce direct sunlight. The facade of more traditional homes often have a sequence of doors that serve to open up the house; where more contemporary homes are just about completey open in the rear secured with garage like doors and louvers in the windows. Tin roof tops cap the houses decorating the peaks and valleys with an array of colors usually in red, green, blue or what used to be one of these colors.  Rain showers that fall upon these rooftops are melodious, but are acoustically violent during torrential storms. Then there's the beautiful ensemble of  trees I pass spread across the landscape such as banana, lime, mango, and avacado; some of which you get to see give birth when observed at the right time.  I smile at these natural masterpieces as it is auspicious to be amid these living things not encountered in big city life. 
       Making my way closer to home I walk through a more contemporary apartment complex.  As I pass through the this community, the bite of a mother's sharp Creole accent shouting at her children makes me feel like I'm being scolded. The children playing look at me, the stranger, passing by. I say, "Bonsoir les enfant." They reply, "Bonsoir Monsieur." Seldom do you pass a person without a greeting as this for the most part is customary. Getting closer to home with the sun slowly leaving the stage to stand behind the curtain of night, I gaze upon the hills while walking past a few homes that look like they were straight thrown together, and for the most part after closer examinatioin they were.  Then there are the homes with unfinished additions; a second floor in most cases, where the walls/frame go up for months if not years and stay that way whenever the owner is able to finish.  Further inquiry about this display shed light that it was a matter of simple economics; meaning no money to finish the job combined with some bureaucracy.  Despite set-backs and in other cases inefficiency, a common mantra for many laborious task is, "it gets done."  This is seeminly contradictory to the undertaking of the sixty day home; houses that are supposed to be completed in sixty days.  They are Creole inspired in design and come in various sizes all made of wood that appear cherry stained.  The actual structure is up in sixty days if not less as no time is wasted clearing the land and getting down to business, however the interior to my knowledge is left up to you.  One that was started in January built behind my dwelling was pretty much finished in March by all appearances, but just a few days ago they were just wiring the electricity which strangely runs through a tube on the ground, up the side of my building, across the rooftop and connected to the our circuit box. There's a certain humor to this and despite the math you have to remember, "it gets done."  There are also splendid homes of mid-century design with to-die-for views resting upon hillsides and bluffs that stop you in your tracks so you can take time to nourish your imagination. One scar to this scenary however, are some homes destroyed by Hurricane Hugo 22 years ago and left as skelotons symbolizing natures force.
      As a foreigner I can see there is so much potential here, so much room for creativity. Not that creativity is dearth, because lets face it to be in a enviroment where you can get some wood and tin and open a bar is pretty cool, but with the right investment and vision, there's a greater oppurtunity to develope what already exist; taking things to another level beyond limitation where it's realized beauty is worth the effort.
      When I get to my front door, I stop to take in the lush green thicket. The goats gather under a tree to settle in for the night and Zouk music is heard blarring from a neighbors house while small frogs (grenouille) gear up for the nights concerto.  I open the up the doors of the facade to let in the nights air.  The back windows and wooden panels that conceal them remain closed at dusk to prevent bats from flying in along with other unwanted pest. There is a consensus about  burgularies also, so once you lay to rest you essentially lock yourself in which is ironic after spending so much time outdoors; but for all intents and purposes this is the preference for security, comfort, (as only the bedrooms in most homes are air-conditioned), and protection from strong winds caused by ominous storms.
       The evening begins to take form and I can not only hear, but see a shower approaching like a herd of horses stampeding from the dark clouds as if to eclipse the remaining light. Caribbean weather is not always representative of the post card as rain showers are plentiful and for some reason this year even the dry season was wet. The passing storms bring short gust of wind that provide relief  to the thickness of humidity that can feel like an extra layer to the atomosphere causing one to perspire to a degree of detoxification; where the intoxicants consumed earlier that day are illiminated.  The coq's cock-a-doodle in a display of dominance to let challenging coq's who linger on the perimeter know who's the biggest/baddess coq and therefore corts all of the hens.  Observing this reminds me that man and animal aren't that distant.   
       As I prepare for the onslought of omnipresent mosquitos, and after some rain showers, some sort of flying ant like creature that emerges by the hundreds if not thousands, I sip a T-Punch, (an apperitif made of white rhum, sugar and lime) and mount an offensive to engage in insect warfare, assisted by nocturnal lizards and grenouille that emerge for prey. Swatting at this air-force of insects becomes increasingly hazardous and frustrating where I eventually relent, slipping into a malaise to weigh the difference between island life and city life. I sit aimelessly among these creatures in retreat, for to fight all of them is to be one step away from a straight-jacket or poisoned by your own hand from a can of pesticide.  I conclude that despite my flying enemies, I really dig isalnd life and all of its bounty, but I find solace and a semblance of sanity having created urban walls of Brooklyn adornment.
       The sun takes her final bow and natures philharmonic begins with a few notes unfamiliar, composed by unearthed creatures that make them.  I sip my T-Punch not just to unwind, but to rewind the experience of living; to be present in the glory of  this environment and all of her embellishments; to know that love has a course of its own and when followed the result is the same; beautiful.  I live another day to explore the consciousness of a people and myself and to discover what we possess and what we lack. I feel the presence of creation flow through me as with all things we are a manifestation of thoughts and ideas. I sit with me and watch not just the cinema in my head, but the epic story of a day winding down in a moment of bliss and purity.  Content with my percection and therefore reality, I realize the critique of others is meaningless without construction, leaving me in the moment to share a common vision when it comes to living fully.  Although island life be a fantasy for some, paridise excist in the mind for no physical thing can fully satisfy us, it's only in the spirit, no matter where we rest, that we find peace.
        I've learned so much from the island experience because what it is, is just that, an experience. From it, I'll take what I need to stay creative and open; from the intangible gifts bestowed upon me by some of the most brillant artist and people to have crossed my path, to the memory of simple things like an afternoon stroll with my son in the shadow of the mountains. The theatre of life lets us know we are connected to the art and decor around us; the beauty shaped by the wind and our care, but without our conception. I thank Guadeloupe for what she's given me to use en masse, to embrace as a professional and more importantly, a simple man connecting with the most beautifully decorated space ever; our planet. Cheers to thee, for she leaves an indelible impression etched into my heart and soul where I can reflect what we've shared and who I am by looking within; where I'm inpired to look up and kiss the stars saying, "bon nuit dou dou."

60 Day House



























Tell Your Story

       When it comes to decorating, for many it's hard to know where to begin.  Thumbing through magazines, coffee table books, and catalogs is a good start to discovering the look that suits your taste, but the look should evolve beyond being a replica of tearsheets or showrooms. You may even attempt to copy what someone else has done, choose themes (style of a particular culture) or higher a decorator to do what they do, and although there is something to be had by these means, it's more original to ultimately implant your own footprint by making your space a space of your own.  There are many nicely decorated homes to the lay eye, but when you look deeper there is an absense of personality as if the house was a model for rent; providing the bones, but no organs and muscle and therefore no dimension or layers that says something about the occupant.  Even if the preference is minimilist, the choices should be conscious and representative.  In taking the theme route for instance you may get a semblance of what a person likes, but if the totality of the room represents a culture or country and not the person per se, all you have is something trite and trendy, and like all trends evetually fatigues.  I've seen way to much culture overkill in my time which simply comes off as excessive and ill decorated. Don't get me wrong,  I love to implement different textures and styles from around the world; not to create a theme or be ostentatious, but for the genuine love of the particular design and or material.  An example of this is my love affair with wood.  I am inspired by many aesthetics where wood is widely used such as Bali  and Africa.  This is a way to not only put furniture in a room, but to add works of art.  Wood work is broad and sculptual, and being a diletante of sculpture fits right in to my personal taste and interest.
       The first thing I look for in a room is how interesting it is and what it says about the person. (Sometimes you can see how a person dresses to give you an idea of how their place will look, but I digress).  I look at the choices of furniture, accessories (if they exist), the art or lack of and basically the thought behind the choices.  I quietly examine the room to often find little imagination, just pieces to serve a function.  Your home is your santuary and a reflection of yourself; taking the time to put together a space that represents you gives visitors a feeling of welcome and comfort.  It's all about having the confidence to make your space how you want it where you can feel at home with your choices and surroundings.
         When you walk through the door of ones home the pulse of the occupant is instanly felt.  There is an energy that determines if it's inviting, comfortable, and warm; giving truth to the phrase, "lived in" (without sacrificing style of course). This can be achieved first by attention to lighting where using lamps rather than bright ceiling lights illuminates the room as if you were using only candles, therefore establishing a mood of relaxtion.
       Having artwork is a great indicator of the story being told, whether it's an interesting print or originals from friends, off of the street, galleries, exibitions, or even your own if that's something you do or have attempted, as long as it suits your taste. I once purchased from a young artist on the street in Soho, a New York subway map drawn over in graffiti style with the word New York and a drawing of a subway car.  I framed it and put in my son's room to lace his wall with a funky piece of art suitable for a childs room. A stroll through Soho or any arty neighborhood can be rewarding; finding interesting artwork that's reasonably priced.
      Accessories inherited from family, flea markets, antiquing, or pieces you've aquired from travelling are all part of the text. Travelling is one of the best ways to add a personal touch, as what you've brought back is in itself your experience and therefore a conversation piece that tells a story of where you've been, what you like and even to a degree who you are.  When the sun sets, it's nice to know that your surroundings are not a fabrication of someone elses ideas, but an illustration of your way of life and what you enjoy about it.

Take It Outside

        As a Decorator, I don't like to leave any room or space untouched and my favorite room to decorate is the livingroom.  I treat the livingroom like a lounge where it's all about style, comfort, and mood.  One way to extend that look is to take it outside, especially if you live in an environment where the climate allows this year round, but even if it doesn't, there are cool ways to easily enhance your outdoor living space beyond basic patio furniture.  If you have a balcony, terrace, rooftop, veranda, or even a fire-escape which was the case in my old studio in Brooklyn, all it takes is a little creativity and vision to hook it up. There is a lot of well designed, no fuss outdoor furniture which is great, but for me that's like buying a livingroom set e.g. uninteresting. I like to mix indoor pieces with outdoor pieces even though it requires a little more effort to maintain and manage. One way around this however, is to buy second hand pieces from flea markets, yard-sales etc. that are interesting and that you don't mind getting weathered, or pieces that are light weight and modular like folding chairs, small tables and even inexpensive rugs that can be folded as if it were a blanket such as the ones in photo #1.  That's an image of a balcony to a loft in Jersey City that I styled for a client who was entertaining and wanted a colorful and decorative extension to her livingroom where her guest could assemble and chill outside.  The pieces she didn't want to leave outdoors after the party were easy to gather and store indoors and replace the next time for her own personal leisure.
        The space in photo #2 is another example where comfort doesn't have to stop at the door.  Set in the Caribbean, it is a year round functional space used for entertaining and relaxing.  The large bottom rug is sea-grass which endures the Caribbean climate and the small shag was purchased at an antique shop which the owners don't worry about getting weathered, (even though for some reason that section of the veranda rarely succumbs to wetness during frequent rains).  The loveseat pulls out to a sleeper if an afternoon sieste is needed.  The coffee table is a Nelson Bench designed by famed designer George Nelson.  I wouldn't recommend using this outside if you don't want the worry of it getting ruined, or depending where you live, stolen. It is however, lightweight and therefore easily moved; a small sacrifice for style. When furnishing your outdoor haven, a couple of things to be aware of is direct sunlight and moisture.  Over time sunlight will fade and/or destroy fabrics, textiles, and woods. The small cylinder stools in the photo are made of mango wood which cracks in direct sunlight and the basket housing the plant under the console is water hyancinth which will deteriorate if in contact with excessive moisture.  The African lounge chairs however, are perfect for outdoor use. They're comfortable, durable, handle the elements, easily disassembled and stylish. Although they were purchased stained, the fading provides a more raw and rustic look that works well in this scheme.  Whatever you choose, do your research and ask questions before purchasing items or just make it funky with things you like and don't mind enduring the elements. In any case, take a load off, it's time for a cocktail in the great outdoors.  Cheers.

NATURAL WONDERS

            Greetings deco friends. As spring has sprung it's time to spruce up your space by bringing the outdoors in. Even year round you can do this by buying or cutting your own flowers and leaves to add color, texture, and energy to enhance your personal look.  I'm fortunate to spend time in an enviroment where I can walk out of the door, cut some leaves or flowers and livin up any room. I often find treasures at the beach like sea vegetation as seen in my blog header photo boardering the shelf, and even interesting rocks to add a decorative and natural touch.  As a sentiment, I tend to collect interesting rocks in my travels and have brought colorful keep-sakes from as far as the Mediterranean and the rivers of Corsica to the shore of the East River. For those who don't venture outdoors often, many furniture stores have added natural accessories to their stock for you to bring dimension to your home in a natural way such as the spider branches in photo one.  I couldn't resist the sculptural effect of these branches and had to have them. In any case, I appreciate the eye of the proprietor and find them brilliant and artististic, but whatever you do, don't use anything articial.  I knew a person who lived in Miami where these tropical leaves and plants were at her finger tips and are made to thrive in that kind of enviroment thus little attention needed, who "embellished" her terrace with a slew of fake plants.Yes, in Miami, faux foliage. Please, LOL.
          Also brilliant are the elephant ears displayed in photo two.  I used to buy these and many other tropical leaves in New York at Caribbean Cuts on 28th St., between 6th and 7th.  Now, a drive to the mountain side of the island and I find these babies for free, in abundance, and twice the size.  The two in the photo are about 4 -4.5 feet long and last up to 8 weeks if not longer. However you get them, cut an inch off of the bottom to assure longevity.  Also look for tares, holes, and yellowing; these are signs of a shorter life span.
           Another thing not shown, but can be seen on my website at wix.com/ktroy3/1-three, is the use of wood and branches.  I just find them naturally sculptural and architectural.  I've used 24" long logs as night stands and found oak branches about 12 feet long on the streets of Brooklyn to put in a corner to again add a natural decorative flare.  I've also found an intersting array of branches that I've used to stand alone in a beautiful vase and even to canopy a veranda cieling for a client in the Caribbean. Crafted wood logs are found in many high end furntiure stores and can cost a pretty penny.  Although I can appreciate the craftsmenship, there are many pieces on the streets that nature has crafted for you.  They might need a little sanding and or stripping, but that's totally an individual choice.
            Besides the streets and other natural enviroments, I find the use of nature and therefore inspiration in cool lounges, restaurants, funky boutiques and strolling past chic hair salons in New York. For me, they provide great ideas to bring home to make a space warm, sexy, and interesting.  So the next time you're out and about, beware, there are many natural and practical ways to bring life to your space.