Inspiration January 26, 2010

Inspiration: Atlanta, Art and the Movies

A week ago, my daughter, Laura-Victoria, my niece, Holly Seargeant and I went to see the  movie, The Young Victoria.  I admit to having met my match in my niece in her knowledge of  the British monarchy!  We had a great time discussing the topic.  Now this is my favorite kind of  movie!  I love films of an historic period, biographical and, especially well acted.  For me, I  often will watch the movie more than once because I am so enthralled by the interiors on the  screen!  I will sometimes miss what is actually happening because I am studying the  furnishings, the carpets, the windows, the architecture and architectural appointments – so I  have to see it again!

Such was the case with The Young Victoria.  Emily Blount is exceptional.  I found myself believing in the magic – she was not an actress playing a role – she embodied her character and made the audience believe we were in the presence of Victoria herself.

I would urge you to see the movie.  I came away inspired by the beauty of the palaces, wanting to create a true traditional, elegant and timeless interior in my next project and appreciating once again my own home and my personally selected 18^th century American, English and French interiors.

As designers, we are inspired by a variety of things.  I often find inspiration in history.  A number of years ago, when Kiera Knightly remade Pride & Prejudice, I was inspired to create the window treatments for Legacy Design Group’s Study Of The Arts in the 2006 Roswell Woman’s Club Showcase.  I left the movie knowing that our windows had to be treated with elaborately trimmed Austrian silk shades because I had seen something similar in the movie!

On Saturday, Jan. 23, Bernie and I went to The High Museum of Art to see the DaVinci exhibit.  The Hand of the Master was more than I anticipated!  Now, I have been blessed in my 58 years!  I have been to all of the Smithsonian museums and countless art museums including ones in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., here in the U.S. and the national galleries in Dublin and London!

I have stood before an actual volume of Chippendale’s Gentleman’s and Cabinetmaker’s Guide.  I have seen furniture actually carved by the great Goddard & Townsend workshop.  I have seen with my own eyes DaVinci’s Mona Lisa in Paris’ Louvre; walked through Napoleon’s apartments; the Vatican’s treasures of wondrous works of art, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel; and the treasures of Florence’s Uffizi Gallery.  I have attended concerts in the Medici palazzo and Schonbrunn Palace.  I walked the halls of Versailles.

I have been in these places, steeped in history, counting my blessings. Never in my wildest childhood dreams did I think I would be so fortunate to walk through so many incredible places and see such incredible works!  I believe with all my heart that having such wonderful opportunities has infused my work with a depth and understanding that sets me apart.  So, having the opportunity to go to Atlanta’s High Museum and view works by Leonardo DaVinci was a natural thing for me to do.  To be further blessed with a husband who enjoys these visits is also worthy of mention!

As I walked through the exhibit, I deepened my appreciation for the difficulty of the times of the Renaissance and the incredible works of art that were produced during this period.  I came away inspired to continue to create my own brand of interior design – timeless and classic – and wanting to inspire others with my own work.

In addition to the works by DaVinci and his contemporaries, the High is also showcasing an exhibit on the works of Atlanta’s own John Portman, architect extraordinaire.

Portman graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology a year before I was born.  He is credited with changing the skyline of Atlanta but more importantly, it was his work in 1967 with the Hyatt Regency hotel that changed the course of architectural history, winning international acclaim!  His design of the first modern atrium hotel was revolutionary and became the benchmark for hospitality design that we enjoy today!  He was a pioneer in the role of architect as developer.

Portman was profoundly influenced by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and his concept of organic architecture, a concept that promotes harmony between nature and humans.  The idea of integrated design whereby the natural setting, building, furnishings and surroundings all blend to create a unified, harmonious composition is no longer extraordinary.   It is accepted.  It is a part of how we live and work.   Portman took this innovative philosophy one step further, believing that art, architecture and furniture should all work in harmony to create dramatic spaces that invite human interaction. He named his personal residences “Entelechy”, which is derived from the Greek and means:  dreams realized.  Portman designed with the human experience in mind.

I realized as I walked through the work of this amazing talent that this philosophy is one I adopted as a young designer:  designing with the human experience in mind.  I was never able to verbalize it quite so eloquently before.

After my visit to the High yesterday, I realized that this is another aspect of my work that sets Legacy Design Group apart.  I was so fortunate as a young designer to have such wonderful mentors.  To have been taken under wing by an architect who gave me incredible opportunities to broaden my horizons and learn to design with architecture as a whole, rather than just “decorate” a space.

In retrospect, this article is longer than most and I hope my readers will understand that I am in awe of the works of great masters that have come before.  I am honored and privileged to be able to practice the art of interior design.  I am inspired by what has come before.

I like this saying:  Aspire to inspire.  It is my hope that you will:  Be inspired and be an inspiration.