Design Milk Travels to… Raleigh (Durham & Chapel Hill)

When you hear the city of Raleigh, North Carolina mentioned, it’ll oftentimes be followed up with Durham and Chapel Hill, that’s because the three cities form a triangle on a map dubbing them the ‘Triangle,’ or the Research Triangle Park, if you want to get technical. That’s because the area is booming with high-tech research and development companies, hence the ‘research’ part of the name, along with three top universities – Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC State. And while the area is home to a plethora of buttoned up businesses, it also has a slowly emerging underbelly of a creative scene. We’re focusing on Raleigh, but since the three cities are so intertwined and not that far from each other (about 20-30 minutes), we’ll be covering a little bit from Durham and Chapel Hill, too.

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WHERE TO STAY

21c Hotel Durham \\ Photo courtesy of 21c Hotel Durham

21c Museum Hotel Durham: Housed in a historic building in downtown Durham, this boutique hotel features 125-rooms and a contemporary art museum under the same roof. The brand launched its first hotel in Louisville, Kentucky in 2006 and has slowly been expanding its unique hotel vision to other cities. [Durham]

The Durham Hotel \\ Photo courtesy of Commune

The Durham Hotel: A modern, 53-room boutique hotel with a mid-century aesthetic designed by LA-based firm Commune. The hotel opened in 2015 after the renovation of the structure which was once the old Home Savings and Loan bank built in 1966.

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WHERE TO PLAY

NCMA

NCMA – North Carolina Museum of Art: Along with a permanent collection, the museum rotates exhibitions throughout the year and during the summer months, they show outdoor movies on their lawn and have concerts. [Raleigh]

CAM Raleigh – Contemporary Art Museum: Located in downtown Raleigh, CAM curates rotating exhibitions and experiences from emerging and established artists and designers. On the first Friday of every month, admission is free to everyone. [Raleigh]

First Friday: On the first Friday of every month, art galleries, museums, art studios, shops, and alternative venues open their doors to welcome anyone that’s out for the free, self-guided tour around downtown. [Raleigh]

Lump: An artist-run gallery located in downtown Raleigh with a focus on thought-provoking contemporary art from up-and-coming and established artists. [Raleigh]

Nasher Museum of Art \\ Photo courtesy of Nasher Museum Blogs, via Flickr

Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University: Duke’s Nasher has been around for just over 10 years and is housed within a modern, 65,000 square foot structure designed by Rafael Viñoly. Along with events, lectures, gatherings, and a film series, the museum boasts a substantial permanent collection of contemporary art, with a focus on work by artists of African descent. [Durham]

LIGHT: Art + Design: A gallery that promotes the work of various contemporary artist with an awareness that focuses on sustainable design. [Chapel Hill]

James B. Hunt Jr. Library \\ Photo by © Jeff Goldberg/Esto

James B. Hunt Jr. Library: NC State hired Snøhetta to design their second main library on the university’s Centennial Campus and it opened in 2013. Even if you’re not a student, it’s worth checking out just as a spectator. [Raleigh]

Thirst4Architecture: A series of networking events that bring together hundreds of modern design-loving people around the Triangle for an informal happy hour evening. [Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and other various locations]

North Carolina Modernist Houses (NCMH): Did you know that NC has the 3rd largest concentration of modernist houses in the U.S.? Most people would never suspect that until they begin driving through neighborhoods and spotting the modern architectural gems that are scattered throughout. NCMH has done a beautiful job documenting the history of every modern master throughout the state. Besides scouring their archives, they organize tours and trips to check them out in person. [Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and other various locations]

Hopscotch Design Festival: Running alongside its sister event, the famed Hopscotch Music Festival, this one focuses on design, bringing in designers, makers, architects, thinkers, and anyone else who has a hand in shaping the design world, to speak and discuss all things design.

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival: 2017 will mark the festival’s 20th year. Every year, they welcome filmmakers (and film lovers) from all over for a four-day event that shows nearly 100 films, discussions, and panels. [Durham]

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WHERE TO SHOP

The Curatory

The Curatory at the Raleigh Denim Workshop: Raleigh Denim, a denim brand that focuses on American craftsmanship, has their very own shop attached to their workshop that not only sells their jeans, but a range of highly curated goods, including clothing, accessories, gifts, and stationery, that the owners have discovered on their travels. [Raleigh]

Port of Raleigh \\ Photo courtesy of Port of Raleigh

Port of Raleigh: A curated shop of design-focused, modern goods from all over the world that will help everyone elevate the look of their home. [Raleigh]

Ambiente: This modern store has been around for over 30 years and began as a Scandinavian design store. Over the years they’ve expanded to include designs from all over the world and now work with more than 200 manufacturers. [Raleigh]

Stitch: The storefront of Holly Aiken’s line of modern vinyl bags, wallets, tech sleeves, guitar straps, and various accessories, all designed and made in North Carolina. [Raleigh]

Photo courtesy of Father and Son

Father and Son: This vintage shop in downtown Raleigh carries the best selection of mid-century modern furniture you could ever ask for. [Raleigh]

Area Modern Home: They specialize in locally handmade modern upholstered furniture, while also featuring top modern brands for purchase in their showroom.[Durham]

Palette & Parlor: A showroom catering to the best American and European furniture brands, including Knoll, Fritz Hansen, Carl Hansen & Son, Cartel, and Vitra, along with locally made offering and work from emerging brands like Pelle and Bend. [Chapel Hill]

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FINAL WORDS

If you visit Raleigh, hit up Humble Pie and Poole’s Diner for dinner, in Durham, visit The Durham, or if you find yourself in Chapel Hill, try Lantern – you won’t regret it!

Did we miss anything? Add your favorite stops in Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill in the comments below!

from Design MilkDesign Milk http://design-milk.com/travel-guide-raleigh-durham-chapel-hill/

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/157839053719

Exclusive: Trestle Bowl by Zoe Mowat for OTHR

Introducing our latest OTHR exclusive preview: the minimal, sculptural Trestle Bowl by Montreal-based designer Zoë Mowat, crafted in 3D printed porcelain. Trestle was created to house jewelry, keys, and other small yet significant objects, and is available in two sizes: Short and Tall.

The porcelain bowl’s form originated from the exploration of positive and negative space. Its seamless connections are possible only through 3D printing; in the words of the designer, “Quite simply, I wanted to make something float.”

The clean connection of the handle to the vessel is a feature only possible with the 3D printing method.

The Trestle Bowl’s flat handle, ideal for hanging drop earrings or draping jewelry, appears to be suspended on the edge of its surface.

Based in Montreal, Canada, Zoë operates her eponymous studio. Her sculptural and intuitive approach to furniture and objects allows her to explore color, material, form and texture. This is counterbalanced by a curiosity and desire to create functional objects that can endure. She currently teaches at University of Oregon.

Get your early edition of the Trestle Bowl series in black, white or celadon here before it goes on sale to everyone else on Thursday.

OTHR is an on-demand 3D printed design brand producing objects by today’s most talented designers— and each week, we bring you exclusive, pre-launch access to their latest designs.

Add your email to our exclusive OTHR list to be notified when a new design is available:

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from Design MilkDesign Milk http://design-milk.com/exclusive-trestle-bowl-zoe-mowat-othr/

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/157839053379

10 Tips for Transitioning Careers Quickly

Three years ago, I was working as an art director at an ad agency. The hours were long, the clients were picky and internal dramas were aplenty. It was then that I realized I wanted something new. I’d always had an interest in interior design, and home styling was a field I wanted to crack into, but I wasn’t sure how to pursue this passion and make it something worthwhile.

As luck would have it, I came across a post on Design*Sponge mentioning Grace’s hunt for writers to cover the site’s home tours. Without any writing experience, but with a burning will to get the job, I applied, staying up until the wee hours of the morning mocking up what my pieces would look like within the site’s design. Luckily, that little extra touch worked. I not only got the job, but the process taught me a valuable lesson: to go for something you want wholeheartedly and to not simply choose a new path, but blaze a new trail.

Taking a risk and going for it is something interior designer Magalie René-Hayes is familiar with as well. After years working in another field, she flipped the script and opened her own design firm. It wasn’t easy, and thoughts of self-doubt often plagued her as they did me, but over time she hurdled over obstacle after obstacle. In the end, she found herself doing the work she was always meant to, designing homes from California to Virginia.

Magalie’s career transition worked out so well, we had to know her secret. How’d she do it? How’d she handle the mental stresses that come with such a huge change? How’d she find the confidence to take the plunge? She answers all that and more with her 10 Tips for Transitioning Careers Quickly. Click through to check them out. Enjoy! —Garrett

Photography courtesy of  Magalie René-Hayes

I found my calling when 30 under 30 was a tiny speck in my rear view mirror. On the one hand it was a celebration to have finally figured out what I wanted, and I was excited to embrace it. On the other, feelings of self-doubt started creeping in as I reflected on having already had a career (or three, but who’s counting).

It was frightening to think I’d stumbled upon my passion too late, and I was discouraged by what I thought might be a long, arduous road to my new career goals. The good news is it wasn’t nearly as long [of] a road as I’d anticipated. My business, now in its fourth year, has taught me it’s never too late to pursue your dream. If you’re considering a career transition but fear your moment has passed, believe me, the possibility exists to find yourself at the helm of your purpose. And way faster than you may think. –Magalie René-Hayes

1. Give yourself credit for what you’ve already accomplished: Even if you’ve never done a single thing in life that relates to your newfound passion, you have been successful, and you can do it again. Challenge yourself to jot down a few achievements of which you are particularly proud, and remind yourself that you accomplished those things back then so you can surely learn to do this now.

2. Believe in the power of the shortcut: Not all shortcuts are taken by cheaters who want to avoid hard work. Know who else takes shortcuts? Smart people. If there’s a quicker path that leads to the same outcome, take it as long as it’s ethical. There’s no rule that [says] success and achievement have to take a lot of time. It requires passion and determination, and you’ve got both of those in spades.

3. There’s honor in mastery: Credibility, respect and confidence are at their peak when one truly understands and masters a craft. The value you’ll bring to clients and the income you’ll be able to demand are worth the long hours and hard work.

Image above: Magalie hangs some finishing touches in a Virginian client’s home. Magalie says her personal style “leans towards clean lines and sophistication with an appreciation for color and joyful touches.” 

4. Don’t wait for mastery in order to begin: If you wait until you feel you’ve truly mastered your craft you may never begin. There’s always room to improve further, but the trick is simply to start. Take those first steps and push the boundaries of fear to apply your knowledge. The lessons you’ll learn while practicing your passion will go far in helping you master it. Learn by doing. Master by repeating.

5. Just say, “Yes!” and the universe will send help: When luck smiles down on you, embrace it. Don’t turn away an incredible opportunity because you don’t have enough experience. Take a chance and say “Yes!” even if you don’t feel quite ready. You’ve discovered your purpose. Don’t wait another minute to go for it. You’ll find – or hunt down – help along the way.

6. Perfection isn’t possible: Seeking perfection in your results can cause you to quit too soon. Instead, find the value in what you create regardless of what the results look like. Rather than reaching for perfection, strive to beat your personal best consistently.

7. Embrace unconventional ways to learn: In our modern, technologically-advanced society, there are as many ways to learn online as there are offline. Try these routes for mastering your career goals:

• Take online courses on YouTube, Lynda, Udemy, Coursera, Skillshare, etc.
• Schedule informational interviews
• Join or create a Facebook group
• Attend industry meet-ups
• Attend conferences, workshops, seminars and presentations
• Join industry associations and follow experts in your field
• Hire a friend or acquaintance to give you private lessons

Image above: An eclectic cottage Magalie put together in West Hollywood, CA.

8. Get clear: Do whatever it takes to get centered and calm enough to hear your inner voice — whether that means meditating, taking up an exercise routine or starting a morning ritual like journaling. Listen to your intuition and work out any tempestuous feelings to get clear on your purpose and set your daily intention.

9. Time is a construct: Reframe [time] from something akin to a ticking bomb to something that supports you. Use the mantra “Freedom is Where My Feet Are,” to quiet the imaginary clock and bring you back to what you are creating in the now.

10. Trust yourself: Steps worth taking rarely feel safe, but risks are often necessary to live a life of passion. When you consider how short life can be, you realize there’s nothing to fear but the regret of not having tried. The biggest lesson of all is to trust yourself and go for it.

from Design*Sponge http://www.designsponge.com/2017/02/10-tips-for-transitioning-careers-quickly.html

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/157828156214

14 Inspiring Quotations for 2017

These days I’ve found myself more and more inspired by the tiny bits and moments of wisdom and inspiration that exist online. From hand-written quotations to beautifully painted advice, your updates have kept me going and given me the fuel and hope I’ve needed to keep up my schedule of work, volunteering and social activism. Whether you’re looking for the motivation to approach a difficult conversation, a rough day at work or just need a little boost to remind yourself to dream big and ask for what you really want, these submissions from our #DSInspire hashtag challenge will get your day started on the right foot. xo, grace

Image above: Photo by @kathrynzaremba

Image above: Photo by @elisejoy

Image above: Photo by @AbbieAdams

Image above: Photo by @doitwellco

Image above: Photo by @gracedchin

Image above: Photo by @gracedchin

Image above: Photo by @katiemarievaz

Image above: Photo by @kmsalvagedesign

Image above: Photo by @mstarrevdesign

Image above: Photo by @ofnotestationers

Image above: Photo by @rachelfromaustin

Image above: Photo by @robertandstella

Image above: Photo by @shishievents

Image above: Photo by @thegoodtwinco and @beautifulpaper

from Design*Sponge http://www.designsponge.com/2017/02/14-inspiring-quotations-for-2017.html

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/157826532904

Stiletto Benches I and II from PELLE

Stiletto Bench I and II from PELLE almost appear to defy gravity with a feeling of weightlessness coming from the balance of massive, intersecting blocks of wood and delicate brass legs. With each bench weighting up to three hundred pounds, it’s hard to imagine that part of the bench is supported by only slim “stiletto” brass heels that are embedded into the wood but they are.

Stiletto I

The blocks of rough-hewn, construction grade wood are given a smooth finish that enhances the character of each piece. The resulting benches will leave you wondering how they manage to balance the weight so effortlessly.

Stiletto II

Stiletto II

Stiletto II

from Design MilkDesign Milk http://design-milk.com/stiletto-benches-i-and-ii-from-pelle/

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/157826512239

Black History Month Spotlight: Kehinde Wiley

There are moments in art and design when I struggle with the decorative nature of the things I love. I know that these parts of design (pattern, color, furniture) have the power to make people feel at home in their spaces, but I also know that they don’t begin to touch on deeper topics that rattle around in my mind and heart — especially right now. But every now and then there are artists and artworks that are able to brilliantly blend decorative arts and art history with deeply meaningful and symbolic statements about cultural and political issues. One of the artists I admire most for this ability (and so much more) is Kehinde Wiley.

Born in Los Angeles, CA in 1977, Kehinde now lives and works in New York City where he is known for his striking portraiture. Kehinde’s work references classic paintings and composition from art history and replaces the main figures with young black men and women. Their striking portraits are complemented by richly colored and patterned backgrounds that recall a wide range of decorative styles, from baroque and rococo to floral and damask prints.

While discussing his portraiture focusing on black men and women, Kehinde said:

“I loved when I walked into LACMA as a kid and seeing Kerry James Marshall’s grand barbershop painting. But it was thrown into very sharp relief when thinking about the absence of other black images in that museum. There was something absolutely heroic and fascinating about being able to feel a certain relationship to the institution and the fact that these people happen to look like me on some level. One of the reasons I’ve chosen some of these zones had to do with the way you fantasize, whether it be about your own people or far-flung places, and how there’s the imagined personality and look and feel of a society, and then there’s the actuality that sometimes is jarring, as a working artist and traveling from time to time. Being in southern India, that black American hip hop culture is everywhere and to see it in sharp relief on these brown bodies in south Asia is something extraordinary, something that I wanted to get down without even fully understanding the entirety of the cultural context. I think it’s important to destabilize yourself, and I do it because I want to see people who look like me.

Kehinde’s work is striking and powerful on so many levels and artwork like his is the reason I keep feeling excited and eager to learn more about the fine art world. Our art and design community is made stronger when we celebrate voices and visuals from different points of view, and Kehinde’s point of view is one I will continue to love and follow for years to come. Click here to visit his website, here for his Instagram feed and here for an incredible PBS episode on his life and work. xo, grace

from Design*Sponge http://www.designsponge.com/2017/02/black-history-month-spotlight-kehinde-wiley.html

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/157824795529

A Clean, Monochromatic Apartment in Helsinki

Laura Seppänen Design Agency was hired to design the new, two-room residence of Stina Mäntyniemi, the head of Cosmopolitan Finland. The Helsinki-based interior designer and stylist created an all-white space that was clean and monochromatic, but at the same time, cozy and comfortable. With Scandinavian vibes, this minimalist apartment looks magazine worthy while also being livable.

Crisp white walls, floors, and ceilings set the tone of the apartment and keep things fresh looking. Layered in are elements of black, the occasional grey, and a few green plants. The client didn’t want any rugs or curtains, which tend to soften a space, but other textures were incorporated to help with that.

Besides having no curtains or rugs, the only other wish the client had was to buy a Bertoia Diamond Chair, which is prominently featured in the living room with a black cushion.

The original kitchen was given a minor update with a new faucet, sink, and cabinet doors, as well as painting the hardware a matte black. They also brought in a Carrara marble countertop to round it out.

Photos by Krista Keltanen.

from Design MilkDesign Milk http://design-milk.com/a-clean-monochromatic-apartment-in-helsinki/

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/157824754919

A Versatile System of Stackable Containers

Bringing functionality to decor, Federica Biasi and Simone Bonanni designed these minimalist, stackable containers for Incipit to hold all of your loose accessories. Dama consists of a series of round dishes in various heights and colors that stack to form a layered box. They can also be used individually.

A simple brass handle cantilevers over the edge of the lid making it easy to lift, revealing a hidden mirror on the other side.

The dishes are made of metal spun aluminum that’s powder coated in the colors seen topped with a Plexiglas lid.

Dama will debut at the Brera Design District in April.

from Design MilkDesign Milk http://design-milk.com/a-versatile-system-of-stackable-containers/

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/157823125614

Where I Work: bright designlab

For this month’s Where I Work, we head to Portland, Oregon to meet Leela Brightenburg, CEO of interior design firm bright designlab. Brightenburg founded the practice along with her partner, director of operations, Alissa Pulcrano, in 2009 and the pair have been running strong ever since. Just recently, they remodeled their Pearl District space to house their team of six women and to include an office, studio, and gallery that displays the works of local and visiting artists. Here, Brightenburg shares more about the new space, how she works in it, and some of her favorite projects. Take a look.

What is your typical work style?

My work style is a mix of scheduled and random. I try to have a good work life balance (and leave work at the office), so generally I have a pretty regular work schedule. Not to say that late nights, early mornings and other events don’t come up – that’s part of owning a business! I find I am most creative when not locked into a schedule, so I also try to allow some freedom and find space within that framework.

What’s your studio/work environment like?

I would say our work environment is a clean with a controlled, somewhat beautiful, mess. There are piles of materials (tile, fabrics, etc.) in constant rotation for the projects we work on and that can get… let’s just call it, visually dynamic. We are lucky to have a space in a 1911 building with high wood ceilings, brick and lovely old windows. We have music playing constantly in the background; it can be anything from alternative to punk to hip hop, depending on the day. Watts (the office puppy) is a recent addition and is usually running around checking in on everyone, or causing trouble if he can find it.

How is your office organized/arranged?

We have a small gallery (bright box gallery) at the entry to our space, it allows for the public to feel welcome to meander in and features a rotating selection of artists. Our ‘working’ design office is open with two main workspaces located on either side of the gallery. I work at a standing desk in the smaller front office area with my business partner. Our front office also includes a meeting space, as well as a few display/pin-up areas to hold bits of inspiration and things we are working on.

How long have you been in this space? Where did you work before that?

We have been in the space for 6 years now. The space has taken many iterations along the way, as the business has grown from just the two of us to a team of 6. Before we renovated and moved into this space, we were working out of my business partner’s basement. The gallery is a new addition that has added a really nice element of privacy for the workspaces. We were lucky and moved into the neighborhood at a time when everyone was leaving and closing businesses because of the recession. Now the area is booming and has become a bit of a design district, which has been fun to see and to be a part of.

If you could change something about your workspace, what would it be?

Hmmm. That’s a tough one, as I feel really lucky with what we have. The one thing that I would add would be a soundproof meeting room. Sometimes there is just a need for it!

Is there an office pet?

Yes! Watts, my rescued puppy (now 6 months old). He comes in a few times a week and brings a lot of spunk.

Do you require music in the background? If so, who are some favorites?

I like to have music in the background, it keeps me moving and focused. I like quite a mix, but if I have a choice I always choose hip hop – A Tribe Called Quest, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Common, Wu-Tang.

How do you record ideas?

I use notebooks – lots of them, and random bits of paper here and there to sketch things out.

Do you have an inspiration board? What’s on it right now?

I tend to have a variety of inspiration collections rather than a board – some digital, some physical. I like to ponder a mix of objects as well as photos of spaces, places and things.

What is your creative process and/or creative workflow like? Does it change every project or do you keep it the same?

It varies depending on what the project is (our projects come in a wide variety of scopes), but I always start with developing a concept and inspiration for the general feel for the project and go from there.

What kind of design objects might you have scattered about the space?

Ceramics, fabric, tile, pieces of wood, paint swatches, light fixtures and a wealth of design magazines.

Are there tools and/or machinery in your space?

Just our computers which are essential to the process these days. Oh, and measuring tapes, of all forms, both the old school along with the new school (lasers).

What tool do you most enjoy using in the design process?

I most enjoy hand sketching and getting away from the computer (when I get the chance). I come from a background of making things with my hands and love when I can attach a physical aspect to the process.

Let’s talk about how you’re wired. Tell us about your tech arsenal/devices.

I work on an iMac with a broad spectrum of programs, and an iPhone as you might guess. Other than that I try to keep things analog as I prefer to unplug whenever I can.

What design software do you use, if any, and for what?

AutoCAD for drawings and drafting, and the Adobe Suite for graphics, presentations, custom design details, etc. We also do some 3D modeling.

Is there a favorite project you’ve worked on?

Choosing one favorite is impossible for me. Here are a few that I really enjoyed getting into: Plywood treehouse (above), Overlook, Bohemian Modern Kitchen.

Do you feel like you’ve “made it”? What has made you feel like you’ve become successful? At what moment/circumstances? Or what will it take to get there?

I feel successful and grateful for all we have accomplished, but I don’t feel like I have “made it” yet. I’m searching for how far we can go and what impact we can have in the greater world. I think gaining an understanding of what that means will lead to feeling like I’ve “made it”.

Tell us about a current project you’re working on. What was the inspiration behind it?

I am working on a number of different projects: A whole home remodel that is a mix of historical and funky modern elements, a restaurant focused on plant-based pizza, and new build modern mountain house, to name a few. For each project, the building and my clients are the greatest inspiration, I love figuring out how to make it unique to its sense of place and to the personality of the people who will live or work there.

What’s on your desk right now?

A stockpile of pens, business and design books, files, a mini Prouvé chair model, and empty space ready for me to jump into the next project.

Do you have anything in your home that you’ve designed/created?

A number of pieces of furniture, along with a full master bath remodel that we completed at the beginning of last year. I always have a random mix of art projects that I’m working on as well, I like to have them rotate through as I think about them and then move on to the next.

from Design MilkDesign Milk http://design-milk.com/where-i-work-bright-designlab/

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/157821666084