How to Get Your Client to Sign-Off

 

Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words. A client who wants to go a bit more modern without giving up her classic pieces couldn’t picture what I meant by “mixing it up a bit”, so I took a few hours to do these couple of drawings for her…sure enough, we are going ahead with the custom pair of nightstands and TV credenza for the MBR.  Talking with your hands can only take you so far.

Also, the toilet has been moved to create a symmetrical hallway to the bathroom, and a bathroom vanity area. The client thought it would make the room feel to small (still trying to convince her on that one). I would go for room that works before size in a minute. But, like I always say, I don’t have to live there.

Interior Design, Furniture Design and Renderings by Michelle Morelan, 2010

 

Best, Michelle

Sunday Reading

 

A Sunday at home with magazines and good coffee…it was a great day! Albarosa took this photo when she came for dinner and rendering lessons on Saturday night. She also took the new portrait shot of me…what do you think…please be nice :)

Best, Michelle

Outdoor Dining- West Coast Style

 

I’ve been working on designing a new build with a contractor- here’s a sneak peak of the outdoor dining area, which he is using for marketing the property.

I was influenced by the Restoration Hardware look this year, and I think it came out in this space. I love the large scale of their pieces, which dictated the size of the deck. This is a great time for the designer to be involved in the project, because furniture arrangement/light switch locations etc…are all lifestyle related, which the designer takes much time considering.

Work has been picking up…has anyone else noticed this? I hope it’s a good sign…real estate has taken such a kicking, and ID rides the shirt tails of the construction industry.

 

Best…Michelle

Artist Kyle McDonald

The work of Kyle McDonald…I’m awestruck…check out some more of his work here. I couldn’t find a website, but go the bottom of the page, where his work is exhibited.

OPENING SOON: Schematic Life’s Rendering/Stationery Shop on Etsy

 

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I’m just about ready to launch Schematic Life’s Gift Shop on Etsy featuring renderings and stationary(to join my Etsy painting gallery). It should be up and running by next week! I’m having a virtual party on my blog to celebrate, offering huge discounts and also a few giveaways. Stay tuned!

The Moorage Display Suite

     

The developers who built the Moorage condos in Ucluelet are quality builders. Sometimes builders just particle board a building together to minimum code, with budget driven materials (meaning cheap). Not these guys…there is a quality of work under the drywall that you cannot see. The building references a nautical past, when the town was just a series of boardwalks for fisherman. Long Beach is only 15 minutes away, but a series of hidden beaches around Ucluelet give you the seclusion it’s known for. This show suite was a project I did with local resources and on a shoestring budget, but with some built-in millwork and a plumper budget, you can personalize the space like this-

or more modern, like this…

With a location like this…it’s the perfect getaway close to Vancouver

It’s a place where landscapes like this-

inspire you to create things like this-

“Ucluelet Skies”, Acrylic on Canvas, Michelle Morelan

So, imagine, after a day at the beach collecting shells, kicking back in this chair…looking at this view…hmmm, life is good.

The Moorage Condos are available for sale through JudyGray.com

 

Best, Michelle

5 Facades

 “ White Beach House”

“Hint of Craftsman”

“The New Traditional”

“Urban Elegant Gray”

“West Coast Casual Chic”

I’m missing the drawing/design the client chose, but these are the 5 “rejected” choices.

Drawings and design by Michelle Morelan 2010

Olive and Dark Blue…an Unlikely but Sophisticated Bedroom Palette

Design and Rendering by Michelle Morelan

A recent e-design project where the client choose a rendering as part of her package has me excited…her Aubusson rug was the inspiration for the space, which features a pair of Barcelona stools in ivory leather and a tub chair re-upholstered in a dark blue linen by Threads/Lee Jofa. The rug has grey/putty tones with hints of blue and sage. Robert Allen’s Vesoul fabric is used with complementing silk to create a heavenly canopy bed…a dream of mine as well.

I propose Saladino lamps for scale, symmetry and transparency. The night tables from Restoration Hardware are meaty enough for the large space. Grey linens from Kravet will be used to create a bed cover, box spring cover and headboard which is also drawn from the carpet and merge the olive and blue by being common ground...a daring move, but the panelling will be painted in an mustard/olive tone to keep the palette muddy. A home of this scale (12 ft. clgs on the first floor) can take some great panelling, and the elevations show how the trim should be laid out. It’s a grand space, deserving of a grand look.

Cost of e-design project (including rendering)- $1475 US plus tax

includes: scaled floor plan and elevations, perspective, shopping list, and art/accessory direction

Six Objects de Vie – Ivan Meade

Ivan is a multi talented friend…his education and upbringing have moulded him into someone who is passionate, chivalrous, driven and caring. He has a magnetic personality, at ease in the elite design world, or with helping a student during a practicum in his office. As my design friend once said…”his mama raised him right”. He is also open and sharing with his business; I was lucky enough to be invited to an appreciation event the Victoria community put on for him earlier this year. That says it all about Ivan.

Recently, Ivan and his wonderful team completed a home in LA that took my breath away…with a great client at that!! It’s not a surprise he was the designer she chose, his knowledge and the way he makes you feel like it was your idea is genuine, yet calculated for your benefit…like a breath of fresh air.

Ivan understands the connection between arts, enjoying the good things in life, like friends, art, food, music and laughter, giving him a great balance. It’s my pleasure to share Ivan’s six objects he uses everyday.

Thanks for participating Ivan! Hmmm…that’s why you always smell so good!

Go and tell Ivan you were here….and leave him a nice comment ; )

Meade Design Group – the blog

Meade Design Group: Ivan Meade, Jeff Michaud, Sarah McNeil, Natasha Duff, Echo Eaton

 

Best…Michelle