MH Studio and the Holiday House Renderings

Interior by MH Studio, Renderings by Michelle Morelan

Interior Design and Photography MH Studio – from the Holiday House Website

Last year, I met the ladies of MH Studio in NYC…they are super talent, and warm, and their studio itself is stunning with views of the Chrysler Building. This is the second project I have done for MH, and was thrilled to see the after shots of the space they designed for the Holiday House in NYC for the Susan G Koman Foundation. It’s also fun to see the after pictures to see what has has been changed from the spec.

Shari has also posted about their experience with the Holiday House on their blog…she says “it’s not for the faint of heart”

MH…Great job, it’s beautiful!

If you would like a rendering of your space BEFORE it’s built, like MH, then contact me for more info.

info@michellemorelandesign.com

 

Best, Michelle

Canadian Originals

I had a wonderful lunch today with some very talented ladies, and much was discussed. We are all from the greater Vancouver area, all either Interior Designers, Decorators, Craftspeople or Design Enthusiasts. But the biggest similarity is that we blog…this wonderful world of design blogging. 

Anyone interested in joining the Design and Lifestyle Bloggers (West), please contact us, and come out to our next gathering in Vancouver…it’s growing…started at 5…today we were 20, and we have 39 on the list. Lets start to spread the word…heck maybe a West Coast Digital Magazine or Show one day! Lets start showcasing our amazing west coast talent.

Another peek into my recent photo shoot with Heather…they will all be revealed soon.

Heather Ross photo – Interior Design, Michelle Morelan Design

 

On that note, this is a two part post, because a new Canadian Blogger has interviewed me for her new blog http://canadianoriginals.net/ how appropriate :) I love her header quote “a celebration of creativity” Joyce is a published writer; the National Post for one, creating the most stunning interiors (check out her portfolio) and I would like to formally introduce her to you all! I was honoured that she wanted to interview me, and she is as warm as she is talented…please leave Joyce a nice comment when you go and visit…her most recent post is on the Iconic appeal of birch bark…intrigued?…I thought it was delightful…Thanks Joyce…can’t wait to meet you in TO one day :)

Best, Michelle

NYC November 2010

   

interiors by MH Studio, renderings by Michelle Morelan

I love this city…I can’t get enough of it, and this trip was one of the best yet. Carol, an interior designer from the blog CREED and of Carol Reed Design, out of Toronto joined me for a week-long whirlwind trip to the city. We started with Kipps Bay, took in the work of renderer (or should I say artist) Jeremiah Goodman at the NYSID, had dinner with the wonderful Patricia, of PVE at Swizz…shared lunch at Carmines, dinner at Ruby Foos, saw “Promises, Promises” at the Broadway theatre.

We walked through the park, ate gelato…yes it was that warm…t-shirt weather, actually. We stopped by to see Francine at Interieurs…her showroom is so amazing! I met the wonderful women of MH Studio in NYC…they are doing beautiful work, and their office looks right at the Chrysler Building. I also had the pleasure of meeting new designer friends, Lisa, Doreena and Oregon designer, Barbara, once again. My husband showed up for the last night, and we went for a nice lunch and shopping at Macy’s, where I scored a Calvin Klein coat for 50% off…it truly is a wonderful life!

Since my to do list is longer than my unanswered emails, and Carol has now brought me into this Twitter world, which I can already see is going to consume even more of my time, I am going to share just SOME of the highlights of my trip, and get right to work.

Kipps Bay Show House

the work of Jeremiah Goodman at the NYSID

we missed Bergdorf’s windows, but the tree at Rockefeller Center was being craned into place

  

Central Park

Lots more to come…very exciting news!!!

Best, Michelle

Be Messy

    

Cynthia writes and asks “How do you get your lines so straight and the rendering to look realistic?”

My answer is “be messy”. Remember when we learned how to type, way back? My Office Procedures 11 teacher had us type as fast as we could, not worrying about mistakes…that’s the same advice I would give to Cynthia…be loose and messy to start, go over each line quickly with purpose…go over that line until it excites you in it’s intent…it’s fun…and how you get better.

These are some looser 1hr renderings, each  from an existing space, where I added or changed almost everything…come out of plan and elevation world, where you get to see all the surfaces and how they work together.

Renderings and design by Michelle Morelan Design, 2009

 

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

Six Object de Vie – Albarosa of Brillante

Albarosa has the most honest style of anyone I know…it’s part of her. When you go for dinner, you sit in vintage McGuire chairs, and are served mint tea from a Maiolica pitcher. You know the type? She doesn’t have to try hard to live a beautiful life. She is an accomplished photographer and designer; last year one of her clients purchased a large painting from me- one of my favourites. Albarosa can help you live a beautiful life too…she does design and art consulting, and has a gallery of her stunning photography on her website. Brillante is a great name for her blog…she is exceptional, bright and one of the best!

Visit her blog and leave a nice comment – believe me…you will love what you see!

*I’m working on the resolution problem…bear with me :)

 

Best…Michelle

#3 Camping with Tobi - The Video Tutorial

See my guest post on Tobi’s blog; tobifairley.com – follow the video tutorial below, and let’s go camping !!

   

   

Create the Look with these Pieces:

Ralph Lauren: Wing Chair, Picnic Basket, Rattan Chair
Conran: Travel Trunk, Director Chair and Desk
Loll: Red Adorondak
Brent Comber: Stump Tables
Drake: Duffel Bags
Walmart: Lantern
Ikea:Solar Pendant Lamp
Dash and Albert: Rug
John Hanly: Throw
Hermes: Binoculars

Thanks for inviting me to go camping Tobi…for the video tutorial of the tent interior, click below.

#3 Camping with Tobi from Schematic Life on Vimeo.

#2 Greet’s Office – The Video Tutorial

Rendering by Michelle Morelan, 2010

Interior Design by Lefevre Interiors and Greet Lefevre of the Blog Belgian Pearls

For this tutorial, we are working from photo. This office/library designed by Greet Lefevre has deep shadows and fine liner work, because of the panelling, which also requires some lighting and wood graining techniques. Don’t be afraid of dark shadows; they will give your drawing dimension. And be a little looser in applying your colour and pen weights- that’s the charm of a hand drawing.

Also, sometimes a gesture of an object is better than too much detail. Just like Interior Design, you read it as a gestalt, not as individual objects.

#2 Greet's Office from Schematic Life on Vimeo.

You can watch it in full screen mode by clicking the arrows beside vimeo :) It’s recorded in HD, so keep the HD on.

Thanks Greet!!

Gone Campin’

 

Have you been over to visit Tobi Fairley during her Design Summer Camp?  It looks like a great escape…I wish I was there in person  to attend. I’m taking a bit of time off this summer, but it got me thinking about a segment I did for Breakfast Television a couple of years ago. They asked me to talk about outdoor living; I started with the simple idea of a woodpile (I have a thing about woodpiles), and ended with this feeling of a fun campsite, with netting, games, furs, hot chocolate and games…all in the TV studio. The combination of luxury and rustic is one of my favourites.

I’ll be around the campfire :) See you there!

http://tobifairley.com/blog/

Six Objects de Vie…Vitania of Verdigris Vie

I have been in blogger lust for a while now with the beautiful blog Verdigris Vie. Turns out Vie is a fellow Canadian designer from Ontario, designing wrought iron pieces for her family business which her father started over 30 years ago.  She’s a mom, a designer, business woman, blogger, and has unmistakeable style… I was not surprised that her daily objects reflect all of those things.

Visit Vie here at her blog, and here at Anvil Wrought Iron.

Thanks for being #2 in my series Vie! I love your 6 objects!

Six Objects de Vie…Dale Kosowan of HD Inspiration

To satisfy my ongoing curiosity about others, I’m proud to introduce my new series “Six Objects de Vie”…a look at a featured designers favourite daily items. All of my designer/blogger friends are so suave…maybe you will be introduced to a new item you will fall in love with. If you would like to contribute…please contact me…I’m curious about you already :)

I’m starting with a fellow Vancouver Interior Designer; Dale Kosowan is an Associate Interior Designer at MCM Interiors in Vancouver, and I have followed his blog for a couple of years now. If you want to know what is cutting edge and new in the world of Hospitality Design, go over and visit.

Thanks so much for being my first guest designer Dale! Loving your items…I use the same Coach bag for my computer, and I’ll be making a trip to Urban Fare :)

Lauren’s LR and Video Series Update

There are so many creative and gifted bloggers out there; one of them being Lauren from Pure Style Home. I love the soft greens, the large chandelier and canvas she has put together in her living room. . .such restraint! The room is stunning.

**Rendering for Interior Design Video Series Update: I’ll be posting the first drawing (to follow along with) and a materials list over the next couple of weeks. We are hoping to have a 20 minute video featuring a new room every month after that. Tripod issues have slowed us down, but am happy to report there is film on the editors floor (so to speak). Did you know that a video camera tripod is over 1000 dollars? EEK. I’m really proud of my son Jes, who is filming and editing this series :* It’s been great to spend time together, and I’ve gained much respect for what he does.

Rendering by Michelle Morelan, Interior by Lauren Liess

Joni's Pillow Talk

Joni over at Cote de Texas has done another great post…I love when she features her home; it’s so lovely. She is Miss Gracious Living, after all!

She has asked her thousands of readers to help her with a pillow dilemma in her LR. I agree, I love the zebra rug in that room. I propose a great Kravet Linen #27591-119. It’s a beautiful shade to match her suzani over her ottoman in a larger weave…on the other chairs, another colour from the suzani, a great burnt yellow velvet.

Just one of many solutions I’m sure…enjoy Joni!

Another new local blogger!

Always a pleasure to meet other bloggers; add design freak to that title, and you have the perfect mix as far as I am concerned. Where am I going with this? I showed up to the Cantu party in Vancouver the other night, and who was there, but Victoria from Design Ties. I didn't know that she was going to be there, so when Maria introduced her, I was very surprised! The only bummer was that Patricia stayed home...we looked for her all nite :)

Here they are...Nancy (Urban Asthetics), Victoria (Design Ties) and Maria(Colour Me Happy)!

Check out Victoria'a Blog Design Ties; she shares the blog with another Designer, Kelly.

I saw architect Terry Harrison- he was my Tech. Rep. Instructor at Kwantlen; actually there are always lots of alumni at events like these. His mantra "what do they need to know to build it" comes to me every time I do technichal dwgs. I look like I have had a few here...time to consider a new hairdo! It was really hot in there though.

Check out Maria's post -Happiness is a Career that you Love. She got a pic of the 4 of us. I seem to want to show you my wine glass in both posts...lol. I so dislike the photos of me at these things.