Category Archives: Artists Perspectives

Tiles Inspire Me

The Artist View by Stephanie Mesner What is it about tile that is so appealing? The tactile pleasure of its cool surface or the slight variations in color that renders each one unique? Or is it the zen quality of … Continue reading

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Design Ideas from Architectural Digest

The Best Part of the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, 2013 The most inspiring of the design ideas from the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, 2013 was the DIFFA’s Dining by Design vignettes by various designers and schools. DIFFA is … Continue reading

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Report from the 2012 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Design Talk with Stephanie Mesner This year there was plenty of fresh new looks and products at the AD Home Design Show 2012.  Trade shows are a great way to stay educated in my field.  It’s not enough to read … Continue reading

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Seeing Manhattan

The Artist View by Stephanie Mesner Completed in 1931, taking just over fourteen months to build, the Empire State Building is one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World.  In the heart of the Great Depression, this Art Deco … Continue reading

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Contemporary Design: How Life Influences Art and Fashion

ARTnews magazine’s February 2012 issue has the contemporary design theme of Where Fashion Meets Art.  Having recently described the difference between decorative art and “provocative” art, the intersection of art and fashion struck me as another worthy subject. In art—unless … Continue reading

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Using Nomadic, Tribal and Rococo Styles

These styles are worldly wise—with exotic and bold colors, careful attention to textures, and fine craftspersonship! Nomadic, Tribal and Rococo looks are eclectic—but can’t just be jumbled together. Displaying our treasures properly celebrates the paths we’ve traveled in the world.  … Continue reading

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Decorative Art vs. Provocative Art: What is Fine Art?

Shop Talk with Amiel Mesner Even as a child, art was my true calling.  I did poorly in school because nothing was more important than my learning to draw.  Art schools weren’t worried about my low grades because my drawings … Continue reading

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Neo-Egyptian Style Creates a Spectaular Coffered Ceiling!

Neo-Egyptian Style has ancient origins, yet the quirky designs keep coming back to life…not unlike Imhotep, the priest played by Boris Karloff in 1932’s The Mummy! The most recent Neo-Egyptian revival influenced fashion, architecture, decorative painting, and other disciplines during … Continue reading

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Designer Paint Finishes and Murals: Arteriors Making Our Mark

Shop Talk with Stephanie Mesner Recently, a general contractor showed us decorative painting work done by a painter who’d spent four weeks on a raw silk finish. The work was subpar and unsuccessful because the painter didn’t have enough experience … Continue reading

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Art History Repeats Itself, Part 2: Roman Frescos

Ancient Roman frescoes inspired Renaissance, New-Classical, Beaux Arts, Art Deco, and Contemporary styles. We know you’d never want your home to be “grotesque”—but you can still enjoy the timeless beauty of the Renaissance’s Grotesque Style! Near the end of the … Continue reading

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