The American College of the Building Arts (ACBA) is decicated to educating the next generation of building artisans and to preserving the building arts in a manner never before seen in America. Under the direction of our experienced faculty, students have the opportunity to recieve a quality liberal arts education while they learn to skills required to excel in their chosen field. This combination of education, training and access to highly experienced faculty is available nowhere else in the United States. The departments of study include: Stone, Carpentry, Forged Architectural Ironwork, Plaster Working, Preserved Masonry and Timber Framing.
I am speaking at their event on March 19 on how to incorporate custom details such as ironwork, woodwork, stone and plaster into interior design as well as how to repurpose old architectural pieces and elements into current interiors.
But I need help! I want to have as many visuals as I can to show the people that attend the event so I am asking for you to submit to me any photos of either interesting architectural details that you have used in your home or design projects OR old architectural pieces/elements that you have incorporated into your home or design projects. I will be featuring your photos on my blog (with your permission) and selecting a winner at random to receive one of my favorite books, For The Love of Old by Mary Randolph Carter. Please submit all photos to me sidney@eclectic-idg.com by Friday, March 11. Let me know if you have any questions! Here are some ideas to get you inspired!
Got your attention, huh? I recently was able to tour the old Charleston jail downtown which presently serves as part of the campus for The American College of the Building Arts. It is so fascinating! Unfortunately, most of the students were away studying for mid-terms but I was able to get inside to see their workshops.
Sometimes students will sketch out designs from historical landmarks to recreate for practice and sometimes people commission them for their homes, businesses or preservation projects.
The main areas of study are Carpentry, Architectural Stone, Plasterworking, Forged Ironwork, Masonry and Timber Framing. Here are some images from the workshops that I was able to see on my tour.
Plasterworking
Architectural Stone
Masonry
Ironwork
If you are interested in learning more about The American College of the Building Arts, please visit their website. It is an amazing program promoting the education of the next generation of building artisans and preserving the building arts in a manner never before seen in America. And if you are local, you should check out their festival on March 19 and you must attend their annual RED Party held around Halloween...it is a super FUN event benefiting the school.
And please don't forget to send me photos of either interesting architectural details that you have used in your home/design projects OR old architectural pieces/elements that you have incorporated into your home/design projects. I will be featuring your photos on my blog and selecting a winner at random to receive one of my favorite books, For The Love of Old by Mary Randolph Carter. Please submit all photos to me sidney@eclectic-idg.com by Friday, March 11 (that's tomorrow folks!).
Over the weekend one of my "good friends" gave me a jab in reference to my five steps of closet organizing that I posted about last week. I can't remember what we were talking about but the gist of what she said was this "...maybe you could do it in five steps and then blog about it." It was a good jab. And very funny! Although we are good friends, I totally get that she thinks I am a complete weirdo.
However, what she fails to realize is that there are, in fact, other "weirdos" like me out there. Something I have thankfully learned in my short blogging career. I know many people think blogs are totally lame and something that only losers with no friends do on a Friday night. Or maybe they are just a way for narcissists to publish their every thought. Or perhaps blogs serve as an outlet for experts to hold their wealth of knowledge over others.
I don't think I am a loser (although I have read other design blogs on a Friday night). And I don't think that I am a narcissist (I prefer to look myself as self-confident). Nor do I think I am an expert in interior design or organizing. Do I really think that anyone cares to read what my opinion is on say how many pillows should go on a bed? No. In fact, I am shocked when people tell me they even read my blog. Honestly, I love to write and I am very passionate about design so this blog is just another creative outlet for me. I would do it if no one ever read it! (ok, so maybe I am a loser!).
But that brings me to the point of this post which is that I think the real reason bloggers blog is to connect with other people out there that are just as "weird" as they are. As I discovered yet another great design blog over the weekend and spent WAY too much time reading her old posts...I decided to highlight some of my favorite blogs in the form of high school superlatives. I hope through this that you are able to connect with some fellow "weirdos" as well.
DESIGN BLOG SUPERLATIVES
Most Likely To Succeed (in Design) Habitually Chic Blogger and designer, Heather Clawson, is a stylish woman living in New York who has her hand on the pulse of the design industry providing cutting edge information for her numerous readers. She recently signed on as a featured designer with William Sonoma in their new Designer Series. I expect to see big things from her!
Best Personality Jentrified Blogger, Jen West, has a great eye for design but an even greater wit! Something that is very important when dealing with clients. Jen's blog features her fabulous finds, her current design projects as well as humorously illustrating the many highs and lows we all experience while trying to have a career as a designer. Check out her blog, I guarantee you will chuckle out loud!
Most Popular Urban Grace Interiors I swear blogger, Erika McPherson, can say "have a good weekend!" and get 167 comments! Her large following is in part due to her amazing design aesthetic and partly because readers genuinely care to know what she is up to! She recently had a beautiful baby girl and is nice enough to share her new found joys of motherhood with the blogging world.
Most Crafty/Creative Little Green Notebook Blogger, Jenny Komenda, of Pearl Street Interiors is the MacGyver of DIY projects! She does some amazing work and makes it look so simple while providing a step-by-step guide to her projects. Then you try it and realize how truly talented she really is!
Best Dressed Element of Style Blogger, Erin Gates, an interior, fashion and events stylists has great taste in all of the above! I love how she creates "virtual outfits" for us to drool over and especially like when she sources all of the great pieces for the rest of us to duplicate!
Most Likable Chic Coles A family of bloggers (mom Wendy and three daughters Cassandra, Melissa and Leslie) for starters, how do you not like that? These ladies are faithful bloggers with fabulous posts full of design images, information and inspiration. And they always leave the sweetest notes on my blog, so big thanks for that!
Most Photogenic House of Turquoise I keep thinking, how is she gonna find any more "blue" photos and she yet never disappoints! Blogger, Erin Olson, shares her passion for design and all things turquoise (or any shade of blue for that matter) on her delightful blog full of inspirational interior images!
Most Artistic Style Court Blogger, Courtney Barnes, showcases her background in art history with a well-written blog offering its readers a wealth of information on interior design, art, decorative books and more! She has already received accolades for her wonderful blog and as I suspect, there are many more to come!
Best Looking (Blog) Two Ellie Paula, has the most visual appealing blog filled with little bits of design, food, fashion, crafts, weddings and fantastic photos of her beautiful family. Although I only know her through the blogging world, she seems like such a genuine person who through her posts, reminds us all what a blessing life can be!
Most Likely to Skip Class to go Surfing Beach Bungalow8 Bloggers, Megan Samuels is a California based stager and interior designer. Her blog hosts a unique design forum called "the skirted round table" (along with Joni Webb of Cote de Texas and Linda Merrill of ::surroundings::) where they discuss many industry related topics. But perhaps it is her weekly posts entitled "Peace Out" filled with whimsical images that sparked their superlative. Regardless, you will be entertained by this fun yet informative blog!
Casa Sugar posted some photos of the Modern Life Concept House that debuted Friday in New York. I heard it was a madhouse! It is probably no shock that my favorite room was done by Lee Kleinhelter...
Did something that I use to do ALL the time when I first moved here and lived downtown and now I'm sad to say I NEVER do it...I got up early and went walking downtown for both exercise and to take photos. I forget how much I love to do that!!! And it is so easy and right there for me to do all the time. [Sigh.] I love to watch all the various tradesmen at work...painters, ironsmiths, plasterers, etc. Here are some pics I took (granted with my iPhone...didn't want to look like-God forbid, a tourist!-with my big ol' Nikon D60!)...
Went out to Folly Beach to meet a new client. It is like going to a whole different town! Which is kinda refreshing...but makes me wish I knew how to surf.
Went to a Spoletto concert at The Cistern to hear Ketch & Critter.
Are you familiar? If not...enjoy!
Want to thank CountryLiving.com for asking Eclectic to participate in their "50 Things To Do This Summer in 50 States" article. They have a tip for every state...check it out...lots of great info!
Bought some vintage Frye boots with my birthday money. I'm sure you are thinking "Boots, this time of year? That girl is crazy!" Or am I??? Best time to buy boots because no one else is!
Local folks be sure to come out to the SOS Memorial Day Party featuring Gaslight Street, Five Way Friday and BOCA at The Lighthouse...support a great cause while having loads of fun!!!
