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5 WAYS TO GIVE TO
HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF |
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Based on the horrific devestation left behind by Hurricane Harvey it seems appropriate this month to move our Community Spotlight section of our newsletter to the forefront. When something like this happens, all that really seems to matter is making sure that those we love are safe and taken care of.
Here in Austin we dodged the bullet but most of us have been touched in some way by the far reaching impact of the hurricane. Many of us have family in one of the cities hit hard by the storm. Personally, I had just finished a beautiful beach house for one of my favorite clients in Port Aransas. We were all on pins and needles waiting to hear about the condition of her home. We found out just yesterday that there is minimal exterior damage to the home and all of the interior furnishings are in perfect condition. This to me is a flat out miracle since the restaurant in her community was literally flattened. I have spent weekends with her there several times since it was finished.
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My parents had a place in Rockport for years. They are feeling relieved that they sold the house when they moved here to Lake Travis. My dad still had a boat down there in a boat barn and based on the pictures his boat will most likely be a total loss. All of this pales in comparison, however, to anyone who personally lost someone they loved as a result of this storm or even to someone who has lost their home. My prayers will continue to go out for each and every person touched by this tragedy to be able to put their lives back as quickly as possible and that in some way hopefully be better off than before.
I had the privilege of working with a couple who were affected by the Bastrop Fires years ago and it was such a blessing to be able to walk beside them and support them in making the hundreds if not thousands of decisions that go into rebuilding and furnishing a home. This can be overwhelming enough under normal circumstances, but I am sure when you are already emotionally spent, making this many decisions might seem like climbing a huge mountain. I am making the same offer I did to my Bastrop clients to anyone who would like to have the support of a designer as they rebuild and re-furnish their homes. We will offer 50% off of our consulting rate in regards to building material selections and complmentary design services to those who purchase their interior furnishings through our firm.
We are able to handle projects all over the United States and so handling a project in Rockport, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas or Houston will be nothing new for us. An added benefit to working with a design firm is that you will have a complete inventory of every piece of furniture for your home. It occurred to us as we were waiting to hear about our client's home in Port Aransas that if her furnishings had been damaged we would have the complete inventory to be able to quickly replace things for her. We are glad it did not come to that.
I personally am giving what I can afford to give financially and I encourage everyone to do the same. I am sure any amount, no matter how small, will be appreciated and needed. As I was considering how I would personally give, I wanted to put the spotlight on 5 organizations who are helping with the efforts in case you are looking for a good charity to which to donate.
This first one is my personal favorite since this organization's goal is to leave people in a better place in the end than they were when disaster hit their lives, and often times they succeed. Plus, my church has a connection with this organization and so right there it is meaningful. You can visit their
Hurricane Harvey Response page to find out the many ways that you can help those in need.
This ministry is led by Franklin Graham, the son of famous evangelist, Bill Graham. They are an international relief organization. You can donate to their Hurricane Harvey efforts
here, where they are raising funds to send five disaster relief units to the Victoria, Rockport/Portland, Galveston/Santa Fe, and Houston areas.
Lakewood Church is not only one of the largest churches in the United States, but is also located in Houston. They were surrounded by water during part of the Houston storms, but the waters did not rise into the church and so they are now taking in people who need shelter and are beginning to organize other recovery efforts including partnering with Samaritan's Purse. You can donate and volunteer to help at their
Hurricane Disaster Relief page.
My long-time friend and client, Bill Stoetzel, has been involved with Operation BBQ Relief for years. His group participates in the Turkey Challenge at Thanksgiving each year, and now they have already deployed a team to help hurricane relief victims. His local chapter is called Parrot Head Smokers, pictured below. If you like to grill this may be an opportunity for you to help out. Please visit their
website to donate or volunteer.
We certainly can't forget about our furry friends. They add so much joy to our lives and become a part of our families. Austin Pets Alive is currently aiding in rescuing and taking in hundreds of displaced pets, which means that they will need extra dog and cat food, pet and cleaning supplies, and volunteers to help out at the shelter and as fosters. You can visit their
Hurricane Harvey Help page to see a list of supplies needed and how you can help.
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Art is one of the most important elements in interior design and quite often ends up being the inspiration piece that kicks off the whole design for a room, or even a whole house. As interior designers, we love to use art to establish a color palette or to create a specific mood for a space.
Original art will take any space up a notch in look and feel. All artists have a story, and more often than not will also have a story behind each and every piece they create. This then gives you a story to tell as you place a lovely piece of original art on your wall.
Our upcoming blog series will introduce you to some very talented Austin artists. Their work is all unique to their particuclar styles and personalities. I will then select another interior element that I feel would pair well with the artists work and also explain how I envision the whole room design coming together using the art as inspiration. If you like any of these pieces and would like to purchase them, and then hire our firm to complete the space we would love to accommodate.
To kick off this series I would like to feature a long time friend and talented artist, Denise Elliott Jones. She is married to Greg Jones, a guitarist who is very active in the Christian music scene. I find Denise's work to be complex, thought provoking, and mysterious at times, with rich, deep color palettes. A dramatic interior is practically certain as a result of the art Denise produces.
Denise Elliott Jones
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Bio:
"Denise Elliott Jones is an abstract artist living in Austin, Texas. After graduating from the University of Texas, Denise taught art to special needs students in Austin ISD. She also taught art to blind and visually impaired students at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Denise currently works full time as an artist."
How would you describe your process for creating your pieces:
"Painting, printmaking, and mixed media are my primary creative processes. I work with a visual vocabulary of shapes to tell a universal story. With this vocabulary I approach each new art piece intuitively. For me the creative process feels similar to a tango dance. The struggle and balance achieved by two different thought processes keeps the creative energy open and active.
Along with original works I also have small editions of hand pulled prints in woodcut, intaglio, lithography, and cyanotype. I’m always interested in working with clients to create commissioned work also.
Please visit my website at www.deniseelliottjones.com, and for weekly updates follow me on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/deniseelliottjones or email at dej1@austin.rr.com. I will also be showing work September 20-30th at Arbor International Antique & Interior Design Show in Round Top, Texas."
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What is the title of this piece:
“When You Pass Through the Water” Acrylic on Canvas 24”x36”
What inspired this piece:
"This
piece is inspired by a passage from Isaiah 43 which states, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through waters, I will be with you; through rivers, you shall not be swept away.” In this painting the picture plane is divided into two separate sections. I often will break up space like this to show different ways of seeing things. As there are seen and unseen elements throughout life, I try to show the viewer my perspective of what might be seen or even the unseen.
As you can see, Denise's pieces have a contemporary and organic feel. Her style goes fantasticly well with a lot of the organic and recycled products we have been seeing trending for the last several years. These products are still continuing to gain in popularity and I don't see them going anywhere anytime soon.
As far as my pairing, the iron and movement in this cocktail table works really well with this particular piece of Denise's art. The artwork would work equally well in an urban home or even a contemporary coastal design. A fabulous and relaxing bedroom could also be created around this amazing piece.
Be sure to sign up for our blog at
winedinedesignblog.com to get updates for this upcoming series straight into your inbox. We will also share some of the best recipes and Texas wines we have tried lately. After all, life is better with good food, good wine and great design!
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Our client had a lovely dining room that also had limited space and so it needed to be dressed up without feeling closed-in. We found the perfect solution in a simple stationary sheer drapery treatment with a gorgeous embroidery pattern. The acrylic ball finial plays off of the client's chandelier in the middle of the space that has clear glass orbs.
Whether your style is contemporary, traditional or anywhere in between, a space can always benefit from simple fabric treatments. We tend to opt for more simple, straight styles in contemporary spaces. Fabric treatments just add that extra layer of luxury to which nothing else seems to compare.
Contact Draped today at 512.900.2588 or
info@drapedaustin.com to schedule your initial consultation and start designing your perfect drapery today!
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Though fall is just around the corner, it sure doesn't feel like it here in Texas. Our featured recipe is a little heartier than a lot of the lighter meals I favor in the summer months, and yet since it's seafood it isn't so heavy that it makes me feel like I need a nap after eating.
This main dish is easy and can be dressed up or down. It can work as an every-day-of-the-week meal, or add a little candlelight and serve this delectible dish in individual sized ramekins for a fancier and more romantic experience.
Download the recipe card
here
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In lieu of our normal winery posting, we have opted to bring attention to a local Austin establishment that serves wine and is also helping with the hurricane efforts.
On Saturday, September 16th and Sunday, September 17th, Moontower Saloon in South Austin will be having a flood benefit event for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. There will be free live music all day, food, drinks, and prizes. 100% of all monetary donations will go to the Austin Disaster Relief Network, and they will also be accepting water and canned food donations for the food bank.
Please visit their
Facebook event page for more details and to RSVP! |
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"Wonderful experience so far. We engaged Robin Bond to help us with redesigning and updating our home with emphasis on the kitchen area and master bath. She is a true gem. Very attentive and attention to detail. I can't wait to see how everything turns out." - Brenda
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We would like to thank Brad Roberts from Bradco Flooring, Max Ruthven of Let's Talk Color, and Dawn Hearn with Dawn Hearn Interior Design for their referrals over the past two months. No other compliment compares to that of a referral.
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Custom designs inspired by you.
Our mission is to impact lives with beauty by creating spaces that are functional, livable, and unique to your personality and style all while guiding you outside your comfort zone for some bold and beautiful choices.
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