INEXPENSIVE family values

I wanted to share an idea that came to me while editing photos on my Mac.  I came across Sophia and Ella, my gorgeous nieces.  I was thinking of a way to make this photo something other than a small framed piece along with the other ok frames down a hallway or something.  (Though that look can be great).  A super brilliant friend of mine Jamie has introduced me to some incredible artists.  Namely Gerhard Richter.  He would occasionally paint over photographs.  Well, as is typical among artists I will use that idea, share it with you and hope that together we come up with something great and uniquely our own.

PHOTO:

Okay, so how good would it be to have this printed in black and white say 18" x 24".  After you pick up the print from a local print shop,  go get an inexpensive set of oil paints or even those wonderful oil sticks.  You could use ink pens or if you want to take a contemporary tack, than use several shades of one color that goes with your living room.  Say just lavender or green.  So good on the black and white.

If you are anything like me you may want to print two copies.  I need warming up time.

Be free, think of this as a coloring book and take the pressure off of yourself.  Invite the people in the photos to help you color.  (Minimal coloring is best, but again NEVER edit yourself).

When you are done there are two ways to go.  Cute poster style with simple push pins or go to a framing shop and have it matted and framed.  There are also some print shops that will simply paste the print on to foam core.  That is also a nice clean contemporary look.

HAVE FUN!

SAVE AND SUPPORT

I admit that not many people have the gumption to stop an art student in the middle of Union Square. Jessica Toney was walking to art class and I from a meeting with a client. I noticed a fantastic crocodile sketched on her notebook.

Before you knew it we were chatting about art and the prospect of her working on a project with me.

Jessica Toney is a brilliant artist and I asked her if she would be willing to sit atop scaffolding 14 feet in the air and draw native SF blue birds on a ceiling. She agreed.

I offered her a generous amount to help her with her tuition (think about $25 dollars an hour) and in return she provided initially shy and later quite fluid help with a part of my interior design for a client that was originally quoted at over 7 thousand dollars. We loved the custom bird wallpaper but budget did not allow for it.

SOLUTION: Sketch artist vs wallpaper.

Though wallpaper has made a massive comeback (see www.trove.com for example), and I love to use it, good wallcoverings can be prohibitively expensive for some. Stencils and sketching and even painting on walls is a great way to achieve something personal and totally unique.

HOW TO: Post a simple note at your local art school or community college soliciting the help of a sketch artist. Be descriptive but not wordy. My note simply said..."Interior Designer pays cash to artist who can sketch birds on a ceiling. Please submit sketches for consideration."

I also connected to the blog of local art schools through Facebook and posted there.

The clients are thrilled with her work and with the opportunity to support a young artist. Good stuff!

Have fun. Never edit yourself. Help a student and most of all...Make Things Pretty.

I just received the nicest email from a client.  John you are this, and John you are that....we love this and we love that.  Now I do not mean to sound dismissive of such kind words, however there is really only one reason why they are so happy and I want to talk to you all about it.

Think EDIT

I am a story teller.  And a good one at that.  Not being able to sketch my way out of a paper bag, I rely on my verbal skills to paint pictures.  (Actually I can sketch a bit).  Together my words and crude but cute sketches can give clients a general idea of how things are going to turn out.  

In the end they need to feel comfortable with my intuition and to believe that their best interest is at heart.  Okay....this is a good start.  HOWEVER, none of this will mean a damn thing without the client feeling free to come up with any and all ideas and to do so in a comfortable and receptive environment.  Never edit yourself.  

The finest designers in the world can certainly create beautiful environments, but it will mean nothing to the client unless they have some ownership over ideas and are challenged not to apologize for any of them.  No matter how outlandish they may seem.  It is my responsibility to bring those ideas to life, or to help guide clients on how to implement these idea in a harmonious and budget conscious way.  This is always possible and for me an essential part of good design.  

I heard a story yesterday of a client who wanted pancakes at his wedding.  There was a sweet and very sentimental reason for this request.  His bridal coordinator, a designer of sorts in their own right, was dismissive from the start.  Many of the groom's friends stood forlorn at the crepe counter asking the cook is he could whip up a batch of flapjacks.  

For designers and clients alike...never underestimate your own visions of what is beautiful for you.  A good, actually a great designer will help you bring them to life.

So for your designs, and I dare say for you life...no more edits!

CHEAP INVITES!!!

Okay, not everyone has a calligrapher like mine, but they are not difficult to find.  And remember there is always Edwardian Script on any computer and for a couple bucks you can buy additional font software (preferably online).

So here goes.  I have seen brides spend thousands of dollars on "save the dates" and invitations.  NOT NECESSARY.  4by6.com will take your simple or not so simple on line file and with a "bundling" method which ensures a lower price, create something fabulous for you on the cheap.  Throw this custom made and personal or formal card in an envelope and voila.

Now for the invites.  There is a brilliant store here in SF called FLAX.  The paper library is fantastic.  So, get a calligrapher to write your R.S.V.P. info in addition to your invitation on a piece of white paper.  Then scan and place four (or as many as you can) on a piece of beautiful paper.  Make as many copies as you need and have your local Kinko's cut them for you to size. (There is a very modest cutting fee).  

Go and get a pair of pinking shears and have your friends help with cutting some very beautiful velum for a modern look, or seeded/dried flower paper and use this for your insert.  Never knew why "they" did this but it is indeed a good look.  Pick up your envelopes and use Edwardian Script or another beautiful font for your addresses and with minimal effort you have fantastic home made invitations and save the date cards that rival even the fanciest printers.

Make it personal, but don't get too crafty.  There is no need for lady bug stickers or smiley faces.  Although I insist that the reception is indeed a party, a wedding is a formal affaire.

(Notice the spelling of affaire).

Have fun and if you have any questions, be sure to email them to me through the web site or to johnandrewjames.com

Bye.

Essential oils rule!

Hi there,

I discovered someone very special a few months ago. David Kopler is a master at creating custom fragrances using nothing but organic essential oils. He came to my studio for a scent-a-thon which included a fantastic box of oils from all over the world that he had me experience. Ever the careful teacher, he divided the session into top, middle, and low notes, replete with pieces of wool and coffee beans to cleanse the nose.

As I told him what I thought I was sensing, and on a scale of one to five my ratings, he quietly took notes, sometimes giggled at my enthusiasm and after an hour of tea, conversation about botanicals and smelling some wonderful, and oft challenging fragrances, he got to work. Two weeks later I had a custom fragrance that was absolutely perfect. Perfect I say and, well, I can be hard to please.

David joined me for one of my famous seminars at the fabled Mayacama Golf Club last week. The ladies were in awe as he expertly guided them with a sampling of his oils, in creating a fragrance of their own. It was all great fun...cocktails of course and lots of laughter. Though suddenly the room fell silent. "What" I said, ever anxious to keep everyone enjoying themselves and laughing...."what is going on?". It was concentration and enthrallment. The ladies were seeing the subtle differences achieved by adding Virginia Cedarwood to Lavender....Pink Grapefruit to Pimento Berry. The evening was lovely.

You can reach David at davidkopler.com for information about a private session. From custom fragrances to soaps, to atomizers...you name it. I am lucky to have found him and it is my joy to bring him to you.

Have a great holiday and remember the key to a beautiful holiday centerpiece can be right outside your backdoor.

Much joy and abundance,

John James

BERRIES

What do you do this holiday? Clients are confused. Some of them quite privileged and unwilling to be garish and tacky with an exuberant and yes expensive holiday party. This economy is sure hard to swallow. Seems almost unreal coming off a decade of such amazing advances....such conveniences. No Catholic guilt here....just looking for a way to see the good in a world gone mad.

I say berries. Fake and real, styrofoam and plastic, from the vintage store or from the craft store. Thread them on the chandelier and be sloppy about it. Nice and asymetrical. Up and around your favorite mirror or piece of art, or bend them around an existing wreath for a whimsical accent. By the way, if you use real ones from your yard, or the local flower market, they will last "ok" for about 2 weeks. If real is what you crave, wait until the 12th or so to do the decorating and prepare a couple of weeks later to be sweeping and vacuuming like a mad person.

My apartment, outside of a charming little tree, is decorated with red berries. Red red red. I found that a simple arrangement or two of red flowers and lots of candles (ringed with red berries of course) was indeed an elegant and lovely approach.

It is indeed a time for reflection as stories of insecurities and fear temper the joys of a season whose true meaning is often obscured by such difficulties, and clouded even more by the wreckless acumulation and giving of....stuff.

Berries are fruit for the birds, a metaphor for the future, So with the garlands and sprigs of berries in hand, think of the future that lives bright in all of us. We are gonna make it. Innovation and our hard working spirit demands nothing else.

Happy Holidays to all of you.


John James

BRAVERY!

Today is the day! I am installing a series of very large paper airplanes, yes paper airplanes, at one of my favorite places on earth...Mayacama Golf Club in Sonoma County. There is, I have been told, a bit of speculation and nervousness about this particular installation and so, I must admit, I am a bit nervous. What is my solution you ask? BRAVERY! I was told that one's life expands and contracts based one one's courage....so I am going to go for it.

I encourage each and everyone of you, in design and in life, to let that nervousness, the apprehension propel you to new places. Success or failure, the one guarantee and assured reward for such an endeavor is knowledge. At best, a fantastic new way of looking at the world and the knowledge that you can do whatever it is you want to do, despite the billions of butterflies in your belly.

Go for it....I am.

(check the web site in the next few weeks and let me know what you think!)