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THE DESIGN MIAMI 2015 EXHIBITOR LIST IS IN!

We love sharing with our readers all of the happenings in Miami. Especially when it comes to the fine arts and of course design!

I am super excited to share with you the Design Miami exhibitors for 2015. The fair has new additions from around the world from places like São Paulo, Rome, London, New York, Brussels, and Beijing.

The 11th edition of the art and design fair will take place from December 2–6, and with 35 exhibitors.

We also get very excited when students get the chance to learn and grow through the arts. For the first time, the fair has commissioned a student group from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design to create a unique entryway for the site. Usually a new architect or designer gets this opportunity. But this year, they are getting the youth involved!

The winning design is “UNBUILT” by Joanne Cheung, Jenny Shen, Steven Meyer, Doug Harsevoort, and Yiliu Shen-Burke, a canopy crafted from 200 pink foam architectural models sprouting from tall metal structures.

The Design Curio section will return once again with another set of installations displaying everything from developing design technology to modern conceptual design.

You can read the full exhibitor list here!

GET CRAFTY WITH THE KIDS WITH THESE FALL DECORATING IDEA

If you are excited for Fall weather I am there with you in spirit, as the weather in Miami is warm all year round! For those who cannot wait to dive into fall inspired home decor, today’s post is especially for you.

Fun fall decorating includes spending time with your family and getting ready for fall holidays! I am going to share with you some DIY ways to celebrate the season and get your craftiness going. Check out some of these wonderful fall decorating ideas below!

An Autumn Wreath
Autumn wreaths are a great way to add seasonal cheer to your home. These wreaths can also bring a lot of vibrant color to your interior color palette. You can choose to make your autumn wreath by carefully collecting natural elements from the outdoors and then following an autumn wreath tutorial from Pinterest or from your favoritecrafty blogger. This is a great idea to grab your kids and keep them busy!

Fall Banners
Add a touch of woodland fairies into your home with some charming, autumn inspired banner making. Hop in your car and head over to the craft store where they have a ton of decorating ideas and inspiration! Pick up some pretty fall inspired bunting such as the elegant garland.

Decorative Autumn Leaves
Do you adore having your friends and family over for dinner? Set the table with attractive autumnal leaf decorations. These multi-purpose faux leaves can be used to add a sprinkling of seasonal style to any room as they can adorn tables, bedroom dressers, or plain walls to give a room some autumnal spirit.

You can read about even more fall crafting ideas here.

HIGH-END INTERIOR DESIGN INSPIRATION OF THE WEEK: DINING ROOM DECORATING

No matter what the size or type of your home, the dining room should not be neglected! The dining room can give so much to your home’s overall interior design look.

The dining room is an important place to leave an impression. It is the room your guests come to eat your fabulous meals and where you spend time with family. You must make it as appealing as possible.

Today we are going to get your creative juices flowing and direct it to your dining room! Here are some inspirational ideas to step up your rooms dining game.

To create an instant ambiance for the dining hall you can hang frames or paintings by the walls. This will really add refinement to the room and remember to choose your artwork wisely but keep it fun and personal.

Using eccentric utensils and appliances will bring a true vibrant feel into your dining hall. Pick and choose your favorite color or design pattern and apply it though out the dining area. This will create a pleasing view to the eyes.

You can try decorating with a modern-medieval theme. You can do this by using unique and tall lamps, antique crystal and restored woods. Premium utensils are important to add regal flair; you can use a white and brown color combo to achieve this.

Black and white and luxury furniture is always appealing and a fresh look. A long black table and cushioned seats, surrounded by white lights and intriguing wall patterns, are all you need in a guest-inviting dining room.

TOP 3 ART SHOWS TO CHECK OUT THIS FALL 2015

There are so many art shows popping up in South Florida it can be hard to choose which ones to visit. We have narrowed down the top 3 exhibits for you to check out this fall!

Spending your leisure time discovering new exhibits will spark your imagination in your interior design decisions. I recommend you check out my top 3 picks! The visual arts will help inspire you and your decorating decisions.

1. “Walls of Color: The Murals of Hans Hofmann.”
(Oct. 10-Jan. 3) Frost Museum of Art

German-born abstract expressionist Hans Hofmann was one of the most important teachers of his generation, credited with influencing Helen Frankenthaler, Frank Stella, Lee Krasner and other New York artists with a new way of creating the illusion of perspective in art. The Frost exhibition takes a rare look at Hofmann’s murals, showcasing a 1950’s collaboration with Jose Luis Sert in the Peruvian town of Chimbote.

2. “Bryan Zanisnik: Title tbc.”
(Jan. 30-March 16) Locust Projects

New York artist Zanisnik’s installation is tied to the idea of a presidential library. The functioning space will incorporate books, quilts and portraits of the distinguished honoree, but it also offers comment on the current culture of celebrity, success and ego. You can check out other Locus Projects here.

3. “No Boundaries: Aboriginal Australian Contemporary Abstract Painting.” (Sept. 17-Jan. 3) Pérez Art Museum Miami

Australia is a world away from Miami, but the aboriginal themes of displacement, imbued with rich cultural traditions and religious systems, resonate in South Florida’s own culture of migration. This selection of works by nine painters is drawn from the collection of Dennis and Debra Scholl.Also at PAMM, March 24-Sept. 11: “Michele Oka Doner: How I Caught a Swallow in Mid-Air.” Oka Doner now lives in New York but returns often to her native Miami, where she grew up inspired by nature. To anyone who has trekked through Miami International Airport’s North Terminal, her inlaid floor sculptures of local flora and fauna are familiar. This exhibition takes a broader look at her work — in objects, on paper and in ceramics — and dovetails with the Miami City Ballet’s presentation of The Tempest, for which Oka Doner has designed sets and costumes.

To read about more shows in South Florida this fall check them out here.

HOT NEIGHBORHOODS TO CHECK OUT IN MIAMI THIS WEEKEND: 9.25.15

I really do enjoy sharing the spirit of Miami with my readers and keeping you updated with events and activities that this coastal city has to offer.

Whenever traveling to a city there are always so many interesting neighborhood’s to explore. Today I am going share with you some cool and sometimes overlooked neighborhoods to check out this weekend!

Mid Beach
This neighborhood is filled with some of the most iconic hotels and nightlife in Miami. The Miami Beach Editionmay be his hottest project around. The hotel captures the essence of the city, a hypnotic mix of glamour and play, from the palm-filled lobby diffused with candlelight, to the indoor bowling alley and ice skating rink.

Only a few blocks away, you will find the fabulous Thompson Miami, housed in a restored Art Deco tower, makes poolside lounging an all-day affair with its bright mix of yellow-and-white striped cabanas, Oceanside cocktails, and young spitited crowd.

Let’s not forget the iconic Fontainebleau, which recently added two more hotel towers plus a Vegas-worthy pool area as part of a $1 billion renovation. Hanging by the pool where famous movie scenes have been filmed and then you can dance the night away at Liv.

As you can see Mid Beach is epicenter of luxurious resorts so when you need a get away you know where to escape!

Downtown/Brickell
In Downtown we have the wonderful landmark the Pérez Art Museum. Hanging tropical gardens are strung from the canopies and the glass covered modernist building brings in natural light to show off a grand selection of contemporary works of Latin American art. In the new Museum Park, this area will only become even more vibrant when Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science opens in 2016.

A downtown revitalization project in the works promises a cultural arts center, urban-chic dwellings and lofts, and an assortment of hip boutiques, eateries, and bars, all to bring downtown back to a life it never really had.

TOP 5 HIGH-END EXTERIOR DESIGN TIPS

Of course we are always here to give you high-end interior design advice for you home. It is also important to care for your house as a whole, which means the outside too!

Your outdoor space is just as important and today I am going to share with you some high-end exterior design tips!

1. Plan for the Weather
It is always the smartest choice to plan ahead. All four seasons will affect your outdoor space in many different ways. Different colors look differently based on the season. Thinking forward will solve this problem, you can use more neutral tones and bring gradual pops of color in through moldings or windowpanes. There are plenty of apps you can use to see what colors would look best in the space.

2. Painting Prep
It’s important to prepare the area to be painted and there are 3 steps that are the most practical approach. The surface must be dry, the surface must be clean and the surface must be sound. By following these easy steps you can prep you outdoor walls the simplest way possible.

3. Follow Mother Nature
The most beautiful exteriors always have a connection with the surrounding. Every landscape has tones and color you can pick up on and use in your style palette. Ignite your garden by following these steps and you can add even more natural color to your outdoor style guide. Following Mother Nature will guide you to the most fabulous exterior design.

TRICKS TO BRIGHTEN UP A DARKER ROOM

For homes that are naturally dark there are a bunch of ways to lighten them up! Though dark spaces can feel intimate, bright rooms can transform a home and uplift your mood.

Here are some simple decorating methods to help brighten up a room.

Lighting
Since you can always just place a window in a room, replacing natural light with superficial light is another way to brighten it up. You can help balance your lighting with floor lamps that will help evenly distribute illumination. Having lamps with dimmer switches can easily change the ambiance as well.

You should make sure that the room has an assortment of lighting types. This includes overhead lighting (recessed fixtures, pendants and chandeliers), task lighting (desk lamps, art lighting and table lamps) and accent lighting (sconces and under-cabinet lighting). These types of lighting will help layer the space and not overwhelm it with brightness.

Mirrors
You can always bounce more light off of any reflective pieces so why not go for the decorative ones! Vintage mirrors or mosaic mirrors are beautiful home accessories that will help create focal points in your home while brightening up the room by reflecting the light from you lamps.

Try places a mirror directly across the wall from your window. Even add a drape over the mirror to help give it the window like effect. This window mimicking will give the illusions for a second window while bringing more light into the room.

Paint
When choosing a color to paint your walls lighter neutrals such as warm white, dove gray or light taupe will make a space appear more open and airy. You don’t have to just paint your walls to create this effect; you can also paint your ceiling or moldings.

Use paint with sheen. Painting in a flat, matte or satin finishes will soak up light, while semi-gloss, high-gloss and lacquer finishes tend to reflect light.

HIGH END INTERIOR DECORATION INSPIRATION OF THE WEEK: DECORATING WITH PINK

If you are redecorating a room in your home and are daring enough to make a big change then why not go bold with pink!

When using shades of pink thoughtfully in your home you can create great intrigue while avoiding a child-like look. Were not talking about dousing your lawn with pink flamingo ornaments, but finding tasteful ways to bring a splash of color into your home.

Let’s take a look at some ways you can decorate with pink!

50 Shades of Pink
When is comes to pink you do not have to only stick with one shade. Experiment a bit by mixing pastel pink, fuchsia, and dark pink to come up with an entirely unique room.

Liven up Your Room with Pink Flowers
If you have an especially neutral space, pink flowers such as roses or peonies make a great accent. Again you can mix up the shades with pink and burgundy flowers for the ultimate dreamy bouquet.

Mix is Up with Pink Patterns that Pop
Choosing pink patterns that pop mixed with unexpected patterns like black and white, and floral is an inspiring idea. You can really transform a room while adding a memorizing wall.

Pick a Pink Statement Piece to Draw Your Eye In
Make a cool piece of pink art the focal point of a room in your home. You can even create the artwork yourself by just painting a canvas pink and framing it or grabbing a large swatch of pink fabric.

Make your Kitchen Cool with Pink Appliances
Retro appliances are one of the biggest kitchen trends right now. Retro appliances come in pastel shades like mint green, baby blue, and pastel pink. It doesn’t get much more fun and bold than a pink fridge!

AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE WYNWOOD WALLS

We have talked to you a bit about the history of the Wynwood Walls, but today I would like to dig a little deeper.

Fresh and upcoming graffiti artists have curated this amazing and free open art space over the past few years.

The walls have changed but the intensity lives. As a huge supporter of the arts today I am going to tell you the inside scoop of some of the current artists.

Maya Hayuk
This Brooklyn artist creates paintings and massively scaled murals with inspiration from outer space, traditional Ukrainian crafts, airbrushed manicures, and mandalas.

Hayuk weaves visual information from her immediate surroundings into her elaborate abstractions, creating an engaging mix of referents from popular culture and advanced painting practices alike while connecting to the ongoing pursuit of psychedelic experience in visual form.

Ryan McGinness
McGinness was raised on the surf and skate culture of Virginia Beach and now a fixture in Manhattan’s art world, his work uses the language of signage and corporate logos to communicate more personal messages.

His mural for Wynwood Walls, entitled 33 Women, uses a palette of red, orange, green and yellow Day-Glo paint on a black background. In these works, he offers his own distinct version of the female nude, a constant throughout art history. A true brilliant addition to the Walls.

Shepard Fairey
“Obey” campaign and for his Obama “Hope” poster. His mural for the Wynwood Walls, visible from 2nd Avenue, is a stunning example of his wheat-pasted work.

Knowing that the walls would be protected provided an incentive for him to design and create a pasted mural that is more polished than what he would be able to do without permission. His finished work includes references to human rights with the figure on the far left of Burmese opposition politician Aung San Suu Kyi; the imagery also deals with climate change and the question of war.

Retna
LA-based artist RETNA loves going out to Miami. His bold and distinctive murals for Primary Flight, painted on some of the biggest walls around Wynwood since 2006, have become a part of the city’s artistic landscape.

The artist strives to embrace the universality of human experience in his work. You don’t need to decipher his letters to think of the different ways even ancient cultures have recorded their history.

Alex Diaz
This Puerto Rican street artist began her street artistry in 2009 and quickly became known for his impeccable attention to detail and unique style of painting.

Diaz’s unmistakable technique uses thousands of tiny black brushstrokes to create extraordinary murals. His work features fantastical and dreamlike depictions of animals in a state of metamorphosis. Diaz’s work is truly exceptional and beautiful experience.

HOME DESIGN AND SIMPLICITY

One very important element with high-end interior design is simplicity. The ability to extract home items until you have created an astounding room aesthetic is something that takes practice and patience.

By simplifying your home you have increased positive energy by creating a synced flow through your rooms. Today I am going to share with you some tips and tricks to keep your home simplified in a positive way.

Clutter-free organization
Getting rid of clutter can be challenging for most. Taking the time to actually go through your belongings and decide what to keep, donate or throw away is really important and crucial to simplicity. Everything that remains you can organize and put away in unseen storage.

Pops of color
If you have neutral-toned furniture you can bring bold colors in with you home accessories, such a throw pillows and standing lamps. Painting an accent wall is an awesome way to bring color into a space. Pick a color from a throw pillow or wall-art piece to make the room cohesive. You can also add pops of color by choosing a cool wallpaper design for an accent wall. Also you can also spruce up the room with the wonderful color of flowers and it will also add a natural element.

Symmetrical yet functional
Balance is everything when placing furniture in a room. The furniture should form a relaxing and symmetrical arrangement. There should be about 3 and 10 feet between each seat. Additionally, instead of pushing each piece up against the wall to create more space, give your furniture a bit of breathing room a few inches from the wall. This makes the room look and feel open and airy.

Varying textures
Having only one texture in a room can seem bland. You can avoid that by varying the fabric types on your couch and curtains. Mix in some metals or wooden accents to draw the eye around the room.

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