Fade Into You.

Shed its embrace, enveloped in shade

Bel étage , slow moving snake

Elegy of a sun rise, moon fade

When we choose to sit in the ideas & emotions that cause us discomfort or uncertainty, we have the capability to understand them more clearly through the mental magnification; ultimately widening our perspectives and pathway to wisdom. I am currently researching how to celebrate this concept through environmental design and the power it holds to take this mental landscape even further into a deeper plane of thought, emotion, and potential action.

Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi.

This gallery environment designed by India Mahdavi pulls you into a sea of interesting shapes, colors and patterns that uses repetitive colorscapes & themes derivative of the artwork to elevate and embrace the of 20th century French painter Pierre Bonnard’s paintings.

Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi.

Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi.

The environments we surround ourselves in can play a gigantic role in realizing what we are so curious or fascinated with, both positively & negatively. They themselves are a natural mechanism for magnification and amplification of an inner thought process and desired feeling; a state of mind physically realized through aesthetics, art, design & conversation. 

Scenery environment, design, architecture, artwork - all of these containers hold the power to exponentially alter our perceptions about what is possible through our behaviors & actions. If we allow ourselves to merge our own ideas & coordinating emotional palette onto a tangible canvas beginning with our everyday home digs, work space or creative studio, I think this is a surefire way to get our desired actions in order 😊

No telling what doors these considered actions might lead to though haha. I, for one, am finding more and more mental escape and creative empowerment through the wares I’m consistently surrounded by at the shop. Sticker and wearable designs, OH MY! I’ve also found comfort in exploring the types of activities I consider creatively and emotionally useful flowing out of my home work space - what’s up messy paint-stained sofa & rug , YOU’VE NEVER LOOKED BETTER 😁

In these places we can more easily allow and immerse ourselves in our own habitual and obsessive thought patterns. I love how multi-disciplinary artist Wei Tan uses a repeated reference to chairs in her work. Tan states “I discovered not long ago that the word ‘obsession’ comes from Latin ‘obsidere’, meaning ‘to sit in front of’”

I thought it would be faster to do my research out of body (2022) © Wei Tan

The house is on fire but first let’s daydream (2022) © Wei Tan

Orange Chair (2018) © Wei Tan

“Beyond its pastel lime green interior, the jagged metal-clad form of Rambla Climate-House coils itself around an elliptical open space—a space that is, quite literally, the very heart of this home. Translating to ‘a territorial system of riverines’, the project team explain how ramblas “constitute a fabric of veins carved out by seasonal rainfall in a dry, stepped landscape”. It is here that “humidity accumulates and biodiversity flourishes”. Almost hugging this outdoor area, the home shapes itself around the pocket of artificial rambla, creating “corridors of freshness, carbon fixation and ecological entanglement that all play a crucial role in the climatic and earthy stability of Molina de Segura’s ecosystems”.

Source: https://www.yellowtrace.com.au/andres-jaque-office-for-political-innovation-rambla-climate-house/

Kinda gets you into the FIRE, FIRE , SCRAMBLE STRUGGLE FEEEEEL , FULL FREEDOM mindset.

Burn it all down and make something that feels more like you right now. It’s an inherently painful process - but hey, I’m still hanging out & what’s next ?

J

Fire + Fairness

The parallels to the reality we are living inside of versus the fantasy life we can foresee enjoying in the future require time to meditate and expand on.  Safety first !

Xavier Veilhan [The Vårberg Giants, 2020] Stockholm Sweden, Photo:  Naina Helén Jåma

This is also where the realm of design and design visuals tend to stratal. The visual responsibility of holding both dueling realities can be exhausting to interpret, but generally tends to leave my brain and heart feeling uplifted despite the INCREDIBLE amount of mental and emotional layers it takes to get there. This croissant body o mine sure is stacked haha !

Xavier Veilhan [The Vårberg Giants, 2020] Stockholm Sweden, Photo:  Naina Helén Jåma

I’m thinking this might also have something to do with the fact that I like having physical things surrounding me displayed in a particular order and hierarchy, all subject to the ebbing flow and seasonal moods of my inner color palette and temperament. I’m talkin about the artwork, decor, furniture, and every day objects that remind me of the places I’ve been, and trusting in their energy and collective environmental description of exactly where I’m at right now.

Xavier Veilhan [The Vårberg Giants, 2020] Stockholm Sweden, Photo: Robin Hayes

But I also enjoy entertaining an alternate reality created inside of my head to launch us into a more collaborative future together.  Lately I’m challenging myself to think on more expansive grounds and paths that design can help a community flow & express themselves together more easily. It seems outdoor structural installations and adornments of commercial/public spaces tend to lend their palettes to this quite effortlessly and generously.

 I’m in love with how artist Lakwena has translated their bold poetic artwork into this exact architectural hybrid dialogue. The two ideas together lift each other up to an entirely different power and persuasive dynamic. Check out a few of their recent installations here:

A Lakwena custom art building facade design in collaboration with Mini Munich

Here’s a paneled electric substation perimeter Lakwena designed in collaboration with architects IF_DO

More lovely perspectives from the team at IF_DO in London. The development/process/inspiration images are hauntingly inspirational !

Another pocket of design that I find solace in reference to and certainly find most visually enveloping is scenic or set design. The way that it literally sets the stage to open a vulnerable dialogue of human emotion, all amplified to an unreal extremist level through light, sound & organic movement - chef’s kiss baby! For example, take a glimpse at Pierre Yovanovitch's stage set design for Verdi’s Rigoletto opera in Basel, Switzerland. Notice the undulating scale and powerful layering effect of the amorphous stage walls - helping to identify emotions and underlying story currents with ease :

Photography © Paolo Abate

Photography © Paolo Abate

Photography © Paolo Abate

Photography © Paolo Abate

What a delicate gait we need to discipline ourselves into in order to fully enjoy the outer stratospheres of thinking. The melting pot of creative branding, environmental design, and progressive consumable experiences is the ultimate professional goal, at least in my current opinion. One sublime blueprint echoing this sentiment are the restaurant designs of self-taught designer and artistic director Rudy Guénaire. He is utilizing specific cinematic design techniques centered around nostalgic American diner moods & aesthetics , but then mutates them into a totally transformed science fiction masterpiece. ABSOLUTELY WILD. Take a look! :

PNY GRENETTE, Grenoble, France. Photography by Ludovic Balay

PNY GRENETTE, Grenoble, France. Photography by Ludovic Balay

PNY GRENETTE, Grenoble, France. Photography by Ludovic Balay

PNY PRESQU'ÎLE, Lyon, France. Photography by Ludovic Bala

PNY PRESQU'ÎLE, Lyon, France. Photography by Ludovic Bala

PNY CHARTRONS, Bordeaux, France. Photography by Ludovic Balay.

PNY CHARTRONS, Bordeaux, France. Photography by Ludovic Balay.

PNY GRAND'RUE, Strasbourg, France. Photography by Ludovic Balay.

Lotta big ideas to be scaled and examined and found out , ami right!? But in the end, it’s one big push toward sealing our tombstones with a hell yeah I DID DO EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO WHILE MY HEARTS STILL BEATING.

FUTURA2000 ‘Pointman – River Warrior‘, Credit Tommaso Riva / Sculpture created from waste collected across Bali.

The duality of a reality that presents itself in its current state and futuristic state is both physical and mental, and is the fire starter we need to determine when we say enough is enough, it’s time to move on from our old methods! Defining what no longer serves its original intended purpose is paramount to this process. Fingers crossed these words and images help to inspire that energy to keep ya loose and fluid on your journey into the unknown !

thx 4 listening

-j

tough daydreaming.

You know what’s difficult about having a great idea? Finally realizing the amount of work it will take to get to your ‘perceived’ final outcome both emotionally and physically.. and even if you have enough drive and stamina to make that reality happen, will it ever become enough to satisfy yourself? Hmm 

Photography by Ping Z.

GUESS WHAT !

Just finally convinced myself that it’s worth slowing down to appreciate the subtle movements of everyday life. I’ve been overlooking so much because I haven’t given myself the proper time to find the meaning in my interactions and movements. HELLO ROBOT JORDO!

Photography by Ping Z.

While never forgetting the grace in looking at new opportunities as stepping stones to lift us up to that next plateau, I’ve grown to look inward to trust myself that I’m making the correct decisions at any given moment of the day. It takes a lot of courage, it took me 34 years to convince myself that I was worth investing time in.. I felt and held onto whims of this idea of course, but I’ve recently been tipped into the glass is half full end of the spectrum; a sunnier perspective.

Photography by Ping Z.

Bright white light is coursing through our veins, we just have to step out of the dark shadows of our souls and look UP toward the pulsing sky of possibilities. The answer is out there, just gotta keep searching + learning to listen.

Photography by Ping Z.

Hello universe, it’s me, jordo ! .. choosing to see happiness in the everyday, learning that design is sharing and steadily breaking on through to the other side of connection. I’m moving ever closer toward the horizon to discover you. Forward into our future.

standing in your middle.

Keep in mind that as I write these words, I am acutely aware my attempts for free play and free time draw shallower and shallower breaths. Exploring new realities can hurt, soothe and shock the senses. But it does also have the ability to speed up our intake for new information, which can ultimately move ourselves and each other into an improved state of being. It is important to make room for this, no matter the capacity.

Photograph by Ci Demi

This year has been a year of leveling up + down. Learning an earned sense of pride vs a taught sense of pride. Shining a light on patterns of comfort and discomfort. Spinning these notions carefully under a light source to examine it from different perspectives. In this exercise, I’m learning to appreciate and pay gratitude toward different bandwidths and elasticity that rule all our lives. We are all capable of so much in the right environment. It’s a matter of patience and vocalizing that it’s alright to acknowledge the in-between to get us through…Loving the middle ground.

I’m learning to calm, sit and find rest in decisions that are made. Recognizing growth, even when every move gives me a knee jerk reaction as a sense of mistake or a wrong turn. Along with that, I’m recognizing the power of inner fire, but (attempting to) make guided and holistic decisions..or at least I’m aiming to. Let’s salute the party and glitter of a fresh idea, but stand willingly in a middle ground to recognize both the shallower and the greater depths of a conscious decision.

FIND THE BALANCE.

Barragán designed Casa Gilardi, in Mexico City, around this single jacaranda tree. Photographer: Luis Gallardo / LGM Studio

Ultimately, we are all gracefully falling into place, seeking middle ground.

 Being flexible enough to recognize the back and forth of different perspectives takes a lot of stamina and energy. It’s worth the fight, experiencing the full spectrum, whether emotionally, physically or likely both, all at once.  New experiences can hit us with a wall of emotions that we might not be mentally or physically prepared for.  But saying it out loud and realizing that we are all in this together, good + bad, ultimately leaves me feeling optimistic. Take a risk, push yourself further into the unknown.. ultimately your ideals and ideas will thank you for it !

xo , Jordo

embrace that chaos swirl ~

I like to imagine everyone barreling down their path of human energy, full power ahead. It’s much easier to stand back and recognize the layers of where that energy has taken us in life, the further our pinnacle moments and trailing chapters fade into the distance. Ultimately, it is those waves of time passage that shape and form who we are and where we’re headed. It’s so nice to see an occasional scattered rainbow as a potential glimpse of a more optimistic future. I live for those moments! However, the more regularly scheduled programming of rolling along lengthy patches of monotonous dirt roads is where the chaos tends to swirl and we have to challenge ourselves to make sense of what’s happening immediately around us.

There’s something so energetically freeing about being wild with our decisions. Grabbing decisively into that swirling dust and dirt storm and trusting the freedom of our full potential and power that we’ve got buried deep beneath layers of built-up anxieties and angst. But also we must pull away from our realized foundations, and be accepting of the challenges our new behaviors and movements push us toward. Eventually we have to blindly trust that inner flow to keep steady on our individual path!

Just watch the warm orange energetic ball of sun energy glow carry dusk into dawn. The darkness and moments without sight will always exist in between, but trust me, the orange juice pitcher of tasty life moments is still half full on the other side of the darkness !

So continue on with the dream state of mind…

Trust what doesn’t exist yet, because you’ve already got what it takes to make anything become a reality. Embrace the chaos and remind yourself to keep your head help high. No matter your style, your perspective is a necessary tool in manifesting a purposeful flavor into this world and building a community that has never existed before.

until next time, stay strong and trust the process will unfold and manifest when the timing is right.

xo, J

shift that lens a lil bit

The last post feels so long ago! But also, I’ve had a lot of work and thoughts and ideas tumbling around that might make it to a tangible surface, but also, maybe not. I am prepared for both! This quick post is meant to inspire and produce a sure fire energy for a look into the future. Celebrating moments and colors that might be, and also realizing what our current perception of reality is and choosing to change or shift that lens in order to grow.

ANYWOO…

behold the futurist, illustrative artwork of midwest, midcentury artist Charles Schridde. It makes me feel V good !!

Lens flip! You know who has extremely incredible style and effortlessly creative amount of midcentury surf rock lounge music inspiration ??? : HI TIDE RECORDINGS. Check em out, give em a follow, we guarantee your satisfaction :) We have especially grown fond of their Island Spice scented candle and any Black Flamingos tunes on vinyl //

That is all. See yew later ! Have fun exploring the wide wide world . Catch you next time !

xo, Jordo

scaling back.

The winter holidays carry a swirling energy of maximalism, colorful layers and a celebration for exaggerated moments of expression. From materialism + gift giving, to stacks of festive foods, sparkly wardrobes and boosted entertaining thrills, I am always left completely obsessed and starved for peeling back of life layers and focusing on the essentials.

Photography by Chen Hao, Design by Neri & Hu.

There will always be room for more. More ideas, more relationships, more stuff. But instead of forcing our brains to constantly juggle these all as equal priorities, what if we retrain our minds to pick and choose something that is continuously substantial or whole and turn inward to unpack the layers. These directional and purposeful thoughts and actions will help to influence our lives in a more focused and meaningful way. The idea behind subtractive creation really teaches us to sitting with the choices and solutions you represent and to curate all your ideals and life paths around it.

Photography by Cesar Bejar, Design by HW Studio

 

It really boils down to the power of editing, control, and ultimately self-realization.

Unique and thought-provoking finish and layout details inside of our everyday spaces can help to enhance this overarching value of minimalism while still remaining playful and warm. Here is a pretty extreme example of this through incorporation of 2 basic square tiles wrapped thoughtfully around the entire space for a cozy, exciting and inspiring communal hallway space.

Design & Photography by Atelier Vens Vanbelle

 

And below, is a less extreme version of that concept, where a monochromatic square tile is used to wrap over the range hood and counter to ceiling tile. This monochromatic coating provides high visual impact and maximize textures while stile plays favor to a monolithic, minimalist sensibility. In my mind, this allows us to slow down and take stock of all of the minor things that make us feel different emotions.

Photography by Magnus Marding , Design by Sofia Wallenstam and Louise Liljencrantz.

Peeling back layers is not only a refreshing experience visually, but can also provide financial benefits and flexibility. Along with less layers and traditional building scheme formats, a freedom of expression and practicality can take hold and fold a creative perspective into the mix. I really enjoy the example below that utilizes this open framing concept to provide low cost, smart housing solutions for a residential community within Austin, TX.

Slightly altering the finish of the horizontal shelving in white paint, allows the display shelves to each become their own focal point. This look helps to minimally balance out all of the raw plywood finishes and slab concrete floor.

Photography by Leonid Furmansky, Designs by Chioco Design.

Ultimately, the paring back of layers might aesthetically look like it leads to a simpler path. Fingers crossed that the curation process and duration of time leaves a good vibes ripple effect / chunk o wisdom along with it too :)

Images courtesy of Manuelle Gautrand. Photography by Gaelle Le Boulicaut.

Thanx 4 listening. Catch you colorful creatures later !

xo, Jordo

green bicycle co ; dream it to reality !

Progress is perseverance + persistence. It means patience, communication + genuine action. A willingness to trust your goodness + take a chance on whatever is meaningful to you, with vigor.

LOOKOUT BELOW !

Local wonder woman, Heather Cleveland (the owner of Green Bicycle Co), showed me something good! I mean GOOD ! Heather’s got a vision for our community and I’m 1000% excited to have been involved with the aesthetic branding and design of her recent building purchase of the former ‘Susha News’ building in Uptown Sheboygan, WI. As some of you locals may have noticed, there is a snazzy building facade flashing its iridescent tile smile down the streets of Uptown Sheboygan. Gaze into Green Bicycle Co’s shop & community workspace illustrations with me to get a glimpse of what’s to come so dang soon!

The Green Bicycle Co. mission is to educate and engage with the community in a way that encourages and inspires a sustainable lifestyle. Green Bicycle Co. goods, projects, and experiences focus around a way of life that is thoughtful, collaborative, and sustainable.

Green Bicycle Co. provides consulting services, events, and offers a curated selection of goods that support sustainable lifestyles. The retail space features:

  • Thought-provoking and insightful books

  • Independent magazines

  • Beginner maker kits (e.g. knit hat kit)

  • Kombucha and sourdough fermenting supplies

  • Capsule wardrobe clothing

  • Unique lifestyle goods

  • Coming in Spring 2022 - commuter bicycles and stylish accessories!

Green Bicycle Co. is focused on building a community of creative, outside-the-box thinkers who care about our local and global community. One of their core beliefs is that we are all accountable to one another and that is why it is important to value life-long learning. For this reason, the back of Green Bicycle’s main floor is semi-partitioned off with several casual seating arrangements and work surface options. It’s a super stylish workaholics paradise :))) This is the part of the shop that will be stirring up the energy for a more communicative, tangible, & progressive future in our community. The layered material & style selections reflect this, as well as the addition of a lofted plant ceiling :) Restoring all of the south-facing original building windows allowed extra daylight to shine on through this area year-round, making for some very happy plants!

So if you like what I’m tellin’ ya—go give Heather a big ol’ follow on social media to stay up to date with her company’s happenings —@greenbicycleco or visit www.greenbicycleco.com for more details on her business and to shop online. You can already find some of her curated magazine collections at Goodside Grocery!

All the love + success to the moon, Heather!

shapes / aren't they great ?!

The shapes of your immediate physical space greatly affect the way you think to interact with your environment. Chuck ‘n I recently enjoyed a multi-day stay inside of a teepee ..this was our first time experiencing something that just seemed to work so seamlessly and effortlessly between earth & a built environment. The walls carry a signature convex cone shape of durable fabric and skins that opens to a naturally vented top point. All centered around a central indoor fire pit (let that flame burn, baby, burn!), it was easy to feel just how much the basic living elements affected your mood and state of mind. Less distractions getting in the way of visceral emotions. Yeah! Let’s talk about it !

Apartment design by Mistovia
Image Source: Yellow Trace AU

A transition into a new season often symbolizes a shift to a newly shaped environment. Doesn’t it just seem like we were crowded around a bonfire, toasting them toasty marshmallows only a few short weeks ago? Time for something new – SHAKE IT UP!!

Designs by Studio Gram
Image Source : Yellow Trace AU

Painting a more realistic and grounded portrait of what it looks and feels like to live indoors essentially for ½ of the year makes my head spin around a few times, but also… makes me want to jump for joy with the darkness and solitude that lies ahead. What shapes we surround ourself with immediately fuel us for the upcoming cold-weather months.

Designs + Images by Home Studios NYC

Playing with ceiling height changes, catering to custom built-in furniture, and choosing a color palette that feels exactly like YOU - are all design elements and characteristics we have the freedom to mess around with in order to find a place that feels exactly like us.

Design by Amos Goldreich Architecture

Image Source : Dwell

This technique flows from the architecture and composure of the framework, down through decor and interior design decisions. Allow the neutrals in the room to sit complacent, while the accents change more dramatically with the changing tides of our seasons and minds!

Image Source : Dwell

Catch ya later my alligators! I can’t wait to share more weird ideas and thoughts with ya :))

-Jordo

WHAT'S UR ROCK-ABILITY ?

How do you choose to express yourself to the fullest?

Is it through:

Dialogue or Conversation?

Painting or Drawing?

Poetry or Drama?

Cooking or Dancing?

…

How and where do you choose to have a jam-packed stadium seating fulla audience members eagerly looking to see how you express yourself to the max?

Take a look inside! I know you’d find an answer! If you like what you see, pursue it more. If you aren’t so keen on the scene, consider pivoting to a sunnier perspective & skillset. How do you need to adjust or reprioritize what you like and respect about your life? And how do you adapt to a vantage point that offers a little more razzledazzle with a dash of YOU front & center ? Wrap it in gold sequins and push that talent out into the spot light, baby! Your tap shoes are tied tight, and you hair is placed just right – you’re a show biz kid now!

Our recent investment in the front lobby space of our building, included a custom mural addition to the 14’H walls. It’s a shared public lobby space, so we were semi-limited in the way that the space could be adjusted. However, Christina from Persika Design Co truly delivered us a pot of gold with her abstract wildflower landscape! Check out some this WIP shot.. more to come on this front VERY soon !!

Screen+Shot+2021-08-17+at+12.32.50+PM.png

And here’s some more big, inspiring ways + ideas to check out ! :

…

Conceptual artist Kris Martin’s installations are breathtaking in all of the right ways !

f7_krismartin_exit_smak_yatzer.jpeg
 

…

The Yonder Escalante desert property in southern Utah is an American time capsule from the good ol days, but doesn’t skip a beat when it comes to modern day amenities and outdoor luxury lifestyle.

 

…

Check these makeshift alley cat style basketball hoops that started popping up around LA as part of Nico Naismith’s recent guerrilla style art installation.

Look beyond the horizon!! Make it happen cap’n ! It’s worth the effort. Your brain, heart + body will thank you !!

Catch ya lates !

-J

BEYOND NEW?

OWNING.

LETTING GO.

PLACING IMPORTANCE, USING HIERARCHIES.

TERRITORY.

CLAIMING OUR OWN/ WHERE WE HOLD VALUE.

WHAT IS CROSSING THE LINE OR TRESPASSING?

HOW DO WE DECIDE WHAT IS OURS AND WHAT IS NOT OURS?

I don’t really believe that anyone can truly own anything.  What does that mean exactly(?), I think I’m still figuring that out. But it certainly has become a forefront thought circulating in my brain space, among my other current immediate issues. I’m choosing to OWN this thought, acknowledge its presence, and carry forward through the ideas and situational interpretations that show up.

It’s a trip OWNING a retail shop these days. The entire idea that presents itself there implies ownership by certain individuals to a very clear degree. When Honey + Ace started introducing vintage merchandise into the shop’s purchasable repertoire of goods, we noticed a renewed energy, and a wide cast simplicity to the energy & hybrid of ideas we were then choosing to present to our audience. We live in a cyclical retail market now, where the consumer truly does get to decide where to place importance or value on tangible goods or merchandise. Whether it’s about supporting a local artist, recycling previously owned goods, or placing emphasis on a high-quality tangible result, there are so many ways to approach the world of consumerism. It makes my head spin!!

If you’re like me, I’m sure you have started to reevaluate a lot about the way you are living lately. The most basic morality battles of the last US presidency, the uncertainty (still happening!) with the global pandemic, and not to mention moving forward into a human population & culture that grows continuously more physically (not digitally) distant with one another every moment we’ve got.  We are adapting, learning, and starting to see what the horizon might look like on the other side of this shitty coin flip.

What does this new direction look like? The path we’ve been on might not look familiar. I firmly believe that the foundation and connection points between our everyday relationships will build a stronger fabric for us to rely on. So how do we go about this?!

MAKE TIME FOR BUILDING REAL RELATIONSHIPS.

KNOWING THAT ‘IMPERFECT’ MATERIALS HAVE EQUAL STANCES IN OUR MATERIAL POSSESSION.

TRUST. Open your ears, zoom back to observe a different perspective, enjoy the freedom that not knowing allows you to feel : ))))

:)

See you next time ! -J

graceful imperfections

Are you striving to have the perfect life ? What sort of way(s) are you looking through the lens of perfection? Does perfection mean: tidiness, cleanliness, orderliness, and planning? (Yes / in a superficial sense.) OR does perfection mean: not ideal..but we’re dealing A-OK, not good not bad, stabilization through imperfection, & gripping onto our tendencies and pulling them in a forward motion to help sustain our longevity?

I dunno. But as life unfolds, I’ve noticed how I’ve thought about achieving goals through a very microscopic proportion of what is available to me as a solution. Go ahead, what do you think the future might look like for you in 5-10 years? Personally, all I can stomach to think about is a 5 year forecast. Beyond that, it’s all projectile vomiting at a globe that’s spinning while I’m trying to point at a very specific place that I’d ideally like to land. Hmmm.

Wabi sabi. Ever heard of it?

I hadn’t until a few years ago. According to Beth Kempton, author of her book entitled ‘Wabi Sabi’ (big surprise!), ‘a wabi sabi lens can inspire to embrace soulful simplicity and treasure what we already have... It’s less about what we see, and more about how we see it.’

Embracing the imperfections, choosing to accept learning as the ultimate answer to a fulfilled life, and deemphasizing the negative persona surrounding imperfect objects, attitudes or relationships – wabi sabi is in constant fluid motion around us, leaning into the environments and behaviors we choose. There’s ­not one easy definitive line that characterizes ­a moment or object as wabi sabi.

I love wrapping my brain around this entire idea; it spirals and spins to catch up to all of the possibilities presenting themselves. And when I relay that back to interior design and how that can affect the mood and entire trajectory of infinite possibilities in our home and professional settings..let’s be real, it gets A LOT OVERWHELMING to think about.

Joshua_Vogel_Studio_Via_Vivian_Lanzarone.jpeg

So rather than sit and stew in the perfection of a past dream, take the blinders off of your eyeballs and really start to notice how the age, character, and dimension of a space is propelled into a sustainable goal of continued learning & fulfillment. Peel back the layers, don’t be afraid to share, and leave yourself visible cues of adaptability and transformation!

If you’re itching to find a huge chunk of wisdom behind Wabi Sabi as a lifestyle concept and reasonable approach to optimism, check out Beth Kempton’s book here. It’s a guaranteed magical literary journey :)

Check you later for more wisdom - hoping this post leaves you inspired to love the life you’ve already got :)))

xo, J

spectrum of simplicity

Yo! I’m back!

Dialing into the range of depth and character we all hold as individuals; I’m going to chit chat today about the levels that interior design holds, with a hyper lens focused on simplicity. My brain has been doing loop-de-loops wondering what really sets or defines a minimalist mindset apart from a maximalist. Though curation and simplification of material and furniture palettes exist in a more visually obvious landscape for a minimalist, I have really begun to notice particular design basics, IE color, shape, textural and shape variety, transcend both of these genres or classifications. Minimalists lean toward creating the skeleton or framework of a mood in the simplest method that speaks to them, while maximalists tend to be bolder with their layering techniques of this same idea but multiplied for maximum visual impact. Though a minimalist will tend to scale back their space’s curation, maximalists still require the same amount of effort and vision to tie all of these elements together in a more layered environment. So really, whatever your preference, minimalism or maximalism, there is always a place for simplicity! Join me below for some visual examples and styling methods to see where you fall on the simplicity spectrum : )

Radically Traditional / Trad-ical : Familiar traditional stylings are pared back to the bare essentials. Generally, this is exemplified through a high contrast, mix of transitional finishes with traditional silhouettes.

The Curated Eclectic – New Meets Old. Smart, interesting and witty combinations ranging from vintage or antique goods or existing architecture paired with high contrast sleek material or furniture combinations.

Colorfully Clean – Get hyper focused on highlighting unique shapes and silhouettes through interesting color contrasts.

Must-have monochromatic – ranging from light to dark, depending on the moodiness level you’re going for, cast a calming and tranquil funnel of feelings through a wave of similar hues and a variety of shade levels with your finishes.

Relaxed Bohemian – Similar to monochromatic, pairing an overall dialed back earthy neutrals scheme with a heavy emphasis on the organic silhouettes and simplicity that plants add to the architectural backdrop.

The design and styling methods could go on and on, and, if you are like me, you might recognize a little of each of these styling methods in yourself. We are a host of everything we’ve experienced from past, present, to the future. However & wherever your design preferences take you, lean into those ideas, get weird, trust yourself, and keep on keepin’ on! As always, thanks for listening!!

xo,

Jordo

grow with the flow

Sure, most of us may have contemplated an open concept plan in our traditionally built homes, or we might unilaterally agree that golden oak and polished brass finishes aren’t the hippest material combo – but what direction are you choosing to navigate yourself away from these outdated trend & fashion concepts?! How will you escape the turmoil?!!! Over the past year of owning my own biz, as well as the handful of years that I’ve owned my own home – the idea of permanency has always been overruled by the thought that our homes are a living and breathing idea that needs tending to. In my eyes, the goal of design isn’t to create a permanent or stagnant scenes, but to create a place of refuge the grows and adapts with us as we live and work inside of it all day long and evolve as humans!

This past year has undeniably asked many of us to rethink our home dwellings and the functions they serve. Along with this practicality, how can we make aesthetic choices that grow and serve us more easily with the changing tides of life?!

Consider a color story in your home’s paint color scheme. Grab a color you like and use it as an accent on a living room wall & go 3 or 4 shades darker in an adjoining, smaller space. Do you spend an awful lot of time hanging out in your kitchen? Paint your kitchen’s ceiling your favorite color for an added element of surprise! Or even consider painting your home’s trim entirely in an unexpected pastel hue instead of boring old white?! AM I CRAZY?! Probably. Speaking of crazy (cool!) - here’s a home vision that takes a rainbow maximus palette to a whole ‘nother level!

at_house tours_2021-02_House calls_Kristofir_4.jpeg

Find accent furniture that is easily adaptable inside of many settings, or pieces with inherent multifunction capabilities. Instead of an end table, try a low wooden stool. This stool can be adapted into a chair for extra company, a foot rest for an armchair, or a plant stand.

Turn a sunroom view into an open shelving situation that highlights the character and honesty of your decor style :)

Frame a patterned textile, hang a table runner as a tapestry, look for ways to adapt and use the things you own in different ways..

Flip your ideas on their heads, don’t be afraid to step outside of the box and follow what you crave to see and experiment within your own space’s walls. Easy style refreshes which require minimal tools can be your hero pieces!

Anyways! Thanks for listening – I’ll be back with more weirdness soon, I promise!

xo, Jordan

seeking center.

What’s up my hella balanced, centered AF Capricorn cuties?! Did you know that interior design generally recognizes 7 elements including: space, line, form, light, color, texture and pattern? Among other principles, I’d argue that keeping balance front and center when sorting through these 7 design elements inside your own environment, is at the heart of capturing the warmth of a thoughtful and considered interior environment.  Channeling that quintessential pragmatic Capricorn honesty, I’m challenging you to obsess (in a healthy way) over the different traits and characteristics of each design element, recognizing what each brings to the table inside of the grand scheme, and presenting them in a way that brings out the beauty in their counterparts and in you! Keeping the above in mind, in today’s post I’d like to shine a light specifically on finding balance within the ways we choose to purchase artwork and wall décor, as well as arrange it within our spaces. I promise, it’s fun :)))))))))

Capricorn Personality: “By far, pragmatism is one of your best qualities. You’re able to remove your emotions from the equation and look at “just the facts,” which isn’t easy for most of us to do. People appreciate your objective and nonjudgmental outlook, which is why it seems like everyone wants to ask you for the advice! Having serious Saturn as your ruling planet makes you a natural authority figure, and people inherently feel comfortable looking to you as a guide. It’s not always the easiest role to play, but we’re glad someone’s willing to do it and do it well.” -My Domaine

Although many of us would like to be 100% original artwork owners (and that’s rad if you’ve found a way to make that happen), I’d like to walk through the pragmatic approach to honing your perfect artwork and wall décor collecting process. I remember the first original art piece that ever adorned my post-college apartment walls. The colors, subject matter, and medium felt so naturally inspiring to me in every way imaginable – it was the perfect introduction piece into building my own collection of artworks. It’s also proven, with every move and layout/décor switcheroo I’ve thrown at it, to be a non-stop focal point and description of how I’d like the rest of my space to feel. It’s also inspired my design business’s brand aesthetic and brick & mortar. In so many unforeseen ways, this piece has sparked an evolution of myself that I didn’t know was possible but has become VERY possible. If you’re in the least bit curious about starting your own collection of original artwork pieces, my advice would be to go on & get after it!

Keeping this energy and momentum in mind, know and trust the support you’ve shown those artists to help guide mindful decisions for the pieces that surround and complement your original investments. An easy place to start is color. Pull the colors out of the focal artwork that speak to you most, while still keeping the surrounding overall room finishes in check. Pair it with a few matted framed prints or a quirky vintage piece that dials into your desired color scheme, without competing too heavily. For an even more dramatic effect, consider painting the wall your focal piece hangs on in a complementary hue specific to the artwork.

Balancing the scale of objects & furniture surrounding your artwork, as well as the scale of how the artwork groupings relate to themselves as a collective idea makes a huge impact on design. In general, a balanced artwork display above an anchor piece of furniture uses roughly 2/3 of the wall space above the piece. So a standard 7’L sofa would be proportionally balanced with roughly 4.5’ of linear wall space of artwork or décor covered above it.

Where you choose to hang artwork also speaks tremendously to the nature of how you view the piece. Front and center over that formal fireplace or decadent dining table, WABAM! – you know right where your eyes are supposed to go. I tend to prefer a more abstract or unexpected placement within an environment. This helps to move the eye around the space and be more inclusive of all of the elements within the room. Forget hierarchy, think balance.  

And please remember, I use the word artwork in a very loose fashion. Invest in the artists and pieces that matter to you. Those that help to articulate a thought you never quite knew how to verbalize or say on your own. Lift them up, learn from their bravery!

Alrighty! Well, I hope these thoughts have sparked a few ideas about starting or building upon your own collection. In my experience, these pieces will grow and evolve with you over time, evoke self-expression, and help to support the livelihood of the artist voices that are so necessary for the longevity of our communities. Stay weird, my peeps !!

xo, Jordo

spontaneous reality

Yo ! Spontaneous Sagittarius iz in the hizzouss of stars right now! You better believe I’m about to hop all over that idea train, and take you to some intricate weird underground tunnels that are an offering in both calm tranquility and highlighting eccentricities + oddities.

‘One of the best aspects of your personality is your sense of humor. Yes, you’re a poet and philosopher, but you also know when to inject a little levity into a situation. You always have the perfect word or idea on the tip of your tongue (or pen), no matter the situation. Your lighthearted nature and unflappable optimism buoy you through just about anything. Others admire your ability to keep your chin up during difficult circumstances. The trickiest aspect of your personality is your constant need to push limits. Well-intentioned jokes can go too far, or you can work so hard that you burn yourself out. Boundaries are the most important tool in the Sagittarius toolbox. Know that laying a few ground rules doesn’t mean giving up your free spirit—in fact, if you do it right, rules can help you flourish.’ - My Domaine

Midcentury style has such a knack for introducing spontaneity happily within its internal design dialogue. Noticing the intense pop of a fluorescent orange laminated cabinet drawer front inside of an all-walnut wood and white walled kitchen, makes my feets tingle! Check how the power of injecting an obvious, yet controlled, off-color dynamic into a mix of otherwise mostly continuous materials helps the environment blast into a different dimension. It’s design magic!

To break down exactly what I’m trying to explain to you, below is a very clean example of what the power of spontaneity or unexpected contrast brings to a space. Check this black white trim and frame within 2 highly edited/controlled interior environments. It holds a different presence within each, but speaks a relatively similar language to the overall environment’s material balance. These are both great examples of how the power of a controlled design naturally envelopes and welcomes the spontaneous or unexpected design element in its presence. Ying ‘n yang baby!

Ohhh and one of my favorite ways to introduce spontaneity into a space is through GREEEEEENERY! You better get used to that organic branch and insane amount of intricate leaf silhouette/sunlight combination bringing a smile to your face. Life flows and thrives harmoniously within our environment if we choose it to! Plants are our friends and awesome point of reprieve :)

Hmmmm what was that?! You wanted to see detailed images of the light fixtures featured in the intro ? YEAH YOU DID! WELL HERE THAT LAMP ZOOMAGE IS. UH! Another awesome example of simplicity and spontaneity living in harmony with one another. Check out Noa Razer’s other lamps and fixtures for similar eye candy vibin’.

And a little sculptural decor loveliness/weirdness brought to you by Folks, a French-based concept shop.

A recap for your brains ‘n peepers: flow with what the space calls for with a critical eye, pay attention to your whims, collect and record your energy levels throughout the different seasons, and reflect/edit often. Honor yourself and the things that make you smile. Follow your intuition with grace! Boom shakalalakakaka!! See you next month!

xo, Jordan

a heavy optimism

2020 threw the ultimate unforeseen challenge monster barreling down all of our pre-COVID life paths. Old notions + mindsets are constantly being flipped on their head. And achieving a modern reality that 100% respects and values diverse opinions and lifestyles has really come to the forefront of my everyday truth and mission. Now more than ever, I revel in the idea that our community members can help uplift one another through their diversity and creativity, and it’s something we at Honey and Ace cannot wait to explore more and help to amplify!

“There’s no zodiac sign quite as mysterious as you, Scorpio. People are intrigued by the very mention of your sign, having undoubtedly heard rumors about your spicy sex life and temper. Whether or not they’re true, we’ll never know, as a Scorpio never reveals their secrets. There’s more to you than meets the eye because, as a water sign (like Cancer and Pisces), you’re able to feel your way through complex emotional puzzles and spiritual impressions.  Even better, your status as one of the four fixed signs (like Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius) means you can hold your own against your passions, no matter how intense they may be. With Pluto as your planetary ruler, you possess a powerful magnetic appeal, and your traditional ruling planet, Mars, adds an element of danger to your aura. It’s not for everyone, but those who love you can’t get enough.” -MY DOMAINE

Channeling our Scorpio pals’ mysterious energy, this month’s post channels the shadowy depths that we hold as individuals. It’s about celebrating the things that make us all tick so differently from one another. It’s about digging past the surface value and leaning into those hidden qualities that really drive the sensibilities of our actions, feelings, and connections with others. Given the changing seasons right now, and transition into colder weather and abbreviated daylight here in the Midwest, there are so many fresh deeper darker truths that seem to expose themselves in our everyday environments. Paint and other materials can really intensify in their color language and conversation with one another, furniture arrangements and décor layout can alter our social interactions greatly, the different combinations of light produced from our lamps and fixtures wear greatly on the ambience of our rooms. Not to mention the fact that bringing the outside inside never seems so necessary as it does during these winter months where outdoors time naturally dwindles. A heavy optimism is upon us all as we see the colder/darker months headed toward us. Here’s a few ideas and thoughts to help diversify and intensify the moments that fuel your energy, celebrate and respect your emotions, and will ultimately help to make your space transition into a place that just feels more like you right now.

THE POWER OF COLOR

Embrace Radical Optimism: Channeling a vibrant beam of positivity and hope, select bright accents that are joyful and uplifting. Using these colors thoughtfully in an otherwise fairly neutral palette is particularly impactful way to achieve this idea.

Encourage Mental Wellbeing: Soft pastels and naturally-derived colors help to relax and calm the body and mind. Lilacs and mauve-based berry tones are on trend and are colors closely connected to the spirit realm. Pair with with warm woods and neutrals for an ultra calming effect.

Embrace the darkness: Balance dark accent walls or furniture with layers of interesting textures and finishes. Entryways or smaller rooms painted completely in a dark color can help impact the other spaces around it, making them feel lighter, brighter, and more open.

LIGHTING LAYERS

One of the easiest ways to make your space feel more complex visually and texturally sound involves layering several light sources into one concentrated area. Decorative wall sconce or stringed lights, don’t mind if we do!

GREENERY

I’ll take any excuse to add green to a space, it’s my fav! Let those outside vibes in, throw some plants in unexpected locations (with proper lighting), consider a landscape-inspired wallpaper or paint an accent piece of furniture in your fav shade of green.

Invest in yourself this winter season. Take note of the genuine feelings you’re experiencing inside of your home as the season transitions. Check in often, personalize according to the energy level you’re craving, and adjust ‘the rules’ to make your space the most genuine you ! Thanks for following along + we’ll check in with all ya sassy Sagittarius peeps next month!

xo, Jordan 

curation nation

‘Without you, Libra, the world would be less beautiful. While it’s hard to compete with your finely-tuned, aesthetic-driven personality, you also understand the power of keeping things harmonious, whether it’s regarding your look, how you act in the workplace, or how you deal with relationships. As an air sign, you prefer to think in ideals, even if it means getting your heart broken. (With Venus as your planetary ruler, you're driven by love.) Luckily, you’re also a strong-willed cardinal sign, so nothing keeps you down for long.

 **What Is a Cardinal Sign?

In astrology, a cardinal sign is a sign of the zodiac that initiates a change of season. Zodiac houses may be cardinal, fixed, or mutable, depending on the birth time of the chart, but only Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn are cardinal signs.’

-My Domaine

Interior design is more complex than just creating a beautiful space or keeping up with the latest design trends. Design certainly needs to tune into both form and function, but will also be most successful if we listen and really pay attention to the details that make us happiest while we are inside experiencing the spaces we call ‘our own’. It’s all about painting an obvious portrait of comfort and making our spaces effortlessly welcoming, familiar & genuinely you.

Here in the Midwest, a common design mindset seems to dial lots of folks’ time and energy into concerns about their homes re-sale factor. I’d like to take a step back from that notion and simply ask (financial motives aside) why does the re-sale factor top our priority list every time? Shouldn’t our homes be about creating an environment that is dialed into exactly who we are and how we use our home’s spaces right now? I’m not suggesting y’all to go bananas – I’d just love to see a little more risk in our everyday decisions to expose who we are as individuals.

Here’s what some spaces with a well-balanced, approachable curation straddling between stylish form & practical functionality might look:

Don’t get me wrong, timeless pieces will always beat trendy ones, especially when budgets and aesthetics are on the line. As we choose to invest in ourselves and our lifestyles, here’s some ideas to consider: quality over quantity, discovering what color combinations make you relax in a pool of optimism, patterns or graphic silhouettes that speak to you, and to not take your decisions so seriously! When you walk into let’s say, a well-preserved Midcentury Modern home, a flood of extremely personalized design details including perfectly preserved wallpaper + tile patterns, bold color combinations on everything from appliances to plumbing fixtures, sleek and simple built-in furniture and lighting all hosted within an open floor plan that brings the outside in, are individual elements paramount to that creating that MCM vibe. Channel this mindset. Don’t be afraid to pull that fun lever every once in awhile while balancing it within a reasonable perspective.

And for more really good thoughts and conversation on creating custom colorful environments that embrace the more chaotic end of the curation spectrum READ THIS

OK, I’ve got my fingers crossed that I didn’t blow your minds too much here. Big understatement here, but I’ll say it anyways - design means SO MUCH to me and has the natural ability to transform lives for the better. Through Honey and Ace, I’m choosing to actively engage creating opportunities for optimization, reflection and expression. Let’s rock n roll through this life! Now go DO YOU!

xoxo, Jordan

Creepin' on Cabinets

Time to zoom into those details, folks. This month’s post takes every detail into consideration, pushing off of the perfectionism is top-dawg attitude of our lovely month’s zodiac pairing: Virgo.

“Far and away, your best trait is your dedication. No one works as tirelessly as a Virgo, and the world loves you for it. No matter what you’re working on or who’s on your team, you’re 100% devoted to achieving perfectionism (or as close to it as you can get). You’re willing to tackle any and all obstacles if they stand between you and your goals.” – My Domaine

Get ready for the exciting world of cabinet anatomy! Use this post as a basic field guide towards crafting the perfect set of cabinets for your next extra special design project. I’ll dig into the different elements of cabinet construction, styles of cabinetry, door styles and material + finish options. Hang on tight!

THERE ARE 2 RECOGNIZED CABINET CONSTRUCTION METHODS: FRAMED + FRAMELESS

Framed Cabinetry Construction is defined by a frame that extends out past the base of the cabinet. It’s considered a more traditional style and is common in US. A benefit to framed cabinetry is that it offers three (3) different overlay door styles to select from: Standard (or partial) Overlay, Full Overlay or Inset.

  • A Standard (or Partial) Overlay Door overlaps the face frame by 3/8” and leaves a reveal of 1 1/8” of the face frame exposed on all sides (left, right, top & bottom).

  • A Full Overlay Door style overlaps the face frame of the cabinet by 1 1/4", leaving a 1/4" of the face frame exposed.

  • An Inset Door is installed flush (integrated) within the face frame opening leaving the entire 1 ½” face frame exposed.

Frameless Cabinets have ¾” furniture board panels that are manufactured using wooden dowels and glue and the back of the cabinet is dado-ed into the top, bottom and sides of the cabinet box. Since there is no face frame the cabinet ends are automatically flush.  Furthermore, frameless cabinets offer more accessibility verses frame cabinets. This is due to the fact that there is not an inside edge of a frame projecting into the cabinet opening. This allows an easier access to the cabinet interior as well as a larger opening to store plates, platers and cookware. The larger opening also allows for a wider drawer box in the frameless cabinetry compared to the frame cabinets of the exact same width.

here’s some IRL examples:

FRAMED - PARTIAL OVERLAY DOOR

FRAMED - FULL OVERLAY DOOR

FRAMED - INSET DOOR

FRAMELESS

DOOR STYLES

Another huge element in determining the perfect solution to your cabinet design includes cabinet door styles. Here are a few common guys you are likely to run into: Flat Panel, Raised Panel, and Slab Door.

NEXT UP: WOOD SPECIES, COORDINATING FINISHES + HARDWARE

Here’s a few popular cabinetry finish combinations that look sick as heck AND will stand the test of time :))))))

WHITE OAK + PAINTED WHITE + CARRARA STONE + MATTE BLACK HARDWARE

DARK NAVY/SOFT BLACK + SOAPSTONE + BRASS

WALNUT + SOLID WHITE QUARTZ + BRUSHED BRONZE

Alright y’all! MY BRAIN IS SPINNING WITH ALL OF THE POSSIBILITIES. Hope you’ve enjoyed and learned a little something from beholding the power of the mighty magnifying glass & really leaning into the details that raise design decisions to the next level. Join us next month for a devoted look into some Libra lovin’.

xo, Jordan