Written by :  Laurie Lehrich

 Clan 

Function:  Noun 

1)  A traditional social unit in the Scottish Highlands, consisting of a number of families claiming a common ancestor and following the same hereditary chieftain.

        2) A division of a tribe tracing descent from a common ancestor

        3) A large group of relatives, friends, or associates.

The word clan actually originated around 1425 from the Gaelic “clan”, which in turn originated from the Latin root for plant, or “offshoot”.  The Celtic languages had no –p, so it substituted a –k or –c and the word we have today is clan which is what we know as family, friends or people with a common interest or bond of some sort.

For as long as there were recognized clans in Scotland and Ireland, design of fabric, family or clan crests, and jewelry has always been used as a tool to identify them.   

Modern designers using clan inspired prints.

Modern architects design cluster homes that keep clans living close together but allow for private quarters. 

Written by:  Matthew Quinn

Coco Chanel

Strangely enough, Coco Chanel has always influenced my design aesthetic.  I really studied her designs when I was asked to duplicate the interiors of her original Parisian store in a two story closet in a Texas mansion.  Her sophisticated and elegant use of trim and welting to create contrast and define forms remains timeless in fashion and interior design.  

Audrey Tatou as Coco Chanel

 

We designed and received a new door style the other day and the first thing out of my mouth was “This would be in Coco’s kitchen.”  The chrome trim creates the contrast and elegance against the fumed oak door. 

 

 

 

Another example is more subtle with a lightly glazed cabinet door and the tiniest accent of a brushed nickel.  The accent glimmers slightly and makes you do a double take.  

 

 

My faucet and hardware collection by Rubinet even has the Coco touch to it with the selection of materials determining the amount of contrast to the pieces.   

 

Matthew Quinn Pull- The Rubinet Faucet Company

 

Even my Intarcia tub and sink by MTI Whirlpools has that classic Chanel pinstripe running through it.

 

 Intarcia Tub-  Matthew Quinn Collection by MTI Whirlpools

 

In my mind, products that have a foot in the past and a foot in the future will always catch my eye.  

Written by:  Emily Sapanza

Loch

Function: Noun

Etymology: Middle English (Scots) louch, from Scottish Gaelic loch; akin to Latin lacus lake

Date: 14th century

1) lake

2)  a bay or arm of the sea especially when nearly landlocked 

One of my favorite television series Monarch of the Glen is actually filmed on location at Loch Laggan in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. Inspired by the highland novels of Compton Mackenzie, Monarch of the Glen follows Archie MacDonald as he finds himself thrown into the role of the new Laird of Glenbogle, his family's financially failing Scottish estate. With the help, and sometimes hinderance, of his family and faithful retainers he works to get the noble estate back on its feet.

The Ardverikie Estate is portrayed in the series as The Glen Bogle Estate and borders the Loch. Ardverikie, designed and built in the Scottish baronial style in 1870, is one of the finest private houses in the Scottish highlands. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert even stayed here for a whole month before she bought Balmoral.

 Written by:  Patricia Danzig

Spring

Living in Atlanta certainly has its benefits.  Mother Nature always throws up a couple of teaser days of Spring in the middle of Winter.  This past Sunday was a perfect example of that and it seems like all of Atlanta got out to participate in the action.  Whether it’s jogging in the park, riding bikes on the trails, hiking the mountains, or a romantic picnic in the park, the city embraced the wonderfully warm and sunny gift we received before more bitter cold was thrown our way.

Springtime always makes me think of the projects around my house that need my attention.  Should I clean out the closets?  Reorganize the kitchen?  Move furniture around?  I definitely need more artwork around my house and the finishing touch for every room in which I never seem to find the time.  Perhaps throwing a spring party would force me into finalizing all those small projects and get my house ready.

It’s amazing how one day of warmth can change my entire outlook on life.

Written by:  Robin Pittman

FAMILY

Every year during the month of February, it seems like we are surrounded by symbols of love – some silly and ridiculous, some truly sweet and thoughtful.  Aside from the obvious romantic sense of the word “love” that is hammered into our psyche by every advertising campaign during the month of February (“every kiss begins with Kay”…ring a bell??), I like the thought of focusing on the love between family and friends this time of year as well.

Without exception, when meeting with clients regarding designs for their kitchens, we always discuss how to best plan the space to accommodate interaction with the family.  Whether we need a space for children to sit and do homework, or two distinct work spaces for an “empty-nester” couple to cook meals together – the kitchen becomes the center of family gatherings in the home, and we want to assure that this is a special place for each client.   This is one of my favorite steps in the design process – getting to know the family to such an extent that you can visualize how the kitchen will be used in the future – from there, the design seems to develop easily!

For this client, we needed a space for the two young children to be able to do their homework, while keeping them out of the main cooking area while their mother was preparing dinner.  Designing this peninsula which perfectly lines up with the change in ceiling height was the perfect solution!

Written by:   Laurie Lehrich

love·bird 

Function: Noun

 1)  any of various small usually gray or green parrots (especially genus Agapornis of Africa) that show great affection for their mates 

Of course, we typically use the phrase as an expression of two people madly in love. 

Love Birds in Terrycloth

This says it all… 

Bow and Arrow –

Function: Noun

1) a weapon consisting of arrows and the bow to shoot them

Written by: Patricia Danzig

Beau-

Function: Noun

Ah, February, the month of love and lovers. And what if you are not lucky to participate in the annual ritual of Valentine’s Day? Then I guess you dream about what and who your next beau will be. In this world of instant oatmeal and drive-thrus and internet dating, im’ing, and texting, I guess we start to think that a beau should be instant as well but it simply doesn’t happen that way. It’s a long drawn out process of learning to trust the other person with your heart. Hoping that you’ve picked the right person. That you have tons in common. That you have the same values. That you’re attracted to each other. Sometimes it amazes me that we find someone at all. But we do, and I have to think my beau is right around the corner. Or just one more IM away. J

Charlie. He’s already stolen my heart.

Written by:  Lou Guerra

besotted ·  be-sot-ted

Function:  Adjective
1. infatuated; doting, charmed, captivated, beguiled, smitten, bewitched, spellbound, enamored, hypnotized, swept off your feet.
2. foolish; muddled
3. stupefied with drink; intoxicated

The very mention of words along the lines of “foolish”, “charmingly befuddled”, and “smitten” almost reflexively point our thoughts directly to Hugh Grant.  Seriously.  He plays off of those words in every movie role he’s ever had.   Don’t get me wrong.  I’m neither a fan nor a critic of Mr. Grant.  I am just muddled about how many movies Hollywood was able to design for him to accommodate that type of character. (I’d insert a little, round, yellow, smiley face here, but the one below should suffice).

Written by: Rachel Martin

Romeo- Ro-meo

Function: Noun

Date: circa 1595

1) the hero of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet who dies for love of Juliet

2) a male lover

"See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek!" - William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 2.2

Romeo and Juliet continue to influence our world and culture in ways we never may have expected……

Romeo and Juliet Bench designed by Koen Baeyens, Stijn Goethals and Basile Graux of Vyvey & Partners for the Belgian manufacturer Extremis.

Romeo and Juliet T-Shirts

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