55 Degrees and Sunny today! Even though winter in Michigan means hockey season and beautiful snowy days, it also means you hibernate in your house for a few months until the cold weather leaves. But today feels like a wonderful, early spring day! Spring is like a new start.

I've been doing a great deal of thinking about my place in the field of design. I have had some wonderful scholarly opportunities as well as in my design career. However, I feel frustrated in finding my "niche" in this field.
I have always had an incredible passion for design. At the age of 3, I would sit at my little wooden kids table and draw for hours. As I grew, this continued and my interest became more and more prevalent. My mom was always a huge support of my interest. She continued to push me to pursue the this talent and ambition. At the age of 11, I wrote a "When I Grow Up" speech which was about becoming an Architect. I spoke in front of my elementary school, then the school board, then the local government people and finally in front of some state representatives. It was something, I feel, really sparked me to pursue it further. I furthered my education during high school technology/CAD/Design classes and then decided to pursue it as my career.
As I look at where I'm at now; significant amount of education behind me and also great work experience, I still feel as though the passion that has brought me this far is being suppressed. I also feel that there is a sense of fulfillment that is not being 'filled'. So this is where I stand....confused about one of the only things that has consistently followed me through my life.
I find that when I step into the classroom, I feel an incredible amount of passion and feel "at home". I frequently visit my old high school to see what the "up and comers" are working on. It is something I truly feel passion for....giving back the knowledge and passion that was given to me.
With that said, when I see a completed project that I've worked on, I also feel a sense of pride and excitement.
Therefore, I've been trying to signify the source of my passions....trying to decide if I should follow my drive to teach or remain working in the field solely...or....both!



I would love some feedback on this subject. Both from a design end and a teaching end. I think any advice is a good thing!




Inspiration....

1930's Detroit - a time for building. To help in the revitalization of Detroit now would be amazing!


Fox Theater interior - Beautiful

Frank Lloyd Wright's - Falling Water House. One of the first images that influenced my passion.




**Bethany**

Modern, Classic, Elegant - That's 2010

In the search for the "perfect" furntiure addtions and, me, always trying to figure out my next 'big change', I've discovered some wonderful interior trends.

I'm sure people have been confronted with the use of Grey / Charcoal color. Get used to it! Grey, right now at least, is the new Beige. The use of Grey with great unexpected color combination s is defiantly a great touch. Teal, Orange, Eggplant and Yellow are some perfect to accompany Grey.

In addition to unexpected color combos with grey, the use of slight sparkle is nice touch. Adding accessories with crystals that catch light, the use of small mirrors or even the use of mirrored furniture. Yes, I know, "Mirrored furniture?....Are you serious?" Actually, the use of a piece of vintage (or made to look vintage) furniture is a wonderful touch to even the most modern setting. With the use of a mirrored piece would add an eye catching touch.

Modern, Classic and Elegant are definatly at the forefront. Modern ac
cents, Classic colors and elegant furniture!







Enjoy!


--Bethany--



" A Designer is an emerging synthesis of artist, inventor, mechanic, objective economist and evolutionary strategist" -- Buckminster Fuller

My Introduction

I want to start by introducing myself -----

I'm Bethany. I'm a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a lifetime student, a die hard hockey fan, a designer, a lover of art, design, architecture and photography. I'm honest, cautious, caring and sentimental. I love to cook, dream of being a teacher/professor, (a pastry chef...for fun) and a mom. I want to leave a positive mark.

So enough about that.....
I named this blog 'The Art of Designing' for several reasons. First - because I am a designer and love all aspects of it. Second, I believe that design is not just an art form but a life form. You 'design' your life, your home, your future, your thoughts......and so on....
So yes, even though I am a designer, I will not always talk about design from a business end -- But from a lifestyle & from a life experience side too. (I'm sure other topics will find their way into this as well)
Third and finally - In my many years of researching design -- I've found many 'definitions' that describe it. Though most of them are obviously related to the 'act' of designing, others simply express the idea of 'design' as a lifestyle and how it pertains to everyday life. One that simply caught me was 'Design: The Art of Designing'. And so it stuck ---- I decided the name will be -"The Art of Designing"

I've thought often about writing these ideas & experiences down, in hopes to promote dialog between myself and the people who share in the same passion; And between those who want to offer their own thoughts on these (and other) topics too.

With that said, I leave my first entry with a quote (or two) that I really enjoy. (One related to design and on to life itself....)

On Design:
" We see Architecture and Design as an act of profound optimism. It's foundation lies in believing that it is possible to make places on earth that give a sense of grace to life and believing that, that matters. It is what we have to give and it is what we leave behind " -- Todd Williams.

On Life:
" If something is not happening for you it doesn't mean it's never going to happen, it means you are not ready for it " -- unknown.




---Bethany---