MBDG: Insights

Yesterday I had the honor of recording an interview with Jeremy Salemson at the WCHL 1360 studios. Mr. Salemson hosts Today’s Business, a program highlighting Triangle businesses and the challenges they have faced and plans for the future. Mr. Salemson and I discuss how the profession of interior design has been affected by the recent economic situation. We also talk about some of the changes in interior design and emerging trends. Then I let the cat out of the bag about Minta’s education experiences at the UNC Greensboro. You won’t believe it!

I hope you enjoy the show!

Tune into 1360AM Saturday and Sunday at 10:00am.

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(Researched and written by Beverly)

As my neighborhood waits to see if the young couple down the street puts a pink or blue bow on their door announcing their new baby’s arrival, I wondered how it came to be that we use pink for girls and blue for boys. Being the “researcher” and resident history junkie here at MBDG, I promptly Googled the question and found out.

In the early 20th Century it was actually the reverse. Pink was considered more of a boy’s color, (as a watered-down red, which is a fierce color) and blue was more for girls. The association of pink with bold red affected its use for boys. Blue was also considered more feminine due to its strong association with the Virgin Mary. An American newspaper in 1914 advised mothers, “If you like the color note on the little one’s garments, use pink for the boy and blue for the girl, if you are a follower of convention.” [The Sunday Sentinel, March 29, 1914.]

“There has been a great diversity of opinion on the subject, but the generally accepted rule is pink for the boy and blue for the girl. The reason is that pink being a more decided and stronger color is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl.” [Ladies Home Journal, June, 1918]

It was not until after WWII that we reversed and began to use pink for girls and blue for boys! Some think the decision was influenced by the color labeling in concentration camps by Nazi Germany or by the fact that men’s uniforms were blue and this became associated as a stronger, more masculine color. The 1950’s saw a color explosion in clothing as well as appliances and furniture. The rise of a more affluent middle-class lent itself to the dressing of children in gender-specific colors.

Who knew?!?!?!?!

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Valentine’s Day seems like the perfect time to mention that I have been toying with a Red and Pink scheme for one of the rooms of my house. I like the complete frivolous feel of the pink tones paired with clear reds. I never think of red as a grounding color, but, in this situation I think it does bring Pink back to earth. Analogous Schemes (those using colors next to each other on the color wheel) are so soothing to me…no big jumps across the wheel. The lack of the complementary color (the one across the color wheel, in this case green), gives the room a feeling of ease. Sure there is not a big punch of a contrasting color, but, some contrast can be made by the different values of the colors….and not every room needs to be high drama!

Gorgeous Rose Print

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Look beyond printed sources for your interior design inspiration! With the dark and cold winter upon us, I have watched more television in the last few weeks than usual. I have seen some really great interiors and in general I am seeing very fresh takes on some classic styles. By fresh, I mean colors….cool and light tones used as neutrals. Blue walls dominate a home in Modern Family and also a very clean palatte creates a hip house for the FBI agent, Peter, in White Color. I have had many clients in the past few years mention that they would be comfortable in Monk’s house - a very crisp take on California Mission Style. Adrian Monk’s home also speaks to the appeal of organization and edited accessorizing. Burn Notice, also on USA, sports a fun contrast between Michael’s ultra urban warehouse conversion dwelling and his mom’s retro pad. Okay…gotta go…there is a Monk marathon starting……

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Wasn’t it nice spending a few days at home over the holidays - those of you not battling the airports? This was the first Christmas in a long time I spent at home and I have to say I loved every minute of it! To actually spend quality time enjoying the nest you have so carefully crafted….a true joy! With the promise of a few flakes swirling around the Triangle this evening, my thoughts turn to the hope of a cozy throw blanket, a good book and a cup of spicy tea. Forget the milk and bread and try out Beverly’s White Bean Chili Recipe and stay toasty in your nest!

White Bean Chili
Yield 8 servings
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cooked, boneless chicken breast half, chopped
3 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
2 (4 ounce) cans canned diced green chilies
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (opt.)
5 (14.5 ounce) cans great Northern beans, undrained
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:
· Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté for 10 minutes, or until onions are tender.
· Add the chicken, chicken broth, green chilies, cumin, oregano and cayenne pepper and bring to a boil.
· Reduce heat to low and add the beans. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until heated thoroughly. Cook longer to thicken, if desired.
· Pour into individual bowls and top with the cheese.
Freezes well

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Gone is the day of Yellow-Orange (Pantone’s 2009 color of the year - Mimosa) and here is the year of Turquoise. Pantone unveiled the color of the year for 2010: 15-5519 Turquoise. Of course yellow-orange and turquoise are quite nice together…so no need to toss last year’s color.

A highlight of the press release states:
In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”

Without knowing what direction Pantone would go this year… I painted my main areas of my home Benjamin Moore Turquoise Mist earlier this year! I chose it as a backdrop to my other colors because I like the way it recesses and makes my tiny spaces seem more wide open. I also love the way tomato reds and rich kelly greens look with it. It feels cool, liquid and refreshing in my spaces.

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We at Minta Bell Design Group are very thankful……for health, good friends, family…….and those great people we work with, who, as clients, become friends. As we move ahead towards 2010, we look forward to helping those friends, and new ones, find comfort in their homes without neglecting the importance of good design. GOOD DESIGN is that hard-to-define property that includes scale appropriate to surroundings, color, suitable fabrics……whether super durable or glamorous………; lighting; rugs and carpet for comfort and sound absorption; art and accessories; and enough creativity to make the interiors unique and fun.

We encourage you to consider what you have to be thankful for, as we wish you HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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Southern comfort food and traditional blues revival music; it doesn’t get more “Durham” than that! Minta’s pimento cheese will be the featured art at this Thursday’s live music performance at Somerhill Gallery. Lightnin’ Wells will be playing blues and American roots music from 6-8 pm, November 5th. $10 at the door gets you a glass of wine, too.

Somerhill Gallery is located inthe Venable Center, 303 S. Roxboro St. Durham.

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I just downloaded and labeled the last batch of market photos after a very busy week last week. A few brought back memories of funny ‘Market Moments’.

“Ahh..Market is such hard work….”

“You just never know who you will run into at Market!”

The very last to leave……

…and some inspiration……

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Thanks to all the little ones and parents that came by Friday for the Meadowmont Spooktacular! It was so much fun to see all the kids in costumes - we never get to see them since they are at school when we are here! Meadowmont is a great community and it is a pleasure to be part of it.

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