Good Food and Contemporary Art

Today I am looking at a the historical Hill Building in Durham, NC.

Every Sunday evening I go to dinner at my favorite restaurant in Durham, NC, Pizzeria Toro.  I might be just a little bit partial to this restaurant because my son, Brian, works there.  Even so, it is the best wood fired pizza and if you are anywhere close to Durham, you need to give Pizzeria Toro a try.  You won’t be disappointed.

It was a lovely evening and after dinner, my husband and I went for a stroll through downtown and came across a big building renovation happening at the historic Hill Building.  I was so thrilled excited downright giddy to see that 21c Museum Hotels is renovating the building and is scheduled to open in 2015.  21c Museum hotels combine contemporary art with a onsite gallery and a boutique hotel experience.

The 17-story Hill Building in downtown Durham, North Carolina will be the 5^th boutique hotel location for 21c Museum Hotels. 21c plans to rehabilitate the historic building originally designed by Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon, the firm best known for the Empire State Building.  The property, which will feature a contemporary art museum and restaurant, is scheduled to open in 2015.

-21c Museum Hotel

Is there anything better than finding out that you are about to get a new contemporary art museum in your own backyard?  I don’t think so!

I stopped and took a photo of the glass and metal art deco detail on the building entrance.  I think it is beautiful.  I hope 21C will keep it.

2013 Hill Building entrance, Durham, NC

When I got home, I decided to do a little research on the building at OpenDurham.org and found a photo from 1961 of the very same entrance.  According to Open Durham, Ellis Stone Department Store occupied the first floor of the building at the time.

1961, Hill Building entrance, Durham, NC

I think I need to walk around town more often.  Who knows what kind of wonderful and beautiful thing I might find?

Taking A Day Off

I am taking an extra day off this week.

I have been working so hard lately that I have decided to start my weekend early this week.

NOT! I cannot tell a lie, I have been working on another project this morning and I have run out of time.

I promise that I will share lots of lovely glass with you next week (on time).

Have a wonderful weekend and I will see you back here on Monday.

Patricia

 

 

 

 

Glass Is Tomorrow II

Today I am looking at Glass Is Tomorrow II.

I’m having relaxing with a cup of coffee and watching videos this morning.  I just found this video that features action from the Glass Is Tomorrow II – workshop at the Glass Factory, Boda Sweden a film by Lise Coirier.

The first workshop of GLASS IS TOMORROW II has opened the summer season 2013. For one week, several designers and glassblowers gathered together in order to experiment the theme MIXED MEDIA. This theme is deeply rooted into the culture of glass in Boda, Sweden where this workshop took place.

GLASS IS TOMORROW is an European network wich aims at establishing a more fluid exchange of knowledge and competencies between glass and design professionals in the north, south, east and west of Europe. The first phase of GLASS IS TOMORROW – GIT I happened from 1 June 2011 until 31 May 2013. Supported by the Culture Programme of the European Union, it has promoted since the beginning a high level of craft and design in contemporary glass. Glass aesthetics and techniques have been explored by tandems of designers and glassmakers to develop new typologies of everyday objects.

In its second phase which has started up on 1st June 2013 and will last until 31 May 2015, GLASS IS TOMORROW – GIT II will aim at collaborating further with high end glass centers and postgraduate education departments specialized into glass design, in order to increase the quality of the glass production in Europe and the awareness of the European glass culture, tradition and innovations towards the professional world and the general public (including the applied arts and design collectors).

-Vimeo

GLASS IS TOMORROW II – workshop at The Glass Factory, BODA, SWEDEN, 7-12/7/2013 from Lise Coirier on Vimeo.

A Bunch Of Bull

Today I am looking at glass bulls.

That’s right.  I said glass bulls.  My favorite baseball team, the Durham Bulls, played in the Triple A Championship game last night.  The Bulls lost.  It was a sad way to end an outstanding season.

I thought the best way to honor the team and cheer me up, would be to spend today looking at glass bulls.

Congratulations to the Omaha Storm Chasers for playing a great game and winning the championship.

 

Bathroom Makes A Bold Statement

Today I am looking at a bathroom that makes a BOLD statement.

This asian inspired bathroom really stands out in a fabulous way.  I like how Exit Design of Warsaw, Poland made the red wall, white ceiling, and wood floor so graphic.  I especially like the red backsplash wall 🙂

Photo by EXIT Interior Design Studio. See more asian bathroom designs

A Change Of Season

Today I am looking at Autumn Vases and Bowls by Kenny Pieper.

There was a slight chill in the air this past weekend.  The kind of chill that makes you want to stay in bed and not get up and start the day.  I think I am looking forward to the autumn season even more than usual this year.  It must be a sign of aging.  I am starting to really feel the seasons as they change.

These Autumn Primavera Vases and Bowls by Kenny Pieper, available at Artful Home, would look lovely on an autumn theme dining table, sideboard, or even a fireplace mantel.  The colors of the vases and bowls remind me of autumn leaves.

Autumn Primavera Vases, Kenny Pieper, Artful Home

Autumn Primavera Vase, Kenny Pieper, Artful Home

Autumn Primavera Bowls, Kenny Pieper, Artful Home

Autumn Primavera Bowl, Kenny Pieper, Artful Home

 

 

 

 

 

Take Time To Reflect

Today I am looking at etched mirror.

Take time to reflect.

If you don’t have the time, make it.

IT IS FRIDAY!!!

I had a wonderful week.  I haven’t had nearly enough time to finish what I wanted to but, that is okay.

Now, it is family time.

I hope you can make the time to hold hands and go for a walk with someone you love this weekend.

I’ll see you back here on Monday.

Patricia

Bouché

Today I am looking at Bouché by Seletti.

I’ve been combing the internet this morning drinking a nice hot cup of coffee and swooning over photos from Maison & Objet 2013.  Le sigh…

This gorgeous bottle lamp is designed by Selab + Alessandro Zambelli for Italian company, Seletti.  This modern light is a lamp and a bulb rolled into one neat and sweet package.  Yes, please.

Bouchè by Seletti

Bouchè by Seletti

New Window Film Pinterest Board

Today I am looking at window film.

I spent at least an hour last night creating a new Pinterest board, Window Film.  Here are a few of my favorites from my new board.

If you follow all of my Pinterest boards you will automatically follow the Window Film board.  If you only follow my Glass board or my Favorite Places and Spaces boards, why don’t you follow my Window Film board???

Pressed For Time

Today I am looking at pressing keepsake items in clear frames.

I think pressing your most treasured items between glass for you and the rest of the world to admire is a great idea.

Making a pressed glass keepsake would be a fun weekend craft project.