MARJORIE CARLSON
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The New Home

9/23/2020

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I've been busy these last few, strange months. Really busy. It seems that people can only stare at the walls of their home for so long before deciding to make some improvements.  The most frequent request? A real office. Not a nook, not a desk and chair, but an energizing, stylish, and functional space from which to rule one's corner of the Earth. Two of my clients are CEOs, several others have senior positions. Even in their essential roles, they are still working from home a lot, or exclusively. Not only do they require a well-equipped and efficient base of operations, but we are also talking regularly about things like ideal web cam heights for Zoom calls, how to style the background, and the benefits of ring lights.

At the same time, there is a renewed emphasis on the master suite. Clients are opting for palettes and finishes that are textural, soft, and calming. They aren't thinking about maximizing square footage, but rather maximizing their experience within the cocoon of their bedrooms and bathrooms. We have been talking about storage and organization perfectly customized to their specific needs, dressing rooms that feel like boutiques, wellness considerations like soaking tubs, steam and light therapy, and bidets. We are installing ambient lighting to provide a soft, calming effect. We are addressing acoustics so that rooms sound as enveloping as they look. Now more than ever, we must prioritize spaces in which we rest, rejuvenate, and recover from our hectic days. 

I bumped into an acquaintance of mine last week. He is an architect specializing in sustainable and smart design. Recently, he completed a restaurant project with an emphasis on indoor air quality and the wellness of staff and guests. In hindsight, he seems prescient, what with COVID-19 still wreaking havoc on what we thought of as normal. But this has been the normal for award-winning Studio St. Germain. And I think, increasingly, it will become our new normal as well. 

As we forge ahead, the opportunity and challenge of better design for all of us awaits.  I, for one, welcome it.
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Empathy and Design Psychology

7/11/2017

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During my Architectural Studies coursework, we constantly pondered the ways in which the built environment affects the behavior and psyche of those inhabiting the space. In fact, two of the cornerstones of civilization were architecture and agriculture -- the wall and the crop. These two tools allowed ancient societies to stay in place with more reliable food and shelter. With the benefits and security that these two advancements afforded, other pursuits could flourish.

In fact, throughout history, architecture has been used to show power, wealth, to protect, to worship, to control.  Prisons were constructed with poor natural light and air flow, menacing and gloomy architecture to both punish inmates and discourage the free from committing crime.  One fascinating prison was constructed as a tower so that the warden could surveil every cell easily, but was masked from the inmates. This idea of constant surveillance is anxiety-provoking to most of us.

On the more appealing end of the design psychology spectrum, architects and designers are using the tenets of ancient design theory, such as Vasati and Feng Shui, as well as design psychology, to create architecture that is beneficial to the human psyche with function tailored to the unique needs of the inhabitants. Indeed, as IDEO's Tom Kelley points out in an illuminating interview, the first psychological principle that one should keep in mind when beginning a project is empathy:

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That’s easiest to achieve if you’re creating products or services for someone just like yourself. So, for example, IDEO is designing new experiences for aging populations around the world, so it has been really helpful for IDEO to have the 91-year-old Barbara Beskind on the team. Of course, designers often must create solutions for people unlike themselves. And that’s where empathy comes in so they can create a product or service that will delight customers, simplify their lives, or give them peace of mind. Part of the reason customers like Uber so much is that it eliminates the awkward social moment at the end of a taxi ride in which you have to calculate a tip, pay the driver, get your change or receipt, and leave the vehicle."

I love this concept and how Kelley so eloquently distills a designer's true task when beginning a project. Although he is referring to larger, institutional projects, the concept of empathy translates elegantly to residential and small-scale commercial design. We may have heard of the ways in which the design of casinos causes visitors to lose sense of time. We know that "coastal decor" often reflects the colors of the beach -- crisp whites, soft tans and tranquil blues. We know that home buyers gravitate towards neutral and uncluttered interiors. But an interior designer is tasked with much more than that.  If we can marry principles of design AND decipher each client's individual needs, we can have a profoundly positive affect on their psyche. 
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Now offering AVE Home

6/12/2017

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We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our first order from AVE Home, a specialty furniture company based in New Orleans. AVE Home revives classic design by creating historical reproductions with strong attention-to-detail. Drawing inspiration from a number of design periods, Ave Home produces well-curated collections of both raw wood and finished furniture. AVE COLLECTIONS offers a variety of timeless styles, including French Louis XV, Swedish Gustavian, Hollywood Regency, and Mid Century Modern. AVE RAW also focuses on a range of styles that speak to the DIYer or Designer who want high quality furniture for their own hand applied finishes at an affordable price.

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Rugs!

5/1/2017

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I am back from a soccer weekend in Columbus, with gorgeous vintage and antique rugs in tow! If you are interested in any of these, please email me to see them or order!




*SOLD*

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A signed 1930s hand knotted Persian Tabriz pictorial rug. The rug displays a cerulean lozenge medallion with a navy foliate border over a crimson red field. The field is decorated with vase and flower designs in a palette of tan, azure, forest green, blush, cream, and navy. The field is finished with navy blue spandrels with depictions of soaring birds of paradise. A thin cream and navy foliate minor border separates the field from the principal vignette border. The principal border depicts repeating patterns of cranes and deer among colorful palmettes and floral designs. A short cotton warp fringe completes the piece. Condition is Good, with wear pattern consistent with age and use; slight wear to fringe. DIMENSIONS 113.25" W x 0.25" H x 154.5" D Rug measures approximately 9’5" x 12’10"

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A hand knotted Indo-Turkish Oushak area rug. The rug has a rectangular cream colored field with improvised geometric forms in shades of tan, beige, gray, and ash blue. The field is bordered by a wide meandering vine and floral border with pale blue ground. The piece is finished with a knotted cotton warp fringe at ends. Condition is Good, with wear pattern consistent with use; slight wear to fringe DIMENSIONS 50.0" W x 0.25" H x 62.0" D Rug measures approximately 4’2" x 6’2"

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A hand knotted Indo-Persian Heriz Serapi rug runner. The rug features a pale blue colored lozenge shaped field with crenelated border. The field is decorated with lobed medallions in powder blue, navy, green, and tan. An unresolved turtle border is set against a cream ground surrounds the field. The piece is finished with a knotted cotton fringe. Condition is Good, with wear pattern consistent with normal usage and age; slight wear to fringe. DIMENSIONS 30.0" W x 0.25" H x 74.0" D Rug measures approximately 2’6" x 6’2"


*SOLD*
PictureA hand knotted Northwest Persian pictorial rug runner. The rug features a series of four rust, peach, and orange ram’s head medallions over a deep indigo field. The field is further decorated with depictions of deer, lambs, palmettes, and trees of life. The border is comprised of two minor running water borders, flanking a bird’s head principal border in sage, wine, and plum. The rug is finished with a single cotton over cast edge and warp fringe opposite. Unmarked. Condition is Good, with wear pattern consistent with normal usage, wear present to fringe. DIMENSIONS 53.25" W x 0.25" H x 129.5" D Rug measures approximately 3’9" x 14’1"
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A hand knotted Indian Oushak rug runner. The runner has a tan colored field with improvised decorations of geometric forms in tan, sand, cream, and blue. The field is surrounded by a meandering palmette border in cool tones over a pale blue ground. The rug is completed with a cotton warp fringe at either end. Condition is Good, with wear pattern consistent with normal usage; wear present to fringe ends. DIMENSIONS 32.5" W x 0.25" H x 96.0" D Rug measures approximately 2’8" x 8’0"

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A hand knotted Persian Tabriz room size area rug. The rug displays a cream colored roundel medallion with mustard colored interlocking vine details and ogee pendants surrounding. The medallion rests on a deep blue field, decorated with arabesque vines, Shah Abbasi palmettes, and lancet leaves. Cream spandrels with repeating ogee pendants stand in each corner. The compound border features minor borders of twisting vines and palmettes with respective scarlet and aqua grounds. The principal border features a bold orange cartouche border with emerald colored ground. The rug is finished with a cropped cotton warp fringe. Condition is Good with wear pattern consistent with normal usage; slight wear to fringe. DIMENSIONS 112.0" W x 0.25" H x 155.0" D Rug measures approximately 9’3" x 12’10"

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A hand knotted Indo-Persian Heriz Serapi rug runner. The rug features a cream colored lozenge shaped field with crenelated border. The field is decorated with lobed medallions in powder blue, peach, and tan. An unresolved turtle border is set against a blue-black ground. The piece is finished with a knotted cotton fringe. Condition is Good, with wear pattern consistent with normal usage; slight wear to fringe; slight bleeding to dyes. DIMENSIONS 30.5" W x 0.25" H x 99.5" D Rug measures approximately 2’6" x 8’3"
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Introducing BLAK RUST Home

10/28/2016

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I'm so thrilled to launch BLAK RUST Home with my friend and partner, Shannon Pultz! Shannon's beautiful shibori-dyed silk scarves were so incredible, and I couldn't wait to adapt her designs for home decor. 

Although bohemian patterns are going to be on trend for the foreseeable future, our focus was on traditional techniques and patterns interpreted in a fresh, modern way as art for your home.

On November 5th, we will introduce seven patterns that can be adapted for pillows, draperies, table linens, bed coverings and upholstery. Stay tuned!

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Shannon Pultz and Marjorie Carlson. Photos by Merritt Lee Photography.
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The Best of Fall 2016 High Point Market

10/25/2016

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I have returned from High Point, North Carolina, host of the largest furnishings trade show in the word, and I am inspired. Beautiful color, rich textiles and materials, shibori and mud cloth prints were in abundance. 

Best of Furniture
CR Laine's leather in Putty was a standout, as well as their french seam topstitch option. Century also had a beautiful truffle leather with lavender overtones that would work well in so many installations. Made Goods was showing casegoods wrapped in vellum and faux linen, and I can't wait to use these pieces in upcoming projects! Michel Ferrand is my favorite new find, with fantastic custom casegoods and wonderful extending tables.  My single favorite piece was a leather Palacek chair, with stunning lines, rich wood and classic leather.

Best of Lighting 
Bobo Intriguing Objects' leather wrapped pendants were a favorite. Palacek featured the most refined "natural woven" fixtures. Visual Comfort & Co. was the winner, however, with absolutely stunning and unique pieces, all featuring their trademark quality and heft.

Best of Accessories
Swiss Army blankets, poufs and pillows from Bobo Intriguing Objects were great, as well as GJ Styles pillows. Objet de Curiosite had wonderful little pieces and beautiful mirrors (two such mirrors are going to a special client).

I was pleased to see lots of tortoiseshell, malachite and gold tones! Let's decorate!


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    Marjorie Carlson
    ​Designer, Realtor

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