Furniture design is equally important in my world of creativity as all other media I work with. This service all began 20 years ago when I could not find the right piece for my audio video equipment. Manufactured cabinets lacked ventilation, ease of cabling, and storage space was non existent. With the help of my cabinet builder friend we drew up the pieces and the story began......
My services have become an asset to our store, The Speaker Shop. Installing integrated house systems or simply one room theaters, our clients often required some type of "entertainment unit". Offering my furniture design services was a no brainer- My design process now includes furniture from media centers to fireplaces. In addition, art placement and interior design incorporates many of these jobs. Here is a sampling of some of my commissioned jobs.
blueprints on sound living & more
media center, window treatment
dining room, paint selection
inlaid table seats six
buffet w/speakers & wall curio w/inlays
sideboard, art, florals
This project began with the installation of our client's custom home integrated system. I entered the project designing the media center. The dining room pieces followed the next year as did the bursts of color throughout the home. The project continues with floral works, art purchases and placement. All furniture pieces are natural oak with attention to details as the inlays found on the dining room pieces. The floor standing speakers became part of the buffet. The wall where the media center is located was originally called out for a fireplace. Now the area contains the AV equipment, lighted displays, hidden speakers and media storage.
Again, our creative energy of audio and design merged for this bachelor's condo. Sound is distributed throughout the condo. The loft area features a small theater space. To warm the sometimes cold, starkness of a contemporary space, I introduced custom wood furniture pieces in key areas. The computer desk on the main floor and the loft pieces accomplished this aspect. All pieces were constructed of natural cherry with mahogany details. The loft area features a recessed, lighted media center with storage. The area where the TV is placed was designed to "grow" with flat panel technology- the center is removable. Complimentary tables, including a sofa table with custom stools overlooks the living room.
living room with Don Drumm sun shining bright
computer desk
loft pieces
in-wall media cabinet
Audio, Wine, and Storage
Audio & Buffet Cabinets
Pictured above is a wall unit for an audio system, storage for media, professional publications, and favorite wines. This piece in dark oak lives in a golf theme room. The knobs used are the client's favorite golf balls.
Pictured at right is a cabinet for audio and entertaining. In the classic Mission style, it is natural oak with black detailing.
Below is a single unit for a freestanding flat panel, audio equipment and storage drawers in a walnut finish.
Mission Cabinet Details
dry wall unit
elephant and speaker cabinets
pickled oak in-wall cabinet
From the images top left thru bottom right is a diverse range of design projects. Top left features a built out dry wall unit to accommodate an awkward line of sight for the TV and audio listening. It also breaks up two areas of the room.
Top right are oak and ebony inlaid cabinets mimicking elephant tusks. They hold the client's elephant collection and speakers.
Bottom left is a built in cabinet of pickled oak. A large walk in closet behind the wall allowed this unique solution to obtain additional floor space creating a clean look.
On the right is an AV cabinet with media storage. To assimilate with the white decor, the cabinet was painted with multiple layers of automotive paint giving a hard, glassy surface.
gloss white AV cabinet
dining room pieces and end table
gloss white bookcases & fireplace mantle
AV display cabinet
The diversity continues......... I hope you are enjoying what my mind's eye has produced. Above right again utilized the use of automotive paint for the deco inspired floor to ceiling bookcases and fireplace mantle.
A massive scale, natural cherry piece seen above spans two floors. The cabinet houses all AV equipment, storage, and special collectibles. The second floor area was notoriously dark. The large lighted display area resolves this issue nicely.
Pieces seen above left were designed and built to compliment an existing dining table and chairs. A trio of sideboards and lighted wall cabinet were built in tigers eye maple and cherry with granite tops. Don Drumm knobs add the right touch. I went on to design a side table, massive wet bar, credenza, and etegeres in the living room and a coffee bar in the kitchen. A corner cabinet for a TV and audio gear was built for the master bedroom in cherry- seen at left. ..... It is all about the details you know.....
Seen above left to right is a unique home with a tree "growing" up through the living room. Along with the installation of a integrated house system, my task involved designing an AV cabinet for dual purposes. It contains the theater system and a professional DJ system complete with dual turntables...... It was a good challenge to design this hickory cabinet due to constraints of the space alloted.
Below is a home that we had previously installed a theater system in years ago. It was time to upgrade with a Pioneer Elite Plasma and all new electronics. The existing entertainment system had to go! A natural cherry cabinet now holds all their favorite new toys and media. This room needed special treatment for the rear channel speakers. A cabinet was designed to hold these speakers and positioned in front of the stairs. Again, this cabinet includes media storage. The following year I designed a coffee, end table, and buffet piece- all in natural cherry. All with lots of storage of course! This is a dark room- great for a theater room but bad for displayed art works. I brought in my electrical contractor, and we quickly solved that issue. Lighting is so important in any room.
At left shows a green stained maple group of cabinets designed and built for this home theater system. The clients will use this room for entertaining in addition to occasional movie watching but did not want a TV in the room. Of course the motorized, drop down screen and ceiling mounted projector would be the solution to this project. The cabinets house the electronics and media. A grouping of art works will be hung on the blank wall.
The cabinets below were designed for a theater system, media storage and display area for art. The three cabinets were built from African Brae wood for the tops, black Zebra wood for the cabinet and oak trim. By grounding the cabinetry in black, sets the stage for the sculptures displayed on the unusual Brae wood tops. All interior areas are lighted. The TV is located at the opposite side of the room.
Floral Design . . . .
The creating continues . . . In the gallery I have included floral arrangements designed and assembled by myself. Along my travels I have acquired interesting containers. Pairing these containers with interesting florals, both dried and silk, result in arrangements from traditional to unusual. Elements as feathers, sticks from the woods and sea whip from the beach are frequently used in my arrangements. Beading is additionally used to embellish some of the containers.
Bunches of "money trees" in simple bouquets ready to give- or receive are also available. The "money trees" are grown in my garden. The seeds originated from my grandmother's garden. The biennial flowering plants were quite popular in Victorian times. There have been a number of names associated with them- as Silver Dollars, Peter's Penneys.
The gallery features ikebanas- a simple vessel for arrangements, displaying just a few of your favorite sprigs. If you would prefer, I can create your ikebana for your decor. Additionally, you may also commission my services to custom design arrangements for your home and/or office. This includes changing out the florals seasonally. Please see ikebanas in clay form on the pottery page or, on the wood page. for the works of David Walsh.
I am not sure where to categorize my newest line of work- the seashell topiary. They are arrangements of shells in containers, they are art forms. Rather than using just whole shells I include broken, irregular pieces of shells creating more of a mosaic. They are becoming quite popular! To see more shell works please go to the home and featured art page- better yet, stop by!
SALE 20% OFF
Glass Works . . . .
Jo Thomas Blaine, San Diego, California ~ Mandala Art Plates "Spirit Meets Glass"
Jo's diverse background has set the stage for these pieces of art with deep meaning. She holds degrees in graphic design and Oriental medicine, and is licensed to practice acupuncture. She is a musician, worked for a kaleidoscope artist, and designed jewelry, Now she enjoys painting these beautiful designs and applies them to her Mandala glass plates. The word "Mandala" is from the Sanskrit, meaning "circle". Traditionally graphic, the designs are considered mystic symbols of the universe, They are used in many cultures to cultivate power or healing energy, to protect, to inspire, and to call upon the devine. As Jo points out, look at the snowflake, you will see the Mandala in nature. It is Jo's intention to merge inner and outer worlds together in collapsing and expanding patterns. To each admirer the Mandala art can mean many things. Each plate is signed and numbered. Sizes available are 10 and 14".
20% OFF Mandala Plates In Stock Only
Slumped glass works are featured from MKG Studio in Mount Lake Terrace, Washington. I have seen many versions of slumped vases however, these exhibit more attention to the folds than others I have seen. There are 2 sizes available: CANDLEHOLDERS, as seen on the left, and the VASES seen below. Display them alone or place fresh flowers in the folds for an interesting arrangement.
