Canvas Rugs: An Interview with Local Costa Rica Magazine

Last month I was contacted by a representative of a local construction magazine, Construir, for an interview.  Seems they had received one of our press releases sent for interior design publications; but I'll take press of any flavor!

Actually, I'm quite honored to be included; the topic they had in mind for this interview about my canvas rugs was of flooring, so that works perfectly! I envision the titled interview published something like: Stunning Floor Art with Canvas Rugs by Laurel's Originals, Costa Rica.  

Probably won't be that glamorous but a girl can dream! At any rate I'll be looking for a copy as the interview is  scheduled for their 82nd Edition, June/July 2010.

Recognizing that my readers here in Costa Rica would find it difficult to find the magazine, though Periodista Revista Construir has suite offices in the Oficentro Plaza Colonial, Escazú, I thought it might be fun for you all to read the interview. Hope you can appreciate my enthusiasm for being interviewed for my canvas rugs as they are a totally new concept here. Here is the english translation:

1.      Why would you say that your rugs are an environmentally friendly product?

We make custom canvas rugs. They can be cleaned with just soap and water instead of the chemicals necessary for cleaning traditional rugs. Hand made of cotton canvas these rugs are healthier and more economical solution for treating rugs, besides being environmentally friendly.

2.   How often are rugs used in this region especially with it being a tropical region?

Traditional rugs are used in the city and mountain areas where the weather is cooler. It is not possible to use them at the beach, they get dirty with sand and the humidity is not good for the traditional rug.

3. What are the advantages of the rugs?

These rugs are very practical. They protect your feet from the cold floor in cases where you have ceramic floors and fine wood floors in high traffic areas.  In many constructions rooms are larger and include different areas with different uses, like the dinning room and living room in one. Using the rugs in the interior design can create a more intimate feeling, separating areas according to their use.      

4. Why do you consider the rugs to be a suitable answer for the climate of our region?

Traditional rugs are more reasonable for cooler zones such as certain places in Costa Rica. This is why we have created a line of rugs made from canvas with paint and varnish that work as rugs in decorating but without the problems that affect traditional rugs made from cotton or wool.            

·       This material is a heavy cotton canvas that is shrunk, sewn, painted with high quality paint and finally covered with many coats of polyurethane varnish. They are custom made for any kind of project in any color and design required according to the decor.                            

·        Recommended use and types of projects: These rugs are custom made for use in any indoors or outdoors area. They can be cleaned by sweeping them whenever necessary. Sand and dirt will not get underneath them because they are sealed. They will not stain, if something spills on them it can be cleaned just with a cloth and water. They are also hypoallergenic; dust and animal hair does not get trapped in them.

·   

9 June 10

Therapy Color: Interior Décor Application

Inspirational thoughts of art, color and decor (my version of therapy color) came pouring out of me in a most profound way and I felt the need to blog about this.

While visiting a dear friend, more like a sister really, she shared a book of art with me. Its available only to designers who purchase commercial art, and includes only artists whose work has been included in commercial settings.

We have, over the years, inspired and cheered each other on in our own artististic endeavors. Her husband asked me, if while I am in the US there was anything I could do to further my business and I said the inspiration I get from the exposure to art is the best thing for me. As well as being an artist in watercolor and acrylic mediums, Lisa works in Interior Design for commercial buildings, restaurants, and hotels buying and selling art, putting all the pieces together to create atmosphere for her clients. She is always up on the latest trends in color, materials, and techniques.

I respect her taste and ideas, and its just fun to throw ideas back and forth with our respective art forms and discovering what's new out there in the art world.

Having years of experience painting on textiles for many years, I helped many others to do the same by showing them my techniques and sharing supplies. My theory is that art is subjective; some like this and some like that. We all have certain colors that appeal to us, in the clothes we where, in the decoration of our homes. I remember painting pink and purple orchids, two colors I would never wear. When I made dresses with giant orange orchids with purple spots, (I LOVE orange and purple together) the girls who helped me to paint said no one would buy these bright and wild colors but they were one of my biggest sellers. Obviously, my personal therapy of color choice appealed to a large group of women.

I don't think you can pin point why colors and art call to one person and not another. Say you are walking through a gallery or browsing through a book or sitting in a restaurant and there a piece of art grabs your attention. You're transfixed with the colors, the light, and the content, catches you and holds you; it's a kind of  color therapy happening without maybe being aware.

My favorite part of creating hand-painted canvas rugs is playing with colors. I love to work with combinations of color and make notes of them whenever they evoke a feeling: the blues of a sky, golds in a field, the shadows of purple and deep greens. This applies as well in the entire decorating scheme of a room or a home.

There are a variety of "canvases" in a room which invite a wide host of therapy colors to be incorporated: curtains, furniture, pillows, walls and floor coverings.  If the theme you're looking to create is one of tranquility, use those colors on the different canvases that make you feel calmed, relaxed, composed.  A rug, such as a painted floor cloth, can then tie in all the selected colors with a more definitive design theme, providing the perfect finish to a room.

The idea I am trying to get across is to pay attention to the feelings works of art brings to you. When you see a particular painted scene that brings a sense of peacefulness, for example,  recognize the emotion you are feeling. Perhaps it's just the fact you are looking at a peaceful scene, or maybe it's the combination of colors. There is color therapy which uses color to evoke different physical reactions, an interesting aspect when applied to interior decor. You can learn more at http://www.therapycolor.com/

 I just wanted to share this idea of therapy color, to pay attention to your feelings when art and color brings forth an emotion and imagine how the application of décor within a room or entire house can do the same.

 

Simple Summer Decor for the Porch or Patio

It's that time of year again: the sun is shining, evenings grow longer allowing time to enjoy our porches and patios but maybe those outdoor areas require a little summer decor to freshen things up a bit?

How to create a fresh patio decor to brighten up these areas without a total overhaul and keeping within a budget? We're all busy, and as much as we want to fix up the place, it can seem daunting. But with a little pre-planning much can get accomplished in a weekend or two and done so affordably.

First of all, make it fun, make it a day, or make it a family affair. Pick a sunny day, play energizing or soothing music, plan a picnic type lunch in advance so that the effort goes smoothly until the "job" is done. Don't even call it a job...call it a project.

Where to start with a patio decor project? Nothing makes a more dramatic change then a new coat of paint. Walls, cement flooring stains, or how about painting the furniture? Spray paint your wicker, plastic or wooden chairs a cheery color with an outdoor acrylic paint.  Make or purchase new cushion covers and, voila! you'll have a fresh new look. Got room for a hammock? 

Planters for flower boxes are inexpensive in terracotta plastic or get your favorite handy-person to build a few. Plants and flowers make an instant change. Love to cook? Why not use fresh herbs instead? They are aromatic, with lovely flowers that can be snipped and clipped when making salsas, sauces or salads. I love a crazy mix of marigolds with basil, thyme and oregano with their profusion of smells and colors; they add so much to summer decor.

If you're the industrious, creative type you might want to consider making the aforementioned canvas cushion covers yourself. Want a floor covering? If you make the cusion covers, you could also make a canvas rug for under the table or as a welcome mat. Allow enough material to sew the edges of a piece of heavy weight canvas, paint your design and cover it with water based acrylic varnish. You'll have a wonderful floor cloth to match your patio decor.

If you're not inclined to make it yourself look for a floor cloth artisan in your area or online. To help stimulate creative ideas, (or shop canvas rugs) visit my painted canvas rugs designs page to create a decorating theme or to find something to match your porch or patio décor.

Summer decor is about creating a tranquil special space that will make for enjoyable times spent outdoors. With a little effort and a few decorative changes you can create the perfect patio decor to enjoy for several sunny months. If the budget is tight, just accomplish one minor thing and you'll find delight in the simpliest decorative change.