Big Congrats to the New England Design Hall of Fame 2014 Inductees

<div style="text-align: center;"><img align="null" alt="" border="0" height="380" src="http://echo3.bluehornet.com/cimages/5f2c6fbf3ed9a48765c3983559adce1d/HOF.jpg" style="margin: 0px;" width="450" /> </div><div style="font: normal 12px Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Shown above: Christina Oliver, Susan Stacy, Dinyar Wadia, Rosemary Porto, Tref LaFleche, Douglas Dick</span></div><br /></div><div style="font: normal 12px Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Huge congrats to the 2014 inductees to the New England Design Hall of Fame. This award was created to honor the work of professionals who have made a significant imprint on residential design in New England. Their body of work represents the pinnacle of design, and their impact often goes well beyond design projects. These people are mentors, advocates, and trailblazers in their respective fields.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">Douglas Dick and Treffle LaFleche, principals, <a href="http://www.lda-architects.com/" target="_blank">LDa Architecture Interiors</a>, Cambridge, Massachusetts<br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/5047530/Hilltop-Gambrel-Dusk-traditional-exterior-boston"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/635140d40200003b_8-1787/traditional-exterior.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional/exterior" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Traditional Exterior</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/c/Cambridge--MA" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Cambridge Architects & Building Designers</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/lda-architecture-interiors/lda-architecture-and-interiors" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">LDa Architecture & Interiors</a></small></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/1534214/Millers-Meadow-Farm-Detail-modern-living-room-boston"><img border="0" height="750" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/0731db9c0048eca2_8-6455/modern-living-room.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/living-room" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Modern Living Room</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/c/Cambridge--MA" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Cambridge Architects & Building Designers</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/lda-architecture-interiors/lda-architecture-and-interiors" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">LDa Architecture & Interiors</a></small></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Dinyar Wadia, <a href="http://www.wadiaassociates.com/" target="_blank">Wadia Associates</a>, New Canaan, Connecticut<br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/3378544/Apartment-on-Central-Park-West-Wadia-Associates-Interiors-eclectic-living-room-new-york"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/be4154fa015483e3_8-3286/eclectic-living-room.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic/living-room" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Eclectic Living Room</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/c/New-Canaan--CT" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">New Canaan Architects & Building Designers</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/wadiaassociates/wadia-associates" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Wadia Associates</a></small></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/4492373/Landscape-Architecture-Wadia-Associates-Outdoors-traditional-landscape-other-metro"><img border="0" height="750" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/4121e31b01cc6972_8-0843/traditional-landscape.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional/landscape" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Traditional Landscape</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/architect/c/New-Canaan--CT" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">New Canaan Architects & Building Designers</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/wadiaassociates/wadia-associates" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Wadia Associates</a></small></div><br /><br /><br />Jim Gauthier and Susan Stacy, <a href="http://gauthierstacy.com/" target="_blank">Gauthier-Stacy</a>, Boston, Massachusetts<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gauthierstacy.com/wp-content/gallery/interior29/interior29b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://gauthierstacy.com/wp-content/gallery/interior29/interior29b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gauthierstacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/inquiriesphoto.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gauthierstacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/inquiriesphoto.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Christina Oliver, <a href="http://www.oliverinteriors.com/" target="_blank">Oliver Interiors</a>, Newton, Massachusetts<br /><br /> <div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2733626/Award-Winning-Kitchen-in-Boston-traditional-kitchen-boston"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/e60164990112def4_8-1220/traditional-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional/kitchen" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Traditional Kitchen</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designer/boston" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Boston Interior Designers & Decorators</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/minicoy/oliver-interiors-llc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Oliver Interiors, LLC</a></small></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oliverinteriors.com/images/image_big_r_a-frame_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.oliverinteriors.com/images/image_big_r_a-frame_02.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Rosemary Porto, Poggenpohl Boston, Massachusetts<br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2654355/Kitchen-Central-modern-kitchen-boston"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/9a9140120109910e_8-1458/modern-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/kitchen" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Modern Kitchen</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath/c/Boston--MA" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Boston Kitchen & Bath Designers</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/poggenpohlboston/poggenpohl-boston" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Poggenpohl Boston</a></small></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/4481392/Vermont-Lake-House-contemporary-kitchen-other-metro"><img border="0" height="846" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/2ce1c69c01cb3e30_8-4230/contemporary-kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary/kitchen" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Contemporary Kitchen</a> by <a href="http://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath/c/Boston--MA" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Boston Kitchen & Bath Designers</a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/poggenpohlboston/poggenpohl-boston" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Poggenpohl Boston</a></small></div><br /><br /></div><div style="font: normal 12px Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The honorees will be celebrated at an awards ceremony at the State Room in <span __postbox-detected-content="__postbox-detected-date" class="__postbox-detected-content __postbox-detected-date" style="color: black; display: inline; font-size: inherit; padding: 0pt;">Boston on Wednesday, November 5.</span> Tickets can purchased on the <a href="http://echo3.bluehornet.com/ct/22777708:22690625811:m:1:537699658:B3707DCF6EF7A2488FF030525A2E3743:r" target="_blank"><i>New England Home</i> website</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcw7O23NcEAwbvJ3gj27K4TGN4-6EWt9pqKEpB8rxdCnHWu_aKL5BS19TyNHJjiuyhL9sXbtBZiP8fbSjzKOswlPLEP78TrnK9NZzk2WUJzKg3jF0c0aB1EpVHEarr3ZsboNy9Tha04Y/s1600/Linda+sig2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcw7O23NcEAwbvJ3gj27K4TGN4-6EWt9pqKEpB8rxdCnHWu_aKL5BS19TyNHJjiuyhL9sXbtBZiP8fbSjzKOswlPLEP78TrnK9NZzk2WUJzKg3jF0c0aB1EpVHEarr3ZsboNy9Tha04Y/s1600/Linda+sig2.JPG" /></a></div></div>

Big Congrats to the New England Design Hall of Fame 2014 Inductees

Shown above: Christina Oliver, Susan Stacy, Dinya...

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Moody Blues

I don't like blue rooms. I really don't. Except when I do. (Isn't that always the way?)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/bb/5c/1f/bb5c1fc908aabef651e637f58d2f2a57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/bb/5c/1f/bb5c1fc908aabef651e637f58d2f2a57.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Axel Vervoordt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/63/fe/a4/63fea47071bbe3e6c596236fc413595e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/63/fe/a4/63fea47071bbe3e6c596236fc413595e.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source unknown</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e1/bb/58/e1bb585930ce89754d5eaf33f683fd60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e1/bb/58/e1bb585930ce89754d5eaf33f683fd60.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source unknown</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/16/44/2b/16442ba112ea6e18a98dc005cffb85eb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/16/44/2b/16442ba112ea6e18a98dc005cffb85eb.jpg" width="473" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hackett Holland</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5a/3a/29/5a3a29cf048283acc823fd6584112589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5a/3a/29/5a3a29cf048283acc823fd6584112589.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">possibly Kettner's restaurant in London</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c4/0b/d5/c40bd5dd851755631d84187af0c66123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c4/0b/d5/c40bd5dd851755631d84187af0c66123.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source unknown</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/2b/7f/1f/2b7f1f5e88fb78e71c27f9e3dec42b3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/2b/7f/1f/2b7f1f5e88fb78e71c27f9e3dec42b3d.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">McAlpine Booth & Ferrier Interiors</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f6/8e/c8/f68ec8db1021622a8aecce90bc818e69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f6/8e/c8/f68ec8db1021622a8aecce90bc818e69.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">McAlpine Booth & Ferrier Interiors</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/linda_merrill/moody-blues/" target="_blank">Links to these images here</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Except for the Kettner's restaurant image, what all these spaces have in common is a beautiful source of light. I think that the deep tones of the rooms really highlight the windows and spills of light that come in through the windows and doors. Without that balance, such deep dark spaces might tend to become a little depressing. But these - gorgeous!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBow6n2Gm-JpgHeb3vjj6d6beHUUfVLo1SvTl_O5bykUlaJ2l5q5vUqCzMQcliybPZor3ygtJrSELNCDh7Vt1u5CZy0XBDovYo6CNPS70AKHUEa0RhOivahChvoqAOLotheSBlazz5ZkI/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBow6n2Gm-JpgHeb3vjj6d6beHUUfVLo1SvTl_O5bykUlaJ2l5q5vUqCzMQcliybPZor3ygtJrSELNCDh7Vt1u5CZy0XBDovYo6CNPS70AKHUEa0RhOivahChvoqAOLotheSBlazz5ZkI/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 103px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1466px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 103px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1466px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>

Moody Blues

I don't like blue rooms. I really don't. Except when I do. (Isn't that always the way?) Axel Vervoordt source unknown Source unk...

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Everyone's a Critic: The Harshness of Online Commentary

<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/" target="_blank">House Beautiful</a> magazine recently posted an article on their website called <a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/interior-designers/negative-comments-design-blog-elle-decor?click=main_sr" target="_blank">The Ugly Side of Beautiful Rooms: Design in the Age of Internet Comments</a>. The article, written by Annmarie Dooling, talks about the invective spewed online in comments sections and why people feel that it's okay to say things online that they wouldn't say in person. As the article says:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">You'd never walk into someone's home and say "Vomit." So why is this happening so often online?</blockquote><div>Of course, anyone who has been hanging out in the blogosphere as long as I have (since 2005!) knows that online comments are the worst. That the magazines are just getting around to noticing this is probably because they are pushing so much content out on places like their Facebook feeds that they are clearly inviting comments, which includes all the rude ones too. </div><div><br /></div><div>Reading this, I was reminded of all the negative comments I received when my condo kitchen makeover was published on various websites and was a featured in <a href="http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/house/articles/2010/07/01/an_updated_kitchen_from_a_little_elbow_grease/" target="_blank">The Boston Globe</a> and <a href="http://www.countrywomanmagazine.com/home-garden/kitchen-design-ideas/kitchen-gets-parisian-makeover/" target="_blank">Country Woman</a> magazine. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.countrywomanmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/KitchenL4x-1-470x640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.countrywomanmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/KitchenL4x-1-470x640.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This was the before. Clearly. A tiny little space with dark knotty pine cabinets and no storage space. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_2-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Duxbury-Condo_Kitchen_Remodel_2-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/Kitchen.jpg" width="465" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here is the after (photo by Michael J. Lee) that is on my website and was featured on Apartment Therapy and Shelterpop.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.countrywomanmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Kitchen-gets-Parisian-makeover-on-a-500-budget_071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.countrywomanmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Kitchen-gets-Parisian-makeover-on-a-500-budget_071.jpg" /></a></div><br />And this the version reshot by Michael for <a href="http://www.countrywomanmagazine.com/home-garden/kitchen-design-ideas/kitchen-gets-parisian-makeover/" target="_blank">Country Woman</a> magazine.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAysbjLON7uHKiClS6FXXeMqTbFIKkeW6ytDwmHTxHyMotwRyqXZgWfQt1ySE6Tx3vhtJZALQ2gccVhqjsqFM_UVLaI2nMSrAy-CUx2iZ7bkrK34PMA5NftMlEpfm17otIfltHxvGJ54/s1600/Globe+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAysbjLON7uHKiClS6FXXeMqTbFIKkeW6ytDwmHTxHyMotwRyqXZgWfQt1ySE6Tx3vhtJZALQ2gccVhqjsqFM_UVLaI2nMSrAy-CUx2iZ7bkrK34PMA5NftMlEpfm17otIfltHxvGJ54/s1600/Globe+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And this was the pic shot by <a href="http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/house/articles/2010/07/01/an_updated_kitchen_from_a_little_elbow_grease/" target="_blank">The Boston Globe</a>. (sadly, I didn't think to stage the space with flowers or pretty pots and pans - I had no idea what they would be shooting and this ended up pretty bare bones).<br /><br />The "hook" on all these articles was that I'd done most of the work myself (with a dear friend) and spent less than $500, excluding appliances which were given to me in trade. If you've been reading for a while, you'll undoubtedly remember this project which I <a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/search/label/Linda%27s%20kitchen" target="_blank">detailed extensively</a>.<br /><br />Now, the thing is, design is subjective. Tastes vary and what I like isn't what you will like. But just because I don't love orange doesn't mean it's wrong, or "vomitous". I'd happily use it in a client project if that's what they wanted. My little kitchen makeover was not for everyone - of course. Decisions were made based on space available, my skills at remaking things, and a very strict budget.  This, of course, is true of any design project. Budget, the functional needs and tastes of the client, the space and more all play a part in the final outcome. And a single photo doesn't usually capture all this "back story". Yet the comments can be overwhelmingly negative. When the now defunct Shelterpop ran the story of my kitchen, it resulted in many, many comments and most were negative. A large majority thought the before was better (seriously?). Several hated the window treatment, someone suggested it looked like a garbage bag, many hated the counter skirt. I was even taken to task for adding storage under the new counter because it meant I had too much stuff. Several people we offended that I received the appliances in trade and refused to believe this was possible - therefor it wasn't really a $500 makeover. Of course, "$500 Makeover!" made for a good headline and certainly, the appliances added a few thousand. But even with the old appliances in place, the change would have been substantial. After Shelterpop ran their article, Apartment Therapy picked it up and posted a few photos. I will say, their comments were generally much better and more constructive.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujOJxS-bFL-6MrFuEDPKUJUCFinMMr0pSvjG2lebnTVTRxe86Ve14RoyN7wARu_DbrV_VBsRsDTewvOzV_cAAp12wBQ8aqBp_goNZzUcz8r4TVEZT0k2Ll_jqrjCtdO7SLK5suKdE7IM/s1600/Apartment+therapy+comments.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujOJxS-bFL-6MrFuEDPKUJUCFinMMr0pSvjG2lebnTVTRxe86Ve14RoyN7wARu_DbrV_VBsRsDTewvOzV_cAAp12wBQ8aqBp_goNZzUcz8r4TVEZT0k2Ll_jqrjCtdO7SLK5suKdE7IM/s1600/Apartment+therapy+comments.tiff" /></a></div><br />The first comment was what I would consider a total "win" when it comes to constructive criticism. (Maybe I think so because I totally agreed.) I would have loved to do a tailored skirt, but a gathered skirt was so much easier to carry off, a tailored skirt required a lot of math and planning, which at the time I wasn't that interested in doing. And I loved the banding idea as well.<br /><br />The second comment is, as they say, ridiculous. Tell us why it was ridiculous! Was it the burlap? That it was a skirt at all? Of course, I would have loved to install a nicer counter with cabinets below. But not for less than $500. Instead, it was an old door mounted on a frame and attached to the wall with plastic shelving below, and then covered up with the skirt. It was all about function.  But, rather than just saying "ridiculous" (I guess it's better than "vomit") tell us what would have improved it - like the first commenter did. Obviously, comment three came to my defense. And comment four managed to do both a compliment (always should be first) and then a criticism. And that was fine. They were right - burlap isn't exactly elegant. But it is cheap and it was trendy a few years ago when I did this.<br /><br />When negative commenters are criticized - they usually fall back on the tired old notion that all people want are rainbows and sunshine types of comments. Not true! As the examples above show - you can be critical and say you don't like something without being rude and obnoxious about it. Some people assume it's jealously on the part of the commenter. I've never really believed this is true 100% of the time. I think there are people who just feel better about themselves when they can be critical of things - it makes them feel somehow smarter.  And, I think there are people who just aren't that smart and don't have the vocabulary to launch a true criticism of what they are seeing.<br /><br />Sadly, this type of negative commentary isn't the purview of non-professionals. A few years ago there was a designer who had written a book about things they didn't like about other people's houses. This somewhat snarky headline was used to help sell the book which actually had great advice about how to improve one's home. There was also a Facebook page where they posted groupings of house photos within a theme and invited the "fans" to comment. When it starts with "things I hate..." you can only imagine the direction that the comments will take. Now, I had interviewed this person not once but twice. We had a professional relationship of a sort. I was always uncomfortable with their brand of snarky criticism, but largely ignored it. Until one of my own project photos popped up as an example of a bad rental property.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Oceanside_Bedroom_1-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/lindamerrillchair0703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Oceanside_Bedroom_1-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/lindamerrillchair0703.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It was grouped with several supposed waterfront rental houses (this was not a rental house) that were considered by this designer and followers to be nasty and worthy of invective. One of the comments really got me - something to the effect that it looked like "grandma's furniture". In fact, the client was a Grandma and it was her furniture. Everything was criticized from the color palette, the furniture and the window treatments, that it was too formal for a beach setting. Now, I will admit, the photograph (which I took myself) did not do the room justice. I was just happy to get the outside and inside matched up (two different exposures merged together - a personal photographic victory!). Without knowing any of the context, these supposed design critics just had a field day. For instance, the valance was too wide and empty on the left side - why didn't the window treatments split in the middle versus being stack right? Well, because the door opened left to right and the clients wanted to be able to sleep with the window open at times, yet still be covered. You can't do that if the drapes are split in the middle. The 10' wide window required a lot of fabric and the drapery had blackout lining. Needless to say, the stack back on the right was very wide and in order to be able to fully open the drapes off the windows to showcase the view, they had to be hung as wide as they were.  All this is to say that there is usually more to the story than meets the eye in a photo. In this case, the client, a realtor, was selling her home and wanted to play up the ocean view. We redid the entire master suite with this in mind.  The house sold in a bidding war the first weekend it was on the market for well over the asking price. She loved it, it served its purpose; to me, that's a successful design.<br /><br />But how offensive was it that a fellow designer would use (without permission obviously) a photo from someone else's portfolio as part of their "let's make fun of this design!" Facebook page??  When I emailed them, demanding that it be taken down, it was. The blame, however, was put on a "fan" who had sent in the photo. (Note, my URL was not on the image at the time this happened). <br /><br />So, the rude comments don't just come from those who don't know better, are "jealous",  are merely trolls, or who are perhaps lacking in sufficient language skills to provide thoughtful commentary. Sometimes, the negativity is fomented by industry insiders and those who just find it fun to make fun. Shame.<br /><br />If you don't like something, that's ok. Most designers and clients can take legitimate criticism. But nastiness for its own sake is, oh, what's the word?<br /><br />Ridiculous.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKwGKT_BY4GssEOQvsmgz3-DuWssjb4thgDlLeqVLaMmeSTGujzmFooJmym-oxREy7PC8Kitcg3Qvm0UB-CrBxHjY-wKv-DZNPzxOuNK_i0kx0Co8UAHJwClXkDahhPZkc7T-a4RmuLE/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKwGKT_BY4GssEOQvsmgz3-DuWssjb4thgDlLeqVLaMmeSTGujzmFooJmym-oxREy7PC8Kitcg3Qvm0UB-CrBxHjY-wKv-DZNPzxOuNK_i0kx0Co8UAHJwClXkDahhPZkc7T-a4RmuLE/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3171px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3171px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>

Everyone's a Critic: The Harshness of Online Commentary

House Beautiful magazine recently posted an article on their website called The Ugly Side of Beautiful Rooms: Design in the Age of Internet...

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Silver Screen Surroundings: Outlander, S1E6 The Garrison Commander

For the most part, <i>Outlander</i> is very much an "outside" story. There's lots of sleeping rough on the road, horse riding through the Highlands, campfires and buggy roadside inns. In other words, unlike Downton Abbey, there's not much in the way of fine interiors and "Get that look" opportunities.  So, while I adore the story and this television production, I am a little starved for just some pretty set decorating.  This week's episode on Starz features a very beautiful interior (finally!) that could be brought right into the present day.<br /><br />Our heroine, Claire, is still looking for a way back to the standing stones in hopes of getting back to her own time and husband. So, when a British officer comes across her in the company of the Scottish MacKenzie's on the road and takes interest in her welfare, she's all too happy to head off with them in hopes they will give her transport closer to where she needs to go. By this time, however, she has developed an affection for the Scots and isn't interested in turning them in for holding her captive - though they have in truth been holding her against her will.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7a9SipEERXMMpArNq3QJMOMwNQIsvyCr7I1W6ihox1aC2UQO_XCSUPo0DtJqyGtwhdJDw-EaNAzS2uvzbKcat7P50sc7U_iQez8Ll8zsbVL4a0TNY10HwGHwgvs6gi5ghEvPHBgskZJM/s1600/Garrison+Dining+room+2.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7a9SipEERXMMpArNq3QJMOMwNQIsvyCr7I1W6ihox1aC2UQO_XCSUPo0DtJqyGtwhdJDw-EaNAzS2uvzbKcat7P50sc7U_iQez8Ll8zsbVL4a0TNY10HwGHwgvs6gi5ghEvPHBgskZJM/s1600/Garrison+Dining+room+2.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />Most of the episode takes place in the dining room of a British Garrison in a small town in the Highlands. Claire joins a group of British officers who at first seem very cordial and "her people".<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWOOiFRIQE0vicFWSKqsF7my_wy1TalhZBUuwG9UMbYjVrMJ-qmsE-9ZLcZfzuear1QYkhn5fB8NTh0QKd9mocFwbC7taGhUhiCUqI9PjXu7wMYS8b5GwveKv8Uzrayk3Fh-Jtopvgd8/s1600/Garrison+Dining+Room+4.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWOOiFRIQE0vicFWSKqsF7my_wy1TalhZBUuwG9UMbYjVrMJ-qmsE-9ZLcZfzuear1QYkhn5fB8NTh0QKd9mocFwbC7taGhUhiCUqI9PjXu7wMYS8b5GwveKv8Uzrayk3Fh-Jtopvgd8/s1600/Garrison+Dining+Room+4.tiff" /></a></div><br />Well, cordial to Claire, an English Rose as she's called, but not so much to Dougal who has accompanied her to the Garrison. Dougal (on Claire's right) is treated with great disdain by the British  as at the time they saw the Scots, in particular the Highlander's, as nothing short of un-educated savages and barbarians.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg676YIZ18_xFxvn7Hwk7T6Cb26ZgbbWKQSw7kU3FwdLPUk5sC7M5iQE-h0GyAIidtK5LuviHCKO06TssSzxzkQ-n3aszMFi13uSrgs-IOUZqBRMTcEMUXTtpvLeOW9SD6qjjmH1LS3oQo/s1600/Garrison+Dining+Room+5.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg676YIZ18_xFxvn7Hwk7T6Cb26ZgbbWKQSw7kU3FwdLPUk5sC7M5iQE-h0GyAIidtK5LuviHCKO06TssSzxzkQ-n3aszMFi13uSrgs-IOUZqBRMTcEMUXTtpvLeOW9SD6qjjmH1LS3oQo/s1600/Garrison+Dining+Room+5.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />Claire has managed to charm the officers and has received an offer to be escorted back to Inverness (which is near the standing stones) without implicating the MacKenzies in any way and she's ready to be on her way. And then enters Captain "Black Jack" Randall, who is Claire's 20th century husband's ancestor (both characters are played by Tobias Menzies in a real tour de force performance).  Randall, who is clearly disliked by his fellow officers, manages to put into question why Claire spent so much time with the MacKenzie's if she is so innocent - even accusing her of bedding Dougal. Needless to say, she takes umbrage with this but he keeps needling her until she loses her temper and shows support for the Scots and criticizes the British for being occupiers. Well, them's fighting words, obviously. Eventually, Claire is left alone with Randall, who proceeds to question her loyalties and to show his hand for being the sinister and depraved character that he truly is.  While Claire keeps trying to find some good in him (since he is her husband's ancestor) he plays on this weakness of hers in a devastating way. While recounting how he flayed open Jaime's back a couple of years before in excruciating detail, he's showing how much he got off on the lashing and how he felt that Jaime played a part in the macabre dance by refusing to yell out or ask for mercy. The flashbacks are gruesome and even when the visual is only Randall talking in the dining room to Claire, we still hear the lash. I had to turn the sound off and look away for a bit - it was that awful. All the while, he's allowing her believe that he feels deep guilt for his behavior and she's thinking that he's possibly redeemable. And then he punches her in the gut - literally.<br /><br />In a scene not from the book, we see Randall being shaved by his servant using a bone handled straight knife.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCrhE-u0EPZUJUTAOYk2Bu1Tl9Y_Fk2WG6GOFcP8_plkEc566l9nRe7EQtGPrWtMErD4aEwoYh2PBekCqN5LmdGj8MfuTvFBGUNUSRnO3fiQ8xU_cCUqogVZl_Li9f8Vmerpz4wDNFFE/s1600/knife+1.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCrhE-u0EPZUJUTAOYk2Bu1Tl9Y_Fk2WG6GOFcP8_plkEc566l9nRe7EQtGPrWtMErD4aEwoYh2PBekCqN5LmdGj8MfuTvFBGUNUSRnO3fiQ8xU_cCUqogVZl_Li9f8Vmerpz4wDNFFE/s1600/knife+1.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here's a closeup where the blade looks fairly new:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEits-pcgI-BocQTEDOFZgO9tL4m7I3OtbAuSMCk4_5gDlbUb0rKrBZntOd1iyH-ib8z4sOmnu5PiZLdKqFgbgRWDEZl43_qUlU_Ud9X5wK9Of7czj6L-bE_rHDtFR0mU6AgVbNkCj6lF2s/s1600/knife+2.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEits-pcgI-BocQTEDOFZgO9tL4m7I3OtbAuSMCk4_5gDlbUb0rKrBZntOd1iyH-ib8z4sOmnu5PiZLdKqFgbgRWDEZl43_qUlU_Ud9X5wK9Of7czj6L-bE_rHDtFR0mU6AgVbNkCj6lF2s/s1600/knife+2.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />While Claire's is watching him being shaved, she flashes back (forward?) to having shaved her husband Frank with the very same straight edge blade - which he says was a family heirloom. In this closeup, we see the blade with over 200 years of aging.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFAOM8cCOFTzrDN1vI0nqKNx2jxsGatvgeCPJxXeuYt5K6JMcSpyY_xYZMJgi_6cP6jir7c-Xrl43LlfOHYSD870lTg0mJwMvy6_2cu3lMmIO0mMpevTOJel0wtOjdsviiX_hyphenhyphen-Tsnh4/s1600/kinfe+4.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFAOM8cCOFTzrDN1vI0nqKNx2jxsGatvgeCPJxXeuYt5K6JMcSpyY_xYZMJgi_6cP6jir7c-Xrl43LlfOHYSD870lTg0mJwMvy6_2cu3lMmIO0mMpevTOJel0wtOjdsviiX_hyphenhyphen-Tsnh4/s1600/kinfe+4.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IaGdJbWDuac2uNSSl7ydTyJAMzHwNR28bsYlBkRUBg4iXAGt7vIttvafOTA242JLNDoAATTVsoxbD-EUErLZVWGEFSYO5E1F8yx44IO7Q9b-Gf3eHMVomzAkIz-PUFZRxBiEE42LQOg/s1600/knife+3.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IaGdJbWDuac2uNSSl7ydTyJAMzHwNR28bsYlBkRUBg4iXAGt7vIttvafOTA242JLNDoAATTVsoxbD-EUErLZVWGEFSYO5E1F8yx44IO7Q9b-Gf3eHMVomzAkIz-PUFZRxBiEE42LQOg/s1600/knife+3.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />In doing research on the set decorator Gina Cromwell, I ran across a website for <a href="http://www.whettonandgrosch.co.uk/" target="_blank">Whetton & Grosch </a>who are model and props makers in England.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/736x/3b/0b/08/3b0b0836cb863fb55e012be41d1af059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="599" src="http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/736x/3b/0b/08/3b0b0836cb863fb55e012be41d1af059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />They made the prop blades both "new" and "aged". It's a small detail - recreating a straight edge to be new and then aged 200 years -  and one I wouldn't have necessarily noticed - that makes this production so special. From the costumes (by designer Terry Dresbach) to the props and sets - production designer John Gary Steele is creating a world that is true down to the small details that may not even be noticeable, but are so authentic.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/8d/ab/ee/8dabee85710f4ca1a84f0bb307b40646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/8d/ab/ee/8dabee85710f4ca1a84f0bb307b40646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />If you check <a href="http://www.whettonandgrosch.co.uk/" target="_blank">Whetton & Grosch</a>'s website, you will see other familiar props - including Mr. Bates' doomed leg brace from the first season of Downton Abbey.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b5MhkEZhixwfJEWqmoLSCti9T6ES6t6GL_tZ3u5AGHFmlrioyinYQKa6nJx_9obG13KN3Dd84w0b82CL8Isskdn093jokoeApXQipoxGJ8qAYNbzpAD1nz8irgyvuxvcf9ujxQCnwBo/s1600/Get+that+look.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b5MhkEZhixwfJEWqmoLSCti9T6ES6t6GL_tZ3u5AGHFmlrioyinYQKa6nJx_9obG13KN3Dd84w0b82CL8Isskdn093jokoeApXQipoxGJ8qAYNbzpAD1nz8irgyvuxvcf9ujxQCnwBo/s1600/Get+that+look.tiff" /></a></div><br /><br />Next week's episode is the one all Outlander fans (especially the women) have been waiting for - "The Wedding"!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRVljvij6W-ebmw7gPmNDVceP8CKl6zDtSnEXES7BKaWdIBKz1pVT-YFGgt9V6uK7BiOdvlryVk1hvm3GWdnrM9aXAAUFKhhJL4fRmSp_dIyic-k4gEj3i6mvS8JSLCiyW2Iks5fMumI/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRVljvij6W-ebmw7gPmNDVceP8CKl6zDtSnEXES7BKaWdIBKz1pVT-YFGgt9V6uK7BiOdvlryVk1hvm3GWdnrM9aXAAUFKhhJL4fRmSp_dIyic-k4gEj3i6mvS8JSLCiyW2Iks5fMumI/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br />

Silver Screen Surroundings: Outlander, S1E6 The Garrison Commander

For the most part, Outlander is very much an "outside" story. There's lots of sleeping rough on the road, horse riding throug...

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Silver Screen Surroundings: Outlander, S1E4 The Gathering, and scenic insider

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/93/bb/43/93bb433e34af0d8583096b9f0fd46809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/93/bb/43/93bb433e34af0d8583096b9f0fd46809.jpg" width="457" /></a></div><br />This week's installment of Starz TV's production of <a href="http://www.starz.com/originals/outlander" target="_blank">Outlander</a> brings us the famous "Gathering" of the Clan MacKenzie where all the men under laird Colum MacKenzie come to the castle to swear their oath of fidelity to him and to the clan (and to pay their rents and proceeds from the farms they tend). The event is filled with filial love and furor and a kind of patriotism, though not as much to the State as to the clan. Colum (subtly played by Gary Lewis) is the top guy, but he suffers from Toulouse-Lautrec syndrome and while he can walk, does so very slowly and is depicted as always being in great pain. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/37/52/60/37526050ce83b9b8fa546ef5ec001766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/37/52/60/37526050ce83b9b8fa546ef5ec001766.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Gary Lewis as Colum ban Campbell MacKenzie)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The show is doing an excellent job of following closely to the original books, while adding in new scenes and details that feel like they could have truly been in the books. Bravo for that - especially when the audience is filled with rabid readers who recall every detail of the first book. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b2/05/50/b20550d117e618fe5aec3f956e2fb5b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b2/05/50/b20550d117e618fe5aec3f956e2fb5b6.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>The Oath Taking scene was particularly well done - filled with lots of spoken and unspoken drama an intrigue. Pictured above is Colum's brother (and enforcer) Dougal MacKenzie, who is first to swear his oath of allegiance, which includes a promise to be killed by his knife if he ever commits treason. One of the things that is so nice about this series is that it didn't go down the cliched path where the second son jealously plots and schemes to take the throne from his older brother. Dougal, while not the nicest guy in the world, is allied with his brother and wholly supports his position as Laird and leader of the clan. He's also aware that his brother, due to his illness, won't live a long life and he could be in a position to claim the title when the time comes. Except (and here's where the intrigue comes in) that the lairdship is open to some kind of democratic vote where another family member could be chosen by the people.  Such as...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b0/55/75/b055752fb6374a5bd4ff871bb54d739e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b0/55/75/b055752fb6374a5bd4ff871bb54d739e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Our hero Jaime, who is a nephew of Dougal and Colum on his mother's side, and therefor a potential rival for the lairdship if he swears his oath to Colum and the clan MacKenzie, thus resigning his allegiance to his late father's clan Fraser. Jaime knows that while Dougal is loyal to his brother Colum, he would not be loyal to anyone else, even a nephew, if his plans for the lairdship were thwarted. Anyway, lots of drama ensues, including our heroine Claire who is still trying to escape and is the cause of Jaime having to show up at the Hall when he would have preferred to stay out of the way.<br /><br />Ok, so, drama, drama and more drama. They are really letting the chemistry between Jaime and Claire come to a boil very slowly - for television. I kind of like it. I've been listening to the podcasts done by showrunner Ronald Moore where he does a commentary on each episode (to be found on iTunes) and lets out some very interesting tidbits. Including the fact that the tapestries in Colum's room (aka office) are actually paintings made to look like wall tapestries.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gDughqHp3WiOdOqilvUXxx1hAy9F4TLfTytJUFiXXnKF9xZPw970uYeq1xbLNCNUqycFfHE6mlLnkm5_hSFuUQsX1D2jbgkRV_-RbtKAdMY2V8I4OMvpgeccHKejjrS5JEEe7OCrh5Q/s1600/Outlander-Colum-Study-600x333.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gDughqHp3WiOdOqilvUXxx1hAy9F4TLfTytJUFiXXnKF9xZPw970uYeq1xbLNCNUqycFfHE6mlLnkm5_hSFuUQsX1D2jbgkRV_-RbtKAdMY2V8I4OMvpgeccHKejjrS5JEEe7OCrh5Q/s1600/Outlander-Colum-Study-600x333.png" width="640" /></a><br /><br />From <a href="http://www.tvtango.com/news/detail/id/577/complete-guide-to-starz-channels-outlander-cast-interviews-episodes-video-kilts-and-more" target="_blank">TVTango</a> on the set decorating of the castle as a whole, and then on Colum's private rooms:<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> “We wanted it to look like it has been in Colum's family for hundreds of years, handed down through the generations. There's very little furniture, it's sparse basically benches, big tables, and lots of candles. It's not a nice little cozy home. It's a castle, with all of the drama that would happen in a castle.”One exception to the austerity of the Castle décor can be found in Laird MacKenzie's room, where the walls are covered in tapestries that depict scenes of the Scottish landscapes. “His disability means Colum is a bit cocooned,” explains Set Decorator Gina Cromwell, who commissioned the wall hangings for the series. “The tapestries are pictures of forests and things he can't get to anymore, so in way it's his opportunity to experience the outdoors.” </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKMNTkwnqab29oFwmZbERtJ086488cSNf_I_xkNcDfBIMloNlZlStAssjYVMbpiq_J-4fmMEBNM_2nNLuld1wgHMIfa1pNoq2wYoEPoZIDbmn25S29IWhj3P2lra2wprPIJzXBNXDSrk/s1600/Colum3.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKMNTkwnqab29oFwmZbERtJ086488cSNf_I_xkNcDfBIMloNlZlStAssjYVMbpiq_J-4fmMEBNM_2nNLuld1wgHMIfa1pNoq2wYoEPoZIDbmn25S29IWhj3P2lra2wprPIJzXBNXDSrk/s1600/Colum3.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Obviously, it would have been prohibitively expensive to commission tapestries made for the set, so they created trompe l'eoil versions on canvas.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pfiy9d_IZZ4Jpur8mzJHPIFYjaA0bCPu3hqf6KT8QAbbly5VCchmP4aIZ2TPDudL8SsVMv46J2xRWGMQMRU3qEDjyk6UI1u5InaoCumKMp3fA6W8KWBdR9hcdALCWrJ6KK1xo1ssNH8/s1600/Colum4.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pfiy9d_IZZ4Jpur8mzJHPIFYjaA0bCPu3hqf6KT8QAbbly5VCchmP4aIZ2TPDudL8SsVMv46J2xRWGMQMRU3qEDjyk6UI1u5InaoCumKMp3fA6W8KWBdR9hcdALCWrJ6KK1xo1ssNH8/s1600/Colum4.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />As we know, most European tapestries of the period, and before, were made in Belgium (then Flanders) and France. Any references I found to tapestries of the 15th/16th centuries were also from France and Belgium and there appears to be no local Scottish tradition of tapestry making. So, an entire room covered in tapestries such as this would be enormously expensive, speaking to the status of the MacKenzie clan (assuming the set decorator's were going for historical authenticity.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeVRXxODZDVUmIbERs2firDVY3hihnPzBJEjxf7Rp76j39TXwZx91zZX8bwJ_SJyiqdyatxpJ_uQODsLuJvGDC4FB1z3iXDHzAuV4v9Tq0onUTk79OF3wmqhpBqn5mves0BYpztdEgDs/s1600/Colum5.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeVRXxODZDVUmIbERs2firDVY3hihnPzBJEjxf7Rp76j39TXwZx91zZX8bwJ_SJyiqdyatxpJ_uQODsLuJvGDC4FB1z3iXDHzAuV4v9Tq0onUTk79OF3wmqhpBqn5mves0BYpztdEgDs/s1600/Colum5.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a-EJl31rBEm4zzC3nIb2BNYu4d3bToVHxOW7s3RhDZls_TKUsxvdf3guKDAfOmHPVPjjEAbWsuMIr9U0WnCA3CEwEySfR5iMf4Y7nRfZFY3MGGN998Pp6kWkoZ2Uq6SmyW6bJz5Jdd4/s1600/Colum+2.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a-EJl31rBEm4zzC3nIb2BNYu4d3bToVHxOW7s3RhDZls_TKUsxvdf3guKDAfOmHPVPjjEAbWsuMIr9U0WnCA3CEwEySfR5iMf4Y7nRfZFY3MGGN998Pp6kWkoZ2Uq6SmyW6bJz5Jdd4/s1600/Colum+2.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12dU6wDNc5oKImimhC1RNpbmUwK9LhR3O3NN8MgM4UEJ3yRK1ybgIF5LqiayrNZxCV4MOm2J-FMapf6OQTB_jYykmCuGI39x_aj1eY82qB-WLxopFIlkT_8RLv6qFysnUHsycaX_6810/s1600/Outlander+-+tapestry.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12dU6wDNc5oKImimhC1RNpbmUwK9LhR3O3NN8MgM4UEJ3yRK1ybgIF5LqiayrNZxCV4MOm2J-FMapf6OQTB_jYykmCuGI39x_aj1eY82qB-WLxopFIlkT_8RLv6qFysnUHsycaX_6810/s1600/Outlander+-+tapestry.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">British actress Annette Badland as Mrs. FitzGibbons, Cook (and ring master) at Castle Leoch</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the stark, nearly bleakness of the rest of the Castle, Colum's room is certainly a standout!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have you been watching and what do you think of the series so far? I started re-reading the books in the Spring and am mid-way through #5 The Fiery Cross. I'd started that book several years ago, but never finished it. So, I've finally caught up with myself and plan to finish out the series by the end of the Fall. Book #8, In My Own Heart's Blood was just released in June I think. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, as a followup to my Friday post on my gallery style art wall in my bedroom, here's a sneak peek!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8QkvkuS5sHbAiuFTHBHyR8iDgSQxHs7S6vDInJiNOTl73Cke9CIDzc0I_JQBg-7KYAB4qNda0-JuVTV-FwreeGdunXdrxGePZqPUrZXJzTFcBWzZTaAPyP2c8MDhvZR5na-KdASz8cI/s1600/Gallery+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8QkvkuS5sHbAiuFTHBHyR8iDgSQxHs7S6vDInJiNOTl73Cke9CIDzc0I_JQBg-7KYAB4qNda0-JuVTV-FwreeGdunXdrxGePZqPUrZXJzTFcBWzZTaAPyP2c8MDhvZR5na-KdASz8cI/s1600/Gallery+wall.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Happy September!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnh_LP0Qp8iMjTFnCdITc5QuuoSwggwfGbw2JhiXrNnDk8Gbe8_agrxZwhdg-DH0Qs07q4zxoK61rcNherpvkHz6PPtkEVjjezNCOHcpEjy-qARZM4_VO3HI-eTDcrwwbkSQW9F-eU-M/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnh_LP0Qp8iMjTFnCdITc5QuuoSwggwfGbw2JhiXrNnDk8Gbe8_agrxZwhdg-DH0Qs07q4zxoK61rcNherpvkHz6PPtkEVjjezNCOHcpEjy-qARZM4_VO3HI-eTDcrwwbkSQW9F-eU-M/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br />

Silver Screen Surroundings: Outlander, S1E4 The Gathering, and scenic insider

This week's installment of Starz TV's production of Outlander  brings us the famous "Gathering" of the Clan MacKenzie wher...

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