Okay, pause for a minute and look through the spaces in your home. If you are bored at what is staring back at you, it is time to get inspired. Here, ARTAIC is sharing some design trends for twenty-ten that will freshen up your home and keep you interested. Remember, boredom is not a style or an option!
Natural is Always Better
Today, there is a strong emphasis on the use of materials in their natural patina. The texture and beauty provided by each is undeniable. Consider using woods to create cozy and lived-in environments, ceramic and glass when rooms desire a polished and reflective surface, and felt or wool for that added warmth. Metal is also preferred this year because they take on an entirely new quality and appearance when they rust, which is a healthy age. Incorporating natural materials in furniture, textiles, and accessories will keep a space from looking stale and outdated.
Gray Matters
The color gray makes a splash as it covers every surface in design. Go beyond beige and white; gray is the new neutral. As a stand-alone, it is not an overpowering color when applied to all four walls but has enough contrast to provide furniture with beautiful silhouettes. However, when paired with colors that are energetic like golden yellow or peacock blue, the combination is sharp and modern. If there are fears of committing to intense colors, gray is truly the hand (color) to have and hold when taking the risk.
Comeback Tour
Wallpaper is making its debut again in home design. Wallpaper is the perfect alternate for paint- instant design, texture, and color. They make a strong statement in any room and have the ability to transform a space into any desired look whether it is traditional, contemporary, etc. As many embrace the ceiling as a canvas to design upon, wallpapered ceiling is another fresh idea. If wallpaper is not inspiring enough, a modern interpretation of that would be using mosaic tiles to dress up the walls. ARTAIC has the unique, technological ability to create any designs while giving clients that enhanced beauty and depth that only mosaic tiles can give. Also the durability behind the tiles are great for applications in not just residential settings but also commercial.
It’s generally assumed that each new year will desire new changes and new styles. However, these ideas are error-proof and will not fall short of design, creativity, or flexibility for the changing mind and home.
This Year’s HGTV Green Home Giveaway is hitting close to home for Artaic. Not only has does the newly built, earth-friendly abode incorporate a wide variety of sustainable tile, this year it has taken residency in Plymouth, Massachusetts; a short drive from historic Boston – home to ARTAIC’s design studio and robotic mosaic production facility. The 2,100 square foot, shingle-style cottage with wrap-around porch is a symbol of American living; designed with a sustainable approach and appealing aesthetics. The seaside bungalow reflects a traditional/contemporary style and embraces comfort. The eclectic blend of sustainable furnishings and accessories play up the crisp, white interior of the house.
HGTV Green Home
ARTAIC’s attention to details narrows in on the stunning use of sustainable tiles seen throughout the home. Looking at the kitchen, amidst the sea of white cabinetry lays a charming backsplash made of glass tile. The demure colors and simplistic design of the mosaic compliments the kitchen’s sleek appliances and glistening counter-top. Appreciated for more than just their beauty, the mosaic tiles are made from recycled glass, reducing its impact on the environment.
Artaic is extremely excited to have helped artist Johanna Poethig realize her recent work of art. It’s great to be able to work with artists from all over the globe to spread the beauty and timelessness of mosaic art. The following is a statement from Johanna Poethig about her recent project for Skyline College in San Bruno, CA.
Skyline College Pillars of Educational Values:
“VISION TAPESTRY” and “MISSION TAPESTRY”
The “Vision” and “Mission” pillars are located on the first and second floor of the Student and Community Center of Skyline College in the Bay Area. As a gathering place for the Skyline community this artwork is designed to transform the space with a colorful tapestry of text taken from the Vision and Mission Statements of Skyline College. The visual intention of this artwork is to enliven the institutionally neutral hallways with rich color, strong design, and thematic content conceptually linking the two floors.
Artaic recently collaborated with featured artist Susan Makin to produce a small mosaic from a section of her larger “Blueberries” painting.
This 20” square mosaic will be donated to the silent auction for Boston’s Arts and Business Council’s Martinis and Masterpieces event June 23rd. Artaic is delighted to participate in shared celebrations for the Arts and Business Council’s 10th anniversary and Volunteer Lawyers’ for the Arts 25th Anniversary. Funds raised by the event will go towards supporting programs and services that help strengthen and encourage the arts in greater Boston.
As an artist, it has always been extremely important to re-invent my art. This reinvention ultimately results in growth, whether it is a result of my own choosing or required because of being displaced from a studio.
Collaborating with Artaic has been another reinvention in my growth as an artist, allowing me to work with a new medium – mosaic tile. Over the past year, Artaic and I have collaborated on various projects that incorporate my artwork as mosaic using the company’s software and robotic techniques.
Recently we created a 24 square foot mosaic to display in the lobby of the Community Rowing boathouse in Brighton, MA, derived from my original 4” x 7” artwork. Similarly, in early May we fabricated a smaller framed mosaic for the Somerville Open Studios weekend. We anticipate installing more large-scale works in Boston area hotels and restaurants over the next quarter. Continue Reading »
Thanks to all those who stopped by our booth or attended our presentation a last week’s Residential Design and Construction Conference.
This year we decided to go with a different approach to with our display by showcasing several of Artaic’s Featured Artists. Artaic is proud to collaborate with fine artists from around the world and love having the chance to present their great work. Our booth featured work from artists, Anna Comella, Yitz Finch, Wendy Shapiro, and Rock Art Studios.
Also as part of the RDC demonstration main stage, Artaic CEO Ted Acworth presented the ease of creating a custom mosaic using Artaic’s Tessera software. If you missed the presentation, feel free to watch it below.
Overall we were delighted by the enthusiastic response from the RDC attendees and can’t wait to show off more Featured Artist work at the next Residential Design and Construction Show.
Artaic CEO Ted Acworth will be presenting two demonstrations at Residential Design and Construction 2010. The presentations will be taking place on the main demonstration stage. Ted will be showing how to use Artaic’s free software, Tessera, to quickly and easily realize the vast design potential of mosaic.
April 14-15, 2010
Seaport World Trade Center
200 Seaport Blvd.
Boston, MA 02210
Demonstration Title
Custom Mosaic Made Easy with Software and Robotics
Times
Wednesday, April 14, 3:00 pm
Thursday, April 15, 5:45 pm
Description
Artaic developed unique software and a robotic manufacturing system to design and fabricate custom mosaics. Artaic demonstrates how to use their free software to quickly and easily realize the vast design potential of mosaic.
Artaic will be showcasing several of our Featured Artists in the Artisan area of the RDC exhibition hall. The booth will be displaying the works of Artaic featured artists who have worked closely with us to expand our creative output and stretch the bounds of the mosaic medium.
The Artists at RDC include:
Comella is a Boston based artist whose work is strongly influenced by the location of her studio – in urban, gritty areas. Originally trained as a printmaker, she also produces works in collage, acrylic painting and mixed media. Her works are comprised of layers of color and abstract images that give the art a multi-dimensional feel and translates into unique, intricate mosaic designs.
Yitz Finch designs and builds custom furniture and architectural products for residential and commercial use. Yitz works out of his small carpentry shop in Brooklyn, NY, called Eitz Hadar. “Eitz Hadar” is Hebrew for “beautiful wood” which reflects a commitment to unique design, superior craftmanship, and timeless beauty. Yitz effortlessly works Artaic custom mosaics into some of his fine woodwork to create a great fusion of ancient mediums.
Wendy Shapiro is an artist and designer residing in Boston’s Vibrant Fort Points Artist Community. Shapiro is a mixed media artist whose work spans from abstract painting to photography and screen printing. Her vibrant works add a great dimension to to the tile mosaics.
Rock Art Studios is Artaic’s artistic collaboration with a Liquid Landscape Designs – New England premier innovative landscape design/build company. Rock Art Studios seamlessly blends the ancient art of mosaic with the beauty of natural stone to create one-of-a-kind landscape features.
We will also have live software demonstrations at the booth, so feel free to stop by with a digital image to be reproduced in tile!
Artaic recently helped Boston’s Day and Evening Academy realize their garden mosaic art project with a contribution of about 60 sqft of tile. The mosaic, once finished, will exhibit an array of flags from ten different nations. The flags represent the great diversity of BDEA’s student body and faculty.
Boston Day and Evening Academy (BDEA), a unique, innovative, year-round alternative public high school, serves 350 students who are over-age for grade level and who are either at high risk for dropping out or have already dropped out of high school and are returning to earn a BPS diploma. Working with experienced faculty in an environment that blends strong academics and wrap-around supports, BDEA gives students the tools to reach their fullest potential through a competency-based curriculum, and to inspire critical and creative thinking, independent learning, and active citizenship.
Artaic hosted the group of BDEA students working on the mosaic for a tour of our facility and a first-hand view of how technology can be used in interesting ways. Hopefully some of the students with strong inclinations were inspired to delve further into the many levels of mosaic art.
Rock Art Studios, Artaic’s custom landscape art collaboration with liquid landscape designs presented a feature garden display at the 2010 Boston Flower & Garden Show. The Boston Flower & Garden Show tradition has been a New England tradition for more than 100 years, lovers of flowers, plants, gardens and landscape design.
Artaic was happy to be part of Boston’s biggest horticultural happening with a great display designed by Jay Bearfield of Liquid Landscape Designs.
Here is Jay Bearfield’s Artist Statement on the display for the show’s theme – A Feast for the Senses:
All too often we, as Western society, forget about the hidden sense that lies within us all: the sixth sense (or sense ofthe spirit). In keeping with the theme ‘A Feast for Senses’, we created this small space with a continuous focus upon this metaphysical sense: Embracing, through art, what we felt lied within these stones; Manufacturing, through rhythmic layout concepts, what we hope will bring about many moments of true pause and reflection; and Providing you, through convergences of old materials in bold, new formats, with a space that tantalizes the mind and provides food for the soul.
Three landscape design elements:
1. The patio configuration is entirely original and designed and fabricated for this space. Within the patio element, we wanted to create a rhythmic tone which would hold down all of the other elements presented in this small space. We created this feel by cutting and manufacturing our own bluestone pattern which was focused upon varying repeating patterns.
2. The human mind can be easily distracted and water proves to be a fantastic distraction. However, focused small flows can manage to have just as powerful of an impact as the often heavy flowing waterfalls which first come to mind when a water feature is mentioned in gardening. In this water element, we designed this element to embrace the more subtle side of water, providing a fantastic audible backdrop for mediation and reflection.
3. The mosaic stone art elements are the focus of this layout, showcasing a new concept we’re creating in garden art. The tiles that are used in these pieces are all glass, much of it recycled, selected for its durability and resistance to frost (which means these pieces will handle our New England Winters!)
