Lori Warner Gallery, Chester CT

Lori Warner Gallery just opened in Chester, CT over the summer. I stopped by about a month ago to drop off my resume, and express my interest in volunteering for the gallery. I met Lori, and one of her designers who exhibits in the gallery, Jacqueline. Lori is a fine artist, who specializes in printmaking. She attended the Rhode Island School of Design, and lived/worked in Boston before moving back to CT. The gallery space is small, beautifully organic, and uncluttered. They have done a great job of exhibiting the work, without making the space feel too crowded.

I received an email from Lori & Jackie last week asking if I would be interested in helping them design & set up their holiday window displays for the current exhibit that is opening on Friday, December 4th ..... I'm so excited! I followed up with Jackie, and am going in to see what they have in store for me on Wednesday afternoon. Now, this is their FIRST holiday window display at this gallery... it is really a big deal for them, and I'm so thrilled they have asked me to be apart of it! Here's the scoop so far...

DECEMBER 4th - Friday, 5 - 9pm

Opening: “Twelve Designs of Christmas” Holiday Exhibition

Twelve drums displaying,

Eleven stones suspended,

Ten blankets bundled,

Nine bracelets blinging,

Eight handbags hanging,

Seven scented candles,

Six sconces sparkling,

Five golden rings,

Four felted birds,

Three framed paintings,

Two granite birdbaths,

And a partridge in a pear tree!

" Stroll into the gallery for the opening of our new show, 12 Designs of Christmas. Our artists and designers have each personally selected twelve of their favorite pieces to exhibit for the holidays, from stocking stuffers to spectacular one-of-a-kind works of art. Featured works include Lori Warner prints, Jacqueline Kangley handbags, jewelry by Ann Lightfoot and Reverie, Jen Thayer Karl ceramic sculpture, and glass by Smithsonian award-winning artist Carrie Gustafson. Many of the participating artists will be in the gallery to discuss their work. "

And what's really wild, is I have met Carrie Gustafson (one of the contributing artists for this gallery) at a showroom called DScale, which located in Boston's South End. She was exhibiting her work there as part of the South End's "First Fridays" (where a number of local artists open their studios to the public). Anyway, DScale is a venture headed by Interior Designer Dennis Duffy, who I used to work for right out of college. Small world!

Her work is incredible... each piece is a work of art. You MUST see them in person to truly get how special they are.

This opening is coinciding with Chester's Annual Holiday Night! There will be tons of festivities, shopping, food, carolers, decorating, and much much more! Please come by and support the arts & small business owners of Chester, CT.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 4th 5-8pm... Hope to see you there!

Brand New!

Hello and Welcome! I started this blog a week ago, but have not posted anything yet because I wanted to make sure I had a clear idea/concept/direction. I think I have it...

BELLE DESIGNS ORIGIN

First off, belle designs is a name that I developed my first year in college. Belle (as most may know) means "beautiful" in French... and it also contains my initials "elle". It's a name I'm incredibly comfortable with, as I've had it for so long, so it seemed like the perfect "identity" for my blog.

A BIT OF WHO I AM & WHERE I'M COMING FROM

I am an interior designer, a creative mind, an appreciator of the arts, a lover of anything locally made, a laugher at people falling down (including myself), a cryer at cheesy citibank commercials, and everything between - and I have an immense drive to find a healthy balance between my personal & professional life. I just recently moved back to Connecticut after attending the New England School of Art & Design in Boston - where I was also employed with a number of interior design firms. The decision to move back did not come easy. After months of back and forth, my husband and I decided it was the right time... however I was still filled with doubt.

WHY BLOG?

I have been back in CT since June, and (after a couple months of wondering if I made the right decision) have officially set forth on a path of self discovery. It's all very scary, but exciting! In our current economic struggle, we all have to bend a bit more than we're used to. For my first few months in CT, I was looking at this whole "can't find a job" thing as a blemish on my professional career - and I couldn't wait for it to go away. After some soul searching, I have realized that I will never have this opportunity again... the opportunity to dig around, scan my surroundings, hack away at the underbrush of what I thought my career path was, and really get my hands dirty. I have realized that I may not have my "dream job", but I have A job... which is fine by me, because not everyone is so lucky.

I plan to document my explorations, share my interests and inspirations, inform and report on local events, and hopefully encourage others to find their true paths as well.

WHAT NOW?

I'm staying positive positive positive! (and for all you non-early risers... I'm the kind of gal you wanna punch in the face because I tend to be so perky perky perky in the morning... and this is before my coffee). I want to learn, and investigate, and research all possible roads one can travel down with a design degree. Maybe flat out interior design at a residential or commercial design firm isn't where I end up, or maybe it is. My point is simple - this is my life.... right now. I refuse to shut my eyes and wait for it all to be over simply because things aren't "working out as planned". I tend to have the most fun when things aren't planned anyway :0)

Please stay tuned!