Truth be told you have probably met Ernie before, his award-winning furniture and inspirational story has been featured in many periodicals over the last 15 years, including Cowboys & Indians, American Cowboy,
and the Seattle Times.

Ernie’s company, Northwest Native Designs, first began 15 years ago when an arsonist burnt down Ernie’s successful upholstery shop in Seattle.  While the arsonist was playing out his malicious crime streak {9 other businesses were burnt that same day},
Ernie’s life became suddenly CLEAR.  After the fire Ernie submitted himself to alcohol rehabilitation and began to dream of how he should re-build his business.  As he found his true self in the ashes of his business, Ernie knew that he wanted to create something special that HONORED his fellow Native Americans and their brilliant skills… the concept of Northwest Native Designs was born.  Later Ernie learned that his sobriety date coincided with the birth of Miracle, the white buffalo,
a soul-stirring confirmation that his new business was indeed
a part of God’s plan for him.

Northwest Native Designs has become a premiere source of one of a kind upholstered furniture.  More like FUNCTIONAL ART, Northwest Native Designs pools the talent of craftsmen across the country to create custom pieces that cannot be duplicated.

The process usually begins the first time a client meets Ernie at a show or event.  Seeing the exquisite upholstered furniture, the detailed crafting and second-to-none quality, gives the new client a DESIRE for something special from Northwest Native Designs.  Time often passes before the client is ready to begin designing their furniture with Ernie.  These are investment pieces, and are not taken lightly by either the furniture maker, or their owners.

Whether the client is a casino, business, or private individual, once they are ready to begin the design process, Ernie speaks with them personally noting every detail about the space, as well as the client.  From room colors to room measurements, to the height of the client, and what INSPIRES them, Ernie takes meticulous notes and then begins a detailed plan of the new furniture.  It is then that he begins to call on his extensive network of talented artists…

Over the last 15 years Ernie has composed a group of artists, many of them Native Americans, whose talents are exceptional alone, and even more stunning when they are combined.  Ernie’s group of artists includes carvers, several leather toolers, artists specializing in ledger art, tribal art, watercolors, acrylics and many more.  Ernie designs each peice of furniture custom to the client’s requisites, desires, and dreams; he then sends the peices to the artists best suited for the ultimate finish. Once the artist has completed their portion of the furniture, the inspirited pieces are combined to create a breathtaking whole when Ernie takes his hand-crafted alder frames and upholsters them with the pieces of leather art.

The result is expert craftsmanship using the highest quality leathers and hides, highlighted with leatherwork and artwork, completed by masters in their fields. 

CLICK on READ MORE Below for the rest of the story!!

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According to Ernie, what is beneath the fine finishes is just as important as the stunning exteriors.  His mentor always taught him to beware, “you can hide a multiple of sins under fabric”.  For Ernie this is unacceptable and he never settles with less than the best high density foam, kiln dried frames, hand-tied coils, and superior materials.  His confidence in the craftsmanship of Northwest Native Designs furniture is so great that it is guaranteed for life.

{This chaise lounge from Northwest Native Designs, called Lady Luck,
won “Best Leather Artist” at the Western Design Show in Cody, Wyoming.  The tooled playing cards are by artists Lisa and Loren Skyhorse.}

Today Ernie is completing a move from his hometown of Seattle to Tuscon, Arizona.  While this is a big transition for Ernie and his wife, it is a welcome change of scenery.  His new home is in the Santa Catalina Mountains where the view LIFTS SPIRITS and INSPIRES CREATIVITY…  Ernie is also looking forward to being closer to his core clients, and he is starting to gear up for spring shows and exciting new products.  

Northwest Native Designs most exciting new project includes working with Pendleton on benches that are the perfect POP for your living room, entryway, or at the end of your bed…  Ernie compared working with Pendleton as being “like a kid with a crayon box”.  The vibrant colors and Native designs lend themselves to limitless options, and PURE JOY.  Just like Ernie himself. 
Thank you, Ernie ~ it was my pleasure.

In the most recent issue of Western Interiors and Design 

Architect Robert Kelly, of Kelly & Abramson Architecture in Oakland, California was the master of taking the BARN from a doodle to a drawing.  True to the firm’s philosophy as it is stated on their website, Kelly & Abramson “built a unique environment that met the needs of a modern family while drawing from historical building styles that have been developed and refined over hundreds of years.”

In fact, no structure could be more historical than the American Barn.  Whether it was for storing crops, or for raising livestock, the BARN has always been about preserving life.   And because of it’s utilitarian nature, the concept of using the uncomplicated barn as a model for a home in the modern world highlights the trend of minimizing consumerism, being green and mostly being GRATEFUL for the simple pleasures of life.

Visit Kelly & Abramson Architecture for more images of this extraordinary residence.  I cannot say enough about how much I LOVE this home ~ it is perfection!!  Thank you, Robert!!

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While the architecture that is found throughout Yellowstone {ABOVE}, Yosemite {BELOW}, and the Grand Canyon, have always sparked my love for rustic design, it wasn’t until recently that I was introduced to the term PARKITECTURE.  It makes sense, of course, that the unique structures built in these National Parks have commonalities that cause them to fit into a general category of construction.

Attributes that categorize buildings as PARKITECTURE include:

• Dramatically pitched roof lines.
• Stone covered walls on the ground floor and wood above {this is to “suggest that the buildings have a natural connection to their location”}.
• Over-sized elements {these were used to “produce a greater sense of harmony with the massive surrounding landscapes”}.
• An overall design that tends to blend in with the environment.

A style that is clearly cherished as an important component to the history of National Parks, the American West, and Rustic Design ~ many modern architects such as Dan Joseph {found him while I was searching the web – WOW!!},  continue to use the influence of PARKITECTURE when designing today’s rustic homes.  Much more information about the history, and future, of PARKITECTURE can be found in the books BELOW:

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Technorati Tags: cabin, lodge, national park architecture, parkitecture

Chris is a resident of Round Top, TX and also a partner in the Texas-based architecture firm, Sentient Architecture.  In addition he explores the world of emotional architecture through the development of his brain-child, Truehome, which is “a systematic process for developing criteria for building designs that are tailored to the exact needs of their inhabitants”.   {Great job, Chris!!}

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Technorati Tags: Chris Travis, New York Times, Round Top Texas, Sentient Architecture, Truehome

In addition to a proessional membership to ASID and NCIDQ, Carin Cross is also a certified BTB Feng Shui Consultant.

Here is a glimpse at Carin’s Residential & Commercial portfolio…  You can take a full tour at CarinCrossDesign.com.

Technorati Tags: Carin Cross, Interior Designer, Montana, Whitefish

When we were in Round Top a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of finally meeting Mr. Boutwell who, BTW, was given the title of “Official Texas State Artist” for 2006.  I tried to tell him how much the colors and images that were in his art have inspired me, but the words wouldn’t come to me, so let me try again…

Dear Mr. Boutwell, 

Your art spoke to my soul about a more simple way of life, about enjoying sunsets – front porches – and long drives.  Your art pointed the way for me and has led me to live a very cool life.  Thank you for the inspiration…

Putting all of this into words has led to a greater understanding of the impact that art can have on one’s life.  

I hope that you each find some inspiration on the walls around you – in the meantime take a few minutes to peruse the art at George Boutwell’s site - I think you will find the images uplifting and it will certainly make you want to pack your bags for a Road Trip to Texas!!

Technorati Tags: George Boutwell, longhorn art, sunset art, Texas artist, western art

It is that emotional connection between the home and its inhabitants that drives the architecture team of Brett Pitt and Chris Travis, owners of Sentient Architecture, LLC.  Based in Central Texas, Sentient Architecture has an extensive portfolio that includes both commercial and residential projects.  

Brett and Chris do more than design your dream home.  They will work to understand who you are - your emotional needs, values and goals, in an effort to find the connection from your past in order to design for your future.  What a refreshing approach to creating a space.

If you are in Central Texas then you may take advantage of the design/build relationship that Sentient Architecture maintains with residential construction company, Texas Country Home.  For the rest of us Sentient Architecture works directly with clients and their builders on projects nationwide. 

I’ve included a few peeks of their projects but take some time to peruse the  the portfolio of SentientArchitecture.com - it will inspire you to keep working towards the home of your dreams!!   To learn more about the philosophies of the emotional relationship between us and our homes, and his compelling approach to design, visit Chris Travis’s blog HERE.

 
Ferrester (this one has stole my heart!!)

Raymond

Technorati Tags: Architecture

 
‘Deerly in Camouflage’  – gorgeous wallpaper with a beloved rustic outdoors theme – from Palacepapers.com.  Love it!!

 
Reproductions of Karl Bodmer’s 1832 – 1834 oil paintings have been re-created through the technology of digitization and are now available from DiscoveryEditions.com.  The extraordinary detail of each painting tells the tragic and beautiful story of the American Indian.  Whether you own just one, or the whole collection, these paintings will affect you.

 
Lobby of the Inn of the Anasazi in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  There is a wonderful article about the recently renovated interiors of this beautiful hotel.  The designer, Susan Butcher, has created a warm, rustic environment that I cannot wait to see in person!!

Technorati Tags: inn of the anasazi, karl bodmer, rustic wallpaper

Elk Horn Wine Opener – what a great gift idea for the hostess with the mostess.  Throw in a bottle of wine and you sure to be invited back next year!!

Spur Curtain Rod Holders – Too cute for your cowpoke’s room!!

On God’s Footstool – by Artist Bruce Greene - Giclee on canvas.  Wow!!  This is gorgeous…

Cowhide & Leather Grand Double Chaise – perfect for a Lonesome Dove Festival!!  Love it…

Technorati Tags: 13, 14, 15, 35, 37

“Dance Romance”. There is a long explanation of the symbolism of each detail which I love. Definitely worth beans and rice for a few months…