Bridget Beari Friends

                  




                      Bridget Beari Friends: 

      I would like to introduce you to a design friend of mine, Vicki O'Neal and her company Form & Function. We have been in the same ASID group for years. Vicki has an interesting story and background. I asked her a few questions about her design philosophy and included a few gorgeous pictures. Enjoy! 

     I read that you started with an interest in fashion then moved to interiors and then added landscaping. How did all of this change come about? 

              I believe that good design is universal and most principles that apply to one discipline also apply to another. Creating is second nature to me, and I am fortunate that the spark that ignites is always bringing me fresh ideas.

                         Your company is called FORM & FUNCTION and you state that you see your job as equally focused on interior architecture as well as aesthetics. Does this mean that your focus is very architecturally oriented? How so? 

            When possible I enjoy thinking and designing from the perspective of the bigger picture, and strategically planning solutions to insure great functionality as well as beautiful results. Materials, color and decoration are always part of the design process and “icing on the cake.” My company name, FORM & FUNCTION, says it all.

  What is your most exciting project to date?  

           That’s a tough question, but I love an outdoor living project I did in Williamsburg, VA. It is a natural extension of the homes living space, and a very sculptural solution. Built-ins create a low profile design, and a two-level firepit is a bit of a fun, surprise feature. It is beautifully connected with the surrounding landscape.

   How do you see interiors and landscaping working together? 

             I see design as a continuum, especially as it applies to interiors and the landscape. They are inseparably interconnected, and are ideally designed to provide a harmonious flow. I initially approach most landscape designs from the inside-out so to speak, to locate features and focal points to capitalize on the views that are statistically seen most often.

                       Do you find when working in landscaping that the climate in Virginia prohibits more creative plantings? What is the most adventurous planting you've tackled? 

            Many variables affect success in the landscape including our central Virginia temperature extremes and frequent hot/ dry summers. Challenges make careful planning, plant selection and proper installation even more crucial. For me, challenges inspire creativity rather than inhibit it. One of my most fun plantings was a perennial garden in the design of a rainbow.  

What is your favorite style? Is it the same for interiors and landscaping? 

            I love quality design, no matter what the style or period. Good design is timeless, and can be appreciated whether it happens to be current chic or period finery. I believe that is one reason great styles seem to have immense staying power, or come back into vogue in waves.

 When planning a garden space how do you incorporate color? In groups? random? What makes the most impact? 

             The greatest visual impact when planning for color in the garden is to plant en masse. That being said, a mass planting can lead the eye to an area with a more random effect. I also love to use bold color in containers and place them at strategic locations.

 Do you often incorporate water features into your landscape designs?

             Being one of the four earthly elements, water (earth, air, fire) is a particularly soothing and grounding feature in the garden. I incorporate a water feature, large or small, into most of my designs. Incorporating the animation of koi and the beauty of aquatic plants creates an exotic, tropical feeling.

 What designers or landscapers have inspired your work? 

             Although a bit of a cliché, Frank Lloyd Wright is still one of my all time favorites. Much of his work is purity of design in the deepest sense. His employer, Louis Sullivan, popularized the phrase “form follows function,” and is the inspiration for my company name. In landscaping I draw insight from all historic styles, and particularly love the newest movement toward more naturalistic and environmentally sound design.

             Do you like to collaborate with other designers or landscapers or Do you prefer to have total control on a project? 

            I really enjoy the energy of collaboration with other designers and love the flow of ideas that brings. However, any design can be conceived and put to paper but execution and installation is crucial.  I prefer to be intimately involved in that process whenever possible.


                                                       Form and Function website

                                                            Form and Function Blog

                                                          Follow Vicki on   Twitter

          I hope that you enjoyed this small break from Bridget Beari Color Rule which will be back tomorrow. 

         

BBD Friends Series #1: Ginger Brewton

This is a new Bridget Beari Series called "Bridget Beari Friends" These will be profiles of all the wonderful designers, manufacturers, craftspeople, and shopkeepers that I have had the pleasure of meeting and making friends with. 

Our first guest is Charleston South Carolina designer, Ginger Brewton of Ginger Brewton Interiors

Ginger and I became friends at one of the conferences I attend annually and have kept up with each other. If you follow the BBD blog you may have seen us doing our Flea Market shopping in NYC. 

Here are a few questions we asked Ginger and she was kind enough to answer our request: 

1. How did you get started in the interior design business? I have always had a love for houses since I was little. My mom and I used to drive around looking at houses and I think that's where the obsession started. I worked for an interior designer in college (although I was a fashion major) and then eventually moved to NY in 2004, to pursue my dream working for a designer in the city while going to New York School of Interior Design. 

2. Are you originally from Charleston, SC? No, I was actually born and raised in Greenville, SC. During college I spent a few summers in Charleston, and then moved here once I graduated. 

3. How has being nominated by House Beautiful as a designer to watch changed your business? What year was that 2009?  It has been amazing to receive the recognition and the support from such a reputable publication.  House Beautiful has had an an incredible following and impact on the design world.  The impact on my business, after being named a designer to watch in 2009, was stunning.  My visibility as a designer immediately broadened to a new audience.  This has allowed me to expand into areas outside of South Carolina which has been wonderful. I still have people telling me a friend of a friend said they saw me in House Beautiful, so it's great to hear the feedback and feel the support from people I don't even know.

4. What would you say your design style is? or do you have one? I definitely have a personal design style, which is extremely diverse . I love the simplicity and lines of modern pieces but I love to mix them with antiques or more traditional pieces. I love neutrals, but I have to have pops of color; or vice versa. It's a balance thing for me - the ying and the yang.

5. How large is your firm? Do you like it that way? Currently it is myself and an intern/assistant who work in the office. I have an amazing group of subs that I really trust and can rely on. I would like to expand but still remain a small boutique firm, and plan to always remain that way. I like working one on one with the client and really getting to know them. I don't ever want to be that person that meets with them in the initial stages and then hand everything over to someone else.

6. Where do you find inspiration? Travel, travel, travel, magazines, Photography, fashion. I think inspiration is all around us. You just have to open your eyes to see it. Did I mention travel?

7. How do you decorate your house for Christmas? I have been given an ornament every year since I was born from my mom, so it's always wonderful to decorate the tree with ornaments from the past. I always have a live tree, but next year I am thinking about having an all white tree! It's not for everyone, but I think it would be fun!

8. Your designs, or the ones I've seen, are very organic. Are you affected by the green movement? Are you a nature girl at heart? I definitely think the green movement is important and I hope in the future to be able to work with more clients and vendors that are green conscious. Again, I think it all relates to a balance - I love a big city and the access it gives you to everything, but I also love a small town and the warm, fuzzy, secure feeling it brings.

9. What's your favorite design app? Pinterest! It almost borders on obsessive, but if I have any down time I'm on it.

I follow her. Her boards are amazing!!  

10. What's your "go to" color for 2012? or fabric? or wallpaper? I am getting ready to re-vamp my guest room in Newman by Bridget Beari! I love, love, love this color. It's inviting and cozy, and will look stunning against wood tones, gold accents and pops of color. This is definitely my go to gray! As far as fabrics, I'm loving Martyn Lawrence Bullard's line for Schumacher; and for wallpaper I love anything bold that makes a dramatic statement.

Don't you love that she is using Bridget Beari Colors!  Thanks for the support.

11. Goals for 2012? I would love to see GBI continue to grow into different markets, as well as expand into different areas of design. A couple of assistants and a larger office would be nice too.

12. Designer Pet Peeve? Scale is definitely something I find very important in design, which can make or break a room. I don't believe in many other "rules" of design - we all have different ideas and processes, which is what makes the world go round and all of our designs unique. 

I can't wait to take a trip to Charleston and visit. Thanks so much Ginger for a quick glimpse into the GBI World. We can't wait for the Charlotte and CT jobs to be published. If you are not familiar with her work, check out Ginger's website and her weekly blog,  Inspired Design