Where's My Whip?

Okay. I have to get this out. I always cringe a bit when I hear people refer to vintage finds as “junk”. Or even worse, when people refer to the activity of searching for reclaimed gems with the shortened verb… junkin’. In my studio, that term, and every conceivable derivative, just seems to cheapen the salvage experience.  And it certainly is not a phrase I would ever use to describe the incredible end result of our creative endeavors.

You see, for me the search for great vintage materials actually starts with shedding what I call the “junk” bias. When I’m on the hunt for great objects, it’s critical that I crank my brain into a hyper-discovery mode that views objects not as trash or junk, but as unappreciated or raw material. A bit like a rogue archeologist approaching a new discovery, or at least that’s how I’ve romanced it in my head. Nonetheless, I try to use a setting that allows me to sift through hundreds of pieces of visual information free from “junk” judgment. This mindset not only helps me acquire great finds, but it makes the search that much more fun. Here are three keys I use to reset my thinking before releasing my inner creative bloodhound.

1.)    Regarding furniture: Look past the color or paint finish and focus on the structural integrity of the find. In these pieces, I look to appreciate the detail and overall design, rather than its current cosmetic condition. Some of my best finds were the ones others dismissed for the most superficial of reasons. If you lack the technical knowledge of how to refurbish furniture…hit the web or attend a local workshop. Possessing  the knowledge to transform these pieces makes the search more enjoyable.

 

2.)    Think color: While you’re on the hunt, think in terms of a visual theme regardless of a design style. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve included found objects from different periods or clashing styles in the same room. Keep in mind that a great color scheme is a room’s visual thread. The trick to good reclaimed design is finding creative ways to pair objects that seemingly have no business hanging out together in the same place. Color helps bridge the style gap. And having confidence in your color direction helps increase your level of bravery when purchasing on the fly.

3.)    Sweat the small stuff: I find that over time, some of my best finds were ones I used to create great groupings or collections. It may take some time, but the result is often interesting historical visuals that give environments thoughtful and authentic touches. It’s difficult to finish a room without elements like these. In my experience, when people have difficulty finishing a room, it’s because they’re trying to complete it with junk and not tailored objects of interest.

So there you have it. No offense to the Junk Gypsies or Dumpster Divas out there, I’m just trying to elevate the conversation a bit. And I will concede that everyone has a different way to describe the start to the transformative process that is the reclaimed and repurposed. But for this artist, I’m way more Indiana Jones than Sanford & Son.  Better get crackin’.

Refined Rustic: The Beginning

My fourth grade teacher Mrs. Hoffman gave me my first big break as an artist. She seemed to be the first person who recognized that for me, learning was a more of a visual activity. The assignment immediately fascinated me; I was asked to create a visual timeline of American history from 1776 to 1978. And so began my love affair with history, as well as my obsession with finding new ways to express my passion for the past through art.

I went into business for myself fifteen years ago with only one real goal; to redefine the role of the artist in the world of Interior Design & Decorating. And with countless residential & commercial projects under my belt, as well as thousands of studio hours in the trenches of the creative process…I’ve pretty much seen it all. My professional experiences have seen me play the role of an artist, contractor, construction manager, retailer, and design professional. And as good as I’ve convinced myself that I am, I’ve been lucky. And I’ve been very fortunate to have had plenty of “artistic angels”, whose collective wings have allowed me to fly.

My business, Refined Rustic, by most standards should be the culmination of my professional experiences. And I guess in some ways it is, but to me it’s much more than a list of what projects I’ve worked on, the knowledge I’ve acquired, or the products and services I provide. No, for me…the artist…business is personal. And Refined Rustic continues to represent my incredibly challenging and yet amazing creative journey.

In this blog, like the search for interesting found objects, you just never know what you’re going to find…or where the search may lead. And in a world where everyone is positioning themselves as an expert on how something should be done…I’d like to focus on what I call “the why”. No doubt, from one entry to the next…tangents will not be in short supply. And you can bet we’ll talk a little faith, family, freedom and failure…along with a healthy dose of why the creative process is one of sweet redemption. They say you learn more from failure than success. I can vouch for that, and it’s only when the blank canvas begins to resemble more of a clean slate that you’re no longer intimidated or afraid…you feel the courage grow, and it becomes exciting to realize that anything may just be possible. So come with me…and Get Lost in Found. And revel in the undeniable fact that something can be both new and old…refined or rustic, depending on your perspective.