The Cleansing

It's a rainy day today. Usually this type of cloudy and grey sky makes me feel like a day that is wasteful of sunshine. But for some reason I feel good that the day is not the typical bright day that would beckon to you to come outside to the unpredictable heat. Perspiration is usually quick to come but the desire to take in the sunshine is more powerful than the usual discomfort of the heat of the sun.

Today is different, I welcome the cleansing qualities of the rain. The drops are cooling and nature needs the liquid sunshine to replenish and grow during this hot and humid season. I now realize that we also need to cleanse from time to time. To clean the cob webs out of our minds and enjoy a new start from time to time. Recent events in my life have caused a lot of perspiration. The cooling rain is welcome today and going forward everyday in my life - liquid sunshine is never a bad thing. It can make the sky much brighter and bring in fresh air.

Live life to the fullest.

know. choose. promise.

Mona

Beautiful Day

It has been unseasonably warm in our part of the country. The normal gray days of winter in recent years have given way to beautiful warm and sunny days. The weather and new year have given me a new sense of purpose to make this year something special. Everyday that we have should be lived to the fullest. If you have time today, tomorrow or any time in the future; carpe diem - tempus umbra.

know. choose. promise.

2012 Promise - again

Welcome 2012. The promises and commitments to change will soon be on everyone's mind and wish list; including mine. This year will not be different from any other. We will all wish for health, success and keeping our families safe. This should not be a wish only for the New Year, but for everyday. I have noticed that the world is smaller, we communicate faster with technology and news is old within the hour. Nothing has the impact that it did 5 years ago. Are we becoming complacent?

I can only communicate my desire to do better, work more effectively - not harder and to enjoy life on a daily basis, and "smell the roses".

Design as a process is time consuming, but my passion. Time can stand still when I become involved in a project. Researching for the right combination of products, aesthetics and affordable execution. The options can seem endless and at sometime, just one more has to come to an end. Anyone that has a vision can understand my plight. I continue to be fascinated by all of the creative products, materials, furniture eand new design elements in the world. So much design and so little time.

I hope your passion also makes time stand still for you in 2012 and beyond. Know what makes your heart go wild. Choose to do something that makes you happy. Promise to keep the excitement and anticipation of a child.

know. choose. promise.

Mona

Things Change

Yes, it has been some time since I added content to my blog. Life has gotten in the way; and guess, what I am grateful. My daughter recently, firmly reminded me..."Mom, you have not posted to you blog in 3 years, why don't you take it off your email?" Well I thought about it for more than a few minutes and decided I created it 3 years ago because I had something to say and nothing has changed; except for life.


GROWTH
In the last few years I have added yet other skills and to my professional life's learning journey. My family has evolved into mature adult daughters who are capable of making their own way in life, including opinions that are not always solicited- given and taken. A loving and devoted husband who is more of a best friend than the day we were married. Family dynamics that have changed due to many reasons beyond necessity and the economy. Loss of a dear old friend and family members, new friends, travel and never ending adventures waiting each morning. I have even been on the edge of death and eternally grateful to see each day and hear the birds sing near my bedroom window.

PLANTING THE SEED
It has been a period of learning, disappointment, excitement, life challenges, love and appreciation. I know and better understand the lessons that my parents constantly instilled in myself and my siblings as children and growing adults. Everyone was not as lucky to have parents that provided unconditional love, that went beyond financial support, making sure we had food on the table and a warm, safe home. We had all those, but much more - hardworking honest, and spiritual parents with the morals, ethics and fortitude to appreciate each day and all that came with life.

NURTURING
I look back on growing up as a child and realize the sacrifices my parents made for their family. My father dreamed of being an Architect. Few if any African American men were accepted into Architecture school when he applied. He graduated the Valedictorian of his High School and was limited to schools to which he could apply. Unfortunately his college career was cut short because of lack of funding and family responsibilities. He would be proud to know that his grand-daughter; my youngest daughter, recently revealed to her, has fulfilled his dream.

My mother filled our home with art, her paintings and drawings filled our walls, interior and exterior. She was probably one of the first mural artist in our community. People would constantly admire her paintings and her flair for design and decorating. Her skills live on through my love for design, textiles, photography, gardening and nature. I am also proud to give credit to her through my other daughter, who continues to amaze me with her artistic skills in sewing and fabrication.

If we could not afford something, between my father and my mother they created it and we could not have been happier. In most case it was better than the "store" version. We could escape to anywhere in the world with an endless supply of magazines and books while sitting in the comfort of our home. We were sheltered from the "preset" limitations of the world as it was.

Our home was the place to be, kids had to be sent home, so that we could eat together as a family at the table. But on many occasions, we had breakfast, lunch or dinner guests. According to my mother, no one at anytime should ever go to bed hungry. That might explain why we would have nonstop meals from morning to night. A tough habit to break when you get older.

My life, my family and my future are all better because of lessons learned and changes.

In closing - things do change... Thank You - MINNIE & EARL. Life is great and Love is Eternal!!!!

know. choose. promise

Mona King
Associate IIDA, LEED Green Associate
http://www.monaassociates.com

I am not alone

Recently, I have met and been excited by people who get "it". People in all walks of life who understand beyond the gas crisis that we have a choice in how we live, how we work and what the quality of our environments should be. Earth Day was celebrated in my Home town, finally. People who want to make a difference gathered in one place on a cold, rainy parking lot and field to talk about, demonstrate and educate all of us on the choices that we have available.

Products ranging from non-toxic cleaners, to earth friendly bakery snacks were on display. Someone even had the nerve to bring an alternative to the automobile, a bike. It was if I had just met some long lost cousins, not fanatics, but people who are united in efforts to make a difference in our community and ... The world.

This past weekend my husband and I took the time to enjoy nature, we had a picnic in the park. We watched as the ducks swam by, the children laughed with delight as they threw bread crumbs into the water. The breeze created small but concentric waves in the soothing and restful water. The clear blue sky and new leaves of Spring welcomed our presence as much as we welcomed theirs, it was peaceful, beautiful and sustainable. We will return.

My purpose is not to lecture, preach or reprimand; but as we get older we should learn to appreciate those things which we have traditionally taken for granted. We should be aware and appreciate the air quality inside and outside, the natural materials and fibers that are provided by Mother Nature, the intelligent use of space within out homes and work places, utilize our life experience and knowledge to reduce and reuse.

It's all about what we know, how we choose and the promise to do better.

know. choose. promise.

So What's A Designer to Do?

Well it's been some time now,... days, week, and even month's since I graduated with this hard earned second degree in Interior Architecture. Now what do I do with it? Exactly what is Interior Architecture? Why do people look at me when I say I am an Interior Architect? Is it simpler to say an Interior Designer?

Well it is, but I am not... an Interior Designer. (In the traditional since anyway.) It was stressed to us in school that we are the next generation of Designers, the merger of Architect and Interior Designer. Sounds great on paper, but I have not been very successful in getting the overwhelming and open arm response that I was dreaming for as I spent long days, nights, and weekends working on projects, away from my best friend; my husband.

So what is a designer to do?!. How do I get you to understand that I want to enrich your lives through an environment, furnishings, materials and art that is good for your health as well as your heart and visual soul. I want you to know that you need to be aware of your surrounding, the air that you breathe, the materials that you touch, the furnishings that inhabit your space and that they were made with the health of our planet in mind.

I want you to know that the "traditional" home is not built with your ultimate comfort and safety in mind. You are entitled to move in ease and comfort in your home, your sanctuary. The doors and halls should be wide enough to accommodate the groceries, the toys, the laundry basket and yes as we all age, the wheel chair or walker if needed. The air quality unsurpassed and not subjected to harmful off gas from paint, or traditional building materials.

I recently read that the average home is designed to accommodate the 6 foot tall, 180 pound athletic male. That's not me, how about you. I would guess to say, NO. The home that I propose will have wider doors, less stairs to navigate, larger and/ or more open rooms to celebrate and share social activities with friends and families. The room would have ample daylight to reduce energy dependence on lamps during the day, ample air circulation designed into the space, and selection of materials that are friendly to you and the environment. Meaning they don't give off toxic chemicals like formaldehyde,.. Yes formaldehyde that is in that inexpensive bargain table, dresser of bookshelf that you got at your local discount department store (it is in the glue and the MDF board), or sometimes your carpet.

Are you understanding yet... The difference is that I care. I want to give you what you deserve, what you should ...know, choose, promise.

We made a promise

Graphic Artists, Interior Designers/Interior Architects/ Architects/ Media Artists/ Web developers/ Visual Artists and on and on..., The world of design has many favorable attributes; creativity, research, visual satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. Those are some of the good, but along with the positive must come the negative (yin/yang). This universal concept has existed longer than the rise (and fall) of mankind and will continue long after.

We meet with clients and through our mastery of human psychology and design skills, we interpret their dreams into visual reality. In this process, we must make decisions. Decisions that may have effects far beyond our present reality. The choice of materials, applications and execution, all effect our environment. We recycle, but do we create more than we use?...the answer is yes.

We made a promise to add beauty to the world, to our environment, to our culture and to humanity. Are we keeping our promise? No... we need to learn more about the choices that we make and their potential effects on the environment.

Those last brochures that were designed required how many hours on your computer, that used how much energy to produce how many sheets of paper, to proof or review with the client before the printer had to produce more than they needed to get the quantity ordered. Think about it; the air pollution produced from the inks and equipment, the trucks and fuel needed to deliver and the results that end up in the landfills that are taking up an increasing percentage of mother earth.

The building was designed to please the client, but what about the people that must work, live in or visit the building, home or retail location. Is the air as clean as it should be, are the paints emitting toxins, does the carpet hold mold, mildew or other undesirables? As a consumer you have the right to a clean and healthy environment. But do we make ourselves and clients aware of the choices and how they can make a difference?

We are all guilty, myself included...but we can make a change. In the coming days, months, weeks, and hopefully years; let's discuss, let's learn and let's make a change.

Let me know what you think and how you and I can make a difference.

know. choose. promise.

Mona King, Associate IIDA
http://www.monaassociates.com