Design Notes + Photos

See the Long View Gallery invite here. Also check out Metroweekly's article on Jeff McElhaney, creator of the exhibited ads. He tells the magazine:

The ads are near and dear to my heart. There are a lot of ghosts standing next to me when I'm holding these ads. I've lost so many friends.

Thanks to his ads, however, it's likely McElhaney saved quite a few, as well.

Jeff is Creative Partner at Brand-Aid Creative in Washington, DC. He just found Posterous—we hope he starts using it!

Check out preview photos of tonight's show — kudos to Laurel and Project 4 Gallery.

More photos on Flickr. A wrap-up of Design Week DC coming!

Interior Designers Sarah Aburdene and Fabian Bernal transformed the Live-Work Space at the Solea Condominiums, located at 14th St. & Florida Ave. Their design was inspired by Metasebia Yoseph’s winning idea for the Live-Work Defined contest: an Artists' Sanctuary/Studio & Storefront Gallery.

Urban Turf has some neat photos of the space before the transformation. Read their post as background for what I'm about to show you. Apartment Therapy, too, has some good before shots and article. You can also see my before photos here.

Aburdene and Bernal created a stimulating space for an artist whose needs are two-fold: a home office to host clients and in-house events, and a gallery to display their artwork. The edgy upstairs, with its public gallery contrasts with the sleek, minimalistic design aesthetic in the private space below.

Geometric, crystal-like forms were a source of design inspiration for Aburdene and Bernal. Edgy and modern, these stalagmite shapes can be manipulated to create visual interest.

Angular lines link everything together, and establish an edgy, free-flowing sense of vibrancy. The designers subtly integrated their source of design inspiration by using Blu Dot’s dynamic The Real Good Chair in black – creased and bent to perfection, this dynamic, powder-coated steel chair serves as seating for a conference or dining table. The furniture selected for the space is appropriate and adaptable for the purposes of hosting cocktail/dinner parties for the artist’s clients, staging artist talks, and other events.

Furniture designed for this space is multifunctional. The same object can be transformed into seating, display cases, or a reception desk.

In the gallery space upstairs the walls, floors, and various size cubes are been painted dark grey and serve as a backdrop for the artist’s work. Small explosions of color create a visual punch (yellow stool, orange chair, paper table image).

Angular, neon-colored lines are painted on the wall, creating an additional explosion of color and geometric forms and relating to the furniture in the space (more photos on the way).

Contemporaria, Design Within Reach, illuminations and Miss Pixies all loaned furniture for this project.

Reception Photos

This post is part one of a three-part series on Solea's parties on August 27. Tomorrow, take a tour of the condos during its open house with me (via photos), featuring DJ Gold and Riddle, an art exhibit by Albus Cavus with a raffle game from The Pink Line Project.

Update: See the second part of the photo series.

Thank you to designers Sarah Aburdene and Fabian Bernal for contributing to this post.

Today, U Street Cafe launches their Facebook fan page. Become one of their first fans!

I want you to love U Street Cafe as much as I do. Here are three reasons why you should become a fan of this local coffee shop, a recent addition to U Street.

1. You Like Free Wi-Fi Today, You Want Free Coffee Tomorrow!

You didn't hear it from me. Rumor has it that U Street Cafe is considering a coffee loyalty program. By becoming a fan, you will be the first to know about this and other programs the coffee shop plans to offer, such as happy hours and events.

2. You Enjoy Seeing Joel Bergner's New Mural

For the last few weeks, I've been documenting the progress that Joel Bergner has made at U Street Cafe. The mural strikes anyone coming in. It is inviting and warm. See photos of Joel's mural on 14th and U Streets.

3. You Want a Delicious Waffle without Having to Wait

My visit to Creme, just across the street, made me consider why I waited so long (half an hour to be seated) for a waffle that U Street Cafe could have made for me within minutes.

The Most Important Reason: You Want to Participate in the Growth of a New Local Business

This week, bloggers discussed the issue of vacant U Street storefronts. Plus, times are tough. I invite you to support local non-branch businesses like U Street Cafe because they are aware of the market and want to succeed. What sets them apart? They want to succeed with you in mind. They are listening.

You are invited to make this creative space social. Start by become a fan!

U Street Cafe is located at 1301 U Street NW. See their menu here.

iPhone snapshots of the progress made by Joel Bergner at U Street Cafe.

Additional photos: before the mural and early stages.

A long line as excited guests wait to enter the second Asia After Dark event for 2009. With Pink Link Project's text messaging scavenger hunt, to DJs Yellow Fever, to dance crew Boogie Bots--it was a good one.

The official Asia After Dark poster reads: "Art, Drink, and Be Happy!"

The event is on track with social media goodness. Become a fan of Freer and Sackler's Facebook page. As a thank you, you take a fortune teller fish with you. Next in the halls of the museum, not included in this photo set, are food samples provided by Bangkok Joe's, Mie N Yu and Asia Nine.

The Freer courtyard looks great! The weather for this event couldn't have been any better.

Fun to see John Miyahara, a college mentor and friend of mine. John taught me about service, which is his calling (to our nation and to our local community--see this article about John). One cool thing I learned from John: the idea of "paying it forward."

There were many awesome peacock dresses. Guests were enjoying their theme-inspired attire.

Two guests hold on to Philippa Hughes's scavenger hunt flyers. Philippa helps visitors strike up conversations. Her game reads: "Good luck, have fun, meet someone new, and learn some Freer history!"

The event organizers look stunning, of course.

John Miyahara with some of his friends.

Yellow Fever DJs entertain the crowd.

Art lovers pose with their peacock colors and style.

This sweet person approached us as she notices my small awesome camera. This is my first event shooting with the LX3 and SB-600. For you photo nerds: the flash unit only works in manual mode--worth the little extra bulk for that extra brush of light on subjects. (To the lady in this picture: send me an email and good luck finding a deal in NYC!).

The light in the courtyard is beautiful as the sun goes down. With good cocktails and catered bites flowing around the party, you can see people are having a good time.

Dawn looks beautiful!

I run into Nadia and friends! Another Dickinsonian at the event, Stacy (who works for the museum), is inside one of the galleries.

Boogie Bots, contestants from MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, perform tonight

Jamie, fashion + style editor for Greg's List DC (left) with friend Janice. Good to meet you both!

Being in a museum after hours reminds me of my time at the Whitney--send me a message if you catch this, YI Alumns!

My favorite group at the event. We bond instantly, dance in place a little, then head "Peacock Room."

Before entering, we catch a glimpse of special guest Charles Lang Freer, founder. Intimidated by his presence, we do not approach.

As you can see, the collection is extravagant and opulent. Small details are decorated with care and precision. The room enthralls you and doesn't let go.

We are led on a tour of the "Peacock Room." Good history.

So, yes, the hosts at the Freer and Sackler give us a real art treat with the "Peacock Room." Read more about the room and exhibition.

Allowed to see the gallery rooms after hours, we look around with the crowd. It's fun. You should do it if you haven't already. Bring a date or friends and enjoy a good evening of drinks and art--exactly the kind of combination that makes the idea not feel like a class field trip.

Pink Line Project's Philippa Hughes and artist Joshua Youspyn.

Dawn and I--Joshua takes a quick snap with borrowed peacock flare.

A successful event for Freer and Sackler Galleries and Pink Line Project. See Freer and Sackler on Facebook. Become a fan of the Pink Line Project first!

See the progress of mural artist Joel Bergner here. I can't wait to see the final result!