Gold Leaf Design Group at the Renaissance Hotel

We were recently at the Renaissance Hotel in Chicago's theatre district...not to relax and take in a show, but to work! We were doing an onsite installation of our Pivot and Cube Wall Play™. It was a great design by Meg Prendergast from Gettys. The art seems to explode and be escaping from its confine above the escalator. Take a look!

On-site installatiion of Pivot and Cube Wall Play™

While there, we scoped out the lobby...like we do...and were pleased to find a few of our Unique Artifacts throughout. The Wall Hanging is also by Meg, the other arrangements are by Oni Lazarus, A+O Design Studio.

(From L to R): Icon Vase, Gemini Vase, Aluminum Crystal Sculpture, Metal Wood Grain Wall Hanging

We really think they tie the room together.

Ahead of the curve at High Point Market...

Gold Leaf Design Group is showing its vision!  The International Market Center + WGSN-Homebuildlife, continue their education series to inform market attendees about three macro trends that will influence home décor a year in advance. We assisted with their displays by providing sample products reflecting the trends. You will find these displays throughout the market.

	Neo-Geo showing in Transportation Terminal "We must accept that the Earth is no longer just dirt and rock, but also plastic, cement, and man-made materials. The WOW-factor of nature inspires design and brings a sense of “the monumental” to interiors." Look for our: Brass Crinkle Trays Crater Vases Quilled Hexagons Rock Sculpture Lights Shell Chisel Wall Sculptures
	New Digital Aesthetic showing in IHFC Green Lobby "As more time is spent viewing life through the lens of a smartphone or tablet, the way these machines “see” and the way we see is becoming intertwined. Infinite pixelization, a fading of edges, and designs that seem to on infinitely are key." Look for our: Bee Hive Wall Play™ Sculpture Vases Origami Fabric Wire Cubes
	Next Nature showing in Suites at Market Square Lobby "Nature integrates into our interior environments. Boundaries between humanity, technology, and design are redrawn as we find architecture winding through the forest and furniture growing like plants." Look for our: Metal Echiveria Rubber Wall "Vent"

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Want to know specifics about these themes? The color and design trends? You'll have your chance in just a couple weeks at High Point. We'll see you there!

I am Gold Leaf: Rachel

The first person you will see upon walking in the door at Gold Leaf Design Group is Rachel Lafontant. As a Customer Service/Claims Specialist she spends much of her day assisting customers, resolving issues, and making sure that all of our customers are entirely satisfied. 

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FAVORITES

Favorite season: Summer

Favorite Band/Singer is: Abba, Bruno Mars, The Jackson 5

Favorite quote is: Just Do It!

Favorite Book The Four Agreements by Miguel Angel Ruiz  and Women Who Run with the Wolves by Estés Clarissa Pinkola

Favorite movie: Avatar, Colors, Visual Effects, Preserving Nature

I would have liked to have met: Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Theresa

Favorite TV show: Project Runway, Rachel Zoe Project, Bloomberg Game Changers & Bloomberg Risk Takers

Favorite adjective: Thankful

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TRIVIA

My oddest job was: Working at the Field Museum of Chicago at the Monet/Degan showing visitors how to operate the tape recorder for the exhibit.

When no one is looking, I... Enjoy eating a mango

No one would guess... I love to read books

My top three hobbies / interests... Tennis, Caribbean Artwork, Attending Art Festivals

I wish I had more... Time

My ideal day would include: Being at the beach, Drinking coconut and eating seafood

How many tattoos do you have? None

How many scars do you have? None

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EITHER / OR

Peanut butter...Crunchy or Smooth? Smooth

Talker or Listener? Talker

Pencil or Pen? Pen...a blue pen

Elvis or Beatles? Elvis

Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla

Buckingham Fountain...Hancock Building...and now...

Sure to become the greatest tourist destination since the Sears Willis Tower...we are pleased to announce that the much anticipated Gold Leaf Showroom has finally arrived!

The showroom has all of our current collection on display in glorious 3-D technicolor for your perusal. There will also be an area designated to promotional products as they become available. You can even have the opportunity to see our production department assembling and creating custom projects for Hospitality and Commercial orders.

We welcome all of our registered customers to schedule a visit. If you haven't registered at our website, beat the rush and do so today! Call Joe with any questions or to get an appointment.

It's still cold out...

...but our firewood holder is still hot. As Lee mentioned on our Facebook (btw have you visited us there?) we get some snow in Chicago. For those fortunate to have a fireplace, the cold and the snow invites a roaring fire. Country Living magazine featured our firewood holder in their Fresh Picks section in February.

The look of cut and stacked firewood helped inspire our lumberyard floor vase. The intricate repetition of the growth rings, showing the history of the tree is reinforced with the repetition of circular forms. For those of us who don't have a fireplace, perhaps this will suffice. (Fun trivia fact born from bitter experience...s'mores toasted on a gas oven burner...disappointing at best)

  

I am Gold Leaf: Denny

Hidden behind this curtain of green and brown Kuwa is Denny, You may have talked with her on the phone. You may have received emails or faxes from her. She solves problems, she fills out orders. Her day starts early –  7:30am – and she always has candy on the desk for revitalizing the energy levels of diligent Gold Leaf-ites. (Leaf-ers?). Let's get to know her better...

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FAVORITES

Favorite season: Spring

Favorite Band/Singer is: I have many: Beatles, Crosby Stills & Nash, Moody Blues, CCR

Favorite quote is: Again I have several...

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough" — Mae West

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger" — Friedrich Nietzsche

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage"" — William W. Purkey

Favorite Book This is hard since I read A LOT. Harry Potter (all), Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris  Radish (ladies this is a great read)  and The Host by Stephanie Meyer

Favorite movie: The original Star Wars

I would have liked to have met: Gilda Radner

Favorite TV show: NCIS

Favorite adjective: Sweet or Excellent

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TRIVIA

My oddest job was: Taking care of 12 sheep (6 were lambs), 2 horses and 4 Angora rabbits for a week

When no one is looking, I....Sing and dance

No one would guess.... I have MS

My top three hobbies / interests...I make cork birdhouses, golf, white wine

I wish I had more...energy and free time

My ideal day would include: A walk on the beach in the pacific northwest with my dog (when I get another one)

How many tattoos do you have? None

How many scars do you have? 10+

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EITHER / OR

Peanut butter...Crunchy or Smooth? Smooth

Talker or Listener? Talker

Pencil or Pen? Pen

Elvis or Beatles? This is hard since I like them both, but the edge goes to the Beatles

Chocolate or Vanilla? CHOCOLATE

White as Snow

Our white marble Marigold plate was featured in the March issue of House and Home magazine. It is food safe, but we also like them for floating flowers and candles. We like the simplicity of natural white marble and have expanded our exploration of it into other products from the very large (12 or 16 inch diameter!) and simple David Marble Bowls to the meticulously hand-carved Jali marble trays.

Speaking of white simplicity, the white driftwood sculptures we showed at the New York International Gift Fair caught the eye of interior designer Laurie Gorelick who was reminded of the New England coastline. She also liked our ceramic zinnias and sea flowers. Of course we think she has excellent taste.