Gold Leaf Design in Eagle Pass Texas

JCJ Architecture was called upon to design a new full-service destination hotel for the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino. Inspired by the scenic location along the Rio Grande, the design for the hotel called for the use of vivid colors and textural contrast throughout. Bringing out the most subtle blends and contrasting colors representing the very fabric of Texas nature. Gold Leaf Design group answered this call with “Sun-Kissed” dyed redwood partitions reminiscent of fiery Texas sunsets.

It is a great example of what we mean when we say we are inspired by nature. We take what we see around us and accentuate and play with it. Natural gradation in plants, from growth and the rebirth of spring inspired us to think of other colors and other materials that it might be applied to. What if it is purple? Or the colors of the Texas sunset? How can we make it striking and unique? How can we take the the natural and giving it our own twist?

Sometimes, of course, just bringing the beauty of nature indoors and presenting it just so is exactly what is needed. But the creativity of combining the man-made and the natural is quite exciting to us.

Gold Leaf Design in Washington D.C.

What do you get when you take nearly 100 tree branches and combine them with almost 1000 pounds of glass beads? A series of striking designs. See for yourself!

We have always loved combining the natural with the man made. We don't view it as improving on nature, but rather accentuating its beauty. Gold Leaf Design Group was asked to create one of our signature pieces for planters in the Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda MD, right outside Washington DC. Premier Plantscapes wanted something luxurious and elegant and natural to compliment the upscale redesign of the mall.

We first started beading trees several years ago and it has proved to be very popular, inspiring both interior designers and imitators alike. This particular design called for nearly 100 large Manzanita branches with about 2/3 of them to be covered in glass beads. It required a lot of coordination even from the start as we needed to source from several vendors to keep individual prices down.

We started by bringing in the branches and inspecting them for cracks and suitability. We sort them into branches to be beaded and those to stay natural and then trim and shape them. Each beaded tree had about 2500 glass beads so we needed to make sure the ones selected were free of cracking and would be strong enough to support the weight.

Each bead was hand-placed onto the branches. Nearly 1000 pounds of glass beads total. The job didn't stop there, we also needed to carefully pack and crate each piece for shipment to Washington. Fortunately we've had a lot of experience in making trouble-free shipping and installation.

A lot of thought, planning and work go into our custom pieces like this one, but the result, I think you'll agree, looks gorgeous and looks great in our customer's planters and the environment they've created. Making each piece consistent, but not cookie-cutter...working with both natural and man-made materials...ensuring the long-term beauty of each piece. That is the kind of challenge we thrive on.

I am Gold Leaf: Bill

Bill is a recent transplant from Dallas Texas. He arrived just in time for one of the coldest and snowiest of winters in Chicago, but he toughed it out! Here he is with his "friend"...


Let's learn a bit more about him...

Name: Bill Clark
Title: Design Project Manager

My typical day starts at: Wake at 6:30-Work at 8:30

My typical day involves: During the work week, I talk interior and landscape design clients through their projects. I help identify potential trouble spots, develop and provide estimates. I then work with our production team to communicate the client's vision and make sure the project gets done in a timely manner. On the weekend, I relax!


FAVORITES
Favorite season: Spring
Favorite Band/Singer is: I like a lot of different music
Favorite book is: Gone with the Wind
Favorite TV show: Grimm
Favorite adjective: Awesome!

TRIVIA
My oddest job was: Gas Station Attendant
When no one is looking, I people watch.
My ideal day would include: Sunshine, Family, Friends and Food
How many tattoos do you have? 0
How many scars do you have? 1+

EITHER / OR
Peanut butter...Crunchy or Smooth? Crunchy
Talker or Listener? Listener
Pencil or Pen? Pencil
Elvis or Beatles? Beatles
Chocolate or Vanilla?​ Chocolate

Even in the Courthouse...

You can't escape Gold Leaf Design Group. We continue to pop up in the most unexpected of places. After dodging / delaying my summons a couple of times (I had a catalog to put together), I finally fulfilled my civic obligation and made my way to the Cook County Courthouse in Maywood...on the snowiest day we'd had in a couple of hours. (It has been very snowy...maybe you've noticed?)

I on the far northeast side of Chicago. Google maps said it would take 35 minutes to get in with no traffic. I tripled that time, giving myself over an hour and a half...and still I was late. I was not the latest to arrive. I think everyone was forgiving.

After receiving the waiting room instructions and unpacking my computer to do a bit of work I spied the Victoria magazine. "Oh," I thought "we were to be in that. Hmmm...I don't think I ever saw the actual publication...what are the odds that...."

And there we were.

It makes the 4 hour round trip journey + sitting in a jury room for 7 hours worth it.
Almost.

Sort of.

Hard at work for 2014

Sorry for the radio silence. We've been hard at work putting together the new catalog. Hopefully we can share some sample spreads in a bit. Until then...check out our Facebook cover and profile picture for a taste...!

Meanwhile, we've been in three more magazines. Two regarding High Point and one for hospitality design.

Our new Geo Pop Bowls and Trays were listed as one of the best of show. These baskets are colorful and huge...ranging from 14.5" diameter all the way to 35.5" diameter. They look fabulous as a wall hanging.

Home Accents Today also used one of our chisel planters to illustrate the hot Black trend. The cylinder is now sold out, though we still have Rectangular Chisel Planters. Of course, we have many other black pieces such as Shell Chisel sculptures, Poppy Vases, Geo Pillows, and more.

Hotel Design, in an article about the changing nature and look of hotel lobbies, shows a lovely example of our ever popular Wall Play™ in the background.

Congratulations to our Marathoners!

Darren and Jose both completed (yet another) Chicago Marathon this past weekend. It was a lovely day for a run (or for watching a run...there was a Gold Leaf contingent out there to cheer them on). We are proud of them both.

Making Discoveries while Cleaning House

We are not quite done with the 2013 trade shows. High Point Market starts October 19. We actually sent our crack Trade Show Team(tm) out there to set up a few weeks early. We decided that being exhausted from working days and days straight making everything perfect when the show opened was no way to go through life. So this time, we're out early...setting up...coming home to rest up...then going out again to see all you lovely people.

Before Allan left, he decided to wreak some order on his office. Allan's office is a swirling mass of creativity and projects. He has cut outs and drawings on his walls (and desk and, occasionally, floor)...there are samples for review and prototypes for exploration. There are also catalogs and magazines galore. During this clean up he found some press that we had not noted before! 

In June 2012, Canadian House and Home showed our Mason Jars in a feature about summer styles.  Flowers & was looking forward to spring in their February 2012 issue and appreciated the natural look of our Manzanita branches for one of their arrangements. Finally, close to home, Chicago magazine's Home and Garden issue focused on great lighting options of which our basket lanterns were one.