Gems Please

We literally stumbled on a gem while in WV this past weekend. The Gibson studio is part of the Artist Colony at the Greenbrier. At first glance we thought these shops on the hill were more tourist gifty places, but they are actually galleries from local artisits. Gibsons Studios was our fave. It has a huge working studio where they produce these geological works of art. They have many different pieces for sale- everything from petrified wood to agate in different forms- bookends, games, tables, jewelry. Of course it was a jewelry designers dream to see all the rich colors and decorative patterns these gemstones offer in their somewhat natural state. I purchased some rose quartz bookends- but think it would be amazing to one day get an amethyst table top! So glam, but definitely not kid friendly. . .

These cubes were amazing. They are cubes of Calcite in Rose and a pale Green. Superman Beware...

Here are the rose quartz bookends I bought. Love them!

No idea what this stone is. It looks like turquoise but I remember it wasnt.

This is their workshop where you can watch them produce the pieces. Its awfully clean for a work shop. I guess that is what happens when your studio can be viewed by the public.

This was a tabletop made of petrified wood. Below that a sink out of the same material.

These are the huge chunks of minerals that have not been cut down yet. They looked so other-worldy. Just raw and awesome.

We obviously love gemstones and it was really cool to be able to see these things go from their raw form to works of art. Here are the turq versions!

Dear Dorothy,

We celebrated my husbands 40th birthday this weekend at the Greenbrier in West Virginia. The over-the-top Dorothy Draper design was the perfect backdrop for our weekend. I came away with an intense appreciation and love for her style. The bold patterns and large scale designs made me want to infuse more color into my life. Around every corner are unexpected color combinations and vibrant pairings. It feels like such a throw-back while at the same time so modern. It is going to be hard for me to choose which images to post so here are the first of them...

Below is the Entrance to the new Casino. These flowers are hand painted on the wall. It looks like it was done with a stencil. I am going to do another post on this when i have time to research it. I wish i had a grand enough room to pull these flowers off.

This image is from one of the ladies rooms. LOOVE this wallpaper. You will see it in turquoise in an image further down that they use outside of the casino. You can still order the wallpaper here.

Below is a seating area near the indoor pool. Wouldnt this laminated fabric be killer for kids. Love the artwork too. Makes you want to pull out your bathing cap.

This picture below just screams Happiness!

This is on the way to the bowling alley, by the way.

This is the carpeting outside of the main ballroom. It reminds me of malachite or a Vegas nightclub, or maybe the bar I spent too much time in.

This is a seating area outside the movie theater. These stripes were hand painted as well.

I almost got kicked out of the casino for this picture. But it had to be taken. This chandelier is turquoise and crystal teardrops with a gold base. Hanging from a turquoise ceiling. I couldnt even stand it.

This is a hall way that leads to somewhere. I cant remember. . . movie theater, or maybe Oz?

This is outside of the casino. Can you see that the seat cushion is turquoise? The wallpaper was amazing. I need to find out the story behind this little nook. In the meantime we made our own...

This is a light fixture outside of the Chesapeake Room. I think it is an originaal Dorothy Draper design. There are several of them running down the hall.

This is where you get the milkshakes- Drapers Restaurant. Pink, yummy and Delicious.

This is a seating area outside of the casino. Anyone know who makes this fabric? Looks familiar.

Monkey Sconce on Palm Leaf print.

The wallpaper in our luxurious bedroom.

How unbelieveable is this below. Red Lacquered elevator.......

I am going to have to do a second post on this. I have a ton more images and a lot of reading to do about Mrs. Dorothy Draper and Carleton Varney. I also found an antique store in White Sulfur Springs that sells original Dorothy Draper Furniture and Fabric. Stay tuned Chinzy people...