The Diox collection by Levantin design is the winner of the American IDA Award 2022, Honourable Mention, in the Home Interior Products-Interior Furniture category. Combines modern design and traditional joinery craftsmanship
I have always been a person who wanted to be in the housing industry. As a young girl, I used sit in the dirt and draw out towns, using little pebbles or gravel to line the sides of the streets and I would place pinecones as shrubs, pull some grass and tear it up to use in the yards. I would use my toy cars as part of my staging. But, my favorite part was drawing the houses. I would draw floor plans for each home. Eight or nine years old and I would draw floor plans.Crazy, right?
By the time I was twelve to fourteen, I had advanced to writing stories about girls around my age. I never gave them to anyone to read, but I had a whole back story on each girl, including each home. In reality the stories mirrored Donna Parker and Trixie Belden books, just with my twists. The best part was that I would use graph paper to draw out the town they lived in. Yes, I used my babysitting money to buy that graph paper. I would draw out the floor plan of each character’s home with furniture in place. I dreamed of being an architect or a radio disc jockey, but didn’t think women could be either back then.
Fast forward a few years and I loved riding around and looking at empty homes that had rent signs or for sale signs in the yard. Most of the time I would drag my kids along with me. My daughter really loved it. We would look in the windows of the homes that had no window coverings, not as peeping toms, but to see the layout of the house. I really loved doing that. I would envision how I would remodel. I also made note of the type home it was. I know it is so cliche, but Craftman homes are my favorite.The workmanship in the old homes shows the builder really cared. They like a home, even if it is empty. In the new Craftsman style, It is like they are trying too hard, but missing the mark.
I had different jobs when I got older, but I still wanted to do something in housing. I daydreamed about being a real estate agent. By thirty I had been hired as an assistant manager in a townhome complex. Within a year or so I became manager. It wasn’t long before I also managed two apartment complexes in addition to the townhomes. Over the years I managed HUD, Class A, and B properties. I learned so much doing this. I was able to layout flower bed designs, choose a complex name, oversee a complete property renovation, and learned a lot about the maintenance and repairs. I even earned my Management of Maintenance Supervisor certificate.
Although I didn’t get to do it often, I loved showing townhomes and apartments. I always said I could sell ice to Eskimos. I figured if someone came in the office looking for a place to live, I could find the perfect one for that person. During this time. computers came out with software to design homes. I loved it. I used the it to make floor plans and do some interior designing. This was more fun than drawing them on graph paper.
The Italian name is inspired by the vintage solid wood vise. This traditional tool of the craftsman's workshop, used to hold parts neatly in place. It has been given a modern incarnation in the form of rounded wooden legs 🪑
Each new day holds so much promise! Like a day in early spring as new life might begin to peek through a sparkling blanket of pure white snow. This painting brings much happiness as it reminds you to look at each day as a chance to begin again and see your potential through new eyes each morning. Paulette Insall | the artist 48"x48" canvas (large scale art) Ideas: decor for living room, dining room, large wall