urbanrevivaldesign

One great thing you can do for your home this spring is freshen up your pad with what you already have. Our team specializes  in coming in and reinventing what you already have in your home. This is the greatest way to add some new life to your house. Its after you have shifted moved and revamped that you can really see what you need. You can also do some simple paint finishes on some of your existing furniture and really make a statement.  These projects are usually finished in one day and are very affordable. You will be amazed on how different and new everything seems. Getting a fresh new look without having to buy a bunch of stuff is what its all about!  Shoot me an email or call if your interested and me and my team of designers can take a peek for free to give an estimate. Thanks Zach urbanrevivaldesign@gmail.com or 870-204-1531

Im so into 50′s vintage metal carts. I have been buying these at different places and fixing them up or adding a cool paint color. We brought one home and it has transformed our kitchen. The kids eat on them you can use them to cook, hold goods or just look cool. I love the mix of modern industrial into a traditional style, these truly are cheap statement pieces. They look phenomenal with pots and plants on a front porch and the best thing is they are really cheap. I hope to keep these rolling in stock at the studio. Put one in your house and you’ll think how did we ever get by with out the cool metal rolling carts (they are addictive!!!)

Crazy Blessings

Zach

one of the things that I am super excited about, while anticipating the studio opening, is having a place to get to redo/retrofit furniture for clients. I love getting to take dated or tired pieces of furniture and “reviving”, hence (” URBAN REVIVAL” -to breath life into something). I strive to keep period correctness and do things with artistic integrity, while at the same time doing some wild artistic expressions that make a statement.  I have done a ton of finishes on things over the years and my main drawback was how uninspiring and under/organized my home garage was. With the studio I will have all my tools in one place and have all the proper tools to get to unleash some cool stuff. I plan on this being a large part of my arsenal because I feel you dont always need a new piece of furniture, you just need to “revive” it.  So many times I can “revive” something and its better that what I could have bought. Headboards, tables, dressers, chairs, its limitless. Im excited about experimenting with a lot of new techniques to deepen my skill and become a stronger artist. (Metallics, silver leafing, lime-washing, incorporating metals of all kinds, and sandblasting are a few of the finishes I want to drill down on). While there is a fine line between good finishes and cheesy bad ones, the thought of having a space that is “MINE” to throw paint gets me lit and I cant WAIT! So if you have a piece of furniture that is dead, shoot me a picture and we can chat some ideas. Remember there are no rules in Design!

I have had a lot of people asking what it is I do and what Urban Revival is all about and every time I try to explain it, I’m really trying to say something like this! Its actually hard to categorize it, so I’m going to try to write it out!

I’m so excited about getting to open the “Creative Den/Studio”. It has always been a dream of mine to get to create things that inspire people and serve a the bigger picture. In the beginning God created and that’s the basis of what i’m about. The things and vision that I had a few months back is almost comical compared to what God has in store and is daily revealing to me in this creative venture. I want to open the “Urban Creative Den” on a limited basis and have all the goods hanging everywhere, 20ft loft style ceilings with hand made exposed bulb lights. I want the atmosphere to be one that inspires people to go for it and tap into the creative side of everyone who walks in. Huge mixed media paintings/sculptures, funky affordable up cycled furniture, and many, many other goods. Urban Revival is the essence of metal-wood-copper-paint-metallics-branches-distressed-patina’d-modern-chic-urban-ozark-rustic- thats what comes to mind. Interior/exterior design/shutters/abstract art/sculptures/lighting/pallets/affordable/green/recycled/upcycled/authentic finishes . The word “Revival” means to bring back to life or consciousness; resuscitate, to awake! I want to have handmade things that everyone can afford and also offer high end elements. I believe there are no rules in design and I hope to bring a fresh new spirit to the design world.

I have some amazing people that I collaborate with one being Bo Medley who is in his apprenticeship as an electrician and is one of the most talented hard working friend/design partners that I have. He is just like his father Bruce Medley who has shaped me as a leader in many ways.  If I can dream it up Bo can make it happen! Other key contributors im surrounded with are my uncle Keith Lee, who is by far the most talented artist i know, my mom Arleen Lee, in my opinion the best interior designer! also plays a big part in the development of me as an artist, she is my biggest fan and is a creative nut and I love her to death! My wife Shari Lee who runs Halo salon is who makes me who I am! She is the love of my life (HOT!) and EXTREMELY  creative and believes in me so much that it gives me the confidence to run through a brick wall! (and then put it back together with a cool finish!!! lol) My Pastor Shannon O’Dell (also a creative freak!) who drives me to be above average in every part of my life and to lead with passion, and Tammy Satterwhite who is extremely talented and gifted to a massive degree, she is a great bouncing board for ideas! These are just a few key people in my life that inspire me to create and use the wiring that God has given me to the best of my abilities. I wish I could speak about all the opportunities  that are brewing on the horizon but I will hold back till I get more clarity. Thanks to all my Facebook friends who are so kind and sincere in their encouragement. Sorry to have written a book here but it sure feels good to get to reflect through writing.. 2o12 is the year!

Crazy Blessings!

Zach

I am a firm believer that lighting can make or break a space. I have learned over the past 5 years of doing set designs that lighting might be the most important element in a overall design. Im still learning,  but what I have learned so far is that good designed lighting that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing is the key to making a space have that wow factor. You can actually take an ugly space and with proper lighting make it look about 10 times better. So when I plan out and look at making a space have dynamics, lighting is one the main places I like to camp. Dimmers, scale and lighting temperature is what I like to focus on. If you study the dynamics of light it will amaze you on what you will learn! I also think great lighting doesn’t have to cost a ton, its amazing what you can do if you plan and do it right. I also love to recycle old lighting and make something that is dated look fresh. Its amazing what a few cans and dimmers will do for you. Studies have shown that people tend to shy away from bright florescent lighting (or maybe its just me). So if your tired of brass plain lights and ugly florescents give me a shout and lets see what we can do to warm up your space.

m so excited to start selling my Galileo Spheres. These architectural elements will look amazing in any setting. Tons of uses for them. Iam currently working on a few chandeliers with these. I can make them from 12″ to 6ft in size. I can use 2inch strap metal or metal wire or wood. Check out this quick video to see what they are about. Email me at urbanrevivaldesign@gmail.com or 870-2041531

Crazy Blessings! Zach

Silver and green seem to be the trending theme this year, I think this look is classic and timeless. I also think taking barn wood frames with family photos and sticking them into the tree would really lift the look. Here two great examples of this theme.

I love the line “there are no rules in design”, there is something about that statement that “Free’s” me up to be me. With that said I do believe that education, exposure and inspiration are extremely critical to developing as a great designer, but at the end of the day the creative process is just that, a process! The more questions I ask the closer I get to the “light bulb moment”, those unexpected awesome “ah ha!!” things that develop on the journey, that you didn’t plan, but developed out of hard work. The other X factor in excellent design that brings me massive value is the power of collaboration. There is a strong design statement that says “A great idea has many fathers, and a weak idea is an orphan”.. Collaboration is usually the difference between average and phenomenal! The light bulb moments for me are usually found in the “bounce off” I try to keep people around me that inspire and challenge me.. I love projects that let artistic integrity and the creative process take the place of trying to “redo” the “been done” (i’m the guiltiest, but getting better) …After reading this I just reassured my self that I’m crazier than a “run over dog”

1-Listen to music by Johann Sebastian Bach. If Bach doesn’t make you more creative, you should probably see your doctor – or your brain surgeon if you are also troubled by headaches, hallucinations or strange urges in the middle of the night.

2- Brainstorm. If properly carried out, brainstorming can help you not only come up with sacks full of new ideas, but can help you decide which is best.

3-Always carry a small notebook and a pen or pencil around with you. That way, if you are struck by an idea, you can quickly note it down. Upon rereading your notes, you may discover about 90% of your ideas are daft. Don’t worry, that’s normal. What’s important are the 10% that are brilliant.

4-If you’re stuck for an idea, open a dictionary, randomly select a word and then try to formulate ideas incorporating this word. You’d be surprised how well this works. The concept is based on a simple but little known truth: freedom inhibits creativity. There are nothing like restrictions to get you thinking.

5-Define your problem. Grab a sheet of paper, electronic notebook, computer or whatever you use to make notes, and define your problem in detail. You’ll probably find ideas positively spewing out once you’ve done this.

6-If you can’t think, go for a walk, go hunting or fishing. A change of atmosphere is good for you and gentle exercise helps shake up the brain cells.

7-Don’t watch TV. Experiments performed by the JPB Creative Lab  show that watching TV causes your brain to slowly trickle out your ears and/or nose. It’s not pretty, but it happens.

8-Don’t do drugs. People on drugs think they are creative. To everyone else, they seem like people on drugs.

9-Read as much as you can about everything possible. Books exercise your brain, provide inspiration and fill you with information that allows you to make creative connections easily.

10-Exercise your brain. Brains, like bodies, need exercise to keep fit. If you don’t exercise your brain, it will get flabby and useless. Exercise your brain by reading a lot (see above), talking to clever people and disagreeing with people – arguing can be a terrific way to give your brain cells a workout. But note, arguing about politics or film directors is good for you; bickering over who should clean the dishes is not.