Michael Payne: On The Road

Time Warp

2008-02-11T16:03:00.001-08:00

Walking in my neighborhood a few days ago, I came upon an area that absolutely intrigued me. Accessed by one road, this area has about a hundred homes that were built in the 1950's and 1960's. Walking the area was like being in a time warp. The homes are in pristine condition and have stayed true to their original architecture and design. Although some had been refurbished, the upgrades were done in keeping with the original home. Refreshingly, there wasn't one MacMansion among them! It struck me that this neighborhood should be preserved as a historic area. It was originally a Boy Scout camp until the developers came in the 1950's, and it essentially looks today the way it looked over fifty years ago.

Chicago, IL 5/25/2007

2007-05-25T11:15:00.000-07:00

Kingman, AZ 5/19/07

2007-05-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

Phoenix, AZ, 5/18/07

2007-05-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

The Phoenix Furniture Auction in Phoenix has a unique way of selling new furniture.

I love the natural landscaping with golden barrels and other drought tolerant plants.

I'm holding the vase containing raffle tickets.

The brewery is the Sonora Brewing Co.in Phoenix. The brewmaster Uwe Boer showed me around. His beer is wonderful!

I signed lots of my book "Let's Ask Michael"

A saguaro cactus outside the home in which I was doing a design consultation. A magnificent plant.

Vallejo, CA 5/12/07

2007-05-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Clay Center and Manhattan, KS 5/5/07

2007-05-05T14:48:00.000-07:00

Enough room to stretch my legs, do cartwheels, or go skeet shooting.

Speaking at Orr's Furniture City

Posing with the buyer of a piece of signed furniture from The Michael Payne Collection.

My gift from Rayleen, owner of Orr's: a fishing tackle teapot!

I promised this crowd I would put a few more pictures of myself posing with guests online, so here they are! If you're here looking for the picture you took with me and don't find it, send me an email and I'll post it!

Maybe one fell of that limo...

Minneapolis, MN 4/28/07

2007-04-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

"Black Beauty" was the name of my steed for the day, and came adorned with Union Jacks!

Speaking at an event at Bella Casa.

Myself with Bella Casa's owner, Kim Larson.

A quick, sitting design consultation.

They have me outnumbered and surrounded.

True to its reputation, the Mall of America is enormous.

This would fly as well as a lead Zeppelin.

Portland, OR 4/25/07

2007-04-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

On the set of KATU 2, Portland.

Michael Payne on location!

The interior of the Monaco Hotel.

Murfreesboro, TN 4/18/2007

2007-04-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

The Burns-Roberts Inn, a beautifully restored, historic building.

Washington DC 4/13/07

2007-04-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

From the air...

... and from the ground.

Guess what's back there!

Chicago, IL 3/24/2007

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ABC 7 News in Chicago

Impressive use of modern display technology, which I'm sure will somehow look dated within just a few year's time!

Kingman, AZ 3/10/07

2007-03-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

Something makes me think Kingman is quite proud of their historical relationship with Route 66...

Poughkeepsie and Milton, NY 3/3/07

2007-03-03T13:35:00.000-08:00

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 2/27/07

2007-02-27T13:41:00.000-08:00

Ft. Lauderdale seems to have adopted a bit of a Venice complex!

Tug o' war.

Bakersfield, CA 2/24/07

2007-02-24T13:23:00.000-08:00

Standing with the fine people of Surroundings, a furniture store in Bakersfield.

Signing a piece of Ascot furniture, from the Michael Payne Collection.

Ascot, from The Michael Payne Collection.

Lake Charles, LA 2/17/07

2007-02-17T13:19:00.000-08:00

My appearance at Howell Furniture.

Appleton, WI 2/16/07

2007-02-16T13:13:00.000-08:00

It's as if the structure was designed to frame my limo.

Coming directly from the Bahamas (see next post), I don't think I could have experienced a greater swing in climate conditions.

Bahamas 2/14/07

2007-02-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

A tropical and British blend.

Shreveport, LA 1/27/07

2007-01-27T13:01:00.000-08:00

Posing with the behemoth that took me to Shreveport's lovely show.

Victorville, CA 1/1/07

2007-01-01T12:54:00.000-08:00

A presentation and book signing at Wickes Furniture.

Enid, OK 12/7/2006

2006-12-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

Certainly the most memorable transportation to an event I'm yet to experience. They hired an antique stagecoach!

Pieces from The Michael Payne Collection.

An autographed piece of wood: less scrapbook-able, but more durable.

A view from my plane window on the ride home.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA 11/18/2006

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Frisco, TX 11/11/2006

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My humble transportation to the event.

The Ascot line from The Michael Payne Collection... in chocolate!

Fancy towel folding!

Texas from above.

Los Angeles from above.

Charlston, SC 11/4/06

2006-11-04T11:22:00.000-08:00

If only I had an entourage.

Butchie's By Design, where I spoke later that day, in the background.

Southern design and vibrant colors abound in Charlston.

Binghamton, NY 10/7/06

2006-10-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

This presentation and book signing was at Olum's in Binghamton, NY.

A plush book signing.

A queue for signed books.

Speaking with Fox 11.

Beumont, TX 9/23/2006

2006-09-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

These pictures are from my appearance at Howell Furniture.

Greeting one of the show's attendees.

Preparing for an interview on local television.

My lovely hosts were kind enough to bake me custom Union Jack cookies.

Myrtle Beach, SC 9/15/2006

2006-09-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

This year's theme for Badcock Home and Furniture's annual meeting was "medieval times."

Myrtle Beach from above.

Lenoir, NC 9/14/2006

2006-09-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

The Biltmore, an extraordinary private home built by the Vanderbilts that is now open to the public.

Absolutely gorgeous metal work.

Hays, KS 9/9/2006

2006-09-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

Posing with Buffalo Bill in Fort Hays.

The Tea Rose Inn had one of the most noteworthy rooms I've ever seen.

Chattenooga, TN 9/6/06

2006-09-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

Look at the unusual and exciting beam work on the balcony's overhang.

Striking juxtaposition of styles at this museum. They certainly weren't aiming to conceal with bit was original and which was the addition.

New York 8/26/06

2006-08-26T18:15:00.000-07:00

These are pictures from a trip to New York for a satellite media tour. This is where I appear on news programs around the country, one after another for about 3 hours straight, all broadcast from one studio.

Unfortunately, I couldn't take an exterior shot of the 5th Avenue Apple's Store glass cube entrance due to the rain. The store, as with Apple's products, are paragons of fine design balanced with well-executed function.

Abilene, TX 8/18/06

2006-08-18T18:08:00.000-07:00

My gracious hosts arranged special transportation. It was perfect... much better than a limo!

I quite liked this whimsical sculpture in Dallas-Fort Worth airport.

Las Vegas, NV 7/23/06

2006-07-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas from above. Click the image to access larger files for more detail.

Michael can be two places at once!

A picture of the Venetian on the Las Vegas strip.

Mt. Pleasant 7/15/06

2006-07-15T17:54:00.000-07:00

Michael with the Mayfair line from the Michael Payne Collection.

San Diego 7/6/2006

2006-07-06T17:49:00.000-07:00

This was a special appearance at the San Diego naval base.

Norfolk, VA 6/9/06

2006-06-09T12:20:00.000-07:00

I appeared at the Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia to promote The Michael Payne Collection. During my time I was lucky enough to be given a tour of the USS George Washington.

I'm sitting in the captain's chair on the bridge.

Rancho Cucamonga 5/20/2006

2006-05-20T17:34:00.000-07:00

This event was held at a wonderful furniture store in Rancho Cucamonga called Vineyard Manor.

A room furnished with pieces from the Hampton line from the Michael Payne Collection.

Posing with the winner of a signed piece of furniture.

Riverside, CA 5/19/06

2006-05-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

An appearance at Wickes Furniture in Riverside, CA.

Corpus Christi, TX 5/6/2006

2006-05-06T17:20:00.000-07:00

Model boat.

Real boat.

Interesting blend of scenery.

Lancaster, CA 4/23/2006

2006-04-23T16:20:00.000-07:00

Michael with Cody, a charming monkey.

Absolutely magnificent. Owls are remarkable creatures.

A well-accessorized hound.

Janice and Cody.

New York and New Jersey 4/22/2006

2006-04-22T17:13:00.000-07:00

Greensboro, NC 3/8/2006

2006-03-08T16:04:00.000-08:00

My furniture, specifically pieces from the Mayfair line, awaiting distribution.

Des Moines, IA 1/21/2006

2006-01-21T15:44:00.000-08:00

A wonderful building with equally wonderful exterior lighting.

A fantastic antique tractor.

Hawaii 12/3/2005

2005-12-03T15:34:00.000-08:00

My wife, Janice, will often accompany me on trips to more - how should I put this - alluring destinations.

High Point, NC 10/19/2005

2005-10-19T15:26:00.000-07:00

Powell had a wonderful showroom promoting the Michael Payne Collection at High Point this year.

A room furnished with pieces from the Mayfair line.

Hampton line of furniture.

Jump for 2D joy!

Orlando, FL 9/25/05

2005-09-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

A case study in the importance of proper engineering... and gravity.

Nashville, TN 8/26/2005

2005-08-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

Whoo-wee! We dun had us some fun down in that thar Nashville!

Chicago, IL 6/13/2005

2005-06-13T15:03:00.000-07:00

My official reason for being in Chicago.

Phoenix, AZ 4/22/05

2005-04-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

A stadium under construction.

The remarkable patterns development forms.

High Point, NC 4/13/2005

2005-04-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

A poster hanging in Powell's showroom window.

A section of Powell's showroom displaying Sloane pieces from the Michael Payne Collection.

7 Series from The Michael Payne Collection.

Flowers in full bloom.

Wichita, KS 3/19/2005

2005-03-19T14:20:00.000-08:00

The show in Wichita featured a buffet of petting animals.

Modern rock star mini-horse.

Atlantic City, NJ 3/5/2005

2005-03-05T14:17:00.000-08:00

Uncasville, CT 2/25/2005

2005-02-25T13:54:00.000-08:00

The contrast between the town and casino was most striking.

An extremely small, tremendously subtle, water feature.

Savannah, GA 1/22/2005

2005-01-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

Posing with an enormous rabbit.

Looking at an enormous boat.

China - January 2005

2005-01-10T14:11:00.000-08:00

I traveled to China to inspect my new lines of furniture and meet people involved in its manufacturing.

Representatives from Powell and hosts in China.

Unstained pieces from the Hampton line.

Furniture manufacturing plans.

Local trucking.

Delicious?

Serious vessel sinks in Hong Kong's airport.

Las Vegas, NV 11/17/2004

2004-11-17T12:49:00.000-08:00

New York, as interpreted by Las Vegas hotel designers.

With a slightly unexpected fan.

Maryland 10/16/2004

2004-10-16T12:46:00.000-07:00

I wish I could claim I was there to judge swine.

Cincinatti, OH 10/8/2004

2004-10-08T12:41:00.000-07:00

Jensen Beach, FL 9/28/2004

2004-09-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Jensen Beach immediately after it had endured a hurricane.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 9/24/2004

2004-09-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

A couple of noteworthy pictures from my flight out of Fort Lauderdale.

Flagstaff, AZ 9/24/2004

2004-09-24T12:23:00.000-07:00

Wonderful texture and color on this faded, painted advertisement.

You can imagine why this made me chuckle.

I used this as a desktop on my iMac for a while.

St. Louis, MO 8/24/2004

2004-08-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

Below are some pictures I took from the plane on a particularly clear ride home.

A desert plateau.

Los Angeles

Austin, TX 8/24/2004

2004-08-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

San Luis Obispo 8/6/2004

2004-08-06T11:34:00.000-07:00

I often speak about finding inspiration for color palettes in nature. This is an example of a naturally occurring vibrant and exciting combination.

Chester, Springfield, and Manchester VT 5/23/2004

2004-05-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

Anyone interested in traditional, warm interior design should takes cues from this room.

Lush!

Thankfully, I wasn't asked to speak here.

Riverside, CA 5/15/2004

2004-05-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

Before an event in Riverside.

High Point, NC 4/21/2004

2004-04-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

High Point in North Carolina is the hub of America's furniture business. A few times every year thousands of manufacturers and buyers converge on this otherwise small city to supply stores with the next season's offerings.

Artists decorated chairs around High Point this year.

Dramatic architecture!

Houston, TX 4/15/2004

2004-04-15T15:52:00.000-07:00

At Sunny 99.1, Houston.

Houston has these fabulously designed trams.

Some of the most spectacular elevator doors I've ever seen.

Milwaukee, WI 3/27/2004

2004-03-27T11:01:00.000-08:00

Working on the plane.

Remarkable design and detailing at the Pfister Hotel.

Orlando, FL 3/24/04

2004-03-24T18:23:00.000-08:00

The Peabody Hotel in Orlando has the most remarkable ritual - every day ducks march from their private floor along the red carpet to a fountain. Then, later in the day, they process back to their floor.

Kansas City 3/20/2004

2004-03-20T11:06:00.000-08:00

With the KMBZ 980 News Radio team.

Fantastic tile work on this building.

Another look at the remarkable level of tile detail.

Functional and attractive architectural elements.

I often find that observing landscape design from above reveals the degree of thought that went into planning.

... and now for something completely different.

Lewiston, ID 3/14/2004

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Phoenix 2/11/2004

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My wife, Janice, came along for my trip to Phoenix.

Her decision to come might have had something to do with our hotel!

Fantastically distinctive architecture.

San Antonio 1/25/2004

2004-01-25T10:20:00.000-08:00

I find this naturally rustic aesthetic inspirational and employed this sensibility in parts of my home remodel.

Philadelphia 1/17/2004

2004-01-17T10:20:00.000-08:00

Dallas, TX 1/9/2004

2004-01-09T14:30:00.000-08:00

I appeared on WFAA that day.

New York - 11/15/2003

2003-11-15T10:09:00.000-08:00

Speaking at Bookends, which is in New Jersey.

Meeting and greeting!

Michael and the owner of Bookends.

Juston - Let's Ask Michael's designer, Cary - Let's Ask Michael's editor, and Michael - Let's Ask Michael's Michael.

Kansas City - Nebraska Furniture Mart 9/2003

2003-09-05T18:19:00.000-07:00

Outside the Nebraska Furniture Mart.

Arriving in extended style.

Speaking at the Mart.

The audience.

Book signing.

Standing with a signed chair. Look closely at the leg!

Dinner group.

Baton Rouge, LA 8/16/2003

2003-08-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

Portland and Seattle 6/27/2003

2003-06-27T17:46:00.000-07:00

Promotion for a book signing.

Taken from a moving car, so it's a little blurry.

New Orleans 4/18/2003

2003-04-18T17:59:00.000-07:00

A view from the hotel at dusk.

The same view at night.

Orlando, FL 10/29/2002

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I spoke at the American Trucking Association's annual meeting. Also on the bill was Barbara Bush!

Designing for the Truckers

Now that's an engine!

Ms. Bush

Jacksonville, FL 10/3/2002

2002-10-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

A lovely hotel room view.

Savanna, GA 9/6/2002

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Philadelphia, PA 3/12/2002

2002-03-12T18:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Philadelphia!

Not the loveliest weather.

Hog wild!

Kansas City 7/24/2001

2001-07-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

A few pictures from my trip to Kansas City in 2001.

My view from the Fairmont Hotel.

A view of the salt lake from the air.

One of many decorated cows found around the city.