Airplane Theme Decor

Engineer's mind with artist's eye

Gabe Karam always thought like an engineer.

From the time he arrived as a student at University of the Pacific in 1973 from his homeland, Lebanon, Karam found comfort in the field that depends on the precision of math and science.

The civil engineer who spent 61/2 years in the private sector and the past 27 working for San Joaquin County, reached professional nirvana when he was selected to oversee the construction of the 2-year-old San Joaquin County Administration Building.

"This project is a dream come true for an engineer," Karam said. "I never thought I'd create something that would be here for 400 years or more."

The funny thing about the beautiful structure on San Joaquin Street with its brick edifice and green-tinted glass, is that when Karam gazes at it or revels in the interior beauty now, he no longer appraises it with that keen engineer's eye.

He sees it as a work of art, from the design and décor of the building to the artworks selected for the walls and open spaces.

A man who used to be dragged into museums, or simply refused to go in them when traveling with his wife, Karen, now can't get enough of the art world.

"It's changed my life," Karam said.

Art can do that to people. A painting that strikes a personal chord or the sheer magnificence of something like Michelangelo's David have that power.

It turns out that participating in the erection of a downtown building whose purpose is to conduct county business, to hold Board of Supervisors meetings, officiate civil weddings or allow people to pay taxes and look up property records, can have a similar effect.

There can be form to function as Karam discovered by overseeing the construction of the $106 million building that was named 2009 Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association.

Denver-based Fentress Architects began with a drawing, inspired by looking at this portion of California's Central Valley from 35,000 feet. Fly in an airplane over San Joaquin County and you'll see grids of row crops and orchards, developed cities and rivers, sloughs and channels that make up 1,100 miles of waterway. To the east you can see the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and to the west, the distinct peak of Mount Diablo.

Decorating from the Heart: Decorating Ideas for Kids - Airplane Theme

Use fishing line to hang model planes from the ceiling (make sure they're high enough not to cause injury and secure enough to stay up). Paint the walls blue and sponge clouds on them. If you're not up to painting clouds (or live in an apartment), frame maps and pictures of airplanes for your walls. Customize plain items (like lampshades) by stamping airplanes on them.  You can even dress up plain white curtains by stamping them with fabric paint. ~~~~~~ All content is the opinion of Decorating from the Heart. We are not responsible for any problems that may occur as a result of content on this blog. Any claim or statement about a product or activity should be verified. Essentially, don't blame us for any problems that you run into as a result of reading this blog or trying anything suggested here. :) Please use common sense when attempting any of our projects or trying any of our suggestions.

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