A Really Big Show

This weekend I was involved with my local ASID chapter to host a booth at the Northern California Home and Landscape Expo, the largest in our area for the year.  30,000 people pass through the many exhibits and most stopped by our beautiful booth. 

Our objective was to expose the ASID brand and our designers to the public and we were quite successful.  We offered 30 minute complimentary consultations which had our designers busy!  Many clients brought photos, plans and questions to ask our expert designers regarding their projects and homes.  A few only needed the 30 minutes for some direction and confirmation that they are proceeding on the right track with their project.  Most were touching the tip of the iceberg for some potential projects.

We also had a sample sale selling pillows and remnant fabrics, a favorite with many DIYers.

We had a great time working together and talking with the public about our profession. 

Time for Anthropologie

Each year as my birthday approaches, I love receiving my discount card from Anthropologie in the mail.  Anthropologie is one of my favorite stores, as my regular readers well know, for select interior items and especially clothing.   I thought I would share the little delight that arrived in my mailbox this morning:

Each year, the presentation is creative and unique.  I've received a necklace and a little burlap pouch.  This year is a bracelet in this year's Pantone color of the year, Tangerine Tango.  Love it!

Taste

Last night at my ASID chapter event, I won a cookbook in a chance drawing that was put out by the IDCC.  Yumm!

The IDCC is the Interior Design Coalition of California.  They are doing a big push right now to promote legislation for California interior designers and are even holding a town hall meeting in San Francisco today and Los Angeles tomorrow.

This cookbook comprises several chef's recipes and bios alongside many California designers' recipes and featured projects of fabulous kitchens and dining spaces.

Food and design go hand in hand as is evident in this beautiful book!

To learn more or order your own copy, go to here

Attention Design Bloggers and Readers

It was brought to my attention by the lovely blog Nyla Free Designs that there are some great opportunities out there for design bloggers and their enthusiastic supporters to be entered in a few contests.

The first is the Modenus Blog Tour entry competition.

Modenus will be selecting a few design bloggers to attend one of their tours.  This year they will be hosting four tours in New York, London, Paris and Madrid.  So bloggers, go brag about yourself here and find out more about this fabulous tour.

Also, readers, you can nominate your favorite new traditional designer for Traditional Home's search for up and coming designers.

 So take a look at Traditional Home's site here.

And let's not forget about the Design Bloggers Conference coming up in LA at the end of February.

I really want to go to this but I would have to have a sponsor since it's not in my budget for the year.  Suggestions?

Clever Tomato

I recently started following a fun vendor on twitter called Clever Tomato.  I took a look at their product and saw it is a great source.  It provides a way for a kid's room to fit into a modern house.  I seldom get to design for kids room but Clever Tomato is definitley going on my list of sources.  Here's a sampling.

See more of their product here.  (And for you professionals, they do offer trade accounts)


Images via Clever Tomato

Inmod's Giveaway

I was just informed by some wonderful people at Inmod that they have a fabulous giveaway going on this week.  The giveaway is in celebration of their new site design.  They are offering a set of 4 molded plywood dining chairs to the lucky winner. 

They would look fabulous in any modern kitchen!  The winner can choose from five different designs and select the finish.  Please go check out their new site and enter for you chance to win!  Good luck!

Photo via Inmod

Guest Post: Design Trends for 2012

Starting off the year with a fabulous guest post covering some great design trends for 2012 by Lisa!

Design Trends for 2012

By taking a look at concept creations from leading designers, we can predict the trends we will see in the coming year. Harsh lines of previous years are falling to the wayside and touches of traditionalism and warmth will make their mark. Here are a handful of trends that if applied can add character to your already existing house plans. 

Via Flicker

Global Inspiration

Maps and architecturally-inspired designs will outlast 2011, and worldly designs are welcome. Use accent pieces that harness the feel of faraway lands. For example, if you’ve traveled to a distant country, display your souvenirs instead of storing them. A bright and eclectic tribal mask from Africa will display nicely amongst neutral furniture. Try incorporating a global element to bathroom vanities by adding bathroom mirrors with a unique shape and applying geography-inspired wallpaper behind them. 

Via Flicker

 

Real Antiques

Clean lines will be a continuous trend in architecture, but 2012 will favor genuine antiques regarding furniture. Real antiques add warmth and character to an otherwise cold and uninviting room. As the years go by, antique preservation is on the rise as well—a great way to preserve is to bring an antique into your home and pamper it in the years to come. This is a great time to take heirlooms out of storage and display them proudly. 

Photo by Rebecca Ward

Perforations in Lighting

Perforations, or “cutouts,” will be big in the coming year.  Perforations simply refer to pieces of lamp shades or other lighting elements that appear to have been “cut out” and allow light to shine directly through. These cutouts can come in any shape or size and look best when they are small and abundant. This unique addition creates beautiful lighting displays along walls and ceilings and instantly adds texture to an otherwise complacent room. Perforations will not only be present in lighting fixtures but in separation walls as well. Adding thin sheets of plexiglass or other sturdy material with perforations will create separation while retaining an open feel.

Photo by Rebecca Ward

Chandeliers and Ornate Glassware

Elements inspired by the time of kings and queens will reign in 2012. Chandeliers add an element of sophistication with a touch of warmth to a cold space. Light reflection is important—ornate glassware in conjunction with chandeliers and other glass pieces will welcome illumination and a variety of texture. These elements will work well in any living space, especially a dining or formal area. 

Via Flicker

Lisa is interested in all things real estate including Austin homes for sale. She loves interior design, architecture, and following home trends. 

Thank you Lisa!!

Welcome 2012

Happy New Year!  Here's to a wonderful year!  

Here's a few projects from this last year.  Looking forward to this year!