Top 100 Design Blogs

<a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/interiordesign/top-100-interior-design-blogs" target="_blank">Modenus</a> is hosting a "crowd sourced" list of 100 top interior design blogs. I'm hovering in the low 50's and would love to get into the top 50, so would love your vote!  There are so many great blogs - this is a great chance to get to know some new one's while supporting those you may already follow. Thanks!<br /><br /><div style='text-align:left' id='ly_wrap_26l'><strong id='ly_wrap_26l_t' style='display:block;margin:10px 0 4px'><a href="http://list.ly/list/26l-top-100-interior-design-blogs" target="_blank" title="Top 100 interior design blogs">Top 100 interior design blogs</a></strong><script type='text/javascript' src='http://list.ly/plugin/show?list=26l&layout=gallery'></script><div style='padding:4px 0 10px'>View more <a href="http://list.ly/" target="_blank">lists</a> from <a href="http://list.ly/people/Modenus" target="_blank">Veronika Miller</a></div></div><br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Top 100 Design Blogs

Modenus is hosting a "crowd sourced" list of 100 top interior design blogs. I'm hovering in the low 50's and would love t...

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Change is good!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TO2aNvpqpszWq2oHYlVzO4FHU0qbsHUnujgEReqbK1jRaamctXjoX195q4A1HuIqnFhamSZ5OJEd7auIlgfcf43t3Zgnf8qKYdmDR3qaEtQshv6XWcN9NUOFxHb6bP0PTjhBuyeLxuXy/s1600/Blog+change+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TO2aNvpqpszWq2oHYlVzO4FHU0qbsHUnujgEReqbK1jRaamctXjoX195q4A1HuIqnFhamSZ5OJEd7auIlgfcf43t3Zgnf8qKYdmDR3qaEtQshv6XWcN9NUOFxHb6bP0PTjhBuyeLxuXy/s640/Blog+change+header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Hello there! After many years, I've finally switched my blog URL from chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com to www.SurroundingsBlog.com. Very exciting. Actually, it's an internal change that I made via blogger. I thought all hits and links would automatically switch to the new URL, but apparently, that's not the case. So, if you use a blog reader, you will likely need to change the address to my new one in order to receive my new posts. Thank you!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/LindaMerrillDecorativeSurroundings" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-iAXBAx-rk1VUNNnqb-iwC432UwFk07-LVIwPjZqKmeOFovfq51kiyCtxQd3LLk7Lf_Y1vi-rajSq1grLFf7s7IeKlWU1lOAMwIT8lu20EMfesW_XTY1zCQ5GeaJ9Ff9Gz8BdDByJN0R/s1600/FB+Follow.jpg" /></a></div><br />Meanwhile, if you're on FB, I encourage you to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LindaMerrillDecorativeSurroundings" target="_blank">"like" my new business page</a>. <br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!</div><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Change is good!

Hello there! After many years, I've finally switched my blog URL from chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com to www.SurroundingsBlog.com. Very...

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Friday Funday - Events Galore for the New England Design Industry

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPPxTVdP7PScfvGoaHdNaNnH7OTZVYERJ433TzhSceXR2i8kuKWucSzMahi0uxN5p9rnnNtjMYkOUIQ5EHgOvamW1sUdO0KGrMjAOdKt8VoT3B1IMjsQLB-LbuJTAeoz2QRZWFRa9-IRr/s1600/IMG_1396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPPxTVdP7PScfvGoaHdNaNnH7OTZVYERJ433TzhSceXR2i8kuKWucSzMahi0uxN5p9rnnNtjMYkOUIQ5EHgOvamW1sUdO0KGrMjAOdKt8VoT3B1IMjsQLB-LbuJTAeoz2QRZWFRa9-IRr/s640/IMG_1396.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Certainly, one of the the most unexpected yet best parts of being a blogger are all the event invitations that I receive. It's always an honor to be invited, especially to smaller events, because the brands or artists who are hosting are making a real investment in getting to know me and in me getting to know them. There's always lots to learn and enjoy, that's for sure! I've been short on posts these last couple of weeks but I didn't want to miss sharing some of what's been going on.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mielepressroom.com/media/presse/common/getImage.aspx?img=%2fmedia%2fpresse%2fmedia%2fVG_USA%2fMiele_Induction_Cooktop_KM_5773_2.jpg&prevWidth=400&download=yes&errormsg=Picture%20not%20available%20or%20wrong%20format" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.mielepressroom.com/media/presse/common/getImage.aspx?img=%2fmedia%2fpresse%2fmedia%2fVG_USA%2fMiele_Induction_Cooktop_KM_5773_2.jpg&prevWidth=400&download=yes&errormsg=Picture%20not%20available%20or%20wrong%20format" /></a></div><br /><br />For starters, last evening I attended an intimate <a href="http://www.mielepressroom.com/us/press/articles/article_005_2012.aspx" target="_blank">Better Living</a> dinner at the Miele Gallery in Wellesley, MA. <a href="http://www.mieleusa.com/" target="_blank">Miele</a> is well known for their housekeeping products from cooktops to vacuums.  I learned last night that their very first product in the 19th century was a butter churn. Germany based Miele (pronounced like Sheila or Tequila)  has been making big inroads into the US market for a long time with their beautifully designed products. They have been hosting a series of dinners around the country that focus on "farm to fork" cuisine and feature a local chef who is championing the locally grown movement. Last night's "Table Artist" was Will Gilson who treated us to a delectable dinner that featured locally grown produce made using Miele's various kitchen appliances including their induction cook top and steam ovens. Chef Gilson is just about to open a new restaurant in Inman Sq. Cambridge called <a href="http://puritancambridge.com/" target="_blank">Purtian & Co.</a> which will stay true to his sustainable philosophy while remaining deeply rooted in New England tradition. If you want to keep up with the official opening (late October) of Puritan & Co. follow <a href="https://twitter.com/wdgilson" target="_blank">Will on Twitter</a>. #yum<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoyCdGZ7THdQeIOjH8BtNZXcBounmMIxhH-jcw352Xv7C9ExhUZXLBQsGdCRoCnVfY4k-d5OGnGs3WmA3RYozOKU1sdp3DaC3Ov8pTSfngBRW-GgRUdgAJNMleziQtdHA-stMa9EKBhUB/s1600/IMG_0620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoyCdGZ7THdQeIOjH8BtNZXcBounmMIxhH-jcw352Xv7C9ExhUZXLBQsGdCRoCnVfY4k-d5OGnGs3WmA3RYozOKU1sdp3DaC3Ov8pTSfngBRW-GgRUdgAJNMleziQtdHA-stMa9EKBhUB/s640/IMG_0620.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />The "Sous Vide" Buttermilk Poached chicken dish was cooked in a Miele steam oven and was incredibly moist and flavorful.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mielepressroom.com/media/presse/common/getImage.aspx?img=%2fmedia%2fpresse%2fimages%2fVG_USA%2fMiele_Steam_Ovens_DG4084.jpg&prevWidth=400&download=yes&errormsg=Picture%20not%20available%20or%20wrong%20format" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://mielepressroom.com/media/presse/common/getImage.aspx?img=%2fmedia%2fpresse%2fimages%2fVG_USA%2fMiele_Steam_Ovens_DG4084.jpg&prevWidth=400&download=yes&errormsg=Picture%20not%20available%20or%20wrong%20format" /></a></div><br /><br />They also used the steam oven to make the Corn Flan which was served still warm from the oven. Delish. Thanks <a href="http://www.mieleusa.com/" target="_blank">Miele</a> and Chef Gilson for the wonderful evening!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHnBFND9VgjvzyEdeJ0Qpr-CTrvOtE6BQ_aTGWQMKtOOTtfJtqapzp56lhrVs0304tTAx_91RqD1PST-O37Y5MVGvQDvbYK-oxbd4X87EMdPKp-SIq-wFwRo7nJvubhhE1QBF4vMAcpz6/s1600/Blog+Post+Break.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="22" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHnBFND9VgjvzyEdeJ0Qpr-CTrvOtE6BQ_aTGWQMKtOOTtfJtqapzp56lhrVs0304tTAx_91RqD1PST-O37Y5MVGvQDvbYK-oxbd4X87EMdPKp-SIq-wFwRo7nJvubhhE1QBF4vMAcpz6/s640/Blog+Post+Break.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />Not all events are invitation only and I wanted to share some of what is coming up:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tileofspainusa.com/wp-content/themes/ftstheme/images/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.tileofspainusa.com/wp-content/themes/ftstheme/images/logo.png" /></a> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tileofspainusa.com/wp-content/themes/ftstheme/images/gallery1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.tileofspainusa.com/wp-content/themes/ftstheme/images/gallery1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.tileofspainusa.com/" target="_blank">Tile of Spain</a>, a trade representatives for the world famous Spanish tile making industry, is presenting <b>Designs within Designs: Progressive Ceramics in Today’s Architecture, </b>a complimentary CEU program and networking event at the BSA in Boston on Wednesday October 17th. This free event is for architects and interior designers. <a href="http://www.tileofspainusa.com/events/tile-of-spain-presents-ceu-event-in-boston-design-within-designs-progressive-ceramics-in-todays-architecture/" target="_blank">Click here to learn more or register now</a>!<br /><br />::Surroundings:: Contributor Lori Dolnick adds: <i>"Beyond the CEU, wonderful food, wine and a chance to see the latest tile innovations from Spain… expect the unexpected. I have been to a lot of design events and trade shows. Cevisama in Spain took me by surprise. I never knew there was so much depth to tile: so much technology, environmental benefits and artisanal skill. The Tile of Spain manufacturers lead the world in innovation and design, which is why they partner with Universities around the world, like Harvard - working on tile technologies for the future. Tiles that not only clean themselves, but the air around them; tiles that are warm to the touch while minimizing the need for heating or cooling a space; integrated photovoltaics for onsite renewable energy; raised floor & chambered wall systems that create a user-defined, reactive environment and reactive glazes that can change color or act as a switch for utilities."</i><br /><br />I'm sad I won't be able to attend the event myself but I also wanted to share a sneak invite for a contest they are running. Want a chance to win a trip to Spain? <a href="http://www.tileofspainusa.com/category/pressroom/" target="_blank">Click here to learn more. </a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHnBFND9VgjvzyEdeJ0Qpr-CTrvOtE6BQ_aTGWQMKtOOTtfJtqapzp56lhrVs0304tTAx_91RqD1PST-O37Y5MVGvQDvbYK-oxbd4X87EMdPKp-SIq-wFwRo7nJvubhhE1QBF4vMAcpz6/s1600/Blog+Post+Break.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="22" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHnBFND9VgjvzyEdeJ0Qpr-CTrvOtE6BQ_aTGWQMKtOOTtfJtqapzp56lhrVs0304tTAx_91RqD1PST-O37Y5MVGvQDvbYK-oxbd4X87EMdPKp-SIq-wFwRo7nJvubhhE1QBF4vMAcpz6/s640/Blog+Post+Break.png" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bostondesign.com/thelook/registration.php" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9Pv9NSr6cOq5y_wQoUyzekiub1QjXN-LOk0JttAlAuUvQpyxTSmr1zxgEAfAg6AhuI9p4W60RvEOpgBbRS5lGSYSwpvnXm9qksFuqJi8v3fOzUu2X5gP4-b6V4o9J_UUFV9UWz8dE-Is/s1600/The+Look.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />On Wednesday the 3rd, the Boston Design Center will be presenting a day of events called<a href="http://www.bostondesign.com/thelook/registration.php" target="_blank"> The Look</a>. Sadly, what was up until last year a 3 day event with lots of featured speakers and seminars has been shrunk down to a single day. Showrooms will be featuring their own in-showroom events all day long, plus there will the BDC's annual Trends 2013 presentation offered by VP. and General Manager Julie Rogowski, a designer's luncheon sponsored by <a href="http://www.nehomemag.com/" target="_blank">New England Home</a> magazine, and the finish off the day a cocktail party for the announcing of the next inductees into the <a href="http://www.nehomemag.com/ms/new-england-design-hall-fame/hall-fame-boston-ma" target="_blank">New England Design Hall of Fame</a>, also sponsored by New England Home magazine.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/644069_807412506983_1812574505_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/644069_807412506983_1812574505_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Cassandra LaValle</span></div><br />New this year is a focus on design blogging (yes, the BDC has FINALLY figured out that blogging is a "thing") with featured guest Cassandra LaValle of the popular lifestyle & fashion blog <a href="http://www.cocokelly.com/" target="_blank">Coco + Kelly</a>. Joining Cassandra in the new BDC Designer's Club 342 will be nine of New England's top design bloggers including:<br /><br /><ul><li>Gretchen Aubuchon <a href="http://www.fashiondecor.com/" target="_blank"><b>Fashion & Décor</b></a></li><li>Amy Chase <a href="http://www.punkystyle.com/" target="_blank"><b>Punky Style</b></a></li><li>Julieann Covino <a href="http://creategirl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Jace Interiors & CreateGirl</b></a></li><li>Leslie Fine - <a href="http://lesliefineinteriors.com/blog" target="_blank"><b>Leslie’s Blog – Leslie Fine Interiors</b></a></li><li>Erin Gates <a href="http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/" target="_blank"><b>Elements of Style</b></a></li><li>Marni Katz <a href="http://www.stylecarrot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Style Carrot</b></a></li><li>Stacy Kunstel <a href="http://www.stacystyle.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><b>StacyStyle</b></a></li><li>Linda Merrill <a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Surroundings</b></a></li><li>Stephanie Sabbe <a href="http://www.sabbespot.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Sabbe Spot</b></a></li></ul>We're starting with a press breakfast and will be tweeting and blogging throughout the day. Check out <a href="http://lesliefineinteriors.com/blog/events/blogging-and-tweeting-live-from-bdcs-designers-club-342/" target="_blank">Leslie Fine's blog</a> for more information, including everyone's Twitter handles here. <br /><br />All of these events are Trade only, so I hope to see many of my fellow designer's there!<br /><br />Have a wonderful weekend!<br /><br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Friday Funday - Events Galore for the New England Design Industry

Certainly, one of the the most unexpected yet best parts of being a blogger are all the event invitations that I receive. It's always an...

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"Life is hard enough, but it can be balanced with beauty and gentleness" - Barbara Barry

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMhDfL1zMkOIMS5Tqgw1g3r0aZyJ7Qww0YZrZNBXbnbpfJo-bLyfHatfSYtsLD08t8rnxzKjOCijQS0LCA9boxs9ZnorGAeqW49NVH0gTEoyVA2OxnycD6d7wHetZCbCSGj3j_y1e0KZm/s1600/231148_202177146490787_165853326789836_483429_4027115_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMhDfL1zMkOIMS5Tqgw1g3r0aZyJ7Qww0YZrZNBXbnbpfJo-bLyfHatfSYtsLD08t8rnxzKjOCijQS0LCA9boxs9ZnorGAeqW49NVH0gTEoyVA2OxnycD6d7wHetZCbCSGj3j_y1e0KZm/s640/231148_202177146490787_165853326789836_483429_4027115_n.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(image courtesy of Blogfest2011) </span></div><br />On Tuesday of Blogfest, we were treated to a tasty "picnic" luncheon in the <a href="http://leejofa.com/">Lee Jofa</a> showroom at the D&D Building. Lee Jofa is launching a Lilly Pulitzer line of fabrics and they were every bit as bright and cheery as one would expect! A really nice treat during a week of non-stop dreary weather outside and the unremitting dreariness of The Ace hotel. The luncheon was a lovely affair with fried chicken, cold roast beef and assorted veggies. We also had time to relax and chat and I spent a nice long time chatting with fellow New England designer bloggers <a href="http://katierosenfelddesign.com/">Katie Rosenfeld</a>, <a href="http://lesliefineinteriors.com/">Leslie Fine</a>, <a href="http://www.mallyskokdesign.com/">Mally Skok</a> and <a href="http://jaceinteriors.com/">Julianne Covino</a>. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeR980WD2i7h89FTOLnvagTOfLfX70Wt9-GqE_rEYxWNaIqis3zXoJzAIqMJRXXjyLZzNgukhyphenhyphenwoFfo0tWIrj_9WfRQbT7btl4s2GW7ElDXkjoygC0VgWt9tBmRcKnpKCi4d5JFxpKDq1/s1600/247871_202179193157249_165853326789836_483457_937457_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeR980WD2i7h89FTOLnvagTOfLfX70Wt9-GqE_rEYxWNaIqis3zXoJzAIqMJRXXjyLZzNgukhyphenhyphenwoFfo0tWIrj_9WfRQbT7btl4s2GW7ElDXkjoygC0VgWt9tBmRcKnpKCi4d5JFxpKDq1/s320/247871_202179193157249_165853326789836_483457_937457_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />After lunch, we were treated ( and it was a true treat!) to a talk by the lovely and elegant <a href="http://www.barbarabarry.com/">Barbara Barry</a>. Ms. Barry talked about her design inspirations and introduced us to her new collection for Kravet called Indochine. Here are some of my tweets during her talk:<br /><div style="color: purple; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLDRXaaPpcmlgDIEXt-daVJp-Y3vMEvSu22ZGEjPFhP3-4HcwAtivux966WWSmot10fqBnEyXpdYk36ZctSSeR3Y3Q2Q02JIp33vMedHlWR7nZEsVxUB8VBE82mWGEgc_M36kMCuxh7Wg/s1600/tweet.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLDRXaaPpcmlgDIEXt-daVJp-Y3vMEvSu22ZGEjPFhP3-4HcwAtivux966WWSmot10fqBnEyXpdYk36ZctSSeR3Y3Q2Q02JIp33vMedHlWR7nZEsVxUB8VBE82mWGEgc_M36kMCuxh7Wg/s1600/tweet.PNG" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think the whole room was very enthralled by Ms. Barry. Following her talk, we retreated to the Kravet showroom for tea while Barbara showed off her collection to a "paparazzi" like crowd:  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5744346071_48d7448f6b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5744346071_48d7448f6b_z.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Lovely. Following tea with Ms. Barry, we were bussed over to the Mayo Studios in Long Island City for the Traditional Home party celebrating The<a href="http://www.leejofa.com/"> Lee Jofa </a>Heritage Collection. More to come on that!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">All photos by Linda Merrill for ::Surrounings:: unless otherwise noted. </span><br /><br /><div style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

"Life is hard enough, but it can be balanced with beauty and gentleness" - Barbara Barry

  (image courtesy of Blogfest2011) On Tuesday of Blogfest, we were treated to a tasty "picnic" luncheon in the Lee Jofa showroom ...

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Bloggers take Manhattan

Last Monday, over 100 design bloggers converged on Manhattan for a three-day  series of events sponsored by <a href="http://www.kravet.com/">Kravet Fabrics</a>. I took the 6:30AM train out of rainy New England and arrived a little before 11:00 in rainy Manhattan. In the way of modern communications, I ended up sharing a taxi with Kate van Geldern from <a href="http://www.domestikatedlife.com/">DomestiKatedLife</a> blog, arrangements made on Twitter. <br /><br />Monday featured a day of events at the gorgeous Gold LEED certified Hearst Tower. Of course, what we hoped we'd see was this:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.emagzin.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hearst-tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.emagzin.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hearst-tower.jpg" width="431" /></a></div><br />With a view like this from the 44th floor where we were set to have lunch:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2HpnrMsGHYIxpLOnIf4RzI_1RZjkRK-Ey5Drm2AZYXYTS_PfrNMnJrLf-m_4cwNole5dSajkA5iX2vwigZnz6ROhyl07_4hBO4GJulATZ1mEMnN5koqBsCf1JT09v1MCh05dJ8h7QKP0/s1600/225799_200508223324346_165853326789836_472693_5645534_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2HpnrMsGHYIxpLOnIf4RzI_1RZjkRK-Ey5Drm2AZYXYTS_PfrNMnJrLf-m_4cwNole5dSajkA5iX2vwigZnz6ROhyl07_4hBO4GJulATZ1mEMnN5koqBsCf1JT09v1MCh05dJ8h7QKP0/s1600/225799_200508223324346_165853326789836_472693_5645534_n.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photo courtesy of Blogfest 2011)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Instead, our view was this:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/5744893102_0479bcb2af_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/5744893102_0479bcb2af_z.jpg" /></a></div><br />But, that was okay, as old and new friends, those who knew people only by Twitter handles or blog names and those who had been conversing by email and phone call met and hugged their hellos. 28 US states and 5 provinces of Canada were represented in the group.  I didn't take too many photographs of the luncheon or the rest of the day for that matter. Too busy people watching and getting to know people. <br /><br />We were greeted by the Kravet team, including president Scott Kravet, who told of the seven month process of creating this major event. It was certainly a huge PR coup for the Kravets and well deserved. They reported a mind-blowing statistic that every 50 tweets resulted in 100,000 impressions. After lunch, we all moved into a seminar room for a series of lectures. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXSQHBeAapL56vjM5_jGw275DKTYe6TRWOsiMM24xd_OXtn43JG-yr5WarruNEvsg9Pq9Q2zxNgn7if-qlO0UK8PMrLsvUHq0syYRUKeWvxPhyox7zgSiw7Pc13gXpiW8Q9hZ-46E_etP/s1600/228599_201860549855780_165853326789836_481297_608827_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXSQHBeAapL56vjM5_jGw275DKTYe6TRWOsiMM24xd_OXtn43JG-yr5WarruNEvsg9Pq9Q2zxNgn7if-qlO0UK8PMrLsvUHq0syYRUKeWvxPhyox7zgSiw7Pc13gXpiW8Q9hZ-46E_etP/s400/228599_201860549855780_165853326789836_481297_608827_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photo courtesy of Blogfest 2011)</span></div>The first panel discussion was with the editor's in chief's of <a href="http://www.townandcountrymag.com/">Town & Country</a> (Mark Rozzo ) , <a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/">House Beautiful </a>(Newell Turner), <a href="http://www.veranda.com/">Veranda</a> (Dara Caponigro) and moderated by Kravet's VP of Marketing & Communications <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/bethkgreene">Beth Greene</a>. Following this opening panel were three panels featuring the senior editorial staffs of each individual publication along with their respective eic's. They shared their backgrounds (all publishing roads lead through House Beautiful apparently) and some history of each publication. Now, there is no question that House Beautiful and T&C are storied publications. However, in general, there was little real back and forth about the relationship between traditional publishing and the bloggers in the room and it felt a bit too much like a lecture for the great unwashed. That's a little harsh, but not entirely untrue. I think it would have been more interesting and more educational for both sides if instead of panel discussions, it had been more of a roundtable set up with an editor talking to a small group of bloggers. Perhaps next year. Meanwhile Mark Rozzo, who replaced the short lived Stephen Drucker at the helm of T&C was a big hit with the ladies (all but about 10 attendees were ladies). <br /><br />After an afternoon of all things Hearst, the next stop was the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House. ED is the newest jewel in the Hearst crown, their acquisition being announced a couple of months ago. Since I skipped this event in favor of getting settled at my hotel, I'll post ED's video:<br /><embed base="http://admin.brightcove.com" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="videoId=940256805001&playerId=376530311&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" height="412" name="flashObj" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" seamlesstabbing="false" src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/376530311" swliveconnect="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="486"></embed><br /><br />On Monday evening, <a href="http://www.abcddesign.com/">Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo</a> and <a href="http://www.jonathanlegate.com/">Jonathan Legate</a> who host DesignTV tweetchats on Twitter, along with <a href="http://www.jossandmain.com/store/customer/account/login/">Joss and Main</a>, hosted a fun party at the <a href="http://www.eventihotel.com/">Eventi</a> hotel. My hotel the oddly dark, loud and hipster hotel <a href="http://www.acehotel.com/newyork">The Ace</a> was luckily only a block a way.The image below was not my room, but very similar. The rug was black, the walls were black & gray, the lights very dim and there was mere inches of surface space. But, the bed was very comfortable with pristine sheets. And, I had the most delicious baked 3 cheese sandwich at the <a href="http://www.thebreslin.com/">Breslin</a> restaurant attached to the hotel. Yum. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://assets.acehotel.com/images/rooms/newyork/medium-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://assets.acehotel.com/images/rooms/newyork/medium-3.jpg" /></a></div><br />And so ended day 1. Day two featured a lovely "picnic" lunch at the new Lilly Pulitzer studio in the Lee Jofa showroom followed by a fantastic talk by Barbara Barry, who introduced her new Indochine fabric line for Kravet, and a tea with Ms. Barry in the Kravet showroom. More on that in my next post. To say she was a highlight is an understatement. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Bloggers take Manhattan

Last Monday, over 100 design bloggers converged on Manhattan for a three-day  series of events sponsored by Kravet Fabrics . I took the 6:30...

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Designers, please join in the chat!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/96ae03533e25c8fb1c252e18003b43d9?s=256&d=identicon&r=G" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/96ae03533e25c8fb1c252e18003b43d9?s=256&d=identicon&r=G" width="200" /></a></div><br />Barbara Segal, founder and host of <a href="http://designerchat.wordpress.com/">Interior Designer Chat</a> holds weekly Tweet Chats for interior design professionals on Tuesdays at 6:00PM EST. Each week, Barbara invites a design professional to be the Guest Host with the theme of the chat based on the guest host's area of expertise. This week, Barbara has asked me to the Guest Host and the topic is blogging for design professionals!<br /><br />So, designers and decorators, I invite you to join me on Twitter tomorrow night at 6:00 EST with many, many other design professionals to discuss blogging. There are a few ways to join in. You can go to the standard Twitter.com and do a search for the hashtag #intdesignerchat , or you can do as I do and log into http://tweetchat.com/room/Intdesignerchat and use the hashtag #intdesignerchat to select only our tweets. The nice thing about Tweetchat is that it will add in the hashtag on all your tweets automatically. You can also use HootSuite or Tweetdeck.<br /><br />I hope you'll join us - I look forward to chatting with you!<br /><br /><div style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Designers, please join in the chat!

Barbara Segal, founder and host of Interior Designer Chat holds weekly Tweet Chats for interior design professionals on Tuesdays at 6:00PM ...

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On blogging and anniversaries, or, Where did the last six years go?

I'm feeling a wee bit old and pensive...  Anniversaries have a habit of doing that. [Sit back, this ended up longer than expected.]<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_tpC0VL5ucpRZ61OffotWGRKl8F_0qOFrTQacEUQq5rZQj-WdvUnynM63n8fm1nyM_SPzhRhSs7xzqgyhz_IW20uFXBJlu9ah7w9kzYVa7wHBetOYim-yfWLfous3YAkQuH1PVXLR69E/s1600/180160_1781165364802_1109472877_2088104_167956_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_tpC0VL5ucpRZ61OffotWGRKl8F_0qOFrTQacEUQq5rZQj-WdvUnynM63n8fm1nyM_SPzhRhSs7xzqgyhz_IW20uFXBJlu9ah7w9kzYVa7wHBetOYim-yfWLfous3YAkQuH1PVXLR69E/s320/180160_1781165364802_1109472877_2088104_167956_n.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>And missing anniversaries can make one feel a tad feeble minded. You see, my six year blogging anniversary was last month, and I forgot all about it. In design blog terms, six years is quite a long time. I started my blog as an offshoot of my company newsletter that I'd been sending out for a couple of years. I had been hearing from marketing types that the old fashioned newsletter was going out of style (it didn't, if done right) and was wondering what was the next thing I could do to market myself. I'm a semi-early adopter, I guess. I started running into blogs online and became fascinated by the instant update quality and the marketing potential. I was also intrigued that major media publications were taking notice of design bloggers. I'd been reading Grace Bonney's <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/">Design*Sponge</a> off and on when I saw that she was featured (along with <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/">Apartment Therapy</a>, <a href="http://mocoloco.com/">MocoLoco</a>, and <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/">TreeHugger</a>.) in an interesting <a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A01EED9163BF934A15752C0A9639C8B63&scp=2&sq=grace%20bonney&st=cse">New York Times</a> piece, dated January 27, 2005.<br /><br />Coincidentally (but not) my<a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2005/01/decorating-tips.html"> very first blog post</a> was that very same day. (It wasn't much, just a repost of a piece I'd written for my newsletter that also appeared on the now defunct Respond.com site.)  As I recall, I'd been thinking about blogging, but that NYT piece must have pushed me over the edge. After all - Grace was a 23 year old baby and there she was in the Times!!  I find it incredibly interesting, and telling, that all but one (Land and Living) of the blogs mentioned in the article are far and away today's leaders and "old guard" of blogging. They are all so big, it's hard to still call them blogs (similar to HuffPo or Drudge). They are more like media giants and no one would even think of questioning if they are here to stay. <br /><br />And so, six years and three weeks later, the New York Times has another article on blogging entitled <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/technology/internet/21blog.html?_r=2&hp">Blogs Wane as the Young Drift to Sites Like Twitter</a>. It would have been cool had they both been written by the same reporter, but they are not. A couple quotes are frightening - how blogging is too much writing and it's easier to just post pics on Tumblr or reduce one's thoughts to 140 characters on Twitter.<br /><br />Of course, from January 2005 to now, the design blogs have exploded. I have no idea how many there are, but there seem like thousands and thousands. Can we read them all? No. Will all get media coverage? No. I think it's clearly obvious that the "Old Guard" benefited from being first. Their stories are rife with readership jumps from hundreds to multi-thousands of readers a day, within months of launch. I doubt very much that could happen today. The Times' story of 2005 reported that AT reported daily readership of 10,000. AT reports today a readership of over 66,000 daily readers (per their <a href="http://advertising.apartmenttherapy.com/?p=small-business">media kit</a>). Design*Sponge <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/about">reports</a> over 75,000 site visits daily and over 100K subscribers via RSS feed.  <br /><br />The "Second Guard" which I guess I am part of, probably dates from 2005-2008. Many of us have also benefited from being around for a while and are on media lists and get attention from major media outlets.  The "blog smog" is now quite thick (in a good way!) and I think it's very hard for newer bloggers to gain notice. Of course, some do absolutely. But it's hard and requires dedication and the ability to stand out via excellent writing, design talent, connections, personality or some combination of the above.<br /><br />I'm frequently asked by newer bloggers, or those considering blogging, how to get going and how to gain readership. Of course, as new media continues to grow and evolve (FB, Twitter, etc) the question is - will blogs continue to be as relevant and, as some marketing voices say "Should everyone have a blog"?  My feeling is no, everyone should not have a blog, or to be clearer, everyone should not feel like they should have a blog. If you want one, welcome!<br /><br />But, if you're going to have a blog - write it yourself. I'm a purist and feel that a blog should be about the blogger (their views, ideas and talent). I'm not a fan of the turnkey blogging services that are available. I don't think a blog will gain any kind of traction if the voice is not genuine. If you are worried about writing skills, spelling, grammar or punctuation, then hire an editor - someone who will format your writing, correct the grammar, etc and even do the tech part. But the essence needs to be you.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mdMaGL9LuB3Az9s5RvWTfda7CnWg0AfqLzIOyQEErdMJjsNc93MyEpvKyyp6o6nNczRQPaze2fwywG8QtYomsNWjQbVNmAXk1-wyGSgfCSumI7mpLX-DRSkr_m6WSPt8JrNTmk4FO74/s1600/SRT+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mdMaGL9LuB3Az9s5RvWTfda7CnWg0AfqLzIOyQEErdMJjsNc93MyEpvKyyp6o6nNczRQPaze2fwywG8QtYomsNWjQbVNmAXk1-wyGSgfCSumI7mpLX-DRSkr_m6WSPt8JrNTmk4FO74/s400/SRT+header.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In 2009, I launched <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/">The Skirted Roundtable </a>with <a href="http://www.beachbungalow8.blogspot.com/">Megan Arquette</a> and <a href="http://www.cotedetexas.blogspot.com/">Joni Webb</a>, as a way to move the conversation off the screen and make it more immediate. I think I can speak for all of us that this initiative has really established our individual voices. Personally, it's cut considerably into my actual blogging time because the editing process is so time intensive, but every minute is worth it. <br /><br />When we started <i>The Skirted Roundtable</i>, we recorded several podcasts about blogging with topics including content, finding one's voice, gaining readership, etc. You can hear those podcasts <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html">here</a>, <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html">here</a>, <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html">here</a> and <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html">here</a>. I highly recommend that anyone interested in growing their blogs, or are just starting out, might want to listen in and read the comments as our listeners are very smart and insightful. <br /><br />The most important thing to decide on, however, is why do you want to blog and who do you want to be speaking to. I started off by deciding that I wanted my readership to be other designers, high-end design buyers and the media. My readership is minscule compared the "Old Guard" and probably in the mid-average range among the "Second Guard". I don't receive tons of comments and while I treasure the comments I do receive, I've learned to let go of "comment counting". Because, my target readership isn't likely to be high rate commenters. But I know from my visit stats, from private emails and from opportunities received that I'm hitting my mark. And that's good enough for me.<br /><br />I'd love to hear your thoughts on the state of design blogging. I think this will be a topic for SRT soon as well, so stay tuned for that.<br /><br />And a big hug and kiss to all the friends I've made through blogging (the most important benefit, bar none!). As a closet shy girl (I do love that expression) it's given me the chance to push out of my Yankee reticence and enter a world I could not have imagined. XXOO to all of you!<br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

On blogging and anniversaries, or, Where did the last six years go?

I'm feeling a wee bit old and pensive...  Anniversaries have a habit of doing that. [Sit back, this ended up longer than expected.] And ...

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It takes a village - to fill two pages

Well, as I posted on Friday (and you'll see on my sidebar) I published my third issue of Surroundings Magazine - The Holiday Style Guide. It's a lot of fun for me to put this together, but it's a lot of work to do only twelve pages. Seriously - I have new found respect for the <a href="http://www.ruemag.com/">Rue Girls</a> (their 2nd issue is due literally any moment now) and the folks at <a href="http://www.lonnymag.com/">Lonny</a>, both of whom put out 200-300 page publications. Of course, they have staff people, but likely not legions of staff, just a few really talented people. I, on the other hand, have just me and I'm pretty cantankerous and am known to whine about holiday bonuses, especially at 3 A.M. Management doesn't find that behavior very productive, but is not yet ready for staff changes. Staff thinks Management should provide a better work environment and stop the late night hours. Picket lines are forming on both sides.<br /><br />Anyway, last weekend (7 whole days ago) I wrote to several of my favorite blog and design friends and asked them to provide me with their best tip for holiday entertaining, or ideas for hostess gifts. Basically, just some little nugget - because this is certainly a group that has lots of nuggets of goodness in their design holsters. Mixed metaphor's aside, they are THE BEST. Within 4 days, I'd received eleven fantastic responses, complete with photos (in some cases staged for this purpose) and great ideas. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://issuu.com/surroundings/docs/surroundings_nov_dec_2010"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMG1CFc4xVYIaylNakQpmdf-US3g9jGcdGbP2pZFnr0uwAoDOQFINvdULuazNjp2tc7FBGwxh2R5OhpyHPLWdBDNR5lMCaU5u0WZjqUJ0GfdHsCmN225G5hdRA7kojaiMG6CNLOxmo-CZr/s400/Surroundings+mag%253A%253AE%253A%253Azine+November%253ADecember+2010_1290380954622.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />So,I wanted to take a moment to thank my very generous friends for their excellent ideas and participation. I know how busy you all are and I appreciate your support!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Eddie Ross - <a href="http://eddieross.com/">EddieRoss.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Greet LeFevre - <a href="http://www.belgianpearls.blogspot.com/">Belgian Pearls</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stacy Kunstel - <a href="http://stacystyle.wordpress.com/">StacyStyle</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grant K. Gibson - <a href="http://grantkgibson.blogspot.com/">GrantKGibson, The Blog</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Megan Arquette - <a href="http://www.beachbungalow8.blogspot.com/">Beach Bungalow 8</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vicki Archer - <a href="http://www.frenchessence.blogspot.com/">French Essence</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Monika Claassen - <a href="http://splendidwillow.com/">Splendid Willow</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gina Milne - <a href="http://www.willowdecor.blogspot.com/">Willow Decor</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trish Allen - <a href="http://trouvais.com/">Trouvais</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Joni Webb - <a href="http://www.cotedetexas.blogspot.com/">Cote de Texas</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Scot Meacham Wood - <a href="http://www.tartanscot.blogspot.com/">Tartan Scot</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You can read <a href="http://issuu.com/surroundings/docs/surroundings_nov_dec_2010">all their great tips here. </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Speaking of digital magazines, Megan, Joni and I chatted about the new field of digital magazines, including Rue and Lonny, and many others. <b>We're also hosting a give-a-way - a $200 shopping spree courtesy of One King's Lane!!</b>  So, stay tuned for that post up on Monday!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

It takes a village - to fill two pages

Well, as I posted on Friday (and you'll see on my sidebar) I published my third issue of Surroundings Magazine - The Holiday Style Guide...

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Blogger's Home Tour

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1apBmBuFImj_zpfE7CtqmEEWyeCTpW_ZOCx2qYfaDJicAoFLN2yKCmL64_w_JLirYyvAk5LQKZNFPyGp6OuoxLUakz6Vdc3MGAiRUMw164qlolAB4N0Gbusv2ZSKUcKyZXo3xx1_XTu0u/s1600/Dallas+Blog+%7C+Material+Girls+%7C+Dallas+Interior+Design_1269968526147.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1apBmBuFImj_zpfE7CtqmEEWyeCTpW_ZOCx2qYfaDJicAoFLN2yKCmL64_w_JLirYyvAk5LQKZNFPyGp6OuoxLUakz6Vdc3MGAiRUMw164qlolAB4N0Gbusv2ZSKUcKyZXo3xx1_XTu0u/s400/Dallas+Blog+%7C+Material+Girls+%7C+Dallas+Interior+Design_1269968526147.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /> A big thank you to Emily Johnson of <a href="http://materialgirlsblog.com/dallas/2010/03/29/2nd-annual-design-bloggers-homes-unveiled-part-i/#comments">The Material Girls Blog</a> for including me in her annual roundup of design blogger's homes - Unveiled! I'm honored to be included with: Patricia of <a href="http://mrsblandings.blogspot.com/">Mrs. Blandings</a>,<i><i></i></i> Melissa, Cassandra, Leslie and Wendy of <a href="http://chiccoles.blogspot.com/p/shop-chic-coles.html">Chic Coles</a>, Paloma of <a href="http://paloma81.blogspot.com/">La Dolce Vita</a> and Sarah and Alison of <a href="http://www.mattersofstyleblog.com/">Matters of Style</a>. Emily finishes up her tour next week with another great group of bloggers. So, <a href="http://materialgirlsblog.com/dallas/2010/03/29/2nd-annual-design-bloggers-homes-unveiled-part-i/#comments">bookmark it</a>!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Blogger's Home Tour

 A big thank you to Emily Johnson of The Material Girls Blog for including me in her annual roundup of design blogger's homes - Unveile...

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The Skirted Roundtable - On the FTC, Bloggers Endorsing products and disclosures

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/3026007275_d70fbf771f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/3026007275_d70fbf771f.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><br />Last week at The Skirted Roundtable, we talked about the new FTC Guidelines for blogger's endorsing products and disclosures of freebies.<a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2009/10/endorsements-disclosures-and-economics.html"> You can listen to our podcast here</a>. <br /><br />Here is an<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/fashion/15bloggers.html?_r=1"> interesting article</a> in the New York Times on the subject.  Some bloggers will be publishing their formal policies on the subject, and others are scoffing at the whole thing - after all, how will it be regulated? <br /><br />I am not sure if I will be publishing a "formal" disclosure policy, but for now I will say that if I post about a product that I've received gratis (whether for review purposes, or as swag at an event) I will always say that I received it gratis. I never write a post for pay unless I clearly state that it's a sponsored post (which I've only done once) or is a post about one of my sponsors, all of whom are clearly showcased over there on the right. I've been asked to do it, and I never will. I'm a capitalist and a firm believer in making money, but I'm also a firm believer in honesty and openness and maintain those convictions here on <a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/">::Surroundings::</a>. <br /><br />So, take a listen to our <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2009/10/endorsements-disclosures-and-economics.html">podcast</a> and let us know your thoughts!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a><br /><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript">tweetmeme_url = 'http://yoururl.com'; tweetmeme_service = 'bit.ly'; </script><br /><br /><script src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

The Skirted Roundtable - On the FTC, Bloggers Endorsing products and disclosures

Last week at The Skirted Roundtable, we talked about the new FTC Guidelines for blogger's endorsing products and disclosures of freebies...

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Things I'm working on this week

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="MRFloorplan.png" height="217" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3299/3622679792_6b215853f2.jpg" style="border: 3px double rgb(49, 22, 14);" width="437" /></p>I continue to work with my virtual decorating client to narrow down the floor plan for the dining area and living room of their Pennsylvania vacation home. This is looking to be the top choice. Next, we will tackle selecting the exact furnishings, color palette, window treatments, etc.<br /><br /><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img alt="200906131230.jpg" height="61" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/3621862857_777746e286_o.jpg" width="343" /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm working on my next pair of articles for Diving Caroline. You can click <a href="http://www.divinecaroline.com/user/profile/122231">here</a> to read my first four articles on: "Smart Design to accommodate aging in place", "Turning your bath into a Spa", "It's not hard to go green with your bathroom remodel", and "Design Styles: What's the difference". The current articles include selecting color palettes for the kitchen and bath, and creating a budget conscious kitchen makeover.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <img alt="bighouse5.jpg" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3621862045_018b0095fb.jpg" style="border: 3px double rgb(28, 52, 76); width: 446px; height: 301px;" /><br /><br /></div>On the blogging front, I'm going to be working on a piece on decorating an outdoor room here in New England. As I recently said on <a href="http://www.skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/" title="The Skirted Roundtable">The Skirted Roundtable</a>, we have about three minutes here in New England where we can be outdoors happily. But, I'll do my best to showcase some beautiful fabrics and products that will work even in our climate!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="roundtable1podbean.jpg" height="155" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3380/3622679524_c28e32b4e1.jpg" style="border: 3px double rgb(121, 37, 37);" width="480" /><br /></div><br /> <div style="text-align: left;">And, of course, Megan, Joni and I will be holding court again this week at <a href="http://www.skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/" title="The Skirted Roundtable">The Skirted Roundtable</a>. It's back to just the three of us. (And thanks again to Patricia Shackelford/<a href="http://mrsblandings.blogspot.com/" title="Mrs. Blandings">Mrs. Blandings</a> and Karen Carroll/<a href="http://www.southernaccents.com/" title="Southern Accents Magazine">Southern Accents Magazine</a> for being recent guests - weren't they great??) In our blogging segment, we're talking about keeping it all going and when to know enough is enough, and what happens when a blogger just disappears. So stay tuned! Meanwhile, please do let me know if you have any specific design related topics you'd like us to chat about.<br /><br /> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgoXG3XmgFROpV_rqiXrYNQ87TUVrCaErxAzVGMonRcrNaXiMeqX7mBwySX8eHBQ5o3xy77izZ2H_4PTHHeDv-E2MBv-rlqN2duFiKXO26glyWcMX4loh8cd9GvPDY9C1oXHAe3ssxqgN/s1600-h/images.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346859963440031170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgoXG3XmgFROpV_rqiXrYNQ87TUVrCaErxAzVGMonRcrNaXiMeqX7mBwySX8eHBQ5o3xy77izZ2H_4PTHHeDv-E2MBv-rlqN2duFiKXO26glyWcMX4loh8cd9GvPDY9C1oXHAe3ssxqgN/s400/images.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 56px;" /></a>Did you get your new Facebook vanity name? I am just geek enough (apparently) that at 12:01 a.m. on June 13th, I was up to register: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/linda.merrill">http://www.facebook.com/linda.merrill</a>. I'd love to be your friend!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It's a new week... let's get busy!<br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOiRhafziz_TxbVTMpet82Z0J18LCsmpf0kriPPdR7trV7HiYkRSEv38npiuJBZreW9JF9JfkZY6VXN8kJmk4zyofqOGHLmY5HZaGXRb-ssECHfHAw5_aus8yCh3kI5v_AJXG7vXflpdY/s1600-h/Lindas+signature.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346859964724582002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOiRhafziz_TxbVTMpet82Z0J18LCsmpf0kriPPdR7trV7HiYkRSEv38npiuJBZreW9JF9JfkZY6VXN8kJmk4zyofqOGHLmY5HZaGXRb-ssECHfHAw5_aus8yCh3kI5v_AJXG7vXflpdY/s400/Lindas+signature.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 60px;" /></a><br /></div>

Things I'm working on this week

I continue to work with my virtual decorating client to narrow down the floor plan for the dining area and living room of their Pennsylvania...

Read more »