The Decorating Diva Profile

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thedecoratingdiva.com/wp-content/themes/arthemia-premium/images/logo/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thedecoratingdiva.com/wp-content/themes/arthemia-premium/images/logo/logo.png" /></a></div><br />Several weeks ago I received an invitation from Carmen at <a href="http://thedecoratingdiva.com/linda-merrill-decorative-surroundings/">The Decorating Diva</a> to be profiled on their wonderful site.  The Decorating Diva site has a rich, in-depth level of content and I think they do the most in-depth an interesting designer profiles of any site around.  In addition to the usual history and work questions, they also asked me to provide a list of favorite design elements "Linda's Favorite Things" below and my list of go-to sites for inspiration. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvjhOYd5U6zMrENZW4VmopR9qmF7LieZ1xI2EQCYcsKBCH4tyJLJqzkEIxWB86-wUqGCfaEXltcu2GVEgsZvbFhHrLcGGzDriaq3cR5H-g9wiiFnbvYUrdBMbnC42ij2Q_ki55WEqVfXZ/s1600/FaveThingsonDecDiva.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvjhOYd5U6zMrENZW4VmopR9qmF7LieZ1xI2EQCYcsKBCH4tyJLJqzkEIxWB86-wUqGCfaEXltcu2GVEgsZvbFhHrLcGGzDriaq3cR5H-g9wiiFnbvYUrdBMbnC42ij2Q_ki55WEqVfXZ/s640/FaveThingsonDecDiva.png" width="548" /></a></div><br />So, if you have a moment, check out <a href="http://thedecoratingdiva.com/linda-merrill-decorative-surroundings/">my interview on The Decorating Diva</a> and then spend some time reading their entire site.  A huge thanks to The Decorating Diva - I am so honored!<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>

The Decorating Diva Profile

Several weeks ago I received an invitation from Carmen at The Decorating Diva to be profiled on their wonderful site.  The Decorating Diva ...

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Designer's Coffehouse at HomeWorkshop.com

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAknd-6uH2XIQVFDJ7rDUp6hm2Dn8pgXo-xXeNX9H75Bxg49ChP8naQD665NVytzAVCRQXwa9sfqaWyTBJaLWTdB8-sk-WGkd3R3tNiCaj60SDFSnLnhK_vQauXO1V5P4l4dF3nEAFg5Q/s1600-h/Designers+Coffeehouse+%E2%80%94+Current+Design_1253764620915.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAknd-6uH2XIQVFDJ7rDUp6hm2Dn8pgXo-xXeNX9H75Bxg49ChP8naQD665NVytzAVCRQXwa9sfqaWyTBJaLWTdB8-sk-WGkd3R3tNiCaj60SDFSnLnhK_vQauXO1V5P4l4dF3nEAFg5Q/s400/Designers+Coffeehouse+%E2%80%94+Current+Design_1253764620915.png" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br />A big thanks to Kathy Barlow of <a href="http://homeworkshop.com/">HomeWorkshop.com</a> for including me in her Designer's Coffee House with fellow designers <br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.masterworksdesignpro.com/" target="_blank">Linda H. Bassert, of Masterworks Window Fashions & Design</a><a href="http://www.masterworksdesignpro.com/"> </a>in Fairfax, Virginia</li><li><a href="http://www.barbaramillerdesign.com/" target="_blank">Barbara Miller, of Barbara Miller Design</a> in West Linn, Oregon</li><li><a href="http://poshsurfside.com/" target="_blank">Kerry Ann Dame, of Posh Living</a> in Surfside Beach, South Carolina</li></ul>The interview was done in two parts: <a href="http://www.homeworkshop.com/2009/09/13/designer-latte-current-design/">Part 1: Current Design</a> and <a href="http://www.homeworkshop.com/2009/09/19/designers-coffeehouse-behind-the-curtain/">Part 2: Behind the Curtain</a>. <br />Thanks Kathy!<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>

Designer's Coffehouse at HomeWorkshop.com

A big thanks to Kathy Barlow of HomeWorkshop.com for including me in her Designer's Coffee House with fellow designers Linda H. Bassert...

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Podcast Interview: Design Star: Jennifer Bertrand

<a href="http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2008/12/08/jennifer-bertrand_s3x4_al.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://img.hgtv.com/HGTV/2008/12/08/jennifer-bertrand_s3x4_al.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 354px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /> <div><br /><object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="25" id="mp3playerlightsmallv3" width="210"><br /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain"><br /><param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerlightsmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://surroundings.podbean.com/medias/play/aHR0cDovL21lZGlhNi5wb2RiZWFuLmNvbS8xMDI3ODMvdS9KZW5uaWZlckJlcnRyYW5kLm1wMw/JenniferBertrand.mp3&autoStart=no"><br /><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><br /><embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerlightsmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://surroundings.podbean.com/medias/play/aHR0cDovL21lZGlhNi5wb2RiZWFuLmNvbS8xMDI3ODMvdS9KZW5uaWZlckJlcnRyYW5kLm1wMw/JenniferBertrand.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" name="mp3playerlightsmallv3" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" width="210" height="25"></embed><br /></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.podbean.com/" style="border-bottom: medium none; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; color: rgb(45, 162, 116); text-decoration: none;">Powered by Podbean.com</a><br /></div><br /><br /><br />Jennifer Bertrand, the very sweet (and very pregnant!) winner of HGTV's Design Star Season 3 phoned me today to fill us in on what has been going on with her since winning the show last August. We had a lovely chat - which you can listen to by clicking the podcast player above. Please note - in my introduction, I mistakenly said Jen was winner of Season 2 of Design Star - that was Kim Myles (David Bromstad was Season 1 winner). Also, please forgive my coughing and hoarse voice - am recovering from a cold! I also interviewed Jen last summer, which you can read <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2008/07/design-star-3-chatting-with-jennifer.html">here</a>.<br /><br />A teaser single episode version of Jennifer's new show <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/on_tv/show/0,1000145,HGTV_32663_950,00.html">Paint Over!</a> will air at 4:00PM on Thursday, January 1st. A chance to take a break from football! Click on over to HGTV for some of Jennifer's makeover and paint tips. Oh, and on January 8th - Jen squares off against S2 winner Kim Myles on "Design Showdown".<br /><br />Jen - thanks so much for stopping by and the best of luck with everything!

Podcast Interview: Design Star: Jennifer Bertrand

Powered by Podbean.com Jennifer Bertrand, the very sweet (and very pregnant!) winner of HGTV's Design Star Season 3 phoned me today t...

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My interview with Eddie Ross

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBNZMcuI8JJR1eRQLMdbVMTtz-iBO6TKOHhEQcyjtSDd3dnMyC1JX9RamXvExVF_Ces5TvUKnFapHvDZ0j2JseFbxQ24HpC04MKhNT0b_lfWh-Zw_UDaMvugQO3867Ar7teBE9HyKOFrQ/s400/EddiePodcastLarge.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBNZMcuI8JJR1eRQLMdbVMTtz-iBO6TKOHhEQcyjtSDd3dnMyC1JX9RamXvExVF_Ces5TvUKnFapHvDZ0j2JseFbxQ24HpC04MKhNT0b_lfWh-Zw_UDaMvugQO3867Ar7teBE9HyKOFrQ/s400/EddiePodcastLarge.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 275px;" /></a><br />I was so happy to have the chance to chat with a very upbeat <a href="http://www.eddieross.com">Eddie Ross</a> on this morning about his experience on <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Design/season/2/index.php">Top Design</a> (he was sent off the show this week), working with <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com">Martha Stewart</a> and his hugely popular <a href="http://www.eddieross.com">blog</a>.<br /><br />I started the interview with the question "So, tell us, who is the real Eddie Ross" and we ended chatting about the glamorous lives of designers and style editors [cough, cough...].<br /><br /><a href="http://bloggingtopdesign.mypodcast.com/2008/10/BTD_Podcast_with_Eddie_Ross-155459.html">Click here to listen</a> to the podcast interview over at Blogging Top Design.<br /><br />And, thanks Eddie! I really enjoyed our chat!

My interview with Eddie Ross

I was so happy to have the chance to chat with a very upbeat Eddie Ross on this morning about his experience on Top Design (he was sent of...

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Crystal Palace at Montage

<a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4001/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4001/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a>As I <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2008/10/meeting-tord-boontje-and-gradon-tripp.html">mentioned</a> on Monday, I was at a fabulous design event in Boston. Hosted by contemporary furniture store <a href="http://www.montageweb.com/">Montage</a> - the event celebrated their new association with <a href="http://www.swarovski.com/">Swarovski's</a> <a href="http://www.swarovskisparkles.com/crystalpalace/">Crystal Palace</a> lighting line. Guest of honor was one of the today's most iconic designers: <a href="http://www.tordboontje.com/">Tord Boontje</a>.<br /><br />The 2008 Swarovski Crystal Palace collection includes new designs by Paul Cocksedge, Front Design, Saha Hadid, Studio Job, Piero Lissoni, Arne Quinze, Fredrickson Stallard, Marcus Tremento, Marcel Wanders and Tokujin Yoshioka.<br /><br />Here are some pieces that are currently available, as well as party shots:<br /><br /><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4017/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4017/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4018/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4018/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Blossom</span> by Tord Boontje - Designed for the 2002 Crystal Palace collection. A twisted, bejeweled branch inspired by the natural world and emotional association with crystal.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4020/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4020/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a>Closeup of <span style="font-style: italic;">Ice Branch</span> by Tord Boontje - Originally designed for the 2005 Fashion Rocks event, the piece sets the stark clarity and regularity of Swarovski crystals on a freeform and naturalistic branch, creating an intricate form.<br /><br /><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4009/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4009/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Sparkle Shady</span> by Jaime Hayon - "A dazzling interplay of solidity and mutability, Sparkle Shady features a series of light shades covered in a textile and crystal "skin" The result is that the shade can change shape, creating an ever-surprising, ever-changing living installation".<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4030/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4030/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4006/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4006/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Glitterbox</span> by Georg Baldele - an inventive exploration of the prismatic possibilities of crystal, lit from the inside with LED lights. As described by Baldele "A huge block of ice, floating in the air, glittering from inside and out."<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4014/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4014/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Crystal Skull</span> by Fabien Baron. First launched in 2005 for Art Basel, Miami. The aim was to transform and elevate the perception of the skull - from symbol of death and danger to object of beauty.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_3998/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_3998/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Blossom</span> by Tord Boontje<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4027/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4027/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a>Tord was kind enough to spend a few minutes with me talking about his work and inspirations. <a href="http://www.tordboontje.com/">Studio Tord Boontje</a> was founded in 1996, in London and now located in Bourg-Argentai, France. Tord seeks to create designs that are as broadly accessible as they are enticing. "Modernism does not mean minimalism, that contemporary doe not forsake tradition, and that technology does not abandon people and senses." Tord has designed products for Alexander McQueen and Target - quite a range!<br /><br />I asked Tord who he designs for. His answer? His daughter, who is now 8 years old. He also spoke of an 80 year old Irish woman who contacted him about his work after reading about him in <span style="font-style: italic;">The Guardian</span>. How cool is that! On a personal note, I would say that for all the exhuberance of his designs, his personality is wonderfully calm. The epitome of the phrase "still waters run deep".<br /></div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4037/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100285/100_4037/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" /></a>Exterior shot of Montage, while driving<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Photography by Linda Merrill</span><br /></div></div>

Crystal Palace at Montage

As I mentioned on Monday, I was at a fabulous design event in Boston. Hosted by contemporary furniture store Montage - the event celebrate...

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