Million Dollar Decorators: Episode 1

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Wz_pEPkeMcxsoUG-IbW7C7rZB_XB_ee6cBE-cIC-inetki950akRahVh-LfOCya909dSx0-QYSvrkgGW9NNorrW-yFnrPNVX9-NOUODVCWVuXBKMF6-BVpwKbd9ZPXGVUelhkZqiWsrl/s1600/Million+Dollar+Decorators+Season+1+-+Fully+Furnished+Sneak+Peek+-+Photo+Gallery+-+Bravo+TV+Official+Site_1306901545332.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Wz_pEPkeMcxsoUG-IbW7C7rZB_XB_ee6cBE-cIC-inetki950akRahVh-LfOCya909dSx0-QYSvrkgGW9NNorrW-yFnrPNVX9-NOUODVCWVuXBKMF6-BVpwKbd9ZPXGVUelhkZqiWsrl/s1600/Million+Dollar+Decorators+Season+1+-+Fully+Furnished+Sneak+Peek+-+Photo+Gallery+-+Bravo+TV+Official+Site_1306901545332.png" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mary McDonald and Nate Turner arrive for Kathryn Ireland's birthday party bearing quite a cake!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Okay, so my initial thoughts on MDD Episode 1: These designers all took an incredibly huge risk in doing this show. They risk looking unprofessional, ungrateful and unkempt. On the other hand, how many of us, when under considerable stress, would look and act great with cameras trailing around after us 100% of the time? When I blogged on Bravo's Top Design, the designers on those shows had relatively little public profile - the were all professionals, but not quite big names either. Twitter and FB didn't play a big role, but this time, the people tweeting and commenting are a highly professional and dedicated group of professional designers (some with as big, or bigger careers than those on the show). And, the initial commentary is a very mixed bag indeed.  Many negative comments were flying via public tweet and private message. These shows are produced because they are dramatic and there's big business in drama. Mix the drama with celebrity (Sharon Osborn plays a big role in epi 1) and million dollar budgets and <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/million-dollar-decorators/season-1/videos/coming-up-in-the-premiere-season">BravoTV</a> is in pig heaven. Professional designers all seem a bit leary - will this make the rest of us look bad? Will the long held negative stereotypes of our industry (stereotypes regarding blown budgets, overbearing decorators and clients not getting what they want) be reinforced? Or, will we see real people, warts and all, just trying to satisfy a demanding clientele? After all, Sharon O seemed completely unfazed at making Martyn Lawrence Bullard completely decorate a new apartment in a matter of days. And, one wonders, what other client's work was pushed aside in order to accomplish this feat? Time will tell. Would love to hear your thoughts. <br /><br />Meanwhile, here's a round up of places to go to hear what others are saying:<br /><br /><div style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"><b>Tweet-a-palooza! </b></div><div style="background-color: #a2c4c9;">There were three tweet hashtags going on during episode one. A little crazy, but some of the best commentary comes in less than 140 characters. I highly recommend using <a href="http://tweetchat.com/">TweetChat.com</a> because it makes following all the aggregated tweets so much easier, plus, it appends the hashtag on automatically. </div><div style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: #a2c4c9;">#mddbravotv (the one I use) <a href="http://tweetchat.com/room/mddbravotv">http://tweetchat.com/room/mddbravotv</a></div><div style="background-color: #a2c4c9;">#mdd  <a href="http://tweetchat.com/room/mdd">http://tweetchat.com/room/mdd</a></div><div style="background-color: #a2c4c9;">and </div><div style="background-color: #a2c4c9;">#milliondollardecorators  <a href="http://tweetchat.com/room/milliondollardecorators">http://tweetchat.com/room/milliondollardecorators</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieM8TBY67sgqJ6he6jF2ZeEl4h1phqAQFB997ObtenfktU1EFzd87Q_2caU-BgKcFsZSIrUfiLMqE0cGI_uVKkEAbtuLS3myAXPpcH_GuhS7rF6qL6jyfcKnYMSXY6DXhko6uvL4qGPPl1/s1600/Mdd1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieM8TBY67sgqJ6he6jF2ZeEl4h1phqAQFB997ObtenfktU1EFzd87Q_2caU-BgKcFsZSIrUfiLMqE0cGI_uVKkEAbtuLS3myAXPpcH_GuhS7rF6qL6jyfcKnYMSXY6DXhko6uvL4qGPPl1/s1600/Mdd1.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mary McDonald is shocked that her clients are getting a divorce and are selling the house that MM not only decorated, but also considers her own. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"><b>Some of my favorite tweets: </b></div><div style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"><a class="mention" href="http://twitter.com/amandawaas" target="_new">@amandawaas</a>: Here's a tip: never let anyone with the word "teen" in their age plan a party. All you'll end up with is a bag of Fritos and tears. <a href="http://tweetchat.com/room/mdd">#mdd</a><span class="smallTxt"> -11:21 PM May 31st, 2011</span></div><div style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"><br /></div><div class="tweet-row" style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"><span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="261305325" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/whitwestbrook" title="Whitney A. Westbrook">whitwestbrook</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">Whitney A. Westbrook</span> </span> <br /><div class="tweet-corner"><div class="tweet-meta"><span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"><span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"><a class=" twitter-hashtag" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23MDD" rel="nofollow" title="#MDD"><span class="hash"><b>#</b></span><span class="hash-text"><b>MDD</b></span><b></b></a><b></b> Yay! Looks like real design stress in upcoming episodes! When I saw the antique tile being destroyed, I threw up a little. Good sign.</div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"></div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"><div class="tweet-row"><span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="67338726" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/ErikaatBluLabel" title="Erika Ward">ErikaatBluLabel</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">Erika Ward</span> </span> <br /><div class="tweet-corner"><div class="tweet-meta"><span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"><span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div>Ok, so Sharon Osbourne is the highlight of the show. They should bring her back next week, no? <a class=" twitter-hashtag" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23MDDBravotv" rel="nofollow" title="#MDDBravotv"><span class="hash"><b>#</b></span><span class="hash-text"><b>MDDBravotv</b></span></a> </div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"></div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"><a class=" twitter-atreply" data-screen-name="vickinoe" href="http://twitter.com/vickinoe" rel="nofollow"><span class="at">@</span><span class="at-text">vickinoe</span></a> I AM having a cocktail while watching this <a class=" twitter-hashtag" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23mddbravotv" rel="nofollow" title="#mddbravotv"><span class="hash"><b>#</b></span><span class="hash-text"><b>mddbravotv</b></span><b></b></a><b></b>. Much easier to watch that way <a class=" twitter-hashtag" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23mddbravotv" rel="nofollow" title="#mddbravotv"><span class="hash"><b>#</b></span><span class="hash-text"><b>mddbravotv</b></span></a></div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"></div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link"><div class="tweet-row" style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"><span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="64594049" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/karidesigns" title="Kari Fisher">karidesigns</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">Kari Fisher</span> </span> <br /><div class="tweet-corner"><div class="tweet-meta"><span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"><span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div><div class="tweet-row" style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"><div class="tweet-text pretty-link">at least amongst the silly decorator personalities, they are showing the hardworking design assistants <a class=" twitter-hashtag" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23MDD" rel="nofollow" title="#MDD"><span class="hash"><b>#</b></span><span class="hash-text"><b>MDD</b></span><b></b></a><b></b> <a class=" twitter-hashtag" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23madlovebehindthescenes" rel="nofollow" title="#madlovebehindthescenes"><span class="hash">#</span><span class="hash-text">madlovebehindthescenes</span></a></div></div><span class="hash-text"><b></b></span></div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdu1lsO5GKyLZGXx6IkOM_BN7UFUPySSq9o3O8uGXcNsffIoh6dSKfxYNbZurQVd6rA06eO4tUnb8x6PokQtrNV9-xz7vthQgBS0UeJ7xuT-FsdPehDnhas46FXpiJfzx5lNAbrQ3xBax/s1600/mdd2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdu1lsO5GKyLZGXx6IkOM_BN7UFUPySSq9o3O8uGXcNsffIoh6dSKfxYNbZurQVd6rA06eO4tUnb8x6PokQtrNV9-xz7vthQgBS0UeJ7xuT-FsdPehDnhas46FXpiJfzx5lNAbrQ3xBax/s640/mdd2.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Ross Cassidy (JAM's bf and assistant) and Jeffry Alan Marks disagree on a Martyn Lawrence Bullard fabric. </span></div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Textiles flying and eyeballs rolling!</span></div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="background-color: #a2c4c9; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="background-color: #a2c4c9;"><b>And the designers own Twitter handles</b>: <a class=" twitter-atreply" data-screen-name="MARYMCDONALDINC" href="http://twitter.com/MARYMCDONALDINC" rel="nofollow"><span class="at">@</span><span class="at-text">MARYMCDONALDINC</span></a>  <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="172501174" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/MartynBullard" title="M. Lawrence-Bullard">@MartynBullard</a> </span>  <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="272105360" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/jeffreymarksinc" title="Jeffrey Marks">jeffreymarksinc</a> </span> <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/kathrynmireland">@KathrynMIreland </a> @nathanturner and <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/NTurnerDesign">@NTurnerDesign</a>  </div></div><br /><div style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b>In others' words: recaps from the blogosphere: (this section may be added to throughout the week, so check back!)</b></div><div style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: #d9d2e9;"><a href="http://www.designblahg.com/blahg/recap-million-dollar-decorators-episode-1.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">Design Blahg</a> - THE funniest captions<br />Raina Cox on <a href="http://curbed.com/archives/2011/06/01/episode-one-the-osbournes-party-pad-divorce-and-snotty-guacamole.php">Curbed</a> offers her designers' eye and knows the difference between Eames and van der Rohe, unlike a certain $$$$$$$$$ decorator  <br /></div><br />Will you be back for Episode Two?<br /><br /><br /><form action="http://poll.pollcode.com/7WT1" method="post"><table bgcolor="#eea994" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 150px;"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Who is your favorite designer so far? </b></span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input name="answer" type="radio" value="1" /></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Kathryn M. Ireland</span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input name="answer" type="radio" value="2" /></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Mary McDonald</span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input name="answer" type="radio" value="3" /></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Martyn Lawrence Bullard</span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input name="answer" type="radio" value="4" /></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jeffrey Alan Marks</span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input name="answer" type="radio" value="5" /></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nate Turner</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><br /><center><input type="submit" value="Vote" />  <input name="view" type="submit" value="View" /></center></td></tr><tr><td align="right" bgcolor="white" colspan="2"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">pollcode.com <a href="http://pollcode.com/"><span style="color: navy;">free polls</span></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table></form>  <br /><form action="http://poll.pollcode.com/Aa3w" method="post"><table bgcolor="#eeeeee" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 150px;"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Who was your favorite non-designer charachter?</b></span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input name="answer" type="radio" value="1" /></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ross Cassidy (JAM's bf and assistant)</span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input name="answer" type="radio" value="2" /></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">4 pug dogs (Mary McD's) </span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input name="answer" type="radio" value="3" /></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Kathryn Ireland's French Housekeeper </span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input name="answer" type="radio" value="4" /></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Kathryn Ireland's sons</span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input name="answer" type="radio" value="5" /></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Sharon Osborne</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><br /><center><input type="submit" value="Vote" />  <input name="view" type="submit" value="View" /></center></td></tr><tr><td align="right" bgcolor="white" colspan="2"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">pollcode.com <a href="http://pollcode.com/"><span style="color: navy;">free polls</span></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table></form><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>

Million Dollar Decorators: Episode 1

 Mary McDonald and Nate Turner arrive for Kathryn Ireland's birthday party bearing quite a cake!Okay, so my initial thoughts on MDD Episode 1: These designers all took an incredibly huge risk in doing this show. They risk looking unprofessional, ungrateful and unkempt. On the other hand, how many of…

Read more »

Million Dollar Decorators premiers tonight!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR8m-4bfVZRlJumQ4v_OqKwbE6Qjw7QbEbRyWvFUhPhzq5TAUD6e77cAm6bxnDU-JCV9Gzdc0hKBqYIScu-FpG_51bUNQWS1e-DJglqLrPiGad3JHRv8QBZNWCN69Y9TTpyXQrBWY2-xf/s1600/mdd+poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR8m-4bfVZRlJumQ4v_OqKwbE6Qjw7QbEbRyWvFUhPhzq5TAUD6e77cAm6bxnDU-JCV9Gzdc0hKBqYIScu-FpG_51bUNQWS1e-DJglqLrPiGad3JHRv8QBZNWCN69Y9TTpyXQrBWY2-xf/s1600/mdd+poster.png" /></a></div><br />Join me TONIGHT on Twitter #mddbravotv  ( <a href="http://tweetchat.com/room/mddbravotv">http://tweetchat.com/room/mddbravotv</a> ) to chat about this new series featuring the crazy lives and businesses of designers Kathryn Ireland, Mary McDonald, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Nathan Turner and Jeffrey Allen Marks. I'll be interviewing each of the designers throughout the 8 week season, so stay tuned for that. Editor at Large has already done a series of interviews, which you can read <a href="http://www.editoratlarge.com/articles/1274/behind-the-scenes-with-bravo-s-million-dollar-decorators">here</a> and <a href="http://www.editoratlarge.com/articles/behind-the-scenes-with-bravo-s-million-dollar-decorators-cont--2">here</a>. <br /><br />I've seen the first episode and it's fast paced and eye opening. The entire series looks like a hoot and I think professional designers will really be fascinated, appalled, jealous and sympathetic to the real world of high-budget and high-stakes decorating. And "civilian" viewers will likely be astonished by the dollars that can be spent on decorating. This isn't your mother's HGTV, that's for sure!<br /><br />So, join me on Twitter, 10PM EST tonight and every Tuesday throughout the season to share your thoughts on the show, it will be fun! Twitter hashtag #mddbravotv<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>

Million Dollar Decorators premiers tonight!

Join me TONIGHT on Twitter #mddbravotv  ( http://tweetchat.com/room/mddbravotv ) to chat about this new series featuring the crazy lives and businesses of designers Kathryn Ireland, Mary McDonald, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Nathan Turner and Jeffrey Allen Marks. I'll be interviewing each of the design…

Read more »

Five Trends to Watch at the 2011 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)

By <a href="http://web.mac.com/ldolnick/iWeb/my%20website/Welcome.html">Lori Dolnick</a><br /><br />The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas, NV was a leaner exhibition – a reflection of the economy and home building sales no doubt. But traffic and designer interest was brisk for the exhibitors present – hopefully a positive sign for the future. KBIS is one of my favorite shows. Homeowners really invest in their kitchens and KBIS is the place to see what’s new, what’s trending and where the kitchen of the future is going. Here are some of the trends I saw and hot new products coming out this year.<br /><br /><b>1.    Transitional or New Traditional</b><br />Transitional or New Traditional is here to stay - a real style in its own right. From <a href="http://www.totousa.com/">TOTO</a>’s new Vivian faucet<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93ywoVfVmgc2oWANi8mfpnImls5KuLt8nVW0WgJ1P_9CIWSK7Xj6e4xxz0Jlba17iSgzOQmocgl_8U2b5eEIGin9dRFF5KDUEAD6s9EpO2ryQPqfeeRY4Ymj4IsqouLawMVWOrqAdp1ku/s1600/vivian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93ywoVfVmgc2oWANi8mfpnImls5KuLt8nVW0WgJ1P_9CIWSK7Xj6e4xxz0Jlba17iSgzOQmocgl_8U2b5eEIGin9dRFF5KDUEAD6s9EpO2ryQPqfeeRY4Ymj4IsqouLawMVWOrqAdp1ku/s400/vivian.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/Vivian%20Widespread%20Cross%20Handle%20HEF%205x7%20Horizontal.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=13049419950001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><br />to <a href="http://www.hardwareresources.com/">Hardware Resources</a>’ Lyn Design Bath Vanities in Chocolate – what’s old is new again.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/VAN080/web.jpg?ver=13049367920001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/VAN080/web.jpg?ver=13049367920001" /></a></div><br />Today’s Traditional offers cleaner lines, less ornamentation and a more updated, sophisticated feel. <br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>2.    Personal Style</b><br />We’re not designing for resale value. We’re designing for ourselves – for the long haul.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/Trevi%202/web.jpg?ver=13049364800001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/Trevi%202/web.jpg?ver=13049364800001" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.topknobs.com/Default.aspx">Top Knobs </a>launched their unique new Passport Collection at KBIS – inspired by global landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain, Victoria Falls, Sydney Opera House, Tower Bridge and the Great Wall of China. What could be more personal than decorating with a souvenir from somewhere special? It’s what we all do when we travel, but now you can get a free sample shipped to your home without going anywhere at all. Design meets destination.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/Hands_Cups/web.jpg?ver=13049417190001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/Hands_Cups/web.jpg?ver=13049417190001" width="320" /></a></div><br />Another example… someone at the show told me to visit the <a href="http://www.scotsman-ice.com/?xhtml=xhtml/sct/us/en/homepage/default.html&xsl=homepage.xsl">Scotsman Ice Systems</a> booth because they love to chew ice. You can’t get more personal than that! Me – I like the big cubes in my water. But if someone needs them small and chewy – this would be the system for them. Personal taste is a trend that is hot right now.<br /><br /><b>3.    Personal Luxury</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/Image_INAX_SATIS_4d.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=13049408960001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/Image_INAX_SATIS_4d.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=13049408960001" width="400" /></a></div><br />If KBIS is any indicator – toilets are the next hot new must-have gadget. <a href="http://www.inax-usa.com/">INAX</a>’s latest offering, for example, plays music, lights your way at night, heats the seat, offers a personal cleansing massage plus automatically opens and closes. Plasmacluster technology cleans the air with antibacterial ions. Never mind its advanced flushing technology, green features and sophisticated design. So when I was asked would I pay $4,800 for a luxury spa toilet, my answer was simple, “it shuts the seat?” Worth the price of admission for me!<br /><br />My kids did ask if it knows to open for a boy or a girl. The INAX representative told me it opens the lid for girls. Sorry fellas, you’ll have to lift the seat on your own. <br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>4.    Design Matters</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/DCT365S%20angle%20environment%20oct10.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=13049354520001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/DCT365S%20angle%20environment%20oct10.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=13049354520001" /></a></div><br />From Michael Graves’ teapots to Poggenpohl’s Porsche kitchen, branded design partnerships are not new. Design and Designers matter to homeowners. And the elements do not have to be expensive to offer high performance or design. <a href="http://www.dacor.com/">Dacor</a>’s new Distinctive 36” cooktop was created in partnership with BMW Group Designworks USA and is a perfect example of an accessibly priced appliance that has name plate designer status attached. <br /><br /><b>5.    Green as a Greens Fee</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/Slide13/web.jpg?ver=13049368970001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/Slide13/web.jpg?ver=13049368970001" width="320" /></a></div><br />OK, I’m a golfer. To me a “greens fee” means something you pay just to play. And in today’s marketplace, you need to be green to play. While it’s still not high on the consumer’s punch list, designers, architects and manufacturers recognize that they must be environmentally friendly. Products like LED lighting from <a href="http://stonelightingdesign.com/">Stone Lighting</a> and<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/25CS906_d/web.jpg?ver=13049512600001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://gallery.me.com/ldolnick/101195/25CS906_d/web.jpg?ver=13049512600001" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.staron.co.kr/staron/eng/products/introducing.do">Samsung’s Radianz Quartz</a> with recycled content, demonstrate that the building community has embraced green as a long-term necessity that won’t go away like gas rationing in the 70’s. Let’s applaud the design community for creatively leading us to be environmentally responsible instead of waiting for us to ask. <br /><br /><br />Lori Dolnick is a regular contributor to <a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/">::Surroundings::</a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-G11330_7QNVy5SnscQ0RYOZ6pOKtzY2uJgw3mtjb3Hh3tkKur1ThM9-0P6AEH3tsayMg9dMzGkEXYkFGlJwgiUvQdxO5wZJ1jr1UDAIcAMFnE_DvoeQ1lehnBabAhlCtfyPr8UmdQrO/s1600/loripic2SML.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-G11330_7QNVy5SnscQ0RYOZ6pOKtzY2uJgw3mtjb3Hh3tkKur1ThM9-0P6AEH3tsayMg9dMzGkEXYkFGlJwgiUvQdxO5wZJ1jr1UDAIcAMFnE_DvoeQ1lehnBabAhlCtfyPr8UmdQrO/s320/loripic2SML.jpg" /></a><br /><br />See all Lori's posts <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/search/label/Lori%20Dolnick">here</a>.<br /><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>

Five Trends to Watch at the 2011 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)

By Lori DolnickThe Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas, NV was a leaner exhibition – a reflection of the economy and home building sales no doubt. But traffic and designer interest was brisk for the exhibitors present – hopefully a positive sign for the future. KBIS is one of my favorite shows…

Read more »

Blogfest 2011 - Traditional Home presents The Heritage Collection

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/5738229691_fdb7953def_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/5738229691_fdb7953def_z.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Last week, one of the highlights of <a href="http://www.blogfest2011.com/">Blogfest2011</a> was the opportunity to meet with three of our very favorite past guests on <a href="http://www.skirtedroundtabe.blogspot.com/">The Skirted Roundtable</a>. On Tuesday, we were bussed out to Long Island City to <a href="http://www.mayostudios.com/">Mayo Studios</a> for Kravet's launch of the <a href="http://www.leejofa.com/">Lee Jofa Heritage Collection</a>,  hosted by <a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/">Traditional Home</a> magazine.  Six designers who have previously done lines for Kravet/Lee Jofa were asked to update a classic Lee Jofa fabric and then create a vignette around the fabric, which was photographed for an upcoming Traditional Home. On hand were David Easton, Diamond & Baratta, Eric Cohler, Suzanne Kasler, Suzanne Rheinstein and Thomas O'Brien. Each designer kindly met, stood for photographs and signed autographs with the bloggers in attendance.<br /><br />I beat a path to the fan lines of SRT alumni <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2011/01/chatting-with-suzanne-rheinstein.html">Suzanne Rheinstein</a>, <a href="http://www.davideastoninc.com/">David Easton</a> and <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2009/10/suzanne-kasler-sits-down-at-skirted.html">Suzanne Kasler</a>, all of whom couldn't be nicer. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/5738231453_baf265a94d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/5738231453_baf265a94d_z.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hollyhockinc.com/">Suzanne Rheinstein</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/5738781520_f36e174c1a_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/5738781520_f36e174c1a_z.jpg" width="533" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/5738231019_12baf895e7_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/5738231019_12baf895e7_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/5738783180_e65cfb44b1_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5738232829_78f79d29a9_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5738232829_78f79d29a9_z.jpg" width="533" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.davideastoninc.com/">David Easton</a> chatting with <a href="http://www.kravet.com/">Kravet</a>'s Scott Kravet</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2425/5738782224_c59b9285c2_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2425/5738782224_c59b9285c2_z.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/5738783180_e65cfb44b1_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/5738783180_e65cfb44b1_z.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.suzannekasler.com/">Suzanne Kasler</a> chats with <a href="http://stacystyle.wordpress.com/">Stacy Kunstel</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3440/5738783922_38203401b0_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3440/5738783922_38203401b0_z.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/5738784278_691aec004f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/5738784278_691aec004f_z.jpg" width="533" /></a></div><br />All these vignettes were created in a big, cavernous loft space - it was a lot of fun seeing what these design icons could do in such small spaces.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mayostudios.com/">Mayo Studios </a>is a photography and design studio that specializes in the home design products:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdPZSKFgnYQez-VdTH-VAt6hc8-agJDBC8wyuib_LWYpX6o99dGZ2C4i7-dqkqCIJqBHbEZnv0A-Hb-y_McCuvyUb0d0YJ1A79-nUtRYWeltWpaOm-A1yzBJaluNMZrFsqjaenrxFZcOz/s1600/Mayo+Studios+-+Our+Work_1306440447136.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdPZSKFgnYQez-VdTH-VAt6hc8-agJDBC8wyuib_LWYpX6o99dGZ2C4i7-dqkqCIJqBHbEZnv0A-Hb-y_McCuvyUb0d0YJ1A79-nUtRYWeltWpaOm-A1yzBJaluNMZrFsqjaenrxFZcOz/s1600/Mayo+Studios+-+Our+Work_1306440447136.png" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mayostudios.com/common/images/detail-kravet-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://www.mayostudios.com/common/images/detail-kravet-003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Mayo Studios image for Kravet Fabrics</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mayostudios.com/common/images/detail-jonathanadler-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">All images by Linda Merrill 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>

Blogfest 2011 - Traditional Home presents The Heritage Collection

 Last week, one of the highlights of Blogfest2011 was the opportunity to meet with three of our very favorite past guests on The Skirted Roundtable. On Tuesday, we were bussed out to Long Island City to Mayo Studios for Kravet's launch of the Lee Jofa Heritage Collection,  hosted by Traditional Hom…

Read more »

Blogging on "Million Dollar Decorator" on Bravo

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC68aa7tlseWSwA6YBBbeYnzYGRGX9C1_Pd-mwABMaGguIwmnJ2xo30yZXzx9Fzu9SApf-k1xkXSD0hi40ZTm7-_WR80YJy4xjJEpH8xmHt4XlTBuAch9LlXJMfidT5xPr3_TrehGRAQ4s/s1600/MDD+video+image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9knP1meRtVa5IZUpNZi_wdwa7OfEF5J-xhHKal9XMgJNo1U6VAud72RpgnJPOCO3Y_spY9W7R2w5o64IFCpSGqZDNxvxW_YcADH2t7ugRHG_p47QkQx5yy6-Ig86EXLq3-6CoiRRbjLwN/s1600/About+-+Million+Dollar+Decorators+Season+1+-+Bravo+TV+Official+Site_1306206811623.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9knP1meRtVa5IZUpNZi_wdwa7OfEF5J-xhHKal9XMgJNo1U6VAud72RpgnJPOCO3Y_spY9W7R2w5o64IFCpSGqZDNxvxW_YcADH2t7ugRHG_p47QkQx5yy6-Ig86EXLq3-6CoiRRbjLwN/s640/About+-+Million+Dollar+Decorators+Season+1+-+Bravo+TV+Official+Site_1306206811623.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />I just finished watching an advance screener of the first episode of<a href="http://www.bravotv.com/million-dollar-decorators/season-1"> BravoTV's "Million Dollar Decorator" </a>starring LA design icons Kathryn M. Ireland, Mary MacDonald, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Nathan Turner and Jeffrey Alan Marks. The show premiers on Tuesday, May 31st and I will be blogging on it and doing interviews with all the decorators. I have to say that it's quite brave of these designers to let the cameras document their personal lives and client interactions because let's face it, we're not always ready for prime time and episode 1 is a bit of an eye opener. It's a rare world of celebrity, wealth and status that few decorators will ever know with parties, planes and anything goes budgets. That said, it's also a pressure cooker where the clientele is used to getting what they want when they want it and a disappointed celeb client can jeopardize a career. Celebrities are sure to make appearances, such as Sharon Osborne who tasked Martyn LB with decorating a new apartment - start to finish - in under two weeks. Retail shopping on a huge budget - a girl can only dream...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC68aa7tlseWSwA6YBBbeYnzYGRGX9C1_Pd-mwABMaGguIwmnJ2xo30yZXzx9Fzu9SApf-k1xkXSD0hi40ZTm7-_WR80YJy4xjJEpH8xmHt4XlTBuAch9LlXJMfidT5xPr3_TrehGRAQ4s/s1600/MDD+video+image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC68aa7tlseWSwA6YBBbeYnzYGRGX9C1_Pd-mwABMaGguIwmnJ2xo30yZXzx9Fzu9SApf-k1xkXSD0hi40ZTm7-_WR80YJy4xjJEpH8xmHt4XlTBuAch9LlXJMfidT5xPr3_TrehGRAQ4s/s200/MDD+video+image.png" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bravotv.com/million-dollar-decorators/season-1/videos/coming-up-in-the-premiere-season" target="_blank">Here's a sneak peak</a></div><br /><br />A little inside tidbit - last fall, we interviewed <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2010/12/kathryn-m-ireland-visits-skirted.html">Kathryn on The Skirted Roundtable</a>. I think we rescheduled 3 or 4 times because of her shooting schedule on the show. Oh how I wish the cameras were there when Joni, Megan and I chatted her up during cocktail hour! Now that would have been fun. Meanwhile, I have a few minutes of recording where Kathryn spoke about the show, which she requested be removed from the SRT podcast because they were still filming and it was too soon to publicly talk about it. I'll have to ask Bravo and Kathryn for permission to post it here. Hopefully they'll say yes. <br /><br />Meanwhile, who wants to watch <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/million-dollar-decorators/season-1">Million Dollar Decorators</a> with me?<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>

Blogging on "Million Dollar Decorator" on Bravo

I just finished watching an advance screener of the first episode of BravoTV's "Million Dollar Decorator" starring LA design icons Kathryn M. Ireland, Mary MacDonald, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Nathan Turner and Jeffrey Alan Marks. The show premiers on Tuesday, May 31st and I will be blogging on it an…

Read more »

"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 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 w…

Read more »

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 6:30AM 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 …

Read more »

10 Things I Wish I'd Been Told for Williams Sonoma Home

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/dam/designer/global/DM_logo_Main-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="45" src="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/dam/designer/global/DM_logo_Main-01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I was asked by the folks at <a href="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/">Williams Sonoma</a> to write a series of articles on the business of design. I was very flattered by this because I sometimes struggle with keeping the right balance between being a professional designer and being a design blogger. I try to do both equally well, but the blogging has so far brought me larger recognition and that is what it is intended to do. However, being asked to contribute my thoughts on the actual business of design from a designers perspective is gratifying.<br /><br />My first article has been posted and it's called <a href="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/designer/design_pulse/design_blog/10_things_i_wishsomeonehadtoldmewhenifirststartedadesignbusiness.html">"10 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Started My Design Business"</a>. 20/20 is hindsight and I hope this is helpful to anyone who is just starting out!<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>

10 Things I Wish I'd Been Told for Williams Sonoma Home

I was asked by the folks at Williams Sonoma to write a series of articles on the business of design. I was very flattered by this because I sometimes struggle with keeping the right balance between being a professional designer and being a design blogger. I try to do both equally well, but the blogg…

Read more »