Top Design: Season 2 Winner Nathan Thomas in Elle Decor

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7orFAOwL7JSsG7DqBvqoFCXpG5bgqz4uW2TWgCTvYa6yfJfxcL50dT7-3-i8kvoWC7blhCmRNehssTjCGC2WX_kQar6-zdotEh1hg2FLjliTNIAxe5Oz_qxDN9gdZjL_9vFGSdgLHI8/s400/Elle+Decor+March+Cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7orFAOwL7JSsG7DqBvqoFCXpG5bgqz4uW2TWgCTvYa6yfJfxcL50dT7-3-i8kvoWC7blhCmRNehssTjCGC2WX_kQar6-zdotEh1hg2FLjliTNIAxe5Oz_qxDN9gdZjL_9vFGSdgLHI8/s400/Elle+Decor+March+Cover.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.nathanthomasstudios.com/">Nathan Thomas</a>' s winning designs appear in the March issue of <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a>.<br /><br /><br />This chrysanthemum wallpaper, used by several of the designers throughout the season, is called <span style="font-style: italic;">Tempting</span> by Linda Barker, available here at <a href="http://www.grahambrown.com/us/store/viewProduct.do?id=2428849">Graham and Brown</a>. The antique desk was from <a href="http://www.rdimports.com/">RD Imports</a>, and the Nelson Minor lamp is by <a href="http://www.jonathanadler.com/shop/product.php?productid=16659&cat=385&page=1">Jonathan Adler</a>. The Arabic bone inlaid klismos chair (used by all three final designers) was from <a href="http://nadeauimports.com/cd-rb/category/seating-chair/page18.html">Nadeau Imports</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.pointclickhome.com/files/web/imagecache/pch_gallery_detail/files/web/images/ED0309_WHTOPD12_104_0.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.pointclickhome.com/files/web/imagecache/pch_gallery_detail/files/web/images/ED0309_WHTOPD12_104_0.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br />Nathan Thomas photographed in his winning townhouse foyer. While I didn't really agree with Nathan's selection as winner (I was a Preston Lee fan), he was clearly the most successful of the three finalists in the design of the entry foyer of the town houses. Eclectic and energetic, Nathan didn't try to do anything functional with this odd stand alone room. He simply filled it with beautiful objects and let it set the tone for the rest of the home. As I recall, the wall art over the antique cupboard were wire baskets - pretty good example of high/lo decorating!<br /><a href="http://www.pointclickhome.com/files/web/imagecache/pch_gallery_detail/files/web/images/ED0309_WHTOPD12_110_0.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.pointclickhome.com/files/web/imagecache/pch_gallery_detail/files/web/images/ED0309_WHTOPD12_110_0.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br />In the master bedroom, The <a href="http://www.eastmanfurniture.com/product.php?cid=14&pid=199">Freeform sideboard</a> and <a href="http://www.markhobley.com/">Mark Hobley </a>screen print are from <a href="http://www.jaxonhome.com/">Jaxon Home</a> were real standouts.<br /><a href="http://www.pointclickhome.com/files/web/imagecache/pch_gallery_detail/files/web/images/ED0309_WHTOPD12_100_0.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.pointclickhome.com/files/web/imagecache/pch_gallery_detail/files/web/images/ED0309_WHTOPD12_100_0.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />Click <a href="http://www.pointclickhome.com/decorating_design/articles/whats_hot_top_design_0">here</a> to view all the photos, plus Nathan's interview with TD lead judge Jonathan Adler. Also, for those of you in the NYC area, Nathan is participating in a very fun challenge at Design Within Reach. Click <a href="http://www.dwr.com/category/find+a+studio/nyccolumbus.do">here</a> for the details!<br /><br />ps - I am loving this Elle Decor cover, aren't you??<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a><br /><br /><p><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></p>

Top Design: Season 2 Winner Nathan Thomas in Elle Decor

Nathan Thomas ' s winning designs appear in the March issue of Elle Decor . This chrysanthemum wallpaper, used by several of the designe...

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Michael Smith had competion for the WH gig!

Guess which <span style="font-style: italic;">Top Design</span> contestant was asked to submit their portfolio to the office of Michelle Obama? Click <a href="http://bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com/2009/01/from-mailbox_26.html">here</a> to find out!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a><br /><br /><p><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></p>

Michael Smith had competion for the WH gig!

Guess which Top Design contestant was asked to submit their portfolio to the office of Michelle Obama? Click here to find out! Subscribe...

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Celebrate the Holidays with Andrea Schroder and Family

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiT8woPyY_9RgRWgR015M2CqnzCoccn5G6BRFeFGH-8ucABtQM46bBFh2DNmPRZBza4zmil-6pkC4uwSEYctQcxyy9N63EEXhlanBjychz7LbZd3Mqo3c1Tfusw4h5Ax2le9fSRQhVO0Q/s1600-h/get-attachment-10.aspx.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278766898358660322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiT8woPyY_9RgRWgR015M2CqnzCoccn5G6BRFeFGH-8ucABtQM46bBFh2DNmPRZBza4zmil-6pkC4uwSEYctQcxyy9N63EEXhlanBjychz7LbZd3Mqo3c1Tfusw4h5Ax2le9fSRQhVO0Q/s400/get-attachment-10.aspx.jpeg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 405px;" /></a><br />Lovely Top Design Season 2 contestant <a href="http://www.andreadschroder.com/">Andrea Schroder</a> emailed over these great pics of her family getting ready for the holidays in Malibu Magazine. Normally, I post all my Top Design items over at <a href="http://www.bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com">Blogging Top Design</a>, but I wanted to share these here as well!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIstc-x8Nt3jITvLr2IuV83wo-1MvfkvNyITHtrGqHWFQqHiXTOjNLVZmSiA9uS4X545MrlhdFCk7SMJQ7RfEEqaT3hYiaMV1H9sW9Xv2CH95qJsy2swA23ex0_P74AujC5FlqglH-azdd/s1600-h/get-attachment-2.aspx.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278766890969159058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIstc-x8Nt3jITvLr2IuV83wo-1MvfkvNyITHtrGqHWFQqHiXTOjNLVZmSiA9uS4X545MrlhdFCk7SMJQ7RfEEqaT3hYiaMV1H9sW9Xv2CH95qJsy2swA23ex0_P74AujC5FlqglH-azdd/s400/get-attachment-2.aspx.jpeg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncmV_85xn-2u_VYYxp1XWH-6ooqRNyzuH5LsaHo4Lr56ITUEwS-ELNU3VDm4JOMUNFp5IMEJ6pgiQUzlzvf_xNRk0AzQngAhm6rPkyWR4c-DIcCRXDgsBbyi5asnYwk50OZjoD4bh3Xcj/s1600-h/get-attachment-6.aspx.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278766894290038482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncmV_85xn-2u_VYYxp1XWH-6ooqRNyzuH5LsaHo4Lr56ITUEwS-ELNU3VDm4JOMUNFp5IMEJ6pgiQUzlzvf_xNRk0AzQngAhm6rPkyWR4c-DIcCRXDgsBbyi5asnYwk50OZjoD4bh3Xcj/s400/get-attachment-6.aspx.jpeg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 401px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Click images for larger view and to read captions.</span><br /></div><br />Aren't they a gorgeous family? But, this New England girl just can't quite get the whole Malibu Beach Christmas vibe! Where's the snow? Where's the sleet and freezing winds? And just how does Santa keep cool out there in his white fur and red velvet? Inquiring minds want to know!<br /><br />Meanwhile, Eddie Ross recently spent some time Chez Schroder and posted some more pics of their house <a href="http://www.eddieross.com/eddie_ross/2008/12/a-southern-california-holiday.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks Andrea for sharing!

Celebrate the Holidays with Andrea Schroder and Family

Lovely Top Design Season 2 contestant Andrea Schroder emailed over these great pics of her family getting ready for the holidays in Malibu ...

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Top Design Chandi Challenge - And the Winner Is...

<a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100434/Swarovski-20competition-20Folder-20of-20Ideas/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100434/Swarovski-20competition-20Folder-20of-20Ideas/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 403px; height: 301px;" /></a><br />A big congratulations to <a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/2008/11/btd-chandelier-challenge-sheila-omeara.html">Sheila O'Meara</a> - you are the winner of the <a href="http://bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com/">Blogging Top Design</a> Swarovski Crystal Palace Chandelier Design Challenge!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100562/MargaretRussell/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100562/MargaretRussell/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 168px;" /></a>Our esteemed judge, Margaret Russell, editor-in-chief of <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> magazine and Top Design judge, says of your design:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I’ve chosen Sheila O’Meara’s formal dining room with the Light Sock chandelier as the winner of the Swarovski Chandelier challenge.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It was terrific to see all of the entries—and I appreciated elements in each of them—but Sheila created the most professional and thoughtful presentation. She chose to not include a proper rendering of the room, but her mood board and detailed written description provided a remarkably realistic portrayal of her space; it was very easy to imagine being inside her dining room. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Though the Light Sock was my least favorite of the light fixtures, Sheila conjured a dreamy space that suited the texture and scale of the piece. Her color palette is a tad somber, but she deftly described the layout of the room (including a fireplace; who doesn’t love a fireplace in a dining room?), her mix of textures, and even how she would set the table."</span><br /><br />Click <a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/2008/11/btd-chandelier-challenge-sheila-omeara.html">here</a> to view Sheila's winning design.<br /><br />Sheila has won a signed copy of Margaret's fantastic book <span style="font-style: italic;">So Chic</span> and a bag of sparkly goodness from <a href="http://www.swarovskisparkles.com">Swarovski</a>.<br /><br />A big thank you to Margaret for being our judge and for offering her book as a prize and to <a href="http://www.swarovskisparkles.com">Swarovski</a> for offering a crystal surprise as well. And a huge <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);font-size:180%;" >thank you</span> to <a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/search/label/Swarovski%20entry">all fourteen of you</a> who took the time to create beautiful design boards for our consideration. We so appreciate your time, talent and efforts! You made this a very fun contest for all of us!<br /><br />And stay tuned, we'll be hosting a Readers Choice challenge later on this week. Click over to <a href="http://www.bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com/">Blogging Top Design</a> for all the details.<br /><br /><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100562/MargaretRussell/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a>

Top Design Chandi Challenge - And the Winner Is...

A big congratulations to Sheila O'Meara - you are the winner of the Blogging Top Design Swarovski Crystal Palace Chandelier Design Cha...

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BTD Chandelier Challenge! Finalists named

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8I58Pjp0EO3WxZduhT4Itvau-nr4CSnPcPrdcvMQ-X7mo9kbqn2utCo7UyBefLgK3YbBkGC-xtL14iFDclcb0AeeJ4QfEoklh7TSylvsXSOqqpn2HY0n6RemAg_BEQzX3ZSINPDkA6c/s1600-h/SwarovskiFinalists.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268003895244691570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8I58Pjp0EO3WxZduhT4Itvau-nr4CSnPcPrdcvMQ-X7mo9kbqn2utCo7UyBefLgK3YbBkGC-xtL14iFDclcb0AeeJ4QfEoklh7TSylvsXSOqqpn2HY0n6RemAg_BEQzX3ZSINPDkA6c/s400/SwarovskiFinalists.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 378px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Click on image for larger view.</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The <a href="http://www.bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com">BTD</a> team - Laura K, Tbone, The Scarlett and Linda Merrill have confabbed and we have selected<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fifi Flowers</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Francoise McAree</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sheila O'Meara</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anne Payne</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Annilee B. Ramirez</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kimberly Saquing </span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">as our finalists in our Swarovski Chandi Challenge. We were originally going to pick five finalists, but couldn't totally agree, so decided to give judge Margaret Russell one additional design to ponder. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Margaret is currently viewing the finalists' design boards and we are awaiting her decision!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Meanwhile a big congratulations to the finalists and a hearty<span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">THANK YOU</span></span> to all fourteen of you who took to time to create such beautiful design boards! I can promise, it was not easy for us to cull the list down to six!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Click <a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/search/label/Swarovski%20finalist">here</a> to view all the finalists entries.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Click <a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/search/label/Swarovski%20entry">here</a> to view all the entries. </span><br /></div>

BTD Chandelier Challenge! Finalists named

Click on image for larger view. The BTD team - Laura K, Tbone, The Scarlett and Linda Merrill have confabbed and we have selected Fifi Flow...

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Top Design - Chandi Challenge - Entries!

I'm just so impressed with all the entries received so far for the Blogging Top Design Swarovski Chandi Challenge that I'm running! Everyone has done such a beautiful job and it's so much fun to see all the different ideas!<br /><br />Here are the latest entries:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100478/TiffanyKim/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100478/TiffanyKim/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 425px; height: 355px;" /></a>Designed by Tiffany Kim - a graphic designer gone interior designer<br /><br /></div><br /><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100478/swarovski-20chandelier-20design-20challenge-20--20/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100478/swarovski-20chandelier-20design-20challenge-20--20/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 407px; height: 315px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Designed by Jean Marie Keil<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100478/ABRID-SparkleShadyRoom/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100478/ABRID-SparkleShadyRoom/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 436px; height: 312px;" /></a>Designed by Annilee B. Ramirez of <a href="http://www.abrdesign.com/">ABR Design</a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100478/bravo-001/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100478/bravo-001/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 407px; height: 228px;" /></a>Designed by Kimberly Saquing of <a href="http://www.designablespace.com/">designablespace</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100480/LIsa-20Berardinelli-20-Top-20Design/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100480/LIsa-20Berardinelli-20-Top-20Design/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 358px;" /></a>Design by Lisa Berardinelli<br /><br /></div><br /><a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/search/label/Swarovski%20entry">You can check out all the entries here</a>. Would love to hear which designs are your favorites!<br /><br />And stay tuned! The <a href="http://www.bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com/">Blogging Top Design</a> team will be selecting five finalists and the ever fabulous Margaret Russell of <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor </a>(and BravoTV Top Design judge) will be selecting the winner!<br /></div></div>

Top Design - Chandi Challenge - Entries!

I'm just so impressed with all the entries received so far for the Blogging Top Design Swarovski Chandi Challenge that I'm running! ...

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Top Design Chandelier Challenge Contest - more entries

Here are three more entries in the Blogging Top Design Swarovski Chandi Challenge!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100466/polyvore-image-5sMTmHis3RGNbw7nvIH6Wg/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100466/polyvore-image-5sMTmHis3RGNbw7nvIH6Wg/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 308px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Click on image for larger view</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Designer: Ann Payne "James Bond dining room."<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><br /><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100464/becky-20harris-20td-20contest-20rm/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100464/becky-20harris-20td-20contest-20rm/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 316px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Click on image for larger view.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><span>Designer: Becky Harris - "Bathing Under the Branch"</span><span> Becky Harris' blogs on </span><a href="http://thebubbreport.blogspot.com/"><span>thebubbreport.blogspot.com</span></a>, <span><a href="http://blog.designpublic.com/">blog.designpublic.com</a> and has been covering Top Design on <a href="http://decor8blog.com/category/guest-bloggers/">Decor8</a>. Click <a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/2008/11/btd-chandelier-challenge-becky-harris.html">here</a> to see more details about this design</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100464/FifiFlowersDesignEntry/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100464/FifiFlowersDesignEntry/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 456px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Click on image for larger view</span><br /></div><br /></span><span><span>Designer: Fifi Flowers</span><span> - “Fifi Flowers’ Paris Apartment"</span><span> Fifi Flowers blogs on <a href="http://fififlowersdecor.blogspot.com/">Fifi Flowers Decor</a>. Click <a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/2008/11/btd-chandelier-challenge-fifi-flowers.html">here</a> to view more details about this design. </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span><br />The deadline for entries is today - although if you send something in over the weekend, I'll get it posted for you!<br /><br />Click <a href="http://bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com/search/label/Contest">here</a> for all the details. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span>

Top Design Chandelier Challenge Contest - more entries

Here are three more entries in the Blogging Top Design Swarovski Chandi Challenge! Click on image for larger view Designer: Ann Payne "...

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Top Design Season Finale is Tonight!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxaB8YSvOqOw2fdhUmtvDUptsqpsb6r_uUh1atG6csr9lfXHyURZ2oBd0cf_3-D0E-hLs1W4BCYiYDwOI9pzqhBbosCBnkaRNAVAVge-QMXVyZiZTZibvTdecmfGi9uJbwckkLTyVT29V/s1600-r/Season2HeaderFinale850.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxaB8YSvOqOw2fdhUmtvDUptsqpsb6r_uUh1atG6csr9lfXHyURZ2oBd0cf_3-D0E-hLs1W4BCYiYDwOI9pzqhBbosCBnkaRNAVAVge-QMXVyZiZTZibvTdecmfGi9uJbwckkLTyVT29V/s1600-r/Season2HeaderFinale850.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 425px; height: 60px;" /></a><br />After 10 weeks and 10 contestants sent home, <span style="font-style: italic;">Top Design</span> on Bravo is down to 3 final challengers - Preston Lee, Nathan Thomas and Ondine Karady - and tonight is the season finale! And stay tuned - I'll be doing a podcast interview with the winner tomorrow!<br /><br />As I've mentioned before, we're running a design challenge over at <a href="http://bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com/search/label/Contest">Blogging Top Design </a>and you still have time to enter! The challenge is to create a design board around one of five Swarovski crystal chandeliers that were used on Episode 8 of the show. The BTD team will select a small group of finalists to send to our celebrity guest judge, Margaret Russell, editor-in-chief of <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> magazine! The winner will receive a signed copy of Margaret's book <span style="font-style: italic;">So Chic</span> as well as some sparkly goodness from Swarovski!<br /><br />So, three more days! Get your design on and <a href="http://bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com/search/label/Contest">enter</a>!<br /><br />Meanwhile - here are some entries to get you motivated:<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100434/BTD-20Chandelier-20Contest-20Submission/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100434/BTD-20Chandelier-20Contest-20Submission/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 403px; height: 258px;" /></a><a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/2008/11/btd-chandelier-challenge-wesley-willis.html"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/2008/11/btd-chandelier-challenge-wesley-willis.html">Wesley Willis - Click here to view more details</a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100434/Swarovski-20competition-20Folder-20of-20Ideas/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100434/Swarovski-20competition-20Folder-20of-20Ideas/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 437px; height: 327px;" /></a><a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/2008/11/btd-chandelier-challenge-sheila-omeara.html">Sheila O'Meara - Click here to view more details</a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100434/glacier-20modern/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100434/glacier-20modern/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 411px; height: 364px;" /></a><a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/2008/11/btd-chanelier-challenge-francoise.html">Francoise McAree - Click here to view more details</a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100434/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFjZoNndCNF9vM1JHeVYxNl/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100434/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFjZoNndCNF9vM1JHeVYxNl/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 428px; height: 428px;" /></a><a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/2008/11/btd-chandelier-challenge-diana-hathaway.html">Diana Hathaway Timmons - Click here to view details</a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100434/diningroom/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/linda.m.merrill/100434/diningroom/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 381px;" /></a><a href="http://bloggingtopdesigner.blogspot.com/2008/11/btd-chandelier-challenge-chris-praley.html">Chris Praley - Click here for more details</a><br /><br /><br /></div>

Top Design Season Finale is Tonight!

After 10 weeks and 10 contestants sent home, Top Design on Bravo is down to 3 final challengers - Preston Lee, Nathan Thomas and Ondine Kar...

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Kelly Wearster's Groundworks fabrics and trims

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAqjjfrNaQ9vxrV5fgdvUnajS3K3SlPK9Y8pt-WQpnelK4oDjvWLU-XxKjkvDcHQCe_UwT1jCymk9SWXYNf1_ZUKmqXcm7AHZDEWAIjSUo0aIbbLvhkiYNAoFB5n_NB2aLpRnIgTG6WPd/s1600-h/Groundworks+Introduces+Kelly+Wearstler_1225513597852.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263541031051447858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAqjjfrNaQ9vxrV5fgdvUnajS3K3SlPK9Y8pt-WQpnelK4oDjvWLU-XxKjkvDcHQCe_UwT1jCymk9SWXYNf1_ZUKmqXcm7AHZDEWAIjSUo0aIbbLvhkiYNAoFB5n_NB2aLpRnIgTG6WPd/s400/Groundworks+Introduces+Kelly+Wearstler_1225513597852.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" /></a><a href="http://leejofa.com/">Lee Jofa</a> has launched a new line of fabrics and trims with <a href="http://www.kwid.com">Kelly Wearstler</a> called Groundworks. These colors are so fresh looking - especially as we're heading into Winter here in New England. Click <a href="http://www.leejofa.com/search/fabresults.asp?Code=LJF&Use=DRP-Drapery&Use=MUL-Multipurpose&Use=OUT-Outdoor&Use=UPH-Upholstery&Use=WAL-Wall+Covering&roy=KWI-Kelly+Wearstler&Price=All&Page=1&x=16&y=32">here</a> to view the fabrics and <a href="http://www.leejofa.com/search/fabresults.asp?Code=LJF&Use=TRM-Trim&roy=KWI-Kelly+Wearstler&Price=All&Page=1&x=17&y=29">here</a> for the trims.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">These fabrics are available only to the trade. If you need help purchasing these or any to the trade items, <a href="http://www.insidecor.blogspot.com">click here</a> for my trade access buying service.</span>

Kelly Wearster's Groundworks fabrics and trims

Lee Jofa has launched a new line of fabrics and trims with Kelly Wearstler called Groundworks. These colors are so fresh looking - especi...

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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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Top Design Swarovski Chandelier Challenge

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6hcNVKCq9jrJcsR8OSYUzHlq3Xz-16nmFu5T63tdH6tjqtrzssBTi1NO3m3d90-d__Buuso3UQpNXt9Hdi-424WugLvF7xdKlzL6Qh8sJ7w61NdO2LobQQNgZI0O2lHfjUxYrKSGDPA7/s1600-h/TopDesignFinalThree.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262965035299862914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6hcNVKCq9jrJcsR8OSYUzHlq3Xz-16nmFu5T63tdH6tjqtrzssBTi1NO3m3d90-d__Buuso3UQpNXt9Hdi-424WugLvF7xdKlzL6Qh8sJ7w61NdO2LobQQNgZI0O2lHfjUxYrKSGDPA7/s400/TopDesignFinalThree.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 167px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Top Design finalists: Preston Lee, Ondine Karady and Nathan Preston</span><br /></div><br />We're down to the three finalists on Bravo's Top Design - have you been watching? I think the best three contenders have made it to the finals. And, I totally hope that Jeff Lewis is asked to be a permanent judge!<br /><br />Meanwhile, just a little reminder that we're running a fantastic <a href="http://bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com/search/label/Contest">design challenge</a> over at Blogging Top Design. In Episode 8, the designers created rooms around some pretty spectacular Swarovski Crystal chandeliers from their Crystal Palace collection.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELwH-zbBfydxFPx-SIfQyshar5wb1uQ4AYP1OlP7iZfOkHC2jfNf4FHjjLTArTfueW4hU7rPUcshKs-fPidhd8g1aC9iHH8DHDk9Z-2qj66cFsuSlzf54BOr1r2evGIpaOVSTZmz_cA9s/s1600-h/GlitterboxGlamour" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262966707956507698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELwH-zbBfydxFPx-SIfQyshar5wb1uQ4AYP1OlP7iZfOkHC2jfNf4FHjjLTArTfueW4hU7rPUcshKs-fPidhd8g1aC9iHH8DHDk9Z-2qj66cFsuSlzf54BOr1r2evGIpaOVSTZmz_cA9s/s400/GlitterboxGlamour" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 356px;" /></a>The challenge is to create an inspiration board on how you would design a room around one of the same chandi's used in the challenge. I created a quick mood board above using <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/home">Polyvore</a> - a free service that's so easy to use! You can gather images from around the web and use their own collection of images and pull them together into a really beautiful board!<br /><br />If you're artistically inclined - you could draw or paint your room design. Or, do it the old fashioned way and cut out pics and glue them to a poster board and take photo. Whatever works for you!<br /><br />Our celebrity guest judge is Margaret Russell - editor in chief of Elle Decor and Top Design judge.<br /><br />The winner will receive a signed copy of Margaret's book<span style="font-style: italic;"> So Chic</span> and also some sparkly goodness from Swarovski!<br /><br />The deadline is Friday, November 7th - one week to go!<br /><br />Click <a href="http://bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com/search/label/Contest">here</a> for all the details.

Top Design Swarovski Chandelier Challenge

Top Design finalists: Preston Lee, Ondine Karady and Nathan Preston We're down to the three finalists on Bravo's Top Design - have y...

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Top Design Chandelier Challenge Contest

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DURWCr9ObWNcsiwSYU8m-GzjLrU9jVbYda-XVrcFuvtNT6P-RnLYLSfEJYyEFqNh5ng9YmwhE3s0yNrWthyLEIN0pgOVL-Ok0DizNLdjSRYEswOryCZASZD49jbVQmRwG9ZUelCPvv-s/s1600-h/Chandelier+ChallengeImg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260246246247174898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DURWCr9ObWNcsiwSYU8m-GzjLrU9jVbYda-XVrcFuvtNT6P-RnLYLSfEJYyEFqNh5ng9YmwhE3s0yNrWthyLEIN0pgOVL-Ok0DizNLdjSRYEswOryCZASZD49jbVQmRwG9ZUelCPvv-s/s400/Chandelier+ChallengeImg.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 442px; height: 279px;" /></a><a href="http://www.bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Blogging Top Design</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> and </span><a href="http://www.chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">::Surroundings::</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> invites you to join us for a fantastic contest!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The October 22nd show challenged the contestants to decorate a room around a fantastic </span><a href="http://www.swarovskisparkles.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Swarovski</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> chandelier from their Crystal Palace collection. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How would you have done? Now is the time to find out! You are invited to submit a design board that illustrates your design creativity. It can be a standard mood board created with paper and or you can create it digitally, or step outside the box and paint a picture - the sky’s the limit! (okay - the digital image is the limit!)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here are the details:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">• Select a chandelier. The images will be available for download here.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">• Contest starts: Thursday, October 23rd</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">• Contest deadline: Friday, November 7th. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">• Submit one .jpg image of your design plan to bloggingtopdesign@gmail.com</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">• Provide a brief write-up describing your design, tell us a little about yourself and include your contact information.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">• All projects will be showcased on Blogging Top Design and on ::Surroundings:: (www.chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">• Team BTD will select a small group of finalists from all entrees. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">• Our judge will be Top Design judge <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Margaret Russell</span>, editor-in-chief of <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a>! This is your chance to put your work in front of Margaret’s eyes!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">•There will be one first prize winner who will receive a signed copy of Margaret’s book <a href="http://www.pointclickhome.com/decorating_design/articles/so_chic_glamorous_live_stylish_spaces"><span style="font-style: italic;">So Chic</span></a> AND a little something sparkly from <a href="http://www.swarovskisparkles.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Swarovski</span></a></span>! <span style="font-weight: bold;">Plus, the title of Top <span style="font-style: italic;">Virtual</span> Designer!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Contact us at bloggingtopdesign@gmail.com with questions. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Although I'm not eligible, I've put together a quick design board to get the party started. We look forward to seeing your creativity in action!</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeshjF2RxDOR6-lBJ1R5TdfoMj_iNOL4SiM49blDIEyLDBj14KK3RjWh8OgSh1AVschUwdaOX_T9LHKGMBOU1cZQOEHDYpQsCjZCguvwIdRZy-s6OF553wJTWEwP2GK5AQMLMj6TY-qrBe/s1600-h/sparkleshadyroom.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260246250495759394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeshjF2RxDOR6-lBJ1R5TdfoMj_iNOL4SiM49blDIEyLDBj14KK3RjWh8OgSh1AVschUwdaOX_T9LHKGMBOU1cZQOEHDYpQsCjZCguvwIdRZy-s6OF553wJTWEwP2GK5AQMLMj6TY-qrBe/s400/sparkleshadyroom.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 483px; height: 373px;" /></a>

Top Design Chandelier Challenge Contest

Blogging Top Design and ::Surroundings:: invites you to join us for a fantastic contest! The October 22nd show challenged the contestants...

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Top Design Podcasts

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAy3aOLCSX5a7BK9KR-j8Vg0LuNgZQKyKyr-hPPsIlxxSLtp-_wzY43r-LhB7NfETw5ABQKo8QF_qBJsRHJMZoXZx-STsb7J-rHoBG4_sTQrGJmwPilHwQg75W7YrT0xK8DjmyrPwwt6k/s1600-r/Season2Header5850.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAy3aOLCSX5a7BK9KR-j8Vg0LuNgZQKyKyr-hPPsIlxxSLtp-_wzY43r-LhB7NfETw5ABQKo8QF_qBJsRHJMZoXZx-STsb7J-rHoBG4_sTQrGJmwPilHwQg75W7YrT0xK8DjmyrPwwt6k/s1600-r/Season2Header5850.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 468px; height: 65px;" /></a>As part of my responsibilities over on <a href="http://www.bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com/">Blogging Top Design</a> I get to do the exit interviews for the designers who are sent home each week. I've been so lucky to spend time chatting with Serge Van Lian, Jennifer Newsom, Robert Reid, Kerry Howard, Shazia Kirmani and Wisit Prapong. My BTD colleague Laura Kluvo did the Teresa Keegan interview when I was unavailable last week. Everyone has been so nice to chat with!<br /><br />We've been posting the podcast interviews <a href="http://bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com/search/label/Podcast">here</a>.

Top Design Podcasts

As part of my responsibilities over on Blogging Top Design I get to do the exit interviews for the designers who are sent home each week. ...

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