As part of the ongoing eLocal blog off series, this round featured a question about the influx of technology in home design--the convenience, the cost, the new uses and the need to sometimes get away from it. I was recognized with the most insightful comment for this round. Click on the link above to read what i had to say.
I'm still thinking about the peacocks from my visit a few weeks ago to Grounds for Sculpture. Perhaps it's because a peahen just fled the Bronx Zoo to go enjoy springtime in NYC. More likely, I can't get the sight of that stunning plummage out of my head. You've got to love a creature that knows just how fabulous it is and isn't afraid to show it. And I really love when it provides some design inspiration. While watching my local news this morning, there was an excellent feature on how professional home staging helped close sales in dwellings throughout New York City. Most prospective buyers have trouble picturing how the apartment will look fully furnished. And, for more upscale buildings, basic staging is not enough to set an apartment enough from the competition. If you're a realtor or a homeowner who wants to close their listing quickly, contact me here to set up an appointment. Monet bridge outside "Rats" restaurant I recently visited Grounds for Sculpture in nearby Hamilton, NJ for an afternoon of interesting sights, tasty food and some very loud peacocks. I've mentioned before that rebranding is one of the hardest things for a company (or person) to do. Street cred is pretty tough to come by. When a brand gets stale, there's generally a shake up at the top to get a new message out there. In the latest round, design and home improvement professionals contributed their thoughts on the best ways to have a successful working relationship with their clients. If you (or someone you know) is planning to have any kind of work done on their home, this is a must read. Actually, it's a good read if you're planning to hire any service professional from a hairdresser to a personal trainer to an income tax preparer--though obviously not every tip will apply. I'm looking for advice on shag rugs. Best material? (I'm leaning towards cotton, for the baby) Good manufacturer? Easiest to clean? Your best bet for a shag is actually something made of a synthetic material-nylon (in a lighter color, darker nylon fades faster) or polypropylene. They're going to be the most stain resistant to the things you'll probably have to worry about-juice, snacks etc. Two good sources for well-priced and attractive rugs are overstock.com and rugsdirect.com. Check retailmenot.com for coupon codes for the rugs direct site. If you decide to go the carpet tile route (now or whenever), flor.com has options. I had mentioned in a previous post about a great look book received in the mail when Ralph Lauren opened up his new flagship on the Upper East Side. I still refer to it for inspriation because it offers something a little different. Right now, I'm seeing interior design that's either too rustic or too slick--which doesn't suit everyone. Pictured left is a presentation I pulled together with some designers at the day job. It's a traditional Tudor home and, as always, it makes sense to work with the architecture. Some keys to achieving a sort of Ralph Lauren inspired hunting look are: tobacco colored leather, wool (note the red pillow with leather trim and the cream throw), plaid, antique brass, equestrian accents and nailhead. Don't just look to home magazines for interior design inspriation, fashion magazines and store windows have a lot to offer, too! I was featured yesterday in an article on Fabulous Living. It's a great website that gives readers tips on where to shop, ideas to try and overall information on ways to live a more fabulous lifestyle. You can check out my article here. Here's some updated information from the Elocal expert panel that particpated in that highlights some of the trends for 2011. You can click through to find a graphic with more information.
|
AuthorChristine Schwalm is an Interior Designer and Visual Merchandiser based in Los Angeles. This space will keep you updated on what's going on with CSD along with some ideas to inspire you. Go here for more information about pricing and services and here to make an appointment. Archives
January 2017
Categories
All
|