The Secret World of Design...... Nordex 2010

March 11&12 the Seattle Design Center hosted Nordex 2010, Seattle's version of "Market", in which the design industry is enlightened by national speakers, designers, professors, authors, and company representatives about the latest products and trends.  After two solid days of speakers, products, and parties, I came away with one main concept:  customization. That's the essence of design, isn't it?

The opening keynote speaker, James Ford Huniford, talked about incorporating his love of "found objects" into interior design projects - for me, the essence of "contemporary" and "green" - and gave us a preview of his new furniture line.  Plus, he loved and gave a big shout out to local fab store (and NWSID member!) Great Stuff , purveyor of all things great and re-purposed. 

Michael Bruno, the founder of 1st Dibs, was the inspiration for so many things and he illuminated his rapt audience with predictions for the next 10 years of design online.  Hint:  better printers, online portfolios, more cell phone use (really?  more?), 3D modelling tools, design Utopia.......

Thad Hayes was the keynote speaker the second day of Nordex and, despite technical AV difficulties, he managed to share with us some wonderful designs.  I LOVE the idea of large dining rooms with large tables for entertaining but placing a small table for two at one end of the room - perfect for intimate meals!

Joan DeJean, explained to us fellow Francophiles, how the French under les Louis Quatorze et Quinze, ushered in the "age of comfort" through the introduction of the "sopha".  Oh la la!

I'm inspired again!

My Design library

I was searching through my design books for inspiration, recently, and the thought occurred to me that it might be a good thing to share my library, so that others could easily find design books of interest.  So, to that end, I'm launching my Amazon store this morning!

Here you'll find books featuring the work of some of my favorite designers:

John Saladino, above

Vicente Wolf

 and Sherri Donghia (Donghia fabrics are incredible!) 

as well as regional design source books from France, Italy and USA.  Even some of my favorite coffee table-worthy cookbooks.  Enjoy!

More about color.....

I recently took part in a Pantone webinar and learned about the spring/summer 2011 color forecast.  The palettes are very similar to the Leatrice Eiseman presentation I attended a few weeks ago.  For me, and maybe for you, it's important to reiterate the many and varied influences on the palettes for the upcoming seasons:

• Environmental Preservation - 70% of consumers support companies dedicated to preservation of the environment
• Plastics - reuses of it in new, unusual ways  - see some of Anthropologie's window displays fashioned from recycled plastic
• Sustainability
• "Re" words - Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse
• Wellness and de-stressing
• Food, in particular the fresh, wonderful items found in local farmer's markets
• Africa - its colors and textures will be more and more evident
• Anime - the super vivid colors will translate to products

So, what I'm taking from all of this is that greens will become a staple for a neutral palette; brights are here to stay for a while;  calm, muted tones will be important, too; warm tones and interesting textures will be strong; and metallics in paint and fabric will be huge!

Neighborhood Beat: Georgetown

I was in Designer heaven for about an hour last night!  First, there was a celebration at Dixie Stark Home to toast the boutique's grand opening.  What gorgeous things - it was a treat for the senses!  Custom designed furniture, lighting, accessories; deliriously scented candles; incredibly luxurious Loro Piana fabrics; handmade wallpaper -- really cool stuff and worth a trip.

Then we stopped in Susan Wheeler Home on Airport way......

She has amassed a glorious selection of vintage furniture, accessories, tableware, glass.....

....and even vintage clothing.  The store is right next door to Great Stuff Vintage Furnishings, home to way- cool industrial/re-purposed, chicness - and down the block from scrumptious Stellar Pizza 

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A Francophile's dream

I just paid a visit to Maison de France , in Bellevue, WA and it is a Francophile's dream!  Everything is imported from France: tableware, linens, music - all wonderful things!

Opened by Blaise Bouchand in 1996 it's definitely going to be a destination on the Eastside for me.

Neighborhood Beat: Ravenna/U Village

One of the hidden gems of Seattle stretches from 26th Avenue Northeast to 30th Avenue Northeast, along NE 55th Street.  Cozy shops and eateries bracket Ravenna Volvo, an institution since the mid-20th century, but the charming block between 26th and 27th Ave NE features a vintage brick mixed-use building, containing shops worth journeying to.

At the 26th Avenue NE end of the block, Mannings and Sons Upholstery, has been assisting designers and the public create custom furniture and update tired but classic pieces for over 40 years.

Next door, Lauren Sloan of Lauren Sloan Designscan usually be found applying the finishing touches to one or another of her exquisite painted furniture designs or designing a fabulous trompe l'oeil  mural.  She also has some accessories in her small retail area and is warm and welcoming.

To Sloan's east, a new restaurant, Frank's Oyster House and Champagne Parlor, opened in 2009 and is owned by the same people who brought you Pair up the street.  Frank's serves gourmet comfort food like onion rings, french fries, individual Dungeness Crab Louie in shells of Bibb lettuce - you get the idea.  The drinks are great and the food delicious!

Standing at the corner of 27th Ave NE and NE 55th St is Altstadt Interiors, owned by Seattle interior designer, Tana Mattson.  Altstadt Interiors is half consignment shop, half interior design resource and lots of fun to explore.  There's almost always at least one of Ms. Mattson's three dogs in the shop waiting to greet visitors, tail wagging enthusiastically.  This store is a great place to find unique and well-priced gifts, furniture and lighting - as well as interior design help.  Check it out!