April, 2010 - Browsing by month

 

My High Point Market Take Away

Written by faith | 0

This Seattle interior designer arrived in High Point, NC late on the 19th to infuse myself with products, inspirations and to ‘test the water’ after the bubble burst. Positive news - the turnout was good, lots of smiles all around and overall an upbeat vibe. My first day, Sunday, was full of appointments like Hickory Chair (fabulous as always) and more on Thomas O’Brien introductions soon. The smart, savvy Alexa Hampton was the featured speaker at the Withit breakfast. Her presentation, ‘Decades of Design’ showcased her father’s work in her parent’s home over 3 decades. There is a wonderful ‘aha’ to see the pieces kept and re-purposed, a message for everyone about furnishings. My day ended at Global Views at a Tweetup. I so enjoyed meeting in person all the people who are part of my social media family.

The next day, the pace maintained and culminated at the Competitive Intellligence panel sponsored by Withit. I was honored when invited by Stephanie Louder, President of Withit, to join a panel discussion and share what we’ve seen in High Point that is new: an idea, a design, a process, a mktg coup… anything that is truly driving the world of design and furnishings forward. You see in the photo the great panel participants.

photo courtesy Julie Smith Vincenti

Left to right: (me) Faith Sheridan, Julia Noran, The Editor at Large, Deborah Sanders, Editor at Veranda Magazine, Tobi Fairley Designer/Blogger

Stephanie supplied the questions and the spontaneous responses sparked lively exchanges not only among the panelists but also from the audience during Q and A.

Julie Smith Vincenti, Ninemudesmedia.com, deftly fed Twitter catching the key responses so I quote her below.

  • From Editor at Large’s Julia: she is loving the re-purposing of materials. Spotted in all product categories.
  • From Deborah of Veranda: third-party certification is going to become more important moving forward. (sustainable response)
  • From Seattle designer Faith Sheridan: I approach green projects by concentrating on surfaces like wall and floors, water usage and energy reduction.
  • From Veranda’s Deborah: Phillips Collection is a most inventive green company. Check out the furniture made of roots.
  • From Seattle-based Faith Sheridan: Sustainability in home furnishings is not going away.
  • From Veranda magazine’.s Deborah: Vintage matters because we love the discovery of finding old products.
  • From New York-based Julia, editor at large: I find the smaller scale of furniture refreshing. I love 2 live w/color, so scale is my comfort.
  • From Tobi Fairley: She’s loving Barclay Butera’s two lines, Laura Kirar’s work for Baker. Plus, lacquer is still hot.
  • From Deborah, Veranda: the mix of materials such as reclaimed wood & cast metal is most arresting. The contrast makes these pieces interesting

So much to share… and I promise I will.

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When to Select Project Paint Color?

Written by faith | 2

Yesterday this expert Seattle interior designer attended Eye on Design 2010 at the Seattle Design Center. The featured speaker, David Bromstad of HGTV and Color Splash shared his roots and route to success. The event was a great success with 900+ attending. During the presentation and after David provided some specific tips about getting started.

Faith meets David Bromstad

As the star of Color Splash, David surprised some folks with a message to select color after you get started with your project not at the beginning. I was pleased to hear this message as most interior designers allow other selections such as art, rugs, textiles to be the ‘drivers’ for a color palette. See this post for more tips on getting started with color. For David personally, he was all about vivid area rugs that echo the color themes of Florida, the new home of Color Splash.

Do you wish you had help picking colors? Will that tiny paint chip really look good on that huge wall? We’re here to help.

Call Faith Sheridan Design Group-206.437.8000. Or send a message: design @faithsheridan.com

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One Powder Room for Guests and One for Family

Written by faith | 0

The traditional powder room remains a mainstay but this expert Seattle designer also sees the ‘family powder room’ in my projects. The continuing desirability of kitchen - great room combos requires a nearby bath for children, adults and guests when everyone is gathered nearby. The more formal powder room generally is located close to living and dining areas of the home.

I recently completed a photo shoot with my favorite photographer, Roger Turk, of Northlight Photography. In this large home with a young, active family there is the ‘family powder room’ adjacent to the kitchen and great room. Notice the step stool for smaller family members and playmates. The room manages to be stylish and functional.

At the opposite end of the home is the formal powder room detailed with a unusual vessel sink.

Wishing you had a friend in the design business right now? We’re here to help. So call us 206.437.8000 or send a message to design@faithsheridan.com.

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A Saucy Shade Crowns a Special Lamp

Written by faith | 1

When this expert Seattle interior designer saw the lamp without a shade, I knew just the store and artist for the perfect shade. So I turned to Dawn Bassett of Lit Shades. What a perfect ‘crown’ for this special, petite lamp. Working with Dawn, I selected two shades of orange silk to cover the shade. Returning one week later, I found the hand-sewn shade adorning the lamp

My clients purchased the lamp on a trip to China and fortunately it arrived safe and sound though a little wobbly. Lit Shades secured the parts, added a simple finial and new cord to complete the finished product.

Wishing you had a friend in the design business right now? We’re here to help. Call 206.437.8000 or email us: design@faithsheridan.com.

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Q & A with David Bromstad-and a Chance for Free Tickets

Written by faith | 0

This expert Seattle interior designer is excited to share a Q & A with David Bromstad in anticipation of his presentation at Eye on Design, April 24th at the Seattle Design Center.

David graduated from Ringling with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Illustration. After graduation, he moved to Orlando and worked at Disney. When his Disney contract wasn’t renewed following 9/11, he started working with an interior design friend. The rest is history and the Season 2 winner of HGTV’s Design Star now has his own series, Color Splash.

Now for some Q & A with David.

Faith, What does a typical day look like on your calender?

David, my typical days are crazy to say the least. If I’m not working on design or filming, I am on a flight to somewhere in the country for an appearance or design event (like Eye on Design).

Faith, Your early career focused on children’s interiors. What lessons for adults can you transfer?

David, I look at rooms as a piece of art and not just an interior space. Doing kids rooms allowed me to use creativity and imagination, much like that as a child. You don’t think about it, you just do it.

Can anyone answer this question for a free ticket?

What does David do to re-charge and relax? The answer is in my Newsletter from Thursday, April 8.

Send your answers to design@faithsheridan.com and win a free ticket!

Or answer this one? Does David have a signature? What is it? Look for the answer here.


Do you need a friend in the design business right now? We’re here to help. Call us 206.437.8000 or email.

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