The Countdown is on

OK. So we have been hearing about it for months, but tomorrow is the big day .......Missoni at Target.

There are a few things that I think are stand out pieces that would be a great addition to your home.

Who doesn't want this bike? I think I may have to get it and save it for Ruby.

And some great outdoor furniture.....Summer may be over,,,,, but how could you not want this.

And not all of the Missoni is crazy color,,,,these Black and White pieces are inspiring

Hickory Centennial Design Challenge

Hickory Chair is having their first ever design challenge. It is being hosted over on Facebook. It coincides with their centennial anniversary.

The competition is broken into three areas. General Public, Students and Professionals.

I decided to enter because I am a huge fan of Hickory Chair and also because I think that it is important that design professionals show the world what a creative bunch we are.

I designed a Mud Room Bench, because it is one of those pieces that I am always looking for, but never have found just the right piece. I hope that this is the one I am looking for.

If you are a Facebook member please follow the link and vote. You can only vote once so each vote is very important.

Please encourage your family and friends too,,, repost this as well.

Anyway, thanks in advance

http://apps.facebook.com/hcc-design-challenge/contests/129466/voteable_entries/30202667?order=recency&view_entries=1

As a general rule, I like to give a room more than one purpose. In order to do that effectively you have to think of ways to make the most of the space you have and plan properly. Large family rooms are supposed to be a place for the whole family to hang out and be with each other regardless of what everyone is doing. This room is one of my favorites and is without a doubt a perfect example of multiple purposes in a single room. As you can see, I used a number of seating areas to do just that. At the back of the room the desk allows someone to work while the others are relaxing. A game table in the back corner allows people to play a game or two while staying out the way. Then there is the big screen TV that works as the focal point of the entire room, and the family can lounge on the comfy couches. And after all that, the fireplace still needs to mentioned, as it brings the room together creating a warm homely touch, where you can sit and do a bit of reading. All of this purpose and functionality really comes together in a harmonious way, that lets everyone do their thing and be together as a family.

West Week 2011

This year, our friends at Michealian & Kohlberg helped kick off The Pacific Design Center's Annual "West Week" by inviting Mark to be a special guest speaker! Mark gave a great talk (to a packed house) and shared his tips on "How to Build a Room From the Ground Up". Using many of Michaelian & Kohlbergs beautiful carpets as examples; he showed how he often uses an area rug as inspiration for a whole room.. Or, sometimes the rug is simply a serene backdrop to the rest of the space... Overall, it was a wonderful experience and we want to thank Michaelian & Kohlberg for the opportunity. It was inspiring to see all of the great design elements that West Week had to offer this year!

A wall will never be complete if it is left blank and stark. Not only will you hear yourself speak twice with the echoing emptiness but you’ll leave your home and yourself feeling like it’s been institutionalized. Of course you could go for the usual painting or picture frame but then you may as well be going with the same décor as every other house you have been in. instead you could try to find fun ways to put a spin on these everyday items and create something different. In this particular example I have chosen a number of shadow puppets that have been mounted in neat little frames and placed in rows on the wall. The combination of all the frames take up a large amount of space on the wall, and the repetition give them undeniable interest from onlookers.

The entire collection not only becomes a wonderful conversation piece, but it’s also becomes a piece of art. Find whimsy and inspiration in everyday items. Here, a grouping of framed shadow puppets add interest to the large wall as well as create a sense of whimsy in the space. The eye is drawn to the collection and not only is it art, it is a conversation piece as well.

I honestly believe that you should make the most of your storage space in a home. Now, I’m by no means referring to stuffing as much as you can into a single drawer or cupboard, instead I’m actually referring a far more creative usage that is practical and still meets the requirements of a good storage space.

Paying the same amount of attention to a closet as you would to an ordinary room gives you the chance to really bring out the best in something as simple as storing your clothing. This particular closet has custom wood shelving and drawers that gave the client ample space to store all their clothes and accessories. The shelves almost reach to the ceiling so I added a ladder that is both useful and decorative. The rug and hanging light fixture helps give the room a sense of depth and warmth that makes the entire space so inviting that you would probably take your time getting dressed in the morning.

I love to be bold when it comes to artwork. Nothing screams “look at me!” more than a piece that is over-sized and occupies a small space in such a way that it grasps your unflinching interest and never lets go.

Take this painting as an example - it’s unusually large size immediately draws your attention to it from anywhere in the room. It creates vertical movement, by forcing your eyes to look it up and down. From this particular view, the leather chairs and table below give the picture some grounding, while adding balance and symmetry.

The important thing to remember here is that one should never underestimate the power and impact of scale. If you can find a way to combine it with the rest of the room in such a way that it adds a touch of style and elegance, then the question of using it changes from a “why?” to a “where??”