Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Help for Haiti


Hi Friends,
I came across this blog post on one of my favorite design blogs, Tracery Interiors, so I thought it was definitely worth sharing.

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By now we have all heard of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12 that left one of the poorest countries in the world in a state of emergency beyond our imagination. The relief efforts popping up left & right can be borderline overwhelming. I know I find myself thinking-what’s legit? What will have the biggest impact? What is the best/easiest way for ME to give? [This is Bess, just in case you were wondering who 'Me' was] You can donate through the Red Cross, UNICEF, Care, Google, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund & so many others. I found a great page through Google that you can get to by clicking [HERE] that breaks down many of the organizations. There are also great ways to donate that support the arts as well. Erika over at Urban Grace made her contribution by purchasing a print for her daughter, check that out [HERE]

Personally, I think I am going to be sending a check to the Stray Dog Designs Haitian Worker Relief Fund [HERE] Stray Dog Designs is a company we have supported for several years now-we love their message & their products. They strive to bring the design world funky, hand-made products that bring work & in-turn funds to artisans in third world countries. Their products are hand crafted in Haiti & Mexico. Stray Dog Designs has created their own relief fund so that they can donate directly to the hundreds of workers in Haiti that create all of their Papier Mache products, like the lamps pictured above & below. To give to this fund you can send a check to:

Stray Dog Designs
611 E. 11th St.
Chattanooga, TN 37403






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Last but not least...as I was up late last night watching D. Letterman, WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran, was on the show talking about the importance of getting food to the survivors of the earthquake, FOOD IS AN IMMEDIATE NEED.

She showed on the program specially designed nutrition bar/crackers that will provide enough nutrition in one small meal for 24 hours - they are small, easy to transport, and cost about $2 per unit. This is a great way to help out. For more information click [HERE]

Thanks - Jenny

Sunday, January 3, 2010

iPhone & iTouch Apps for Design Professionals & Design Lovers


Feather & Moore, LTD
APPLICATION DESCRIPTION
Do you like art? Do you like interior designs? If you do, then this is the app for you. Feather & Moore brings you a collection of inspirational interior design art from all over the world, from New York to Berlin and Amsterdam.


Mark on Call
Created by interior designer Mark Lewison, Mark On Call™ for the Apple® iPhone and iPod Touch, lets the interior design professional, their clients—and do-it-yourselfers alike—plan, preview and carry out their design visions while staying organized and within budget.
This one is way to cool!!! You can take pictures of textures & fabrics and upload those images into virtual spaces that you have create & are shopping for. It helps you budget, measure rooms, import wall colors. Whew...it does alot!



DuPont mySurface
DuPont is revolutionizing the way consumers, architects and designers choose materials with mySurface, the first iPhone app of its kind in the industry. iPhone and iPod touch users now have color palettes for DuPont™ Corian® solid surfaces and Zodiaq® quartz surface at their fingertips.



Colorstrology
Combines astrology and numerology with intuitive wisdom and the spiritual power of color to create a personal color for every day and month of the year. By blending the colors that are associated with the sun sign, ruling planet and elements such as fire, earth, air or water, with the numerological vibration of each day, the colors for the Colorstrology calendar are selected, along with key words that best describe the personality traits associated with that color and day.


Architect’s Formulator by Multieducator Inc
The ARCHITECT'S FORMULATOR is the perfect tool for any Architect. This program contains over 200 formulas helpful for architect. ARCHITECT'S FORMULATOR combines all of the formulas from our Electrical, Carpentry and Plumbing Formulators. In addition, this product also includes Concrete and Excavations formulas, that perform calculations for excavating or filling soil, the concrete required for a job and the bricks required for a wall. It also includes special formulas just for architect for concrete and steel design, parking area and sidewalk design and even swimming pool design. The program includes basic formulas for wind load and wind overturning force. The 23 formulas just for architectГ?s included now are just the start of what we expect will grow to over 100 formulas in coming months. The CARPENTRY section contains formulates that calculate the number of joists and studs required on a job. ARCHITECT'S FORMULATOR aids users to calculate the load on headers or the cost of hardwood flooring. There are even formulas to calculate the loads on walls and loads on beams. Formulas in the ELECTRICAL section calculate kilowatts, horsepower, efficiency, power factor, watts, amps, current, power, resistance, and voltage. This section includes formulas to calculate total resistance, capacitance, voltage drops, and transformer calculations. The formulas in the PLUMBING section calculate areas of pipe walls and the weights of different pipes. ARCHITECT'S FORMULATOR is able to calculate the final temperature when two bodies of water are mixed. There are also formulas in this section to calculate the expansion of pipes, radiant heat and heat loss cooling requirements, head loss and fresh air in room requirements.


and last but not least something just for fun!
Home Sweet Home by Big Blue Bubble, Inc
Home Sweet Home allows you to nurture your inner designer. Create the room of your clients’ dreams with hundreds of unique pieces of furniture and accessories across dozens of homes each with their own challenging riddle. Then, with deadlines looming, direct your build team to assemble it all in front of your eyes!



Color Your World in 2010...Pantone's Color Predictions.

In March of each year, Pantone launches their color predictions for both the Interior Design & Fashion Industry.
"Color trends are not conjured up using a crystal ball. They are the result of much observation of our surrounding natural world as well as the influences that will impact our world in the future," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. "These factors include socioeconomic issues, technology, lifestyles and playstyles, diversions, entertainment, and most importantly, the needs, moods, fantasies and aspirations of consumers. The palettes featured in PANTONE VIEW home + interiors 2010 translate these influences into appropriate styling, colors and combinations that best express the gamut of directional themes for 2010."

So now that we can clearly think about 2010, lets see what colors will be influencing us and our surroundings for the next 12 months. The eight palettes for 2010 are Greenmarket, Resourceful, Transformations, Ambiance, Gatherings, Galaxy, High Definition and Pastiche. An additional palette of Tinged Neutrals is also included.

GreenMarket
The need for healthier and more artisanal foods has grown from traditional farmers' markets to greenmarkets. Found on country roads or urban lots, these visually appealing and taste-tempting sites invite us to stop and sample a broader and more diverse selection of goods and goodies. From Tomato Puree and Beaujolais with the tang of Super Lemon or bite of Apple Green, to the more exotic flavors of Dijon, Paprika and Chutney, Greenmarket contains representational hues that entice and appeal to both the eyes and the taste buds.

Resourcefulness
The continuing concern for natural resource management - the need to preserve and reserve - remains of utmost importance in the minds of many. Resourcefulness calls not only for the thoughtful use of materials, but the need for originality in reconstructing and redefining products and home furnishings that are both stylish and sustainable. The colors found in the Resourceful palette, such as Sequoia, Golden Ochre and Aqua Sky, speak of earth and sky, while vibrant Tigerlily and Mauve Orchid add a unique, distinctive presence to the mix.

Transformations
In Transformations, a nostalgic and idyllic palette, a traditional look is transformed into something that speaks of a more modern attitude. History is honored and updated while reproductions artfully represent styles of the past without repeating them line for line. Transformations is romantic in both style and mood, offering the promise of a quiet respite. Shapes are graceful while surfaces and colors are engaging and unobtrusive. Soothing Stratosphere blue, Crème de Menthe, Lavender Gray, Deauville Mauve, Crushed Violets and Willow green are counter-balanced by the welcoming warmth of Cameo Pink and Amberlight, and finished with a hint of Pale Gold.

Ambiance
When skillfully used, colors can define the character and atmosphere of a space. Understated and sophisticated with attention to detail, the Ambiance palette adds a thoughtful aesthetic that can be adapted seamlessly and successfully into many motifs. Rich Coffee Bean and Cognac are central to the color theme, while the subtle shades of Stonewash blue, Stucco, Desert Sage, Silver Pink, a taupe-cast Brindle and two shades of gray add an interesting intensity and synergistic effect to the palette.

Gatherings
Inspired primarily by the continent of Africa with its vastness and complexities, Gatherings brings together a compilation of colors that demonstrate the uniqueness of the region. Artifacts and handicrafts reflect a creative boldness that is expressed in a panoply of appropriately named colors: Cypress green, Smoke Blue, Sand and Oasis mixed with the magic of Twilight Mauve, the piquancy of Lemon Curry and the heated glimmer of Copper Coin.

Galaxy
Purveyor and source of light, the mysterious Galaxy is well reflected in a palette that truly illustrates the harmony of hue found in the nocturnal sky. Mirroring the colors of the earth, the greens, called Greener Pastures and Peridot, are powerfully contrasted against the deepest extraterrestrial blues, silver and stormy violets. Brilliant sprays of turquoise and a radiating orchid tone enhance the atmosphere, while Rich Gold embodies the energy and splendor of the epicenter of it all - the sun.

High Definition
High Definition offers clarity, classicism and modernism accentuated by elegant contrasts. The refined silhouettes are deceptively simple yet glamorous. Black, white and gray are the timeless centerpieces, thoroughly enriched and defined by the dramatic infusion of Amaranth and Paisley Purple, Malaga wine and the flowering fuchsia shade of Ibis Rose, all deftly embellished by Old Gold and shining Silver.

Pastiche
A Pastiche can be described as an incongruous combination of materials. This palette illustrates not only a collection of unexpected styles, but colors as well. It is the continuation of the irreverent direction that has been and continues to be influenced by Japanese anime - a movement that has made major inroads into the world of design and color. Combinations such as Lavendula and Absinthe Green can be combined with Chipmunk, while that same shade of brown might be surrounded by Mimosa yellow, a brightened Strawberry Ice and more docile Little Boy Blue. Bright Cobalt, Tangerine and Duffel Bag gray offer another idiosyncratic option.

Tinged Neutral
Historically, when money is tight and there is a concern for the longevity of a given color, people have a tendency to "play it safe" with neutrals. But that concern generally applies to the color of big-ticket items like carpeting, window coverings and larger furnishings. Nevertheless, neutrals will continue to be an important part of the decision-making process for items within the home. The following Tinged Neutral tones are considered most directional for 2010. Some are tinged with green or blue, and there is, as always, a classic off-white. Champagne Beige adds a touch of luster - a new direction for neutrals. Some of the most directional accent colors included with these tones have been extrapolated from the preceding palettes.

Text & images compliments of Pantone & the Paper Mill Store

Friday, January 1, 2010

Resolutions?

Instead of New Year's Resolutions this year, which I never manage to accomplish anyway (must be something about the term resolution and how easily we fall off the resolution train), I have decided to set 12 goals for 2010...things I hope to get done, learn how to do, or challenge myself to try.

1. Be inspired to share new and wonderful ideas about Interior Design and ways to make our lives & homes more livable and beautiful.

2. Adventure into baking French Bread...my dad used to bake bread and I remember how wonderful the house smelled and how good Sweet Vidalia onion sandwiches on warm freshly baked potato bread tasted. Yum!
3. Organize the storage area in the basement...watch for blogging adventures in storage this year!
4. Grow my business...referrals please!
5. Finally decorate my own Master Bedroom. Grey, Yellow & Cream. Cobbler's children have no shoes, right?
6. Ride my bike around the lake at least 3 times this year and in under 2 hours each time.
7. Try surfing! Learn more about Wisconsin Surfing @ www.walkonwatersurfboardsllc.com
8. Entertain at home once a month.

9. Repaint the bathroom.
10. Blog successfully at least once a week!
11. Take an Art History & Architecture class again.
12. and of course the lose the proverbially "few pounds."

What goals do you have for this year?