Modern Style Rules

Make a design change without making mistakes. These easy to follow - and absolutely right!- rules take the uncertainty out of updating your home:

5 Biggest Decorating & Design Mistakes that Homeowners Make
Michelle Rohrer-Lauer Gives Her Advice on How to Overcome the Fear of Redecorating

Most homeowners have experienced the frustrating task of trying to redecorate our home or apartment. While the ending result usually only amounts to more stress and a pile of returns to make to home furnishings stores, Michelle Rohrer-Lauer from Michelle’s Interiors in Grayslake, Illinois has the tips for taking the redecorating plunge without feeling overwhelmed.

Michelle says, “Most people have a fear about making design and décor decisions for their home which results in either doing too much or too little.” Here are some of the common mistakes Michelle notices that her clients make.

Choose Fashion Over Function. Especially with appliances and products that you use everyday, it’s important to make sure the items are not only stylish but functional. While there are many unique and interesting options for kitchens and bathrooms the wrong design for items like sinks and showers can be a huge inconvenience—especially to homes with families.

Hold on To Hand-Me-Down Artifacts and Furniture. Times and tastes change, but many people don’t know what to do with their old or passed down furniture or artifacts. People get in a rut because the elements may still be functional, but not functional for their lives anymore. Keeping older design items such as rugs and furniture can limit the design vision that you want to achieve.

Buy Too Much or Too Big Furniture. Many homeowners have trouble with buying furniture that fits the needs of everyone in the home so they buy multiple furniture items and try to incorporate all of them in the room. Large furniture items or too much furniture can completely throw off the scale of the space. It’s important to limit furniture items to match the function and space in the room.

Fear of Color. For many people, the fear of over-doing the décor and design of their home forces them to resort to be too neutral. People are afraid that they will get tired of bright colors or interesting pattern combinations so they shy away from any color. Yet in the end, they are not happy with the space because it does not reflect their personality.

Indecision with Accessories. It is important to go into a design project with a plan of action. Many people go out and buy accessories sporadically and try to bring them home and incorporate them into the room. When the accessories don’t work with the space, they just end up returning everything and starting over with an incomplete, empty room.

Modern Flash Drive for Valentine's Day

One Love, designed by HANAZUKi, is an adorably irresistible character and a member of the MIMOBOT designer USB flash drive Artist Series. Happy on the front, a little sad on the back, but with a big heart (and flash drive) full of love all around! Be warned: he falls in love very easily, so pick up One Love MIMOBOT USB flash drive today and let's see that happy face! Details: Hi-speed USB 2.0, Mac/PC compatible, 2.5" tall by 1" wide, and One-year limited warranty.Red on one side and blue on the other. 4 GB $45.00

Handmade Modern Wooden Furniture

Latest obsession - Platform. Hand-making updated versions of classics in their own high-quality, low fuss style. All perfect. See for yourself! Platform.

Mellow Yellow? Not Quite

Our own First Lady brought us into her spirit of optimism when she chose to wear yellow for her husband's inauguration. Whether they liked the frock or not, all commentators seemed pleased with the message of sunny optimism the hue sent.

As always, the interior design world was standing by. Check out these inspirational pics of how a little bit of yellow can imbue a sense of modernity and warmth to any space...

See the rest at Remodelista.

Eggs and Optimism

Sputnik inspired an era of space-age, optimistic design, and the current zeitgeist may be ushering in a repeat style.

Just check out Ovni from Frédéric Lintz of eliumstudio.

Ovni is French for UFO, and the perfect name for these tiny breakfast plates, re-imagined from archetypal 1950s symbols for the extra-terrestrial.

"Designer Days" at Vegas Market

Roger Thomas, Paige Rein, Celerie Kemble, Barclay Butera, Joe Nye, Amy Lau and many more set to share trends and inspiration

(LAS VEGAS)—January 27, 2009—Featuring some of the design industry’s brightest stars, “Designer Days” during the Winter 2009 Las Vegas Market Feb. 9 – 13 offers fresh programming catered to the diverse needs of design professionals.

Margaret Casey, Director of Programming for World Market Center Las Vegas, said design-oriented programs and special events include returning favorites like First Friday and the Design Icon. “Designers get inspired and delighted by hearing about career highlights and learning where other successful designers draw their inspiration and how they identify trends,” Casey said. “Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center Las Vegas is evolving into a mecca for all things inspirational and educational about design.”

The rise in design-inspired programs is a result of the fact that interior design businesses represent one of the fastest growing buying sectors at Las Vegas Market; designer attendance increased 80% last year. Market officials say these style-seeking attendees will be stimulated this February with both educational offerings and new design showrooms, many of which can be found at the Las Vegas Design Center located in the lower floors of Buildings A and C.

Design Management Company’s Lloyd Princeton, author of Marketing for Interior Designers—slated for release this summer—said, “Now is a great time for introspection. Designers should come out, see the different seminars and programs and get their batteries charged.”

Special attractions for designers during the Winter 2009 Las Vegas Market include:

“2009: The Year in Anticipation,” moderated by Lloyd Princeton of Design Management Company.  Panelists include Katherine Stout, Williams Sonoma; Sims Bray, Jr., Veranda magazine; Mark Cutler, Mark Cutler Designs, Los Angeles and Jena Hall, of aspenhome.

Tuesday, February 10 at 1 p.m.

Building B, 16^th Floor, World Forum

The design world as we know it has evolved in many ways, some over time and some because of the economy.  Join this panel discussion with industry leaders and hear their perspectives on what it will take to prosper in 2009 and beyond.

“Designers and Green Design” with Dann Foley

Tuesday February 10  at 2 p.m.

Building B, 2^nd Floor, Living Green Pavilion

Learn techniques, tips, tricks and valuable new ideas for marketing and increasing sales and profits from “the trend that is here to stay.” Dann Foley, Principal of Dann Foley Design will share with designers and manufacturers new products and resources and along with how to make more money selling green  

“Ahead of the Curve: A live and online look at upcoming home design,” with Today show personality Susanna Salk and panel including Joe Nye, Barclay Butera and Amy Lau

Wednesday, February 11 at 8:30 a.m.

Building C, C-188

Design expert Susanna Salk will review with the panel their favorite picks hot off the Las Vegas Market show floor.  This event will give design professionals and media direct access to fresh style directions and home trends during a real time on-line webcast.    RSVP to [email protected]. 

“Ab Fab Nursery,” presented by Paige Rien, designer from the top-rated HGTV show, “Hidden Potential”

Wednesday, February 11 at 3pm

Building B, 16^th Floor, World Forum

Paige shares tips on how to make green choices for the nursery and kids’ rooms that can stand up to little feet, paws and claws and the test of time.  Attendees will learn how to help their clients make both earth and pocket-book friendly choices for the home. 

“Monitoring of Long-Term Trends and Research Methods,” with Ute Shumacher

Wednesday, February 11 at 2 p.m.

Building C, 3^rd Floor, LVDC Seminar Room 316 (Reception to follow in the Robert Allen | Beacon Hill showroom in Building C, Suite 101)

Director of Trend and Design for CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements, the loose crystal elements brand of Swarovski. Shumacher will discuss the company’s methodology and criteria for exploring the emergence and potential longevity of design trends, along with how to interpret the results.  

IDS: Interior Design Society Lecture with Cameron Cook, DMC

Thursday, February 12 at 10 a.m.

Building B, 16^th floor, World Forum

This seminar is designed to help designers get media attention and get published.  Whether you are a seasoned design professional or a student still in school, this lecture will outline the basic steps needed for a successful PR practice.  Attendees will learn what tools they need to establish contacts with press, as well as proper protocol for media follow-up.   

“Design Icon featuring Roger Thomas,” Exec. VP Design, Wynn Design and Development

Thursday, February 12 at 4 p.m.

Building B, 16^th floor, World Forum

The third installment of World Market Center’s Design Icon Series will honor Roger Thomas, the creative genius behind the world-famous Bellagio, Wynn and Encore hotels in Las Vegas.  Roger will discuss highlights of his life as a designer, his sources of inspiration and the business of design.  A cocktail reception in the One Six Club will follow.  RSVP to [email protected].

-more- 

A Tour You Can’t Refuse.  Sponsored by WMCLV, Las Vegas Design Center, ASID-   

California Central/Nevada Chapter 

Thursday, February 12 at 5 p.m.

Meet at WMCLV Transportation Hub

Experience the dark side of Sin City with the Vegas Mob Tour.  Interested in the history of the Mob in Las Vegas?  Got questions about Bugsy Siegel, car bombings, murder, suicide,    celebrity deaths and unsolved mysteries and the architectural significance of where these events took place?  If so, this is a tour you can’t refuse.

RSVP to Margaret.Casey@lasvegasmarket.com 

“First Friday,” featuring Celerie Kemble and sponsored by LVDC

Friday, February 13 at 10 a.m.

Building C, 3^rd Floor, LVDC Seminar Room 316

An uber-successful interior designer, Kemble’s New York firm has been profiled in a variety of top-tier publications, such as Elle Décor, House and Garden, House Beautiful, Metropolitan Home and others.  Kemble will speak about her work as a major player in the interior design industry and introduce her brand new book, “To Your Taste: Creating Rooms with a Modern Twist.”  RSVP to [email protected]. 

To find out more about scheduled events, check out the complete schedule at www.lasvegasmarket.com/events. 

The Winter 2009 Las Vegas Market is scheduled for February 9 through February 13, 2009 at World Market Center Las Vegas. Complimentary M-Line Shuttles will run continuously all day from host hotels to World Market Center Las Vegas.  For more information, please visit

www.LasVegasMarket.com

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Buy American

A set of four chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin.  A laid-back leather seat set in a chrome cube - the perfect statement for the relaxed, comfortable modernist. Also, a nice set for the set looking for a more masculine look. Masculine or femine though, these chairs are the ultimate in ultra-sophistication.  USA-made in the 1970s. $2,495 gets all at Mix.

Chiasso's Econmic Stimulus Package

When times are rough what's a girl to do? Grab a bottle and spend a cheap night at home!

Let's just face it -- we're all pinching pennies right now. Today more than 71,400 jobs lost -- the financial climate is unstable and it's time to reevaluate our wants versus needs. If you're like me, what you need is a good drink with great friends. And you absolutely need something fetching to house all of the bottles...

May I suggest the Wave Wine Rack from Chiasso? On sale for $58!

-- allie

Tags: modern wine rack, Flor, Chiasso, economy, home decor sale

Vintage Modern Verner Panton

Verner, you genius. You had it all-- the restraint, the exuberant colors, chic materials. Who else could have made wool and chrome plated steel look so modern, up-to-the-minute in any age? These chairs are fabulous.

The 113T Chairs. Designed by Panton, produced by Fritz Hanson. Available now at Chicago's Converso. $3,000 for the pair.

Easy Modern: How to Build a Concrete Countertop

Fu-Tung Cheng is one of our favorite designers. He's a concrete guru living and working in Zen mode, able to produce a constant stream of new and exciting work. His latest is a third book/DVD. "Concrete Countertops Made Simple" takes readers through the process of designing, forming, pouring, finishing, and installing a concrete countertop that will look great and survive the test of time. Cheng shows all that’s needed to produce a practical, personalized countertop within two weeks using basic tools and materials available from a local homebuilding store. The projects are:

• Affordable. With concrete mixes purchased at a local hardware or homebuilding store, any contractor or homeowner can easily build a concrete countertop for about $15 per square foot (and less than $8 per square foot on materials). Compare that to about $25-$40 psf for plastic laminate, $40-$80 psf for granite, $60-$100 psf for stone.

•   Fast. In two weekends, a homeowner can complete a simple slab on a basic cabinet.

• Timeless. Concrete countertops work across architectural styles – modern to traditional.

• Easy. Once reserved for only the highest-end architectural design projects, Fu-Tung Cheng shares the secrets so anyone can do it.

• Unique. Concrete countertops can be customized in myriad ways.

• Green. Concrete countertops are durable, made from local materials and support recycling. 

See more at www.concreteexchange.com/made-simple.jsp