5.18.09 | By now, most design firms should have the marketing capability
enabling them to walk into a client of any size and say, "I can save you
X hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars every year, and back it up
with data." Let's face it, the aesthetic design capabilities and related
aspects of interior design are pretty much a commodity in the sense that
they are readily available at fair-to-bargain prices; today, 10s of
thousands of talented interior designers who can do that have been laid
off for want of work.
A&D Firms >>, Business and Finance >>
5.18.09 | The first day of ICFF proved to be more subdued then in years
past, with the back of New York City's Javits Center curtained off due to
fewer exhibitors, and just a little less people milling around the show
floor. With the current state of the industry, such was to be expected,
but exhibitors were not phased and remained upbeat, showcasing a strong
year of solid design. Here is a taste of our favorite first impressions
in and around ICFF. (There will be more in next week's edition.)
Events >>
5.18.09 | Santa Monica is surely the place to be in Los Angeles for commercial
interiors. If Herman Miller moved out there we would really have
the makings of the West Coast version of Designer's Saturday, the
highly popular and much lamented (by the old-timers) '70s New York
event. But Teknion did not wait for that to happen. It opened its
Santa Monica showroom a week or so ago and, taking no chances, it asked
Michael Vanderbyl who did as much as anyone to put Teknion on
the map to carry forward the Teknion-Vanderbyl trade dress to the West
Coast, ably assisted by Teknion's internal showroom facilities team.
Events >>
5.18.09 | For those architects and interior designers who believe in the value of
adding meaningful quantitative analysis to their well-developed
qualitative and design skills, Orfield Laboratories, Minneapolis,
MN, is an extremely valuable resource.
Research >>
5.18.09 | The décor of most dentist offices adds insult to prospective injury.
Alpha Dental decided to forge a new path when it redesigned its Calgary
offices. To add an element of serenity, it converted part of its offices
into the Omega Spa.
Project >>
5.18.09 | Ed. Note: This is the 21st and final scheduled installment of the story of the renovation of a residence in Arizona, with a particular focus on sustainable practices. No, we are not turning into a residential publication, but we do believe that the same thought processes and concepts are applicable to all buildings for humans. Kathleen Vick's adventures into sustainable building resulted from her family relocation and the transformation and expansion of a residence undertaken to provide home care for her elderly parents.
Money/Mouth >>
5.11.09 | Since 1964, Geiger International has been one of the most highly
regarded names in commercial casegoods. The company was founded in Canada
by its namesake, John Geiger,
who guided it with an unyielding
passion for wood craftsmanship, good design, and operational excellence
and a relentless ideal of perfection that shaped every aspect of his
company's culture. In 1979, Geiger moved to Atlanta and in 1993, it
acquired famed chair maker Brickel Associates, led by legendary
designer Ward Bennett. Then, in 1999, Herman Miller
acquired Geiger, and the question became, Will Herman Miller ruin
Geiger?
People >>
5.11.09 | One of our favorite shows, the International Contemporary
Furniture Fair, will be held May 16-19, 2009, at the Jacob K Javits
Convention Center, NYC. During the Fair's four days,145,000 sq.ft. of the
Javits Center will bustle with more than 25,000 interior designers,
architects, retailers, manufacturers, representatives, distributors, and
developers. Thankfully, members of the general public are welcome on
Tuesday, May19 when the ICFF is open to all.
Events >>
5.11.09 | Samba Carnivale was the theme as party goers entered the ballroom
of the landmark Century Plaza Hotel in Century City for the
21st Annual International Interior Design
Association-S.CA Calibre Awards and formal dinner. This
year's show was co-chaired by Jim Klawiter, Robyn Taylor and
Hillary Luckenbaugh.
Competitions and Awards >>, Prof. Associations >>
5.11.09 | Stay around long enough and everything repeats . . . and repeats. A
little less than 10 years ago, IIDA and ASID held several serious
discussions about a possible merger. It seemed to be a mighty effort, but
. . . there were differences.
5.11.09 If the current economy was a disaster flick, it would be the horrific
sequel to the last major recession (the 1980's debacle), and like all
Hollywood blockbusters, it would outdo the previous version by invoking
the dreaded Depression Era imagery and dolorous tone. Set against the
backdrop of a dying planet and several other depressing conditions,
anxiety levels are not only heightened, they're at the edge of the chart
and about to run out of paper.
People >>
5.11.09 | As I was pursuing some mundane task the other morning the
radio trotted Home on the Range out into the morning. It was my local
and loved
classical music station and I didn't ever expect to hear that
tune. My delight surprised me. I am not a cowboy fan. I don't like
western movies. I put away childish interest in the genre way back in the
distant mist of time.
Ira Joe >>
5.4.09 | Earlier this year, a spirited debate occured in that tangled web called online media between Michael Cannell, a design writer for the New York Times, and Murray Moss, the owner of New York City retail design gallery Moss. The issue at hand: Does Design Love a Depression? Mr. Cannell started things rolling with his story claiming that design loves, adores, wants to marry a depression.
Events >>
5.4.09 | Jon Vingerhoets thinks he can light up your life, and this marathon runner appears to have the products, personality and energy to do it. Mr. Vingerhoets, a recent and welcome addition to our shores one couldn't get through Ellis Island in the old days with that length or spelling was appointed last year to lead the next generation of Artemide in the United States succeeding Guido Peratto, who had held that position for over two decades.
People >>, Product >>
5.4.09 | IIDA New York's 20th Annual IIDA Leaders Breakfast packed
New York's interior design community into Gotham Hall in NYC last week.
It was John Lijewski and Hilda Longinotti's tenth year as
co-chairs of the event, and the IIDA NY members and the contract
community came in droves, even for the 7:30 AM call time. It was apparent
that they were there to celebrate 20 successful years of the event, enjoy
the bagel and lox, take in the speakers lined up for the morning and
mostly to enjoy each other's close (very close) company.
Events >>, Prof. Associations >>
5.4.09 | Allsteel has signed what is called a Strategic Partnership
Agreement with Ice Edge Business Solutions, a leader in
intelligent 3D design software. That will bring a powerful 3D modeling
software to Allsteel and its distribution network. Allsteel said that it
has been working closely with Ice Edge to ensure a successful
implementation of ICE for the Allsteel dealers. The joint announcement
also said that the agreement represents a commitment by both companies
to establish Allsteel as the technology frontrunner in
furniture.
A&D Firms >>, Technology >>
5.4.09 | Lamex, a wholly-owned subsidiary of HNI Corporation, is the
first office solution provider to receive LEED-CI Gold in China for its
showroom in the Tangxia manufacturing campus with a display floor area of
over 15,000 sq. ft.
A&D Firms >>, Environment >>
5.4.09 | Save A Sample! has just completed its 10th year with a celebration
at the Knoll Showroom last week. Imagine, just one person's idea,
Suzanne Swift, at the cusp of greater environmental awareness, has
redirected thousands of pounds of materials and samples
"destined" for landfill into the hands of design students,
giving them tools for their general design education and probably the
most important lesson they'll learn about saving the environment.
Competitions and Awards >>, People >>
5.4.09 | Canadian office furniture manufacturer Simo is launching its new
EVO line in hopes to change the way people approach the office
environment. With small footprints, an eco-friendly production process
and elegant designs, EVO will enable customers to effectively utilize
their office spaces and make the workplace feel less like work.
Product >>
