Washington Spaces blog

We’re still catching our breath from three days of pounding the pavement in High Point, NC, for the biannual International Home Furnishings Market, where we got a peek at emerging trends in furniture and home design that will be showing up in stores later this year. For the next couple weeks, our editor in chief, Trish Donnally, and I will be blogging about the myriad shapes and styles we saw in the showrooms.

I saved the best for first: Four renowned designers were at Market to display their new rug designs for Safavieh Couture, which is Safavieh’s collection of designer rugs.

Executives from Safavieh flank the designers, from left to right: David Easton, Thom Filicia, Suzanne Kasler, and Thomas O’Brien.

Thom Filicia, who earned fame on Bravo’s “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and currently hosts The Style Network’s “Dress My Nest,” is the newest designer to join the Couture roster, which also includes David Easton, Suzanne Kasler, and Thomas O’Brien.

The forecast is for showers this weekend, so it might be a good time to duck into a few sales. Here are a couple we recommend:

Knoll Space

The annual Knoll Space sale begins Friday and lasts through May 10, in which Knoll designs can be had for 15 percent off. Major Knoll retailers in DC include Vastu on 14th Street and Design Within Reach in Georgetown.

Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore

In partnership with the American Society of Interior Designers, Habitat is having its annual BIG Sale on Saturday, May 2. Along with builder supplies, you can also peruse items donated by local designers, including:

• Susan Sapiro of Horizon Builders
• Carolin Schebish of Interior Design Exchange Inc.
• Susan Gulick Interiors
• Patricia Gold Interiors
• Fisher Group LLC
• Grand Rapids Chair Company

Everything is available for sale for between 50 and 90 percent below retail prices. The store’s address and information are available here.

Unfortunately, robust arts scenes don’t just happen – they’re the result of dedicated nurturing by a tireless, passionate few who know that for emerging artists, the time, space, supplies, and support to create and sell work are really hard to come by. Ideally, building environments where artists have the freedom and support network to create sets up a positive feedback loop. By connecting the dots between artists, funding, and potential markets, creative folks (who generally begin by working for free) are able to spend more time with their craft, leading to more productivity and stronger work. 

Lucky for us, nonprofit and grass-roots arts venues are abundant both in- and outside the Beltway. They offer cut-rate workspace and residency programs for artists; talks, classes, and studio views for the public; community outreach programs; and, of course, beautiful art for sale.

Pyramid Atlantic in Silver Spring, MD

Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center
Photograph by Taylor Wyant

This arts nonprofit has been around for 27 years, so the folks at Pyramid Atlantic must be doing a few things right. Their expansive facility on Georgia Avenue is a haven for book arts, photography, and print- and paper-making. They support artists through residencies and space rentals, assist with grant bids, and host classes in everything from book-binding to digital media. Their fundraisers are unfailingly cool – on June 11, they’re hosting a film premiere and silent auction at the gorgeous AFI Silver Theatre. Pyramid’s sales gallery is full of exquisite gifts, from limited-edition prints to handmade artist books – and you can even buy buckets of fresh pulp there to make your own paper.

Pages From My Diary 1 by Willem deLooper, Self Duality by Tracy Krumm, and  View From La Maree by Mary Heiss – all for sale at the gallery.

The Washington Design Center kicked off its Spring 2009 Design House last week with the theme of Urban Elegance, and eight designers are showing off their interpretations with all of the city’s flair, sophistication, and elegance. Let’s take the tour.

Entry Foyer

Annie Elliott of Bossy Color conceived an entry in “an old-world apartment building,” so much so that she built her own “elevator” just outside the foyer, and bought brass “up” and “down” buttons on eBay to make it look authentic. She used a palette of yellow – because it’s so hot these days and it’s an optimistic color in challenging times – and gray, as a nod to the city’s edge and grittiness. But when you use Farrow & Ball’s high-gloss oil paint, there isn’t a hint of grittiness anywhere in this space. The space evolved from the center, however: “I knew I wanted a round table and I knew I wanted an Odegard rug with silk in it.” Voilà.

(All images courtesy of Washington Design House unless noted.)

The warm weather is finally back, and I’m hankering for an outdoor living room pronto for this weekend’s cookout. Hmmm, where to turn? For starters, let’s peruse some pretty fabulous new indoor/outdoor fabrics from Cowtan & Tout.

Walking the thin line between exotic and familiar, Cowtan’s indoor/outdoor fabrics draw on a range of inspiration. There’s a whiff of tropical, a dash of cabana, a hint of yacht club, and torrents of color.

Brighton

This cheerful, candy-striped fabric (named Brighton, aptly) is woven in 100 percent yarn-dyed Dralon acrylic that’s been engineered and finished to withstand weather and resist stains and mildew.

Harbour Island

Harbour Island is a fresh seaside pattern screen-printed on a polyester poplin-like fabric, perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. It’s light enough for draperies but tough enough for the elements.

Coronado

Coronado, a graphic-print chenille, comes in nine colors ranging from subtle to bright. The fabric’s fibers dry quickly and are resistant to damage from sun and stains.

Stools with Laguna fabric

Cowtan & Tout products are sold to the trade, but if you’re not currently working with a designer, The Washington Design Center can put you in touch with one.

If you prefer something more contemporary, check out this faux leather outdoor upholstery from Arnitex.

Simili from Arnitex (distributed by Brunschwig & Fils), is resistant to rough handling and also soft to the touch. Designed to look and feel like real leather, this outdoor fabric resists sunlight, mildew, and stains and is made from polyurethane, not vinyl. It’s also 100-percent free of toxins, making it a “green” option, which we love.

Arnitex’s Simili and other Brunschwig & Fils fabrics are also sold to the trade.

There was no such thing as “April Showers” at the 19th annual Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival last weekend. But May’s flowers seemed to have come out early – and everywhere.

The streets were packed with thousands of flower and garden lovers, soaking up all the color and beauty.

Feast your eyes:

Wildwood Landscape of Purcellville, VA, took top honors with first place in landscape design – for the second year in a row.

Plank walkway in Wildwood’s display 

We were also a part of Wildwood’s display.

What an ingenious concept – the American Idol of product design.

Toronto Designer Joel Yatscoff got fed up with pitching his great product ideas to big companies, only to be rejected for some “awful product” they later produced, and he couldn’t bear all the manufacturing and marketing costs of bringing a product to market on his own. So he created a Web site called Joy de Vivre.

It lets potential customers “invest” in a new product by pre-purchasing it. If enough people buy it by a certain date, then it will be manufactured and you’ll get it in a few weeks. If not, customers get their money back. “There is really no risk on your part,” Yatscoff says.

Here are the site’s first two prototypes looking for enough buyers to become reality:

The Cellule, which would come in packs of nine, can make a nifty wall design inside or a great trellis for climbing plants outside. It would come in green, yellow or white.

And this Fruity Bowl, which at first glance just looks like a very modern, unusual design, also has a specific purpose: the strands that grasp the fruit circulate air and keep it from bruising.

Further explaining the product development process, Yatscoff says, “We have created a space for designers to post their ideas, and our community to offer them feedback. We also have a voting system, so popular ideas rise and less popular ideas sink. From this pool, we select ideas which we will send out for quoting and eventually funding and production.”

How cool is that? You can follow Joel’s progress on his blog (although because this venture is so new, there are only two postings thus far).

It’s everywhere! The Washington Post’s Home section ran an article on the house last month, and the story was filled with wonderful details about Wentworth’s design sensibilities, but it had me craving more images, because it featured only a bedroom, bathroom, and basement.

My prayers are being answered with the latest issue of Elle Decor, which has the home on its cover.

All Elle Decor photographs by Simon Upton

I love how Wentworth bought fabric dye at a craft store and made the lavender starburst pattern herself on the white wool rug, after her husband told her they couldn’t buy a new rug. I’m also charmed by the pink John Derian poufs.

Let’s pause for station identification and say this: We at Washington Spaces ♥ our partners who help us honor this region’s best in home design. And last week, that was Porcelanosa, which opened its striking showroom for a reception to award the winners from our recent kitchen and bath design competitions.

All photographs by Carrie Russell

Nearly 200 professionals in the design trade fought rush hour on the Beltway to come out to Rockville, MD, for the event. But it was worth it, as kitchen and bath designers, interior designers, builders, architects, and other home decor experts pored over Porcelanosa’s collections – many of them for the first time.

Simon Ley of The Ley Group Inc. checks out the merchandise.

“It’s a great space. It’s a good opportunity to walk around,” said Sophie Prévost, principal of ColePrévost Inc. and a bath award winner. Her award, with a photo of the winning project, is on the right and also here.

Interior Designer Justine Sancho, second from left, came with her associate, Joanne Segrera, standing next to her, because Segrera is friends with Porcelanosa’s kitchen and bath designer, Evita Pleitez, right. “Have you ever used Porcelanosa products in your designs?” we asked Justine. “I would like to,” Joanne responded. “I guess that means we will!” Justine exclaimed. Standing on the left is Justine’s husband, Bill.

Other guests were intimately familiar with the showroom. “My wife must own stock in this company now,” said Brady Wilkerson, owner of SGO Designer Glass of Rockville, explaining that she’s outfitted their home’s three bathrooms in Porcelanosa tile. “My wife loves this place.”

David Carmona, general manager of Porcelanosa, does everything there, including passing hors d’oeuvres.

The Habitat ReStore of Northern Virginia is working with the Metro DC chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers to host its second annual BIG Sale on Saturday, May 2.

Habitat is calling all ASID members to donate and deliver materials to ReStore this Friday, April 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Habitat is seeking donations of designer wares including: furniture; window treatments; fabric; wall hangings; architectural details; appliances; cabinets; countertops; plumbing fixtures; and TV and stereo equipment.

Everything will be re-sold on May 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and all the donations are tax deductible. We at Washington Spaces, as sponsors of the event, will be out there in force, and you should, too – it’s a great opportunity to find designer products at 50 to 90 percent below retail, and contribute to a wonderful cause at the same time.

All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia, which has already helped 65 families move into homes they otherwise wouldn’t have, and is working toward a goal of building 35 more houses by 2010.

To donate materials or get more involved, contact Virginia Patton at vpatton@habitatnova.org or call 703.521.9890 ext. 105.

ReStore is located at:
7770-A Richmond Highway (behind Gold’s Gym)
Alexandria, VA 22306

DC Design House, the former rectory in Georgetown that’s been magnificently resurrected by an all-star crew of DC designers, opens to the public today. But it’s not just about striking wallpaper and hand-strung chandeliers. Beauty and bling aside, it’s a fundraiser for the Children’s National Medical Center, a world-class pediatric hospital in DC that serves sick children in the region regardless of the patient’s ability to pay for treatment. We can’t think of a worthier cause, and as the Design House’s media sponsor, we’re thrilled to be a part of it. Last night’s preview party for the hospital’s Circle of Care patrons highlighted the reasons why.

Design Advisors Michael Roberson and Frank Babb Randolph

Judy Graham, vice president of development at Children’s National Medical Center

Sheila and Jessica Gregory

Among the night’s highlights: A tender presentation by Sheila Gregory and her 10-year-old daughter, Jessica, who was born with spina bifida and received treatment at Children’s, and who is now a blue-belt in kung fu and a feisty young comedienne (and also provided Marjory Segal with design consulting for the girl’s bedroom upstairs). Sheila described how the doctors repaired a hole in her daughter’s spine, how they were not sure she would ever be able to walk, and how Jessica has grown up to be such an independent spirit that her parents have to remind her that “she’s only 10.”

Spring doesn’t just mean budding blossoms – it means that nearly every big city is home to a charity-driven decorator show house. Our own DC Design House opens to the public tomorrow, but the grande dame of them all is the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in New York.

Bunny Williams channeled her old boss, Designer Albert Hadley (the minimalist counterpart to his partner, Sister Parish), to whom this year’s show house is billed as a tribute. All photographs from this year’s show house are by Raeanne Giovanni-Inoue for The New York Times

I’ve been lucky enough to attend Kips Bay twice. And because I can’t go this year, I hung on every word – and image – of this year’s show house in today’s New York Times.

My jaw fell open when I saw this wallpaper design, orchestrated by Amy Lau, a Kips  Bay veteran and one of my favorite designers. I blogged about her work earlier this month.

The display is memorable, as was her Kips Bay space from two years ago:

On daily walks around my new, North Arlington neighborhood, certain houses get my attention more than others. These are the ones with outstanding curb appeal, or that make me think, “Ooooh, I want live there,” without ever stepping foot inside.

I took snapshots of my favorites:

Traditional brick meets modern design. 

The garage here is an aesthetic focal point, not just a carport.

The front door appears to float on a sea of brick.

I have an undeniable weakness for hip, loft-style architecture, the kind that flourishes in places like my old stomping grounds, downtown Los Angeles. Seeing this current style appear in Arlington makes me feel a little more at home on the East Coast.

If you’re looking for creative and stylish ways to get “green” in your home, check out the Embassy of Sweden’s latest exhibit, Visual Voltage: A Design and Art Perspective from Sweden, which explores various forms of electricity and its consumption. Brought to you by the Swedish Institute and the Interactive Institute, this installation combines the talents of some of Sweden’s best known artists, designers, and engineers to show you electricity as you’ve never seen it before.

Energy and sustainability are center stage this weekend at the embassy. Visual Voltage Weekend includes an evening of green dialogue “Pecha Kucha” style (meaning rapid-fire presentation – each presenter shows 20 images for 20 seconds apiece, which prevents death by PowerPoint); a designer’s talk on the importance and benefits of sustainable design; and a day of family environmental awareness.

Energy AWARE Clock

Energy AWARE Clock

This clock may look ordinary, but instead of telling time, it visualizes the daily energy rhythms of your household. It’s designed to make energy awareness a part of everyday life. You can even compare your electricity usage on different days.

When it comes to recent fashion trends, one word comes to mind: structure. I was taken with several gowns during awards season – especially by actresses Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Hudson – whose architecturally-driven garments were adorned with heavy pleating and asymmetrical silhouettes. Home trends typically follow fashion, so it’s no surprise this look has found its way into home décor. Case in point: Anne Kyyro Quinn’s fabulous new book, Felt Furnishings (Potter Craft, $25).

Quinn’s book presents 25 home-accessory projects that include decorative pillows, pleated lampshades, and a vibrant yellow ottoman. The British textile designer uses felt as the fabric in each project, which as she writes in the introduction, “can be manipulated by various methods to create different effects, and there are endless possibilities for using it in innovative ways.”

I especially loved a dark blue pillow with a large, round flower made of ruched felt of the same color. I was also drawn to a pleated orange drum lampshade (a felt lampshade – who knew?) and an adorable yellow magazine holder.

Particularly elegant is the box pleat throw. Quinn used a kind of pleating typical of curtain headings in order to create this simple, yet unique cream-colored blanket. (pg 60)

In all, the book melds structural style, craft and affordability, and each project is easy to complete. The only prerequisite? A little imagination, and access to a sewing machine.

The book is available for purchase starting tomorrow, April 14.