Trying to be an ethical consumer – let alone a manufacturer or designer – isn’t easy. Terms such as “eco-friendly”, “organic” and “sustainable” are now an essential part of any halfway decent organisation’s sales patter, and knowing when those words actually stand for something real is tricky. Which is why “transparency” is becoming the buzz- word these days in the world of design just as much as in the Houses of Parliament.

Take a company such as Mater (www.materdesign.com), from Denmark, which was recently given Wallpaper* magazine’s special award for best new interior design company. Mater, like every other savvy design company, is grappling with the problem of how to justify bringing new designs into a world already saturated with products. As its founder, Henrik Marstrand, puts it: “For every one of the millions of products we use to improve our lives, there are associated environmental, ethical and social consequences.” Mater’s powerful mission statement declares that it is “the home accessories brand that makes social responsibility timeless and alluring to consumers all over the world”. Read more…

February 23rd, 2008 by Admin | No Comments »

This spring, Kate and Brent Halfwassen plan to build a storage shed with a green roof behind their 1,600-square-foot 1890 Victorian home in Riverwest. Because the roof is level with an adjacent slope and can hold 165 pounds per square foot, it will double as a play space.

“A lot of the homes in Riverwest are like that and can do something similar. Kids could look at it as a tree house and parents as a greenhouse,” Kate Halfwassen says.

Benefits of green roofs include reduced stormwater runoff, better heat insulation and reduced greenhouse gases through the plantings. But the Halfwassens also believe that the garden roof reclaims a slice of the urban landscape and serves up a chance to practice sustainable agriculture in an unlikely spot in an unlikely locale. Read more…

February 23rd, 2008 by Admin | No Comments »

New homeowners and those revamping their homes often find fusing technology and decorating to be a challenge. A recent survey found that more than 70 percent of Americans are unsure of how to integrate technology into their home decor, or “techorate,” as LG Electronics has dubbed this marriage of modern technology with interior design and decor.
Read more…

February 23rd, 2008 by Admin | No Comments »

AT the soon-to-open Royal/T showroom for contemporary Japanese art and design in Culver City, a cafe will be staffed by waitresses in uniforms inspired by manga cartoons. The next time British lighting phenomenon Tom Dixon visits Los Angeles, he will be feted at an artist reception inside a special store-within-a-store at Twentieth dedicated to his work. And at the new Limn on La Brea Avenue, shoppers won’t miss the “Private Atelier” sign and red velvet rope guarding access to VIP client rooms upstairs.
Read more…

February 18th, 2008 by Admin | No Comments »

wealth of design ideas at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show.

The four-day annual event kicks off with a Design Trade Preview on Thursday, March 6. Friday through Sunday, March 7-9, the Show is open to the public, and offers events and activities to stimulate all of the design senses.

Nearly 25,000 people who share a passion for home design attend every year, including affluent homeowners, design trade professionals, showroom owners, retailers and members of the media.

February 18th, 2008 by Admin | No Comments »

Studies have shown that when it comes to spending time at home, no room gets more visitors than the kitchen. Even with media rooms and family rooms offering more than ever before, the kitchen remains a gathering spot.

In spite of their universal popularity, many kitchens remain in need of a few adjustments. Many times, homeowners mistake the need for tinkering with the need for a complete remodeling, a job that typically costs thousands of dollars. But seeing your kitchen in a new light doesn’t need to break the bank. In fact, a few relatively inexpensive lighting changes can be all a kitchen needs.
Read more…

February 11th, 2008 by Admin | No Comments »

Much like we can expect from the American people in next year’s election, the votes among the nation’s top interior designers and manufacturers are split when it comes to forecasting what will be “hot” in home decor in 2008.

The good news is that there’s no mudslinging or veto power. In fact, design bipartisanship is encouraged, as it results in a myriad of choices for today’s style- and value-conscious consumers.

Here are the top 10 trends on the ballot for 2008:

1. The Incumbent - Wall murals are always a hot ticket, particularly those produced by Hopkins, Minn.-based Murals Your Way (www.muralsyourway.com), the industry leader in the production of decorative wall murals for more than 35 years. “Personalization is the key driver in mural selection,” says Todd Imholte, president of Environmental Graphics, the company that operates Murals Your Way. “We are finding more and more people choosing a mural that fits their personality.” With a gallery of more than 5,000 wall mural images, as well as the ability to create a custom mural from a personal photo or artwork, the possibilities are truly endless. Some of Hollywood’s celebrities are using the murals from Murals Your Way like Madonna, Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson. Read more…

February 11th, 2008 by Admin | No Comments »

The results are in for the inaugural Live-in Room Kitchen Design Competition, presented by Interior Design and appliance manufacturer Electrolux.

The grand prize winner, Jeff Jenkins of design firm Jeff Jenkins Design + Development in Alexandria, Virginia, created a space that encourages social interaction and supports the idea that the modern kitchen is the heart of the home.

“We were impressed with Jeff’s entry because of the innovative way he interpreted the concept of the Live-In Room, incorporating the outdoors into the kitchen, and because of the quality of his presentation,” says Henrik Otto, Electrolux senior vice president of global design and a member of the jury. Read more…

February 6th, 2008 by Admin | No Comments »

Practical minimalism

Every historic period has left its characteristics on design, which were most often linked with that period`s lifestyle. Today, we are living at a fast pace, striving towards what is practical and simple in all aspects of our lives. Therefore, it is logical that minimalism leaves its trace on interior design.

Pure lines in design, easy-maintenance materials, implementation of segments in space as fast as possible are the common denominator of most modern requirements.

Still, living in a space is a very individual thing and a line of demands need to be met to make the space functional and harmonious. An important segment is the environment in which you live. Respect it and introduce the genius loci, the spirit of the place, into decorating!
Read more…

February 6th, 2008 by Admin | No Comments »