Andrew Martin International Design Awards - We Made It!

I have some truly AMAZING News to share with all of you!

As some of you may know .. (at least I sure hope so!) I am an interior designer.

Yes I write a design blog *hm`hmm* and yes I dabble in editorial work for California Home+Design BUT.. I AM an interior designer. That is what I have done since starting my own firm with my husband and partner in crime back in 1999!

So, today is a VERY - and I MEAN VERY - special day as Mehditash Design is one of a very select group of American Design firms featured in the Exclusive International Andrew Martin Design Review.

The Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year award attracts entries from all over the globe and is described as

 "The Oscars for the interior design world"."  - The Times 

Designers with amazing careers such as Kelly Hoppen, the first recipient of this award, and US designers such as Jamie Drake, Thomas Pheasant and the like have been featured in past issues so I am truly humbled and honored to be among these incredible designers and it is a career highlight!!

For more in depth images please visit Mehditash Design, all beautifully taken by the fantastic Stacey van Berkel and styled by Raina Kattelson. I am forever indebted to these lovely ladies and their help in making this happen. Lastly, but most certainly not the least, my lovely clients that allow me to make the magic happen every day for them. They are gracious and kind and have supported my firm's growth since the very first day. I will be sharing some additional images from this Soho apartment in the next few posts with details that didn't make the cut so stay tuned! JENNIFER MEHDITASH IN THE NEWS WE'RE THRILLED TO SHARE THE LATEST PRESS FOR BICOASTAL DESIGNER (AND THE NEW CALIFORNIA HOME & DESIGN ORANGE COUNTY EDITOR AT LARGE) JENNIFER MEHDITASH.  COVERED IN ANDREW MARTIN'S INTERIOR DESIGN REVIEW. THIS ECLECTIC SOHO APARTMENT BY JENNIFER MEHDITASH IS NOT TO BE MISSED AND ONE WE'RE HAPPY TO SHARE.... ANDREW MARTIN INTERIOR DESIGN REVIEW VOLUME 18 - Selected by an an elite panel of distinguished design authorities, Jennifer's SOHO project was prominently featured in Andrew Martin's annual Interior Design Review, often referred to as the "Oscars of Interior Design."  Featuring only a select number of American designers, this exclusive international design review was a great honor for Jennifer. "Jennifer Mehditash, Mehditash Design, California & New York, USA. A boutique practice with international projects. Current work includes a home in Martha's Vineyard and a large country home in Darien, Connecticut. Recent projects include the remodel and design of a room for a children's charity in the Ronald McDonald House, Long Island, apartments throughout Manhattan, large scale residences in the Hamptons, Connecticut and Westchester, NY plus various private residences, hotels and spas throughout Portugal. Design philosophy: to create beautiful, tailor made interiors."   Buy the book here.

Taking another giant step ~ California Home + Design

From my last post, many of you fabulous readers know that I have recently decided to expand my business and move to California. It was a very big decision, and after many really tough years in New York establishing my business and blog, I am thrilled to say a large part of what made that time so exciting beyond the fantastic clients and projects were the readers of this very blog and the fabulous friends and colleagues I met along the way.

Now, as I touch down in Newport Beach, CA an amazing opportunity presented itself that was just too amazing to give up. So many of us as designers and bloggers like to wear many colorful hats.
I am no different.

Never one for being stuck in a "design" shaped box, I jumped at the chance to have a new exciting adventure with an editorial focus, as I make my way through all the great designers and architects that Southern California has to offer. Now, not only can I share their stories on my own blog but with all the readers of California Home & Design Magazine both online and in print, which is fantastic.

It is always about helping to elevate the interior design business as a whole which is what I have strived for my entire career, whether through my own blog here on Dec-a-Porter, or at every speaking engagement. This was just a logical next step in that direction to help bring great design to every home owner and celebrate all the amazing talents that our industry has to offer.

Make sure to follow along online while we put the Fall issue to print..
through inspiration rooms ..

"I Could Live Here:.." Series.. and House Tours..

Product reviews.. Trends and my favorite Destination reports.

but don't worry, that does not mean I will not be sharing my own point of view and finds right here on Dec-a-Porter. This will always be a very special place that I will always remain dedicated to .. but as we all struggle to find more hours in the day, I too find it difficult to give as much attention to this platform as I was once able to. It has become more about specific fewer but higher quality posts, rather than quantity.

I hope you will remain fans of Dec-a-Porter, follow along whether on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter.. but lastly, if not most importantly, stay tuned for some very exciting news on the Interior Design front as the summer comes to a close I hope to be able to share some very exciting and special news on the growth and of Mehditash Design.

Wishing you all a great summer, and will keep you all updated.

Jennifer in the News - HEADING WEST!

AS OF THIS JULY, MY BUSINESS WILL BE BICOASTAL!  "JENNIFER MEHDITASH,  AKA DEC-A-PORTER, WILL BE OPENING A NEW DESIGN DIVISION IN ORANGE COUNTY.  JENNIFER MEHDITASH IN THE NEWS AFTER BUILDING HER BUSINESS IN NEW YORK AND CEMENTING HERSELF AS PART OF THE NY DESIGNER AND BLOGGER COMMUNITY, SHE WILL USE HER NEW BASE IN THE HEART OF NEWPORT BEACH TO SHARE HER DESIGN WITH HER CLIENTS IN BOTH NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN, AS SHE CONTINUES TO EXPAND MEHDITASH DESIGN.  WE'RE HAPPY TO SHARE WHAT SHE"S BEEN UP TO LATELY IN THE PRESS AND IN NEW YORK!" TRADITIONAL HOME  |  JUNE 2014 NEW + NEXT COLUMN: CLASSIC UPDATE Gloster's "Havana Modular Lounge Chair" My clients would love his woven Gloster piece.  It's streamlined yet casual, and the all-weather wicker makes it maintenance-free.  These would be perfect grouped around an outdoor fireplace." - Jennifer Mehditash    CHARITY EVENTS It has been a very busy season, and I have had the pleasure in taking part in 2 major charity fundraising events!  THE MOONLIGHT BALL CENTENNIAL GALA THE BARTOW-PELL MANSION MUSEUM, MAY 10, 2014 DESIGN LEAD A National Historic Landmark located in New York City's largest park, the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum is an 1840s Greek Revival mansion -- and the last of the country's estates in the Pelham Bay area.  Invited by board member Lynn Bryne, Jennifer was asked to take the lead on the interior design of the "Moonlight Ball" Centennial Gala celebration.  Hosting nearly 370 people, the gardens were filled with music and good cheer, as all of the Bronx and Westchester elite joined in the commemoration.   A SPRING AFFAIR:  THE LENOX HILL NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE GALA CIPRIANI, APRIL 9, 2014 TABLE TOP DESIGN: PAPILLION The Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, one of NYC's most highly regarded and respected nonprofit organizations, held their annual and always-anticipated spring gala at Cipriani 42nd Street.  Jennifer was among the roster of the who's who of designers with her tabletop design titled "Papillion."  With the direction in place to interpret and creatively "evoke Spring," Jennifer decided to take a cue from the regeneration and new beginnings of the life of a butterfly.  S P E A K I N G  E N G A G E M E N T S  An integral part of my career, has been dedicated to integrating speaking engagements, and this season has been no different!  Not only is it an opportunity to give back to my community, but it remains the most enjoyable way to further my own education as I have enjoyed meeting and learning so much from my fellow panelists.  Our industry, is growing at lightning speed, and the best way we can help elevate the entire industry as a whole is by continuing to remain generous with all of the knowledge and experience that we acquire along the way. ANTIQUES IN 21ST CENTURY INTERIORS PANEL DISCUSSION DECORATION & DESIGN BUILDING, MAY 15, 2014 Along with fellow designers David Scott and Louis Navarrete, and antique aficionados Toma Clark Haines of The Antiques Diva and Olga Granda-Scott of The HighBoy, Jennifer delved into the secrets and tricks to incorporating antiques into modern day interiors at the DDB's annual Spring Market this past May.  Hosted by de Le Cuona.   BUILDING YOUR DESIGN BUSINESS ONLINE WAKEFIELD DESIGN CENTER, MAY 1, 2014 In a discussion about using social media as a tool to build your brand and business online, Jennifer was part of a panel led by Stacey Kunstel and accompanied by Tiffany Eastman and Kerri Rosenthal, during the Wakefield Design Center's "To the Trade Only Market Day."   PHILANTHROPY AS AN EXTENSION OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT  DECORATION & DESIGN BUILDING, APRIL 29, 2014 As the moderator of this event, Jennifer was in good company while she led the discussion on philanthropy being an extension of business development.  She was joined by DJ Carey, Editorial Director of Connecticut Cottages & Gardens, and acclaimed interior designers John Douglas Eason (John Douglas Eason Interiors) and Alan Tanksley (Alan Tanksley, Inc.).