2012 Year in Review: Can you say Polka?

So after another amazing few days of ALT Summit, I have arrived back to New York feeling overwhelmed, inspired, exhausted, excited, ...um, exhausted, and a little anxious.. and did I say exhausted yet?

So you get what I mean, right?

Almost exactly 1 year ago I posted about ALT Summit as a first time attendee, and how I felt pretty much the same as I do now (except that I didn't cry as much this time in between each panel - Yes, I am a crier - Don't judge me!)


So, as I hung my badge from this year, I realized that it might be fun to take a look back at some of the high points of 2012, and send a little thanks to all that made it special. Just take a look at some of the badges I have kept as souvenirs, and YES it has been a pretty busy year, to say the least.

2012 - my year to discover everything I could about blogging

Kick started by ALT Summit/January of 2012 - known as the Year of the Bun, 

& meeting Ben Silbermann of Pinterest - which in turn started my love of Pinterest

(but of course)..

and getting my portrait taken by Karen Walrond of Chookoolonks as part of her 1000 faces photographic adventure.

Graciously, this blog was nominated as a finalist for "Best New Design Blog" as part of the Design Bloggers Conference in L.A. Hall of Fame, where I finally met in person some new online friends, that have meant the world to me over the course of this year.

One person especially - Leslie Carothers of The Kaleidoscopic Partnership, has rocked my world in the most incredible way, beginning with our collaboration on The Curtain Exchange 2 week Curtain & Drapery Series which still to date have been some of my most popular posts (check them all out here!) to the beginning of Olioboard which is now a widely popular online moodboard site. 

With Olioboard in 2012, I visited the Nate Berkus show, spoke with Leslie at High Point Market about how it could work in "tandem" with Pinterest, and visited BlogHer in New York City.

While at High Point, I was able to visit all of the amazing showrooms and brands as one of the lucky Style Spotters with 25 highlighted finds that I wanted to showcase as what I thought would be sure bets for the next season. So, did I get them right? Check out my Pinterest board on all my finds!

I was invited to curate a sale for the fab online flash sale site, Joss & Main (that also was responsible for the exciting Alt Summit Clue party my my last post). See how everything comes full circle?

My trip to Blogfest with with a visit to the Kips Bay Showhouse, and a great conversation between Ann Maine of Traditional Home and Alexa Hampton

I was able to cover some really fantastic fairs, shows, events and previews as a Design Blogger such as Holiday House, New York Gift Show, Piers Antique Show, and so many more that it would be impossible to list them all (just give the search button a whirl).

September, not only the month I was born in, BUT, also the month of Brizo's New York Fashion Week trip to view Jason Wu's Spring/Summer 2013 collection presented

as well as my trip as part of BlogTour London with Modenus.

Check out all the BlogTour posts here!

and finally back again to this year's ALT Summit - The Year of the Polka Dot!

images: Justin Hackworth/Brooke Dennis
via ALT Flikr feed

So what is 2013 all about?

I want 2013, to be about DESIGN. Bringing my Interior Design practice to new heights while helping my clients achieve a beautiful space filled with happiness and love, as we design their homes together.

Oh ya, and a new website & blog, lots of speaking engagements and education, a little strategy makeover consulting for some special clients and, well, a few things I just can't share (wink, wink).

So please continue to follow along with me as I share my journey with you: with candor, with the utmost gratitude for your loyalty and love, and with a "smidgen" of good humor!
Here's to a stellar 2013 for you all!

September Catch Up: DDB Market, HGTV, BlogTour London, Brizo NY Fashion week, Guest Speaking..

I know you must all read this blog and think, .. "she's insane!"
Well, it was a bit of a whirlwind of a month .. but one of my favorite months - September.

So, I wanted to just catch up a little bit, and share a few of the exciting events and moments that I have shared with some of you, since after my whirlwind fun at New York Fashion Week with Brizo & before October really gets going.


First, I was so happy to be one of the 10 Bloggers that HGTV asked to comment about the top trends for Fall, where I am part of a great mix of designers and blogger friends, as we all share our thoughts on how to spruce up your home this season.

HGTV.com -> Top Fall Trends - Thanks to Liz Gray for the mention!

As a huge fan of all things HGTV (aren't we all?!), it really meant a lot to be part of their
contributors.

Next, as some of you know, I try and spend as much time as possible "sharing the love", as they say.. and really do enjoy every opportunity to speak at an event.

Whether about Pinterest (like at High Point Market this Spring or in Westchester), or about "Blogging" or "Interior Design Best Practices"... I am always happy to be part of it.

So, when the chance to be a Guest Speaker for two different occasions came up, even though it was on the very same day, and the day after my trip to London with BlogTour, how could I refuse?

First, as a great supporter of every Interior Design Association, it was truly wonderful to give a webinar for the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) Emerging Professionals program. Over 100+ tuned in as I shared some of my thoughts on the role of Social Media in Building Your Brand...

Thanks so much to Tiffany Neumann of ASID for the invite!

Later that same afternoon, I was able to share my thoughts on Blogging and Pinterest. 

Robin Colner of DigiStar Media asked me to share with her class, as the adjunct instructor for the “The Business and Practice of New Media” course at Fordham University, in Westchester, in depth about how to create a business model and strategy through sharing and communicating through the "Blogging" platform.

For those of you that have followed this blog, you will have been kept up to date with many of the adventures from my trip to London with the Uber talented team that Modenus put together - BlogTour London rocked the London Design festival events and many more posts are headed your way here as I still sift through the hundreds of images and contacts I made.

Here are a few of the posts quick links though just in case you missed them:

1. BlogTour - Here I Come!
2. BlogTour Sponsor: And So To Bed
3. BlogTour Hotel - Citizen M
4. BlogTour Sponsor: Lapicida and the Use of Travertine in History
5. BlogTour Sponsor: Amtico Flooring
6. BlogTour Visuals: Day 1
7. BlogTour Sponsor: Du Verre Hardware
8. BlogTour London: 100% Design and The Mackay Lighting Design Studio
9. BlogTour Visuals: Day 2
10. Victoria & Albert Museum - London Design Festival

Lastly, (not really - but this is getting a little long..)
I will be one of the bloggers / interior designers that is going to cover and share all of the fantastic events and happenings at the Design and Decoration Building in the heart of NYC next week.



Much more about these Keynote Talks, some special interviews and more about what I find at the D&D Building.
In the meantime, if you want to catch all the news and trends, you must make sure to connect with each and every one on Twitter.

October 10th & 11th - DDB Market Coverage

Follow us: The Fab Bloggers for DDBMarket on Twitter & Beyond

A huge thank you to Go Design Go, Hyland, Niedermaier, Pierre Frey and The Editor at Large

Here are all the links! Made it easy for you ....

Nicole	Abbott	Chic & Cheap Nursery	@ChicCheapNrsery
Julieta	Alvarez	Design Intake	@designintake
Stacey	Bewkes	Quintessence	@quintessenceblg
Amy Beth	Cupp Dragoo	ABCD Design	@abcddesigns
CJ	Dellatore	CJ Dellatore	@CJDellatore
Suysel	dePedro Cunningham	Tilton Fenwick	@tiltonfenwick
Nicole	Dufour Durocher	BKLYN CONTESSA	@bklyncontessa
Mae	Hacking	Here in This House	@hereinthishouse
Patrick J.	Hamilton	AskPatrick	@ask_patrick
Jeanine	Hays	AphroChic	@AphroChic
Abid	Ilahi	Asmara	@asmararugs
Elise	Jones	Here in This House	@hereinthishouse
Barbara	Karpf	Decorators Best	@DecoratorsBest
Raina	Kattelson	A Stylist's Life	@astylistslife
Marni Elyse	Katz	Style Carrot	@StyleCarrot
Carrie	Leskowitz	Carrie's Design Musings	@cleskowitz
Tamara	Matthews-Stephenson	Nest by Tamara	@nestnestnest
Anne	Maxwell Foster	Tilton Fenwick	@tiltonfenwick
Lauren	McGrath	Good Bones, Great Pieces	@goodbones
Suzanne	McGrath	Good Bones, Great Pieces	@goodbones
Jennifer	Mehditash (that's Me!)	Dec-a-Porter	@decaporter
Mindy	Miles Greenberg	Encore Décor	@EncoreDecorBlog
Jason Oliver	Nixon	Demystifying Design	@jolivernixon

See you all soon!

Off to High Point Market I Go - Follow My Pins

Emerson Fry

Off to High Point Market I Go!

I am as excited as I possibly could be - and can't wait for all the fun as I get to meet new friends as well as spend some "design" time with some older ones.


I hope you will all be joining in the fun as you follow my pins as a High Point Market Style Spotter!!

FOLLOW MY PINS AS A STYLE SPOTTER ---> HERE


I will also be sharing some special finds that I love
for my own design so make sure to watch out on my
Facebook Page
as well as on my Pinterest
Special *High Point* board






Hope that all of you will be able to join in as Leslie Carothers from The Kaleidoscope Partnership talk about "From Inspiration to Income: Pinterest & Olioboard" at the Antique & Design Center sponsored by VandM.com, in High Point at 10am. A fantastic breakfast will be served graciously by Tandem Antiques and we will have plenty of fantastic takeaways and Giveaway to share with all of you!

Don't Miss it!!


Can't wait to see you all and hear back comments from your thoughts on my pins and talk.
Market - Here I come!!

Pinterest Week: Tips for Great Outdoor Living

Today is a big day, as I end my day with a talk about Pinterest and how to use it to grow your small business in Westchester at Crush Wine Bar from 7-9pm. (rsvp please!)

This week, I have dedicated my posts to sharing some of the ways and ideas that I have using Pinterest as a tool for my design business.

Whether the images begin on Pinterest, or whether that is where they end up as someone pins them from this post.. both ways, traffic is being driven to both my blog and my pinterest boards. It's a Win / Win!

So, continuing on from yesterdays' theme of outdoor design... I wanted to share some inspiration images that helped me this week discuss ideas about what we wanted to achieve when thinking about the decking and garden design of my client's home.



There are 3 main themes that I like to introduce when I am designing an outdoor space that help create a very inviting and interesting setting.

1. Contrast, Color and Texture

It is so easy today to be able to introduce great fabrics as pillows, cushions and rugs, as most brands have introduced indoor/outdoor collections. Sunbrella and Quadrille / China Seas are two examples that come to mind, however almost every brand today will have a few pieces to choose from or would be happy to create an outdoor quality fabric run of their fabric for a minimum quantity.

Also it is important to remember to add a variation in heights and textures to make sure that every detail pops!

2. Lighting
One of my favorite movies is the film "Stealing Beauty" with Liv Tyler in Tuscany...
Those fanastic dinners and lounging outside, just makes me want to spend a summer there.
Lighting is a crucial element to use and appreciate your outdoor living space during all hours of the day and night.
It doesn't have to be very high tech, or even very costly. Fire pits, candles and lanterns are a fantastic way to bring a little shimmer to this living space.

2. Repetition
Repeat patterns, objects, plants.. in multiples to create a great visual.
Introducing planters as an addition to your planting options in your garden, adds a layer of structure and sophistication to what can otherwise be a sense of visual caos.

I would love to hear how you are using Pinterest to help you and your business grow... or how you would like the design of your outdoor living space to look like.

Hope to see you all in Larchmont later tonight!





*all images from very old cut sheets, and I don't have original source. If you know who they are from, please shoot me a note! Thanks.



Pinterest Week: A Hunt for Outdoor Design Ideas

Preparing for a design presentation is always fun .. but using Pinterest as one of the ways to save time and effort in searching for that *special* picture that shows your client exactly what you hope to achieve is a fantastic use of the time you spend "pinning".

They say good things come in 2's... well, thankfully over the past 2 weeks I have had the chance to present 2 new interior design concepts, and both have had outdoor areas to work with.

One - a small outdoor patio in a New York city apartment...

The other - a great wide open space of green...

So, when I begin to think about how I am going to incorporate the 'interior' design with what we are trying to accomplish on the exterior as well, I tend to start with the details.

The mood.. The concept.

Architectural details... slate, stone, walk ways and paths..

Trellis.. woodwork.. natural materials....

Do I want to introduce pattern, as well as texture? Are we close to the sea?

How can water become a feature?

I love being able to share some of these images with you (and my clients) and hope that they spark a conversation about what kind of outdoor living space you want to have this summer...

Pinterest Week: Calendar of Events

Hi everyone... Oh how I have missed you!

I won't spend too long on the whirlwind craziness that has been my last week or so, but I would like to say that I appreciate you all for visiting my blog and continuing to support me on all of the platforms (Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter..) that we are connected on.

I hope you have all had a wonderful Spring Break, and I have so much to share with you.
This week is all about Pinterest, and Design!

Starting Wednesday of this week, come join me as I share my thoughts about Pinterest and how to use it for your small business, hosted by Westchester IRL at the Crush Wine Bar in Larchmont, NY from 7:00-9:00pm (rsvp).




On Friday I am headed to High Point, North Carolina to take part in the best 6 days of design every year! High Point Market kicks off for me with another in depth talk about Pinterest and this time I am happy to say I will be with Leslie Carothers of The Kaleidoscope Partnership as we start bright and early on Saturday morning with our talk "From Inspiration to Income: Pinterest & Olioboard".

We hope to be able to inspire and share some fantastic tips for all who attend our talk on how to create real $$$ from your time online.
Both Pinterest and Olioboard are two wonderful online tools for Interior Designers, Home Design brands, Bloggers, those that love design and all things creative, and many more. The key is how to generate an income from the time spent on these platforms - that is what we hope will be the BIG takeaway from our talk.

Join us at the Antique & Design Center lecture series sponsored by the wonderful "Vintage & Modern" (V&M) - Saturday, April 21st @ 10am. Breakfast will be served as we work in "tandem" with the fabulous Tandem Antiques and a giveaway and more. You won't want to miss it!

Pinterest Board

From there, I will be bobbing and hopping as I zig-zag my way for the next 6 days of market as one of High Point's *Style Spotters*.

Style Spotters to Highlight Top Market Fashions Through Pinterest

The aim of this campaign put together by the High Point Market team together with Pinterest,  is to bring TO YOU our picks of the top pieces that stand out as trend setting, high quality pieces onto our board.
BUT.. this doesn't work without your help! I need you to follow my images on this Pinterest Style Spotter Board and "like" and "repin" like crazy.

Hopefully, I can win a trip back to Market in the Fall with your help.

SO ...

Lots of fun this week and next, and I hope to be able to share many of those moments with all of you.
Leave me a comment, here or on Facebook so I will know to look out for you!

More outdoor pinterest-ing images to share tomorrow.

Peek-a-Boo: Bath Time Fun

Visiting a few conferences and trade fairs in a row.. plus the busy life of an interior designer (and dare I say it ..."a mom") can make you begin to feel the aches and pains. No complaints (AT ALL) but..  when you start looking at images of bath tubs and feel a pang of envy, you know that maybe your body is trying to tell you something!



A Peek-a-Boo look at some of the bath tubs I wouldn't mind soaking in ..

via

via

via

I see a theme brewing.. I like cleaner bathrooms I think and most definately must have a window - a little private garden would be nice, but considering I live in New York, I won't hold my breath.

via

via

 A lillte romance, a fireplace or maybe some candles hits the spot too I think.

via silvadesigns.com

via bestdesignnews.com

via

 Love, Love, Love the idea of having your own sink but meeting in the tub - how divine!

via roemahku.com

and finally the absolute divine uber luxury of this bathroom - the space, the love seat, the lighting and view, with a private dressing table and all. I would be in heaven (and probably never leave my bathroom!)

via nycinteriordesign.com dutch designer

For more Bath Time fun, visit my Pinterest board ...


More this week from my Pier Antiques Show roundup and my trip to the Architectural Digest Show later on this week.