Last post, I talked about the KBIS and NKBA’s 50th anniversary, but today I’d like to go a little deeper into my actual involvement with the show.  While at KBIS, I gave two presentation, joined a panel discussion, and was even on a radio interview.  It was a busy show, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

My two presentations were organized to introduce the revolutionary new showroom technology from QueX.  This technology allows users to interact with a virtual showroom and virtual home designs to help designers and clients work more efficiently together when planning and creating a design project. It takes out much of the guesswork and the chance for miscommunications by providing a “virtual” face to face between the designer, client and any  major supplier or GC – enhancing the collaboration process.

I was thrilled to be among one of eight designers selected to interpret a home space for different generations; my design assignment was the GenX Kitchen.  We created drawings, concept boards and virtual 3D’s of our designs which were then loaded on to the QueX platform –  allowing us to interact with our audience using the multi-touch display screens.

Our Fabulous Featured Designers: Andie Day, Carmen Christensen, Cheryl Kees Clendenon, Corey Klassen, (me), Meredith Heron, Susan Serra and Tyler Wisler.

Working with QueX technology allows everyone involved to get a full overview of all aspects of the design process, at the same time enhancing the communication between the client and the design team as a whole.

I was also asked by Veronika Miller of Modenus to share some highlights and favorite finds from #BlogTourNYC and the Architectural Digest Home Design Show.  I was joined by other alum from previous Blog Tours: Tamara Stephenson – BlogTour London, Kelly Morisseau – BlogTourNYC, and Brandon Smith – BlogTour Cologne.  They all had some great insights on how to use some of their favorite discoveries as design inspiration.

Finally, I was invited to do a radio interview for MyFixitUpLife.  Mark and Theresa, the hilarious couple behind this helpful website take you on an insiders tour of the home improvement industry.  They hosted three – hour long shows during KBIS and I was lucky enough to get a jam packed 15 minutes with them.  They are so full of life and energy…I could have spoken with them for hours!

I was so glad to have had this opportunity to meet all of these talented people and experience the industry trends and emerging technology.

Stay tuned for more NOLA adventures!

Stay Inspired!

Blog Tour was one of the most incredible and inspiring design experiences I’ve had the privilege to enjoy.

Day 1 began with a welcome breakfast at the Poggenpohl Showroom hosted by #BlogTourNYC sponsors Poggenpohl, Blanco and Silestone.

Blanco, the German manufacturer and leading innovator in luxury sink and faucet design, is known for its elegant and cutting-edge fixtures….which is exactly what we witnessed first hand!  The ALTA^™ Compact faucets were proudly showcased front and center – displaying each new color and finish for all to see.

Color finishes include: Anthracite, Biscotti, Cafe Brown, Cinder, Truffle, White, Chrome and Satin Nickel.

This modern and sleekly geometric fixture is ideal for any classic,contemporary or transitional style kitchen.  Its compact design will also work perfectly within a butler’s pantry or for a wet bar, secondary sink or laundry room. This latest collection of faucets is designed with “real living” in mind.  They use less water, are highly durable and easily maintained which has universal appeal,  covering all demographics and lifestyles.

Did I mention that the Alta Faucet swivels 120 degrees and pulls out to provide its dual spray feature?  How’s that for flexibility?

The Alta Faucet isn’t just for compact sinks or spaces however.  Take a look at the image below.  It also compliments the generously sized architectural MODEX kitchen sink workstation – illustrating just how versatile this faucet really is.

From the showroom floor we had the privilege of hearing from Christy Emens, the Social Media Manager of Blanco America. She had plenty of insights to share into the award winning MODEX workstation sink and the new neutrals, specifically – the  SILGRANIT II – color Cinder. With a blend of gray, black and brown this new color integrates seemlessly into any countertop style.  Best of all it is resistant to fading, scratching and staining and will maintain its timeless beauty for years to come. A Modern Classic!

Now, if you want to go bold with a faucet for this sink, the Blanco Culina Semi-Professional clearly makes a statement!  Its tall and elegantly curving design features a flexible coiled steel spring spout, held in place by a magnetic holder.  It also has a dual spray feature and a water saving model available, which is perfect for the professional kitchens and the serious household chef.

Check back for more updates and information about the exciting home design products featured at #BlogtourNYC

To be continued…

Many thanks to the Modenus BlogtourNYC sponsors Poggenpohl, Blanco, Silestone by Cosentino, Miele, Mr. Steam, Du Verre, Victoria + Albert, Barber Wilsons, Jenn Air and NKBA!

Images 1 + 4: Lori Gilder

Images 2+3: Blanco

Stay Inspired!

Since returning from New York from the most invigorating 5 days, I can’t help but replay each day’s events in my head all in an attempt to relive every nuance of my #BlogTourNYC adventure.  The most gracious host Veronika Miller of Modenus made certain we were wined, dined and inspired at every turn and aligned this tour with Sponsorships from major design Brands.

At our welcome dinner I had the opportunity to sit near one of #BlogTourNYC event sponsors, the most delightful Gina Lubin, CEO and creative director of Du Verre Hardware. During dinner, Gina passed a plate of her contemporary “jewelry” hardware around the tables, where we could see and feel these pieces of art first hand! Perfectly  weighted and intricately detailed these eco-conscious designs would integrate beautifully into both residential and commercial projects alike.

As designers, we are well aware that specifying the ideal hardware is an integral finish detail in the overall success of a design concept. The use of artisan-styled hardware in architectural shapes creates a surprising element that is sure to draw the eye. It’s just like an unique piece of jewelry; it completes the outfit and inspires dozens of compliments from everyone who sees it – and who doesn’t love that?

Du Verre is a leader in the industry of unique hardware, working with a variety of talented artisans to bring to life some truly stunning pieces of modern design.  Artisans like William Harvey, Erin Adams, Scot Laughton, and yes…. Gina Lubin play with texture and organic forms to create hardware that is as much art as it is a functional piece of design.

William Harvey specializes in simple, organically abstract pieces that play with shapes and defy expectations.  His ARROYO collection, named for a Spanish word that means a water-carved gully, is slender and geometric, evoking the sense of a gully with the use of negative space.

Erin Adams, an award-winning artist and designer, brings her love of mosaic into her OFFSET design.  These cabinet pulls play with varying levels, creating unique shapes in all dimensions.  They are a beautifully modern addition to a home.

Scot Laughlin is world-famous for his industrial designs.  He designed the Series 3 Collection, one of Du Verre’s most popular hardware styles, which is simple and incredibly elegant in design.  The pieces look delicate and sensual, and they could easily fit within a variety of designs.

Gina Lubin may be the CEO and Creative Director of Du Verre, but she too enjoys creating original hardware designs.  Her Rio collection plays with texture and line, and no two pieces are exactly alike.  Rio knobs and pulls remind me of rippling water or intricate rock gardens— gorgeous!

Which is your favorite piece of hardware from Du Verre?  I’d love to hear your opinions!

Stay Inspired!

Images:  Du Verre

Image: Modenus

I love the look of pressed tin, and I’m thrilled that it appears to be enjoying a rebirth. Popular in the mid-19th century as a more affordable alternative to European plasterwork, this versatile material can be used in any home interior to add texture and architectural interest to your space. I think pressed tin offers a marvelous alternative to paint, tile and wallpaper, especially if you enjoy a hint of the unexpected in your home design.

The following are a few of my favorite places to use pressed tin:

Ceiling
Give people a reason to look up when they enter a room with a surprising and beautiful pressed tin ceiling. It creates instant architecture reflects light throughout the space.

Backsplash
Instead of the standard tile backsplash, you can give your kitchen some 19th century elegance with pressed tin.  The pattern and texture provides an interesting backdrop to the cabinetry.

Wall panels
Why not install pressed tin panels on the wall for that “wow factor”? It is a great replacement for the flat and ordinary look of paint, or wallpaper and paneling.

Headboard for a bed
Give your bed some dramatic flair with a gorgeous pressed tin headboard.

If you’re still on the fence about pressed tin, consider these advantages over other materials:

• Panel sizes are generally smaller
• Weight difference is enormous
• Panels last much longer
• Adds more value to your home
• Huge variety of patterns and designs
• Painting is easy
• Simple installation

I wholeheartedly agree with the saying that “everything old becomes new again”. Pressed tin brings back the style and feeling of a bygone era. Using pressed tin makes ordinary projects become personal statements of your style and artistic flair. It shows the personality and depth of your home and create a wonderful throwback to yesterday.

For architectural design services contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc by calling 310-788-0990.  I would be happy to work with you to help create a home you can be proud of that highlights your personal style and tastes.

Photo Credits:

1.) House Beautiful

2.) Country Living

3.) C’Reflections

4.) Casamidy

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural 2012 Design Quarter Holiday Crawl.  This open house event in Los Angeles’ La Cienega Design Quarter featured thirteen participating showrooms coming together in an effort to raise funds for the Charitable Children’s Guild, which supports LA’s Orthopedic Hospital.

I was thrilled to have my friend and fab kitchen designer Rebecca Reynolds in town for this great evening.  We started at Egg & Dart Home, (which c0-hosted the event) where we were able to experience some of the industry’s finest home fashion designs.  This exquisite showroom sparkles with spectacular lighting fixtures by Niermann Weeks, Borghase and Ron Jesse Lighting… which highlights the most elegant furnishings from Adriana Hoyos,  Christopher Kennedy and many more in between.

After our personal tour from Egg & Dart Home owner Keith Hudson, we grabbed a shuttle to Mecox Gardens, a fabulous source of antiques, re-editions and original designs from around the world.  Their collections are so well curated that there is no shortage of sourcing pieces for any type of home design style.

While at the Holiday Crawl, I got to meet and chat with Kathy Levine, an incredibly talented woman who designs and manufactures fine antique-style pillows and other accessories.  As an avid animal lover, I fell in love with her Belgian Linen dog and horse appliquéd pillows….a must have!

She also had hand-embroidered Suzani pillows and appliqued hand towels, which would make the perfect hostess gift for the holidays!

All told, it was a wonderful event and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.  What is your favorite holiday event in LA?

It’s been about a month now since I began a weekly “World Tour of Design” series and if I’m lucky I just might be able to tour a country myself soon….and I’ll take you with me.   I recently entered the Tile of Spain: Passport to Creativity 2013 contest to win an architectural trip to Spain!  It’s been way too long since I last visited the country and I would LOVE to get back there!  So why not enter a contest….right?   This contest, is open to accredited architects and interior designers from across the country and like most contests we needed to answer a series of questions and submit a photo of ourselves somehow involved with Spanish Tile.

As you can see from these photos, the product line is absolutely stunning.  Materials are available in a variety of striking graphic patterns, sizes and finishes.   There is no shortage of gorgeous applications for these tile products, some of which you can see in the project portfolio at Porcelanosa, one of the largest tile distributors in the United States. These state-of-the-art porcelain tiles  integrate beautifully into any design style.

If I am one of the lucky ones chosen for this tour of Spain, I will have the opportunity to immerse myself in the local culture, learn firsthand about the architecture, design, and cuisine, and learn so much more about this innovative porcelain product and how it can impact our design vision and inspire us for future projects .  I would also attend the International Ceramic Tile and Bath Furnishings Show, which is bound to be full of inspiration.

I would love to help you design your home and incorporate sleek Spanish Tile into your home renovation project!  Feel free to contact me at Interior Makeovers Inc. by calling 310-788-0990 or emailing Lori@InteriorMakeovers.com!

Stay Inspired!

In this month’s edition of Traditional Home Magazine, my friend Tamara Mathews Stevenson wrote a piece featuring the favorite go-to spots for design finds from fifteen designers across the country.  I’m honored to say I was one of the designers chosen for this article, and I shared Calypso St. Barth Home, one of my favorite spots in Santa Monica, California.

Tamara is an incredibly talented writer who writes her own very popular blog, so I really appreciated the feature in her article, and I’m honored to be among the other great talents also featured.  Thank you Tamara for inviting me to contribute to your article.

Tamara’s piece in Traditional Home is a neat interactive map that allows you to click on one of the featured cities and learn more about the designers and their favorite design spots in that area.  It’s a fantastic resource if you’re looking for design gems around the country. Be sure to take some time to explore the interactive story and be sure to take a look at Tamara’s blog, Nest by Tamara.  It’s well worth the visit.

If you are planning to redesign your home, I would love to help!  Contact me at Interior Makeovers Inc. by calling 310-788-0990 or emailing Lori@InteriorMakeovers.com.

Stay Inspired!

I was recently privileged to attend the grand opening of the new Stark Carpet & Home Showroom in Los Angeles.  The showroom has over 9,000 square feet of custom-designed carpets and rugs that designers like myself can sample for our clients, and it also introduces an exciting new division for retail customers called Stark Home.

From the moment you enter the showroom you are hit with inspiration at every turn.  From contemporary to traditional and wools to silks, there is no shortage of styles and patterns to choose from.  For those certain design projects that require specific sizes, shapes, colors and patterns – Stark’s custom designed rugs are a specialty .

There are thousands of carpets and rugs available at Stark Carpet & Home, from exclusives designed by Alexa Hampton, Sherrill Canet, Charlotte Moss, and more to the incredibly popular Darius Antique Rugs.

In the Stark Home section, you can find a huge array of area rugs, fabrics, wall coverings and gorgeous home accessories to complete your home decor.

You can find the newly opened Stark Carpet & Home Showroom at 805 N. La Cienega Boulevard, right in the middle of the Los Angeles design district.  The selection is truly impressive and worthy of a visit.

I would love to help you design your home with the incredible rugs, carpets, and accessories from Stark.  Just contact me at Interior Makeovers Inc. by calling 310-788-0990 or emailing Lori@InteriorMakeovers.com.

Stay Inspired!

Shabby chic design is definitely a go-to bedroom style for many and selecting bedside tables are an integral part of your bedroom decor – both for function and design. Bedside tables are highly functional furniture pieces that need to provide ample surface area for your lamps, clocks, books, ipad or laptop at the same time compliment the pieces you already have.

So what types of nightstands work best with this Shabby Chic style?

Here are a few tips to help guide you down the right path while shopping for those bedside tables.

I would love to help you design your Master Bedroom. Contact us at Interior Makeovers Inc. 310-788-0990 or email: Lori@InteriorMakeovers.com

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Stay Inspired!

One of my favorite places in Hollywood is a shop located at Beverly Boulevard and Gardner Avenue called Rolling Greens.  Occupying the historic Town Tire Co. building, this unique spot is full of inspiration both in the design of the building and in the plants and home accessories they carry.

Rolling Greens Hollywood is full of one-of-a-kind and hand-made finds from a variety of sources, including estate sales, foreign bazaars, and artists’ studios.  They also have a huge selection of plants in their greenhouses, including both exotic indoor plants and blooming plants.  Whether designing an interior or an exterior room, Rolling Greens never fails to inspire me.

Apparently I’m not alone in my love of Rolling Greens –  Martha Stewart visited the shop last March and enjoyed it so much she decided to share a photo tour of her time there.  It’s definitely worth a peek if you can’t visit Rolling Greens in person.

If it’s good enough for Martha…….

I would love to help you design your home with finds from Rolling Greens!  You can contact me at Interior Makeovers Inc. by calling 310-788-0990 for more information.