INTERN RECALL: A FEW PROJECTS AND WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

Previously, I posted a few projects that I got to work on throughout my internship. I have had so much fun learning about what makes up the world of residential design. I have learned how to do so many things. From meeting with clients and reps from companies to selecting, presenting and creating estimates I have experienced it all. The girls at Lounge have taught me how to deal with issues professionally, how to stage a showroom and create a room for a client that couldn't dream up one themselves. Through this internship I feel more prepared for the world of design and I feel that it has prepared me for my upcoming senior year.

INTERN RECALL: A FEW PROJECTS AND WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

Well, my internship is coming to a close and I want to reflect on everything I have learned and gotten to experience throughout this summer. First I want to show everyone what we have worked on all summer. We have had many projects this summer and although I don't have all the finished products I do have some pictures to show for the work we have done. The first project shown is a formal living room, dining room and a boys room. Through this project I have gotten to actually go to the clients home and install accessories and art. I have also experienced how much fun it can be working with a residential client. This client was so much fun and was so sweet! I also have some photos of the condo in dolphin island that we worked on. I don't have all the pictures but I do have a few. The last photos I have attached are some hand drawings for clients that I did.

 PIERCE PROJECT

 

 



DOLPHIN ISLAND

 

HAND DRAWINGS

 

NAME THAT TREND: JOB MARKET AND DESIGN EDUCATION

Previously I discussed new design trends of 2013. Design trends don't just mean color, texture pattern but that also can mean trends in the job market and in design education. Throughout my research I have found that in Mississippi, interior design jobs are limited. Most only need a bachelors degree and much enthusiasm to get the job.

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca states that, "Job opportunities will result mainly from the need to replace interior designers who will be retiring or will be leaving the occupation to work in education, sales and purchasing materials related to interior design, or because they have been promoted to management positions, either in interior design, or in the retail trade for household furniture, furnishings or hardware. People can also advance their careers within the same occupation. Thus applicants often start out as junior designers to advance to jobs as intermediate and then senior designers or project managers. After several years, they can set up their own business and open up an interior design office. In fact, approximately 39% of all interior designers were self-employed in 2006, a proportion that is close to four times higher than for all occupations (11%)."

Design education is also another trend. according to http://www.pyeinteriors.com there are seven trends arising in interior design based education. Here are the trends in education according to pyeinteriors.com: sustainability, support teaching and learning, integrate technology, provide flexibility, encourage collaboration, attract and retain students and teachers, and lastly build community.

NAME THAT TREND: COLOR, TEXTURE AND PATTERN

Hey everyone! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! This week is all about trends in the design world. We all know about trends whether in the fashion or design world. Trends directly affect us whether we like it or not. For example, remember when pink floral wallpaper and brass fixtures were in?? I know I sure do! That's what I grew up with in the 90's. Or what about avocado colored kitchen appliances and Formica counter tops? All of these examples were trend of that time period.

So lets talk current when it comes to color. Through some research I have found a few color trends stand out from the pack. Neutrals are the way to go this year with hints of green, blue or a Coral red. At Lounge Interiors, Haley and Laci love these color combos as do I! If picking paint colors for a client we often use Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter, Camouflage, Ocean Air, Tealight, and Linen White. These are soft and subtle making your pieces be in the spotlight instead of the walls.

Next comes texture. Texture can add visual interest to a space and can also make the room look cozy or sleek depending on the texture. atmdesignarchitects.com states " Whether on the walls, carpet or furniture, texture is everywhere. It’s creating an intriguing texture which encourages people to use their sense of touch and adds a feeling of warmth and comfort to the space. By appealing to people’s senses, texture can spark interest and conversation."

Last on the list of new design trends of 2013 is pattern. We have seen many pattern trends throughout the years. This years top 7 patterns according to HGTV.com are listed below with examples of each. Until next time...

Ikat 

Quatrefoil

Chevron 

Houndstooth

Greek Key 

Subtle Animal

Plant-Based

INNOVATION!: NEW PRODUCTS IN THE FIELD PART 2

I'm back and ready to show y'all what else I have found concerning innovative new products. Earlier today I talked about interior materials, lighting and furniture (specifically classroom furniture). I have three more broad topics to discuss which include: smart home technology, security systems and kitchen and bath appliances and fixtures.

First on the list is smart home technology. We live in a technology based world, so it is only necessary to bring that technology where you live. So what is a smart house anyway?? Well don't worry, I found the answer. According to mhealthtalk.com "The original Smart Home device has to be the Teasmade, and the textbooks say that a smart home is one that uses home networking technology and your Internet connection to automate and simplify everyday living. It’s the use of networking and broadband connections that takes smart home technology beyond simple home automation, where each device usually stands alone, with its own control system. Smart home tech is a fast-growing field, from cleaning your house to opening the curtains and switching on the lights. There’s also a growing field of utility and power management, for your gas, water and electricity [and for home health care]. Surrounding them all are unified networking and control systems that can control and monitor all of your devices, not just one for each. Your smart home looks clever because you’ve programmed it to do things for you automatically, but it’ll be far from intelligent. As with any computer: Garbage In Equals Garbage Out, and until we invent artificial intelligence to do our thinking for us, your home will only be as smart as the person who programs it."

With smart homes comes smart security systems. In the world we live in today, it is so important to keep our ourselves and family safe from danger. Mhealthtalk.com explains that security systems in homes are a growing trend in the technology of homes. Motion sensors, cameras and alarms are installed in homes all over the country. These devices can be monitored through the Internet by the homeowner and the security company. So, not only can you see what’s going on, but a security company can see what’s happening and alert its own response teams or the police as it sees fit.

LG Smart Refrigerator

Samsung Smart Refrigerator

Kohler Dual Flush Toilet

Last on the list to discuss is kitchen and bath appliances and fixtures. When doing research for this particular item I found some really interesting info! "Samsung and LG have both shown off smart refrigerators, but are they more than just a refrigerators with an LCD touchscreen? Absolutely!! The Samsung Korea lets you order groceries online, check your calendar, leave memos, view photos, check the weather and use Twitter. LG was more practical, allowing you to monitor your grocery stocks by scanning the barcode as they were bought and used up, then suggesting recipes on request – and you could access it via your phone or tablet." (mhealthtalk.com) Now is that a cool appliance or what?? With technology updating by the minute there are endless possibilities for the future of appliances. For bathrooms I found more interesting products that are on the market these days. Kohler has a new dual flush toilet that is helps the average household safe money on water bills. " Dual-flush toilets are a great way to save water and money. Because they offer the option to use only the water you need, dual-flush toilets can save the average family money on their water bill.
And dual-flush technology just got easier to use, thanks to the innovative new dual-tone side-mount trip lever featured on three of our most popular toilets. Two different flushes in one easy-to-use handle lets you save water without sacrificing performance." (kohler.com)This video explains this concept in more detail and it a pretty neat video. check it out!

http://bcove.me/b2tdjezm

Well this about wraps up this weeks topic. I hope that you are more informed on what is out there. Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July everyone!

INNOVATION!: NEW PRODUCTS IN THE FIELD

Good morning everyone! Today's post is all about new products emerging in the design field. I will focus on these new products; leather wall and floor tiles, livinglass-fresh glass, cascade coil drapery, lighting, and classroom furniture.

First, the product above is new leather tiles. Interiordesign.net says that "in nature, every creature is unique and every hide has its distinctive features. Blackstock takes the best that nature has to offer – premium 100% full grain bovine leather – and enhances its natural beauty to create exceptional leather floor and wall tiles as variously beautiful as nature itself." This product is very unique and is a creative way to add interest to a wall or the floors. These leather tiles offer two premium grades, an economical, all natural, Eco-friendly option and custom imprinting offering infinite possibilities. Here are some specifications for this product:
MATERIAL: Premium 100% Full Grain Bovine leather tiles.
SIZING: Varies. 20 Standard shapes & sizes available. Custom sizes.
OPTIONS: Magnetic and Adhesive installation options.
COLORS: 140 colors available.
TYPE: Leather Floor & Wall Tiles.
FLAMMABILITY: Naturally Fire Retardant.

The next product is called livinglass-fresh and is shown above. This product is similar to other forms of resins and glass partitions and applications but this product is completely sustainable. It is made 100% recycled glass and comes in many different patterns for every style.

The last new interior material I will discuss is Cascade Coil drapery. This new product is a little out there but is a great alternative to actual walls or partitions. It can create a sense of closure yet still provide light, interest and openness to a room. Interiordesign.net states that this product is "flexible woven wire fabric for window treatments, ceilings, wall coverings, space dividers, building cladding, blast mitigation, semi security, fireplace screens, animal containment and more."

Lighting is next on the new innovative products. This crazy looking chandelier to the left originated all the way in India!! It is named The Flame of the Forest Chandelier by Stephanie Odegard Collection. "The Flame of the Forest tree has been revered in India for centuries; its flowers, leaves and stems are still used in traditional ritual and ceremony. During the spring festival of Holi, the unique crescent moon shaped petals are used to prepare traditional natural colors. Each chandelier is designed and handmade in India by Viya Home for Stephanie Odegard Collection." The light fixture to the right is a sconce. "It is made of 350 handcrafted porcelain ceramic leaves geometrically arranged for even light distribution. Stainless steel frame, central glass diffuser & retractable lamp gear. Ceramics retained via patent alloy/silicon fixings. Discreet white ceiling rose complete with stainless steel wire suspension system."

    

              node desks                                     verb tables                                        media scape

Last topic for this morning is classroom furniture. We have come a long way from your old small wooden desks. There are so many new innovations coming to the world of classroom design. companies are rethinking the way students need to learn and observing how to improve upon current conditions. Steelcase is a major contributor to new classroom furniture. I recently visited the steelcase representative company here in Jackson and got to see first hand all of the new products. One of my favorites of there classroom collection is the node desks. They are so practical and make it easy and fun for students to interact with each other and the teacher. Other new products include verb tables and media scape's which both involve an interactive classroom style of learning.

I hope that I have gotten y'all excited about what's new in the design world and have also sparked some interest. Stay tuned!! I've got more products to come!!

DON'T FORGET THE LEGISLATION: iNTERIOR DESIGN LEGISLATION & FLORIDA

I have done some more research on legislation supporting interior designers. In 2011, Florida faced serious difficulties with interior design legislation. They previously had an act that stated that commercial interior designers must be licensed and residential designers do not have to be licensed. This act lasted for many years until 2011, a bill came about in Florida basically stating that anyone could call themselves interior designers including commercial designers. This created madness in the design community obviously because of the work that actual designers had put into their career.

The designers opposed this bill and eventually won the battle. It is so important that we are aware of what is going on in the interior design world through legislation. I hope that as I progress in my field, legislation in Mississippi will be passed and I will be able to distinguish myself as a designer because of my accreditation.

As of now legislation in Mississippi has passed a title act stating that to call yourself an interior designer you must be certified. This issue is one that I myself, am still learning about. Its very tricky to understand and I hope that throughout the rest of my student career I can learn more about this issue. I hope that y'all understand how important this contemporary topic is and that you more informed about it through this post.