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Malene B gives TedEx talk, launches Surya collection

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2012 was a busy year for carpet designer Malene Barnett, owner and operator of Malene B-Custom Made Carpets. She delivered an inspirational TedEx talk discussing her background and secrets to success in the design industry. She also launched her first exclusive collection for SURYA.

Malene B
Throughout the talk (see below), she shared with listeners her motto of “going with your gut,” explaining that it is a tool many business owners overlook, and that they should always trust it.

She went on to share how her gut feeling got her where she is in life today, choosing to study art rather than music and travel the globe rather than investing in a home.“I wanted to inspire more people through both my work and story,” said Barnett. “Going with my gut has gotten me where I am and I would like to encourage people to go do it for both personal and business decisions.  Especially in these economic times, when financial resources may be limited, we have to be creative to find ways to keep ourselves motivated.”
Barnett continues to expand the Malene B brand and part of that is aligning it with brands like SURYA. Surya’s fashion forward thinking and innovative solutions for the home accessories market complement the Malene B philosophy and aesthetic.
The collection is inspired by the beautiful landscapes of exotic places like Dakar, Caracas and Bali. Each design incorporates Barnett’s signature use of color, graphics and multiple pile heights.
For 2013, Barnett will be a panelist at the Women’s Summit at Bryant University. She will also be launching a new custom carpet collection at the ICFF show in May.
“My goal for 2013 is to partner with other manufacturers in different product categories for the home to grow the brand and bring a part of the Malene B experience to everyone,” she said.

OBJECT Rotterdam celebrates contemporary craft

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Contemporary Dutch design fair OBJECT Rotterdam is set to present limited editions and one-offs in crafts, fashion, architecture and art Feb. 7 – 10 at its new location, the Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAi).
The fair exhibits the work of national and international, established and up and coming designers from various design disciplines.

Industry Gallery and Atelier Remy & Veenhuizen, Furniture for house Miffy, Centraal Museum Utrecht.
The works of established designers Richard Hutten and Tejo Remy will be represented by Washington’s Industry Gallery. The gallery is also exhibiting the special Nijntje collection, which Atelier Remy & Veenhuizen designed for the Centraal Museum in Utrecht.
Jewelry designer Dinie Besems is exhibiting a new project in which she will work on throughout the show.
The collaboration between the Dutch furniture company Pastoe and the photography duo Scheltens & Abbenes is a first to the show this year. They will exhibit the new centenary cupboard by Pastoe in combination with limited-edition works from the photographers.

Maaike Roozenburg and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Smart replica's.
Ceramicist Maaike Roozenburg is also introducing a collection in cooperation with a museum, the Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam. Her series of crockery, based on historical examples, will be shown to the public for the first time during OBJECT.

Studio rENs, Red.
A number of young designers will take part in this edition of the fair such as Studio rENs, Floris Hovers, Studio Zward, Kirsten Spuybroek and Jelmer Noordeman.
Lina-Marie Koeppen and Roos Gomperts, who graduated last year from the Design Academy in Eindhoven, are exhibiting a colorful series of product designs. Eefje Wijnings from Arnhem is presenting quite the opposite, fashion objects in black and white. The Rhode Island school of Art and Design is presenting itself to the Dutch audience for the first time, along with the Amsterdam Sandberg Institute, the Rietveld Academy, and the ABK Maastricht.
“We Like Art Walls,” an extension of “We Like Art”, is exhibiting work by Maria Roosen, amongst others, and the Zetel Foundation is selling ten unique chairs by leading young designers.
Once again, a subsidiary program at OBJECT features an afternoon of lectures about crafts at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8. An evening a debate on design with the Dutch magazine Items will follow in the nearby Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum. On Saturday, Feb. 9, guests can join a program for collectors who are starting out, My first Design Collection.

The show kicks off with a press preview on Wednesday, Feb. 6 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Press representatives are asked to request an invitation through Anne.
Entrance to the show is 5 Euros, 10 Euros including the entrance fee to NAi. During OBJECT visitors of both the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum and the Nederlands Fotomuseum will receive a special discount.
The show hours are Thursday, Feb. 7 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 8 from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 9 and Sunday, Feb. 10 from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Real estate magnate Sherman Cohen dies

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Sherman Cohen, one of the founding brothers of Cohen Brothers Realty Corporation (CBRC) and noted philanthropist, died Tuesday in Manhattan, New York.
CBRC owns and manages many New York City residential and commercial buildings, as well as the Cohen Design Centers: the Decoration and Design Building, Pacific Design Center,Decorative Center Houston and the Design Center of the Americas. Mr. Cohen's son, Charles S. Cohen, is President and CEO of the company.

Sherman Cohen
Longtime philanthropists, Sherman and his wife Gloria Cohen donated $6 million to build a new career center at the College of William and Mary, where Mr. Cohen attended college in 1938.
They also supported the Sherman and Gloria H. Cohen Pavilion at Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Conn., and medical education and research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. They are also major contributors to the United Jewish Appeal Federation and are among the largest contributors to the Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan.

Design Center Spotlight: San Francisco Design Center

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Local sourcing, sustainability and being eco-friendly are very important to designers in the Bay area, according to Rhonda Hirata, San Francisco Design Center (SFDC) Marketing Director.
“The San Francisco Bay Area design community is a tight knit one, inventive, creative, eclectic, traditional, transitional, contemporary—we love antiques, and unique finds at flea markets,” said Hirata.

This month, the SFDC published its annual magazine, 3D Definitive Design + Décor, which celebrates its unique location. The magazine is mailed to 7,500 interior design professionals and 12,500 of San Francisco Magazine's highest income home owners with the January issue.
“We are uniquely situated where town and country happily co-exist,” said Hirata. “We are in nature’s palm, with Muir Woods, Big Sur, and the Santa Cruz Mountains surrounding us, but immersed as well in a vibrant cosmopolitan culture.”

In April, the SFDC is launching an entirely new program, Third Thursdays. Every third Thursday the SFDC will be open until 8:00 p.m. allowing designers to bring clients in after-hours and the public to browse as well.
“While the SFDC has been open to the public for 10 plus years, there is still a mystique about whether or not the public is welcome,” said Hirata. “We aim to make that very clear with Third Thursdays.”
7 x 7 magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle are media sponsors who will assist in bringing entertainment and drinks to make each Third Thursday eventful.
“We held a ‘town hall meeting’ with all our showrooms and designers to discuss three critical and challenging business practices in our industry:  two-tiered pricing, hours, and public access,” said Hirata. “Third Thursdays was born out of these discussions.”

Right around the corner, from Feb. 6 – 8, the SFDC will host its largest three-day design event of the year. The winter market includes 64 seminars and open houses, two keynote presentations, California Home + Design’s annual awards gala and much more. Click here for a full program of events.
The plans are also rolling for “Fall into Fabrics,” the annual month-long September event featuring 10 fabric showrooms. Designers including Vicente Wolf, Brian Coleman, Larry Laslo and David Toback among many others have taken part in Fall into Fabrics.
“It has grown over the past four years into a highly successful and much-anticipated month of each year,” said Hirata. “We dedicate the month of September to the celebration of all things fabric—in 2012, we held 21 events over 12 days, attracting over 2,000 designers.”
SFDC is home to 150 showrooms, and is celebrating 30th anniversary this year. For more information on the SFDC’s showrooms and programming, visit the website.

Palm Beach's AIFAF announces dealers, lectures

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Now in its 17th year, the American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF) will feature decorative arts and treasures rarely seen outside major museum collections. The show takes place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, FL from Feb. 6 – 10.
Exhibitors come from all over the globe bringing a range of product. This year’s exhibitors include: Atlanta Fine Rugs, Robert Lloyd Silver Antiques, A.B. Levy, Afrodit, Gladwell Gallery, Valerio Antiques, Yvel and more.

The Silver Fund booth, AIFAF 2011
The largest dealer worldwide in estate Georg Jensen silver, The Silver Fund, will feature 20th century silver designed by Jean Puiforicat, William Spratling, Antonio Pineda and many other 20th century designers.

Mallet Antique Clock
Mallett will present pictures, clocks and other high quality objects, primarily from the 18th century and Regency periods with a selection of Modern works as well.

Faberge jewelry
Fabergé brings an exquisite collection of extraordinary jeweled masterpieces that pay homage to those designed for the Russian Imperial Court. The jewelry collection includes a timeless series of Fabergé eggs based on the lavish Imperial Easter eggs of the Romanov dynasty for a new generation of devotees.
The show will provide daily art talks and lectures presented by prestigious experts including Marla Prather, curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; Dr. Roger Ward, former chief curator and deputy director of the Norton Museum of Art; Geza von Habsburg, internationally renowned author and leading authority on Fabergé; and Michael Komanecky, chief curator at the Farnsworth Museum.

For a full list of exhibitors and for a complete schedule of programming, click here.
The show hours are 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Feb. 6 – 10, with a VIP Preview on Feb. 5 from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online for an advance-discounted price.

Comings & Goings: Design professionals on the move

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The design industry is awash with new and changing faces. Editor at Large is tracking who's coming and who's going. Below are a few changes of note.
Annette Gray
has joined The Design Leadership Network (DLN) as Executive Director. She joins the team of co-hosts and advisors assembled to lead and oversee the Design Leadership Summit. She previously served as Manager of Media Relations & Magazine editor in chief at National Kitchen & Bath Association.
Robert M. Duban has been named Executive Vice President of Contract Sales at Kravet. He was Executive Vice President of Sales for Covington Fabric and Design, and prior to that, Senior Vice President of residential, commercial and contract sales for the Robert Allen Group and Territory Manager for Schumacher.
Jennifer Matthews has left Sandow after four years with Luxe Interiors + Design as Vice President, Group Publisher, and previously, National Publisher. The move is a result of the company's decision to recalibrate its sales organization due to its growing network of local editions and sales teams. Matthews' role will be assumed by key members of the brand’s senior team.
Ryan Brown, previously Advertising Director at Town & Country, and prior to that, House Beautiful for nearly five years, has gone to Conde Nast's Glamour.
Another Hearst staffer Alexa Wilson has joined NBC Universal's Daily Candy as their Vice President of Marketing. She was the Executive Director of Marketing at Hearst Design Group.
Christina Poletto has transitioned from Senior Publicity Manager for Meredith's Traditional Home and Better Homes and Gardens to Lifestyle Editor at BH&G.
Joyce Wadler left The New York Times, where she covered home design, to pursue humour writing.
Drop us a line at info@editoratlarge.com and tell us about your job change!

London’s ‘Designs of the Year’ shortlist announced

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Last week, the Design Museum in London announced the contenders for the sixth annual Designs of the Year award, including the best designs from around the world across seven categories: architecture, digital, fashion, furniture, graphics, product and transport.
All 90 nominations considered the most original and exciting designs, prototypes and designers in the world today will all be brought together and showcased in a Design Museum exhibition March 20 – July 7, 2013.
The winners from each category and one overall winner will be announced in April. Last year, design studio Barber Osgerby won the award for the London 2012 Olympic Torch.

Thalia Theater
The nominations in architecture include: La tour Bois-le-pretre, Paris, designed by Drouot and Lacaton & Vassal; Clapham Library, London, designed by Studio Egret West; Thalia Theater, Lisbon, designed by Goncalo Byrne Arquitectos& Barbas Lopes Arquitectos; Museum of Innoncen, Istanbul, designed by Orhan Pamuk with Ihsan Bilgin, Cem Yucel and Grgor Sunder Plassmann; and Home For All, designed by Akihisa Hirata, Sout Fujmoto, Kumiko Inui and Toyo Ito.
 
Reimagined Chairs & The Sea Chair
The nominations in furniture include: The Sea Chair, designed by Studio Swine& Kieren Jones; Liquid Glacial Table, designed by Zaha Hadid; A-Collection, designed by Ronan and Erwan Bourellec for Hay; Gravity Stool, designed by Jolan Van Der Wiel; Well Proven Chair, designed by James Shaw and Marjan van Aubel; Tie Paper Chair, designed by Pinwu; 100 chairs, designed by Marni; Medici Chair, designed by Konstantin Grcic for Mattiazzi; Re-imagined Chairs, designed by Studiomama (Nina Tolstrup and Jack Mama); Engineering Temporality, designed by Studio Markunpoika; Corniches, designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra; and Future Primitives, designed by Muller Van Severen.

The Olympic Cauldron
Product designs include: The Olympic Cauldron, designed by Heatherwick Studio; Bang & Olufsen ‘Beloit 12,’ designed by Cecile Manz; Oigen Kitchenware, designed by Jasper Morrison/Japan Creative; Tekio designed by Anthony Dickens; and Surface Tension Lamp designed by Front.
For a complete list of nominations and for more information, click here.

Stockholm readies for annual Design Week

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Every February, Stockholm Design Week attracts architects, designers and journalists from Scandinavia and beyond to Stockholmsmässan, the region’s largest exhibition center. This year, the whole city will get involved for events, introductions and parties that celebrate the best of Scandinavian design from Feb. 4 – 10.
“The design week serves as a meeting place for promoting the furniture and lighting design industry in Scandinavia that extends well beyond Stockholmsmässan’s walls,” said Cecilia Nyberg, event manager. “It is important to us that our visitors get as positive an overall experience of the week as possible. Business and deals are done during the day, while the evenings are intended for mingling and parties in the city.”

Around 40,000 visitors from more than 60 countries are set to come to this year’s fair to view the 750 furniture, lighting and textile vendors, 80% of which come from Scandinavia.
The Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair also takes place in Stockholmsmässan concurrently with Stockholm Design Week. The show features new products, materials, knowledge, trends, business contacts and environmental and technological solutions.
This year’s featured exhibition is the Glass Elephant, a design installation in the borderland between industrial design, craftsmanship and performance.

The Glass Elephant Exhibition
“The purpose of the installation is to diversify and vitalize Stockholm Design Week’s image as an innovative and dynamic meeting place for the best in Scandinavian design,” said Nyberg. “We want to create inspiring experiences and added value for both industry professionals and interested members of the public.”
The exhibition explores the properties of glass as material and muse, and tells a story about the meeting of contrasts. TAF Arkitekter has designed the exhibition architecture and the work of some of Sweden’s most trendsetting designers is featured in Glass Elephant, including Åsa Jungnelius.
Other designers taking part are Ann Wåhlström; Carina Seth Andersson; Katja Pettersson; Magnus Elebäck and Chris Martin, Massproductions; Johannes Carlström, Note Design Studio; Simon Klenell and John Astbury.
The installation is open to the public Feb. 5 – 9 from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities’ Skeppsholmen Caverns.
For a complete list of exhibitors, click here. For a full calendar of events, click here.

LUXE magazine debuts first Houston show house

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Luxe Interiors + Design Magazine and Preservation Houston, a non-profit dedicated to protect the city’s architectural and cultural historic resources, will unveil a designer show house this week, featuring 20 leading Houston designers.
The designers have transformed a Venetian Revival-style historic Houston house, originally built for hardware magnate F.A. Heitmann in 1924 by architect William Ward Watkin. The house stands on two acres in the neighborhood of Shadyside. 

Participating designers and architects are: Peggy Hull, Creative Touch Interiors; Marjorie Slovack, ML Slovack Design; Donna Vining, Vining Design Associates; Lynne Jones, Lynne T. Jones Interior Design; Sandy Lucas and SarahEilers, Lucas/Eilers Design Associates; Marlys Tokerud, Tokerud & Co; AudreyDrought, Audrey Drought Design Inc; JohnRobinson, Robinson & Associates; Bill Stubbs, William W. Stubbs & Associates; Jane Page Crump, Jane Page Design Group; Donna Jarnigan, Lacy-Boon Interiors; Diana Walker, Diana Walker Design; Lisa Roth, Montgomery Roth; ConnieLeFevre; Janie Ellis; LauraUmansky, Laura U Inc; Julie Koch, Elegant Additions; John Dupuy, McDugald Steel Landscpae Artchitects and Darla Bankston May.
Show house co-chairs are Preservation Houston Board members Jane-Page Crump and Bill Stubbs, and opening night co-chairs are Nancy Ames and EileenHricik. The “Soiree” takes place Friday, Feb. 1.
Showhouse hours will be 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, 9 and 16, and noon to 4:00 pm on Sunday, Feb. 3, 10 and 17. Tickets are $30 at the door or $25 in advance. For groups of 20 or more, tickets are $20 each.
For more information, click here. Stay tuned for EditorTV coverage!

San Francisco show spotlights tribal antiques and textiles

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Since coming to prominence in the 1960s, demand and interest in tribal art has grown steadily. The 27th annual San Francisco Tribal & Textile Art Show (SFTTA) is one of the few places these disappearing arts are made available to the public.
“Everything showcased at the SFTTA is museum-quality,” said Liz Lees, show producer. “The art and antiques we have available for purchase at our event are not only aesthetically beautiful, but also historically and culturally significant. Many of these techniques are fading away as more remote societies modernize.”

This year’s special exhibition, “Saami and Kantha—The fabled stitched quilts of Sind and Bengal,” will showcase the finest examples of this quilting tradition, the Ralli quilts made by the Saami, a caste of beggars from the deserts of Sind in Pakistan and the Kanthas quilts from West Bengal, India and Bangladesh.

Made from recycled materials such as disused clothing or old cloth, the practice of making these quilts has evolved over centuries. The rare and intricate weavings range from depicting bold, abstract patterns to figurative representations of village life. John Gillow, textile folk art specialist, has curated the exhibition.

Other exhibitor highlights include: the Moroccan Berber necklace with prayer box from the Singkaing Gallery, a 19th century birdcage from Sutterfield Tribal Art, the Bodhisattva statue from the Dalton Somare Gallery and the Luo Tribe of Kenya’s shield from Patrick & Ondine Mestdagh Galerie d’art.
The SFTTA show will open with a preview gala on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. benefiting the galleries: Art of Africa, Oceania and the Americas and the textiles galleries of the de Young Museum. To purchase tickets for the Opening Night benefit, please call (415) 750-3518 or email.
General admission is $15. This event is open to the public on Friday, Feb. 8, and Saturday, Feb. 9, 11:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 10, 11:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. For more information, please call (310) 455-2886, or click here.

Ann Sacks gets a new President

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Ted Chappell has been appointed President of Ann Sacks, effective immediately, with responsibility for the strategic direction and overall business results for the company. He succeeds Dian Smith, who was there for the past five years.

“Ted’s global business experience, proven leadership skills and results- oriented attitude will be an asset to ANN SACKS,” said Ron Pace, President – Decorative Products, to whom Chappell will report. “I look forward to the progress he’ll bring to the business in his new role.
Beginning his career in sales at Lutron, Chappell supported the company in its international endeavors in Tokyo and Hong Kong. He then co-founded and served as Managing Director of L.S. Architectural in Malaysia before accepting the position of President, Erco Lighting, where he launched its business pursuits in the U.S. In 2007, Chappell joined Poggenpohl as President of its U.S. operations. Under his direction, the company reestablished its position within the marketplace, opening five showroom locations and expanding its product portfolio.
Chappell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Harvard University.

Discovering new collecting passions in Brussels

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Who would guess that the land of Tintin and the European Community would harbor a strong collecting culture? Now in its 54th year, the Brussels Antiques & Fine Arts Fair (BRAFA) is drawing in the local and international crowds to it’s halls in the Tour & Taxis warehouse for a fair featuring an eclectic mix of artworks including antiquities, African art, continental furniture, jewelry, contemporary painting, and decorative arts. In short, there’s something here for everyone; an under-the radar repository of art and objects.

A case in point is Honourable Silver Objects, an Antwerp-based dealer that started off selling fine antique silverware and has gradually moved to a more eclectic mix of merchandise.
“Now we buy things we like from ancient to modern and in-between and hope our customers will too!” explains co-owner Theun van Beers.

Their booth epitomizes their erudite outlook with a large round table draped with a flawless 1920s suzani embroidery (sold on the first preview night), heaped with books and 19th century Danish crystal. A pair of mis-matched wingchairs—one of which had unusual eagle heads carved on the top of its front legs—added to the library feel.
Along the back wall an English Regency oak cabinet held a collection of 17th to 19th century ivories, and collectibles. Also featured in the booth were small scaled sculptures made of tissue paper in lush monochromatic tones of red, blue or gray by Jae Ko, a Korean artist that have proved extremely popular. Since venturing in this new direction they have very aptly added Cabinet of Curiosities to their gallery name. 
Reflecting Belgium’s 19th and early 20th century involvement in Africa there are quite a few dealers in African art at Brafa. Among them, Patric Didier Claes, who last year dedicated his booth to a million euro fetish object sculpture and this year had a moody gallery filled (and selling) with African masks and objects.

Alain de Monbrison
showed a minimalist Mangbetu slit drum from the Congo and presented it atop an elaborate Dutch side table for a very daring juxtaposition. 

A suite of 17 Bete half animal, half human masks from the Ivory Coast illuminated with pinpoint lighting made an impressive entrance at Galerie Serge Schoffel, yet another dealer specializing in Tribal Art.
 
A more 20th century mix of art and objects that exemplifies the discoveries one can make here was featured at Galerie Jean-Jacques Dutko from Paris. A three drawer Eugène Prinz commode with beautifully oxidized gilt handles and sabots, was exhibited with an André Masson painting over it and a contemporary ceramic piece by British sculptor Matthew Chambers, along with a lamp by Bruno Romeda. It’s a very up-to-the-minute chic, eclectic look spanning the Art Deco period to today.
For the collector looking to make a discovery at either end of the market Brafa should certainly be on their map. Even reception suite at Delen Private Bank, the principal sponsor of the fair is a not to be missed study in museum quality mid-century furniture and paintings.
From august dealers including Steinitz and Axel Vervoordt to new dealers to the fair such as Antwerp’s 88-Gallery featuring the contemporary works of Brazilian brothers Fernando and Humberto Campana this show will continue to attract intrepid dealers, decorators and those just waiting to find a new collecting passion.
Written by Alejandro Saralegui

Dallas Market Center’s ARTS Awards announced

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The Dallas Market Center and ART, the creative home furnishings network, announced the winners of the 24th annual ARTS Awards during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market earlier this month.

Presenters: Gidding, Sharon Davis, Cindy Morris and Bill Winsor
ARTS Awards presenters included: John Gidding, designer and TV host who has appeared on the HGTV series “Curb Appeal: The Block” and Shay Geyer, interior designer of IBB Designs and design trend and style maven, among others.
This year, Dwell with Dignity was honored with the inaugural Visionary Award that recognizes industry innovation and excellence. The nonprofit group was awarded for its tremendous contribution to help families and communities as well as its inspirational impact on the design and home industries.

Robison & Turner
Lisa Robison, founder and president and Kim Turner, vice president and executive director of Dwell with Dignity accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

Mac Cooper
The Cooper family of Uttermost received the Academy of Achievement Award that recognizes companies and/or individuals that have made significant contributions to the industry. Founded by Bob and Belle Cooper in 1975 and currently led by their son, President MacCooper, Uttermost manufactures products in a range of categories including accent furniture, mirrors, wall décor, art, lighting, permanent botanicals and more.
The winners in the Sales Representatives category included: East/Atlantic: Nancy Foster of Creating Atmospheres; Midwest/Southwest: Richard Alan of Richard Alan & Associates; and West: Lucha Bott of Lucha Bott Sales.
The Product Designer award went to Beth Lacefield of Lacefield Designs, the International Retailer award went to Multi Luminaire and Clive Daniel Home was named the Rising Star Retailer.
The winners in the Retailers category included:
Furniture Store: LOFT Home
Home Accents Store: East/Atlantic: J Banks Design; Midwest/Southwest: Heather Scott Home & Design; and West: Interior Illusions.
Lighting Showrooms: East/Atlantic: Elements—Distinctive Lighting & Home Furnishings; Midwest/Southwest: Hinsdale Lighting; and West: Elume Distinctive Lighting.
The winners in the Manufactures category included:
Accent Furniture: Worlds Away
Area Rugs: Company C
Home Accents: Creative Co-Op
Home Textiles: Pine Cone Hill
Lighting Fixtures: Visual Comfort & Co.
Outdoor Living: Sunset West
Portable Lamps: Arteriors Home
Tabletop: Beatriz Ball Collection
Wall Décor: Leftbank Art
Green Manufacturer: Loloi Rugs
“Congratulations to all of this year’s ARTS Awards winners,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. “The ARTS Awards is a highlight of our January Market each year and we are honored to celebrate each of the winners’ extensive accomplishments.”

Dallas Market Center announced ARTS Awards

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The Dallas Market Center and ART, the creative home furnishings network, announced the winners of the 24th annual ARTS Awards during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market earlier this month.

Presenters: Gidding, Sharon Davis, Cindy Morris and Bill Winsor
ARTS Awards presenters included: John Gidding, designer and TV host who has appeared on the HGTV series “Curb Appeal: The Block” and Shay Geyer, interior designer of IBB Designs and design trend and style maven, among others.
This year, Dwell with Dignity was honored with the inaugural Visionary Award that recognizes industry innovation and excellence. The nonprofit group was awarded for its tremendous contribution to help families and communities as well as its inspirational impact on the design and home industries.

Robison & Turner
Lisa Robison, founder and president and Kim Turner, vice president and executive director of Dwell with Dignity accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

Mac Cooper
The Cooper family of Uttermost received the Academy of Achievement Award that recognizes companies and/or individuals which have made significant contributions to the industry. Founded by Bob and Belle Cooper in 1975 and currently led by their son, President MacCooper, Uttermost manufactures products in a range of categories including accent furniture, mirrors, wall décor, art, lighting, permanent botanicals and more.
The winners in the Sales Representatives category included: East/Atlantic: Nancy Foster of Creating Atmospheres; Midwest/Southwest: Richard Alan of Richard Alan & Associates; and West: Lucha Bott of Lucha Bott Sales.
The Product Designer award went to Beth Lacefield of Lacefield Designs, the International Retailer award went to Multi Luminaire and Clive Daniel Home was named the Rising Star Retailer.
The winners in the Retailers category included:
Furniture Store: LOFT Home
Home Accents Store: East/Atlantic: J Banks Design; Midwest/Southwest: Heather Scott Home & Design; and West: Interior Illusions.
Lighting Showrooms: East/Atlantic: Elements—Distinctive Lighting & Home Furnishings; Midwest/Southwest: Hinsdale Lighting; and West: Elume Distinctive Lighting.
The winners in the Manufactures category included:
Accent Furniture: Worlds Away
Area Rugs: Company C
Home Accents: Creative Co-Op
Home Textiles: Pine Cone Hill
Lighting Fixtures: Visual Comfort & Co.
Outdoor Living: Sunset West
Portable Lamps: Arteriors Home
Tabletop: Beatriz Ball Collection
Wall Décor: Leftbank Art
Green Manufacturer: Loloi Rugs
“Congratulations to all of this year’s ARTS Awards winners,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. “The ARTS Awards is a highlight of our January Market each year and we are honored to celebrate each of the winners’ extensive accomplishments.”

Exhibition celebrates Knoll's design heritage

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As part of its 75th anniversary this year, Knoll organized an exhibition highlighting the global influence of its designers who settled in Pennsylvania's Upper Perkiomen Valley.
Founder Hans Knoll's decision to establish Knoll headquarters in East Greenville, Penn. in the 1940’s is recognized as a reason why so many trained and gifted furniture designers made their homes in the Upper Perkiomen Valley.

Hans & Florence Knoll
Titled ‘Modern Design in the Valley,’ the show opened earlier this month at the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center in Pennsburg, Penn.
The exhibition showcases the careers of Knoll designers Harry Bertoia, Richard Schultz, Don Albinson and Knoll founder Hans Knoll, and other designers who settled in the Valley. With a special emphasis on the creative process of each designer, it shows the evolution of a design through sketches, models, prototypes, catalog and marketing information.
Contemporary designers were asked to present or describe a design-related product they most enjoyed working on. Their submissions are displayed alongside iconic pieces in the exhibition.

Knoll Museum, East Greenville, Penn.
‘Modern Design in the Valley’ is open to the public through May 5. Gallery hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Thursday from 9:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Bloggers' top picks from NY International Gift Fair

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Five “Bloggers’ Choice Awards” for exemplary product design were announced today to Accent on Design exhibitors at the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF). Accent on Design runs through today at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Five bloggers from noted design and trend-watching sites were invited to select one product, representing “urgent, odd and delightful design,” from among Accent on Design’s 200+ exhibitors. Notably, new concepts from Souda and Design on Shell – both participants in the winter 2013 edition of A+™: The Young Designers’ Platform at Accent on Design – were among products selected by the panel of judges. 
“Design evolves every day, and these bloggers are monitoring, and reporting upon, the changes as they are happening,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. “We’re delighted to have them bring their unique perspectives and trend-spotting savvy to Accent on Design.”
The five bloggers, and the products each identified as the “next big thing,” are:

Joanne Domeniconi,
Daily Grommet
Indoor vertical gardening system and home office solution by Urbio (Oakland, CA)
“We searched for a product that was equal parts… strong design, innovation and function. Urbio is a delightful combination of all three.”

Marisa Marcantonio, stylebeat.blogspot.com
Pappelina woven vinyl rugs by Pappelina® AB (Falun, Sweden)
“Created in Sweden, Pappelina rugs are cheerful in fresh designs, practical and low maintenance woven from colored plastic strands. Lina Rickardsson found a manufacturer in Sweden working on traditional looms and modernized their business, creating a market for the woven designs. From stripes to dots, the runners can inexpensively alter a hallway or bath with color.”

Alexandra Zwicky, Design-Calendar.com
Bubble Chandelier by Souda (Brooklyn, NY)
“It is a gorgeous piece that reminds us that design doesn’t have to be a frivolous endeavor. It is sustainable and supports local community through its support of ‘Sure we Can’.”

Stephanie Murg, UnBeige
Linx by Blank Bubble LLC (New York, NY)
“Developed by French-born, New York-based artist Patrick Martinez as a way to create ‘density with almost nothing,’ this construction toy offers endless creative possibilities for budding designers of all ages. Just add drinking straws.”

Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan,Apartment Therapy:
Shirrley by Design On Shell (Springfield, PA)
“This is a surprisingly simple looking design that bridges utility and beauty with straight-forward materials and an affordable price. I couldn’t stop looking at how attractive the little ‘purse’ appeared after doing duty as a less attractive grocery bag. It’s a little piece of design magic.”
Accent on Design, the industry’s leading resource for design-led merchandise is one of 10 divisions presented semi-annually at the NYIGF.

Historic showhouse to open during High Point Market

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Miles Redd, Suzanne Kasler and Eric Cohler are among the designers participating in a showhouse presented by Traditional Home and the Junior League of Greensboro (JLG) at the historic Adamsleigh estate in Greensboro, NC. The opening gala takes place Friday, April 19, on the eve of the Spring High Point Furniture Market, enabling designers and bloggers who are in town for Market to attend. The house will be open to the public for two weeks from April 20-May 5.

The house was designed in 1928 for High Point textile magnate John Hampton "Hamp" Adams, the co-founder of Adams-Millis Corporation, the first High Point-based company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Located at 3301 Alamance Road in Greensboro, NC, it is approximately 15,000 square feet and comprised of 33 rooms including 10 bedrooms. It sits on 13.5 acres of pools, a lake, tennis courts, and a stone gazebo.

"The Adamsleigh Estate provides the perfect venue for timeless design and modern living to come together in a fresh new way. And it's a privilege to help the Junior League of Greensboro raise funds to continue to support their local community," said Ann Maine, Editor in Chief of Traditional Home.
 
The funds raised from the show house will enable the JLG in its mission to make a difference in local education, specifically at Cone Elementary School, according to Emily Faucher, Junior League President.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.

Houzz raises $35 million, launches marketing program

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Houzz, the online platform for home remodeling and design, announced the close of a $35 million Series C financing deal led by global venture capital firms New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and GGV Capital, yesterday.
The investment will be used to further build Houzz’s engineering and design team at the company’s Palo Alto headquarters. The company also announced the launch of Houzz Pro+, a premium marketing program for professionals, which has already sold out in several major markets.
Over the past 12 months, Houzz has grown more than 450% to 12 million monthly unique users. Homeowners use Houzz to find inspiration, collaborate, research and hire professionals, source products, and manage projects from start to finish.

“Houzz is revolutionizing home renovation,” said Houzz CEO Adi Tatarko. “Our goal is to eliminate the barriers that exist between homeowners and good design, and between talented home improvement professionals and their potential customers. This has been our vision from day one and we are focused on continuing to make that happen by applying the best technology, product and user experience know-how.”
“I found Houzz as I was remodeling my own home,” said David Sacks, Yammer founder and investor. “They’ve built an amazing product and technology platform that I love using. The company has solidified itself as the leading player and chief disrupter in the $300 billion home remodeling and design industry. I’m delighted to join an amazing group of investors like Alfred Lin, Oren Zeev, Hany Nada, Paul Hsiao and Mary Meeker.”
The company’s Series A financing was led by Zeev, followed by a Series B led by Sequoia Capital. Sequoia Capital, Comcast Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Sacks participated in the Series C deal.

Metropolis names six ‘Game Changers’ in design

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The editors of Metropolis Magazine have singled out six innovators and ideas breaking conventions in architecture, advocacy, planning, patronage, research and history for the third annual ‘Game Changers’ issue.

"A great deal of care is spent creating a diverse group of game changers," said Martin C. Pedersen, Metropolis executive editor. "This year we combined people—the legendary historian Vincent Scully; the climate change activist and architect, Edward Mazria; the design patron, Jamie Gray—with big bold projects like SOM's Great Lakes Century; Dream:In's research; and the Women's Opportunity Center. It's an impressive and transformative group."
Here’s a closer look at the Game Changers line-up:
Architecture: Sharon Davis and the Women of Rwanda

The New York-based architect, working in collaboration with the non-profit group, Women for Women, is building a woman's vocational center in Rwanda that will serve as a vital community center for teaching new skills like making bricks.
Advocacy: Edward Mazria

In 2003 Metropolis made history when the architect Edward Mazria proclaimed buildings and their architects are key to combating climate change. Since then his organization, Architecture 2030, has lobbied tirelessly on behalf of the cause, turning the planetary crisis into a design problem for architects to do something about it.
Planning: The Great Lakes Project

Philip Enquist and his team of planners at SOM Chicago have created a new vision for the Great Lakes of the 21st Century. Lakeside is the first manifestation of that plan: a huge mixed use development on the site of an old U.S. Steel plant which can serve as a model for sustainable redevelopment for a region that has 20 percent of the world's fresh water.
Design Patron: Jamie Gray of Matter

The New York entrepreneur and retailer is the design patron of the new millennium, promoting not just expensive one-offs but a new generation of emerging talent.
Research: Dream:In

The Dream:In initiative conducted design research at an unprecedented scale, with 101 youth researchers travelling over 15,000 miles across India, finding entrepreneurial ideas from all sections of society. With their model, Dream:In presents a new way to scale up design in the developing world.
History: Vincent Scully

Pulitzer prize-winning critic, Paul Goldberger offered a highly personal essay on Vincent Scully, the legendary Yale architectural historian whose passionate teaching inspired generations of architects, designers, and students to think seriously about architecture.
The magazine has teamed up with sponsoring host, AXOR, for a celebratory event in New York City, honoring the notable group on Feb. 7. Other event sponsors include Shaw Contract Group and Affordable Art Fair NY.
For more on Game Changers 2013, click here and follow the conversations on Twitter with hashtag #GameChangers2013.
Images courtesy of metropolismag.com

Contract magazine recognizes Interiors Awards winners

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The who’s who of the design world gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City to celebrate the Legend Award at the 34th Annual Interiors Awards presented by Contract magazine. Michael Graves, FAIA, was recognized with the Legend Award, along with the other Interiors Awards winners.
Contract Editor-in-Chief John Czarnecki, Assoc. AIA, presented the 2013 Legend Award to Graves—the first Designer of the Year (1981) to also receive the Legend distinction.

Since founding Michael Graves and Associates in 1964, Graves has been producing richly colored Beaux Arts-inspired houses, hotels, libraries, museums, and civic buildings both here and abroad, earning him the AIA Gold Medal in 2001. His product design, graphics, and branding studio, Michael Graves Design Group, have also seen prolific success with products such as the famous whistling-bird teapot for Alessi and over 2,000 products for Target.
“Much of the extraordinary work that we celebrated is truly transformational,” said Czarnecki, who emceed his second Interiors Awards Breakfast. “Many of the winning projects, in various categories, are actually transformations of existing interiors, and that’s exciting because it demonstrates that the profession’s work in designing interiors has a real impact.”
Czarnecki also presented another of the magazine’s highest honor: the 2013 Designer of the Year Award to Los Angeles architect and designer Joey Shimoda.

Shimoda was named the 34th Designer of the Year, which is the highest honor that the magazine bestows on a designer who is on a trajectory toward greatness. He established his firm, Shimoda Design Group, in 2000, and his 10-person studio balances several projects at once, ranging from large interior retrofits to ground-up office development.
“My selection as Designer of the Year came as quite a surprise, and it is absolutely gratifying,” says Shimoda. “The process of making meaningful and beautiful spaces is a fragile and precarious journey. By receiving this honor, I am fortified in believing that all of our effort inspires excellence in design.”
The awards jury selected one winner in each of 13 categories. The 2013 jurors were: Stephen Apking, FAIA, interior design partner, SOM; Dina Griffin, AIA, IIDA, NOMA, president and partner, Interactive Design, Inc.; Nancy Keatinge, president and partner, Felderman Keatinge + Associates; Alan Ricks, cofounder, MASS Design Group; and Margaret Sullivan, director of interior design, H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture.
Here’s a look at the 2013 Interiors Awards winners:
Large Office—Microsoft Vienna by INNOCAD; Vienna, Austria

Microsoft's Austrian headquarters in Vienna challenged INNOCAD to create a space that would entice mobile workers to come into the workplace, so the designers strove to create an environment that would give employees the feeling of being on a "working holiday." The unique and lively spaces in this 48,450-square-foot office are playful, "melding refinement, detailing, and materials with fun," according to Interiors Awards juror Alan Ricks. The highlights of the space include a gleaming silver slide and a nearly 30-foot-long vertical garden—a clear nod to the "anything goes" spirit of startups.
Small Office—XAL Competence Center (XALcc) by INNOCAD; Graz, Austria

For this 20,500-square-foot renovation of an aging 1950s warehouse, INNOCAD focused on lighting and acoustics to set a tone and create an ambiance conducive to productivity and innovation. The large, open volume was divided into three zones that preserved the warehouse's industrial quality while turning it into a modern space with daylight. The offices stand out for their openness and light, but also for an unseen quality: peace and quiet. INNOCAD used advanced technology and innovative materials like the sound-absorbing BuzziSkin for acoustic dampening, as well as custom acoustic ceiling panels that incorporate XALcc's own LED lighting.
Hotel—Grand Hyatt New York by Bentel & Bentel Architects/Planners; New York City

Over a two-year period, Bentel & Bentel Architects/Planners transformed the public areas in one of New York's busiest hotels into a functional yet sophisticated urban public space, while allowing the hotel to keep its doors open during the renovation. To achieve this feat, the designers went the route of "transformation rather than replacement," largely using existing materials in the lobby and updating them with new colors and finishes. Rethinking the lobby as a public space, the designers opened up the massive 20,000-square-foot space with soaring ceilings and unimpeded sight lines, and added an element that is essential to memorable urban spaces: powerful, oversized artwork.
Restaurant—Untitled by Rockwell Group; New York City

Untitled—the latest addition to New York's Whitney Museum of American Art—is an architecturally flexible café that is remarkable for its ability to transform into a variety of spaces to suit the museum's ever-changing programmatic needs. The 1,500-square- foot cellar-level space is a modern reinterpretation of the classic New York City diner that subtly blends into MarcelBreur's landmark midcentury modern museum building. To address the museum's flexible programming needs, the designers incorporated neatly stacking chairs, collapsible tables, adjustable light fixtures, and detachable three- foot-high oak pony walls into the space, enabling the entire room to be quickly containerized and hauled away on two or three palettes.
Healthcare—Randall Children’s Hospital by ZGF Architects; Portland, Oregon

When designing this 334,000-square-foot facility that consolidates previously separate healthcare services, ZGF Architects had one goal in mind—to combat the fear and anxiety of patients and their families. Taking cues from the facility's Pacific Northwestern context and hospitality design, the designers incorporated visuals to which children respond positively throughout the complex: curvilinear elements, warm wood furnishings, natural color palettes and imagery found in nature. The designers went above and beyond "to help inspire, soothe, and improve the quality of care and health outcomes" for both patients and their families, adding an abundance of amenity spaces like family lounges, art studios, and exercise spaces.
Education—Cranbrook Art Museum Renovation and Collections Wing by SmithGroupJJ; Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

The Crankbrook Art Museum shows that renovation goes hand in hand with preservation. The design team added 31,000-square-feet of space and made vital upgrades to the existing structure while maintaining the integrity of Eliel Saarinen's original design. The Collections Wing—essentially a storage building for thousands of celebrated artworks—has an added function: that of an active learning center with workshops, a seminar room, and vaults that allow stored pieces to be viewed up close. Although the Saarinen-designed museum systems were updated to put the museum on par with today's cutting-edge facilities, the space survives as a time capsule that allows visitors to experience the museum as Saarinen intended.
Public Space—Lakewood Cemetery Garden Mausoleum by HGA; Minneapolis

Melding beautifully into the cemetery landscape, the Lakewood Cemetery Garden Mausoleum commemorates life and legacy with contrasting yet subdued textures and circular motifs. To truly create a space for remembrance, the design process was carefully considered and backed with research. Thus, three quarters of the 24,500- square-foot structure was tucked into a hillside, creating a clear connection with nature. Joan Soranno, FAIA, the design principal at HGA, explains, "Many people feel connected to God or a higher being in nature. We wanted to heighten that experience, to create an environment where this transformative experience happens through a close connection between the architecture and nature."
Showroom—Chongqing Mountain and City Sales Office by One Plus Partnership; Chingqing, China

Taking inspiration from the mountain profiles of the Nanshan District, the Chongqing Mountain and City Sales Office reinterprets nature in high chic style. This idea materializes in the interior architecture's terrain of "valleys" and "caves." The 19,375- square-foot, two-level sales office is unlike any other real estate showroom: its various rooms are accessed by journeying through a topography of slanted, triangular masses of grey marble. In the basement level, a composition of suspended slim LED tubes evoke the imagery of rain. This modern and abstract design invites visitors to a stunning conceptual space, leading them through an exciting spatial experience, as if they are wandering through the mountains themselves.
Entertainment—Wuhan Pixel Box Cinema by One Plus Partnership; Atlanta

For this 95,000-square foot cinema in Wuhan, China, One Plus Partnership selected a single motif—the pixel—and used it as the fundamental element throughout their design, creating the most avant-garde movie house in the city. To create the sensation of moving pixels, the designers used cubic units of different sizes and textures; the box office rotunda space is covered in stainless steel panels that reflect visitors' movements through the hall. The cubical design elements are present everywhere: from the ceiling to the walls and carpets, from the seating to the display units in the bookshop. The plentiful variations and exquisite presentations result in a vivid and playful atmosphere that incorporates form, function, and fantasy.
Sustainable—22squared by Gensler; New York City

22squared's Atlanta headquarters—originally a dark space with walled-off offices and segregated departments—was at odds with its innovative cross-disciplinary business model. To increase collaboration among workers and departments, Gensler designed spaces that encourage run-ins, replaced walls with glass panels, and coated most of the remaining walls in a writeable finish, so nearly every square foot is a potential work surface. An abundance of natural light, recycled flooring, and reused furnishings contributed to the headquarters' LEED® Gold for Commercial Interiors certification.
Adaptive Reuse—Confidential Multimedia Entertainment Company by FXFOWLE Architects; New York City

FXFOWLE Architects expertly transformed the historic New York armory building from the 1900s into a space where remnants of its past life co-exist with modern design. While restoring the landmark exterior of the armory, the design team gut-renovated the interior spaces, making sure the original architectural details could meld into a high- tech, modern environment. Amongst other updates, the renovation added new skylights for natural lighting and two mezzanine floors of open-plan workspaces that add square footage and conceal an air distribution system that contributes to the project's pending LEED® Silver certification.
Retail—Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Store by Marlon Blackwell Architect; Bentonville, Arkansas

Functional, tactile, and a clear extension of the Moshe Safdie-designed museum building: this was the challenge presented to Marlon Blackwell Architect for the design of the 3,040-square-foot curved, concrete space that was to become the museum store. The design team drew inspiration from Mark Niehues' unique basket weaving style to provide the space with a character that reflected the regional pride and identity of the Ozark Mountain Range. The standout feature is an undulating ceiling of slatted wood that seamlessly becomes a soffit, and extends onto the back to frame glass display shelves. Blackwell also considered acoustics and merchandise organization to carry the quiet museum feel to the retail space.
Student—Play Lab by Nicole Germano; San Francisco

For her Senior Capstone Project at the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning, Nicole Germano chose to design a learning environment for children. "As a child, I felt like the learning environment suppressed my imagination," she recalls. Her thesis project, Play Lab, cultivates "controlled chaos" by balancing structured activities within a stimulating and flexible environment. Her design includes soft landscapes; a theatre; a science and technology lab; and an art studio. Germano also incorporated the site's terrace into her design with a glass wall that folds open for access to gardens and outdoor play and learning areas, blurring the line between indoors and outdoors.
All of the winners were featured in innovative video presentations produced by Thirst / A Design Collaborative– led by RickValicenti, the 2011 National Design Award winner for Communication Design.
Since 1980, the Interiors Awards has recognized the exceptional projects and accomplishments of well-known firms and emerging talent who push the boundaries of architecture and design.
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