City of Angels: Keynote Panels at the PDC

My trip to LA was primarily to attend the Keynote Panel discussions being held at the Pacific Design Center. The first Panel was moderated by Margaret Russell of Elle Decor. The Panelists:

• Mayer Rus, Design and Culture Editor of the Los Angeles Times Magazine. Mr. Rus was formerly the Design Editor of House and Garden where he was also known as The Testy Tastemaker. He is also the author of the blog From Rus with Love.
• Patricia Shackelford, whom we all know and love as Mrs. Blandings.
• Michael Bruno, founder and president of 1stdibs.com, leading online resource for high-end antiques.
• Vicente Wolf, Top designer for the last 35 years, and more recently blogging on his Vicente Wolf Blog.

The discussion centered on the rise of Social Media and was titled: Giving Design a Voice in the Digital Age, Navigating the New Media Landscape.

As you can imagine, bloggers are at the forefront of the social media phenom along with Facebook and Twitter. Designers are being told by the powers that be that they need in interactive internet presence, whether a blog or a Facebook connection or both. The panelists discussed the merits and drawbacks of each and all, how to start, why to start.

The reasons stated were as personal as the personalities. Patricia was looking for a community, or as she so aptly put it, her "people". She shares anecdotes about her adventures in decorating her own home as well sharing lots of design information and resources.

Vicente Wolf started his blog to share information, especially about the challenges of doing the business of design. Interestingly, Mr. Wolf admitted a real lack of interest and know-how regarding his use of computers. He let us in on the fact that he tapes his posts which are then transcribed by a staffer to his blog. His view is that computer use can stifle the creativity of a designer to a degree...in this instance he was referring to CAD.

Mayer Rus' enthusiasm for computers was less than one might think as well. He was as entertaining as you would expect if you were familiar with his Testy Tastemaker column, boldly stating mind altering substances were his way of coping with email. I have to say, he was hilarious. Do check out his blog as you will be able to get your own fix of his irreverent humor....something I have sorely missed since the passing of HG.

Michael Bruno was the only panelist without a blog, but his website, 1st dibs has become not just an online antique resource. It is also an internet magazine. There are stories about who's who in the design industry regularly updated on the 1st dibs site in the Introspective Magazine.

All of the panelists agreed that blogging has had an affect on print media and that the way print and online media work together is still in it's infancy. There are many people working hard to try and find a path that leads to prosperity for everyone. The rules are changing constantly. And Margaret brought up the very important point that it is crucial to keep up. Elle Decor has launched their new website, which will act as Elle Decor's online presence and will be offering many more interactive features than what is available through their print magazine. It is a much more immediate form of communication and can be updated accordingly.

The panel discussion was recorded, and Vicente Wolf mentioned on his blog that he is trying to get ahold of it for everyone to see. I will let you know as soon as it is available!

The afternoon panel was moderated by Editor at Large's Sophie Danielson. Panelists included:

• Michael Bruno of 1st dibs.
• Ronda Carmen, Founder of All the Best blog.
• Vanessa de Vargas, Interior Designer and blogger for her blog Turquoise and Apartment Therapy.
• Brian Patrick Flynn, Designer and Founder of Decor Demon.
• Brad Ford, Designer and Founder of Design Therapy.
• Jillian St. Charles, Vice President and Site Director of HGTV.com.

This Panel discussion revolved around essentially the same theme: How does one navigate social media to enhance one's business and brand identity. These panelists have all taken on the internet to create a more interactive forum with the hope that this forum will result in more design business, more sales, and more information for existing and potential clients. The bonus for us? We get a lot of ideas, information, inspiration and entertainment that is immediate!

Ronda Carmen is spinning her popular blog off into a new business called All the Best Portfolio which specializes in brand building and marketing for the design industry.

Vanessa de Vargas offers online design services (a new design phenomenon for many designers!) for those clients that have a restrictive budget or who live anywhere in the world.

Former television producer turned designer, Brian Patrick Flynn has taken his skills with the camera and turned his sights to creating "Webisodes" of design How-tos soon to be found on his blog Decor Demon.

Top designer Brad Ford shares his passion for design and insider information on his blog Design Therapy.

And Jillian St. Charles shared with us the differences between the HGTV television channel and the features from the website. There is a lot of info on there...so check it out!

Great discussion and food for thought from both panels.

The main thing I took away is that it is a good idea to get involved online. But not necessarily in the expected ways. Many are using social media in new and creative ways to enhance their primary business' or to create a new business altogether. Social Media is a primordial soup and it is going to evolve exponentially in the coming years. It's a good idea to evolve with it!

Staying Neutral: the Maison 21 Challenge

You may remember awhile back, the very talented and stylish Christian of Maison 21 blog created a room around this lovely piece of glass.......

.......and challenged any and all comers to do the same. And did we! You may remember this blog post.

Well...get ready, because Christian has laid down the gauntlet again. He has challenged all bloggers, and anyone else who feels up to it, to create a room of Neutrals using items from his atelier here and/or from his post here. Never one to shy away from such a challenge, I have taken him up on it. I chose the Teak Root Console from Christian's post because of it's beautiful amorphic shape. I thought a pair would be gorgeous as Bedside Tables....so I decided a chic and tailored bedroom for a bachelor would be "it".

Next I found these beauties....a pair of brass pharmacy lamps...on Christian's atelier link here to put on the consoles.

So I needed a bed. At first was looking for an upholstered headboard....but then I remembered this bed from Ralph Lauren, perfect:

I happened upon this Black and White Steam Ship photo on 1st dibs and thought it would be perfect above the bed blown up to about 4 ft. wide x 5 feet high:

With these elements , a sort of "theme" or vision began to take shape in my imagination: a nod to the rich mahogany paneled state rooms of the yachts of the 1920's. Wood, brass, a bit art deco, new industrial age feel. So...add the wood paneling to the walls, but I would use Walnut. They are neutral aren't they? And wood floors.

I loved Christian's idea of the blond cowhide on the floor . Why not a few overlapped?

Something for the wall across from the foot of the bed: This Vicente Wolf console table is sleek and tailored. The brass picks up on the brass lamps as well. I think a third section to make it wider would be what I would do.

Above this low console, I thought something monumental was needed. A large Black and White photo perhaps? I relied on the the beautiful and dreamlike work of James Bleecker. His photos of the High Line are stunning:

Flanked by these Fontana Arte sconces by Pietro Chiesa.........through first dibs. OK.....outrageously out of sight price-wise....but this is a fantasy, no? They had to be in the room:

There should be a sitting area in front of the windows. I chose this pair of Gio Ponti Arm Chairs:

I found this table in 1st dibs also. (Sigh....1st dibs, you make it so easy to find things to dream about. I went back to link this table to the post and now I can't find it...sigh.) Perfect between the wing back chairs:

All of which to put in front of these dark grey velvet drapes from Restoration Hardware. This beautiful gun metal grey is technically a "neutral" as well, but provides great depth:

It just so happens that the brass hardware works as well!

Perhaps there would be a spot for these mirrors from Ballard Design. Or maybe this is the shape of the windows....it is my fantasy after all.

And there should be something quirky like this from Bond and Bowery:

A bit off of the color palette and out of sync. These are too large, but you get the idea.

So, there you have it! My Gentleman's Bedroom.

For those of you who want to play, hop on over to Christian's Maison 21 blog to see who else has designed a room and to see the "rules".

Thanks Christian! (I could just see Mona and Richard curled up on the bed. They are the perfect colors!)

Maison 21, Onion Domes and Dr. Zhivago

For those of you that have not yet seen this gorgeous hunk of crystal, let me fill you in: the incomparably witty, creative and hilarious design blogger Maison 21 has thrown down the glove. He has challenged all who dare to design a room around what has been described as the "Moscow Mafioso" chandelier. Now, at first glance, one might consider this to be a mite "over the top", a bit crass, a tiny bit Atlantic City Trump.

But there was something about it. It conjured up something I couldn't quite place. Something romantic and exotic. So when I commented on M21's blog saying I thought it would be sort of fantastic in the right setting, he called me out. And I am just not one to back down from a challenge...although perhaps in this case I might not recover.

OK, now do you see it? That's right...Dr. Zhivago. The ultimate Russian romance with icy onion domes. So there you have it. This is my inspiration.

So where to begin? I thought I would place this brilliant extravaganza of a chandelier in a Dining Room. I love the restrained eye of Axel Vervoordt. His use of natural elements like plastered walls and lime washed wood floors lend an air of relaxed formality. On the other hand I also can see the more tailored and modern sensibility of Vicente Wolf. I am somewhere in between here. Both are masters when it comes to using the soft greys and blues so often found in Northern European climates:

These rooms from "Axel Vervoordt, Timeless Interior" by Armelle Baron, Photos by Christian Barramon

"Learning to See" by Vicente Wolf

"Crossing Boundaries" by Vicente Wolf

I would start with wide plank, lime washed floors and use a plaster with integral grey/blue color for the walls. The ceiling would also be plaster in an ivory color. Perhaps there would be a simple fireplace mantle as in the Vervoordt photo above in aged marble.

I would use this table base and paint or white wash it and put a round limestone top on it. Kind of reminds me of being in the snow covered woods. This zinc pagoda would be on top of the table. With the spire pointing up, and the chandelier pointing down, it creates a sort of stalagmite/stalactite situation and the pagoda sort of echoes the Zhivago house a bit.

(Oh! I just have to add that I would take the chandelier and re-plate the brass metal in zinc or something that would have that same flat grey color. Can I do that and still stay within the rules of the game?)

Add these chairs (love those feet. A little reminiscent of a wolves at the door.):

In a fabric like this cool blue linen velvet by Lee Jofa:

A painted trestle table used as a sideboard, in a Scandinavian style:

With an over scaled (read: huge) winter landscape by Kate Bright on the wall above it:

The table could be flanked by these urns on pedestals (sort of adds that touch of the Czar I think!):

Perhaps these zinc urns on, or under the sideboard:

With perhaps some icy looking accessories like these frosted glass vases from Oly Studio:

Maybe silver punch bowls filled with chunks of rock crystal, or vodka bottles in ice:

Over the marble mantle, a little wild life:

And for those who are skittish about the real thing, a carved wood deer head from RianRae:

Two cut glass mosaic mirrors on the walls flanking the fireplace:

Above a couple of demi-lune tables painted in a dark grey blue:

Perhaps a pair of rock crystal lamps on the tables:

In front of a wall of windows draped in an ivory wool, two of these hooded chairs would keep out the chill:

A glass side table from Oly Studio in between seems to be a sculpture of ice.

A few more icy accessories like these rock crystal candlesticks, candlelight and a fire in the fireplace to warm things up a bit, and I will be ready for a glass of that vodka and a bit of caviar.

( All items above were found on 1st Dibs unless otherwise noted)

So, perhaps you have been inspired to take up the challenge yourself! I hope I can twist the arms of a few of you. C'mon...take a chance, and you too could be the proud winner of your very own Dr. Zhivago commemorative collector's plate:

(OK....I really don't know where to get a plate like this....you would be surprised what came up with a Google search of Dr. Zhivago)