Showing posts with label Stark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stark. Show all posts

Friday, April 9, 2010

Through the looking glass ...

A sweet vignette by Duralee as seen
at the Boston Design Center


Ever long for an insider’s view on the world of design blogging? Yesterday I had the opportunity to see the person whose voice I have been listening to faithfully on The Skirted Roundtable, an interior design related blog that interviews some of the top names in the design industry. Being able to sit in on a conversation with one of the three moderators of this podcast-format blog was a special treat.


Linda Merrill of Decorative Surroundings with yours truly

South Shore based designer Linda Merrill, whose main design blog (she has a few!) is titled Surroundings, led the group in a very informative and often humorous discussion on the benefits of using social media to promote your business while connecting to the world of design. Besides taking home some great tips on how to add more bells and whistles to the pages of my blog, I really enjoyed listening to Linda share her insight on the best ways to blog with style and grace. She also presented a very honest view on the social aspects of putting yourself out there online. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the funny stories that she referred to that were related to specific blog posts/podcasts that I have followed online.



Inside the Kravet Showroom at the BDC

One topic that was of particular interest to many of the audience members was the issue of naming your blog. How does one go about choosing a name? I have posted about how I chose Design Vignettes. Recently, I noticed there is another person out there blogging as “Vignette Design.
I forgot to ask Linda if I should be concerned by this!

If you are blogging out there, how did you choose your name?
Do you ever wish you had chosen a different name for your blog? Or if you are enjoying the blogs of others, what are some of your favorite blog names that you have come across? Please leave some comments (we bloggers love to know that someone is out there listening!)


A pretty combination from Kravet:
pink, gray, cream and white


Another topic that raised many questions was
how do you keep all online identities (twitter, facebook, blog and website) related, yet specific to their particular function and audience? With her extensive background in social media and communications, Linda was able to speak from experience on these very current issues in the ever-changing virtual landscape. What successes – or bumps in the road – have you encountered while navigating social networking?


These spring-colored carpets behind the
glass window of the Stark showroom
got a second look as I left the BDC.


Linda Merrill will be offering more great lectures on social networking this month. I highly recommend signing up for one if you are in the Boston area!


April 14th at Residential Design
and Construction 2010
at the
Seaport World Trade Center, Boston

And April 29th sponsored by
the IFDA held at the
Boston Design Center




Wednesday, December 2, 2009

A gift for the fashionista


Exhibit photo by Max Yawney

Every true fashionista loves a good cat walk.
This weekend at the Peabody Essex Museum there will be plenty of runway-type activities that will revolve around Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel exhibit that is showing now through February 7, 2010. A day of fashion reverie is the perfect gift for the stylish on your list and includes design direction from the fabulously-fashionable Iris herself along with opportunities to dress like an icon, draw like a designer, and shop like a trend-setter.


Don’t miss the show ... call early to reserve your spot!

With scheduled appearances from Stilista stylists, presentations by Boston Fashion Week founder Jay Calderin with School of Fashion Design artists, panel discussions on today’s top fashion trends, and even a short film featuring Isaac Mizrahi, this is the weekend to be seen at the PEM.
So grab that friend or family member who strives for a well-curated closet, get dolled-up, and head to Peabody (just north of Boston) for a pre-holiday celebration of fashion (and just in time to get tips on what-to-wear for those upcoming holiday parties and events!)

Exhibit photo by C.J. Walker


This design guide, which would look divine
perched on an oh-so-stylish coffee table, is
available at the Peabody Essex Museum.



For more on the legendary Iris Apfel, check out
“A fine spectacle” article by Christopher Muther
for the Boston Globe Magazine,

Photo credit: Bruce Weber

and come back next week to see my post on Friday nights Fashion Session with Iris Apfel (who coincidently, made a living as both a fabric and interior designer!)

Now, what to wear to the show???



P.S. There is still time to enter
my AllModern.com giveaway ...

the lucky prize winner will
be announced on 12/3!