FutureVision 2020 Offers Unique Insight

Design Professionals From Across the U.S. to Reporton Current Conditions and Future Expectations

NEW YORK—December 17, 2009—FutureVision 2020, an overview of the current state of the U.S. design market along with insights into the social and cultural current that will impact consumers’ motivations, values and lifestyles over the next 10 years, will be a featured event at IMM Cologne. FutureVision consists of a group of interior design professionals representing major U.S. markets including New York, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Atlanta. In addition to the presentation, which will take place on January 20 at 11:30 pm at the Stage Area in Hall 3.2, the FutureVision designers will be meeting with European vendors to research new products for the U.S. market and develop business relationships.

FutureVision debuted to overwhelmingly positive reviews at the 2009 NeoCon trade show in Chicago, North America’s largest contract furniture market. That presentation examined how the combined volatility of uncertain economic conditions and dramatic changes within the design industry are working to reshape the role of the design professional in the U.S. The members of the FutureVision panel will report from the front lines of this rapidly changing industry.

“The market for design in the U.S. achieved tremendous growth in the last decade or so, but the design consumer is changing, the interior design business model is changing, and there are critical shifts in long-term consumer values and behaviors,” said Susan Schultz, a co-developer of the FutureVision 2020. “Given the different demands and requirements based on distinct regional differences; it all adds up to a highly complex market.”

The designers in the FutureVision group offer European press the opportunity to gain valuable insight to the latest trends in the U.S. interior design market. To arrange individual or group interviews, receive complete bios, headshots, and contact information for the individual designers, please contact Ms. Schultz at susan@spacedowntown.com by January 17. To attend the FutureVision presentation, please RSVP by January 18 to susan@spacedowntown.com.


FutureVision Group Overview

Deb Barrett, FutureVision Co-Developer
As an award-winning designer based out of the Chicago area, Deb Barrett has built a reputation for cutting edge couture treatments and soft furnishings; and is an accomplished speaker, editor and author. Barrett regularly speaks at design industry events on a variety of design, business and trend topics. Barrett has attended and reported on the European design fairs for a decade, developing trend and product reports for design industry clients. Her fascination with what’s around the corner and the constant search for inspiration has led her to her current roles as consultant, speaker and design blogger

Susan Schultz, FutureVision Co-Developer
With a background in design communication, marketing and product development, Susan Schultz looks a big-picture design industry changes with a view as to how companies can best adapt and succeed in a rapidly evolving market. A highly respected speaker at design industry events, Schultz has been covering the European design markets for over a decade, reporting on product and material trends, business opportunities and new design directions. Based in New York City, she originated the first-ever NYC off-site design event to run along with ICFF.

Jackie Von Tobel is an interior designer, illustrator, author and product designer with almost 20 years of experience in turnkey residential and interior design. Based out of Las Vegas, she has authored and illustrated three design encyclopedias for Gibbs Smith and has recently created a line of eco-friendly fabrics available through her website, Jackie Von Tobel

Beth Hodges owns and operates a custom workroom in the Atlanta area that provides wholesale drapery, soft furnishings and upholstery services to design professionals. With over 20 years of experience as a business owner, Hodges is also the immediate past president of the Window Coverings Association of America, an organization with over 30 chapters across the U.S., having served in that role for two consecutive terms. Hodges is also an experienced instructor and seminar leader.

Susan Sifakis established her custom workroom in the Boston area in 1996 to provides wholesale drapery, soft furnishings and upholstery services to design professionals. Throughout her career she has pursued educational and business development opportunities, to improve both her own business and the status of the design industry. She currently serves on the Drapery & Design Professional Advisory Board and as a WCAA Industry Education Guidelines committee.

Sharon Woodward is an interior design consultant based in Scottsdale who works with a national client base. In her 15+ years in the design business she has adapted to changing clientele and locations, having moved her successful business from the Chicago area in 2003. She has since served as WCAA chapter president in the Scottsdale region and is the 2010 IFDA Arizona chapter president-elect.


About FutureVision:
Developed by Deb Barrett and Susan Schultz, two interior design professionals who share a passion for market intelligence, trend development and new business directions, FutureVision is a platform for leading designers and other industry figures to share their insights and experiences with other design professionals through market research, business development consultations, training sessions, workshops and unique opportunities. More information can be found at www.designbusinessRx.com.

imm Cologne News

IMM Cologne has just released the details of several interesting tours developed to introduce U.S. visitors to the wider array of design available throughout Cologne. The half-day tour (conducted in English) will include stops at several of Cologne's “mini design centers" including Rheinauhafen, Spicherhoefe and ending up at Design Post, a year-round showroom destination right across the street from IMM.
In the course of the tour, visitors will be able to visit showrooms including Boffi, B&B Italia, Moroso, Kvadrat, Nya Nordiska and many others. The schedule is such that you can do the tour (lunch included) and still have a few hours in the afternoon at the show.

Other tours include:

2000 years of architecture in Cologne: From the Romans to Renzo Piano

Rheinauhafen -The new architectural highlight of Cologne is the former dockyard along the Rhine which has been changed in an architectural playground. According to the New York Times this is one place to be visited among 44 worldwide. We want to invite you in an architectural office which has been working in the historical Rheinkontor since the late 80s. With insider talk
and presentations of old documentation material we will offer you a view inside the exciting
development of the dockyard.
For a more details and complete schedule, contact IMM Cologne’s U.S. office.

{via Vision Editor's blog}

OBESSION: Suzanis

Since I first saw their bright colors peeking out of piles of textiles in the booths of Hall 1 at M&O, I have been obsessed with Suzanis. Those of you who know me, know that I am a fabric-oholic. I decided right then that I needed to add one of those fabulous specimens to my small, but growing textile collection.

So I cut out suzani inspiration and posted it on my office wall, read about them; dreamed about them upholstered on my reproduction Louis balloon chair; designed window treatments with them. After all, if I could use it as a sample; then I could maybe justify the purchase. As I coveted my suzani they became more popular and I watched them ride the trend curve. First showing up in the design affluents , then moving into the mainstream and showing up as printed textile pattern inspiration. I continued to obsess.

I came close to owning my first one in January pouring over the abundance of suzanis on my visit to M&O, but when you are presented with too many options, the paradox of choice kicks in. I decided not to decide.
This month when Susan went to Paris for the design shows, she asked if I had a Paris shopping list- I said to myself- I deserve it- and put the suzani on my list. I sent her my inspiration photos, my budget and left it in her hands. She did fabulously! I got a sneak peek via email last week and I can now say I am the proud owner of a suzani.

My Suzani

What is a Suzani?
The Central Asian equivalent to an heirloom quilt. Handmade, hand stitched and handed down.
A lavishly embroidered cloth ( suzan means needle in Persian) produced for centuries by talented needle workers as folk art and adorning tables walls, beds and horses. After the iron curtain lifted, we rediscovered them.

Corner Detail

The Backstory
Traditionally made on silk or cotton backgrounds; Suzanis are first taken to a baster who stitches together the narrow widths and draws the design on the seamed cloth. Then it is taken apart and each female family member embroiders a separate strip; working finely stitched s stylized designs with a kind of small crochet hook. Colors are spectacularly created with dyes from granate skins, walnuts, and indigo.When finished, they are reassembled. Because they were heavily used, the earliest examples we have are from 18th century, but the designs- palmettes, botahs, tulips-suggest the Greek and Ottoman Empire. Older suzanis were on neutral grounds; unlike today’s colored backgrounds of red, gold, pink and sometimes violet.

What to look for
Antique Suzanis run $3000 - $5000.
Outstanding needlework- look for overstitching with subtle differences in shadings in different light s
Changing designs with no set pattern repeats are more exciting
Large medallion suzanis from mid 19th century

What to avoid
Worn pieces. Hold up to the light for holes and wear marks
Overly bright colors could be synthetic
Over faded examples. Keep yours out of direct sunlight
Fragments; unless you are piecing.

Look at the floral facing on the reverse side

Runway to Window

Straight from the catwalks of Milan, Paris, London and New York into America’s room and windows- Fashion’s top trends have always sparked interior designers’ imaginations.
Here are our top six Fashion trends for the home in 2009/2010 as presented at IWCE in May. Today we'll focus on three. Check back Tuesday for the other three.
Lace
There’s no doubt that lace is a potential taste trap So to make lace look at all appealing required a fresh sets of eyes, a different approach to technology. Over the past several seasons lace has been slowly been making its way back into fashion—we first cited lace as an inspiration back in 2006/2007, but it was the fall 2008 fashion season that really put lace back into spotlight. Prada used guipure lace is various colors–metallic gold, midnight blue, classic black, saffron, taupe,, and more—in 90% of her runway looks; and in many of her lower-priced Mui Mui pices. She left it unlined, layering it over flesh colored body-suits, granny panties and bras, and high-collared turtlenecks; an inversion of the typical lace peek-a-boo approach. At the same time, designers such as Stella McCartney, Sophia Kokosalaki and Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy were approaching lace in terms of piecing, laser-cutting and other structured looks. Lace could be tough without be trashy. Lace is no longer confined to the special occasion ghetto, or for “women of a certain age”. Some houses, including Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana and John Varvatos are showing lace looks for men.
For an interesting look at the “lace capital of the world” check out this short article in the New York Times Style magazine, go to http://www.nytimes.com/ and enter Playing the Lace Card in the search box.


Christain LaCroix Lace Detailing

Fendi Laser Cut Lace

Jakob Schlaepfler's Pizzogrande for

their '09 Home Collection

Patricia Urquoila for Mutina Tiles

Pattern Mixing
Fashion has always been comfortable mixing things up, an approach that has entered the home lexicon as the ambiguously named “eclectic” style. But in recent seasons we’ve seen an ever-more intriguing take on this, spear-headed by the spring 2008 collection of Dries Van Noten, whose intricate and colorful florals were engineered to look as if the different prints occurred by coincidence and just happened to look fabulous. It’s important to remember that a kind of WASP-y disregard for style conventions has always been a key part of this looks—from Lilly Pulitzer shift dresses to the bleeding madras of East Coast prep school kids, to the swirling psychedelia of Pucci prints. A more recent touchstone for this look is Patricia Field, who developed the off-center looks for Sex and the City and currently for the title character in Ugly Betty.

Besides the literal translation, Interiors can take a page from this fashion trend in a couple of ways- literally taking color blocking up a notch by using patterns and taking advantage of digital printing to engineer prints to the end window treatment style- box pleated, attached valances all engineered on one run of cloth.

Dries Van Noten

Boro by Kenzo Maison

Punky/Chunky
The ‘80s are alive and well in terms of fashion inspiration. Chains, studs, rivets and especially zippers have migrated from accessories to the main event, showing up in dresses from Balmain, Versace, Max Azria, Gucci, and more.

The slightly dangerous, sexy vibe of how the ‘80s punk scene was originally interpreted by Madonna shows up in layers of chains and pearls, and the piling on of bracelets and cuffs; while the edgier London-based punk scene pioneered by Vivienne Westwood is evident in the studded leather, the widespread use of zippers and the imagery of bondage transformed into fashion.

An outgrowth of this look is the big hardware look that has shown up in accessories—oversize details on glasses, handbags and especially jewelry.

This year's chunky jewelry becomes tiebacks

Color de Seda's Molokai tiebacks

Caviar Tieback by Color de Seda

Sacho Hessein Tiebacks- Armor and Lancelot

Vision'09

Hi all,

I am in ATL this week for Vision '09:IWCE . Watch for posts and pics of all the new exciting products and services launched at the show. I'll be posting this year's fabulous vignettes, video of floor presentations and some surprises too!




If you Twitter, you can follow me at http://twitter.com/windowdressings

Fashion Show debuts on Bravo

Calling all fashionistas! The Fashion Show premieres on Bravo on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Fifteen professional designers will compete in this fashion creative competition series for a chance to have their designs sold in the retail market and win a $125,000 prize.

If you’re a Project Runway watcher, you know that it has been over a year since we have seen Tim Gunn, Nina and Michael Kors dice up the designers on Bravo’s Project Runway. If you aren’t a fanatic, here’s the reason why. Bravo and parent NBC got into a nasty legal battle when Harvey Weinstein, producer of the show sold it to the highest bidder. NBC sued for breach of contract and Weinstein alleged lack of promotion. The suit has been settled so Bravo is getting set to launch its PR wannabee-Fashion Show- with hosts Issac (Yea!) Mizarahi and Kelly Rowland. So if you need a fashion fix tune in.

To make it even more interesting, join the Trend Team in Fafarazzi’s Fashion Show Fantasy League. (The trend team played as we religiously watched PR and then dished about the wacky designers and the clothes they created post show.).
By the way- Lifetime was the highest bidder and season six will start airing this summer. Oh can’t wait that long? Check out the finalists from February’s Bryant Park shows – no names were revealed!) See the Trend Team at Vision'09 when we present our very own Fashion Show.

Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Spring in New York means the opening April 17th of the 37th annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House. The annual showcase for A-list designers that is eagerly awaited event for their devotees, this year’s edition will makeover the doublewide limestone mansion of real estate tycoon and art patron Aby Rosen on the city's Upper East Side. In a nod to the this year’s Design Icon honoree, Albert Hadley, the Show House will feature designers who studied with Hadley, America's preeminent designer and the creative force behind the homes of Brooke Astor, Babe Paley, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

The list of participants includes several design legends in their own right, from Gloria Vanderbilt and Amy Lauto a trio of Interior Design Hall of Famers: Jamie Drake, Juan Montoya and Bunny Williams.

Lau's contributions also recognize another luminary, Maya Romanoff, who is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his namesake wall covering company. Lau collaborated with paper artist Jo Lynn Alcorn on a 3-D installation that will utilize Maya Romanoff products in a stunning display that will transform a skylight-topped spiral staircase between the second and third floors.

Business Of Design: James Swan's Great Idea

We're all about niche marketing here at TrendSpot. California interior designer James Swan's "After Care" program is a unique take on using a niche to create another revenue model for your business. Conceived when a customer mentioned to James that they had no idea about what was entailed in continuing care of what James' calls -the physical plant. The client commented that he didn't have a clue about how to handle the post project management in their new home. “Because I am a people pleaser, I said it’s done; we’ll take care of It “, says Swan. They started looking at the idea and realized this is not a unique experience and because we work with people who have fairly substantial properties this could be a great opportunity. Unique clients aside; each home is different. One might have polished brass hardware that needs to be hand polished three times a year and the house next door might have polished nickel that patinas on its own. Plus, Swan realized there are still gray areas about who does what and when- even if you have staff. Out of that conversation grew the after care program. The program is separate from his design scope of services. He uses it as a talking point when interviewing for a project. Swan hasn’t expanded the program beyond his existing client base, but acknowledges there certainly is a market for it.
Here’s how it works:

· Be clear about what ongoing care, upkeep and needs there are. Then quantify it by doing a through project and services inventory
· Use the All your Eggs in One Basket approach. Comb the property for items and system needs that need at least once a year then create your scope of services list from that.
· Present a proposal to clients in a face-to-face individually crafted to their needs and offering them options of doing it all, something in between or nothing.
· Present a contract that provides scheduling of tradespeople and craftsman, onsite supervision to make sure the project is understood and done correctly and follow-up including picture perfect cleanup.
· The client pays the craftsmen directly and you bill the client the supervision fees.

Sound interesting? Are there AfterCare products or services you can add to your scope of services?

Anticipating the Home Sector in 2009: Lloyd Princeton, Veranda publisher Sims Bray, designer Mark Cutler, Williams Sonoma VP Katherine Stout & aspenhome's Jena Hall

Anticipating the Home Sector 2009

"Part 2 of the Las Vegas paenel discussion on Home Sector 2009

GMI Trend Unit

The Home Sector in 2009: Discussed by Veranda publisher Sims Bray, L.A. designer Mark Cutler, Williams Sonoma VP Katherine Stout and Aspenhome's Jena Hall

The Home Sector in 2009: Las Vegas Panel Discussion

" This is part 1 of a panel discussion at Las Vegas Market about the state of the Home and Design in 2009". Part 2 to come tomorrow. Well worth reading.
GMI Trend Unit

Oxymoron: Window Coverings and Innovation?

I want to share a recent post my our friend, Carol Blanchard on her Faux Iron Design Sphere blog. She comments on the silver lining that comes with tough economic times- innovation and creativity. Glad to hear it. I have been saying for sometime that our industry has lagged behind others in innovative product design. With R+T starting tomorrow, maybe we will see new products that will make window fashions a MUST HAVE for consumers.
What was the last big innovation in window coverings?
Let me know your thoughts on innovation in the window coverings industry?

Trend Trek

I am off later today to Europe for the first round of design trade shows for 2009. I'll be reporting on Heimtextil, imm Cologne and Maison et Objet. I can't wait. Of course, the carrot at the end of the stick is Paris- my favorite city!!
Here's a sneak peek of the Heimtextil trends. Check back here over the next 2 weeks when I'll be posting direct from the shows. Be one of the first to see what's ahead....



Illusionist
High technologies for featherweight padding, layering and folding create an illusion of mass and bulk. Play a game of hide and seek behind delicately woven drapes and move around freely in layer upon layer of breezy mille-feuilles and soft, structured folds for a natural human beauty. A sculptured volume.
Time Traveler
Only the finest treasures of the past are kept and covered in patina or shiny new coatings, embellished or embroidered, to set the stage for our reclaimed cultural heritage. Cherishing decorative art from deco to nouveau and embracing intricate detailing for the ultimate luxury




Fortune Teller
The all-seeing eye tells of fortune and fame found in chaos and eccentricity. In a world where all cultures collide and yesterday spills into tomorrow, the vagabond, bohemian and free spirit rule. Eco and ethnic folks break all the rules and create a rainbow of new ethics and traditions.

Welcome to the TrendSpot!

We think that trend watching is more than spotting the next new color, fabric, or hot designer. We believe it’s observing and understanding what’s driving the trend and then figuring out:
how it impacts your business;
how to counter any threats
how to capitalize on the next wave of opportunities.

The famed “cool-hunters” of the mid-90s were just one-woman shows, independent designers who noticed some interesting changes and realized there was an opportunity to be had. Recognizing and responding effectively to trends is great way to grow your business: it’s fun, it fits into your natural abilities as a designer, and it’s easier than ever.
So at the Trendspot,we’ll present and brainstorm consumer and interior trends. We’ll discuss what is truly driving each trend, and relate those findings to our industry and your brand. We’ll generate new ideas about what you can do to create a powerful brand and we promise to be thought-provoking and inspiring, always leaving you with not only fresh product knowledge in terms of design direction, but also forward-thinking ideas that aid in being a sustainable business today, tomorrow and beyond.

Finally, we invite you to be an integral part of this experiment. We want to hear what you have to say; we want to see what you’ve been spotting; we want you to join in on the collective design intelligence of the TrendSpotter’s community.