Upon the event that you’ve ever been lucky enough to communicate with our customer service team…this is who is on the other end:

“The adventures of two women and one man
working together in one department.”

Since quality customer service is so important to us, these guys are very important to us. Luckily, we’ve got a great tight group with amazing karate chopping (aka customer service) skills.

We’ve shared a number of staff profiles in the past but there has been a major lapse in updating our team info. Now’s as good a time as any to get this going again and who better to start with than the Three’s Company (i.e. customer service) team. First up: Melissa!

Where are you from? Where do you live now? I am from the East Bay. I lived there forever until I decided to make a very ambitious trek across the bridge to San Francisco where I live now.

How did you get interested in design? I used to think design was frivolous and elitist and just didn’t think much about it until I interned for a magazine that featured new design products. I also had some friends that went to CCA for Design and that got me interested in the art. Now I see that design is an essential part of life because everything man made has to be designed by someone. Mostly, I admire the possibilities of combining art and functionality.

What’s your favorite DP product and why? I really like Thomas Paul’s Retro-looking Imperial Horse Linen Pillow and Apollo Head series. He has a definite sensibility for Retro-Victorian (don’t know if that’s an actual style, but in my book it counts).

What do you like most about our company? Why do you work here? I work here mostly because the staff is great. I love my co-workers and although the work here can be challenging I like the challenge. I like that we’re free-form and that there are many possibilities here if you make them happen. Also, I enjoy learning about design because you learn a great deal about people and lifestyle.

If you weren’t doing this what would you do? Probably Live in New York and write music reviews and starve.

What do you do in your spare time? I sing and play music.

Favorite member of the A-Team? The Oakland A’s? ha ha, don’t really know of the A-Team, I only know of Mister T and don’t think I quite get it, but I do like his fashion sense.

Thanks, Melissa!

From Julie:

Fernlund + Logan—a New York City firm that counts design god Ted Muehling among its clients—creates a thoroughly mod interior within a classic Manhattan townhouse, mixing classics (a Le Corbusier LC4 chaise) with future classics (Jasper Morrison Glo-Ball lights and a Marcel Wanders New Antiques table). Candelabras and a ghoulish crucifix over the mantle add an edgy note. Photos by Herman Verne.

Below: Recreate the look with the Le Corbusier LC4 Chaise Longue in natural canvas with black leather headrest and matte black enamel steel base; $2,585 at Design Within Reach.

Below L: Felted Wool Stones, $298 for small, $495 for medium, and $595 for large at Viva Terra. Below R: Gray Ludde Sheepskin, similar to the one draped on the Le Corbusier chaise; $39.99 at Ikea.

Below: Marcel Wanders New Antiques table for Cappellini; $2,529 at Unica Home.

Below: The Moroccan Zig-Zag Rug, handknotted in ivory and chocolate wool, starts at $1,825 for the 9-by-12-foot size at Williams-Sonoma Home.

Below L: Designed in 1962 by brothers Achille Castiglione and Pier Giacomo Castiglione, the Toio Floor Lamp was inspired by a car headlamp; $1,212 at Design Within Reach. Below R: Jasper Morrison’s large Glo-Ball Basic 2 Table Lamp by Flos is $872 at Lumens; Glo-Ball Basic 1 Table Lamp, a smaller version, is $596 at Lumens.

Below: The formidable (and formidably priced) Dorian Table by Dominique Matthieu features curvy lacquered legs and a heavy glass top; $10,500 at Conran USA; available in black or red.

Below: Beech Black Enamel Bentwood Chairs; $79 each at Kurt Peterson.

Alright ready. I know, I know. I always seem to be on semi-permanent hiatus from my blog. Well I got ton of things on my mind, namely getting my website updated. I believe, as of today, the index page is still announcing the NSS in May 2008. Nice. I should point out that on page 90 of Craft Inc, I wrote that you should "Update your site frequently with news or new products." And clearly, I am leading by example. I also tell people to always have their business cards on them, yet I am always writing my contact information on the backsides of other people's business cards when I meet them. I'm awesome like that.

Ironically, next week you'll find me on as a guest blogger on design*sponge. Obviously, have the time and energy to blog, just not on my own blog.

As for the above cookbook, "The Abundant Table: Recipes from the Bishop's Ranch Kitchen", which I illustrated, is finally out. So far I've made the pancakes (hey, I'm starting off easy) and they are delicious! I can't wait to try out the rest of their healthy recipes. And I have to say that Laura Crookston Deleot, the graphic designer, did a wonderful job! Such a pleasure working with her. Here are a couple of images from the book:

(the inside cover)

(introductory section)

Chic cushion
Woven of natural abaca, the Aqua Bead Circle pillow from Palecek showcases an embroidered bead design ($138).

GOBLET-SHAPED VASE
with Brushed Silver Trumpet-Style Base and Turquoise, Beige and Chocolate Finish, 5.5"D x 11.25"H, For Decorative Purposes Only, Glass, Brass, BB, Cs pk/4, ©2008, CBK Exclusive SUG. RETAIL $60.00.

WAVE-SHAPED TRAYS
with Light Blue and Light Green Reactive Glaze Finish, Set of 2, Lg: 20.75"L x 4.75"W x 4"H, Sm: 12"L x 3"W x 3"H, Ceramic, BB, Cs pk/4 sets, ©2008, CBK Exclusive SUG. RETAIL $34.50/ea. tray.

image source

image source

“Plum says calm; plum says clean; plum says health,� said a rep at Penta Water in Carlsbad, Calif. “Other products in the water category are blue, clear, red,� he added. “This color came out as a consistent representation of vitality, a pure product.� source

Redplum coupons

The Plum Card from American Express for business owners.

“When we were looking at the color of the plastic (during the planning stages), we wanted something classy and sophisticated, and the choice was a shade we called 'burgundy.' " But the company did not want to call it burgundy when marketing it, he added, for fear of confusion with wine brands.

Windsor Smith is a designer whose career is on fire. In addition to her interior design work, she just debuted a fabric collection, a furniture collection, and a rug line as well (whew!). I recently had the opportunity to speak with Windsor and it was quite a treat. Her personality is as warm and sparkling as her interiors.

To borrow the tagline from the National Enquirer, "Inquiring minds want to know", and that's the way I feel about design. So I decided to get Windsor's thoughts on anything and everything design related.


On Her New Fabric Line:
Windsor's new fabric line for Kravet has received rave reviews, and it's not hard to see why. The fabrics that caught my eye were her bold and graphic prints. But don't think that these are "in your face" prints. Windsor likes the snap and pop of strong pattern, but she chose to render them in soft colors like celadon and clove. And she wisely chose to use no more than two colors per print. The result? Prints that are classic and easy to live with. (Fabric available through Kravet showrooms and through her website.)

"Insignia" in Seafoam


"Continuum" in Chestnut

On Mixing Prints...With Style:
One question that I am asked often is how best to mix prints. I'll be the first to tell you that I'm not completely comfortable with doing this myself. Fortunately, Windsor shared some tips. First, mixing florals can be difficult, so you might want to stick with just one. Also, stripes, especially tone on tone, can work with a variety of prints. And if you're mixing multi-color prints, proceed with caution! Windsor advises using no more than two. Interestingly enough, Windsor gives the green light to mixing vintage fabrics, saying "anything goes". Her rationale? Vintage textiles become found objects and art and should be displayed almost like a collection. In her mind, Lynn von Kersting's work is a great example of this kind of mix.

See how well this gray and white striped fabric works with the pink and white paisley print? Windsor obviously practices what she preaches!


And look at the smashing combo of the green tonal stripes with the punchy pink print.

On White... and Blue:
It seems that every designer has one color which they add to every room. For Albert Hadley, it's red. For many others, it's black. For Windsor? White! As she says "the absence of color makes other colors sing!" That said, she also admits that she has a weakness for blue.


Blue and white in an East Coast Traditional home à la Windsor Smith.

On the Stars of her Collection:
So unless you've been hiding under a rock, you know that Windsor recently introduced her new furniture collection. And just what are her picks for the stand out pieces?


Brittany Secretary. Works as a TV cabinet, desk, or in bathrooms to hold makeup and towels.


Slim Chaise. Looks especially good nestled at the foot of a bed.


Entry Round Settee. Looks very "Grand Hotel" to me!

On Her Dream Clients:




(Jane Birkin- in case you're wondering)




Legendary style icon Slim Keith

On Her Current Favorite Design and Architecture Books:


An Affair with a House


Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People

On the Details that Make a House a Beautiful Home:

1) Art and found objects that reflect the personality of the homeowner
2) Large bundles of the same type flower in a casual vase
3) Lighting that makes a room come alive day and night
4) Floor plugs




Windsor has some wonderful Found Objects for sale on her website, including this Early Chippendale Table and the Antique French Fireplace Canopy

On the Future:
So what's next for Ms. Smith? Plenty. She's working on some amazing projects including a late 1940's equestrian estate. And, big things are in the works for her website. In addition to her online shop, there will be decorating advice, newsletters, and video. I'd say Windsor is in need of a vacation.

I've long admired Charlotte Moss. Of course as this is a design blog, I've talked many times about her style, her panache, and the gorgeous environments that she creates. She is such a talented woman. But there's more to it. She has business savvy and a vigorous work ethic. Interestingly, for someone whose aesthetic is rooted in tradition, she is a thoroughly modern woman.

As some of you may know, Moss recently made the difficult decision to close The Townhouse later this year. For those of you who have had the opportunity to visit it, you know that it is like no other store around. A few days ago, I spoke with Moss about the Townhouse, and she admitted to me that it was a decision that was not made lightly. One of the issues that many of us face is the lack of time to pursue new opportunities, to fully invest our energy and creativity in our current endeavors, and to spend time with family- in Moss' words, not being able "to have time to smell the roses". And this was just the problem that Moss was facing. With her career as a designer, a writer, a philanthropist, and a retailer, life was becoming a bit crowded. As she told me, she wanted the time to enjoy the process of retail, but career demands were making it difficult.

So while the Townhouse may be closing, it's not really going away. In fact, it's going virtual. We'll still be able to buy Moss' china, linen, and those gorgeous accessories on her website... and now we won't have to travel to New York to do so! Moss also told me that she plans on adding more editorial to her site, recognizing the popularity of the online design community.

Oh, and about that Charlotte Moss work ethic? She's working on a few books as well as adding products to her fabric and china collections. And she's still designing and decorating. It sounds to me like she's doing exactly what makes her happy!

1. invest in the best
Instead of filling a room quickly with things you can afford, enjoy the process and slowly add pieces you absolutely love.
2. borrow your own clothes
If you love the hue of a blouse (or anything smooth-textured), bring it to a paint store to be scanned and reproduced.
3. lighten up
Reflective, sparkly fabrics and wallpapers draw light into any space.
4. work with what you've got
Play up a room's assets. If it has high ceilings, put up really tall curtains. If it's a dark box, don't try to alter it—painting it bright white will only make it seem dingy; instead, go for cozy.
5. lights!
Even in small rooms, aim for at least three light sources—ideally a floor lamp and matching table lamps—to banish gloomy corners.
6. go antique-chic
Invest in one fabulous antique per room, to set the tone for the entire space.
7. think outside the welcome mat
Don't neglect your entryway! Think of it as an appetizer for what comes next. It should reflect your home's overall style but also contain something special, so guests want to see more.
8. collect more
Collect something that speaks to you. No matter what it is, there's impact in numbers.
9. skirt the issue
Skirted tables in offices or entryways can hide all manner of ills: shoes, kids' backpacks, mail—even filing cabinets.
10. beyond wallpaper
Upholstering, rather than papering, walls yields a layer of softness and luxury for about the same price.

i’m a sucker for a zig zag line (i’m always lusting after a full-sized version of this rug) and these new towels at williams sonoma home are calling me. i really love the persimmon/pumpkin combination (very fall) but the blues are perfectly summery as well. click here to check them out ($36 each).

ps: penelope green at the nytimes wrote a great article/at home with piece with faythe levine of handmade nation. it’s always inspiring to read about people like faythe in big mainstream news. click here to check it out.

this morning while i was holding ms. jackson in my lap and waiting for her soft paws to dry, i flipped through the new williams sonoma catalog and pretended that she was really interested in hearing my opinion on everything inside. she clearly wasn’t, but i thought this faux bois chair was fun. i wish it had cuter legs (i’d like this kind) but the fabric is pretty fun. click here to check it out.

i think all of my blogging colleagues received this email today so i’m assuming we all jumped at this story about new works from allan the gallant, formerly known as itte studio. based in barcelona, allan the gallant is a pattern studio that is now producing some fantastic textiles, patterns and wallpaper. all of the images jumped right off the screen for me and just begged to be posted so i’m going to let the images to do the talking. all i know is i want my house covered head to toe in that wallpaper above. how fantastic is that? click here for more information on allan the gallant.

 
for the past few weeks we’ve been exploring the major design hubs in australia. but as with anywhere, there are those incredibly talented artists and designers who are able to make a name for themselves from off the beaten track. today’s final regional roundup: australia covers everywhere in between. and while these features have been focusing on the contemporary design scene, aboriginal art - a history that covers 40,000 years - continues to make it’s mark on australia, and is something i still hope to explore (talk about patterns! . . . luckily, one of the best collections is at the kluge-ruhe aboriginal art collection at my beloved university of virginia, of all places). but that’s the beauty of these roundups - they’re a starting point to discover a place, begin a conversation and in a world that is constantly changing and each can be revisited. it’s been nearly three months since i started on this piece - which features over 40 designers - and it’s still only brushing the surface. so please continue the dialogue in the comments, sharing your new discoveries, favorite aussie designers, inspiration and observations. in case you missed any, you can find all the posts here. and to view this full post (and many more designers) just click here. [an incredible thank you to everyone who participated!!!] -anne

[aboriginal painting by roslyn ann kemp, above]

Magic Jelly

1. Where are you from? Where do you live now? 
Born & bred right here in Adelaide, South Australia.

2. Describe your work 
Most important to me is to communicate & connect.  I’ve just started a project called The Paper Chase, trading art for paper, it’s all about collaboration & communication.  I try to make my work as accessible as possible.  I like to use low-tech equipment (Gocco for instance) & commonplace materials, & to lavish care & attention on the forgotten, overlooked & discarded.  I tend to work on a small scale, firstly, because I’m a finicky fuss-budget obsessed with detail, but also because I want my work to be intimate & personal rather than to shout at you from across the room.  I hope a little bit of wit & levity creeps in there somewhere too.

3. How is your work influenced by where you live?
I often trawl the local secondhand markets for bits & pieces to use in my work, & take lots of photos, particularly of signage & architecture.  In fact, I’m combining my interest in architecture & ephemera at the moment by building a house out of paper, loosely based on a lovely row of late-Victorian terrace houses on the seafront near where I live.

4. Where do you go in Australia when you want to feel inspired? 
Anywhere that’s out of the house!  Every spring I start feeling restless & want to take a trip to Sydney.

5. How would you describe the Australian design scene? 
I really can’t say as I don’t feel that I’m a part of it - I’m a total hermit!  It’s a small market, that’s for sure - especially in Adelaide - & I tend to sell more internationally & do more commissions for overseas clients.  I think the Australian scene is growing though.

6. If you could go anywhere where would you go? 
I’m planning a visit to the US in a few months’ time to take a road trip along the West Coast.  Now, if you have a time machine handy, where I’d really like to go is back to the mid-20th century so I can go wild amassing huge quantities of ephemera & toys, & taking lots of photos.

Click here for more work by Karena and visit the Magic Jelly Etsy shop here.

Bison Home

1. Where are you from? Where do you live now?
I am From Grenfell NSW (population 2000 ). My family came on the Sirius…the first Fleet of White Settlers/Convicts who came to Australia in 1788. I currently live in Canberra and my studio is in a rural location (Pialligo) surrounded by plant nurseries and vineyards.

2. Describe your work
My work…best described as a ceramics designer. I am drawn to simple, classic forms and I produce a large range (140 profiles and 30 colours) of dinnerware and decorator pieces. I’m a former archaeologist and ancient historian who became tired of excavating broken pots in Syria … so I taught myself how to make them instead! We create forms which reflect the relationship between beauty…and practicality. I am fortunate to have a wonderful team of craftspeople who support me in crafting our Fine Australian Stoneware Collections.

3. How is your work influenced by where you live?
As a person who was training to be an academic… I was captivated by the evolution of design in Classical History…and the amazingly poignant social contexts behind ceramic vessels. To unearth a piece of pottery…over 2000 years old with a fingerprint in it sends chills up your spine. I also went to School in Malmo Sweden and the colours and subtlety of Scandinavian seasons and design…obviously filter through my palette and shapes.

4. Where do you go in Australia when you want to feel inspired?
I absolutely love The Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Crusing along the stark coastline in a car or just spending time at our family Beachhouse near Portsea. Simple, unpretentious…and better still…uncomplicated.

5. How would you describe the Australian design scene?
Australia is changing rapidly in terms of global visibility and credibility. I always find it ironic though that within our own country people find it hard to conceptualize that viable design and manufacture can occur outside of Sydney and Melbourne. People look somewhat bemused when you tell them your studio is in Canberra (Our capital is better known for the Greenhouse gasses which come out of the Parliament Buildings!) That being said I see numerous whimsical and elegant works from talented artists/designers emerging…particularly working with textiles.

6. If you could go anywhere where would you go? If I could travel anywhere and spend time it would be south America…Belize in particular. The fusion of Jungle (with panthers) Mayan Pyramids and Amish/Mennonite settlers….sounds so disparate you’d have to get inspiration!

Click here for more from Bison Home.

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I knew that once we became parents, our lives would be flooded with tons colorful plastic products. Some of it is necessary, but we try to keep it from taking over completely. Though we’re nowhere near this phase yet, this product The Family Seat from One Step Ahead, gives me hope. It’s a seat that comes with a junior-sized ring attached, available in wood grain or white. As long as I can train the hubbie to put TWO seats down, rather than just one, it could be just the ticket for some aesthetically pleasing toilet training. Time will tell! For a full review of the product, check out celebritybabyblog.com. — Angela M.

It’s been a while since we’ve given you an update on our bee hives: We’ve been patiently letting them set up their homes and gear up for the coming winter. You see, fall honey production is dedicated to building up a stockpile to survive the cold months, and since our hives are just a few months old, we have to be mindful not to leave the cupboards bare. But when one produced several full sheets of capped honey in one week, we knew it would be okay to quench our curiosity and have a little taste. We took one sheet and scraped off all of the comb, including the honey, and mashed it through a fine filter. The honey we gathered is a rich a dark brown, the result of a fall harvest from lots of oak and chestnut trees near our home. The taste is unbelievable! It has a depth and flavor you just don’t get from mass produced honey. We got three precious bottles: One of our neighbor (whose flowers keep our bees happy), one for the vault and one to eat now! I’m hoping it will help fend off my seasonal allergies, which have been bad lately. Let the good times flow. — Angela M.

Click here to see all of our beekeeping adventure posts!

With all the depressing economic news this week, wouldn’t it feel good to win something for free? How ’bout a boxful of lovely John Derian products from Target? The kind folks from their PR team have contributed a pile of goodies, as you can see in the photo above. It includes a wastepaper basket, desktop notes, wall art, and serving tray all decked out with airy birds, butterflies and fauna.

How do you win this bounty, you ask? Simply email us a JPG of the stuff you collect, along with a short description. It could be wall-ful of paint-by-numbers, a gaggle of squirrels, Niagara Falls memorabilia, straw hats — you name it! We’ve gotten a few entries but would love a few more, so we are extending this contest to the end of next week, Oct 3rd. So grab those digital cameras, snap some pix and send them in today! Email to us at letters at sheltterific dot com. Don’t miss this!

P.S. The first runner up will get a copy of To Each His Home by Bilyana Dimitrova.