A Few Good Articles

In the past few weeks, I’ve read a few good articles on design. ?I thought I’d put them together for you in one post. ?Here we go!

Revamp Your Home with the Right Designer?- Courtesy of Arizona Central.

How to Work Best with an Interior Designer?- Courtesy of CNN.

TVs Dictating Interior Design Decisions?- Even though the article is based on UK couples, I think it translates well to homes here in the U.S.? I remember when my husband asked me if I minded if we bought a new TV — “uhm, ok, I guess we need a new one” — and a few days later the delivery guys delivered a box taller than I am. ?I personally would have preferred a television you can hide behind a painting, but that ship has sailed (for now). ?Courtesy of Infomatics Online.

Fiction Mirrors – I had to include this new product offering: it’s so original. ?I love how it fades into the background…although I’m still not clear if it turns back into a true mirror if someone passes in front of it. ?Courtesy of Dwell’s blog.

The Floating Round Bed?- I think it’s so cool…but is it classic? ?I’m digging the natural horizontal concrete-y finish in the background wall.?Courtesy of Apartment Therapy.?

Setting Competitive Fees for Your Business?- I have some blog readers who own/want to own creative small businesses. ?This is an article for Interior Designers but I thought it had some good advice for similar businesses. Consumers can also read about what is involved in establishing design fees. Courtesy of CNN Money.

Top 10 Design Hotels (Impeccable Decor experienced at their “organic best”)?- This list is for those who love to find a gem of a small hotel at a great price while traveling. ?My favorite description is for the Hotel Kabuki?in San Francisco — aesthetically what would happen “if Quentin Tarantino designed hotels rather than made movies”. ?Hmm. ?I know where my brother’s next vacation is going to be.

Research Weighs Consumers in Soft Market?- Great article on consumer preferences and opinions in the current housing and design market, straight from Orlando’s International Builder’s Show. ?Courtesy of Nation’s Building News.

Reben?- Quick blurb from last year on a new Japanese-made paint, one that emits no VOCs and actually cleans the air. ?I’m totally looking into this, knowing how our company strives to be eco-friendly. ?Courtesy of transstudio.

A Global Sweep on a Tiny Budget?- A good article on one family’s challenge to transform their apartment into a functional design haven. ?I only wish they had put a warmer color on the walls…but that’s just me. ?Courtesy of the NY Times.

Finally, I picked up the latest Consumer Reports magazine since it had “Interior Paints” right on the cover. ?(I also picked up In Style, lest you believe that all I think about is paint. ?Don’t know what would give you that impression.)? So, although Consumer Reports may not be happy about it, I’m saving you $5.99 and just letting you know the results. ?There’s been a big shake-up in the results this year — Home Depot’s Behr had dominated the results from 2003 but there are some new sheriffs in town. ?Call it the passing of the paint stirrer baton. ?Kilz’ Casual Colors and Behr’s Premium Plus Enamel topped four categories: Best Values, Toughest, Tops for One-Coat Coverage and Best for a Smooth Finish. ?Benjamin Moore’s Regal Matte dominated the Flat Sheen category and Glidden’s Evermore and Olympic’s Premium were the Best for Sunny Spaces (most resistant to fading). ?Kilz is available in Wal-Mart, Behr and Glidden are available at Home Depot, Lowe’s has Olympic and Benjamin Moore is available at their eponymous stores.

If Consumer Reports should come for me — should I use “Blue Steel” for my mug shot?