Wednesday, September 16, 2009

World Market Center Designer Forum Uncovers Next Season's Hottest Trends:

From Mixing Metals to Ethnic Patterns to Raw Materials,
Las Vegas Market Reveals it First




(LAS VEGAS)—Sept.16, 2009— Always “Ahead of the Curve” World Market Center Las Vegas today offered an exclusive preview of next season’s hottest home design trends during its inaugural September Las Vegas Market when three of the nation’s leading designers presented their top picks on the Market’s interactive webcast and live panel discussion. Ahead of the Curve, an intimate designer dialogue, featured Timothy Corrigan, Laura Kirar and Vicente Wolf, alongside moderator Susanna Salk, a style guru and Today show contributor.

“The trends revealed at Las Vegas Market are just a taste of what is energizing our industry, said Robert Maricich, President and Chief Executive Officer of World Market Center Las Vegas. “They represent a freshness, a new way of thinking and delivering design to the world. These pieces and looks will set the stage for what will be in demand for the months ahead.”

After perusing 5.1 million square feet of showrooms located throughout three inter-connected buildings, which contain more than 1,400 exhibitors product lines, the design experts discovered many distinct and noteworthy trends.

“It’s always exciting to uncover stand-out pieces and identify trends,” said Susanna Salk, design expert and Today show contributor. “Las Vegas Market offers something for everyone, whether it’s upscale floor coverings to chic furniture or affordable decorative accessories, it’s easy to find many items that reflect various styles.”

“One of my design principles is to mix classic with modern, so I’m thrilled to see that trend embraced and shown at Las Vegas Market,” said Timothy Corrigan, who was hailed ‘Today’s Tastemaker’ by Architectural Digest.

“In my work I always try to incorporate the handmade and the handcrafted. It’s wonderful to see that the work of the artist in design has become an important trend,” said Laura Kirar, founder and creative director of TRU Design and Laura Kirar Design Licensing.

“To deal with the present, you have to understand the past. My focus in design has always been to introduce a worldly aesthetic to spaces that are comfortable yet stylish. I am happy to see that this is a trend that is finally taking hold,” said Vicente Wolf, who was named by House Beautiful as one of the 10 most influential designers in the United States.

The Trends Revealed:
Into the Woods

From over-scaled, unfinished wooden vessels, to dining tables created from lychee wood to floor coverings woven with wooden tiles, the trend is to take one of the world’s most basic and natural elements and create something extraordinary that can be used in everyday life.
Unconventional Concrete
Not just for industrial use anymore, concrete is taking new shapes inside and out of residential spaces. Creatively designed and stained, concrete as a material is found in dining and living rooms, whimsical outdoor furniture and even residential console sinks.
Sculptured Sheen
Sculpted lines framing pieces with a glossy finish make up one of next season’s trends in design. Incorporated on bed posts, dressers and small tables, the juxtaposition of traditional forms to clean cut lines bring a sense of the past to the present time with a modern twist.
Mixed Metals
Gone are the days when metals have to match. Mix shiny and matte, mercury and mirror, or chrome with nickel to achieve a curiously bipolar look. Mixed metals are appearing on dining buffets, tables and decorative accessories like candlesticks and vases.
Trendy Turquoise
Though turquoise is ancient, yet again it finds itself back in fashion. Its shining sky blue is one of the most popular color trends for next season. Sofas, lamps, vases, accent tables, and even chandeliers are designed in the color turquoise, which adds a punch of color to any space.
The Natural World
Many designs seen at Market celebrate the pure and organic shapes and textures that come directly from the source: Mother Earth. Driftwood sculptures, raw linen shades, unfinished wooden lamps all represent a need to return to simplicity.
Unexpected Elements
Expect the unexpected with a new trend that pairs classic with modern, raw with smooth and polished with satin. A raw slab of wood with organic lines coupled with modern chairs can create a provocative dining room. Juxtapose a classic wingback chair with a contemporary metal and glass table. The end result is a modern, elegant and fresh look that both is timeless and current.
Ethnic without Borders
The essence and flavor of the world comes alive in this trend involving patterns, textures and materials. Next season’s accessories reflect an ethnic quality absent of a border or distinct origin. Whether it’s a vintage throw or an exotic outdoor market umbrella, the destination may be unknown but the feeling can’t be denied.
New Energy. New Look.
Smoke and mirrors are no longer the only way to create an illusion and change the look of something. Two effortless ways to draw new energy and generate different moods in a space is to use screens and mirrors. Whether they are small or large in scale, colorful or colorless, meant to break-up or unite a space, these timeless accessories are an easy way to update a room and transform its look.



From Ellie at Vintage in Vegas: I'm sharing the above article sent out from the World Market Design Center in Las Vegas. I was a bit under the weather this week so I couldn't attend the events at the WMDC . However, I did catch the Ahead of the Curve webcast and thoroughly enjoyed the entire presentation. To get a peek at the designers top picks, you can view an archived version of Ahead of the Curve, by logging onto
www.lasvegasmarket.com/aheadofthecurve.

http://vintageinvegas.blogspot.com



Tuesday, September 15, 2009

The Artfull Bras Project

My sister, MaryJean, sent me this link some time ago. I want to share it with you before it closes in October.

Bras for a Cause: Breast Cancer Awareness
Check this wonderful exhibit by the members of Quilters of South Carolina.

Fundraisers like this project are held all across the country to support Breast Cancer Awareness and to honor the survivors and those who have been lost to this type of cancer. Proceeds are also used to assist women who need screening or treatment now but don't have the insurance to cover the expense.

Some people are Sew Creative!!!!!!!
Click on the link below, then click on the Artfull Bras Project

http://www.quiltersofsc.org/


http://vintageinvegas.blogspot.com














Monday, September 14, 2009

Fashion and Design News and Trends - WWD.com

A peek at the most popular colors chosen by fashion designers for Spring.
Fashion and Design News and Trends - WWD.com

Shared via AddThis

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Iconic Women Featured in the Movies

Julia Child, Georgia O'Keefe, Coco Chanel


Just a few weeks back I caught a great flick, Julie and Julia, at a local theater. It is based on the lives of two women, the famous French Chef, Julia Child and a young women named Julie who challengers herself to cook every recipe in Child's book, The Art of French Cooking, and do it in one year. Meryl Streep portrays Julia Child--you will fall in love with the actress and Julia Child--and Amy Adams plays the driven young Julie.
If you haven't seen it go!! There's nothing like the big screen. Check out the trailer at http://www.julieandjulia.com/.


One Night Only, September 19: Lifetime Channel presents an original movie, Georgia O'Keefe, based on the life of the renown female artist. The feature starts off in O'Keefe's early years as a fiercely independent and then unknown female artist who falls in love with famed photographer and art impresario Alfred Stieglitz. Alfred becomes her benefactor and champions her artistry. They become lovers, but eventually the relationship suffers as O'Keefe becomes a rising star poised to eclipse Alfred's light. Alfred becomes vindictive in his attempts to emotionally wound her. Georgia's search for solace moves her west where she finds new inspiration for her paintings, and ultimately her own voice - in the New Mexico landscape.
Academy award and Golden Globe nominee, Joan Allen co-stars with Jeremy Irons.


Coco Before Chanel opens in major theaters September 25. Audrey Tautou stars as legendary fashion designer Coco Chanel. Based on the Chanel biography L'Irreguliere (The Nonconformist) by author Edmonde Charles-Roux. I've read another biography on Coco so I really get her nonconformist ways and I like her a lot. The epic features dresses from the Chanel collection.
See the trailer at http://www.sonyclassics.com/cocobeforechanel/-4k


Pass the popcorn please.




http://vintageinvegas.blogspot.com/