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In this green design business profile, I salute Carol Sorensen-Baumgartel of American Clay.  I met Carol in early 2006 in Seattle at the Home Show. Carol is the VP of Marketing/Co-founder of American Clay Enterprises, Inc.  Carol studied painting and ceramics, earning a BFA in Ceramics from the University of Denver. In 1980, she entered the world of Interior Design and was President of the ASID New Mexico chapter (1991-93). Specializing in interior finishes for commercial builders, residential builders and architects, putting elements together to highlight the physical aspects of a building – and won some interior awards for model homes in the process.

The impetus to the creation of American Clay arose from the health issues which plagued her son, Croft Elsaesser (now CEO and president) as he practiced his profession of Faux Finisher. The physical illnesses –headaches, skin rashes, breathing difficulties–created by the materials he had been using to create magnificent surfaces for his customers were worrisome. Finding natural alternatives to the paints, sealers and acrylic/gypsum wall finishes became paramount to continuing in his profession.

American Clay Natural Earth Plasters bring the appealing finishes of Nature to your Home, Office, School, Business, anywhere you want to add healthful beauty to your interior walls and ceilings. Manufactured in and using materials from the United States, American Clay uses natural clays, recycled and reclaimed aggregates, and vibrant natural pigments in each of  three beautiful finishes.

Ecohaus in Seattle shares details about American Clay. My project, Casa Montecito, utilized American Clay entirely for the nearly 7,000 square feet.

Tags: American Clay plaster, design, green, home, natural, walls
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Color choices in furniture over the past decade have been mostly “brown, brown or more brown,” says Louis Slone, owner of Slone Brothers Furniture in Longwood, Fla.  “People are tired of brown. We’ve been ramming it down their throats for years,” he says. “They’re ready for a change.”

Starting last winter amid the gray days of Seattle, I sensed and then witnessed that color changes were coming.  As I drove by Brooks Brothers in downtown Seattle I did a double take.  My perception of this company is conservative, traditional but there in the windows were bold cabana stripes. Talk about waking up the windows! That’s when my intuition was confirmed.  Color is on the way. And ready or not, we’re getting it.

Colors from Hickory Chair

“In home furnishings, we’ve had a long period of neutral colors in wood and upholstery. With concerns over the gloomy economy, consumers are looking for a spark of brightness — something that feels like fun and makes them smile.”

Some new designs feature hot pinks, oranges and yellows. Others come in cool but lively blues, greens and turquoise.

Pink and lime green ottoman

“In a tough, uncertain economy, people’s homes become their haven,” says Kris Kolar, vice president for interior design at Robb & Stucky Interiors. “Bright colors make their haven a happier place.”

None of these experts is advocating a total home makeover in lime green or fuchsia.  Instead, Slone expects that homeowners will be looking for unique, colorful items.  I already see this trend appearing in my projects too.  Pieces such as an aqua-lacquered bowl, a turquoise sideboard or sectional seating in a vivid fire engine red.

Using colorful accent pieces effectively adds a little lighthearted whimsy to an interior. I believe homeowners will inject color in small doses as we all seek a brighter side around us. They may add a doormat printed with daisys, a bed painted lime green to team with a turquoise chest, or a drum table accented with stripes.  But you can be certain, those stripes won’t be brown!

Tags: color, design, Furniture, interiors
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About the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) a great place to spot brilliant new designs and emerging trends in the design world.

More than 550 exhibitors display contemporary furniture, seating, carpet and flooring, lighting, outdoor furniture, materials, wall coverings, accessories, textiles, and kitchen and bath for residential and commercial interiors. This assemblage of national and international exhibitors affords the chance to experience the most selective scope of the globe’s finest, most creative, individual, and original avant-garde home and contract products – handily and temptingly showcased in one venue.

Inhabitat shared their favorite green designs and here are some of mine.

Ikea Palm Lamp

Donna Wilson puffs

More Donna Wilson

Offi Transforming Table

Recycled Bag Lady

Tags: design, ICFF
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What in the world is a Suzani?  It’s the Central Asian equivalent of grandma’s heirloom quilt: handmade, handstitched, and handed-down. Suzan means “needle” in Persian, so imagine embroidery, elaborate embroidery. A wonderful, intricate craft,  a Suzani represent the best type of Central Asian art. Embeded  in centuries of tradition, each artist  interpreted a fresh new twist to an earlier pattern.

Tags: artisan, design, Textiles
Posted in Ideas and Inspirations | 3 Comments »

In the photo below is a guest room I designed with a wonderful client, Dee. She frequently has visitors to her home on Lake Union in Seattle. Her warm, engaging personality and stunning home is like a 5 diamond hotel experience.

Here are some of the details that make this guest room special:

• a bench at the foot of the bed
• custom bedcoverings in soothing blues
• wonderful bed linens, extra pillows
• carefully selected accessories (less is more)
• upholstered headboard for comfortable reading
• good bedside lighting and tables nearby
• privacy and light control with custom draperies
• a comfy place to sit and look at the view
• drawer and closet storage nearby
• artwork that complements the room setting

Please comment and share thoughts about guest rooms you love.  Plus, sign up for my weekly newsletter and receive a free report and more advice and tips.  Faith

Tags: Accessories, artwork, bedside lighting, design, guest room, windowcovering
Posted in Ideas and Inspirations | 3 Comments »