Designlog

ORGANIC CHIC…THE future of silk florals, plants & trees, these new silks pushes the envelope of design with a fresh, innovative perspective.

Our designers will specialize in the challenge of creating new custom concepts for all project scopes, styles and budgets and will team with you from inception to installation.

Contact us here at DTE and we will help you get started!

Pantone is pleased to announce PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, as the Color of the Year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.

In many cultures, Turquoise is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that to many people, Turquoise represents an escape, taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting – even if it is only a fantasy.

Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.

Sherwin Wiliams: White, Without Light, Does Not Equal Bright.

This article was great and very helpful. It came from Sherwin Williams e-article...Stir. Great stuff.

Full Spectrum: White, Without Light, Does Not Equal Bright
A chronic misconception that Rachel, an architectural color consultant, comes across is the idea that pure white ― independent of any other factors ― will brighten, lighten or enlarge a space.

Rachel Perls | Posted on Feb. 19, 2010
“Light is a thing that cannot be reproduced, but must be represented by something else ― by color.” ― Paul Cezanne

I often wonder: Why do so many people think white can solve every design issue? To me, a white wall is a blank canvas, a beginning crying out to be personalized with a finish of color. As an architectural color consultant, one of the biggest misconceptions I come across is the idea that pure white ― independent of any other factors ― will brighten, lighten or enlarge a space. Color is reflected light; without adequate lighting, white just looks gray. Check out the shadows at the corners of a white room or ceiling and you’ll begin to wonder, how did this trend become so popular?

Somewhere along the line, people started associating pure white with modern, sanitary and the ultimate in neutral. But “contractor white” is a utilitarian color ― a temporary solution until the space’s occupant can select an appropriate palette. Due to its overabundant usage, people are conditioned to see white as a cure-all. This should not justify the end result of sterile white spaces.

Take the gleaming white monuments and government buildings in Washington, D.C., designed to mimic the famous temples of ancient Greece. Recent research reveals that those ancient buildings, our original models of elegant design, were often coated with saturated colors to maximize visual impact under the strong Mediterranean sun. (To read more on this subject, go to Classical Color.)

In my work, I often find architects and designers limiting themselves exclusively to black and white, and the grays and browns of concrete and wood. And the clean, sparse, modern all-white interiors showcased in shelter magazines help perpetuate this trend. Unless your space is flooded with natural light, or you have access to a slew of special equipment, you can be assured your interiors are not going to look as bright as these glossy, professionally lit and styled photos. Dingy, windowless basements and small dark rooms will never “become” light on their own.

Another problem occurs when people don’t take visual ergonomics into account. How does it feel to actually spend time living in a room? Contrary to popular opinion, decorating a space in dazzling white is not always soothing and neutral. White jumps out at you just as any bright color does. The human eye sees pure white as brilliant, and its highly reflective quality can cause eyestrain and headaches.

As you can imagine, there is no one-white-fits-all solution. Color is all about context, so if you’re going white, it’s important to pick a white with the correct undertone for the space in question. Whites can be tinted with yellow, pink, violet, blue, brown or even green. Whites with some saturation are imbued with their own luminosity, and therefore will not turn gray and shadowy, as pure whites do. Just as you would analyze a highly pigmented hue for its underlying color tone, so too should you closely examine whites.

Christopher Guy - My New Favorite Source!

Have you seen this line? It's new to me and I just can't get over the unique style of his pieces.

Probably my favorite item in his line are the upholstered headboards. Every where I see upholstered headboards they are too short. Christopher's are great because not only can you customize them with your own fabric but they are large scale to give you a feeling of luxury! Who doesn't want that? I am excited to find out more about this line and start using it for projects where I can.

Christopher Guy has an extensive line with everything from sofas, occasional tables, dining tables, ottomans, lighting, accessories and of course beds. Check out the website for yourself at http://www.christopherguy.com/

How to go Green in your Interiors.

If you are wondering how you can go "green" in your interiors, check out this article....

Five years ago, the interior designers at Associates III found it wasn’t easy to be green. Members of the Denver-based firm had decided that sustainable principles should govern their practice and product choices, but they found a dearth of information applicable to the commercial realm. So they researched and wrote Turning Green: A Guide to Becoming a Green Design Firm. Developed to assist interior designers (although easily adaptable to other design professions), the pamphlet not only suggests a process for going green, but also offers product recommendations and guidelines, manufacturer’s sustainability questionnaires, and a raft of useful web sites. For those ready to become eco-friendly, here are some suggestions.

I. BEFORE YOU START
1. Establish your principles.
Ask yourself: To what extent is your firm ready to go green? Does your commitment extend to the products your purchase, to the vendors you are willing to work with, to your own office and environment and culture? To what extent are you willing to educate and seek to influence others?

2. Develop an action plan.
Once you have clarified your environmental principles, determine how you will embody them in your firm’s business practices. Make a list of the things you want to accomplish through the effort (i.e. Reduce solid wastes, increase use of recycled materials, eliminate use of water-soluble toxins and contaminants). Then review the list and for each item, ask yourself, “How must I change my current business practices to achieve this?” (The answers may turn out to be as simple as researching earth-friendly cleaning supplies to making a choice to use low-VOC paints).

II. BEGIN IN YOUR BACKYARD
3. Start with yourself.
If nothing else, you have the power to change yourself; likewise, your firm’s eco-friendly practices can begin with you. Consider raising the topic of sustainability at an all-staff meeting or lunchtime forum; follow up with E-mails, verbal reminders, and even posters.

4. Examine your current office products and processes.
Inventory the office products and processes and determine where changes can be made. Areas to consider: Cleaning supplies (Try biodegradable soaps and cleaners); office supplies (Use copier and fax paper with a high recycled content); electrical (Opt for Energy Star appliances and energy-saving light bulbs); and recycling (Reuse packing and shipping materials).

III. EXAMINE THE MATERIALS YOU USE IN YOUR WORK
5. Fix specification guidelines.
During each project’s schematic design and research phases, begin exploring product options that will fulfill your sustainable criteria. Some questions that can help guide you:

What type of long-life, durable products and materials will work?

Are their recyclable, reclaimed, or salvaged products available?

Are there materials with low-embodied energy that are durable enough for use?

What local materials can you use? (Regional materials require less energy and resources to transport to job sites.)

6. Find green vendors.
Once you have identified your aims, find products and manufacturers that meet your green guidelines. When it comes to furnishing and fabrics, consider smaller firms and custom manufacturers who are traditional builders— they may already have some eco-friendly practices in place, and/or may be more able to incorporate sustainable elements. Also, don’t forget to consider antiques and collectibles, as by using already-made items, you are recycling and eliminating a manufacturing process.

IV. GET OTHERS INVOLVED
7. Start the process early.
One of the most difficult aspects of doing interior “green” design is getting others in the project to go along with you. One strategy is to attempt to be involved as early on in the project as possible, so that you can broach the subject of sustainability at the onset, hopefully in the schematic design phase. Address the subject with the client, the architect, and the contractor. Remember, every bit helps, so do what you can— even if you only get buy-in on some points, that is better than none.

8. A little education goes a long way.
Green education can take many forms, from just talking to clients about green solutions, to discussing green solutions with team members, to asking environmental consultants to conduct seminars with your contractors, so that their carpenters and trades people might learn new, healthier, and better ways of doing things.

9. Build a network of collaborators.
As you begin to work with an eye for sustainability, you will identify those architects, contractors, and others who are also interested in and caring of the environment. Together, you can seek out opportunities to collaborate.

10. Share your solutions.
Too often eco-friendly practices and information remain imbedded in single individuals and offices, rather than shared with peers and colleagues. The result? Practitioners waste time re-inventing the wheel. Instead, create an archive of green solutions that can be used intra- and inter-office, so that both interior designers and the profession can progress.

Adapted from Turning Green: A Guide to Becoming a Green Design Firm, written by Associates III, in conjunction with the American Society of Interior Designers. Available for free download at www.asid.org/sustainable_design/Turning_Green.pdf .

Thoughts on the new bronze appliances, etc.

What do you think about bronze appliances, starting to be shown in the high-end lines and on TV Home Design shows?  I think they are interesting, even very pretty, but should be used only in appropriate design situations.  I've been hearing rumblings from people who don't want to use stainless appliances anymore because now 'everybody' is using them!  Well, there could be a point there, but I say we all need to consider the best color for the individual environment we're trying to create.

For example, in my own home that I'm now remodeling, I want a soft, light contemporary look; it is located on a lake, with expansive views of the water, and I want to maintain that look inside also.  So I am using stainless appliances in my kitchen, along with emerald pearl granite, clear maple cabinetry and a to-the-ceiling backsplash of horizontally-mixed water-toned glass tiles.  Any other color would have overpowered this color balance, so the softness of stainless was just right. 

It's all about BALANCE!  In a Tuscan-type interior, bronze appliances would be wonderful!  Often, biscuit is still the best choice, and white can be wonderful too.  Don't forget black - elegant in the right situation.  I just say do what's best for your interior plan, and forget the trends.  As soon as everyone starts abandoning one trend because it's 'overdone', they simply create another trend, and it goes on and on. 

We are definitely seeing this happen with granite countertops; now that they appear in even spec homes, higher-end clients are looking for something else.  That's fine - sometimes - but there are so many varieties of granite, and it still is an excellent countertop material. . .so avoid ruling it out based on trends alone.  It still could be your best choice. 

Personal style is the goal!  Decide what 'look' you're going for, then find the best, most qualified material, regardless of what you see on TV or in the stores.  Stay true to your vision!

OK, who disagrees?  I'd like to hear!

Landscaping made easy

Hi everyone!  While working on a nursing home project, I searched and searched for plant material that fit all my needs. . . hardy, easy-care, disease and bug-resistant, and of course, beautiful!  I needed a plant to soften a long wall, but it couldn't require so much care as to not be cost-effective.  I found the series called 'flower carpet roses', which are everything I wanted! 

Flower carpet roses have been bred to be relatively care-free landscape additions.  Depending on the color variety, they either mound or spread out.  Either way, they are considered ground cover plants, though most get to be around 30" wide and 30" tall - some varieties get taller, while a few spread out wider.  They bloom profusely from early spring to frost, and do not require deadheading, spraying, or inordinate amounts of water!  Like any plant, you should water well until they're established, but then they are rather drought-tolerant.  Unlike many roses, pruning is almost optional; it is recommended that you cut them back by 1/3rd in the winter, though even that is not necessary if you're trying to encourage thicker growth.  What a beautiful solution to soften the long wall!  Varieties range from coral, to red, yellow and pink.  The red and pink varieties have bright yellow centers, providing a nice contrast - all have dark, glossy green leaves. 

I picked one up at Lowe's over the weekend, planning to try it in my home landscape.  I'll keep you posted on how it works out! If anyone out there has experiences with carpet roses to share, I'd love to hear!

Ever wanted to design your own chair?

If so Grand Rapids Chair Company is what your looking for, and you can have complete access to their lines here through DTE. Let's get creative with Grand Rapids Chairs. If you want to create a signature look for your next project, you’re in the right place. DTE along with Grand Rapids can offer more choices, more flexibility to handle special requests, more ability to customize standard product — we’ll even let you design your own chair! Whatever you select, you can count on superior craftsmanship, comfort, durability and value. All Grand Rapids chairs are made here in the good ole USA. So go ahead – let your imagination go wild, let DTE help you design YOUR chair!   

Hey Toto! Did you see that Green Town?

On the night of May 4, 2007, 95% of homes and businesses were destroyed by a massive EF5 tornado that was nearly 2 miles wide in Greensburg, Kansas. Although this storm was devastating to the community, they are now presented with an incredible opportunity to show the world their strength and to create a new future for those who will live there. Greensburg City Council has approved a resolution that all city building projects will be built to LEED Platinum level standards. This makes them the first city in the United States to do this and it shows the world "how green a town can become."

The Discovery Channel is filming a series about Greensburg that will air starting in June on their new network, Planet Green.

Sittris

Awesome new chairs. Check them out! And then let us work with you to see how we can use these in your space!

Each year, more than two million people in the United States acquire an infection during a hospital stay. An estimated 90,000 of these people die. This is a serious challenge that burdens both the financial and human resources of health care institutions.

This is why  Sittris, a company dedicated to seating specifically designed for health care situations. Whether it is supporting infection control, aiding in the staff access to patients to facilitate care, or assisting the special needs of bariatric patients, all Sittris products have been designed with the health care professional in mind.

Using a variety of innovative germ-resistant materials, including their own proprietary Siliform®, all Sittris products are designed to discourage bacterial growth, resist stains and be easily cleaned.

Simply put, it is clean seating that stays clean.