By Lisa Peck, ASID
Look at our blog on Thursday for a concept contest. Enter and win a prize!
Archive for the ‘Daily Detail’ Category
Concept Contest
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010Resources at The Mart
Friday, July 2nd, 2010By LuAnne Silvia
Lisa and I spent the day touring showrooms at The Merchandise Mart during NeoCon this year to see what was new, hot off the press. We also wandered the building in search of inspirational resources.
We discovered these handcrafted glass light fixtures in The Bright Group Showroom by Charles Loomis. They were hanging throughout the showroom and the glass shapes threw incredible patterns of light on the ceiling. They are made in Washington.
Residential Showrooms at The Mart
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010By LuAnne Silvia
We are fortunate to have a lot of furnishings vendors represented in Minneapolis, most at International Market Square. While at NeoCon in Chicago this June, Lisa and I were sure to visit The Merchandise Mart showrooms that represented furnishings that aren’t shown here in Minneapolis. We sat, looked, touched and sat some more!
Donghia Showroom
The scale of the chaise end of this modular sectional unit was similar to a twin size bed
George Smith Showroom
Interior Crafts Showroom
Every pice of upholstered furniture by Interior Crafts sat like a dream: pitch, scale, seat depth, back support, cushion
This chair has been in the line for a long time - we love the zebra hide on it!
J Robert Scott Showroom
Game table with pull out drink holder
No one does combinations of finishes like J Robert Scott
Perfect small scale drink tables
Love the detail on the back of this chair
Beutifully crafted console table apron
Neocon 2010 Winners
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010By LuAnne Silvia
And the winners are…
Eighty one awards were distributed in The Best of NeoCon 2010 competition of contract furnishings. Seven Innovation Awards, three Editors’ Choice Awards, and a Best of Competition Award also were selected among the 39 categories—ranging from architectural products to workplace technologies. Jury members visited The Merchandise Mart showrooms to judge each product in person, based on the following criteria: functionality, flexibility, quality/durability, aesthetics/style, innovation, environmental sustainability, and pricing.
Following are some of the innovative new products that were recognized with awards at Neocon this year:
Category: Casegoods; Award: Editor’s Choice; Winner: DR Table by Bellini for Jofco
To Note: The leg structure is carved from solid walnut
Category: Occassional Tables; Award: Gold; Winner: Curio by Benhardt
LiLu Comments: We think this is a winner in maple or walnut!
Category: Textile/Upholstery; Award: Gold; Winner: Collection by Rodarte for Knoll Luxe
To Note: An abstract translation of their runway inspirations
Category: Conference Furniture; Award: Silver; Winner: Linea Conference Collection by HBF
Comments: “A comprehensive collection for any environment”
Category: Seating Benches; Award: Silver; Winner: Pluto by LeLand
Comments: I personally tried these out – fun color, fun shape, fun sit!
Chicago Here We Come – NeoCon 2010
Monday, June 28th, 2010By LuAnne Silvia
Every year in June for three days the commercial furnishings industry unveils the latest and greatest at NeoCon World’s Trade Fair at The Merchandise Mart in Chicago. The largest trade show of it’s kind, it started in 1969 and has grown over the years to be the place to visit for inspiration and energy packed furnishing industry related events. It is a central meeting spot for trade professionals to come together and celebrate the industry through product seminars, keynote speakers, special events, networking, CEU accredited seminars and of course getting a sneak peak at the newest product innovations on the market.
This year our professional organization American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) national leadership training conference was held in Chicago at the same time. With Lisa Peck currently serving as President-Elect of our local chapter of ASID, Lisa and I headed to Chicago. Lisa’s weekend was jam packed with great information and networking opportunties with other chapter members. On Monday I joined her for the day to explore the Merchandise Mart. We started on floor 18 and worked our way down. The Merchandise Mart is Chicago’s version of International Market Square here in Minneapolis, only larger. It was built with the vision of creating a single, national wholesale center under one roof. The first and second floors are open to the public and are full of inspiration, including the Dream Home and The Luxe Home Boutique Showrooms.
Merchandise Mart
Line up of vendor trucks outside of the Mart
Welcome and registration inside the Mart
NeoCon showrooms open for browsing
View from a showroom in The Merchandise Mart 
Fashions created from Brentano textiles inspired by historical costumes
We Won’t Force-Feed A Particular Design Taste
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010By LuAnne Silvia
At LiLu Interiors we do not have a signature style. Every client has their own story to live and we deliver solutions that are as unique as each client. We believe in harmonious design. Starting with a vision that every design decision supports, or building on the existing architecture and continuing what has been established. We love incoporating your collections, hobbies, what makes up your life.
Why Not ? Local Sources
Saturday, June 5th, 2010By Lisa Peck
Wow! Local sources! What a great idea…lot’s of us are trying to eat local, support local businesses etc. But when it comes to building a home local gets more challenging right? Sometimes but…it can also be fun. There are shades of local just like there are shades of green.
Local within 500 miles, local within the five state area, local as in made in the USA. Any of these are more local than having items shipped from Asia, Europe, or Africa. Now…some things may still be better, more interesting etc. when they are from elsewhere but you might be surprised by all the great things that are available and made locally.
Local products can be beautiful, affordable and support the local community.
Tile made locally by Bon Ton Tile. (see more) Minnesota Made
Tile by Clay Squared to Infinity (see more) Minnesota Made
Shektastone counter tops from paper counter tops (see more) Minnesota Made
Locally milled or reclaimed wood flooring from Root River Flooring.
Pearl baths made in Minnesota and elsewhere in the U. S. (see more)
At LiLu Interiors we are educated in all the local resources and know what’s beautiful too!
Why Not? Save Water
Friday, June 4th, 2010By Lisa Peck, ASID
Saving water is a great thing! We encourage people to turn off the tap while brushing…as interior designers there are many ways we can help our clients save water.
There is the obvious low-flow fixtures….
Dual flush toilet from Toto.Water sense certified. (Find out more)
Low flow shower head from Kohler.
Water sense certified lavatory faucet from Kohler.
And then the not so obvious…finding fabrics, carpeting etc. that is manufactured in a way that uses less water in the process.
This fabric from Brentano is an example of a fabric milled while using the least amount of water. There are many fabric and carpeting manufacturers who have a commitment limiting the use of water in their manufacturing process to a minimum. LiLu Interiors designers keep up on all the new information about manufacturers we use so you don’t have too.
Why Not? Save Energy
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010By Lisa Peck
As we design homes for our clients we select and specify finishes, furniture, lighting and appliances. There are ways to make these selections that will help save energy. Energy used in the production of these items and energy throughout the live of the home. Energy spent on maintaining and actual energy consumption.
Many of us are familiar with energy star ratings for appliances…light fixtures are also available with energy star ratings! Energy star rated fixtures use 75% less energy and still manage to look beautiful.
By Hubbardton Forge
by Minka Lavery
Appliance choices for energy star rating are abundant…
Many Subzero refrigerators and freezers are energy star rated. But bonuses are that they are manufactured in the US…no shipping and fuel use to get them in from China or Europe! Many run on less energy than a 100 watt light bulb and Subzero uses recycled content and non-ozone depleting refrigerant.
The list of items here could be endless…but just one more thought by specifying finishes that don’t require heavy cleaning with vacuums or harmful chemicals we can also reduce energy consumption and improve indoor air quality.
Why Not? Have a Healthy Interior
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010By Lisa Peck, ASID
Indoor air quality…what does this mean? The air we breath in our homes can be harmful to our health. It can contain volatile organic compounds or vocs, it can have mold or mildew spores, it could have contaminants from appliances or personal care products.
Many of us now banish the smokers we know to hang on stoops or porches (even in 40 below weather) because we understand that second-hand smoke is bad for us.Volatile organic compounds can have equally serious long-term effects. Many of the finishes and furnishings used in homes contain chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene and other chemicals that have harmful effects on our health.
The best way to improve the quality of the air with breath is to eliminate the sources of pollution or limit there emissions according to the EPA. (More info on indoor air quality)
The idea of having to verify the contents of every paint, tile, counter material, floor finish, cabinet, table, chair, rug in your home can be utterly overwhelming.
As interior designers, the team at LiLu Interiors can help our clients improve the quality of the air in their homes by helping them specify finishes and select furnishings that do not increase the level of pollution in their home.
Here is a small sample of products that are currently available on the market and are good choices for improving the indoor air quality in your home.
Formaldehyde-free wheat board for substrate on cabinetry and counters.
Formaldehyde-free Plyboo material to build cabinetry and furnishings. (More info)
Sunflower board for furnishings and cabinetry..also formaldehyde-free.
Natura no-voc paint from Benjamin Moore.
Eco wall covering with no vocs from Graham and Brown (see more)
These are a few of the formaldehyde-free and no voc products that are on the market…note that you do not need to sacrifice beauty to have your health!
