Business of Home

The online consignment marketplace Chairish Inc. has raised $4 million in a series of investments, bringing its total capital raised to $7 million since it launched in 2013.
“We’re just getting started and are rapidly evolving our service based on the needs of our community,” said Eric Grosse, President of Chairish. “We recently introduced a trade program that offers exclusive benefits to interior designers, as well as an enhanced mobile app that makes it simple to buy and sell on the go. With our new funding, we can continue to invest in creating an unparalleled selling and buying experience for design enthusiasts.”

The latest round was led by Azure Capital and O’Reilly Alpha Tech Ventures (OATV). An impressive roster of technology and private equity executives also participated including David Bonderman (Founder TPG Capital), Karl Peterson (Co-founder Hotwire, Partner TPG), Spencer Rascoff (CEO Zillow, Co-founder Hotwire), Scott Hintz (Co-Founder TripIt), Bob Pasker (Strategic Advisor Azure Capital), Erik Blachford (ex-CEO Expedia), Kevin and Julia Hartz (Founders Eventbrite), Iggy Fanlo (CEO Lively, Shopping.com), Brian Flynn and Greg Baszucki (Co-founders FoundingPartners) and Charles Dietrich (CEO SlideRocket, MileIQ).
“Chairish has created a burgeoning marketplace that works effectively for both buyers and sellers,” said Managing Partner at Azure Capital, Mike Kwatinetz. “Sellers uncover newfound value in their home furnishings while design lovers can shop for fine used and vintage furniture with unprecedented convenience.”
As of July 2014, Chairish serves 120,000 monthly customers and adds over 1,000 items per week for sale to its curated marketplace.
The website offers pre-owned items for sale on consignment and shares up to 80% of the proceeds with the consignor. The company is headquartered in San Francisco with representatives in New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta.
“Furniture is a typical household’s third largest investment but it’s ridiculously hard to sell,” said Chairish Co-founder and Chairman Gregg Brockway.“A vertical, curated marketplace built around a great mobile experience makes it dramatically simpler to buy and sell home decor. Ultimately, we aim to change how people think about decorating their home because a home with style doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We are honored and fortunate to have this talented group of investors support us in our mission.”

Over Columbus Day weekend (October 11-12), a select group of designers will showcase their work at the Black Barn in High Falls, NY, for the debut of Field + Supply, an event described by founder and interior designer Brad Ford as a modern makers craft fair.

Field + Supply founder Brad Ford; the field at Black Barn
With Field + Supply, Ford is hoping to give participants and visitors a hybrid design event, one that takes a modern, elevated approach to the traditional arts and crafts fair while engendering a festive, less serious experience than a trade show. He imagines it as a cross between Collective Design Fair (of which he is a member of the planning board) and Brooklyn Flea—set in the country.
Ford grew up in the small town of Russetville, AR, where one of the major annual events was the annual arts and craft fair. “As a kid I loved that experience of being surrounded by so many creative people,” he said. “It was always something to look forward to—not just the craft and design but the people. It was very social. As an adult, I long for that experience but my taste level has become a bit more elevated. I wanted to create a similar feeling but in a new context.”

Clockwise from top: Asher Israelow, Apparatus Studio, Remodelista, Materia Designs
The three-day showcase will highlight the work of 20 to 30 artisans makers including Egg Collective, Apparatus Studio, Asher Israelow, Workstead, Materia Design, A.B.K. and The Commons. Antique dealers such as Weinberg Modern and Modern Living Supplies will also participate. The magazine Gather Journal and Remodelista will be curating pop-up booths with some of their favorite products and small batch cocktail companies Jack Rudy and Bulleit are also involved. The product selection ranges from custom to cash-and-carry to antique and local-made products, which celebrate this distinct region.
The Hudson Valley is home to many sophisticated weekenders who work in creative areas—design, food, journalism—and who appreciate great artisanship. Ford hopes other festivities taking place Columbus Day such as the Rhinebeck Antiques Fair and apple picking weekend will draw city dwellers up for the weekend.

“As a resident and business owner in Ulster County, I find it's always a topic of conversation among locals as to how we can help create a more engaged experience within our community,” said Materia Designs Creative Director Megan Sommerville. “Brad developed the idea for the Field + Supply as one way to actively bring together the diverse creative community within the Hudson Valley and NYC. Naturally we wanted to be involved because we share this interest with Brad, and we very much respect his point of view and ability to create spaces which are warm, inviting and engaging.”
Noting the range of exhibitors and aesthetics, Sommerville continued, “Brad is bringing together an incredible mix of designers, vendors and artisans who produce a wide variety of products, which share a soulful quality and exceptional attention to detail. He has pulled together an amazing grouping of people who all compliment one another and create elevated yet accessible products.”
“We were honored that Brad asked us to be a part of Field + Supply,” said Apparatus co-founder Gabriel Hendifar. “He has impeccable taste, so we knew that his choice of participants and venue would be special. It's an opportunity to show work that people have not seen from our studio before in a beautiful setting that is unlike what you would normally expect from a fair. We're excited to see our pieces set against the architecture of the barn and the idyllic, lush surroundings.”
Why the name Field + Supply? “It's happening in a field, but more importantly we’re fielding the talent and supplying the venue,” explained Ford.
Show hours and programming will be announced in the coming weeks. Interested vendors are welcome to contact the show.

With a new collection of bedding and accessories for the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and a new showroom and studio in High Point, Madcap Cottage seems to be primed for decorative world domination.
Now headquartered in the furniture capital of the world, owners Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke, who launched their interior design firm in the early 2000s and crystalized the brand as Madcap Cottage in 2010, already have a second collection for HSN in the works, set to debut next year.
The co-founders dream big; in addition to their own line, they hope to someday have a collection of dog products, tote bags, design a small hotel and be recognized across the globe.

Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke
With a lot on their plates, including a live debut of the HSN collection this past Sunday, this reporter chatted with Nixon to find out more about the burgeoning brand and what’s next.
Can you share some details about the new shop/studio in High Point?
The goal is to transform the “historic” McLarty Drug on Church Avenue in the heart of downtown High Point into a design meeting space—an office-meets-showroom-meets-design lab—that will be open YEAR-ROUND, not only during market. This will be the Madcap Cottage design laboratory, a place that is always percolating with ideas. The floor-to-ceiling plate-glass windows will be dramatic and theatrical and will change monthly. Expect INDIA! one month and ISTANBUL! the next. We want folks to be excited to see what madcap antics the Madcaps are up to! Plus, we want to play a role in High Point’s revitalization and craft something that is open downtown AND not tucked away behind walls. We want to engage the local design enthusiast, as well as the national and international.
How did the HSN partnership come about?
John and I had reached out to HSN a few years back through a work connection, and we had several discussions about bringing the Madcap Cottage brand to life. Finally, it all gelled, and HSN asked us to create a bedding, window treatment and decorative pillow line that captured our global travels as well as our color and pattern sensibility. We spent a year working with the terrific HSN team to create the magic. John and I traveled through England and the USA, and we sketched flowers with our watercolor paints and then worked with the HSN team to bring our far-flung floral vision to life. We were speaking in Pantone colors for months on end. HSN really gave us free reign on the collection and pushed us to incorporate as many details and special ‘moments’ in the collection as we possibly could. Hopefully, our collection transports you to a sunny afternoon free of cares and worry.

Madcap Cottage bedding for HSN
How many pieces did you create for this collection?
The Madcap Cottage collection for HSN includes a six-piece comforter set called Meadow Flowers; a three-piece quilt collection, Bed of Roses, in three stunning color ways; fabulous, 500-thread-count sheets; window treatments; decorative pillows; and amazingly soft Garden Trellis throws. Everything is reversible and glorious. Mix, match, and make your home marvelous. And make the Madcap Cottage collection your own: Why not use the quilts as tablecloths, or wrap your dog in the fabulous throws?
How did you take the Madcap Cottage signature look and translate it into product?
The Madcap Cottage vibe is all about color and pattern piled high with fun. Our sensibility is also about far-flung glamour inspired by our travels and experiences. And details are all important! I think we captured this cocktail perfectly in our Madcap Cottage for HSN collection. It’s a knockout.

Madcap Cottage sheets and throw pillow for HSN
You have a second collection already secured with HSN. What will that be like?
We can’t reveal too much, but let’s just say that the collection is inspired by a fabulous film that will hit the silver screen next spring. Bring the fairytale to life. There will be butterflies and plenty of whimsy. The collection is sophisticated, but it is also fun and dreamy. Fall asleep to fabulous, and wake up to wonderful.
Why did you move the Madcap Cottage headquarters to High Point, NC?
John and I recently left New York City after 25 wonderful years. We were ready for a new chapter. After coming to Market for over a decade, John and I enjoyed the small town-meets-medium-sized-city charms of HP. Before we chose High Point, we considered Los Angeles and Chicago, but we liked the idea of being part of a city in flux, and we hoped to play a part in that dialogue. And help make an impact. We wanted to put down roots somewhere that we could call home, build a viable business, and give back. We believed in the promise and the endless possibilities. Look what Greenville, South Carolina; Des Moines, Iowa; and Hudson, New York have accomplished thanks to an educated, insightful road map. High Point: The hub of American design. Come and join the conversation.

Madcap Cottage formerly showed product at the Antique & Design Center in High Point
You both had successful careers in magazines, how do you bring an editorial point of view to your business?
John and I are so thankful to have grown up in magazines. The Madcap Cottage duo develops an overall storyline that guides our clients’ interior design process. We curate and edit your vision. The result is you, just you with a capital ‘Y,’ and with some brush fringe on the side. We look at the process very much as crafting a gorgeous editorial. What are the points of entry, is the headline inviting, and are there wonderful sidebars. The result should be fun, engaging and perfectly tailored to your wants and needs.
How has the Madcap Cottage brand evolved since its incarnation?
The Madcaps are always open to new opportunities, and we are so excited to be moving into the product-development realm. Think terrific product paired with educating the consumer. Our Madcap Cottage for HSN collection is the perfect marriage since we want to create terrific merchandise and then educate the consumer on how to mix, match and make something marvelous. We are all about having fun and creating democratic design, and those brand pillars are becoming even more visible as we move forward. Our brand is not so much about “John and Jason Oliver” but rather about capturing a sensibility and experience that the consumer wants to emulate. Other products or lines that we work on will have to incorporate a “trunk show” component: We don’t want to do anything unless we can actually work with consumers to educate them and push their color and pattern boundaries. We want to take anything we do on the road.
What was the brand originally conceived to be?
The Madcap Cottage brand experience is all about fun and taking design and making it accessible and approachable—and also aspirational. ‘Give the lady what she doesn’t know she wants,’ is a favorite tag line. As well as ‘traditional with a twist.’ The Madcap Cottage design sensibility is grounded in history but then we add a contemporary spin with plenty of whimsy, and lots of antique and vintage pieces that have been given a refresher. We have stayed true to this brand philosophy and are excited that others want to be part of the parade. Everyone is welcome, come and join the fun. Just watch out for Horace, the Madcap Cottage brand elephant, as he likes to steal peanuts.
What else do you have coming down the pipeline?
There’s so much afoot! Perhaps a book, perhaps a collaboration with a company that really understands color and pattern. Wallpaper? Dog beds? Accessories? A pop-up in London? A dance party? So much fun...

According to the July Michael A. Dunlap & Associates’ (MADA) Furniture Industry Index, which surveyed the success of more than 250 furniture manufacturers, business is good. The index stands at 55.6*, which is significantly higher compared to April at 54.6 and January at 54.3.
The survey focuses upon 10 key business activities, with respondents rating each area on a scale of one to 10. The business activities are Gross Shipments, Order Backlog/Incoming Orders, Employment Levels, Manufacturing Hours (Overtime vs. Reduced Hours), Capital Investment, Tooling Expenditures, New Product Development Activity, Raw Material Costs, Employee Costs and the respondents’ Personal Outlook on the industry.
“The industry continues to move on a very steady and improving trend line,” said Mike Dunlap, owner of MADA, which puts out the survey. “This is good news. The Overall Index continues to remain well above 50 and is definitely above 40, which is the survey average. We are confident that the industry is still on course to achieve its best year in more than a decade.”
The July 2014 survey highlights include the following:
•    Gross Shipments jumped to 61.9 from 53.4 in April
•    The Employment Index of 54.2 is well above the survey average of 51.9
•    New Product Development improved to 64.1, above the survey average of 63.3
•    The Personal Outlook Index rose from 60.8 in April to 62.22 in July
“The increases in Gross Sales and Order Backlog index values are very significant,” said Dunlap. “Both have been improving since the first half of 2013, but these larger increases are not a common occurrence. They are on very solid path to improvement. I am also delighted to see the strength of the index in Personal Outlook Index. The most frequently cited perceived threats to the industry’s success are healthcare costs and the costs of materials (steel and wood), the costs of materials and healthcare are the most commonly cited concerns from respondents since this survey process was started in August 2004.”
Michael A. Dunlap & Associates is a consulting firm that focuses upon issues involving the working, learning, healing and hospitality environments and furniture industries. Each month the survey is sent to more than 250 companies, which include commercial furniture manufacturers who produce products for the office, education, healthcare and hospitality markets. The firm then calculates the results and keeps tabs on the furniture industry market trends.
*An index of 100 means that things “couldn’t be better,” an index of one is “absolutely the worst” it can be, and an index of 50 means it is neutral; no change “up” or “down.”

Designers and industry guests took a step back through time on Monday evening at the new Matouk showroom in Chelsea, New York, during a Great Gatsby-themed soirée in honor of the company’s 85th anniversary.
The Gatsby theme was inspired by Matouk’s latest collection of sheets with the same name. Upon entering, guests received a signature “Gatsby” cocktail and a personal handkerchief embroidered with their initials. Lulu De Kwiatkowski, who partnered with Matouk in 2007 on a bedding collection, was there offering guests temporary tattoos from her line.

New Matouk showroom
Matouk hosted the party simultaneously with NY NOW so out-of-town guests could be part of the anniversary celebration and new collection preview.

Matouk family
"It is hard to do anything for the first time ever at a company that has been around for 85 years, but I can guarantee you that we had never had a tattoo parlor in our showroom before," said CEO George Matouk, pictured above with his father, stepmother and wife. "So shout out to our amazing friend and partner Lulu DK for being fabulous and generous and turning things up for us as she always does in so many ways."

Lulu De Kwiatkowski and Meg Woodhouse

Lulu DK temporary tattoos

Notable attendees included interior designer Robert Passal, style expert Eddie Ross, One Kings Lane co-founder Susan Feldman, Domino Editor in Chief Robert Leleux, Traditional Home Senior Design + Market Editor Tori Mellott, Elle Décor Senior Digital Editor Amy Preiser, Grange PR/Marketing Manager Jaithan Kochar, design writer Zoe Settle and design bloggers Stacey Bewkes and Marisa Marcantonio.

Stephanie Schomer, Zoe Settle, Mimi Faucett

Robert Leleux, Marisa Marcantonio

Stacey Bewkes, Amy Preiser

Eddie Ross, Susan Feldman, Jaithan Kochar

Elizabeth Blitzer, Tori Mellott
The new Matouk showroom, which opened in April, is located at 118 West 22nd Street on the 9th floor.

Inspired by the theme “Design Changes Everything,” the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) will present four new exhibitions as part of its 2015 programming that explore the impact of design in social, cultural, economic and political contexts. From problem-solving to propaganda, health and community to futurism, the design process is articulated and examined beyond its aesthetic and commercial values to reveal the myriad ways it influences contemporary life.

Museum of Design Atlanta
“At MODA, we believe that design changes everything,” said Executive Director Laura Flusche. “The design process can be used to solve problems small to large. We choose our exhibitions for their ability to demonstrate the power of design to affect change in the world."
Acknowleding that the design is a force that has influenced the past and will shape the future, these exhibitions seek to educate, inspire and inform visitors of all ages and avocations in the changing global community.

Preview of the Sustainable Shelter exhibition
Read on for a look at the 2015 line-up of exhibitions:
Sustainable Shelter: Dwelling Within the Forces of Nature (January 18 – April 5)
This exhibition discusses the techniques through which animals and humans have adapted to differing environments through an amazing diversity of structures. The exhibition investigates the ways that human dwellings extract, use and discard energy, water and other precious natural resources and reveals innovative new design solutions that can help restore the health and viability of Earth's natural environment.
Designing Healthy Communities: Active Design and Its Impact (April 26 – July 19, 2015)
The design of the physical environments in which humans live, work and play greatly impacts health and wellbeing. Design can also support unhealthy habits and practices. Architects, interior designers and urban planners are responding to this problem with active design, an approach to the development of buildings, streets and neighborhoods that makes daily physical activity and healthy foods more accessible and inviting. The exhibition will explore the specific active design strategies that are used to promote physical activity and healthy living. The exhibition will highlight real-world examples of these strategies in use through case studies, videos, models and interactive activities.
3D Printing the Future (August 2 – November 1, 2015)
3D printing technology and the open source communities surrounding it are rapidly changing the world by making the powerful new tools of design and manufacturing available to a much wider audience. This accessibility ultimately allows individuals to design customized solutions to the complex problems around them. This exhibition will explore projects, both large and small, in which 3D printing technology is being used in innovative ways. From fabricating lighter components for airplanes to designing custom prosthetics, this exhibition will explore the exciting designs made possible by 3D printing and the many questions that these technological advances will raise for the future.
Make-Believe America (November 15 – February 14, 2015)
During the mid-20th century, the U.S. government sought the assistance of some of the country's leading designers to create international, cultural exhibitions, most notably the World's Fairs. These exhibitions were created as government propaganda, which demonstrated the attractiveness and superiority of the American way of life with the ultimate goal of containing and even diminishing the threat of communism. This exhibition will explore the height of U.S. cultural exhibitions (1955-1975) and demonstrate the ways in which design was used as a persuasive force. The exhibition will provide examples of work created by brilliant exhibition teams that included designers such as Herbert Bayer, Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and R. Buckminster Fuller.
MODA is located at 1315 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA. The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.; Thursday from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and closed on Monday.

Just two years after launching, Domaine Home has given a major face-lift to its website and added several features to improve reader experience—on mobile devices in particular. As many as half of the site's readers seek Domaine mobile content, making it an important and evolving platform.

New features include an updated mobile site with easier navigation, a new “river” scrolling homepage format as opposed to a formerly static layout, scrolling slideshows, the option to browse by category to see what’s trending, featured videos and the option to read related content.

Mat Sanders
This reporter chatted with Creative Director Mat Sanders to learn more about the revamp and what’s coming down the pipeline for Domaine Home.
What inspired the redesign and why was it necessary?
When we launched the site in 2012, our goal was to provide a blank canvas that would allow the beautiful work of our industry's best designers and photographers to take center stage. As the site took off and we amassed an archive of thousands of images and stories over the last year and a half, we knew we had to give our readers a more streamlined opportunity to find inspiration and share the great content they would discover on Domaine.

Where do you see Domaine Home in the competitive marketplace?
We are about creation as much as we are about curation. While we pour a great deal of our resources into producing quality, original content, we simultaneously keep a sharp eye on what is trending elsewhere in print and digital media. Our readers return daily, not only because they love seeing our gorgeous shoots, projects and news, but because they know our incredible editorial team has sifted through the best of what's out there right now. At Domaine they know they can find the world's most stylish shelter content in one place.
What is now different about the magazine?
The most exciting change is that the site is now optimized for mobile viewing. Now it's easier than ever to discover inspiration on the go. The endless scroll on the homepage ensures readers never miss a story when they check the site each day. Also, we enhanced the way you will be able to explore and shop home tours as you now scroll vertically as opposed to clicking through slideshows. Never press a button to see the next image again!
What makes the Domaine Home different from other consumer shelter publications?
We were born out of a fashion site (whowhwatwear.com), so I like to think we arrive with a distinctly 'Vogueish' point of view compared to other magazines and websites. Our goal was to attract a new audience—to refresh the shelter space by making it more accessible to a wider range of enthusiasts. I think we've achieved this through a steady flow of daily content that is simultaneously shopabble and relatable. When we first launched, I think you saw a great deal more fashion and celebrity-related content on Domaine vs. other publications, and I think it's no coincidence that we're now seeing some of the biggest titles in our industry following suit. People want it.
Are there any new sections/columns?
We are gearing up to launch a network of contributors for added content each week. Soon you will see more work and ideas from today's top designers and bloggers on a weekly basis.

How do interior designers engage with the site and what are they asking for/looking for?
The most rewarding thing about Domaine is the excitement and innovation I see from professionals within our industry. Gone are the days of holding onto the scouting shots of a finished project with fingers crossed it gets selected by one of the coveted decor magazines. The smart designers know it's all about seeding themselves around the web. These designers are finishing their projects on a Monday, shooting it on Tuesday, transferring me the images on Wednesday, and by Friday their story is going viral and their name is being mentioned all over Twitter and Pinterest. Designers now have an vehicle for keeping their name bouncing around the web like a pinball machine. Clients aren't pulling tear sheets from magazines anymore, they are creating Pinterest boards. And the most cutting edge designers are seeing the effects of having their name attached to these digital images. (*Ahem* Have a project? Please show me! msanders@domainehome.com).
Have you seen traffic increase since the website refresh?
We've seen a huge spike in traffic since the redesign, and it's really due to the way our readers engage with what inspires them. We launched with the idea that we wanted the content to be ridiculously easy to browse. Now it's ridiculously easy to share too.
What can we expect to see in future issues?
In the coming months, we will be introducing an exciting new feature that will allow readers to discover the latest trends, room by room. Stay tuned for more enhancements.

Florida International University’s Department of Landscape Architecture has added “Environmental and Urban Design” to its title, and expanded its mission to focus on urbanized regions in the tropics and subtropics of Latin America. The department aims to address issues that will affect the lives of an estimated six of the 10 billion people who will live in similar regions by 2100.
The department, along with faculty, graduates and students, is actively involved in the planning of local and national urban centers and national State Parks like the Everglades. They are working with local cities on issues as diverse as sea level rise, clean water supplies, historic preservation, parks design and planning, open green space protection and improved transportation flow patterns.

Roberto Rovira
Department head Roberto Rovira shared his thoughts on the growing importance of landscape architecture and urban design in this interview with Editor at Large.
How would you explain the current state of the landscape architecture industry?
If employment of our graduates is any indication, the landscape architecture industry is doing very well. Within two weeks of our spring commencement, nearly 80% of our graduates had full-time jobs with leading firms. Some of these firms were actually founded by LA+EUD program alumni, and others range from dedicated landscape firms to larger interdisciplinary companies. The number and scale of projects that these firms are working on is notable for its local and global range.
Like much of the content of our courses, the landscape architecture industry explores a broad range of environmental, ecological and urban issues that may include industrial reclamation, historic sites, environmental mitigation, sea level rise and various other topics at the center of the relationship between human beings and their surroundings. The number of issues that the landscape architecture industry deals with is therefore plentiful and a landscape architecture education that prepares students for it has to balance broad creative thinking with concrete technical skills.
Why was now the right time to change the department's name and give it a refresh?
Since our program's founding in 1986, we have focused on environmental and urban design as part of our scope. The name better reflects our program’s recognized body of work, scholarship, research and creative activity, but it also coincides with an increasing public awareness of the importance of design in addressing pressing issues about our urban context and our environment. Thoughtfully integrated spaces that consider landscape architecture, the environment, and the urban working cohesively have the potential to elevate the human experience, and we want to make sure that people are aware that this is what we do.

What was the idea behind adding urban design to the department?
Urban design is at the core of many of the topics we study, ranging from the design of city parks to streetscapes, to the way that we handle urban courtyards, storm water infrastructure, and food production in places and spaces that may not have been ideally designed for these purposes, for example. Within the lifetime of many of our graduates, seven out of 10 people will live in cities and this shift presents profound opportunities for our field and for our program. Landscape architecture, environmental and urban design are essential tools that can help us innovate, envision and creatively address the way we live, work and play in the settings where the majority of the world will live for many years to come.
About how many students enroll in the major each year?
Approximately 28 new students will be joining us this fall. Through a number of initiatives aimed at showcasing our work and that of our alumni, and through the generous support of current and future industry partners and benefactors, we expect to grow in the coming years to keep pace with the demand for our graduates, and to facilitate our increasing involvement in various grants and research opportunities. In recent years, we’ve had success in securing grants from organizations like the U. S. Department of Transportation, Miami-Dade County District 11, the Landscape Architecture Foundation, the Community Foundation of Broward, the Cejas Family Foundation and others. These have made possible various collaborations, research projects, investigations, graduate assistantships and exhibitions.
Where do the students tend to come from?
In terms of our incoming classes, the diversity of backgrounds of our applicants is particularly notable, spanning from business to art to journalism and to many other fields. We seem to attract broad thinkers and a rich diversity of life experiences. Even though our applicants’ educational and professional trajectories are all very different, however, they all finish with an accredited professional Masters of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree.
Depending on the applicant’s academic credentials, students can obtain a Masters Degree via a 5-year accelerated track as freshmen, or through a more traditional route that usually requires two to three years of study, although we are one of the few programs nationally where students with an architecture masters can obtain an MLA in three semesters.
What are some of the most popular courses?
We have a number of electives which are very popular within the School of Architecture and which attract students beyond our department. Some of these courses are: Site Analysis + Design, which uses mapping and diagramming to better understand sites; Visual Notations, which teaches students how to draw, but more importantly how to see; and Catalysts of the Urban Canvas, which looks at projects that are instigators of change in the city, using Miami as its “idea laboratory.”
Who are some of your key professors and what are their backgrounds?
I invite you to take a look at our faculty page, which includes bios with significant accomplishments and titles. We have three full-time faculty members and myself as chair, in addition to a talented network of adjunct faculty. Our faculty includes graduates from some of the leading programs in the country and their backgrounds range from engineering to art, to architecture and design.

Over the summer, British paint company Farrow & Ball invited three design tastemakers—interior designer Nicole Gibbons of So Haute, Hamptons Magazine Editor-in-Chief Samantha Yanks and graphic designer Kelley Lilien of the Mrs. Lilien blog—to curate a special “City Palette” to celebrate the launch of the company’s online magazine, The Chromologist.
Highlighting the bespoke colors and quirky designs unique to their respective cities, each influencer translated their surroundings in color—New York, the Hamptons and San Diego—and detailed it all on TheChromologist.com, where each City Palette expert offered readers insight and tips on their creative process through image galleries, guest posts, and Q&A’s. In turn, each expert supported the campaign on their respective blogs and social media pages throughout their designated month.

Nicole Gibbons, Samantha Yanks, Mrs. Lilien
“I love color and Farrow & Ball has such an exceptional color palette so I knew this would be a fun project and a fantastic partnership with a brand I really admire,” said Gibbons.
Farrow & Ball’s new digital publication will feature stories on color, interiors, travel and lifestyle with editorial focused on inspiring designers and homeowners through paint and wallpaper.

The Chromologist blog
"The Chromologist is an exciting development for Farrow & Ball," said Farrow & Ball Director Sarah Cole. "We're passionate about color and how it transforms homes into beautiful living environments. To be able to deliver our knowledge and the expertise of our friends' around the globe to a digitally savvy audience is a fantastic way to continue to share and celebrate the power of color. Working with lifestyle and design bloggers in the US is a great way for us to integrate with this community. The City Palettes campaign allows us to see just what our colours means to different people and different regions of the US, showcasing just how versatile our palette is.”
The inaugural palette, which launched in June, was created by Gibbons whose Gotham palette was inspired from all parts of the island, from SoHo’s historic cast-iron buildings to The Statue of Liberty’s aged-copper patina.

Nicole Gibbons' color palettes
“Architecture is a huge inspiration and influence and one of my favorite buildings is the New York Public Library building which is a fantastic beaux-arts building made of marble that features beautiful shades of gray,” said Gibbons. “Central park in the summertime is my favorite place and the colors and beauty of the park inspired some of my wallpaper choices.”
Yanks created July’s Hamptons palette as the true essence of summer, capturing the area’s natural tones and vibrant social scene. She described her personal color palette as grey, black and navy for most of the year, and then in the summertime it switches to creams, oatmeal and whites.

Samantha Yanks' color palette
“There’s nothing like refreshing a room with a new coat of paint,” said Yanks. “It can change absolutely everything.”
The August Southern California palette, curated by Mrs. Lilien, embodies the boundless enthusiasm and bold tones the renowned graphic designer is known for.

Mrs. Lilien's color palette
“It’s everything iconic of the SoCal Motherland,” said Lilien of her palette. “The blues of the SoCal Surf Report immediately had me dreaming up a bird eye vision of hundreds of surfers filling the beautifully hued waters of the Pacific Ocean. Who wouldn’t want to bring that same vision into their favorite space? It would be a shame NOT to recognize the ever-abundant greens, yellows and oranges seen in the Sunsets & Succulents palette. I feel ever-inclined to share the bombardment of colorful inspiration that surrounds me in San Diego with everyone, far and near.”
Next up, Lindsay Souza of The Pursuit of Style will curate the Washington D.C. palette for September, pulling design inspiration from the nation’s capital. Farrow & Ball plans to continue the campaign next year and will announce more tastemakers in the coming weeks.
Follow along on www.TheChromologist.com, and with social media hashtag #CityPalette.

Last week, the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) hosted its third annual Picnic by Design charity event at Midtown Loft & Terrace, bringing in more than $35,000 for the charity.
The event, which featured more than 40 picnic baskets created by top New York interior designers and architects, invited guests to purchase a one-of-a-kind picnic dinner followed by a lively cocktail party.

The baskets were designed by Danielle Colding, Gensler, Michael Aram, CRD Associates, Matthew David Celebrations, Brad Ford ID, HUXHUX Design, Jeremiah Brent,Antoinette Loupe, Archives ID, Atelier by Nicole Dufour DuRocher, B+N Industries, Barbara Fina, Bryon C. James for House of Oasis, Cheryl Umbles, Dan Mazzarini and Brian Humphrey of BHDM Design, Dustin O’Neal and Paris Pickett, Hollymount Ltd., Homestories,Hubley Design Interiors Inc., Kristen Guerrero, Lindsey Coral Harper, Maurice Assouline, Mee Tran Studio, Michelle Slovak, Mod Design Guru, Nile Johnson, Patrick Mele, Richard A. Baquero, Samantha Knapp for Tigerlily’s, Samuel Masters, Simple Dwellings by Elizabeth Braha, The 3rd Floor Lab, Think Fabricate, Tina Rachmandani Creative, Vanessa DeLeon and Workshop/APD.
Here’s a look at some of the stylish picnic displays:

Archives ID

Gensler

Julie Schuster Design Studio

Lindsey Coral Harper

Think Fabricate

Samantha Knapp
DIFFA supports and funds organizations in New York City and throughout the country that are working day in and day out to provide HIV/AIDS treatment, education and prevention services for those in need. Bolon, Robert Allen, Poggenpohl, the New York Design Center and Canard, Inc. sponsored this year’s Picnic by Design. Media sponsors were Interior Design Magazine and Lonny Magazine.
Photo Credits: Sarah Sickles and Timothy Bell

Ballard Designs has partnered with Bunny Williams to debut the company's second-ever collection with an interior designer. In 2010, Ballard collaborated with Atlanta-based tastemaker Suzanne Kasler. The initial roll out of Williams’ collection includes a selection of tabletop, entertaining and holiday pieces, which celebrates the designer’s flair as a hostesss, while additional categories are in development for 2015. Inspired by Williams’ own treasures from her travels, the new series is described as a blend of function and fashion for the table.

Bunny Williams
“Because the collection is very well-thought-out and designed for the pieces to be mixed and matched, people can really make it their own,” said Williams. “Hosting is not meant to be stressful and the more prepared you are, the easier it will be to entertain—even at the last minute.”
Featuring everything needed to set the table, the assortment includes linens, glassware and dinnerware, place card holders and cachepots. The collection, which spans over 120 SKUs, also incorporates home accessories like a hand-stitched leather charging station and guest towel holders.

Bunny Williams collection for Ballard Designs
“We started off by choosing two different colorings and patterns for china, and then that leads you to choosing other things,” said Williams. “So we added placemats, glasses, then containers and bar glasses. We used everything from porcelain to glass, metal to fabric and leather to raffia. I can't think of a material we didn't use.”
To learn more details and found out how the collaboration came to be, this reporter chatted with Karen Mooney, Senior Vice-President, Brand Marketing for Ballard Designs, who shared it could be another four or even fourteen years before we see another partnership.
Why did you choose Bunny Williams for your next collaboration?
We have been in love with Bunny for years. She is an iconic designer who hails from the south and has a beautiful, welcoming aesthetic. She is also a genuine expert in entertaining and when it comes to hosting a dinner party, she is an authority. An expansion of our tabletop and entertaining categories was (and is) part of our overall brand strategy, and after the success we’ve had with Suzanne Kasler’s collection, we thought this was a great opportunity to work with another designer—partnering with Bunny on this seemed like a perfect fit.
How did the partnership come about?
We initially met with Bunny and her team up in her New York office and we hit it off. There was a lot of camaraderie and mutual love and respect for each other’s brand. We all knew pretty quickly this was going to be a very successful partnership.

Bunny Williams collection for Ballard Designs
How was the Suzanne Kasler partnership received?
We partnered with Suzanne in 2009 and launched her first collection in the fall of 2010. When we initially made the decision to partner with a designer for a collection, we were undoubtedly nervous because we had never had anyone else’s name on our product, but we knew it was a good risk to take. Not only is Suzanne an amazing designer with a classic style that is totally Ballard’s vibe, she is based in Atlanta so it made for a wonderful first taste at having this kind of partnership. The customers adore her and her style, and she has become like family to us. Suffice it to say, we absolutely love working with her.
How does that collection compare to this one?
Suzanne Kasler and Bunny Williams are both incredibly talented designers, but they have a completely different style. Bunny is classic and welcoming with an eclectic layered style while Suzanne is chic and sophisticated with a more neutral palette. They have two very different looks, but they both work for Ballard and our customer. We’re all about layering and we don’t believe in one note decorating.
Why space them four years apart?
We aren’t interested in having these partnerships just for the sake of having them. We want designers who fit perfectly with who we are and what our brand stands for; it could have been four years or 14. We are constantly watching designers, but we don’t have a time limit on this, per se—we wait for it to be an ideal match.

Bunny Williams collection for Ballard Designs
What do designer collections do for the brand?
They stretch us. We’ve been around a long time, we know our customer and we develop product with her in mind. Outside designers bring a point of view that sometimes surprises us and makes us think outside of the box. Suzanne and Bunny are heavily involved in the entire process. Their products are a function of who they are and what their own brand stands for—and it works for our customer. The designer collections are a way for our audience to get a piece of something they might not necessarily have access to.
Are designers a focus for the brand and if so, why?
Absolutely—interior designers are the crux of who we are. We often hear that we are their secret source for projects and clients (which we love to hear), and our designer file is large and active. We love to work with them on projects that we feature on our design blog (howtodecorate.com) and we always look forward to photographs of spaces they’ve done using Ballard products—some of our best ideas come from there.
Will there be more partnerships in the future?
We never say never. We don’t have any plans at the moment, but ask us again in four years.
To view Williams’ collection online, click here.

Editor at Large is shaking things up this fall at High Point Market (October 18-23), presenting the first-ever printed edition of its Essential Guide to High Point Market, a multi-page tabloid-size newspaper highlighting everything from design events and product introductions to Editor at Large’s newly introduced designer-led tours.
The Essential Guide to High Point Market will offer a comprehensive look at more than 80 interior design events happening throughout Market. Designed to be the definitive Market resource for interior designers, the Guide will provide tips on navigating High Point and will include a list of market veterans' favorite resources.

“The last few markets, we saw designers carrying stapled print-outs of our online Guide and realized there was a tremendous need for this information,” said Editor at Large President Julia Noran Johnston.
For the upcoming Fall High Point Market, Editor at Large will print and distribute 5,000 copies of the Guide at targeted locations throughout Market. Additionally, an electronic version of the Guide will be available for download at Editoratlarge.com, emailed to more than 25,000 design and industry professionals and promoted via its social media platforms which reach 100,000+ professionals and enthusiasts.
“Interior designers make up an increasingly significant portion of Market-goers and more brands are catering to them than ever before,” said Johnston.
According to the High Point Market Authority, approximately 10,000 interior designers registered and attended the Spring 2014 Market.
In addition to fulfilling a need for a printed, portable event guide, Editor at Large saw an opportunity for curated Designer Tours. With more than 180 buildings, 2,000+ exhibitors, 12 million square feet of showroom space, and tens of thousands of new product introductions at each Market, the tours will help new and returning Market-goers navigate the abundance of design destinations and attractions at Market, and discover less obvious shopping venues. These tours will take designers to unique and lesser-known destinations both on and off the beaten path, as well as furniture and upholstery workrooms such as Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman and Baker, giving visitors a first-hand look at how top-quality pieces are made in the furniture capital of the world.

Designer Tour Guides Lisa Mende, Jennifer Flanders and Jason Oliver Nixon
Interior designers and veteran market-goers Lisa Mende, Jennifer Flandersand Jason Oliver Nixon will lead the tours, which will take place twice a day (in the mornings and afternoons) the first three days of Market. Each tour will include a meal and private transportation to the various stops on the tour.
Editor at Large welcomes all High Point exhibitors to submit their Fall 2014 High Point events for complimentary listing. The deadline for submitting content and securing ad space in the Guide is Wednesday, September 3. For more information on the guide or to register for a tour, please contact Kate Jerde at kjerde@editoratlarge.com or 212.904.1040.

“The New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) prides itself on providing various options for studying at the college, whether it’s full- or part-time study, undergraduate or graduate programs, or pre-professional or professional degrees,” said NYSID President David Sprouls. “Now we are offering one more—the ability to get a NYSID education from anywhere in the world.”
The non-degree Basic Interior Design (BID) certificate program is a preparatory course of study that provides an introduction to the field of interior design. The program is the foundation of the college's undergraduate degree programs, no portfolio is required for admission and it is offered both onsite and online.

New York School of Interior Design
“When we first started exploring online education, I wasn’t sure how well the onsite courses would translate into an online format,” said Sprouls. “But I’ve been blown away by the results. All online learning courses have the same great faculty members teaching and classes with only around a dozen students, but now with the added benefit of advanced communication technology, convenient 24/7 access to lectures and demonstrations, and relevant material available at your fingertips.”
The BID program was created with the desire to prepare students to continue in one of NYSID’s undergraduate degree programs or to pursue entry-level positions in the interior design industry. Upon completion of the BID, students can apply to the BFA or AAS degree program, since they will have developed the required portfolio.
“For aspiring designers who don’t live in and around New York, or just need the flexibility of online study, it’s the perfect way to learn the fundamentals of interior design,” said Sprouls. “Best of all, if you want to pursue a degree, you can transfer credits into our AAS, BFA or BA programs. And it is only the beginning for us as we will be adding additional programs and continuing education courses to our online learning options.”
The curriculum emphasizes the fundamental skills and knowledge of interior design, architecture and the visual and decorative arts, and the same NYSID faculty that teaches in the undergraduate and graduate programs teach the course.
Introductory courses focus on drawing, design concepts, and design history, thereby building a foundation-level understanding of the technical and aesthetic principles essential to comprehending space planning, color, drafting, and materials and finishes.
“There is a bit of irony to all of this as well,” said Sprouls. “When NYSID was founded almost 100 years ago we offered a Home Study Course that became wildly popular and was considered cutting edge in its day. As we approach our centennial, it is almost like we have come full circle by offering the latest technology to provide the best design education there is. It is very exciting for us as well as for those looking for a superior NYSID education.”
The BID certificate can be achieved on a full-time or part-time basis, but alone is not sufficient for graduates to be eligible for licensure without further professional education and experience.
For more information about the BID program, contact admissions or call (212) 472-1500 x205.

Following the redesigns of "The Rhode Yacht” and “The Real Yacht” last year, Sunbrella has completed Phase III of its “Perspective New England” campaign, by refreshing “The Beach House” in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
The house was given completely new life, which was documented in a series of seven online videos, following the story of interior designer Kate Jackson of Kate Jackson Design who sought a sophisticated and kid-friendly coastal inspired design.

“The Beach House episodes feature a series of design challenges that will resonate with families everywhere, whether or not you live on the New England coast,” said Gina Wicker, Design and Creative Director for Sunbrella fabrics. “For this makeover, we looked to interior designer Kate Jackson to bring the beach house to life through her unique style, her fabric and color palette choices and her careful consideration of the family’s needs.”

A native of Rhode Island and working mom of three, Jackson understood the challenges facing the owners of the beach house, Greg and Stacie Hall, who balance raising two active daughters and two dogs while running two small businesses.
“It’s not enough for a home to just be beautiful—it has to stand up to our active families and the busyness and messiness of our everyday lives,” said Jackson. “It was so fun to work exclusively with Sunbrella fabric for this project because it combines the style and beauty that consumers want with the high performance that families need.”

With a solutions-oriented approach to design, Jackson tackled fading in the living room and dining room; an open floor plan in need of a smarter furniture arrangement; a large beachfront backyard in need of defined spaces for dining and relaxing; and a new design for the girls’ bedroom/play area that reflects their personalities and can grow with them into their tween years.

Additional online content documenting The Beach House redesign includes blogs and short videos on tough interior design challenges, such as Jackson’s advice on hanging draperies in relation to transom windows and how to arrange furniture for different occasions. The series also will educate consumers on Sunbrella fabrics available at the retail level and how to gain access to additional Sunbrella resources by working with interior designers.
All three parts of Perspective New England, The Rhode Yacht, The Real Yacht and The Beach House, can be viewed online.
Keep up with the full project by following @Sunbrella and #PerspectiveNE on Twitter and Instagram.

The results are in: The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Second Quarter 2014 Interior Design Billings Index (IDBI) indicates steady, continued and positive momentum for the interior design industry in the months ahead.
The IDBI is a metric used to chart industry growth across all design sectors by surveying small, medium and large firms from different regions of the country on their billings and client inquires for projects including single-family residential, multi-family residential, commercial, hospitality, government, education and healthcare. In June, the ASID IDBI stood at 55.8 and the Inquiries Index was 58.2. While both indices are down slightly from May, these figures remain above 50, indicating positive growth across the design space.

“While the U.S. economy shifted into a higher gear during the second quarter and the composition of growth has improved, some uncertainty remains,” said Jack Kleinhenz, Ph.D., Chief Economist for this research. “The pace of construction and home improvement spending has been growing in fits and starts during the first half of 2014. Although employment for both architecture and design services is up, the second half of the year may increase at a slower pace and could result in positive—though softer—readings for billings and inquiries.”

The majority of the firms surveyed reported increased billings in June with index scores of 50 or above. Smaller firms, with either a sole practitioner or fewer than 10 employees, have reported consistent growth since the first quarter of 2014 as well as year after year. Results for larger firms (those with 25 or more employees) were positive, though imprecise due to the small number of responses. Medium-sized firms (10 to 24 employees) struggled to maintain their positive momentum in March and April, and in June experienced the lowest billings in the past year.

Conditions differed greatly across the regions, ASID firms in the Midwest, South and West all experienced increased monthly billings during the first half of this year. Indices for firms in the West and South stayed above 60 through June 2014, indicating the country’s strongest growth in billings. The Midwest region reported billings increases in every month this year except March, when the region’s score fell below 50. Interior designers in the Northeast struggled over the past six months, reporting billings increases only in May.

The single-family and multifamily residential sectors reported billings increases in May and June. In the case of single-family billings, that growth extended the momentum from the first quarter of 2014 and the month-over-month billings increases of the past year. The multifamily billings index varied more over the past year, but remained above 50 for eight months.

The commercial sector was not as strong, with only the office sector reporting increased billings in June. While that came on the heels of billings slumps in April and May, office design firms did experience billings increases more often during the past 12 months compared with the other three sectors. The hospitality, retail and entertainment sectors mostly witnessed declines in billings during the first six months of 2014, with the latter two facing eight months of billings declines over the past year. The hospitality sector began 2014 with decreased billings, witnessed a rise in billings in February and ended June with its lowest billings in a year.

The institutional sector showed varied results, with billings fluctuating dramatically over the past six months in government, education and healthcare. The government sector showed increases for the first three months, but slumped in April and May before rebounding in June. The education sector reported increased billings for five of the first six months of 2014, only dropping below an index of 50 in April. Year over year, the education sector experienced one of the most significant billings increases, jumping more than 25 points. Overall, billings at healthcare firms improved markedly from the second half of 2013 to the first half of 2014.
Since 2010, the IDBI has informed the economic outlook for the interior design industry as a whole. The ASID IDBI reflects a lead-time of approximately three to four months between interior design billings and spending. The IDBI was produced by ASID Research, under the leadership of Director Andy Whittaker, in partnership Kleinhenz and Russ Smith, Ph.D., both of Kleinhenz & Associates. It is a diffusion index compiled from a monthly ASID survey of 300 geographically diverse firms that primarily offer interior design services or offer interior design services as part of architectural, engineering and other related practices. The ASID indices are centered on 50 percent (above 50 indicates expansion and below 50 contraction).

Recognizing excellence in New England-based classical and traditional design, the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) New England Chapter has announced the 11 winners of the fifth annual Bulfinch Awards.
Named for the Boston architect of the Massachusetts State House, Charles Bulfinch, who played a key role in introducing Neoclassicism to America in the late 18th century, the awards program annually recognizes the best work of individuals and firms that preserve and advance the classical tradition in New England.
This year’s jury was comprised of Gary L. Brewer, AIA, Partner at Robert A.M. Stern Architects; Michael Imber, FAIA, Principal of Michael G. Imber Architects; and Russell Versaci, AIA, Principal of Russell Versaci Architecture.
The winners of the 2014 Bulfinch Awards are as follows:

Residential (Restoration, Renovation or Addition): Admiral’s House by Meyer & Meyer Inc.

Residential (New Construction over 5,000 square feet): Coastal New England Harbor House by Patrick Ahearn Architect

Residential (New Construction under 5,000 square feet): House at Surfside by Polhemus Savery DaSilva Architects Builders

Interior Design: Sherborn Shingle Style by Rafe Churchill

Commercial/Institutional: Ruane Center for the Humanities by Sullivan Buckingham Architects with The S/L/A/M Collaborative

Civic/Ecclesiastic: Christ Church Cambridge by Frank Shirley Architects

Landscape Architecture: Earl Major Estate by Dan K. Gordon Associates

Craftsmanship/Artisanship: Balcony Railing for Harvard Lampoon by Hammersmith Studios

Interior Design Merit: Sharon Farmhouse by Rafe Churchill

Landscape Architecture Merit: New England Historic Genealogical Society by Gregory Lombardi Design
Student Portfolio Merit: Stephen Kivimaki
The winners will be recognized at an evening ceremony and reception at the Grand Staircase of the Massachusetts State House in Boston in November. Tickets can be purchased online.

William Li has been appointed President of Ralph Lauren Home, succeeding Ian Sears who held the position for three years. Li spent the last four years building the business globally as SVP of the brand.

William Li
Li’s strong leadership skills, in-depth understanding of the home market and the company, and his well-established partnerships internally and externally will position him well in this new role, according to a release.
Li joined Ralph Lauren Home in August 2010 from Conde Nast where he spent 10 years in various positions including Publisher of Portfolio and Men's Vogue and Associate Publisher of Conde Nast Traveler, The New Yorker and House & Garden.
Sears plans to relocate to the West coast upon his departure October 10.

The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering is ready to open the doors to its annual Fall Opening Sales Event at The Society Boutique in New York City. Featuring the best, curated selection of all donations throughout the year, including high-end designer furniture, décor, artwork, clothing, jewelry, handbags, scarves and more, the sale will run from Wednesday, September 10 through Sunday, September 14.
Prices range from $25 to $3,850 with coveted pieces such as a graphic print by renowned American artist Alexander Calder, a sophisticated mid-century modern bar, decorative glass by Lalique and elegant accent tables and seating appealing to interior designers.
“In preparation for the Fall Opening Sale, The Society Boutique carefully sorts through all donations to find the highest quality and most unique pieces that are difficult to find elsewhere,” said Martha Glass, President of The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering. “Some pieces are completely one of a kind, and so appraisers are consulted to determine price. The variety of donations makes the Fall Opening Sale an exciting shopping experience that’s not to be missed and our loyal customers—including many high profile interior designers and stylists—eagerly anticipate the event because you never know what treasures can be found.”
Highlights of the sale include:

Alexander Calder print, $350

Mid-Century Modern Bar, $550

Pair of Birds by Lalique, $125 each

Elegant Side Table, $450; Cream Upholstered Tassel Chair, $350

Three Tier Side Table, $325

Harriet Kittay, Tumbling Blocks, $2500

Marble Top Entry Table, $750

Turquoise Cane Back Chairs, $500/pair

Bronze Statue with Crystal Dish, $120; Crystal Fruit Bowl on Bronze Heras, $250

Three Drawer Table, $350
The Society Boutique is located at 1440 Third Avenue between 81st and 82nd Streets. The sale will take place Wednesday, September 10, through Saturday, September 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday, September 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Proceeds from the Fall Opening Sale will support The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s mission. Founded in 1946, The Society is a volunteer-led organization within MSK dedicated to promoting the well being of patients, supporting cancer research and providing public education on the early prevention, detection and treatment of cancer.

In honor of the new season at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery, Senior Curator in the Department of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)Paola Antonelli will discuss an all new exhibition “Sleuthing the Mind” with Pratt Curator and moderator Ellen K. Levy on Wednesday, October 8.

Paola Antonelli
Sleuthing the Mind, which opens to the public on Wednesday, September 17, is a cutting-edge exhibition that explores the intersection between art and neuroscience through video, performance, human-computer interface, virtual reality, and more traditional artistic approaches that both highlight and unravel the mysteries of the mind.
“Sleuthing the Mind operates in the space between a thematic exhibition and an experiment, and analyzes how both new and traditional media may induce new experiences by directing our attention, emotion and memory,” said Levy. “The exhibition invites viewers to engage with art that provides insights into how the mind works.”

Robert Buck, Untitled ("Children’s Drawings as Diagnostic Aids" by Joseph H. Di Leo, M.D./ "Art as Healing" by Edward Adamson), 2007, charcoal, colored pencil, conté crayon, graphite, ink, latent fingerprint powder, and tape on paper, 10 3/8 x 8 inches. Photo: courtesy of the artist and CRG Gallery, New York
The exhibition features work by 20 local and international artists, and the opening night reception on Tuesday, September 16, will include a live performance by George Quasha and Charles Stein that plays with the viewer’s perception of language and cognition.
According to Levy, the art in Sleuthing the Mind draws from significant neuroscience research on consciousness, attention, memory and empathy. Participating artists have either directly collaborated with neuroscientists, taken inspiration from neuroscience writing and experiments, or have been trained in related fields.
Researchers and artists Suzanne Dikker and Matthias Oostrik have created a video work that references Marina Abramović’s “The Artist is Present” performance piece and visualizes moments of synchronicity between two people’s brainwaves.
Media artist Jim Campbell, whose work layers each frame from Alfred Hitchcock’sPsycho into a single image that contains all of the film’s visual data, was educated as an engineer.
Jill Scott, whose work was informed by the research of scientist Paul Bach-y-Rita on sensory substitution, created a sculpture inspired by the molecular structure of tissue specimens during an artistic residency at the Institute of Molecular Life Sciences at the University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Artist Jennifer Bornstein‘s film was influenced by neurologist V.S. Ramachandran’s brain-rewiring approach to treating amputees with “phantom” limb pain.

Gregory Garvey, screen grab from The Split-Brain (Dichoptic) Interface: Thomas v. Hill, 1999/2014, computer based stereoscopic display, 30 x 36 x 64 inches
Additional participating artists include Susan Aldworth, Hans Breder, Robert Buck, Nene Humphrey, Michael E. Goldberg, Mike Metz, Warren Neidich, Patricia Olynyk, Nicole Ottiger and Jane Philbrick.
Throughout the 2014-2015 season, Pratt will also debut the following exhibitions:
"Mapping Slow Design: Topics, Tools, and Traces," runs from December 3 to February 7, 2015. Presented in collaboration with design research center slowLab, and curated by its director Carolyn Strauss and artist Ana Paula Pais, this exhibition explores the “Slow Design” movement, which promotes sustainable design that balances needs of the individual, society and the environment.
"Martha Wilson’s Franklin Furnace," runs from February 20, 2015 to April 30, 2015. This retrospective exhibition will feature live performance art and archival materials from pioneering performance art space Franklin Furnace, including correspondence, photographs, press releases, posters, drawings and more. The space, which has been championing avant-garde art forms for 38 years, has had a lasting impact on the careers of artists including Eric Bogosian, Jenny Holzer and Barbara Kruger.
The Pratt Manhattan Gallery is located at 144 West 14th Street on the second floor. Gallery Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) has announced the winners of its 2014 Healthcare Interior Design Competition, which honors outstanding originality and excellence in the design and furnishings of healthcare interior spaces.
This year a jury of distinguished design professionals awarded Best of Competition honors to Perkins + Will New York for its project, Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health. One of a series of outpatient centers at New York University’s Langone Medical Center, the project also earned the Best of Category prize for Ambulatory Care Centers—Medical Practice Suites.

Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health
“This year’s submissions demonstrated a strong commitment to form following function that is essential in healthcare interior design,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst. “Each of the entries displayed an acute awareness of patient-centered design through the integration of spaces, use of light and selection of textures to create environments that promote healing and wellness. Effective healthcare interior design has the power to positively affect a patient’s quality of care and patient experience.”  
Judging the competition this year were Carol Doering, IIDA, CID, LEED AP (Director of Healthcare Services, IA Interior Architects); Tama Duffy Day, FIIDA, FASID, LEED AP BD+C (Firm-wide Practice Area Leader of Health and Wellness, Gensler); and Linda M. Gabel, IIDA, AAHID (Facility Planner, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center).

Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health
To the judges, the success in the design of the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health’s was in the details—broadly masculine design elements that achieved a sense of calm and comfort.
“Tailored and textural, masculine yet soothing, it was beautifully designed,” said Doering. Gabel elaborated on the center’s reserved aesthetic, noting its wide male demographic appeal. “The character of the clinic is sophisticated, restrained and highly consistent throughout. Visual textures from menswear and newsprint, pops of color, and streamlined wood and metal details create an environment that appeals to a full age range of male clientele,” she said.  
Category winners of the 2014 Healthcare Interior Design Competition are as follows:
Ambulatory Care Centers

Outpatient Clinics: Legacy ER Allen, Allen, TX; by 5G Studio Collaborative, Dallas, TX

Medical Practice Suites: Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health, New York, NY; by Perkins + Will New York

Medical Office Building Public Space: U.S. Air Force Postgraduate Dental School & Clinic, Lackland AFB, TX; by Hoefer Wysocki Architecture, Leawood, KS

Honorable Mention: Mercy Health Wege Institute for Mind, Body and Spirit, Grand Rapids, MI; by Progressive AE, Grand Rapids, MI
Hospitals

Community/Academic/Teaching Hospitals: Mercy Health West Hospital, Cincinnati, OH; by AECOM, Minneapolis, MN

Women’s: Toronto Birth Centre, Toronto, ON; by LGA Architectural Partner, Toronto, ON

Honorable Mention: Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; by SmithGroupJJR, San Francisco, CA
Senior Living & Residential Health, Care and Support

Community-based Service Facilities: SKCPH Kent Center, Kent, WA; by Buffalo Design, Seattle, WA  
All winning projects will be published in the 2014 October issue of Healthcare Design Magazine. Visit the IIDA website for more images.

Chairish raises $4 million in new investment series

Brad Ford launches ‘modern makers craft fair’ in upstate NY

Madcap Cottage moves to High Point, debuts HSN collection

State of the furniture industry continues to improve

Event Recap: Matouk celebrates 85th anniversary 'Gatsby' style

Preview to the Museum of Design Atlanta's 2015 exhibits

Domaine Home optimizes site for mobile viewers

Landscape architecture thrives in academia

Tastemakers tell the stories of three cities with color

Photo Tour: DIFFA’s Picnic by Design raises $35k for the charity

Bunny Williams launches collection with Ballard Designs

EAL to debut printed guide and designer tours at High Point

NYSID offers Basic Interior Design certificate, onsite and online

Sunbrella reimagines beach house for ‘Perspective New England’

Interior design billings remain positive for second quarter

ICAA-NE celebrates traditional design with Bulfinch Awards

William Li named President of Ralph Lauren Home

Shopping for a cause, markdowns at The Society Boutique

MoMA’s A&D curator Paola Antonelli to speak at Pratt exhibition

Perkins + Will NY shines in healthcare design competition