Decorating Den Interiors, North Americas largest home furnishings and interior design franchise company and a Home Accents Today magazine Retail Star, is expanding in the Palo Alto area with new franchise owner and interior decorator Alina Kish. Kishs complimentary seminar will be held Tuesday, November 6 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the Rosewood Sandhill Eucalyptus Room, 2825 Sand Hill Rd., Menlo Park.

Palo Alto/Menlo Park, California (PRWEB) October 26, 2012

Kishs complimentary seminar will be held Tuesday, November 6 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Rosewood Sandhill Eucalyptus Room, 2825 Sand Hill Rd., Menlo Park. Seating is limited; reservations should be made by emailing alinakish(at)decoratingden.com.

I am excited to be offering the community the opportunity to attend my upcoming design seminar. Ill be sharing the very latest in home interior color and design trends, showing some great fabrics, and discussing some nationally award-winning room makeovers done by my design colleagues, with before and after photos, said Kish. We also will have a special guest presenter, Joanne North, our senior vice president for retail sales. And, we will serve light hors doeurves and teas, and celebrate with a champagne toast.

Alina will bring to customers exceptional service, said Carol Bugg, ASID, DDCD, Decorating Den Interiors vice president of design. As part of our North American home furnishings and interior design team, Alina will be able to provide clients with creative ideas, whether just for adding a new touch or doing an entire room makeover. We are very pleased to have her expanding our presence in Palo Alto and Menlo Park.

I am proud to have been selected to open a new Decorating Den Interiors in the Palo Alto area (http://www.alinakish.decoratingden.com), and to become associated with this 43-year-old business organization. I am excited to be part of this great design business and I am eagerly looking forward to helping area residents make their rooms more beautiful.

Each of our professionals offers a wide range of home furnishings, and specializes in full-service decorating from the creation of a custom design plan to product selection and installation, says Bugg. Clients receive the comfort and convenience of previewing the very latest in fabrics, window treatments, wall and floor coverings, furniture and accessories in the lighting of their own homes or offices. We bring more ideas than they will find in any store. And design consultations are always offered on a complimentary basis.

Theresa Pineda, Decorating Den Interiors, regional manager, said Alina will be a great addition to our team in this part of California. She brings great experience in both business and interior decorating. We are excited to be growing.

Established in 1969, Decorating Den Interiors has owners, designers and decorators throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Decorating Den Interiors was named a 2012 Retail Star by Home Accents Today magazine, a leading home furnishings publication. Decorating Den room makeovers have been featured in such publications as Good Housekeeping, Traditional Home, Better Homes and Gardens, and House Beautiful. In addition television segments featuring the companys dramatic room designs have aired hundreds of times on HGTV and the Discovery Channel.

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Home Furnishings ‘Retail Star’ To Host Grand Opening Design Seminar on NOV. 6

This has been a good month for New York's late, lamented restaurants. First the Tavern on the Green's new operators signed on the dotted line to take over the de-Crystal Roomed Central Park standby. And today the Landmark's Preservation Commission voted to make the interior of the shuttered Rainbow Room the 115th landmarked interior in town. And unlike, say, the East Village Historic District, this one seems like a no-brainer to us. Now to get New Yorkers back up there!

Despite concerns that a 1980s renovation of the "Streamlined Modern" Art Deco restaurant high above Rockefeller Center might stop the space from being landmarked the Commission went with it unanimously. "The Rainbow Room came to epitomize New York City glamor," commission chairman Robert Tierney said in a statement. "It retains not only many of its original characteristics, but also several generations worth of memories."

The original Rainbow Room, with its famous dancefloor in the sky, was designed by Rockefeller Center architect Wallace Harrison with the help of decorator Elena Bachman and set designer Vincent Manelli and was updated in the 80s by Hugh Hardy. And it really is a gorgeous space that deserves to be seen by New Yorkers. So now the building's owner, Tishman Speyer, has to do is get a real restaurant in there. C'mon guys, do it! This place just radiates glamour.

Originally posted here:
The Rainbow Room Is Now Officially A New York Landmark

The Krebs Restaurant in Skaneateles

The building housing The Krebs restaurant dates to 1845, and it began as a restaurant under Cora Krebs in 1899. According to owner Adam Weitsman, the project is a board-for-board, historical renovation with a faade that will look identical to the previous one but will be updated. The project includes a new porch, new roof, an addition on the rear of the building and new landscaping. The interior will be modernized and will have an upscale, tavern feeling and all functions kitchen, dining room and bar will be on one level.

The new Krebs will operate under a concept known as farm to table. That includes sourcing as much of its food from local farms and markets as possible. The restaurant will be open three and a half days a week, from Thursday to Sunday brunch, with the menu changing daily. All proceeds from the restaurant will go toward local womens and childrens charities.

Locations: 53 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles Completion Date: February 2013 Cost: $4 million to $5 million Architect: Robert O. Eggleston, of Skaneateles Interior Decorator: McAlpine Booth & Ferrier Interiors, of Atlanta Landscape Architects: Pressley Associations, of Cambridge, Mass. General Contractor: MCK Building Associates, Inc., of Syracuse

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Cranes in the air: The Krebs restaurant in Skaneateles

Nate Berkus Explains When to Call In an Interior Designer

Three Things a Designer Can Help You With:

1. Getting the scale right. "I can look at a photo and the dimensions of any piece and tell you if it's going to sit well with the four other pieces in your room."

2. Mixing styles. "If someone says, 'I love the glamour of Hollywood in the 1940s, but I also love the idea of a log cabin, and I'm happiest when I'm at the beach with natural colors,' I can combine all of that for them."

3. Access to resources. "It's my job to know what's available, from every retailer, catalog, website, antiques mall, and craftsperson. A good designer or decorator has to have an almost encyclopedic knowledge."

Three Things You Don't Need a Designer For:

1. Buying furniture. "You don't need anyone's help to buy a well-made sofa or chest of drawers."

2. Hanging artwork. "When I see a wall that's hung with different objects, framed or unframed, what I like about it is its fluidity and rule-breaking nature. Just experiment a bit."

3. Choosing colors. "I've always felt that color is intrinsically personal. It evokes a tremendous amount of emotion. If there's a color you respond to, that's something you can incorporate into your home. No one can tell you it's wrong."

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Nate Berkus Explains When to Call In an Interior Designer

Renovation Open House will be playing at the Hollywood Theater in La Crosse on Saturday, and ticket buyers will get to play interior decorator voting on finishing touches to restore the old theater.

The $10 admission for the 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. fundraiser will entitle buyers to tour the building and 10 tickets to cast votes for faucets, wallpaper, paint, tile and lighting fixtures, said Phil Addis, who bought the dilapidated theater, sight unseen, at a sheriffs auction Feb. 28. Proceeds will go toward the restoration.

The open house, with tours every half hour, is part of the 17th annual Historic Downtown La Crosse Day, which starts with a 5K run/walk at 8 a.m. at Viterbo University and continues with family activities through the day.

One of the more popular events, the 21st Annual Chili Cook-off in the State Bank parking lot, has been canceled because of predicted rain.

At the Hollywood, open house patrons will be able to see Addis progress since he gained access to the building for the first time in April and discovered it had no heat, air conditioning, seats or running water but plenty of crumbling plaster and mildew.

The inside has been cleaned, the moldy carpeting removed and the decrepit furniture tossed, and repairs are in process, he said.

On display besides the decorating options will be the final architectural plans and seats that will be installed before the theater reopens, which Addis has targeted for February.

Addis, who declined to estimate the ultimate cost of the project, said he has received some small donations and has received extensive in-kind donations from the roofing and electrical contractors.

He envisions the theater as a venue for second-run movies, as well as old and classic movies and a concert hall. People also will be able to rent it for meetings, and a couple inquired about being married there. Unfortunately, the renovation wont be completed in time for their nuptials.

Historic Downtown La Crosse Day will feature an array of other activities highlighting the citys heritage, including tours of Mary of the Angels Chapel at Viterbo, open house tours at the Grand Hotel Ballroom, free trolley rides and horse-drawn carriage rides around downtown and music of bygone and current days.

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Hollywood Theater tour a highlight of Downtown La Crosse Day

Over my 24 years as a career butler, I have been very fortunate to have seen some of the most fabulous residences in the world, and worked on behalf of my employers with exceptional decorators, interior designers, luxury builders and architects.

These great homes include, but are not limited to, the former New York residence of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, the Park Avenue apartment belonging to J.D. Rockefeller and a castle in the United Kingdom that is still owned and lived in by an actual duke and duchess. As well, I have worked with numerous industrialists and television personalities and have been privy to their private homes, secluded islands and ski chalets, ranging in size from a 2,500-square-foot pied--terre to an 80,000-sq.-ft. private residence.

As a butler, I get to go into every nook and cranny of a residence to make them as comfortable and enjoyable for the owners as possible. But remember, as a professional butler, I always keep their private-life secrets private.

Why is a butler writing a column in a homes section? Given my experience working in these most magnificent homes, I have learned what works and what doesnt. By this, I am referring to both the space and the function of a room. For example, will it work based on both the physical space and furniture layouts? Will it work for cocktail parties, intimate dinners and/or large-scale fundraisers? It is all about form vs. function. This introductory column is all about what you need to consider before moving into a luxury condominium, where you will perhaps for the first time live in close proximity to your neighbours, and how to make that transition successful.

Each and every one of the professionals that I have worked with have taught me something unique, but I still think after all of these years the most important lesson I have learned is that no matter what you are designing whether a single room, an exquisite apartment or an entire household the most important element is scale. If you have that down, the space looks normal and feels comfortable. However, when the scale of a room or the furniture is off, the space just doesnt feel right and, in fact, it just never works. When you successfully achieve the right scale of any room, it then becomes a matter of personal taste when you begin to consider the furniture style, colours, textures, etc.

Whether you are moving to a new home or remodelling a luxury condominium, you need to think about how you are going to entertain. Are you going to invite your family, friends and/or business colleagues? Do you entertain in a formal fashion thus a formal living and dining room are needed or is your personal style casual, and is a casual environment appropriate for your needs? Do you need a butlers pantry, and if so how should it be organized? (A butlers pantry, incidentally, is a service and storage room traditionally located between the kitchen and the dining room.)

How many sets of dishes, china and stemware do you have and should they be stored in the butlers pantry or the kitchen? What is your closet/storage space going to be like? How much storage do you need, and how much stuff should you be getting rid of? Do you need a large linen cupboard? What are you doing with your luggage, golf clubs, hunting equipment and off-season clothing?

Often when we are moving into a new residence, we are overwhelmed by the builder asking us to make a plethora of decisions with many options, and yet if we could only have the luxury of living in the space for a year to see how it really feels, it would then be easier to decide how to ideally finish the space. However, this is often not a luxury we have and decisions have to be made prior to the move-in date in order to finish the space on budget and on time.

An architect might be needed to help review space and scale and this architect is a great liaison with the builder about what can and cannot be done, but then a decorator and designer should be consulted to assist in the completion of your new space.

While recommendations from colleagues and friends are important, it is ultimately your decision who to chose and this matter should not be taken lightly. Just like any trade, a minimum of three decorators/designers should be interviewed and the choice should be given to the individual who understands your requirements regarding scale, style, colour, lighting and budget. You should always feel comfortable being able to question and veto any suggestions that you do not feel comfortable with.

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What the butler saw: Discerning household tips

As press accolades grow for San Francisco based interior design firm Jonathan Rachman Designs highly personal interiors, Rachmans private collection of curiosities expands to Marin, now exclusively available at Mill Valley Interior furnishings boutique, Revelation.

Mill Valley, CA (PRWEB) October 08, 2012

Jonathan Rachman burst onto the San Francisco Bay Area interior design scene with his Collectors Library at the 2012 San Francisco Decorator Showcase winning him much press attention and praise. Featuring an elegant European sensibility meets a touch of industrial design that was classic but current, timeless but also contemporary, his distinctive choice of objects evoked curiosity and conversation. Jonathan believes in preserving artifacts and found objects from the past for the enjoyment of the future generation. His design style is a harmonious collection of artifacts from Asia, Europe and America, be it antique, vintage or industrial. As Jonathan says, I believe in telling a story with every room I design.

A few examples of pieces available at Revelation include:

Jonathan and his work have recently been featured in the highly regarded interior design blog The Style Saloniste by Diane Dorrans Saeks and in the San Francisco Chronicles Stylemaker Spotlight. His interior design portfolio can be viewed on his website at http://www.jonathanrachman.com.

About Jonathan Rachman

Jonathan Rachman brings an international story to his firm. Born in Sumatra, educated in Switzerland and having lived in Europe, he now makes his home in San Francisco.

He has developed an appreciation for Indonesia's beauty and craftsmanship in its furniture and textiles. While living in Paris and Switzerland, Jonathon traveled Europe, becoming enamored with its antiques and architecture. His travel influences infuse his interiors, reflecting a thoughtfully elegant, global style. The collection and furnishing in this showcase collectors library tell the story of his journey.

Jonathan Rachman Design creates timeless, artful, interiors: interpretations of clients' personal styles and collections. Seamlessly blending the past and the present with thoughtful elegance, his designs are individually curated spaces with a bespoke point of view.

About Revelation:

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Globetrotting Interior Designer Jonathan Rachman Private Collection of Global Artifacts is Now Available in Marin at ...

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Interior design bloggers, hopeful design stars and amateur decorators have long wondered: "What really happens on the reality TV decorating shows?"

Philadelphia interior decorator Susan Hopkins ASID, CID spills the beans in a new Kindle e-book, called "An Interior Designer Behind The Scenes On A Reality TV Show" which shared her exploits on the popular NBC home-makeover show, "George to the Rescue".

On the show, she did a home makeover for breast-cancer survivor Brenda Jones, who creates "Hug Wraps" to help comfort cancer patients from children to adults. She donates the wraps to entire wards of children with cancer. Her house grew into a veritable factory for making the comfy clothes with matching stuffed animals and blankets.

The custom chair and desk she designed for the show is part of her new line of furniture Susan Hopkins Lifestyle http://www.susan-hopkins.com/lifestyle

"Brenda actually reminds me a little bit of my grandmother who died of cancer. And October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The story made me feel like that sixteen-year-old hopeless girl who wanted to help. I knew at that time that I wanted to do something for cancer and to just help people in the future. And this was my way of helping, while doing something that I am passionate about," said Hopkins, who likes to work on home decorating ideas with affluent clients in Philadelphia and California.

"The show is so different than how people expect it to be. They were so supportive of me and they respected my expertise. I was able to take on a lot of responsibility," said Hopkins, who describes her vision as clean and elegant. "I don't like clutter at all. My style is aesthetically pleasing with an edge."

She said the show was a great experience.

"I absolutely loved it! I've done theater before a lot of it - and this is totally different because you're walking around with cameras following you. It was so natural without scripts. It's all organic," she said.

Getting on the show was a bit of mystery.

"The producer called and left a voice mail for me while I was in a client meeting late one evening. The voice mail said, "Hi, Susan. This is Andy S. at 30 Rock..." I couldn't believe it was real. I believe that they found me just from searching through Google.I have a photo on my website. The producer told me that he felt that I had the right look for the show," she said.

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Philadelphia Interior Designer Susan Hopkins Reveals Secrets of Reality TV Shows in Kindle e-Book

A wrong set of keys unintentionally led Greg and Mary Berzinsky to their beloved home.

Transplants from Johnstown, Pa. (him), and Leonia, N.J. (her), Greg and Mary found their way to Philadelphia separately and adopted the city as their own. They met at a party and decided to buy a house after getting engaged in February 1992.

But costs at the time kept them from buying in the heart of the city. A friend mentioned that the eclectic neighborhood of Spruce Hill, a pocket within University City and at the time a more affordable option, might interest them. Two months later, the couple went to see a graceful home shaded by century-old trees.

"But when the Realtor went to open the doors, she realized she had the wrong keys. They were for the house across the street, which was also for sale," recalls Greg, 49. The Realtor suggested they take a look.

Only two other families had owned the house with the wide porch, built in 1900 by William S. Kimball, a developer who designed many of the houses in Spruce Hill. The semidetached dwelling was outdated and needed work, but details such as pine and oak flooring and thick, wide chestnut moldings captivated the couple, who share a passion for period architecture.

Adds Mary, 46, chuckling: "And then there were some things we didn't expect" - such as the cracked plumbing stack missed during a home inspection.

Even so, Greg and Mary, an architect and interior decorator, respectively, easily imagined this grande dame being restored to its original splendor, but with features for their modern family, which includes Victor, 15, and Ava, 13, as well as Streak, a rescued greyhound, and a languid kitty named Tim.

After purchasing the 3,700-square-foot Colonial Revival house, the Berzinskys, with the help of experts, started the task of installing new electrical, plumbing, heating, and central air conditioning systems. Then the kitchen and adjacent sunroom got an extensive overhaul.

Greg and Mary rolled up their sleeves and did a lot of the dirty work: framing, flooring, siding, and installing doors and windows.

"As the renovations were winding down, we had my sister's wedding in the house," says Greg, whose firm, Berzinsky Architects, is within walking distance. "It all worked out . . . although we did make everyone promise to stay only on the first floor."

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Glitch led to dream house

Argington comments on a recent ChicagoTribune.com article about the changing trends in decorating rooms for babies and children and the challenge of gender-neutral nurseries for interior decorator Marika Meyer.

Bohemia, NY (PRWEB) October 03, 2012

According to the ChicagoTribune.com article, Meyer says, These days, neutrals are the new pink and blue. Parents don't want to compromise the home's sophistication just because there are children in it. Keeping the walls neutral allows them to have both."

ChicagoTribune.com also interviewed Sonu Mathew, designer for Benjamin Moore Paints, who believes that gender-neutral paint choices are part of a larger cultural movement that allows children more creative freedom. Mathew adds, Before World War II, trends in fashion and design pointed to boys wearing pink just as quickly as girls would wear blue. So today, we're going back into that space where things are more level." Mathew goes on to describe yellow as optimistic, energetic and confident, which are all very important words for children.

Newell Turner, editor-in-chief for House Beautiful Magazine, suggested during the interview that there is a subtle psychological tie-in to color selection, reports ChicagoTribune.com. Turner responds to Mathews statement describing yellow as the most versatile gender-neutral color there is."

Argington spokesman Clay Darrohn comments, No matter what the trends in decorating for baby bedrooms happens to be, Argington furniture is suitable for just about every dcor. We pride ourselves on creating pieces that can fit in any room and that will be an attractive option for any designer or expectant parent. Trends will change, color choices will come and go, but our furniture is designed to withstand those trends and the test of time.

Argington is a New York based manufacturer of fine baby furniture and nursery bedding. Proudly offering sustainable products that are organic or eco-friendly, Argingtons products are also designed with mobility and multiple uses in mind to make the lives of parents easier.

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Scott Darrohn Argington 855-347-4228 Email Information

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Argington, Maker of Fine Nursery Furniture Sets, Comments on New Trends in Children’s Nursery Décor