Celebrated interior designer and film producer Gauri Khan will make her debut as an author with a book about her journey as a designer, announced publishing house Penguin Random House India on Monday. The coffee-table book, tentatively titled My Life In Design, will be released in 2021 under Penguins Ebury Press imprint, they said.

Khan said the book would be visually appealing, and guide both aspiring designers and people who want to learn about design in general. There are several experiences in my journey as a designer that I would like to record for posterity. The book will be very visually appealing with exclusive pictures and information that I feel could guide aspiring designers or those who are just generally interested in the art of design.

The lockdown has given me time to work on this coffee-table book and I will be extremely happy to see it published soon, said Khan, who owns Gauri Khan Designs (GKD), a well-known interior design company. She is also the co-founder and co-chairperson of the film production company Red Chillies Entertainment with her actor husband Shah Rukh Khan. According to the publishers, Khans journey as a designer -- be it renovating her own home, the homes of several Bollywood A-listers, including Karan Johar, Ranbir Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandez, or designing commercial spaces such as retail outlets, restaurants, spas, hotels, show apartments and various turnkey projects -- has been an original and exciting story.

Beside giving readers an insiders view of her life and experiences as one of the most sought after interior designers in the country today, the book also promises to be a treasure trove with never-before-seen photos of her work, family and residence.

The pandemic has brought several learnings, and it has forced us to slow down, look around and ponder. As most of us are working from home there is renewed interest in creating our own happy space to keep us positive and motivated through these trying times.

I am delighted that Gauri Khan has decided to share her design philosophy and open up her home for all the readers. I am excited to be working on the book, and I look forward to publishing it, said Milee Ashwarya, publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage Publishing, Penguin Random House India.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)

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Gauri Khan sheds light on her journey as an interior designer in debut book My Life in Design - Hindustan Times

I asked if he remembered her being elated.

I do, he said. But also it was a project with a lot of problems. Stress. Deadlines. It was a design challenge, but also a business challenge. She had to get the project done. These things had to be manufactured.

She traveled to San Juan twice, the second time to supervise the installation. Among the attic discoveries was a Caribe Hilton postcard that she sent to her in-laws in Cleveland in January 1963. Here on business working like mad but enjoying the warm weather, she wrote, signing it Lonesome Helen.

The casino project was a triumph, but there were setbacks. While she was working on it, or shortly after, my father lost his job as the editor of an advertising media guide when the publisher folded. With her encouragement, he enrolled full time at Columbia University to finish his bachelors degree while she supported them. They downsized, trading their one-bedroom apartment at Bleecker and West 10th Streets for a studio in the same building.

My mother was also unsurprisingly, for a young working woman in the early 1960s a victim of workplace sexual harassment. One of her colleagues, an engineer, had a habit of getting in her personal space and saying inappropriate things, my father told me. There was no human resources department to deal with such things, which were more or less accepted then, so she was left to manage them on her own.

By 1965, my father had his degree and had been accepted into the Foreign Service. And just like that, my mothers career in lighting design was over. They moved to Martinique, and then to Paris, where they hung the Caribe Hilton fixture in the dining room of their apartment overlooking the Seine. It was packed away before I was born, and shifted in and out of storage as we moved from Virginia to Brussels and back, then again to Paris before we came home.

My mother returned to work for a few years in the 1970s, taking a job with a company that planned office space. And she found various creative outlets, learning to silk-screen as part of an artists collaborative in Marblehead, Mass., in 1969 and 1970, while my father was pursuing a masters degree at M.I.T. (Her handmade Christmas cards from that time survive, as do three silk-screened op-art shadow boxes.) Mostly, though, she threw herself into her role as a mother and, later, the spouse of a United States ambassador.

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The Lamp Was a Clue to a Life I Didnt Know My Mother Had - The New York Times

The coronavirus pandemic has slowed life to a different pace, but Houston interior designer Marie Flanigan is busier than ever.

In addition to publishing her first book, The Beauty of Home: Redefining Traditional Interiors (Gibbs Smith; $45; 240 pages), Flanigan has launched a new collection of lighting with Visual Comfort and a collection of natural stone slabs with Aria Stone Gallery.

Flanigans distinctive updated traditional style always showcases great lighting, so her collaboration with Houston-based Visual Comfort is a natural fit. It includes a variety of sconces, pendants, chandeliers and table lamps that can be seen on the Circa Lighting website now and will be in stock in December.

My inspiration was taking traditional fixtures and bringing them to life in a modern new way using the organic textures and refined metals and materials that are really representative of my work, said Flanigan, who is 38 and a mother of three. Just like the book is called Redefining Traditional Interiors, in essence, my collection is redefining light fixtures in a fresh new context.

Flanigan used some of the new lighting in a House Beautiful showcase house in Colorado, and it will be featured in the November issue of that magazine. Flanigan was in charge of decorating the library/tea room and used a deep red background with antique brass fixtures.

Oct. 7: at 11:45 a.m. during Fall Design Week events at James Craig Furnishings at the Houston Design Center, 7026 Old Katy Road (showroom 298)

More: Watch for announcements of other book signings at instagram.com/marieflaniganinteriors.

For the stone collection, Flanigans director of design flew to stone quarries in Italy to choose distinctive stone slabs that include a creamy white Bianco Dolomite, ruddy Breccia Pernice, veiny Calacatta Gold Borghini Diamond and Fume, a gray marble with spiderweblike veining.

The slabs arent just for kitchen and bathroom counters; Flanigan said that in projects shell choose marble for a tabletop or the surface of a side table. And while Cararra and Calacatta marbles remain go-to choices in home design, Flanigans a fan of out-of-the-box choices like green, rust or even deep charcoal.

Flanigan, a native of Lake Jackson, studied architecture at the University of Texas and later earned an MBA from the University of Houston, but learned the value of home from her mother, a gracious hostess, and learned to love materials when studying the centuries-old architecture of Italy.

Images from more than 20 homes several of them from the Houston area are featured in the book as Flanigan takes a master class approach, teaching the important elements of architecture, composition, character, palette, illumination, detail, simplicity, depth and surprise.

I dont want it to be Marie Flanigans view of how you should live. My mission in life is finding what beauty is for the people I work for and helping orchestrate that, she said. Getting to the heart and soul of what a homeowner is looking for is my favorite part of the job.

Throughout The Beauty of Home, natural materials shine through in every room, from construction materials to home furnishings. There are beautiful slabs of marble, onyx, travertine and other stone and wood applied in its many forms, natural grains in cabinets, the aging of antique doors, or various cuts in oak flooring. Natural light spills everywhere.

Much of Flanigans work is in new construction or dramatic renovations, working hand in hand with an architect and builder or contractor as plans for a home and its contents take shape.

I want a home to be a reflection of the people who live there and be a retreat from the world, Flanigan said. Nature is a huge inspiration for me, and I like to call on the texture of authentic materials, things you can run your hand across and experience true marble or real linen.

Architecture plays a big role in my work. You can decorate a home and fill it with furniture and only be at a certain level of design. If you consider interiors with architecture and weave them together, you can take it to an elevated level you would not have been able to, she continued.

Throughout her book, Flanigan emphasizes the importance of good architecture, elements as simple as placement of windows or more complicated, such as preserving the material details of an historic home.

Textures abound, from walls covered in panels of wool or suede, fireplaces surrounded by marble or cast concrete, wood floors topped with rugs of natural materials and fibers. Lighting finished with nickel or brass trim and chairs or barstools with cane backs or seats.

Natural stone repeats in kitchens and bathrooms, and Flanigan said that current projects feature slabs of stone on walls as much as tile.

And as beautiful as the homes in the photos are, nothings too precious to sit on or use. The era of rooms that people arent allowed to go into is behind us.

People are looking for more approachability today. They want to live in their homes and not cringe every time someone has a glass of wine on their rug, Flanigan said. They want beautiful things, but they want to be able to use them.

For some, that means lush interiors, fabrics you cant resist running your hand over, soft rugs beneath your feet and draperies that soften a room. In others, though, a more minimalist approach calls for a glass or acrylic coffee table that does its job in an almost invisible way or dining chars completely devoid of ornamentation.

Flanigan revels in wall treatments, whether its beautiful wallpaper, lustrous paneling or even stone treatments.

And you know were in an era of good self-care when closets are beautiful enough to make the pages of a design book. Flanigans closet treatments for men and women are worthy of any high-end boutique, with built-in cabinetry, lighted sections, chandeliers and furnishings.

I style every home we work on, and to be able to put this coffee-table book on their coffee tables will be a thrill, she said.

diane.cowen@chron.com

Excerpt from:
In Marie Flanigans new design book, theres beauty in every home - Houston Chronicle

Color and texture play equal roles in fabric design, a balance renowned textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen knows well, as doesSunbrella, a leading manufacturer of performance textiles. Though the two have a history of collaborating, the recently launched Larsen Performance Collection marks the latter's first foray into designing a full collectionwith Sunbrella. The collection features a colorful selection of multi-use performance textiles that have the look and feel ofluxury fabrics with inspired designs.

A pioneer of 20th century craftsmanship, Larsens inspiration comes from a desire to weave designliterallyinto unexpected places, showcasing individuality and global ideas from his own travels. Larsen's familiarity with performance fabrics stems from his work atLongHouse, the16-acrenature reserve and sculpture garden he founded in East Hampton, New York. Striving to incorporate art in everyday settings, Larsens collectionwith Sunbrella offers rich, intricate patterns, which also are long-lasting, fade-proof and easy to clean.

Using his extensive print archive, Larsen reinterprets multicolor statement floral and stripe prints into woven jacquard patterns with soft chenille textures, giving a new tactile comfort to indoor and outdoor living. "Midsummer [the floral] was my most popular print which we did in the 50s in many colors," Larsen notes, "I've now revived the pattern as a jacquard woven."

As an avid and long-time basket collector, Larsen constantly refers back to fundamental basket weave patterns. The Interlacing pattern presents as a study in drawing out the essence of a baskets construction into a woven textile."We need fabrics to resist fading for all kinds of purposes, whether it's for children's spaces, work spaces, or living spaces," Larsen says, noting that anothersignificantconnection between these textiles and a properly woven basket is the durability.

The cornerstone of Hieroglyphs design comes from its fabric pattern. The Sunbrella design team created the performance version of a horsehair yarn, with bi-colors mixing matte and shine that give luster and durability to the pattern. Similarly, the Chinoise fabric features an all-over matelass pattern, providing a subtle yet eye-catching motif in a soft textural manner."It has been a pleasure having jacquard facilities and abilities to use multicolorsto create patterned fabrics which is what I've tended to do because they give pleasure," Larsen says about his experience designing with Sunbrella.

"Fortunately today, we have fabrics that are resistant to fading in the sun, rot or mildew, rain and wear and that is very special," Larsen says, noting the rising importance of multi-use spaces . "From quite bold, to subtle, to crisp, we have great variety in this small collection," he continues, "the colors have a crispness, cleanliness, bright or not, which I think will work well in many places."

Available now through Larsen Fabrics.

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Jack Lenor Larsen Teams Up with Sunbrella to Create Textile Collection That Doubles as Art - Interior Design

Samsung is a large, global electronics company that is known for its televisions, soundbars and smart devices. Through the launch of its Frame series of television products, the company is building a following within the home design community and integrators stand to benefit by the companys growing appeal.

James Mayo, director of custom install/channel strategy at Samsung Electronics America, states that over the past several years the company has worked hard to balance the traditional elements of television product development, with the needs of the interior design community.

Headlining Samsungs effort to bridge the differences between the electronics industry and interior design community has been the companys hugely successful The Frame line of products.

Available in a growing selection of screen sizes, The Frame line of products were developed to integrate into home spaces without looking like a traditional television.

The Frame line of products are capable of displaying fine works of art through the use of Samsungs QLED display technologies, and proprietary Art Mode technology, which provides homeowners a choice of more than 1,200 works of art to show at their convenience.

When Samsung first came out with The Frame, it was received so well, we had 55-inch screen sizes; a couple of main screen sizes.We quickly found out that the demand is far and exceeding just like a typical television, people want it in different screen sizes for different purposes, comments Mayo.

We went all the way up to 75 [inches] this year, which has been received really well; 55, 65 were always our best-selling screen sizes. So, we are testing it up higher and the 75 [inch model] has been received really well.

Not only does Samsung now offer the 75-inch screen size model, but it also went the other way, by introducing a 32-inch screen size. Mayo notes the smaller screen size enables homeowners to place their The Frame TVs in locations such as kitchens and smaller bedrooms.

In addition to the research and develop (R&D) efforts the company has put into The Frame series of products, Mayo stresses that Samsung is also supporting the merger of home electronics into interior design spaces, by opening up design centers across the U.S.

When we talk to designers one of the things, we that we find is that designers I think are kind of hardwired to avoid technology a little bit. That is one of the things that we are trying to warm up in the design community, he says.

Weve opened up four different design centers. One in Irvine, Calif., one in Washington D.C., one in Ridgefield Park, N.J., at our headquarter office, but the newest one we built is down in the Dallas Market Center in Dallas, Texas. And we have in there a Samsung Experience by the Dallas Market Center. What we are doing down there is really bringing designers; we built it right in where the designers are use, to working out of every day. What we are trying to do is to get them to come see the rooms, we have Frames set up in there, all of our technologies are set up in there. The designer can come in and show how it becomes a seamless part of their design.

Mayo adds that initially when Samsung designed the Frame line of products the company envisioned the products as secondary TVs within a home, but they were surprised to learn that because of the visual elements the products delivered, homeowners were using the TVs as their primary displays.

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CEDIA Expo Virtual Preview: Samsung Reinvents the TV with The Frame Product Line - CEPRO - CEPro

September 14,2020: All those who are under the misconception that luxury and sustainability dont go hand in hand need to have a second thought. A leading Malaysian interior designer, Andreas Budiman, has debunked the myth like a boss with his innovative eco-friendly yet plush interior design and home renovation projects. The founder of Malaysias topinterior designstudio AND Studio, Mr. Budiman specializes in creating sustainable homes that can save on energy costs

A name of big repute across Malaysia and Singapore residential renovation scene, AND Studio is a full-service interior design and home renovation firm. The company offers specialized design consulting and home remodeling services and caters to all kinds of home renovation projects. Whether its a luxury makeover just for the kitchen or an overall makeover of an entire home, Mr. Budiman and his team are ready to work for all.

What separates Mr. Budimans approach from that of the regular interior designers is his major emphasis in incorporating natural elements in his projectswith due respect to the safety of the planet. One of his recent projects was a condo makeover with natural design and elements which has introduced a new wave in the traditional scene ofinterior design in Malaysia. Located in a highly urbanized area, the condo has been transformed from a 4-decade-old house into a plush grand home, accentuated with natural elements.

The beauty of natural elements was the main concept behind the designing and renovation of the condo, said Mr. Budiman while speaking about incorporating natural elements in his recent project.

The house has been decked up with natural stones like marble which has brought a classy edge to the overall condo. Moreover, AND Studio has incorporated natural lighting in thehome renovationproject as much as possible to ensure almost zero energy consumption.

With thego greencampaign going strong with each passing day, homeowners are really conscious about attaining a sustainable design and eco-friendly living. But, in most of the cases, they are curious about how to incorporate that ethos into their homes and need a guiding support here. This is where we come in.

We try to bring in a natural feel in homes with the help of natural stones, like the way we did in one of our last projects. Natural stones carry a timeless appeal and they always add a dose of class when you are seeking a luxury makeover for your home. Moreover, they are durable. Besides, we focus a lot on getting in natural lighting for your home to reduce energy consumption as much as possible. We believe in creating sustainable home designs that would be pleasing to the eye, easy on pocket and also would contribute to the betterment of the planet.

While asked whether they had to face challenges while incorporating natural elements in their projects, Mr. Budiman mentioned a number of handicaps which they had to learn to tackle. He noted about the difficulties in carrying large slabs of natural stones through elevators and all the extra works needed to size them up before installation.

Yes, of course there are always challenges when we try to incorporate natural elements in our renovation or interior design projects. For example, natural stones usually com in big sizes. So, its a great deal of challenge to carry it in elevators and there is always a lot of on-site work involved before installation. But, we are happy to deal with challenges because we know the end product will serve a greater good.

Mr. Budiman also specializes in urban industrial-concept homes. Another of his recent project was on an industrial-concept home where he has used sophisticated black-accent concept design to create a suave urbane look.

A major name across the Asian interior design industry, Mr. Budiman has been widely appreciated by his clients for his vast knowledge, out-of-the-box approach to home design and renovation and personal touch. Unlike regular designers who are mostly running after money, Mr. Budiman is always more focused on helping his clients add value to their homes. He proceeds with every project with a personalized approach to ensure a clients specific needs and choices are addressed at their best. Many of his clients have spoken highly of his careful attention to detail and personalized care.

It helps a family to have a happy home. We do acknowledge your home is one of your most treasured assets and you wish it to be the reflection of your ethos and elegant tastes. Each design or renovation project comes with its own specific needs. Thus, we always stress on a personalized approach and minute attention to detail to ensure optimum satisfaction, added in Mr. Budiman.

The leading interior designer also aspires to educate his clients and visitors on various aspects of home renovation and interior design through his website and free reports that are sent to clients email. One of his latest educational guides is on hidden costs of renovation that provides exclusive tips on how to save time and money in a renovation project.

AND Studios official website is bustling with a series of happy testimonials from Budimans long range of clients. His clients have spoken highly of him for his unique design approach, impeccable professionalism, prompt response and transparent communication.

200% recommended!!

Even after the season of High Ticket Closing has ended, as my teams Accountability Leader, he continued to provide me with the support I needed in terms of promptly answering my questions, even going as far as setting up a one on one meeting just to best answer my concerns to try and give me more clarity and accountability.

He is truly a gem worth working with that is all about providing value first.

About Andreas Budiman

One of the most renowned names in the Malaysia and Singapore interior design industry, Andreas Budiman is a seasoned interior designer and home renovation expert. His interior design firm, AND Studio is based in Johor Bahru and is reputed for premier and eco-friendly interior design and consultancy for home owners. Budiman is one among the top High-Ticket Closers mentee of Dan Lok, The Asian Dragon and specializes in combining luxury with natural elements to create a warm and classy ambience inside the home.

For moreinformation, please visithttps://andstudiodesign.com/

Source: Story.KISSPR.com

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AND Studio creating sustainable homes with eco-friendly luxury interior design & renovation - Press Release - Digital Journal

Back in 2018, while the Dolan Twins were still living in their first Encino home, they enlisted the help of Mr. Kate and Joey to add some decorative touches. The couple decided to match the interior design to the mid-century exterior, and their dining room choices have since come back to haunt them.

After selecting a rustic dining table, Joey explained that they chose more mid century chairs for contrast.While placing the seats at the table, Joey and Kate discuss how they picked them.

"These chairs are cool," Joey says.

"I am obsessed with these," Kate responds. "These are made in Italy."

When the Dolan Twins were able to see the finished design, they harped on the chairs.

"They're made in Italy? Imported?" Ethan said.

"These are amazing! We're Italian!" Grayson exclaimed.

"A little bit," Ethan added.

But, more than two years later, the Dolan Twins said that Mr. Kate actually lied about the chairs, and they claimed that they were really from Walmart.

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Why Did the Dolan Twins Shade Mr. Kate's Furniture? What Happened? - Distractify

As we approach the final quarter of 2020, the profound business shifts caused by the coronavirus are more apparent than ever, from day-to-day operations to fundamental values. We asked seven interior designersMelissa Bodie, Kati Curtis, Javier Fernandez, Taj Hunter Waite, Christina Nielsen, Alisa Popelka and Danielle Rollinshow the virus affected their firms and how theyve adjusted to the changing times.

Alisa PopelkaCourtesy of Alisa Popelka

Keeping it realIve added a COVID clause to my contract and have had open dialogues with each client regarding how they are most comfortable moving forward with projects during the pandemic, whether that is to continue in-person, change to virtual services or put their projects on hold. By remaining transparent and keeping the lines of communication open regarding issues such as longer lead times, freight and shipping delays, and managing scope creep (as clients are spending more time in their homes and adding to their projects), it establishes that we are all on the same page. Each party understands we are working under abnormal circumstances, but still striving for excellent customer service, a great client experience, and a well-designed space clients will love to live in. Alisa Popelka, Alisa Cristine Interiors, Dallas

Javier FernandezCourtesy of Javier Fernandez

Back in actionIn the early days of COVID, most of my projects were placed on hold. That time was quite scary, not knowing if the client would call back. Around the end of April, the phone calls and emails from existing clients, as well as new ones, started coming in fast and furious. After a great big sigh of relief, I went to work and have not stopped. The projects range from sprucing up a couple of rooms to full-on remodels, including participating in The Hampton Designer Showhouse to boot. What I have learned from this moment is that our homes are critical to our well-being. With more time at home, I sincerely believe that clients are investing in their homes because they have fallen back in love with them. Javier Fernandez, Transitional Designs, New York

Taj Hunter WaiteCourtesy of Taj Hunter Waite

A different paceWhen the COVID shutdown occurred, there was so much uncertainty initially. As weve slowly started again, delivery of custom orders are all moving at a snails pace. For the most part, on full design service jobs, budgets havent been affected. [The most significant change] I have experienced is clients wanting to be a bigger part of the process. When I encounter that, I suggest our virtual service options. If you want to actively be a part of the process, I can source and advise you along the way. Considering the lines between work, home and family responsibilities are more blurred than ever before, I find being flexible in offering new methods of design delivery to be key. Taj Hunter Waite, All Things Taj, Miami

Kati CurtisCourtesy of Kati Curtis

creative licenseWeve had to get creative with installs. Some buildings wouldnt allow our contractors in, some would only allow a certain number in at a time, and some have only allowed work in one unit per day, so if someone else was working wed have to wait. Weve also had some clients on a tighter deadline, meaning we have to work quickly and be extra-efficient. Some materials have been delayed due to international shipping. Its all about adapting and finding new solutions to still deliver exceptional results for our clients. Kati Curtis, Kati Curtis Design, New York

Christina NielsenCourtesy of Christina Nielsen

Here comes the boomI am extremely grateful to say that COVID has impacted my business in a positive way, and I have never been busier. As the power of home is more prevalent than ever, my clients are looking to either upgrade their homes or move into new ones. While commercial projects have stalled, New York and the surrounding area is a buyers market, which has created a boom in residential design. It has, however, been a huge learning experience to transition from in-person meetings and appointments to purely virtual. I miss having the connection of clients and showrooms, but it is clear that the design industry remains incredibly resilient and continues to adapt. Christina Nielsen, Christina Nielsen Design, New York and London

Melissa BodieCourtesy of Melissa Bodie

A closer look Fortunately, business has been solid and consistent, thanks to our introduction of e-design services. But reading the startling statistics about the viruss effect on people of color holds up a microscope to the systemic, institutional racism in the U.S., and has propelled us to continue to strive for more diversity, inclusion and equity. We continue to examine our role within the design business, reassessing the brands with whom we work and from whom we source. Melissa Bodie, Melissa + Miller Interiors, New York and Philadelphia

Danielle RollinsCourtesy of Danielle Rollins

Full speed aheadI think the home industry is in for a major boom. People [have] started really seeing their home as a place of shelter, rather than a transient dwelling they pass through. I am seeing a major shift in how people view their spacestheyre making a major investment in the things they had put off or didnt see value in investing in before. My clients are going full throttle on curtains, carpets and fully decorated spaces. Danielle Rollins, Danielle Rollins Interiors, Atlanta

Homepage photo: A project by Danielle Rollins from her forthcoming book, Home for All Seasons | Courtesy of Rizzoli

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7 designers on how COVID has impacted their businesses - Business of Home

A New Initiative to Provide Three Days of Inspiring Programming and Connect the Design Community Through Open, Interactive Events.

(August 26, 2020 -- Washington, DC) -- The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has announced its first-ever Virtual Conference, seeking to unite design professionals nationwide. Created to support and inspire the design community despite the travel and health restrictions of COVID-19, the Virtual Conference will provide programming, resources, networking, and a virtual exhibit hall to connect designers and design partners, promote wellness and wellbeing, and demonstrate the impact of design. The Virtual Conference will be hosted on the ASID Academy and will also be accessible via mobile app from September 15-17, 2020 with a preview of the Exhibit Hall starting September 8, 2020. Additionally, the event is free and open to all of the design public, not just ASID members.

The ASID Virtual Conference will offer a diverse range of digital programs, including signature events like the ASID State of the Society. The event invites design professionals, students, educators, and manufacturers to join together and experience the Societys design impacts lives mission, free of cost. Harnessing timely topics through its CEUs, keynotes, and other programming, the Virtual Conference is set to empower designers through personal and professional development opportunities, support industry manufacturers through virtual networking, and connect and support the design community nationwide - without the limiting factors of cost or travel.

Being able to share the mission of design impacts lives with designers from around the country truly demonstrates the far-reaching power of design," states ASID Interim CEO Gary Wheeler, FASID. We are thrilled to bring the entire community together through a packed line-up of enlightening events and interactive engagements, all thoughtfully curated to spark inspiration and push our industry forward."

As part of the ASID Virtual Conference, exclusive training and events for ASID chapter leadership will also be offered simultaneously through a supplemental board agenda. The Virtual Chapter Leadership Conference will provide invaluable education and professional development for the next slate of ASID chapter leaders to succeed in their new roles.

Ranging from morning mindfulness sessions to informative CEUs and exhibitor pop-ups, the Virtual Conference will touch on topics including designs role in a post-COVID world, occupant wellbeing, industry resilience, diversity and equity in design, and more. In line with its innovative virtual format, ASID will reimagine the traditional opening program and kick off the event with a crowd-sourced keynote titled: Whats Next? Designs Impact on People, Places and Planet. Highlighting the best names in design, an array of luminary speakers - including ASID Designers of Distinction, Student Portfolio Winners, Fellows and more - will explore the meaning of design impacts lives.

Speakers for the Virtual Conference include:

Gary E. Wheeler, FASID

Interim CEO, ASID

Gary E. Wheeler, FASID, is a renowned professional with more than 30 years design experience and a passion for creative excellence. He has led practices at Perkins&Will, Gensler, and most recently, HDR. Distinguished for his strategic approach to workplace design, Gary began his career as co-founder of the Wheeler Group in 1978. Gary has worked with companies in a variety of industries, including Apple, JPMorgan Chase, Time Warner, Bates Advertising, Leo Burnett Worldwide and Marsh. His many ASID accomplishments and milestones include being named the Designer of Distinction (1999), granted fellowship and serving as National President (1994). During Wheelers time as ASID President, he was a transformative leader that ushered in a new era for the organization by expanding the ASID Foundation and investing in research and evidence-based design. Wheeler has also been inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame and received the Senior Fellow Award from The Design Future Council (DFC) in 2002. He is one of the few designers with Fellow distinction with ASID and IIDA.

Kerrie Kelly, FASID, NKBA, CAPS

Chair-Elect, ASID Board of Directors

Creative Director, Kerrie Kelly Design Lab

With over 25-years of experience, Kerrie Kelly is creative director for Kerrie Kelly Design Lab. Kerri is an award-winning California interior designer, author, and contributor; and a product designer and multimedia consultant helping national brands reach the interior design market. Kerrie is a fellow, chair-elect to the National Board of Directors, and chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees for the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID); Houzz Pro Advisory Board Member; and the 2020 Trends Expert of the National Kitchen and Bath.

Jennifer Kolstad, ASID, Assoc. AIA

Chair, ASID Board of Directors

Global Design Director, Ford Motor Company

Jennifer Kolstad is the global design director of Ford Motor Companys built environments. Her role seeks to unify Fords brand language across typologies through architecture and design, investigating opportunities for cultural and behavioral change, elevating design impact internal and external to the global Ford ecosystem. With a core belief in collaboration, her mission is to ideate future-state readiness for the physical infrastructure of a next-gen mobility company. Dedicated to the longevity of the interior design profession holistically, Jennifer is the 2020 chair of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) National Board of Directors. Since joining the national board in 2016, her focus has been the broader application of the interior design professional's human-centered expertise in every design equation.

About ASID

The American Society of Interior Designers believes that design transforms lives. ASID serves the full range of the interior design profession and practice through the Societys programs, networks, and advocacy. We thrive on the strength of cross-functional and interdisciplinary relationships among designers of all specialties, including workplace, healthcare, retail and hospitality, education, institutional, and residential. We lead interior designers in shared conversations around topics that matter: from evidence-based and human-centric design to social responsibility, well-being, and sustainability. We showcase the impact of design on the human experience and the value interior designers provide.

ASID was founded over 40 years ago when two organizations became one, but its legacy dates back to the early 1930s. As we celebrate nearly 85 years of industry leadership, we are leading the future of interior design, continuing to integrate the advantages of local connections with national reach, of small firms with big, and of the places we live with the places we work, play, and heal. Learn more at asid.org.

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When Kelly and Kevin McGauley walked their dogs, they often chose a route along White Bear Lake, past some vacant land where two homes had burned to the ground several years earlier.

Sometimes they talked about buying one of the lots if they ever came up for sale. But Kelly, owner of Leona Rose Interiors, wasnt sure she wanted to build.

As an interior designer, I never had a desire to build my own house, she said. I couldnt see creating something I wanted to live in long-term and putting so much energy into it. Its a little different decorating for yourself.

But the lure of the lake was too strong. When the property came up for sale, the Mahtomedi couple contacted the builder/owner, BCD Homes, and bought one of the lots.

Kelly had a strong vision for their new home. I wanted California contemporary style, she said, including a flat roof. I know enough to know that not every builder is capable of building that. So I asked, Will you? Can you? The builder assured them he could.

To design the home, the builder directed the McGauleys to PLAAD (Practice of Lasting Art, Architecture & Design), where architects Mark Stankey and Matt Byers have experience designing modern homes for Minnesotas harsh climate.

They also shared Kellys vision for what a lake home could be not just a home on a lake but a home designed to embrace the lake completely, while maximizing the width of a somewhat narrow lot that had been subdivided to accommodate two houses.

The overall goal with the architecture was to maximize the connection to the lake, said Stankey. Thats the main reason they built the house.

The connection to the lake begins as you approach the home. A glass cube flanked by concrete masses topped with clerestory windows and metal banding serves as the entry, with the door set to the left rather than center. You see right through the living room to the lake, said Stankey.

The one-level street front is quiet and restrained, according to Stankey, with less important spaces in the front of the house, including the garage and closet in the owners suite. Inside, the home opens up to the main living spaces, which offer sweeping views and access to the lake.

Large, stackable sliding windows on the back of the house maximize the connection to the lake. You can make the walls disappear in summer, said Stankey. You can blur and dissolve the boundary between inside and outside.

Theres even a glass-walled powder room. Its unexpected and really beautiful, said Kelly.

Wish list

Kelly also had a strong vision of the staircase she wanted to connect the main level to the walkout lower level, with its media room and bar.

One of my big wants was a floating metal and wood staircase, she said. And she wanted it without a stringer, a visible metal support mechanism. The team found a way to support the staircase through the walls. The media room has a glass-and-steel enclosure that frames and shows off the staircase. Its one of my favorite aesthetic features of the house, said Kelly.

In keeping with their clean-lined modern aesthetic, the McGauleys also wanted no trim throughout the house and doors that were flush with walls, with concealed hinges. Its really difficult to accomplish but executed to perfection, Kelly said.

The owners suite is on the main floor, right off the main living area, behind double doors. Both McGauleys work from home, so there are two offices, one on the lower level, lake side, for Kevin; one on the main floor in the laundry room for Kelly.

As a designer, I need lots of work surface, she said. So the countertop was extended over the washer and dryer. She can also pull a drape to hide the appliances.

In addition to the owners suite, there are three guest bedrooms on the lower level for the couples four young adult children, ages 20 to 23. We are a blended family, said Kelly. I have two sons, and my husband has two girls. The younger three are in college and live with the McGauleys part time, while the eldest has moved out.

They are always welcome, said Kelly. But none has their own bedroom. Last summer, when all four were living at home, she put a twin bed in a large closet to accommodate everyone. I came up with a schedule each one had 22 days in the hole.

The three guest bedrooms are themed. One is the Urban Retreat, with black walls and concrete floors. Its industrial and masculine, said Kelly. The Loft is white on white, with an airy, lofty feel, while the Library Retreat has a built-in twin bed with a trundle below and a rolling ladder to access bookshelves containing childhood memorabilia. We hope to have grandchildren, said Kelly.

Adding warmth and texture

Within the open floor plan on the main level, different ceiling heights and finishes were used to define spaces, said Stankey. Clean, modern walls are juxtaposed with stucco masonry that mimics concrete, adding tactile texture.

California contemporary can be cold, sleek and uninviting, said Kelly. My goal was to have it very warm, comfortable, relaxing and inviting.

The flooring on the main level is oak in boards of random widths with an oiled finish. The kitchen cabinets are walnut with a dark stain. The island base is metal, and the countertops are soapstone.

With our family, we need finishes we can live with, said Kelly. Soapstone and oiled wood floors are living finishes that develop a patina, as opposed to hard, polished surfaces that she considers more off-putting. When recommending such finishes to clients, she says, It tells the story of your life. Its perfectly imperfect.

Having a kitchen she loves has resulted in Kelly spending a lot more time there, even before the pandemic. When we built it, I said, I dont cook. We go out. Now I cook all the time. I bought cookbooks. Being here in this house, you dont want to leave. Its like youre at an amazing resort every day.

Her favorite thing about their home is the way it makes her feel. I feel welcomed, home and relaxed, she said. They love sharing their modern home and lake life with family and friends. Its built for people to enjoy. Even hard-core traditionalists love being in the house.

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Modern lake home in Mahtomedi blurs the boundary between indoors and outdoors - Minneapolis Star Tribune