DCdesignBlog is in the Express today!

Washington Post Express asked me to give some suggestions on how to make your home feel like a "vacation" spot, when you don't have the money this summer to go on a real vacation. You can see it online here... Page E6 http://www.expressnightout.com/printedition/PDF/EXPRESS_07312009.pdf

Infinity Pix Presents: Photo of the Week

Please enjoy these evening ocean images.... For these or other custom selections of photography for your projects contact Leslie@Infinitypix.com

FREE CUPCAKES!

Red Velvet Cupcakery is giving away Free Mini-Cupcake THIS Friday!!!

Celebrate Red Velvet's Grand Opening at Tangysweet, Dupont Circle with Free Mini-Cupcakes Red Velvet Cupcakery will celebrate its Grand Opening at Tangysweet, Dupont Circle by giving away mini-cupcakes on Friday, July 31. The Grand Opening celebration will begin at 12 noon and last all day. Red Velvet Cupcakery will feature several of its most popular cupcakes including the Devil's Food, a chocolate buttermilk cake with bittersweet chocolate ganache, Vanilla Bean, a vanilla bean cake with Madagascar bourbon vanilla frosting, and Southern Belle, a red velvet chocolate cake with whipped cream cheese frosting.

Article Here from PR Newswire

NAIOP REEL- Nat's Stadium

Join NAIOP Maryland/DC REEL (NAIOP Developing Leaders) on Wednesday, August 5th, for REEL Networking at the Nats! It's the Nationals vs. the Marlins...network and enjoy a few drinks with your REEL friends as we cheer on the home team to turn this season around. Everyone knows the Red Porch is the best place to watch the game and socailize, so we blocked off a section of "recession priced" seats and plan to meet up there for drinks instead. Tickets include $20 for drinks and concessions plus a terrace level seat, should you choose to take a break from the bar. Invite your friends and prospective REEL members!We hope to see you there! This event is exclusive to members of NAIOP Maryland/DC REEL and invited guests REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT CLOSES ON AUGUST 3RD!

Click here to download event invitationNAIOP Maryland/DC REEL members and invited guests $30

Founding Farmers dinner with Lusive Lighting

Thank you to Lynda Welte and Jason and Sally Cooper for a wonderful dinner last night at Founding Farmers. If you haven't been over to see the MOST talked about restaurant in DC, you should stop in. The design is awesome and the food is delicious! Here are some pics from the restaurant and of our group.

On the Left: Our hosts from Lusive Decor (http://www.lusivedecor.com/) Sally and Jason Cooper. On the Right: Sally and Jason with Amy Doherty from Host Hotels and Elizabeth Grimsley from Rand Construction.

Some Interior Shots from Upstairs....

On the Left: in the slightly blurry photo. Erin of the DCdesignBlog, and Nathan Fegely from Farmer Mac. On the Right: One of our hostesses, Lynda Welte from Blue Prints for Design with Joan Gunawan of BBG-BBGM.

Some Interior Shots from Downstairs....

On the Left: Tracy Smith from Marriott International with Sally On the Right: A group shot from dinner. Amy, Lynda, Joan, Elizabeth, Nate and Erin.

Thank You again!

Vastu- Summer Bash. July 30th

Come celebrate the Dog Days of Summer Sale with an evening of treats from Hello Cupcake! and drinks poured by an expert from Cork Wine Bar.

Mix and mingle with folks from the District and the Vastu design team. AND, all party attendees will have a chance to enter to win an original piece of work by artist Brian Petro.

When: Thursday, July 30th 6pm to 8pm

Where: Vastu, 1829 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20009

We hope to see you there! Bring your friends!

http://blog.vastudc.com/2009/07/party-over-here/

VisArts Gallery in Rockville

Art After Hours

Free Event the 1st Friday of each month

August 7

6:30 - 9:00pm

155 Gibbs Street, Suite 300 Rockville, MD 20850 301-315-8200 (P)

Visit the galleries and resident artist studios. Bring your friends for an interesting evening of art, food, entertainment and fun!

Website: http://www.visartscenter.org/aah.html

Aloft BWI Airport Open House Set For July 30th

PR Web reports: Say “aloha” to the newest hotel in Baltimore – Aloft Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Come out and see the arrival of W Hotels into the Baltimore lodging market. The Dedication will take place on Thursday, July 30th at 12pm.

Aloft BWI

From the creators of the innovative luxury hotel brand, W Hotels presents a new concept in affordable, style-driven lodging for business and leisure travelers. The Aloft BWI is 155 rooms of enhanced technology, urban-influenced design, and a social atmosphere geared toward the growing Generation X/Y travel segment.

Dedication festivities will include the burying of a time capsule filled with today’s memorabilia such as iPhone 3G S, Michael Jackson MP3 files, and articles on significant current events. The time capsule will be re-opened on the tenth anniversary of the hotel. The event will also consist of property tours of the hotel’s public areas and guestrooms, and the area’s most popular DJ Gemma stirring enthusiasm over the newest hotspot in Linthicum, the W xyz bar. City officials, developers, clients, media and friends are invited to mix and mingle over complimentary tasty bites and beverages.

The Aloft BWI Airport marks the sixth hotel developed by The Buccini/Pollin Group and operated by PM Hospitality Strategies, Inc., in the BWI and Anne Arundel, Maryland area. Less than a mile from the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, the Aloft BWI Airport is located at 1741 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD, 21090

NEWH- W Hotel Tour

RSVP Here for W Hotel Tour

Knoll- Generation Premire Party Pics

Here are some great photo's provided to me by Melissa and Ashley at Knoll. I need to get a camera like theirs!

Infinity Pix presents: Photo's of the Week

Please enjoy these abstract summer photo's from Infinity Pix...

For these or other custom selections of photography for your projects contact Leslie@Infinitypix.com

The Mohawk Group Post NeoCon Event

I attended the Post NeoCon event hosted by the Mohawk Group yesterday at the Arts Club of Washington. The Arts Club is on I St, right past 20th St. and was the home of James Monroe during his presidency. They were utilizing 3 floors, and each of their lines had it's own room, where they showed off their new things from NeoCon. Here are some of the photo's I took... On the Left is the Arts Club of Washington from the outside. On the right is Beth Reymer and Karin Hockman from Durkan Hospitality, holding some of their new collections. The room Durkan was in, on the second floor, was the room that James Monroe accepted his innaguration in. (fun fact!) Down on the first floor was Karastan and Lee's. Here from Karastan is Virginia Dutt, Roberta Duffy and Melissa Heeter. Sharing the same room, with Karastan, was Lee's. Here with some of their new binders is Kyle Mandeville and Lisa Roberson. Tucked in on the third floor was Bigelow. Here Norma Mehler points out some of the new things to a guest :) And lastly, hanging out downstairs is Kurt Zanelotti from Contract Carpet Systems and Cynthia Bell with The Mohawk Group Check out more from Mohawk at http://www.themohawkgroup.com

Washington DC Networking Event: Design and Construction Network

When: Tuesday August 18th, 2009 from 5:30 to 7:00 PM

Where:

Public Bar 1214B 18th Street NW Washington, DC 20036

We will be taking over the upstairs lounge and the rooftop deck bar!

RSVP here: http://dcdcn4.eventbrite.com/

Chicago Design

This weekend I traveled to Chicago for a wedding. I received a GREAT recommendation from Gina Donahue of Kohler Hospitality Group to check out the restaurant ZED451. I thought I would share some photos, because the design of this restaurant was amazing. They incorporate a lot of wood, with subtle accents of stone. There is a lot of twinkle from the multiple fireplaces. The lighting is very dim making the space feel very warm and cozy. If you are ever in Chicago you should stop by, and if you are in the mood, the cucumber mint martini is AMAZING!! http://www.zed451.com/

Here at the left is the center of the restaurant. They have bar height dining that spokes out from a central fireplace. While no one was dining at it when I was there, it was a very cool feature. On the right is the area at the stairs leading to the second floor. There is a paver path with loose stones, and a 2 story fire place. This area has the feeling almost that you are outside.

Another cool place to check out is the new DoubleTree Hotel the Wit. It is extremely modern and has the coolest restaurant on the top floor. Here are some photos...

These are pictures of the lobby. I liked the angel wing chandeliers.

These are of the rooftop restaurant, which was packed! All the tables have fireplaces in the center for the cold Chicago nights.

http://www.thewithotel.com/index.cfm

How do you like my new Look?

Thank you to my good friend Danielle for my new Logo! Isn't it great?? and the matching business card on the right!!!

If anyone is in need of graphic design services, website help, or a new Logo you can contact her at...

design@daniellemckenrick.com

Humanscale- Face the Wild

Humanscale's ninth annual Faces in the Wild art auction and fundraiser is set for September 16, 2009, in Humanscale's NYC showroom. All proceeds from the event will be matched by Humanscale and donated to World Wildlife Fund, the leader in international efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Wanted: Your wildlife-inspired artwork! Humanscale is now accepting entries for FITW 2009. Original artwork of any physical medium depicting the face of a non-domesticated animal is welcome and may be tax-deductible.

Plus, the artists behind three outstanding pieces will earn a $1,500 credit on the Humanscale Shop site.Click to find out more.

> Experience Faces in the Wild 2008 in pictures

More Information at: http://www.humanscale.com/facesinthewild/index.shtml

Correction and Yey!

Apartemnt Zero is MOVING NOT CLOSING!!!

I just recevied an email, and wanted to share with all of you:

Hello Design lovers! Douglas from Apartment Zero here. LOVE this blog...i wish we had it 10 years ago when we first opened...just a point of clarifcation, that the Post forgot to

mention. we are not closing!! we are just MOVING...we signed a 10 year

lease in 1999 and it expires next month in 2009. that's it...of course because of the poor economy, whenever someone sees a store moving

they think "closing"...in fact, it was always part of our plan to be in that location for only 10 years...now we can move on and open our three new concepts in 2010. stay tuned! and thanks for your support!

Thanks Douglas! Keep us posted!

http://www.apartmentzero.com/

In honor of the 2009 National Design Awards, Cooper-Hewitt is hosting a series of free public programs celebrating design in Washington, D.C. Friday, July 24, 10:00–11:00 a.m. D.C.Programs include: Design X Details: Materials and their Effects (I'll be attending this one!) Friday, July 24, 10:00–11:00 a.m. Location: Corcoran Gallery of Art (500 17th Street N.W.)Francisco Costa (Fashion Design winner) and Calvin Tsao and Zack McKown (Interior Design winners) will discuss the role of materials in their work, while sharing their visions, projects and inspirations. Costa has worked since 2004 as the women’s creative director of Calvin Klein Collection. Tsao and McKown are the partners of TsAO & McKOWN Architects, a New York-based practice known for their well-appointed architecture and interiors. This program is free to the public. Advanced registration is required at (202) 639- 1774. Design X Community: Transform your Neighborhood Friday, July 24, 10:00–11:00 a.m. Location: The National Building Museum (401 F Street N.W.)Christopher Sharples, Coren Sharples and Gregg Pasquarelli of SHoP Architects (Architecture Design winner) and Walter Hood (Landscape Design winner) will discuss how design can be used as a tool to create a sense of community. Hood and Pasquarelli will explore the ability of design to influence, unite and link communities through examples drawn from their own work. This program is free to the public. Advanced registration is required at www.nbm.org or (202) 272- 2448. Design X Information: Interpreting the Present and the Past Friday, July 24, 10:00–11:00 a.m. Location: The Smithsonian Castle, The Commons (1000 Jefferson Drive S.W.)Boym Partners (Product Design winner) and Steve Duenes of The New York Times Graphics Department (Communication Design winner) will discuss the relationship between current events and their design process. While the Boyms produce work that interprets current events as fodder for souvenirs and memorabilia, the Times’ Graphics Department has to succinctly digest and interpret the news in real time. This program is free to the public. No advance registration is required. Design X Experience: The Future of Interaction Design Friday, July 24, 10:00–11:00 a.m. Location: Hirshhorn Museum, Auditorium (Independence Avenue at Seventh Street S.W.)Jeff Han of Perceptive Pixel Inc. (Interaction Design winner) and Andrew Blauvelt of Walker Art Center (Corporate and Institutional Achievement winner) will discuss the future of interaction design. Han designs and programs the technology that transforms our relationship to work and the world at large. Most recently, Perceptive Pixel became renowned for completely transforming the way television broadcasters, including CNN, Fox and ABC, covered the historic 2008 Presidential elections. As curator and design director of the Walker Art Center, Blauvelt is at the forefront of discussions about the role of interaction design in a museum context. This program is free to the public. No advance registration is required. Design X Tomorrow: The Future of Technology and Sustainability Friday, July 24, 10:00–11:00 a.m. Location: National Museum of the American Indian, Rasmuson Theater (Fourth Street and Independence Avenue S.W.)Amory Lovins (Design Mind winner) and Bill Moggridge (Lifetime Achievement recipient) will discuss the future of technology and sustainability. As the co-founder of Rocky Mountain Institute, Lovins has been a leading voice in sustainable thinking for 40 years, acting as a consultant for more than 50 countries and some of the largest multinational corporations in the world. Moggridge is the co-founder of IDEO, a global design consultancy that has transformed the way that design is conceived and realized. He designed the first laptop computer and is a pioneer in the field of interaction design. Together, Moggridge and Lovins will discuss the symbiotic relationship between technology and sustainability and the impact of both upon the future. This program is free to the public. No advance registration is required. more info at: http://www.nationaldesignawards.org/2009/

New DC Marriott Marquis gets Funding!

We've all been wondering... what is happening with the Marriott Marquis that is suppose to be built near the convention center. Well looks like we are one step closer to having our very own Marquis... Yesterday the Washington Examiner reported...

The District plans to use $206 million in public funds for a long-anticipated 1,167-room Marriott Marquis hotel across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

D.C. Council members on Tuesday approved the project, which, including financing, will cost the District $272 million. If Mayor Adrian Fenty signs the bill, as expected, construction on the hotel could begin in the fall. About $2 million would be used for a worker training program.

Tourism officials argue that the $537 million hotel is crucial to Washington’s ability to attract major conventions. The hotel would be jointly financed between the city and its development partners, Quadrangle Development Corp. and Capstone Development LLC.

The developers would provide $331 million on top of the District and Washington Convention Center Authority’s approved $208 million, including $2 million to start an apprenticeship program aimed at training D.C. workers for the costruction.

More information at: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/DC-Council-OKs-272-million-for-convention-center-hotel-50802627.html

IA has Moved their office!

I was asked the other day to investigate where IA has gone? Many people seem to have passed by their Georgetown office, and are wondering... did they move? did they close? Well, I looked it up, and here is the scoop I read on IFMA, International Facilities Mangement...

IA Interior Architects Announces Washington, D.C. Office Relocation

IA Interior Architects (IA) announced that it has its D.C. office. It occupies the second floor at 600 New Hampshire Ave, NW, an office building part of the historic Watergate complex. "After a long history at our Georgetown location, where we enjoyed the retail-oriented setting, we are pleased to move into a radically different space," noted David Bourke, managing principal for IA's D.C. office. "The new office incorporates many of the elements we encourage our clients to adopt. It's sustainable, open, flexible, efficient, and dynamic. Our objective is to have a space that will attract and retain talented designers and architects, while at the same time, be a notable destination for our clients and partners."

More info here: http://www.ifma.org/news_release/?pg=082708d