Interior Inspirations & Aspirational Designs

WestWeek 2010 – Design Revolution

The Keynote on March 24, Giving Design a Voice in the Digital Age, was presented by Elle Décor, moderated by Margaret Russell, and featured panelists Mayer Rus, Patricia Shakelford and Vincent Wolf. The four discussed how they have adapted to the digital age in terms of getting their work online as well as how and where they get their inspiration. To me the most notable quote was when Russell dismissed a panelist from saying that he never goes online and doesn’t get his info from there–”wrong panel buddy.” The words “social networking” and “iPad” were repeated over and over! Okay, iGet it, iWant iPad too.

Design Revolution was presented by Editor-at-Large, moderated by the ever witty Sophie Donelson of Editoratlarge.com, and included panelists Michael Bruno, Ronda Carman, Vanessa de Vargas, Brian Patrick Flynn, Brad Ford, and Jillian St. Charles. I am very inspired by De Vargas’ work because it is not just design…she is a one-woman show. Vanessa is the Founder, Interior Designer and Consultant of Apartment Therapy. She is also the blogger and leader for Designer Networking Group and host of Designer Tag Sale.

I must have been under a rock or something since I’m a way behind on this blogging game. Editor-at-Large seems like a hub for everything design related. It’s a place where one could post, be spotted and published by other online/print resources. Definitely a great find…finally.

The Keynote on March 25, Design Revolution, was presented by Interiors Magazine, moderated by James Barra of Interiors Magazine, with panelists Orlando Diaz-Azcuy, Kara Mann, Roger Thomas and Carlos Barbosa. At the reception afterward, I met one of most influential interior architectural designers of our time, Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. I have followed his work for years and consider him an icon. While standing in line with his giant book in hand, waiting for the coveted autograph from a master, he shared a story that was rather humbling and made him seem much more human.
Diaz-Azcuy said that when it was time for the panelists to start there was no one in the seats so he started to get embarrassed that no one came to see him speak. But 10 minutes after the start time, the doors finally opened and a flood of people came rushing in scrambling for best seats just to hear them speak. He said, “oh boy, what a relief it was. I thought no one wanted to see me.” So there–we are all entitled to moments of insecurity, it’s perfectly normal even for a great icon as him.

One late addition to the WestWeek line up was Kelly Wearstler’s signing of her new book, Hue. For me, Wearstler’s work has been a turning point. Many designers are unique, have their own style, flair and funk, but somehow Wearstler is able to stand out amongst the rest. She has been a role model to me since I started designing 7 years ago. The fact that she is able to execute such daring designs and be embraced by critiques, media, fans, etc., is a feat in itself.

I had one burning question to ask her for the past 7 years: How are you able to convince your clients to be so daring and allow you to do that level of style & design? Her answer: Oh my clients still want that plain beige room and I still give it to them. However, I sneak in a little bit of funk here and there. Then they start to trust you and want more!

You cannot have a fabulous show without fabulous attendees. Here are the hippest cats still making the scene- Jim Budman, Alida & John Van Hamersveld & Rick Segal.  Van Hamersveld was responsible for many of the recognizable pop art images of the 1960’s and 70’s, including the Endless Summer movie poster, the Jimi Hendrix concert poster and various album covers for artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Kiss, Blondie, among many others. Every city had its hay day and in the 80’s Budman was credited for creating LA’s party scene.

One of the most heartwarming meetings was by pure chance. I met Leland Y. Lee. We chatted it up for a bit at David Sutherland Showroom’s reception. Turns out this quiet spoken but effervescent man was an amazing photographer who just completed a one-man exhibition at the Michael H. Lord Gallery in Palm Springs for Modernism Week. The work they featured was Lee’s outstanding photographs taken at the Elrod home when it was first completed in 1969 and shows the elegance of architect John Lautner. The home was featured in the James Bond film, Diamonds Are Forever, and remains a tribute to mid-century architecture in Palm Springs. Lee also photographed for Architectural Digest for many years and shot The Blue Whale and some of its showrooms when it opened. This 91-year-old spirit seems to be just as active and in demand now as ever before.

Meeting Lee was so interesting that I rushed home and Googled him. Of course, this humble man was the assistant to the late great Julius Shuman for many years. Lee’s photography has appeared in Architectural Digest, Home Magazine, House & Garden, Designers West and countless other publications. I emailed a short note to Lee and he responded almost immediately with one of the biggest compliments I have ever received in my life. In reading it, I studied his words and cried like a little child. His carefully selected words had touched my soul in a way one would never expect from a chance meeting.  Hearing his voice again reassured me that they weren’t just words, but were delivered with such sincerity that they will continue to move me for years to come. The email is now pinned up on my inspiration board in front of me for motivation. “Gratitude” is too simple of a word to express how I feel.

WestWeek 2010 definitely focused on how Designers could, would and should survive in these changing times.  They reflected on the changing consumer attitudes and expectation. Clients are now very internet savvy and are aware of prices and quality this changes how Designers should present, alter themselves and their services. Even the client demographics, such as the aging population and it effects designs. They mention how some of the most affluent clients aren’t going for the “fully lavished silks” anymore but more for quality, durability and more attracted to products that have a longer life for environmentally sustainable reasons as well economic rationales. We are definitely within the Design Revolution, we all must learn to swim or we will sink.

Here are more photos from the events.

Tags: icons, WestWeek