Lunch with HGTV + Blogfest 2013 part 4

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPh6Sk-8seIUJ1FpNxMFo-ModMCq-zcUr_-4mgDHNf-_8WkH1RbIERDr_u1AxI5QcaDY409NlL5beKO5jxEdR-3rJTFqsk2V0NMuN7jST_ks32fFr6Xa0AWwNIQH21fVCmY1vL0l275EZ/s1600/HGTV+mag+swag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPh6Sk-8seIUJ1FpNxMFo-ModMCq-zcUr_-4mgDHNf-_8WkH1RbIERDr_u1AxI5QcaDY409NlL5beKO5jxEdR-3rJTFqsk2V0NMuN7jST_ks32fFr6Xa0AWwNIQH21fVCmY1vL0l275EZ/s800/HGTV+mag+swag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A memorable Blogfest moment from my trip to New York in May (was it really almost a month ago??) was when my travel companion designer <a href="http://www.lindaholtinteriors.com/about/">Linda Holt</a> and I were waiting for our bus to arrive to take us back home to Boston. We were at the head of the line, still dressed up from a morning spent visiting Kravet fabric studios (more about that later), luggage at our feet with HGTV swag bags in tow. A young couple a few spots down in the line from us were chatting with each other, glancing at us. The girl left her spot in line, walked over to us and asked “Are you two with HGTV? I love HGTV!</span><span style="font-size: large;">” Linda and I just laughed. After being treated by HGTV the day before, we actually did feel a little bit like part of the HGTV family ...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7lsaPFd9tnFQuSTJiycN4WHY8T4ZGqFPFXEgBj776_fJRmQo4Sho1qErVO9yhFamsWETVuJNIjgaIQ5EQ7GXPs-wgFBidoBgxnz74fIwCG6e-7q0FCY8KiwSdqYF229xjYexoRS2DOmI/s1600/rooftop+garden+NY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7lsaPFd9tnFQuSTJiycN4WHY8T4ZGqFPFXEgBj776_fJRmQo4Sho1qErVO9yhFamsWETVuJNIjgaIQ5EQ7GXPs-wgFBidoBgxnz74fIwCG6e-7q0FCY8KiwSdqYF229xjYexoRS2DOmI/s800/rooftop+garden+NY.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We began day two of Blogfest 2013 at the <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2013/05/kips-bay-show-house-blogfest2013-part-3.html">Kips Bay Decorator Show House</a> and later were transported as a group to Hearst Towers for an HGTV sponsored lunch. <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2013/03/new-york-look-book.html">The last time I was in New York, the city was blanketed with snow.</a> This time, we had a great view </span><span style="font-size: large;">of the surprisingly lush roof top gardens below. Some even had large scale trees. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CiSRpqdErGBJ58QxrtGt40z7lYFHEATBMKf65ihwYyaKuQV7f_-nHtxMhDUCuHF_8XjXoE84Ndr2ifElJpxfdfTWhLeHZTrXFI5v2DFpHDzK-PkjMN02s-G2HnhDdI7n7UJdq719IMHA/s1600/Valspar@Hearst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CiSRpqdErGBJ58QxrtGt40z7lYFHEATBMKf65ihwYyaKuQV7f_-nHtxMhDUCuHF_8XjXoE84Ndr2ifElJpxfdfTWhLeHZTrXFI5v2DFpHDzK-PkjMN02s-G2HnhDdI7n7UJdq719IMHA/s800/Valspar@Hearst.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Valspar stands behind their <a href="http://www.valsparpaint.com/en/love-your-color">Love Your Color Guarantee.</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Don’t like your first choice? The next one is on them.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyMN7a55fLPiPvkhAKlyHpBupS1m44cRu30H-KuqW735lsAeADAiaUGdqdf5PgIEqtQCwWS28OSd2dtDLno0U3rEIiocESIGwYTm0xAiNo-1PVY3fIppV1UidVvH8W8fPwUBSMX1MVGXk/s1600/image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyMN7a55fLPiPvkhAKlyHpBupS1m44cRu30H-KuqW735lsAeADAiaUGdqdf5PgIEqtQCwWS28OSd2dtDLno0U3rEIiocESIGwYTm0xAiNo-1PVY3fIppV1UidVvH8W8fPwUBSMX1MVGXk/s800/image002.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Inside our 44th floor meeting room, <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/">HGTV</a> and our <a href="http://www.blogfest2013.com/nyc/sponsors/">Blogfest sponsors</a> had set up lots of pretty for us to look at and interact with. <a href="http://www.valsparpaint.com/en/index.html">Valspar</a> paints brought their latest color palettes for us to check out. <a href="http://www.neutrogena.com/category/cosmetics.do?nType=1">Neutrogena</a> set tables with equally colorful cosmetics to freshen our faces. We posed in front of HGTV step and repeats and  watched as our Blogfest tweets streamed live on super size video monitors. Besides all that, we got to network with a roomful of design bloggers while we waited for our guest speakers to arrive.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a7e5Hsa3IOwoAnCQ5HTL3Rc3jbCAa2wANRmtx4FWhRYMk_dsNVLCumO74YqlYFleDot52dZjEyw91ZuWQK0fs3Jwx3DwWabuignvLaodBjqM14A3p-JohHwocxaO-2SdAN1z_aXvjuX5/s1600/Makeup+mirrors@Hearst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a7e5Hsa3IOwoAnCQ5HTL3Rc3jbCAa2wANRmtx4FWhRYMk_dsNVLCumO74YqlYFleDot52dZjEyw91ZuWQK0fs3Jwx3DwWabuignvLaodBjqM14A3p-JohHwocxaO-2SdAN1z_aXvjuX5/s800/Makeup+mirrors@Hearst.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QT-EZDesvHooOYKpgPpbpO-p6kbMcBD0ANnMrs0XgLk0Qyaa0uaQ0RHzIGq8bVslwSl7Ob5U1piyMwKbzoyDyvVQlBa27GNOB7r-d3F7awsPCQPUb3RIg7DV6a8b65UkKNMCchN0OAF_/s1600/image003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QT-EZDesvHooOYKpgPpbpO-p6kbMcBD0ANnMrs0XgLk0Qyaa0uaQ0RHzIGq8bVslwSl7Ob5U1piyMwKbzoyDyvVQlBa27GNOB7r-d3F7awsPCQPUb3RIg7DV6a8b65UkKNMCchN0OAF_/s800/image003.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVRpWxe_otfyV8mg2g8LhuAamXPFMAZJEn0T2XG6ig2R2adbhPzGTQ5MRQZDHYOFnsK11QhRV4Ojy9JIGRKOKHWDhv7eV8YFS3R6hBcqOue9MXiN4qVtAOMk2q8pn5ocsaPWKql8_3aGF/s1600/yvonne-linda-manvi-leslie@Hearst-s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVRpWxe_otfyV8mg2g8LhuAamXPFMAZJEn0T2XG6ig2R2adbhPzGTQ5MRQZDHYOFnsK11QhRV4Ojy9JIGRKOKHWDhv7eV8YFS3R6hBcqOue9MXiN4qVtAOMk2q8pn5ocsaPWKql8_3aGF/s800/yvonne-linda-manvi-leslie@Hearst-s.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>with Linda Holt, Manvi Drona Hildago and Leslie Hassler</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstr92O_5hHn1s6QEzjxPUjcGsXHdILL86bExzPiDbjAWpvFhVOX1M65qHtIBnWjacMdwamq7HtJqndZn42XWWIF4fwSD0HjQE3_B5ZGz8RO_EZwTInARumj0ahe8wFrMkTLf3swpNZn3N/s1600/image001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstr92O_5hHn1s6QEzjxPUjcGsXHdILL86bExzPiDbjAWpvFhVOX1M65qHtIBnWjacMdwamq7HtJqndZn42XWWIF4fwSD0HjQE3_B5ZGz8RO_EZwTInARumj0ahe8wFrMkTLf3swpNZn3N/s800/image001.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS__4hHdhgRfmFERYSqqZhkoF-C3vSK44PKnQDI3sjk6iKFwGKwB8tfLHLqH7i0mUXd_my0H9i2Kflvg-PuCxW8fiBWOxfXCSY1AbnXtkq-5QqtL_xbrjKgwSURUAjeBooWVQ87VWMKZo2/s1600/hgt_cvr-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS__4hHdhgRfmFERYSqqZhkoF-C3vSK44PKnQDI3sjk6iKFwGKwB8tfLHLqH7i0mUXd_my0H9i2Kflvg-PuCxW8fiBWOxfXCSY1AbnXtkq-5QqtL_xbrjKgwSURUAjeBooWVQ87VWMKZo2/s1600/hgt_cvr-lg.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The cover of the latest issue of <a href="https://subscribe.hearstmags.com/subscribe/splits/hgtvmagazine/hgtv_sub_nav">HGTV magazine</a> was brought to life on our luncheon tables. Flower pot centerpieces were painted by HGTV team members with Valspar paints. Citrus brights and pretty patterns filled the room (on tables and on bloggers). Lunch was gourmet fresh. Desserts were decadent.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKr87m3n_rLQqQ_hQc50Yg24les_4C93XSH6gm19PTkWv1db8Mh2ErcDkGgj63G43ORhhzlpLgSwEjn8lpdq7GwnXrNXZTSAGMdvQ-ctH63ZKDQKUo-0OuV-eQItO5IssbZh4p-2hTVx6/s1600/BloggerLuncheon@Hearst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKr87m3n_rLQqQ_hQc50Yg24les_4C93XSH6gm19PTkWv1db8Mh2ErcDkGgj63G43ORhhzlpLgSwEjn8lpdq7GwnXrNXZTSAGMdvQ-ctH63ZKDQKUo-0OuV-eQItO5IssbZh4p-2hTVx6/s800/BloggerLuncheon@Hearst.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2EmBTkAt678Lrf1Ruc6Nz441itRgZzD9YcFzbJqq5Yg5CClv9YDL2dztFUqyx1I5vMSCa5460IunkzkDn_bW9PODyewO_9YOlnW-UX0hjVmg3LvHXBPeKY4QEEFesDc8rXCX_hek7fCA/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-06-10+at+9.34.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2EmBTkAt678Lrf1Ruc6Nz441itRgZzD9YcFzbJqq5Yg5CClv9YDL2dztFUqyx1I5vMSCa5460IunkzkDn_bW9PODyewO_9YOlnW-UX0hjVmg3LvHXBPeKY4QEEFesDc8rXCX_hek7fCA/s320/Screen+shot+2013-06-10+at+9.34.44+PM.png" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_gOLyqc_JOfh-IVmS6SnC4qCNeCfWUtLuaOW1RUREg2Iqn0GSYNXTa5MxiXCUbCcv8LL2ukn0sz-IhMRX5YkfkQphpJ5ZjngYx2PorQYRUsAv-9OCTein-ZXp1FU26Ou5ekT9RTJ7_v9/s1600/TweetBoard@Hearst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_gOLyqc_JOfh-IVmS6SnC4qCNeCfWUtLuaOW1RUREg2Iqn0GSYNXTa5MxiXCUbCcv8LL2ukn0sz-IhMRX5YkfkQphpJ5ZjngYx2PorQYRUsAv-9OCTein-ZXp1FU26Ou5ekT9RTJ7_v9/s800/TweetBoard@Hearst.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuntdtoUKZ-vZL8ampY_84kaLMGo95BSxp26fGTbNXSoxgrF70BDjfk4YRdmVZ5sv7ldxJ3H2G0PvYSRmVac5ECCeR7FGNBLzF4mZQf65IPjxHCDeyc0J40Du8TU7jPjnNbzU-jIbtK4B/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-06-10+at+10.07.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuntdtoUKZ-vZL8ampY_84kaLMGo95BSxp26fGTbNXSoxgrF70BDjfk4YRdmVZ5sv7ldxJ3H2G0PvYSRmVac5ECCeR7FGNBLzF4mZQf65IPjxHCDeyc0J40Du8TU7jPjnNbzU-jIbtK4B/s320/Screen+shot+2013-06-10+at+10.07.48+PM.png" width="316" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjDSlCrmgPcSc2fv2D1xPuV15WChMlrUaTNPcwB58deCqYqkW_5QXbJxHLDcpUcPX_xqQ0nND9dS_TjtlPwib31ByLlLRRXXtV40jZV2hxTP9ArsJWTGqKaPZmzcZWJv_s8eAeb_Mk1xg/s1600/BethGreene@Hearst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjDSlCrmgPcSc2fv2D1xPuV15WChMlrUaTNPcwB58deCqYqkW_5QXbJxHLDcpUcPX_xqQ0nND9dS_TjtlPwib31ByLlLRRXXtV40jZV2hxTP9ArsJWTGqKaPZmzcZWJv_s8eAeb_Mk1xg/s800/BethGreene@Hearst.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">In between courses, presentations were made. First up was Beth Greene, Marketing Director and Strategic Brand Manager of Kravet, who welcomed us warmly. This is the third Blogfest in New York that she has coordinated. More than that, Blogfest was her initial concept: to bring bloggers together, provide them with amazing design content, introduce them to A-list members of the design field, and inspire them by providing behind the scenes access to great design. Kravet is obviously a company that puts a lot of value on the partnership they share with the design blogging community. To host over 100 bloggers and coordinate events for three days requires many hands, plus lots of genuine enthusiasm. #TheyRockedIt    </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8vXyuH0137pbb68LoPTfNi5nvXIlTV9olJq_q7l5MVluHl83zi-E_9Gz7YthxyRdQWo6pFXvUfWbc1NWpzE__W-B0MWQAyGSXx7Mvw164EEa14OQMqJm_v4Qq_kbWrLR8rMqDbhLj56G/s1600/SaraPetersonHGTV@BF13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8vXyuH0137pbb68LoPTfNi5nvXIlTV9olJq_q7l5MVluHl83zi-E_9Gz7YthxyRdQWo6pFXvUfWbc1NWpzE__W-B0MWQAyGSXx7Mvw164EEa14OQMqJm_v4Qq_kbWrLR8rMqDbhLj56G/s800/SaraPetersonHGTV@BF13.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Sara Peterson, Editor in Chief of HGTV magazine was our special guest.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year’</span><span style="font-size: large;">s sponsoring publication for Blogest was <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/">HGTV</a> magazine. Editor Sara Peterson shared her thoughts on what makes their shelter magazine original. The goal of HGTV Magazine is to provide fun, informative design content for their readers in a fresh way, just as their on-air hosts entertain viewers while demonstrating their designer tricks and DIY how-to’s. Sara mentioned that her team regularly checks design blogs, looking for content worth featuring in their magazine (no worries if the photos have already been shown on your blog!) This was good news to many of us in the audience who are looking for ways to get our work published. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrVgOP6jTKRI-VPBCgSzhdOw0QM8EcVXZGK0kPLfMeZu_ZI3lqd99G8jeaOHCXBv-o9weHajMB4J_vVPMcDT8J5zwBONWYfUacNIdH-f3KqDMZv9SdmdZsvL-2q6jsG-W4QOJl5k9HqJT/s1600/doorHGTV.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrVgOP6jTKRI-VPBCgSzhdOw0QM8EcVXZGK0kPLfMeZu_ZI3lqd99G8jeaOHCXBv-o9weHajMB4J_vVPMcDT8J5zwBONWYfUacNIdH-f3KqDMZv9SdmdZsvL-2q6jsG-W4QOJl5k9HqJT/s800/doorHGTV.jpg.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://subscribe.hearstmags.com/subscribe/splits/hgtvmagazine/hgtv_sub_nav">HGTV Magazine, June 2013, p3</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>front door is Citron from Behr</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A regular feature in the monthly magazine includes the “come on in!” section shown above that highlights how to transform a front door from purely functional to “wow!” Each issue is packed with usable information like this ... what products to buy, what colors to choose, you-can-do-it solutions to home design dilemas, and so much more. If you haven’t subscribed yet, get 69% off the newsstand price (exclusive offer for bloggers and their readers) when you visit <a href="http://subscribe.hgtvmagazine.com/">subscribe.hgtvmagazine.com</a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I really love the colorful and engaging layout of this magazine, and the way they provide manageable bits of information. When I was working on <a href="http://newenglandfinery.com/Home_Page.html">New England Finery Magazine,</a> I also preferred the “less words, more pretty pictures” approach. Who doesn’t love a pretty picture?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpPyc9z527S67BiqQlvY1XcfSEeVdX04O_tLlBs9mUyUEPyOBJjwe2UG2NMlPVzwPqg1NWX_P3xAQGo7sGuTHvu2qTSsdXHmdgrbL5dI5_Gy9HMmnzqtFRhlKFSxgO6FtvimfsL7fUDk8/s1600/thom+filicia+Blogfest13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpPyc9z527S67BiqQlvY1XcfSEeVdX04O_tLlBs9mUyUEPyOBJjwe2UG2NMlPVzwPqg1NWX_P3xAQGo7sGuTHvu2qTSsdXHmdgrbL5dI5_Gy9HMmnzqtFRhlKFSxgO6FtvimfsL7fUDk8/s800/thom+filicia+Blogfest13.JPG" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our keynote speaker was designer and television personality <a href="http://thomfilicia.com/">Thom Filicia.</a> Thom was SUPER entertaining and his work is beyond elegant. He showed lots of photos from his extensive portfolio and his latest book, “</span><span style="font-size: large;">American Beauty.</span><span style="font-size: large;">” Words that come to mind when describing his design aethetic: tailored, elegant, thoughtful, perfect scale, refined rustic. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_IIsGciSmhMGNPbJSu4AgDWJXPKxeJ8xCoBihBTpQKARU0ST-HCTDkUDsj-uMmE3U_oP2atopzURYjUv7osKlCZ3KqtrOeYDKOisGv8cE8hSvkWhq6D4mIlfYZiwaa_fgSr2DHrf6YMb/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-06-11+at+10.21.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_IIsGciSmhMGNPbJSu4AgDWJXPKxeJ8xCoBihBTpQKARU0ST-HCTDkUDsj-uMmE3U_oP2atopzURYjUv7osKlCZ3KqtrOeYDKOisGv8cE8hSvkWhq6D4mIlfYZiwaa_fgSr2DHrf6YMb/s800/Screen+shot+2013-06-11+at+10.21.00+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.thomfilicia.com/">photos via ThomFilicia.com</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX3-oWyaC9yRjiuYmCq82VQxBd1ctL9vDVzBQFgjGYwjkMMWLLdNadttwMt0bkPAkboCeY1kaZvtlgfcqkUBCzQBHEBdnGYqzYJMtWcBCQiMriGVua_JlBOir1JXZ-TOScrPCQexCTtS5/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-06-11+at+10.17.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguX3-oWyaC9yRjiuYmCq82VQxBd1ctL9vDVzBQFgjGYwjkMMWLLdNadttwMt0bkPAkboCeY1kaZvtlgfcqkUBCzQBHEBdnGYqzYJMtWcBCQiMriGVua_JlBOir1JXZ-TOScrPCQexCTtS5/s800/Screen+shot+2013-06-11+at+10.17.20+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large; font-style: italic;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />“The greatest inspiration for an interior is the person or people who are going to live there, and my goal is to connect them with a great-looking design that’</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">s approachable to their lifestyle, interests and points of view.”  – Thom Filicia</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4GRWnU7TSn6_Qvxwh51gahzgiU7JxudnRMy1uBWhXzU0e3y_TPWvOKWwYGMd4MDLzxxi9qFqrX0ONGP8Xas-f1GWJbAp1zE04dt5NakOt6eVSH9v2eDXvxKL_O_h3UAyKUZbfBg-Qw4E/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-06-11+at+8.08.01+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4GRWnU7TSn6_Qvxwh51gahzgiU7JxudnRMy1uBWhXzU0e3y_TPWvOKWwYGMd4MDLzxxi9qFqrX0ONGP8Xas-f1GWJbAp1zE04dt5NakOt6eVSH9v2eDXvxKL_O_h3UAyKUZbfBg-Qw4E/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-06-11+at+8.08.01+AM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtT9IgdyegMBW9VKN4pDmn0Wqo_uhiBqxidTBT9cyqDeqJQSr4TLmaYl6yFf47GmzDLetkplgIeUmfVDuRp2Q88_tT7ITyMJLOriaJnQCF2qiCnNLndXBXCLKwHNCLtBWQlC2jeNJascy/s1600/ThomFilicia+YvonneBlacker@BF13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtT9IgdyegMBW9VKN4pDmn0Wqo_uhiBqxidTBT9cyqDeqJQSr4TLmaYl6yFf47GmzDLetkplgIeUmfVDuRp2Q88_tT7ITyMJLOriaJnQCF2qiCnNLndXBXCLKwHNCLtBWQlC2jeNJascy/s800/ThomFilicia+YvonneBlacker@BF13.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Color coordinated with Thom Filicia: Blogfest 2013</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1bRMjF77LlIKhoJcWc5Da_YAW0_397BmBc8RhM6SlHXGFZ4N-RKIioFYPIAKntv2qZeNtik6aLuNKueuevwjhWIiIBKJ9XdHXHiW3DiDFLs7ShOZnTdMxMLDEUKXqwGSCdpZlgBT2W-z/s1600/HGTV+panel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1bRMjF77LlIKhoJcWc5Da_YAW0_397BmBc8RhM6SlHXGFZ4N-RKIioFYPIAKntv2qZeNtik6aLuNKueuevwjhWIiIBKJ9XdHXHiW3DiDFLs7ShOZnTdMxMLDEUKXqwGSCdpZlgBT2W-z/s800/HGTV+panel.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">After Thom’s presentation, Kravet social media super star Jennifer Powell (far left) staged a little game of “How bad is it?”  which is straight from the pages of HGTV Magazine. Joining the panel was designer <a href="http://www.markhampton.com/">Alexa Hampton</a> who stepped in for HGTV design star <a href="http://www.candiceolson.com/">Candice Olson</a> who unfortunately was unable to attend. Random questions were posed to the designers like “Fake flowers? Good, Bad or Super Bad?” (Thom’s professional opinion: “If you have to dust the water, Super Bad.”) Alexa, like Thom and Candice, has a collection of fabrics in the Kravet line. I will show you some from each designer in my next post. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08Vcrd3wD2C7mxYFjGVRrLpOlxpgv6urHI-QkLeN80i03THe0KZvXSJmchIRhZk5VZ1um43ioggxNTWzfrCg36_HqHQ4lEffxgyMyOJqy49cZNACSYy-PSBwnXJitN1RcJ5PBvFD48iyf/s1600/Emily+Susan@Hearst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08Vcrd3wD2C7mxYFjGVRrLpOlxpgv6urHI-QkLeN80i03THe0KZvXSJmchIRhZk5VZ1um43ioggxNTWzfrCg36_HqHQ4lEffxgyMyOJqy49cZNACSYy-PSBwnXJitN1RcJ5PBvFD48iyf/s800/Emily+Susan@Hearst.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A couple of uber-talented Blogfest 2013 attendees that I was happy to connect with: Emily Anderson of <a href="http://goodwithstyle.typepad.com/emilyanderson/">Good with Style</a> (linked to her blog in <a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/44">New England Finery, April 2011)</a> and Susan Brinson of House of Brinson <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/09/mecca-to-nate-and-back.html">(was in the studio audience with her at Nate Berkus Show in NY in 2010)</a>. Meeting up with people that I follow online – and whose creativity I admire and respect – was certainly a highlight of Blogfest!   </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1g_bEC6sG7ZxeBnV1vQ3HMGwFnQdWiHmiooqrHVPzCHE5qepdsmI15fXwWFWdYGP9WNvJF3ugHq-W5pnFIfCiparxKP47VfpfgrkoKGJO3z-lSv8QF0V0ls6iRrxRQCZ6-c_NRR8dpt_J/s1600/HearstLobby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1g_bEC6sG7ZxeBnV1vQ3HMGwFnQdWiHmiooqrHVPzCHE5qepdsmI15fXwWFWdYGP9WNvJF3ugHq-W5pnFIfCiparxKP47VfpfgrkoKGJO3z-lSv8QF0V0ls6iRrxRQCZ6-c_NRR8dpt_J/s800/HearstLobby.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The modern lounge at Hearst Towers.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">After our lunch and learn, we left Hearst Towers for our next stop: a 5pm cocktail party at <a href="http://www.newel.com/about.php">Newel Antiques</a> on 53rd Street in East Midtown Manhattan sponsored by <a href="http://www.interiorsmagazine.net/">Interiors Magazine.</a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFpJ2nipTMo-MLv2VqjLt6U1lcuspED258bBxOYvKYRYfVOjVoMxmiJfGswQa7SlkEhtLLCYU22R5Bl4Zp5SY2OTo132b2NBg2oE6xkwJxQOsBmR5nV3InEFLH6z-VR5OGmiD0wasdBkl/s1600/Angels@Newel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFpJ2nipTMo-MLv2VqjLt6U1lcuspED258bBxOYvKYRYfVOjVoMxmiJfGswQa7SlkEhtLLCYU22R5Bl4Zp5SY2OTo132b2NBg2oE6xkwJxQOsBmR5nV3InEFLH6z-VR5OGmiD0wasdBkl/s800/Angels@Newel.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Newel Antiques is a family-owned business that has been around for over 70 years, offering six floors worth of fine art and antiques from around the globe to collectors, designers, film, television, and retail display industries. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZoq9Snbt-bJx87VZff0Iz4vuG_DEBB3j1JCIsPDcwkgMTb4lYdWoC_Oa1ceVRzwG745u1sc8_lKg5zK__n0zbWFpj_nJFZp8XPWJahugqpT7mmS3kVmWvpLdaRZP1CW0e9FYIAIpL617/s1600/Newel+storefront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZoq9Snbt-bJx87VZff0Iz4vuG_DEBB3j1JCIsPDcwkgMTb4lYdWoC_Oa1ceVRzwG745u1sc8_lKg5zK__n0zbWFpj_nJFZp8XPWJahugqpT7mmS3kVmWvpLdaRZP1CW0e9FYIAIpL617/s800/Newel+storefront.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Newel was established in 1939 as a prop house for Broadway shows. Their pieces have made appearances in episodes of “</span><span style="font-size: large;">Sex in the City</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> as well as on the floor of Bergdorf Goodman.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_NvGXF_0RMhntAUdlkxTnyJRVZrH-QfCdt4sEu8WZNQa6TBCddvJ1w4yPXlMmMMQ6pgeNH4nsNcbxTKrxaaRdU-TFPgOfmTFxJ2IlauAEZUzzdjbmqgdaiWgwMi2jhSfsGFiilj8ROuB/s1600/chair+birdcage@Newel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_NvGXF_0RMhntAUdlkxTnyJRVZrH-QfCdt4sEu8WZNQa6TBCddvJ1w4yPXlMmMMQ6pgeNH4nsNcbxTKrxaaRdU-TFPgOfmTFxJ2IlauAEZUzzdjbmqgdaiWgwMi2jhSfsGFiilj8ROuB/s800/chair+birdcage@Newel.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Large bird cage featured in “Boardwalk Empire</i><i>”</i><i> on HBO.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjxMsOBrHoc_Sn9J_0c5uxCNnU8ZjEIMatYVlZy9DowknlPJfUfJLQsTfx6Um0MAut8IAvyZUAri78wm997w0xOky-14vlWaONy1NBilzYP4F9jjBwl0XkeQhHnAuNNVuIorNp9Xj4Sfu/s1600/chairs@Newel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjxMsOBrHoc_Sn9J_0c5uxCNnU8ZjEIMatYVlZy9DowknlPJfUfJLQsTfx6Um0MAut8IAvyZUAri78wm997w0xOky-14vlWaONy1NBilzYP4F9jjBwl0XkeQhHnAuNNVuIorNp9Xj4Sfu/s800/chairs@Newel.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U30mf0Etf_fOW2YTDNa8QGis7ooH3l0tGmVqE9lvNIako0DgCZbIczTVSEg4BZIoIirdZChwyjIhVTHZkjmHSYbEIscoUpFmoGtB67irzTLqTSzZzMZoQKJGCpI0-x8myuvi08jZNDJG/s1600/lighting@Newel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U30mf0Etf_fOW2YTDNa8QGis7ooH3l0tGmVqE9lvNIako0DgCZbIczTVSEg4BZIoIirdZChwyjIhVTHZkjmHSYbEIscoUpFmoGtB67irzTLqTSzZzMZoQKJGCpI0-x8myuvi08jZNDJG/s800/lighting@Newel.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0Q4a-35BXd-8Pfra8TGpe96gTnOcbKe3nhDXIBsmUznToLwQMy7LnL5Y3FD_95o6zh7Efn8_4L4PgNVrwE0EeIhCq7yQwVlqJAaXmTWDgr5XiWTkLm6JX36lJ4FMoJuSaDtuxxvPT05q/s1600/tables@Newel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0Q4a-35BXd-8Pfra8TGpe96gTnOcbKe3nhDXIBsmUznToLwQMy7LnL5Y3FD_95o6zh7Efn8_4L4PgNVrwE0EeIhCq7yQwVlqJAaXmTWDgr5XiWTkLm6JX36lJ4FMoJuSaDtuxxvPT05q/s800/tables@Newel.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were allowed to tour the showroom on our own, but I am pretty sure we were not alone (do you ever feel like antiques are accompanied with the spirits of previous owners?!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW3f5QuxPgFfoxoAle1yNQWZpx1trS0ddom6VphuibrJak3XIc9C1EU5O8q5t7PdIArId_Y1DcHXP1bXVqGxNVGLGP3atwD-tq5PKxB1dMRCoyb2o3OM3zSRvJVQMrbtIy5ogICdAnAhc/s1600/carrie-sarah-laurie@Newel-s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxW3f5QuxPgFfoxoAle1yNQWZpx1trS0ddom6VphuibrJak3XIc9C1EU5O8q5t7PdIArId_Y1DcHXP1bXVqGxNVGLGP3atwD-tq5PKxB1dMRCoyb2o3OM3zSRvJVQMrbtIy5ogICdAnAhc/s800/carrie-sarah-laurie@Newel-s.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back on the first floor, I had to capture this moment of fellow <a href="http://www.brizo.com/theblogger19/index.htm">Brizo blogger alums,</a> Carrie Leskowitz, Sara Sarna and Laurie Gorelick, who looked as if they just fell out of the painting behind them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdT0Tk7fPpu399-6Sc8H-AZH1SBTl9toPVukz1_kPLHudrNufHpnLtot1XoQT0HrLBHpHJur9avFeIVjD_2Y_y9ureygXyK5ZikBKIOndBzvww6pjYEr8rNU2JvzzA_fnydSSbhQdJKkT/s1600/Beth-Adam-Clinton-Laurie@Newel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdT0Tk7fPpu399-6Sc8H-AZH1SBTl9toPVukz1_kPLHudrNufHpnLtot1XoQT0HrLBHpHJur9avFeIVjD_2Y_y9ureygXyK5ZikBKIOndBzvww6pjYEr8rNU2JvzzA_fnydSSbhQdJKkT/s800/Beth-Adam-Clinton-Laurie@Newel.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Laurie with Beth Greene of Kravet, Adam Japko of <a href="http://digitalsherpa.com/about-digitalsherpa/our-team/">Digital Sherpa</a> and design journalist <a href="http://smithonstyle.com/about/">Clinton Smith.</a> Blogfest was the first time that I got to meet Adam and Clinton who were both judges of the <a href="http://dev.design-sherpa.com/featured/what-inspires-yvonne-blacker-of-yvonne-blacker-interiors/">“</a></span><a href="http://dev.design-sherpa.com/featured/what-inspires-yvonne-blacker-of-yvonne-blacker-interiors/"><span style="font-size: large;">What Inspires You</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> contest that I came so very close to winning a few years back (the prize was $10,000 and a trip to Paris!) I did end up in the top 10 finalists, however, which was pretty exciting in and of itself. I</span><span style="font-size: large;">’</span><span style="font-size: large;">m not going to lie, though, a trip to Paris with some cash in my pocket would have been pretty exciting, too! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3satIxKCU-t8NHyq_7Ejx1LJP5ojSO4CPG7YcH9dJ9gotkKGib05oujFAqGy4zNOtdKVOGyTVM4_wekESIF_EPXtFWfjz8NZceSmTU4Y-AvQTJqxUWr0cWm6qPwahlo2ZDwbGM5GJzIp/s1600/yvonne-jonathan-linda@newal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3satIxKCU-t8NHyq_7Ejx1LJP5ojSO4CPG7YcH9dJ9gotkKGib05oujFAqGy4zNOtdKVOGyTVM4_wekESIF_EPXtFWfjz8NZceSmTU4Y-AvQTJqxUWr0cWm6qPwahlo2ZDwbGM5GJzIp/s800/yvonne-jonathan-linda@newal.jpg" width="450" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.jonathanadler.com/">Jonathan Adler</a> was one of the guest designers at our after hours cocktail party. Linda had just won a piece of pottery from one of his collections in the <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2013/05/jonathan-adler-studio-blogfest2013-part.html">Blogfest kick off party</a> raffle held at his Madison Avenue location, so we grabbed him for a picture. He graciously obliged. #highlight</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKlJv25SCKfH4wQtvL2gYlrzGT4LTemBOQA5x94-AYbplJkiy-j55YaPEGYrwoDZNZezEiySbUeupNkJHnrygQbM0_5ngmfzumpj-ShNwS_nc7ICsjhdnFca23JXuqGZ97FxTuxsQy9T4/s1600/yvonne+alexahampton@Newell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKlJv25SCKfH4wQtvL2gYlrzGT4LTemBOQA5x94-AYbplJkiy-j55YaPEGYrwoDZNZezEiySbUeupNkJHnrygQbM0_5ngmfzumpj-ShNwS_nc7ICsjhdnFca23JXuqGZ97FxTuxsQy9T4/s800/yvonne+alexahampton@Newell.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Chatting with designer <a href="http://www.markhampton.com/">Alexa Hampton</a> at Newel was a LOT of fun! She has a way of making us every-day-kind-of-people feel equally interesting. She actually spent quite a bit of time connecting with us bloggers, asking us questions, telling us stories, and making us laugh. #mostpopular</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0RCrY4VGraN9Ww_RhGuSarCR8qn_q4iqtKkf0VkNf3Sso7Lonnt-CzaqEugmZYHOSnuE281flYFaj8ITErWdGH_x6kp61PPczkgMZknEej19IoffuUn-IJ3CxTOk8fupySLC_SKkezjx/s1600/JenniferPowell-AnnFeldstein@Newel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0RCrY4VGraN9Ww_RhGuSarCR8qn_q4iqtKkf0VkNf3Sso7Lonnt-CzaqEugmZYHOSnuE281flYFaj8ITErWdGH_x6kp61PPczkgMZknEej19IoffuUn-IJ3CxTOk8fupySLC_SKkezjx/s800/JenniferPowell-AnnFeldstein@Newel.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Team Kravet: Jennifer Powell and Ann Feldstein</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvslYbVNVY6gaXsg82a-tVZKMStCpHUDTPudBtSahkEi6nQ3dJLuVp2ujxNfm5Zg7R8dz6Il1O1wNQw8-tehTEo8aNKy1T9lOOEGEk0kjzX-xD2Az_0NJR7t4JIxf38drb6zjQWh2V737/s1600/Jeanne-Jessica-Yvonne@Newel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvslYbVNVY6gaXsg82a-tVZKMStCpHUDTPudBtSahkEi6nQ3dJLuVp2ujxNfm5Zg7R8dz6Il1O1wNQw8-tehTEo8aNKy1T9lOOEGEk0kjzX-xD2Az_0NJR7t4JIxf38drb6zjQWh2V737/s800/Jeanne-Jessica-Yvonne@Newel.jpg" width="450" /></a><br /><i>Getting to know bloggers Jeanne Chung and Jessica Gordan Ryan in real life.</i><br /><i>Jessica was a contributing photographer to <a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/newenglandfinerysummer2011/63">New England Finery, Summer 2011.</a></i><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB2xGVcqrPtLd0xfSEJBkdbpV31TEH5u-AyjTeyNj_MXT7jwXuT1u0HnBGhxfsq_ZZCnmlNI0kgB6W5mH8DhCFC9pL-LpDLOakTS4m99DjHw386thpj9KXRldFoNE1aNroorJmXxrx1Nx/s1600/RonaldMcDonald+reps-Vicki-Garrison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB2xGVcqrPtLd0xfSEJBkdbpV31TEH5u-AyjTeyNj_MXT7jwXuT1u0HnBGhxfsq_ZZCnmlNI0kgB6W5mH8DhCFC9pL-LpDLOakTS4m99DjHw386thpj9KXRldFoNE1aNroorJmXxrx1Nx/s800/RonaldMcDonald+reps-Vicki-Garrison.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vicki Bolinger and Garrison Hullinger with two representatives of the Ronald McDonald House which will benefit this fall by a Kravet sponsored <a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/towns/ronald-mcdonald-house-of-long-island-to-get-makeover-1.5009868">designer show house</a> to be held at their Long Island location. What a fabulous idea!</span></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuVcc15vOBqMeLj75H93lsuUTZsogfhBIa68gR-BI8SBa__VsdO9j6VTqBes3liVSmVxWS4Iu34WKV-9LEP4NVEto9SIIQ95sh2boqMHjTwF7KqjQGIKwvoIEENunPjqs3Wymdk6V86P6/s1600/JenniferPowell-MichaelWollaeger-TracyGavant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuVcc15vOBqMeLj75H93lsuUTZsogfhBIa68gR-BI8SBa__VsdO9j6VTqBes3liVSmVxWS4Iu34WKV-9LEP4NVEto9SIIQ95sh2boqMHjTwF7KqjQGIKwvoIEENunPjqs3Wymdk6V86P6/s800/JenniferPowell-MichaelWollaeger-TracyGavant.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Jennifer Powell of Kravet with Interiors Magazines </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Editorial Director Michael Wolleaeger and Publisher Tracy Gavant</i></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you so much to our Blogfest 2013 hosts for a fabulous evening at Newel antiques! Up next ... a tour of Kravet studios. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Lunch with HGTV + Blogfest 2013 part 4

A memorable Blogfest moment from my trip to New York in May (was it really almost a month ago??) was when my travel companion designer Linda...

Read more »

When designers work together ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdTTlBtqtGsrC61AeFqoN4IVUjfOXbGdj31kHwDCvU4OILDbevTi4FWf_9LRhASh8lWJU-qer9lmOG9wCMpqakboHxiZqKrFDwvL_Jt55zW0zIUSETFru10eSC3T2FfSz7K0WGXu2ghU1/s1600/registration@LYHevent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdTTlBtqtGsrC61AeFqoN4IVUjfOXbGdj31kHwDCvU4OILDbevTi4FWf_9LRhASh8lWJU-qer9lmOG9wCMpqakboHxiZqKrFDwvL_Jt55zW0zIUSETFru10eSC3T2FfSz7K0WGXu2ghU1/s800/registration@LYHevent.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Lauren Carelli of Northshore Magazine checking in guests at Thursday’s</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>“Love Your Home</i><i>”</i><i> Design Event at Landry and Arcari in Salem, MA</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday evening was the Northshore Magazine “</span><span style="font-size: large;">Love Your Home</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Design Event at Landry and Arcari. For the past few months the event sponsors worked as a team to plan a social evening that included the reveal of several homeowner submitted design challenges that were solved by the participating home design experts (<a href="http://designerbath.com/">Designer Bath,</a> <a href="http://howellcustombuild.com/">Howell Custom Building Group,</a> <a href="http://www.sueadamsinteriors.com/home.html">Sue Adams Interiors,</a> <a href="http://lucialighting.com/">Lucia Lighting and Design,</a> <a href="http://www.landryandarcari.com/">Landry and Arcari).</a> I will be posting the floor plans and design selections that were featured that evening on the<a href="http://designerbath.blogspot.com/"> Designer Bath blog</a> later this week. For event photos, visit the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DesignerBathMA">Designer Bath facebook page.</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This event was a great example of how as a group, design/build experts collaborate to create a finished space that is driven by a shared vision. Behind each “</span><span style="font-size: large;">after</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> photo, there are usually many hands and minds that come together to bring to life an inspired home that suits the needs of the people who live there. From new floor plans designed by Howell Custom Building Group to designer Sue Adams selecting new fixtures, lighting and carpeting from each showroom, the team effort resulted in three homeowners receiving individual plans to improve the way they live in and enjoy their homes.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS9A-kCpz29nNfLQOvHai302q7UKaQou63Xb8qZzBn-gMO54cJLJzzvGtk6ZoghmVRkp56rFDIPkB9fH5clV0vsuHuxtAzoHQAJaPJp6z5Q-KnYud-6T_KT4QOx-cMrb25BG0q26xPOWn/s1600/rosanne-katherine-yvonne@LYHevent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS9A-kCpz29nNfLQOvHai302q7UKaQou63Xb8qZzBn-gMO54cJLJzzvGtk6ZoghmVRkp56rFDIPkB9fH5clV0vsuHuxtAzoHQAJaPJp6z5Q-KnYud-6T_KT4QOx-cMrb25BG0q26xPOWn/s800/rosanne-katherine-yvonne@LYHevent.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>with Rosanne Palazola and Katherine Hawkins at Landry and Arcari</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am excited to announce that I, too, will be part of a special design team with a couple of my friends this spring and summer. As a group – <a href="http://triodesignshowhouse.blogspot.com/p/about-trio-design.html">Trio Design</a> to be exact – Rosanne Palazola, Katherine Hawkins and I submitted a couple of design proposals for the <a href="http://www.oldyork.org/Visit/showhousepreshow.html">Museums of Old York 24th Annual Decorator Show House</a> and we were selected to participate! </span><span style="font-size: large;">I have always enjoyed attending the York Show House and this will be the first time I will </span><span style="font-size: large;">be part of the transformation. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Rosanne, Katherine and I have been attending and participating in other shows together for years. We are already having a great time pooling our creative thoughts and resources together to solve the design problems that we saw on our initial walk-through of the seaside property located in Kittery, Maine that will be home to the month long show (mid July through mid August).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0lxW5sHL4AavB1-0sOpv15o0KYIZZ39fHRLUFtcLcVhfLTV1RDglkC8yrl_2kyBeMTVZEB2E6elPDlMqkEP0ie-QX4vimQI3uCJ9HC8uObpNePQWicUndm7U5IUOIxSuA3y5WHEIiTAQ/s1600/secret+cove+show+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0lxW5sHL4AavB1-0sOpv15o0KYIZZ39fHRLUFtcLcVhfLTV1RDglkC8yrl_2kyBeMTVZEB2E6elPDlMqkEP0ie-QX4vimQI3uCJ9HC8uObpNePQWicUndm7U5IUOIxSuA3y5WHEIiTAQ/s800/secret+cove+show+house.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>24th Annual York Decorator Show House // 2 Lawrence Rd, Kittery, ME</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>photo courtesy Museums of Old York</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Starting in late April, Rosanne, Katherine and I will begin physical work on our four spaces: a teen bedroom with full bath, plus a mudroom and adjoining powder room. We each will get a chance to showcase our individual design aesthetics (I will be focusing on the bath spaces with the help of Designer Bath) but we are all working together to finalize our selections and execute our plans. Last night we got together with our husbands to make pizzas and then have a quick business meeting. I am hoping that the constructing of the rooms will be easier than the pizza making (who knew pizza dough was so finicky??) At least we had some skilled pie builders in the group, so none of us went hungry. Team effort + wine = happy designers : )</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Below are the before pictures of our four spaces ...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGlfDRVWj6Xjv4-i9_LmdvkhrHaVjlI6mfT8Bg8fHrigp2RPEr63vhsy9HcZmLEcPn618UCUehZWTth17vDhKCyxzp6Rgdw9gPEUOtpUkCSglcYPYdyvuxrJToCHm5Nt7wuwH8A9GBG35/s1600/teen+bath+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGlfDRVWj6Xjv4-i9_LmdvkhrHaVjlI6mfT8Bg8fHrigp2RPEr63vhsy9HcZmLEcPn618UCUehZWTth17vDhKCyxzp6Rgdw9gPEUOtpUkCSglcYPYdyvuxrJToCHm5Nt7wuwH8A9GBG35/s800/teen+bath+before.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>York Show House 2013 // teen bath “before</i><i>”</i><i> photo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50K2cweA536H1FKhBQVqCET_4hL0zR1kaufjBOts1H853I3coegE828MrA7xStDsbndqSdAdsfz6lmFA1sJTDY7seQSsyLs_xW_e1zSnNGw5bfsuVJeFsqOjqQUFZRxXphsWc-DoOkDZ6/s1600/teen+bedroom+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50K2cweA536H1FKhBQVqCET_4hL0zR1kaufjBOts1H853I3coegE828MrA7xStDsbndqSdAdsfz6lmFA1sJTDY7seQSsyLs_xW_e1zSnNGw5bfsuVJeFsqOjqQUFZRxXphsWc-DoOkDZ6/s800/teen+bedroom+before.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>York Show House 2013 // teen bedroom “before</i><i>”</i><i> photo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJjzO4LYDDULSHi9ZBysGOsqGc4WTGwwB6Jvqo78p6PwJjmDsQAd1Zwi1YdQxJWpEym-aIMdmaLPdBjO4U6OIOVveRt-78Gmx9cqpQPVVK6RYLWlQGlcn66Kfvzwni218inO5_8khfKXS/s1600/mudroom+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJjzO4LYDDULSHi9ZBysGOsqGc4WTGwwB6Jvqo78p6PwJjmDsQAd1Zwi1YdQxJWpEym-aIMdmaLPdBjO4U6OIOVveRt-78Gmx9cqpQPVVK6RYLWlQGlcn66Kfvzwni218inO5_8khfKXS/s800/mudroom+before.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>York Show House 2013 // mudroom “before</i><i>”</i><i> photo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGHRKMI3Zs5672zjV3izhcRY7fQC11AXOvJRtWBKzh-6LcKC4-cLoYyogIBgoiSoXjv8o3rPH6_RQyodfvbxAdCbswz9VKF5A2VE9L1Q7PkFnBAqRAoUExQPhyphenhyphenJZxmlzXJRvj9tHpr8x5/s1600/powder+room+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGHRKMI3Zs5672zjV3izhcRY7fQC11AXOvJRtWBKzh-6LcKC4-cLoYyogIBgoiSoXjv8o3rPH6_RQyodfvbxAdCbswz9VKF5A2VE9L1Q7PkFnBAqRAoUExQPhyphenhyphenJZxmlzXJRvj9tHpr8x5/s800/powder+room+before.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>York Show House 2013 // powder room “before</i><i>”</i><i> photo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to mark your calendar for a road trip this summer to see the transformed home in its entirety, including an adorable guest cottage, some great porches, and lots of more. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCsw3QhFtQuoDnBkAIPcwXLZI9eo5DuOFsr7RyA6tQLVk7v0c-mbp5WHpy0a-9_F14OwCYErsYl5qpvbnjwraWv7HVwqjJoussK-nXGVly7QV22iKRKgrdx5fkzKWzAgae3rCHiSPngg9/s1600/guest+cottage+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCsw3QhFtQuoDnBkAIPcwXLZI9eo5DuOFsr7RyA6tQLVk7v0c-mbp5WHpy0a-9_F14OwCYErsYl5qpvbnjwraWv7HVwqjJoussK-nXGVly7QV22iKRKgrdx5fkzKWzAgae3rCHiSPngg9/s800/guest+cottage+before.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>York Show House 2013 // guest cottage “before</i><i>”</i><i> photo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>space will be designed by Ann Cowenhoven</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6VR0XhzQUnBUJmeuaI_2pB0_aR-eOq7f8HCXd8NsPFTGba8RW0qxq7r2DrxUGxpYzuwg_h9mDjOSgdFbANVISjGEWTxp5Z3fVO-uu-1-NOhfBVGJfU51eHe26SogA-hfzArCF95qVAPq/s1600/side+porch+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6VR0XhzQUnBUJmeuaI_2pB0_aR-eOq7f8HCXd8NsPFTGba8RW0qxq7r2DrxUGxpYzuwg_h9mDjOSgdFbANVISjGEWTxp5Z3fVO-uu-1-NOhfBVGJfU51eHe26SogA-hfzArCF95qVAPq/s800/side+porch+before.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>York Show House 2013 // cove view porch “before</i><i>”</i><i> photo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>space will be designed by my friend, Barbara Elza Hirsch</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A couple of years ago, I featured the York Show House in <a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef_4_autumn_2011">New England Finery.</a> It is one of my favorite issues! Frank Hodge</span><span style="font-size: large;">’</span><span style="font-size: large;">s Gentleman</span><span style="font-size: large;">’</span><span style="font-size: large;">s Library is on the cover. He will be doing a Study in this year</span><span style="font-size: large;">’</span><span style="font-size: large;">s show, which I am sure will be equally fabulous! I am really looking forward to spending time preparing for this show with the cast of talented designers that are participating this year. I will keep you posted on our progress! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1hZc3P_wL_r3zlttXh-GXuIXCiPLvwt6NeawSOzLGSBAH1ES5dFJYLoHB-pkFPn1yErC4vKYtv35pXydTbz2GBdJZViDQOmvNIerSMXKryB09h-eXoy656hvXzTEFK_pdlSsQ0NJrDLl/s1600/nef4+cover+-+Hodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1hZc3P_wL_r3zlttXh-GXuIXCiPLvwt6NeawSOzLGSBAH1ES5dFJYLoHB-pkFPn1yErC4vKYtv35pXydTbz2GBdJZViDQOmvNIerSMXKryB09h-eXoy656hvXzTEFK_pdlSsQ0NJrDLl/s800/nef4+cover+-+Hodge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>New England Finery Magazine, Autumn 2011</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>cover photo Michael J. Lee</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>New England Finery Update ...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Having the York Show House on my plate along with my full-time job, spending time with my family, plus handling weekend decorating clients, I am putting the publishing of New England Finery on hold for now. While I have loved working as editor and creative director of an online magazine, I realize that to keep publishing them I really would need to commit to a full time schedule with a dedicated team to achieve this goal. I had hoped to put forth a spring <a href="http://newenglandfinery.com/">Celebrations issue</a> this year, but my time is not as free as it used to be.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I realize I have been very fortunate to be able to work with many talented photographers, writers and contributors to put together six issues of New England Finery over the past couple of years – half of which were done while working full-time – and I couldn’t have done it without them, but to coordinate all of those creative contributions requires lots of time and attention.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I don’t have the time to focus on a 75+ page full length issue with supporting advertising, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I will, however, be happy to create mini-magazines (4 to 12 pages or so each) for individual New England based businesses who would like to increase their online presence via the <a href="http://newenglandfinery.com/Resource_Library.html">New England Finery resource library.</a> I don</span><span style="font-size: large;">’</span><span style="font-size: large;">t want to shelve New England Finery completely, and this is one way I can continue to promote local design businesses in a manageable way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I often run into people who ask me when the next issue of New England Finery will come out, so it was not an easy decision to stop publishing them. Luckily, I do get plenty of opportunities to work with local design magazines as Marketing Director at Designer Bath, as I did with the Northshore Magazine “Love Your Home” Event, the recent <a href="http://designerbath.blogspot.com/p/passport-to-design.html">Passport to Design</a> program via Boston Home Magazine plus numerous monthly ad insertions, so I do not feel like I am missing out at all. And who knows, maybe this year my design work will be featured in one of my favorite glossies instead of just being shared on this blog. Which reminds me, I really should share more of my client decorating projects on my blog ...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next post, I promise!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br />

When designers work together ...

Lauren Carelli of Northshore Magazine checking in guests at Thursday’s “Love Your Home ”  Design Event at Landry and Arcari in Salem, MA Thu...

Read more »

Winter’s last breath ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9CiCngV6yRceA5XdfTv7s9Fe__JFLsJHyUmJ_ije2TFrfvSUnWMn1CBKkwht-K_aMc1dxBVJe-wUe4BiBjKjYJICsFkOWT5VkO1xFgkv56x46xWBs2Q2-5CssGV7-RVST6lQ8cDH-aom/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+3.42.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9CiCngV6yRceA5XdfTv7s9Fe__JFLsJHyUmJ_ije2TFrfvSUnWMn1CBKkwht-K_aMc1dxBVJe-wUe4BiBjKjYJICsFkOWT5VkO1xFgkv56x46xWBs2Q2-5CssGV7-RVST6lQ8cDH-aom/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+3.42.42+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The snapshot above was taken last Sunday. I was so excited to see these crocuses making their way out of their frozen slumber! Today we are buried under a foot of the white stuff again. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUhxbXf4UbWU_VXcpE7ALnxxRtoa8pNExs6r4BgJLbihLtqm7oJ3GPfzaPmJWPRYBVxdzAMQUXbcH6CTUrEqpKNvhr3tlQPzOOA34Y2JkoMh451HVJsxdGOHbsyuqUyalX94pZVJM0M7s/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+3.52.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUhxbXf4UbWU_VXcpE7ALnxxRtoa8pNExs6r4BgJLbihLtqm7oJ3GPfzaPmJWPRYBVxdzAMQUXbcH6CTUrEqpKNvhr3tlQPzOOA34Y2JkoMh451HVJsxdGOHbsyuqUyalX94pZVJM0M7s/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+3.52.23+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">While a monochromatic canvas exists outside my window, my thoughts drift to colorful bouquets and flower shows ... </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-size: large;">Spring on my mind ...</span></i><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />On Monday night, the annual <a href="http://lynnfield.patch.com/events/art-in-bloom-at-the-lynnfield-library">Art in Bloom</a> exhibit at the Lynnfield Library will be opening. I am hoping to find some pretty spring-like blossoms this weekend to use in my floral interpretation of a local high school student’s artwork. Last year was the first time our garden club opened up the show to student artists. The collaboration was really inspiring and brought a youthful energy to the exhibit. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This year we have even more students participating. I promise to share some favorite photos after the event.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQST9X6J_1exAZjqP9qeB9gVBj-U_tCg1J0KAJfT4ntwAKG7jl3arTuxWBSxfEyp1sFMDncJ4WsX7rwxfa0Fgi7Tpvdok8MdcNGe7DNn163whRDZdlyBiBw9XzG6DUijpHVTMf94i0utV/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.22.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQST9X6J_1exAZjqP9qeB9gVBj-U_tCg1J0KAJfT4ntwAKG7jl3arTuxWBSxfEyp1sFMDncJ4WsX7rwxfa0Fgi7Tpvdok8MdcNGe7DNn163whRDZdlyBiBw9XzG6DUijpHVTMf94i0utV/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.22.56+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“Pastorale” by Beth Aaronson // floral arrangement by Bootie Stevens</i><br /><i><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2012/03/art-in-bloom-2012.html">View Art in Bloom 2012 here</a></i></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">If you are in town, stop by the library between 7:30 – 9 pm to join us for the opening night reception with the artists and members of the <a href="http://lynnfield.patch.com/articles/the-village-home-and-garden-club-builds-on-historic-roots">Village Home and Garden Club.</a> Refreshments will be served and there will be some raffle prizes. Last year someone took home a gorgeous tree from <a href="http://www.northeastnursery.com/">Northeast Nursery</a> to plant in their yard. Art in Bloom is open to the public through Friday, March 15th.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxit25-JZvF_1kCx6jRtBweqM1iKqWk2Hugv-13Xbj9Uc68iai5ZyZM75dIUW8uAm7ecn22wydsXrO2BlBldAwdoKEICM0xEgLs25x0JU5ZdRBDKSeIm49bVdKtiLqVe6HlCANMq0tgdhL/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.08.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxit25-JZvF_1kCx6jRtBweqM1iKqWk2Hugv-13Xbj9Uc68iai5ZyZM75dIUW8uAm7ecn22wydsXrO2BlBldAwdoKEICM0xEgLs25x0JU5ZdRBDKSeIm49bVdKtiLqVe6HlCANMq0tgdhL/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.08.28+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Boston Flower and Garden Show 2011</i><br /><i><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/19">Stone gate and garden by New England Land Artisan of Stratham, NH </a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/19">featured in New England Finery, April 2011</a> </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">The ultimate interior landscape ...</span></i><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I just realized that the <a href="http://www.bostonflowershow.com/">Boston Flower and Garden Show</a> opens next week and runs Wednesday through Sunday at the Seaport World Trade Center. I hope I can make it over there before it ends. Like many of my New England neighbors, I am in serious need of brightly-hued flowers, warm sunshine, and the smell of fragrant blossoms to beckon me back outdoors.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1URE0gX79DBYkgD67DsXpBkk46Xn5eayiVy3kpui7T8wlp4tb2itYrLKoHJjf4Rh546HtRG_wdp2pfkKgWAWVY_ksU7qMImNroB2aKvWlCy-4Jrsu-knGsGdBoq_HkY8Q5FxWl5NoUv3/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.07.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1URE0gX79DBYkgD67DsXpBkk46Xn5eayiVy3kpui7T8wlp4tb2itYrLKoHJjf4Rh546HtRG_wdp2pfkKgWAWVY_ksU7qMImNroB2aKvWlCy-4Jrsu-knGsGdBoq_HkY8Q5FxWl5NoUv3/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.07.50+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Boston Flower and Garden Show 2011</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/11">New England Arts and Flowers of Walpole, MA</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/11">featured in New England Finery, April 2011</a></i></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzpkYdNMr9AgRn1V6kEMD4dHMxJQHUpAEZJwUfyKQk7N4igpMwQRsV9jUn2hFBip2NmH72_vBSbpocMiOitwov_O2NZXiV6boYcHiYBq6BTTC4n8iNeYe62f5QpggLP3EZcVqgEcU_Uab/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.51.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzpkYdNMr9AgRn1V6kEMD4dHMxJQHUpAEZJwUfyKQk7N4igpMwQRsV9jUn2hFBip2NmH72_vBSbpocMiOitwov_O2NZXiV6boYcHiYBq6BTTC4n8iNeYe62f5QpggLP3EZcVqgEcU_Uab/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.51.18+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.landryandarcari.com/GalleryFocus.php?f=Suzani-Ikat-Rug&pic=45&max=68">Suzani Design Rug, Hand-Knotted in Pakistan</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.landryandarcari.com/GalleryFocus.php?f=Suzani-Ikat-Rug&pic=45&max=68">available at Landry and Arcari</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Fabulous florals in silk and wool ...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The final seminar in the <a href="http://www.bostonmagazine.com/passport">Boston Home Magazine Passport to Design</a> series was rescheduled to Thursday, March 14th (canceled from its original night on the 7th because of you guessed it, another snowstorm). I will be at the Landry and Arcari showroom in Salem, MA from 6 to 8pm with my peeps from <a href="http://designerbath.com/">Designer Bath</a> and the rest of the Passport to Design team members. Registered guests will learn how to select fine carpets to decorate their homes. If you would like to attend, please email contact@landryandarcari.com to get your name on the list. This will be the final opportunity</span><span style="font-size: large;"> to enter to win the $20,000 Home Makeover Sweepstakes, which could easily outfit any home with a fresh new look for spring.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>

Winter’s last breath ...

The snapshot above was taken last Sunday. I was so excited to see these crocuses making their way out of their frozen slumber! Today we are ...

Read more »