Hello Westweek

I’m so excited Westweek is here again. I had such a wonderful time last year hearing about what direction the design industry was going in and meeting one of my idols, Margaret Russell. Margaret (no, we are not on a first name basis, I just like to pretend) is now the Editor in Chief of Architectural Digest so this year the new Editor in Chief of Elle Décor, Michael Boodro will be on the key note panel. I’m looking forward to hearing this discussion because the panel is packed with some major players in the shelter magazine industry. I have so many questions I want to ask, like…How do they feel about the emergence of so many online magazines? How did the partnership between Lonny and Traditional Home come to be? Do they see a growth of Tag Readers in more magazines? Why is my subscription $19 this year and $54 the second year? Okay, I’m not brave enough to ask that last question but inquiring minds want to know.

I’m also looking forward to An Afternoon with Barbara Barry at the Kravet showroom. To hear her speak about anything would be a dream come true. It could be a discussion on the benefits of the #2 pencil in the design industry and I would be over the moon.

That’s what I’m looking forward to on Wednesday. I’ll post what I’m looking forward to on Thursday, tomorrow. If you have any questions you would like me to ask, just leave a comment below and I will try my best to get you an answer...Happy Westweek Everyone!

Happy Hump Day

I'm very sad that Margaret Russell is leaving Elle Decor to become the new Editor in Chief of Architectural Digest but I'm also very excited to see what she does with AD. In honor of her new move this hump day is brought to you by some of the beautiful covers Margaret has create at Elle Decor...Happy Hump Day Everyone!

Westweek Part 1

Westweek was lots of fun and very informative. I had the great pleasure of meeting Margaret Russell, editor in chief of Elle Décor. The keynote panel she moderated on “Giving Design a Voice in the Digital Age: Navigating the New Media Landscape” opened my eyes to the part blogs and new age forums play in the design world. The panel included 1stdibs founder Michael Bruno, Blogger Patricia Shackelford (AKA Mrs. Blandings), Los Angeles Times Magazine Design & Culture Editor Mayer Rus and last but not least famous interior designer Vicente Wolf. All had varying inputs on where the digital age is leading the design industry and the impacted it is having on shelter magazines. As a blogger the key information I took from this panel was giving credit where credit is due. Magazines, designers, and photographers have spent lots of time and money creating such beautiful images for us to enjoy, it is up to us bloggers to give them the credit that is due. A simple link back to the original source is all that is asked. I think I do a good job of giving credit, but if I every slip and not give credit or a link back for the images I use, feel free to call me on it.

I also had a brisk conversation with Vicente Wolf after the keynote as we made our way to the reception. We talked about the “Ask Vicente” section of his blog. Yes ladies and gentlemen that really is Vicente answering your design questions. From “I have a large living room and only one couch, what should I do” to “What color should I paint my walls” Vicente will answer all. FYI, he’s a very funny guy who doesn’t take himself too seriously and prefers to draft by hand instead of using a computer.

Part 2 coming soon….Happy Reading!

Margaret Russell book signing at William Sonoma Home EventThe Panel