Just when I think I'm going to keep up on blogging....then I'm busy for weeks and realize I've forgotten to post. Here's an update on what I've been designing recently:
One of my professors at ISU sent out an email about a contest from Electric Mirror to design the Mirror of the Year. I figured this would be a great opportunity--$500 cash, an all expenses paid trip to New York City, 3 nights at the W Lexington hotel in the city, honored at the Boutique Design New York show, and 3% of profits of all mirrors that are sold for the first year. But the reason I really want this, is because I see the opportunity to network with professionals in the hospitality design industry--my ultimate dream career. Not to mention the fact that it was a short term project with a deadline so there was no opportunity to slack off. So, I went for it and it was a lot of fun! Electric Mirror is a company that designs mirrors with integrated lights and tvs that disappear when off. Their product is prevalent in high-end, luxury hotels such as The Ritz Carlton in LA, The Bellagio Spa Tower, and some of the W Hotels. The instructions were pretty cut and dry--design something cool and stay within these boundaries...but don't be afraid to break the rules and make something cool. Ok, so anything goes. And that's exactly what I did. Instead of a tv in the mirror, I placed an tablet (like an iPad or Tablet PC) that way a guest could check the news, their social network and emails all while getting ready for the day. It would also be a perk for hotels to add their own app highlighting their amenities as well as nearby attractions.
Here's what my design ended up looking like:
"Connections" Mirror All in all, I'm happy with how it turned out and only roughly 10 people entered the contest...so I figure I have a 10% chance of winning. Judging was supposed to take place this week, so I'm hoping the winner will be announced shortly.
I have also been working on a facelift for one of the bathrooms back at my parents' house. It's the bathroom I designed back when I was late in junior high or early high school. Since I don't have images of it, I can basically describe it as this: Victoria's Secret Bathroom. I'm talking pink striped wallpaper, pink paint, white trim, silver accents, and bustier drawings with black and white polka dots flanking the mirror. It is, in essence, a guy's worst nightmare to have to use it. I'm thinking it's in need for a more spa-like elegance with contemporary touches. Here is a rendering of what I've selected designed for them:
This is a little more intense of a project than just applying new wallpaper and paint. I've proposed they change their light fixture from the over-the-mirror strip fixture to two mirror-flanking contemporary sconces that actually provide more attractive lighting to the user. I've also recommended adding glass tile to make the vanity area a feature piece. The glass mosaic tile would flank the sides of the mirror and extend up to the ceiling. My parents loved it... now I'm in the process of finding the pieces and staying in a reasonable price range. I'm anxious to see how it turns out.
So, I've been busy with my own things and am thinking about other ideas floating around in my head. I've started a "hotel" design project, but find it difficult when I'm not an architect and trying to figure out the exterior of the building is something I'm not accustomed to. Today, however, I'm in residential mode. I want to find a home floor plan and design the interior, select the furnishings, etc. I'm back and forth on residential--some days it's really appealing....other days, not so much. We'll see what happens.
I'm going to try to post more frequently.... I know I've said that before....but I'm hoping to make this a priority to sit down and type my thoughts and what my direction is on projects I'm doing.
Hope everyone has a good weekend and takes advantage of this gorgeous weather!
"Whatever you do in your decorating philosophy, be brave....never wish you hadn't taken your vision right to the end. Make a bold statement."
Roger Banks-Pye, Colefax and Fowler Interior Inspirations
-A. Schneller
