Picture from Las Vegas

Blown glass lighting fixture in Bellagio hotel lobby

Neat Lighting Product at Metrocon

These are individual LED lit, mirrored sconces grouped together to form a mosaic (VISA Lighting).

Metrocon Exhibits

Trip to Dallas This Week

I will be heading to Dallas tomorrow evening to attend Metrocon 09 at Dallas Market Center. The conference can be described as a regional Neocon, featuring many of the same exhibitors on a much smaller scale. I'm pretty excited about it after having worked on the Steelcase open office system project last semester.

The main reason I decided to attend, though, was because, as an ASID and IIDA member, I could take as many continuing education courses as I wanted to for a flat $35 fee. I signed up for six courses and plan on attending the keynote address as well. I'm not required to take these classes until after I graduate, but I think they will be extremely beneficial. "Hard Facts about Soft Surfaces" will allow me to apply "real world" textile facts and understand they impact the selection and application of surface material life cycles in the residential or commercial environment. "Socially Responsible Design....When LEED Isn't An Option" focuses on conserving energy, water, waste and natural resources even if the project does not pursue LEED certification. "The Influence of Design" conveys the idea of experience and the importance of designing toward an end experience that lifts client emotions and remains in the memory of those who experience it. "Bright Ideas: Office Lighting 101" will build on my lighting expertise and focus it more towards the office setting as opposed to residential. "Case Study: Using Client Feedback to Enhance Project Success" will help me to create an effective feedback system for my own company. "Revolve 2009" is an inspirational look at color trends drawing on parallels with the Maison d'Objet housewares show.

I also plan on checking out some of the permanent designer showrooms while I'm there. I've never been to DMC during non-market times so I'm curious to see how things operate on a regular day. I didn't realize that the Apparel and Accessories Market was going on this week so I'm not sure how normal it will be, but it will be different than what I've experienced to date. It might be kind of fun to check out the fashion stuff too while I'm there if I have the time!

So, in summary, it will be a very busy couple of days, but I'm really looking forward to it. I'll try to post some pictures while I'm there so stay tuned!

Getting a Jump Start on Research for my Next Studio Project!

I was absolutely shocked when I heard we might be assigned our first project for my Fall studio class at the end of the Spring semester. With all the activities at the end of the semester, we managed to escape without further mention of it. I was relieved to know that this next studio project wouldn't be looming over my head the entire summer. Studio projects have a tendency to take over your life and I was really looking forward to a break from them. No suck luck! About a week ago I got an email from my professor with a short description of the project and a list of recommended reading. Three of the books were required and then we could choose others from the list for added research. It was strongly suggested we start reading NOW!

It's a green design project and it has a background of the world being in a crisis where people are only allowed a certain amount of square footage based on the number of people in their household. We will have to find materials and resources that will keep people off the grid (public utilities) wherever it's possible. This project will certainly be educating, but I'm not feeling overly excited about it at the moment.

Hopefully that will change when my nice stack of books come in! I ordered the following books from Amazon as very few of them were available at our local libraries. I must admit that the research does look interesting. I'm just not ready to go back to school yet!

Open House this Sunday at 1218 W. 14th St. in Webb City--BE THERE!

The house that I just finished staging will be having an open house this Sunday afternoon. If you know of anyone that is looking for a house for under $100K, this would be a good one for them to see. It's a perfect family home with a large lot in a good school district and it's move in ready! Click here for a link to the listing on realtor.com with all the details. Please help spread the word!

Pictures of House for Sale in Webb City, MO

I just thought I'd post some pictures here real quick since several people (not all on Facebook) have been waiting to see them. I've been coordinating the work that has gone on at this property for the last month and we are just about ready to list it with a realtor. If you or anyone you know might be interested in this move in ready, updated 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a large lot in Webb City, just let me know. It is approximately 1500 square feet and has new paint, new frieze carpet and kitchen flooring and updated lighting fixtures. It's a great house and a good deal for the money. Here are the pictures:

Exterior

Back Yard

Living Room

Kitchen
Hallway
Hall Bath

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom

Bedroom #2

Bedroom #3

Great Article about Redesign in House Beautiful

Yes, this blog is still active. I have been so busy creating my new website that I've been unable to keep up with my blog. But the website is getting close to complete and the blog is now a part of the website so there is no excuse! Let the blogging begin AGAIN.

The cover of this month's House Beautiful magazine caught my attention as it referenced a one day makeover, which is in essence what Redesign is all about. I found the article to be quite interesting as it followed a decorator through his day as he redesigned his client's home. In case you are wondering what Redesign is all about, I thought I'd share this interesting article with you. It does a great job of describing the process from start to finish. Enjoy! And don't hesitate to let me know if you want me to "ride into your life on a white horse and redo your living room before the day is over." :-)

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/one-day-makeover

Cutting Edge Design for New Home Being Constructed in Joplin, MO

I recently became aware of an awesome architectural firm in Kansas City that designed a very unique home that is being constructed in Joplin. Hufft Projects LLC is an innovative company with a really cool website which details the step by step building process of each of their designs. Check out the Heavy Metal project to see what is being built in Joplin! The design is quite impressive and the photo realistic renderings are incredible. I hope to be able to tour it when it's complete!

Hot off the Press!

When I first started this blog, I commited to blogging at least once per week, but I've been working non-stop on this big studio project for the last several weeks. I just turned it in today and am breathing a huge sigh of relief that it's over and I can focus my attention back on my business and other things that have been neglected. I don't have the energy to devote a whole lot of time to this blog post, but I did just check Residential Lighting magazine's website to see if the March issue had appeared and found a link to the article that I appeared in so I thought I'd share it here. Check it out!

"Charissa Robinett (right) of Webb City, MO’s Interiors by Charissa and Joplin, MO’s Better Living Store met with Cuban American journalist and talk show host Cristina Saralegui during an autograph-signing in the CBK showroom on Saturday." - Residential Lighting Magazine, March 2009

I had know idea that my favorite Trading Spaces designer, Laurie Hickson-Smith, was in attendance at the January market. I would have loved to have met her. Maybe next time.

P.S. I know I don't have a strong following as of yet, but I do want to keep this blog interesting. I apologize for being MIA over the past few weeks. At least you have my Twiter updates on here! :-)

Food for Thought

I read this on one of my fellow Tweets updates today and thought I'd share it here. I think of people like Mies Van der Rohe, Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright and their quotes that have been made famous, at least among the design community. In all actuality, it was not the wisdom of their words that made them famous, but instead the evidence that they knew what they were talking about from their proven designs. It's not their words that inspire us, but their works. I had the privilege of visiting a number or FLW buildings during my visit to Chicago last summer. Although his style of architecture is not my personal favorite, I could not help but marvel at his genius. His words carry more weight after having witnessed his works. The same is true for many gifted designers and architects throughout history.

"People seldom become famous for what they say until after they are famous for what they've done." - C. Hightower

Thought for the Day

I read this on a coffee mug today and it struck a cord with me so I thought I share it with you. We are all works in progress. Stop growing and you stop living.

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." - Unknown

I love this fabric!

I just LOVE this modern rendition of houndstooth and especially in this color combination! This is one of the fabrics I'm using for the Steelcase Open Office System project I'm working on. It's from Knoll Textiles and I will use it for the reception area seating. The design plan is for an import/export company so I'm using the traditional globe colors in a contemporary fashion. I've selected a number of other Design Tex fabrics in the same color pallette to use throughout the rest of the space. I wish I could get as excited about other aspects of the project!

Guess who will appear in the March issue of Residential Lighting magazine? Me!

During my visit to Dallas Market Center last month, I happened to visit the CBK showroom while Cristina Saralegui was signing autographs. I understand that many of you may not know who that is so I'll enlighten you. Often labeled the "Oprah of Mexico" (although she is Cuban), Cristina is a 30-year veteran journalist and host of "The Cristina Show" on Univision, the nation's leading Spanish-language television network. She was named one of the "25 Most Influential Hispanics in America" and was the first Latina to be inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. Now you might wonder why she was signing autographs at the Total Home & Gift Market at DMC. She has designed a number of "Spanish inspired" products for the home with the label "Casa Cristina". She has a line of bedding, bathroom accessories and kitchen textiles that are sold through Kohl's. Her furniture designs are manufactured by Pulaski Furniture. CBK, of course, hosted the event to promote her home accents collection. The Minka Group features some of her designs for lighting fixtures and fans. And that is why the Executive Editor of Residential Lighting and Hospitality Lighting magazines was waiting for a the perfect photo opportunity when I got in line for an autograph. She approached me and asked if I was a designer and if she could take my picture with Cristina for Residential Lighting magazine. I told her that I had already asked the lady behind me to snap a picture with my camera phone, but that I was sure her picture would turn out much better. She assured me that she would email me the picture and let me know when it would appear in the magazine. I just got her email and was informed that the picture had been submitted for the March issue. Hopefully my new subscription will kick in by then!

Creative Projects

I've been working on an open office system project that involves very detailed, analytical work. My creative juices are flowing, but I must follow the important, but tedious steps of creating a criteria matrix and relationship diagram. Since I'm not working on the most exciting project at the moment, I thought I'd post some pictures of some of the creative projects that I've worked on throughout my school career.

"The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself." - Alan Alda

Lighting - Lamp Design Project

Studio I - Logo Design Project

Communication Graphics for Interior Design - Cut & Fold Project


Communication Graphics for Interior Design - Pattern Repeat Project


Communication Graphics for Interior Design -
Positive & Negative Space Project


Introduction to Interior Design - Color Wheel

Decorating vs. Interior Design

The terms "decorating" and "interior design" are often used interchangeably. I'm guilty of doing this myself and I obviously know the difference. I came across a very good definition of interior design that comes from the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) and thought I would share it here for those of you who may not know the difference between a Decorator and Interior Designer. As someone who had considered quitting her job and doing "decorating" work after starting her family, I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to invest the time and money towards obtaining a degree in Interior Design beforehand so that I could learn about things such as architecture, psychology, the use of space, sustainable design, functional planning and safety issues. All these things should be considered when designing a space. After all the blood, sweat and tears, I will be proud to call myself an Interior Designer upon the completion of my education.

"Interior design is a multifaceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants, and are aesthetically attractive. Designs are created in response to and coordinated with the building shell, and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals." - NCIDQ

Redecorating the White House

I came across this interesting letter that was sent to President and First Lady Obama to suggest ways in which the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) could help them redecorate the White House. It made me stop to consider what changes they might make in order to make this historic building feel like home to them. Young children living in the White House presents a special set of circumstances that hasn't been a consideration for a number of years. There has also been much speculation about how the new president's cultural background might bring about changes to the White House's decor. Another thing that could create controversy is whether or not it makes sense to spend money to redecorate the White House during these tough economic times. What do you think?

Check out my new blog!

With the launch of INTERIORS by Charissa LLC, I thought it would be fun to start blogging about the world of interior design! One of the things I love about my new career is that I'm constantly surrounded by beautiful things. Whether it be the 5 million square feet of showrooms at Dallas Market Center, pages from one of the 10+ decorating magazines I subscribe to or advertisements and samples of designer products that flood my mailbox, I don't have to look far to find the latest in interior design. Here I will share with you interesting factoids and "eye candy" that I think might inspire you as well as tips and advice for decorating your home. I will also post pictures of some of my design projects from school and before and after pictures of some of my decorating projects. I hope you will stay tuned in for my weekly blogs!