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