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!