a picture is worth a thousand words...

A picture is worth a thousand words...especially when your design is one of the subjects in the picture!

Back in September, when I created floral designs for the ASID New England "Excellence in Design Awards," I had no idea that a photograph of my work, taken by Andrew Swaine, would end up on the cover of the Winter 2013 ASID New England Chapter Magazine. Yay!

click here to read the full publication on ISSUU

Congratulations to all the Design Award winners: Kristin Rivoli of Rivoli Interior Design, Amanda Greaves of Amanda Greaves & Company, Anne Alberts of Carpenter & MacNeille, Jeanne Finnerty of Finnerty Design, John Day of LDa Architecture & Interiors and Linda Anne Banks of Banks Design Associates.  

Thank you to the "Excellence in Design Awards" event committee: Amanda Greaves, Katherine Hawkins, Lynda Onthank, Jill Janasiewicz and Yvonne Blacker,

and to the "Excellence in Design Awards" event sponsors: Cybele, Lyon-Waugh, Design New England, FBN Construction, Designer Bath, Landry&Arcari, Kallista, for giving me the opportunity to be part of this wonderful evening. 

It's Coming Around Again: Design New England

Design New England "Universal Design for All Ages"

Just like the words sung by Carly Simon, It's Coming Around Again; and so are these glass cylinders. In keeping with the current going-green trends, it's not hard to see why these beautiful glass cylinders keep making a comeback at the Designer Bath showroom.

Design New England Magazine

An autumn vignette, designed for the Design New England, Fall Salon Series "Universal Design for All Ages."

Designers Shine Awards | 2013

A tropical summertime theme lends itself effortlessly to these designs.

ASID NE - Excellence in Design Awards | 2013

Elevating this design (literally) works well for the overall event concept, and for a room full of interior designers.

Boston Magazine - Passport to Design - Studs to Stunning | 2012

As the growing season begins to wind down, and a more stark backdrop starts to set in, these birch wrapped designs help us visualize the time of year.

Zucchetti Event | 2012

When Fall is knocking and Summer has one foot still in the door, these designs gently transition us into the next season.

Designers Shine Awards | 2012

With a client request for orchids, and a desire to incorporate a summertime feel, driftwood toppers hold these designs in place nicely.



I hope it's obvious that I have had a lot of fun designing in these glass cylinders, because I have. Do you think I can keep it coming around again?

ASID: Go Big or Go Home!

Photo credit: Andrew Swaine

I was creatively involved in the recent ASID NE "Excellence in Design Awards," and Client Magent(ism) speaker series by Angela Merola; making floral arrangements to help transform the event space for the evening. Creative Catering in Beverly was responsible for the delicious savories, including a yummy mashed potato bar.

Photo credit: Andrew Swaine

Having been referred to by the expression "Go Big or Go Home," when it comes to my design style; is a reference that I don't mind. It best describes my no-holds-barred kinda attitude, and detail oriented obsessions with events such as this one. Leaving no "leaf" unturned in the process lets me sleep at night, although the sleeping thing doesn't generally happen until the project is over. And, dark circles are just par for the course.

When making my event preparations, it's not unlike designing an interior space; and starting with a rug or wall color for inspiration. Creating an overall design concept by focusing in on one point-of-inspiration, helps to create a sense of cohesiveness to which the remaining details can relate back too. For this event, I decided to start with color.

In thinking about my starting point (color), I began to visualize the combination of red, black, and white. It had been expressed to me that the theme was red carpet, so touches of gold would also be appropriate. Considering the venue, a former Lamborghini dealership currently being used for events; made for an ideal backdrop. Just begin to visualize fabulous floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap the exterior, black tiled floors, and high ceilings. What more could a girl ask for, except of course, a Lamborghini? Last but not least was my audience, a room FULL of interior designers; therefore the designs must have a sense of contemporary.

Photo credit: Andrew Swaine

Designers: Linda Holt, Rosanne Palazola and Katherine Hawkins

The evening went very well. I enjoyed the opportunity to attend the speaker series, learning a little more about the interior design profession; and taking away a little something for my own business. It was great to have the chance to meet new designers, and catch up with a few familiar faces, one of which was my professor from New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University, Sheryll Strohl-Hammett.