Reposted from Co.Design

I had to repost this because it is a fabulous example of the kind of results you can get when you listen to the client and design innovation to meet their needs. I have always been intrigued with the design process, so I would have loved to be in the rooms with the show designers as they brainstormed and collaborated their way through the design process creating groundbreaking techniques to fulfill their client’s “wishes”. Imagine the possibilities of this technology when applied to interiors! ( Window Coverings industry take note it CAN be done ; we just have to commit to it!)

Nike Unveils Its Big New Paradigm: Shoes Knit Like Socks

The new Flyknit shoe was the product of four years of R&D, which yielded new machines for a fabrication technique that never existed before.

When most of us think about what we want in a shoe, a sock probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Sure it has comfort, but what about stability? And how about some support?

Nike is filling in those blanks with its newest line, Nike Flyknit, which will make its big splash in the Olympics. Four years in the making, Flyknit is the product of an entirely new shoe-making process that can produce a single, lightweight knit upper (tongue included). The resulting intricate patchwork of yarn, cables, and fabric boasts a heretofore unseen look and feel.

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Pinterest is on FIRE! and I’m loving it. You could even say I am starting to get obsessed. OK officially obsessed..

More importantly, Pinterest is a match made in heaven for interior designers. It satisfies our burning desire to discover, be creative and collect. (Who knew I was a closet scrapbooker!) and because we know that designers are all about the visual- it’s perfect! Plus, it’s a great way to organize and categorize our inspiration; show off our talents and share color palettes, stylings and vignettes that could reach potential clients. Long term it’s a great marketing tool to help define your brand and hone in on the “ideal” customers.

Creative pinnings help you to enhance customer service experiences and give clients a sneak peek of our style aesthetic before they decide to work with you. It’s like speed dating for design relationships- a one stop shop to tantalize customers with colors, ideas and products that hopefully they can’t live without and will turn into paying projects.

Besides being a great, quick way to keep in touch and engage customers- you can see what she likes and she can see your suggestions and design recommendations; it can help them visual a concept.

If you’re selling design products, strategically pinning your products and linking directly back to your site- whether it’s your Etsy or e commerce store can drives sales. Pinners love to shop; especially if it’s design driven!

UPDATE: Here’s a great video from Entrepreneur .com with marketing guru Chris Brogan discussing Pinterest and your business.

Are you pinning? Let me know so I can follow you. If you’re not; Pinterest is in the invitation stage. If you would like to be invited please leave me your email in the comments box below and I’ll invite you.

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Today, designers know that what their customers are wearing is almost instantaneously translated into the rooms they’ll be wearing them in.

So here’s Pantone’s Fall 2012 Fashion Report that definitely forecasts our interiors color palettes. Love potions, the magical hour of sunset; witches and warlocks, fantasy and illusion are all inspiring designers this fall. With an unexpected mix of darks, brights and neutrals, this palette not only has something for everyone, but can transport consumers to an enchanting place, free from the stresses of everyday life.

Transitioning into the season, Bright Chartreuse, a vital yellow-green, pays homage to a typical spring shade and creates a bridge as a perfect accent into fall.

Pink Flambé is a delicious, vibrant pink with a bit of heat to it and as we mentioned we saw in all the halls and showrooms at M&O and Paris Deco Off.

Pair it with tantalizing Tangerine Tango( 2012′s color of the year) for a retro feeling.

To calm things down, combine these vibrant warm tones with Ultramarine Green, a deep, cooling blue-green.

Rhapsody is an ethereal grayed-down purple that also encourages comfort and serenity with its quiet, muted tone.

Honey Gold, a mellow, burnished yellow, suggests the soft dappled light of Fall. Pair it with Olympian Blue.

Olympian Blue, a patriotic blue that will surely make its way into athletic apparel and also referenced nautical looks for interiors.

French Roast is a sophisticated hue that is a great alternative to the black and charcoal basics.

Other staple neutrals include elegant and versatile Titanium, the quintessential cool gray, and Rose Smoke, a veiled rose tone that pairs well with Rhapsody and Titanium.

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Walking the aisles and showrooms in Paris for Maison & Objet and Paris Deco Off, I couldn’t help but note several colors that kept popping up everywhere! Put these on your must have list for 2012.

Fool’s Gold

This bold citron gold hue with brassy green undertones was all over the place. This is a color that’s hard to put your finger on. I find myself drawn to it and recently when deciding to paint my living room this color, I had a heck of a time getting it just right? This hue definitely evokes emotion- shifting from in-your-face to moody and sultry. We’ve seen it before, but this time it was the center of attention and not an accent; showing up on different surfaces on new product categories, was interesting finishes to almost in some cases looking lit from within. Plus, it was mixed and matched with new colors creating unusual fresh schemes.

If you love this fabric, call me I am carrying this collection.

It’s been a couple of weeks since coming home for M&O and Deco Off. I jumped right into business as usual and just now have had some time to reflect, organize and my thoughts about the show. So this week, check out my series of posts of what trends and themes I see coming from the shows as well as my favorites and picks for the coming season.

Next Post: Hot Pink and Red are back.

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If you are a Pinterest junkie you are going to love Chip It. ChipIt! is an interactive web tool from Sherwin Williams that allows designers to use the colors that inspire them while surfing online and turn them into real-life paint palettes for their projects.Let’s say you’re browsing the web and come across a stunning color in a photo that you’d love to paint your kitchen cabinets. (I am trying to find that perfect shade of charcoal right now.) All you have to do is click the chipt bookmarklet and roll over the image to preview and Chip It will identify the paint colors that matches the image’s color scheme for up to 10 colors.
It’s wicked awesome. Love it!

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