Williams-Sonoma Founder - Kitchen Icon

 

Irwin Weiner ASID - You know you've really made it big when you've been on the Oprah Winfrey Show, but for food icon Chuck Williams, the founder of the Williams-Sonoma empire, I'm sure he probably had a clue that he'd arrived a long time before he landed on her show. The 94-year-old bachelor is literally married to his business, and it was a long and trail-blazing ride, bringing French cookware and high-end appliances into American kitchens. Remember: at one time, you bought old beat-up cookware from stacks on the shelves of hardware stores! Those times have changed forever, thanks to Mr. Williams and his Sonoma, California breakthrough store. Enjoy this video survey of his life and career.  

DESIGN2SHARE RESOURCES: Design2Share is proud to be a part of the Designer Marketplace blog on the Williams-Sonoma website. Click here to read our exclusive W-S reports:

• Why Complete Renovations Add Value to High-End Interiors
• 10 Tip for Working with Painters

 Click here to subscribe to our daily design videos.

Behind the Scenes at DwellStudio

Buck Ennis
Irwin Weiner ASID - Behind every great interior design manufacturer or vendor, there are one or more people with great artistic vision. For DwellStudio, one of those people is founder and Creative Director Christiane Lemieux. A fan of Paul McCobb and classic mid-century modern design, she helps drive a multi-industry platform that ranges from private-label work for firms like Target and Urban Outfitters to nursery furniture and bedding. This video lets Christiane take us on an intimate behind-the-scenes tour of her SoHo headquarters studio and learn about the tastes and processes that drive her business forward. I particularly found these four comments revealing (my paraphrasing):

"Grays and browns are our best sellers."

"The most important qualities in our business are creative thinking and originality."

"Focus on the two places where you spend the most time: your bed and your couch."

"Our overall look is global mid-century."

DESIGN2SHARE VIDEO: Watch our interview with Dwell Media President and Publisher Michela O'Connor Abrams as she looks back at ten years of magazine publishing success - and the future.

 Click here to subscribe to our daily design videos.

Update on June 2, 2011 by Design2Share

Super King Size Leather Beds: We just found a great collection of sleek leather bed designs. They add sophistication, whether your bedroom decor is traditional or modern. 

Featured Project: DIY Painted Headboard

Now is the perfect time to think about freshening up your interior space. With a splash of color here and a new piece of furniture there, it's easy to redecorate. Here's a quick, budget-conscious DIY design idea to help get you started.

Paint Your Own Headboard

Chances are if you if you purchased your bed frame as part of a bedroom set, the headboard is already included. If you don't want to put forth the extra cash, especially after paying for a pricey mattress, no problem! Painted headboards are a great way to add a pop of color to your bedroom.

Step 1: Measure the width of the head of your bed and mark it with blue painter's tape from floor to ceiling. Now, choose your color based on your desired color scheme. You obviously don't want it to be the same shade as your walls, but it should complement that color.

Step 2: Once you have your color, paint the wall, staying within the blue painters tape. Once the paint dries, if you choose to do so, you can detail with paint or with some removable wall decals from a company like Blik. For as little as $40, Blik makes easily removable wall decals in fun shapes like bookshelves, chandeliers, birds, etc. If this sounds like too much work, don't worry and leave your wall a solid color.

Step 3: Simply position your bed up against the painted wall, prop up some decorative Euro pillows in coordinating colors and patterns, and you have yourself a headboard. You might want to take this opportunity to invest in a new comforter or duvet in fun, light, spring colors. You'd be surprised at what a little bit of paint and some new bedding can do for your space!

Contemporary vanities and more at Decor Planet for your bathroom needs.

Antique Style Bathroom Mural in Dutch Villa

 

Irwin Weiner ASID - I admire interiors that boast hand-made features. Crafts, carvings, artwork, sculpture, hand-woven rugs, hand-forged decorative hardware, and murals add the human element to machine-made furnishings and fixtures, and give a room charm and provenance. In this video, Dutch muralist and artist Daan van Loenhout shows off his work in an 18th century Netherlands villa.

Click to read more ...

Design Favorites Abound in 2011 Wallpaper Magazine Awards

  

Irwin Weiner ASID - Awards are oftentimes a silly exercise in mob voting, but I admire the way Wallpaper* Magazine showcases top designers from a variety of fields who select The Judges Awards in all areas of design. Villa Metamorphosis in Woodstock, NY (see photo above), captured one of the judges' fancies and she or he chose a beautifully designed, sculptural home that functions as art in the woods. Go to the architect's website for more information: Ben Ryuki Miyagi Architects. The following video details some of the design picks

Click to read more ...