Putting Up and Decorating the White House Christmas Tree

Irwin Weiner ASID - We all look forward to the end-of-the-year holidays because they make our homes more bright, cheery, and festive. We deck the halls, spin the dreidels, and light the Kwanzaa candles with family and loved ones, and our homes never look so magical.

The White House is no exception. In today's featured video, you'll see a time-lapse view of how a Christmas tree is prepared for, brought in, and decorated. It's a huge production!

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Video House Tour: Seaside Villa in Greece

Irwin Weiner ASID - Pardon the extremely bad pun, but even though it's Thanksgiving Day (happy holiday!), I'm serving you Greece instead of Turkey. You'll enjoy this video look inside and outside one of the White Key Villas on the Grecian oceanfront.

These homes focus on utility and comfort, not overdecorating, allowing the texture of the stone walls and the richness of wood and tile floors to do all the talking. I'm sure there is lots going on in these villas - it seems ideal for large family and guest gatherings, parties, and entertaining. I can't wait for my invitation!

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Green at Heart: Dutch Designer Christien Meindertsma

Irwin Weiner ASID - I love the take on design presented in today's featured video. Dutch designer Christien Meindertsma espouses "documentary design," meaning she covers the entire lifecycle of the products she designs and produces, straight to the source. Examples of her work include the popular Urchin Pouf (top photo), Oak Inside console (bottom photo), individual wool sweaters made from a single sheep that you get to know a lot about or a range of flax products from a nearby Dutch flax field.

As the LEED certification requirements for green building and design change in the coming year, everyone will become (hopefully) more aware of where their home goods and building materials came from, how they were manufactured, and what processes were used to the original elements every step of the way, from origin to your doorstep. The goal is to see consumers and homeowners making more informed, conscious decisions that are environmentally conscious and respectful. <thunderous applause>

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Active Lifestyles: Skateboard-Inspired Furniture and Architecture

The God Father Lounge Chair

Irwin Weiner ASID - Why shouldn't extreme sports like skateboarding influence the style of furniture and the way architecture informs how a home should be designed? Skate Study House is a unique collection of mid-century modern furniture, bowing to a love of California and everything to do with skateboarding.

The Comet Coffee Table

Designer Gil Le Bon Delapointe and architect Francois Perrin collaborated with others on a prototype home and community for skateboarders where everything from furniture to appliances stay out of the way of one's free access to skate up and down the walls and perform tricks on countertops and other surfaces.

Astro Clock, made from skateboard wheels and bearings

Today's featured video showcases the PAS House prototype in Malibu, CA, and Delapointe discusses the lifestyle features that are integrated into the furniture and architecture. As you know, Design2Share loves to showcase design that pushes the envelope; we think designing a home and furnishings around residents' personal needs, hobbies, and sports is a wonderful new direction.

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