Design Video: Brad Ford Demonstrates the Importance of Handhelds

Irwin Weiner ASID - Bravo to interior designer Brad Ford. In an Architectural Digest video promoting the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 tablet (click here to view the video), Brad shows how today's apps and handheld features are a crucial part of the interior design industry.

I use my iPad in the same way Brad uses his Galaxy: track schedules and appointments, make notes on everything from client billing hours to design inspirations, sketch and draw, take photographs of client spaces and proposed resources, and use presentation tools to show clients aspects of their projects. We use handhelds to organize our thoughts, remember resources we've just found in showrooms, and store on-the-job sketches and notes; they've become a key extension of our staff and an important tool. Watch today's video to see Brad Ford in typical designer scenarios and to hear him talk about his contemporary spaces "with soul." 

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Decorating Fun: Start with IKEA, Finish with Something New

Stunning tricked-out IKEA kitchen cabinets (Apartment Therapy / House Beautiful)

Jay Johnson - When Apartment Therapy and House Beautiful start to include design details that feature modified or "tricked-out" IKEA fixtures and furnishings, then you know you have a serious trend on your hands. Modifying the clean design of IKEA's furniture, cabinetry, and other home goods has become a global pasttime as do-it-yourselfers and home designers make modifications to create custom looks from basic pieces. The kitchen cabinets in the photo above, for instance, never looked like that in the showroom or catalog; they were custom detailed and finished to elevate the look. Saving money on the basics is what IKEA is all about, but elevating and tricking-out the basics to create a one-of-a-kind end result is what interior designers and DIY homeowners are all about.

The Gallant wall storage shelves were tricked out to create a new media console (IKEA Hackers) 

This trend has become so hot that there's even a popular website documenting a wide array of tricked-out projects: IKEA Hackers. Here are a few tricked-out projects that really caught our eye. Click on each photo for more information.

High gloss red tabletops become a backlit headboard (IKEA Hackers)

Regolit lamp covered with paper muffin liners (IKEA Hackers)

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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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Fresh Creations from Jarrod Lim Design, Singapore

Koi ChairIrwin Weiner ASID - Formerly a designer with Patricia Urquiola's iconic studio in Milan, Australian born, now Singapore resident Jarrod Lim has had a distinguished career in creating products that capture a fresh international vibe. Look at his Koi Chair in these top photos; daring, sculptural, and playful, the piece demands attention and makes a clean statement in any room. There's an Asian zen about the chair, yet it has an anything-but-calm energy. And when the light shines through, the shadows really dance! Here are some other designs to admire from this young design star. Click on each photo for more information.

Kikari Coffee Tables

Pawn Clock

Apex Chair

Collar Magazine Rack

Cuff Chairs