As people in the design trade, we have the capacity to normalize the uncommon, the rare, and the special things. We also have the ability to make the mundane item or experience a unique exception. This thought-provoking idea creates movement in the industry that is inevitable and vital to creative exploration and craft. The DCH’s Spring Market bolsters this concept of becoming inspired by each other and rethinking our everyday, or not-so-everyday things, in their “Uniquely Refined Design” event on Wednesday, April 24th.
Experience “Experiential Design and the Luxury Market with Pulp Design Studios” in the opening Keynote of the day, moderated by Houston Home Design Editor of PaperCity Anne Lee Phillips. The conversation will probe Beth Dotolo and Carolina Gentry’s unique design and travel experiences, always with an element of adventure.
“Experiential design, which is essentially the art of shaping the customer experience, is key for interior designers and their clients. Most recent research shows that luxury customers expect incredible experiences from their purchases and services, including interior design, said Anne Lee Phillips. “Pulp Design Studios is one firm that handles the experiential design process beautifully. From their interiors, to their success on social media, to their licensed products including a textile line for S. Harris, the Pulp Design Studios brand is cohesive, creative, and adventurous,” said Phillips.
(Above) Pulp Design Studios
The afternoon Keynote, “Fawn Galli Presents Magical Rooms: Elements of Interior Design” presents Citybook’s Design Editor Meredith Xavier and Interior Designer Fawn Galli to dissect the unique highlights of design discovery from Galli’s book Magical Rooms: Elements of Interior Design.
Meredith Xavier gave a snippet of how the conversation will unfold. “We will chat on everything from her upbringing on a rural houseboat in Northern California to her global travels that shaped the designer she is today. We will also explore the five elements that define her work: nature, clashing, surrealism, bohemian and sparkle – and take a deeper look into the color, layering and patterns that work together in unexpected ways to create the fantastical and daring interiors she has become known for,” said Xavier.
DCH Spring Market prepares a handful of unique showroom experiences, more like conversations, such as “A Lot More Than Milan, Cologne and Paris, Let’s Cross the Equator! By Anne Breux” will be an engaging breakfast at Madeval and lesson from Interior Architect Anna Breux, who will talk about the cause and effect of textiles, textures and colors in society. Breux, who recently traveled to Milan for the Milan Furniture Fair, said she will draw connections between her travels surrounding minimalist architecture. “It will always become interactive. I will take questions for Equator and Milan with pleasure,” Breux said.
(Above) Fawn Galli and her book Elements of Interior Design
Enter the world of Italian furniture making in Armony Cucine’s Showroom Experience “Italian Innovation and Advances in Technology Inspired the Latest Trends in European Cabinetry” featuring Saima Seyar ASID RID, owner of Elima Designs and Wolfgang Pfirrmann, architectural designer and c-principal of Armony Cucine/Amodo European Collection. The two will discuss the evolution of cabinetry finishes and Italian’s role in the innovation. Armony Cucine is also pleased to share that they are the Exclusive Monolith Dealer for Liebherr.
(Above) Armony Cucine
Hosted by Business of Home’s Kaitlin Petersen, The Shade Store’s showroom experience “The Custom Conversation-Bringing Clients the Very Best” will bring women designers Julie Dodson, Marie Flanigan, Meg Lonergan and Veronica Solomon face-to-face to discuss educating a client on the importance of hiring a designer for personal, hands-on services and the benefits of sourcing and designing unique products to fill a client’s home.
(Above) The Shade Store
Interior Designer Veronica Solomon moved from Jamaica at 24 years old to pursue Interior Design in Texas. Solomon believes in hands-on learning and customizing. “I will bring interior design to anyone who wants it if they are open to the education that comes with it and those willing to follow the process and allow me to steer the ship,” Solomon said. “I say ‘Go focus on your life and leave it up to me.’”
(From left) Marie Flanigan, Veronica Solomon
Solomon shared her own take on the importance of hiring an interior designer, something she communicates to the client the minute they get started. “The biggest value is it saves my clients time and money. I explain exactly what my role is going to be in the project. I tell them the value I am going to bring,” said Solomon.
Speaking of sourcing unique products and inspiration, designers are returning from Milan Salone Del Mobile with stars in their eyes. Houston designer Letricia Wilbanks plans to unpack the event at Pedini with highlights and a look into each of Salone del Mobile’s style categories: Classic, Design, and Luxe. Enjoy light bite and beverages, and pretend you’re sitting at the Versace, or shall we say #VERSASHA, banquet hosted by Elle Décor and designed by Sasha Bikoff.
While color is talked about left and right, the chemistry of color is wildly underrated. Opt-in to a close encounter with color dyeing practices with Scott Group Studio’s presentation “CEU: The Chemistry of Color” to see just what goes into your favorite shade of emerald green.
(Above) Aria Stone
Come feed off (literally) hand-selected marble quartzite, granite, calcite, onyx, and soapstone at Aria Stone Gallery’s Happy House on the “Rocks” Event, celebrating their Spring Collection and the joy of finding unique pieces through hand-selection.
You don’t always have to discover new product being on your feet. At any point of the day, Recline and relax at Cantoni Trade in their new sofas and sectionals of the Style in Motion Collection.
For those who project source at market…Design Floors of Houston is offering an exciting challenge to designers. Design a room incorporating Designer Floors of Houston product and enter to win a two-page advertorial in the Luxe Interiors + Design Houston edition!
(Above) Schumacher
For a full overview of Showroom programs, open houses and product, visit the DCH’s Spring Market Resource here, with the option to also register here. We look forward to seeing you at Spring Market, in the showrooms and on social!