Washington Design Center Design Showhouse 2010

Spectacular DC design

If any of you read Elle Decor regularly you will be aware of the Washington Design Center's Halls of Fame design house showcasing 8 of Washington's premier designers. I say that only because Elle Decor is the media partner on this project and they have had numerous ads showing this debut off in the last few months of issues. This design house is located on the 5th floor of the WDC and is to die for! Here is an insider's tour of the design house, take a peek...



Design by Kelly Proxmire

My mother and I in the foyer

Design by Rita St. Clair

Design by Nestor Santa-Cruz

Design by Michael Roberson

Design by Olvia Demetriou Adamstein, Melinda Nettelbeck & team, of Adamstein & Demetriou, Inc.

Design by JDS Design, Inc.

Design by Victor Shargai, Blair Riggs & Rahman Seraj of Victor Shargai & Associates, Inc.

That was just a taste of the fabulous DC interior design talent showcased. The WDC wrapped up tours for this design house on December 11th hope you made it out to see it for yourself! If not, the new design house is in the works and info will be up soon on the DCDesignCenter website so check it out.


XO

Night in at the Washington Design Center

Design Center's from east coast to west coast love an excuse to throw and host events in celebration of any noteworthy design happenings. In this case, a party was definitely in order at the W. Design Center as our lobby makeover was just completed this week. Last night was the unveiling celebration of the glistening space by DC native interior designer Gary Lovejoy. Our lobby now dons an uncluttered, bright space with an emphasis on statement accessories. The space gleams natural colors and modernistic touches appropriate for representing our design center. There were phenomenal textures and elements used to excite the eyes and complete the space...I'll explain more in a second. Without further ado {drumroll please!!....}
Our New Lobby


Love at first sight! The floor to ceiling panels are the perfect WOW factor in this space. Amazing effect. Great choice.

The "bubble" chandelier, circular tables, and round backs on the chairs create wonderful movement in the room. Love what they offer this space.


Absolutely adore this screen. I'm a huge fan of encorporating mirrors in almost any design. They are a fantastic piece because of the light reflected off of them and the instant expanding/enlarging of a room once applied. Mirrors are essentials in my design rulebook!

Now a few shots from the party with some of my favorite people in DC


{left to right} Myself, Amanda Welch, Arlene Johnson, Paula Williams and Nicole Hansen

Designer Gloria De Lourdes Blalock, Myself and Madeleine Mitchell


Hope you enjoyed a night in at the WDC! We sure enjoyed the celebration :) Happy Friday to all!
Ciao for now...
XO
-M

Allow Me To Introduce You

To my home away from home, the Washington Design Center.
7 floors of design bliss is what fills the Washington design center {WDC}, in my opinion. Feast your eyes on endless immpecable furniture pieces, drool worthy fabric, and undeniable accessories. And you can indulge if your pockets are deep, really deep. Of course like all design centers we are opened to the trade only. Meaning you must be a registered designer with tax id # to purchase goods. Now, a client or the general public can make an appointment, come walk around and look but they cannot buy anything without a designer. Design centers all over the nation are filled with our industries most exquisite goods. Above are just a few of the showrooms housed in the WDC.


Street view of the building. Pretty tree-lined sidewalks grace the front and a long awning at the entrance allows the designers never to spend the 2.5 seconds from the street to the front doors getting wet in the rain or hot in the sun....quite spoiled I'd say.


Here is a peek at the main lobby of the building. The design is the work of prominate DC interior designer Kelly Proxmiere. Notice what a fabulous color combination she chose? Georgia on my mind.... GO DAWGS! :) This space exhibits classic colors with a fresh and edgy sass used in accent pieces. I am excited to see what the winter design will be. {I'll be sure and upload some photos of the change when it takes place}




Last but not least here are some of the absolutely wonderful people on the third floor

Precious Pam

a hard days work!

My sweet Emily, she brightens my day and is always ready to chat when I need a break :)

My Alabama girl, Amanda. I get the privilege of working with this crazy awesome girl who never fails to keep me laughing all day long...

The one and only Greg- this man is one of the friendliest faces on the 3rd floor. He is always informing us of the latest & greatest happenings/places to go around town.

Duralee's cute-as-a-button intern, E. This sweetie is a hard worker and is on her way to a fantastic design career!


Needless to say my working environment is entirely too much fun and more fabulous than I ever expected my first job to be. I am so grateful for a job {in this economy} and I'm thrilled that the design center is my home away from home. Thank you to all the people that make my day incredible everyday and allow me to thoroughly enjoy working at the Washington Design Center.
Until next time...
-M

Bright Future

It came as a surprise...









Showroom Manager Ashley, Arlene, and I


{have you guessed it yet?!} ...When I was offered a full time position at a one of my favorite trend setting showrooms! Especially while thoroughly enjoying my internship elsewhere. Although I was as content as could be at the Patterson, Flynn & Martin showroom {division of Schumacher} I couldn't pass up and offer like this to grow tremendously in another brilliant environment. After three short months of interning at PFM I am beyond ecstatic to say I have landed my first big design job by accepting a full time position at the Duralee showroom in the Washington Design Center. Even better I get to stay on the 3rd floor {where I've been making friends since May & hands down is the best floor/most fun out of all 8 in the building!}. I couldn't be happier about this opportunity to expand my horizons. To be in a showroom that houses exquisite fabrics {Highland Court / Clarke & Clarke...phenomenal you got to google both}, fine furniture along with a full color-coordinating trimmings line to accompany the textiles is such a thrill. The Duralee showroom is a gorgeous playground for the designer senses...And the women that run it are just as fabulous. They are entirely too much fun. I couldn't ask for a more motivating and divine atmosphere. Along with the bright Duralee ads I chose to post I also feel Duralee offers me a definite bright future in design. I know I am a very blessed girl to be where I am and get to experience all that I do. I can't wait for the adventures that this new job will bring! Here is a peek into our showroom :)





Stay tuned...next up is an insider's only view of the W. Design Center.
Ciao! M