Top Design Season 2: Getting to know Eddie Ross
13 hours ago SURROUNDINGS -- 
BravoTV's interior design reality show Top Design Season 2 premiers on September 3rd. I'll be doing the bulk of my blogging on the show over at Blogging Top Design but wanted to showcase the designers portfolios here, as I've done for other reality show contestants. This season's designers look to be a pretty talented bunch.
Let's get to know Eddie Ross, who is 30, was originally from Connecticut and now lives in New York City.
Eddie has established himself in the television, catering and publishing industries. A native of Greenwich, Conn. and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Eddie began his career working in television as a food editor on Martha Stewart Living and later as Associate Design Director for all in-house production at the Food Network. After a two-year stint running his own catering company, where he continued to refine his skills in decorating and entertaining, Eddie made the move to publishing. As Associate Decorating Editor at House Beautiful, he produced the popular "Weekend Shopper," a monthly article in which he'd travel to flea markets around the country, finding new ways to use old things. Having returned to Martha Stewart as the Senior Style Editor of Living, Eddie continues to demonstrate a vast and impressive range of talents. From decorating and entertaining to food styling and flowers, he strives to produce consistently elegant stories that relate to a variety of people's tastes and budgets. To him, interior design is just one, albeit crucial, part of a lifestyle that ought to be comfortable, timeless and, above all, beautiful.
From Eddie's portfolio:
I think we can definitely see the Martha and House Beautiful inspirations in Eddie's work.
More ways to learn about Eddie:
Business website and blog
Facebook
BravoTV
Blogging Top Design
Read all my Top Design posts here.
Top Design Season 2: Getting to know Andrea Schroder
13 hours ago SURROUNDINGS --
BravoTV's interior design reality show Top Design Season 2 premiers on September 3rd. I'll be doing the bulk of my blogging on the show over at Blogging Top Design but wanted to showcase the designers portfolios here, as I've done for other reality show contestants. This season's designers look to be a pretty talented bunch.
Let's get to know Andrea Schroder, 36. Originally from Calgary, Andrea now lives in Santa Monica with her husband Ricky (yes, THAT Ricky Schroder - they've been married since she was 18. Smart girl - locked him in young!) and their four kids.
Andrea approaches design thinking of the big picture -- the whole property, the whole house, the whole room. She believes that spaces need to function, make sense, and be inviting and comfortable. Blessed with an innate eye for beauty and with a combination of education and over 15 years of personal and professional experience, Andrea is primarily focused on design as it pertains to real estate and development. At 36, she has built and sold over 15 custom homes, as well as remodeled residential and commercial real estate including two movie theaters, and a historical building with loft apartments, a barn and more. Andrea has also helped creatively on several movie and music video sets. She is the owner of a real estate development and design company, Schroder Development, and is currently working on the development of a large lifestyle neighborhood in Western Colorado, in addition to other projects. Andrea is an avid gardener, homemaker, and belongs to various charities supporting children including Child Help USA.
From Andrea's portfolio:
I think her website is still a bit of a work in progress as far as portfolio images are concerned.
More ways to learn about Andrea:
Business website
Facebook
BravoTV
Blogging Top Design
Read all my Top Design posts here.
Mailbox treasures
Tuesday, 19 August 2008 SURROUNDINGS -- Here is a selection of some of my favorite products from my inbox.
Shawn Laughlin of Caskata offers these elegant designs on china and note paper.
Nurseryworks offers this spectacular Vale upholstered headboard in twin and full. Available in a range of colors or send them your own material (COM).
A couple of special finds at Les Tissus Colbert in Geneva, IL.
$1 Design Finds at Domino
My friends Diana and Scott from
Trianon Antiques in Boston are expecting a new shipment of their recent French finds. Click
here to preview the amazing pieces soon to be in their Boston Design Center showroom.
From
Working Class Studio - a gorgeous array of colors and prints.
Paper
napkins and plates sure to add pizazz to any party
And
outdoor pillows that pop.
At all price points, there are great finds out there! Something for every budget and style!
What's happened to Brocade Home?
Tuesday, 19 August 2008 SURROUNDINGS -- 
After a summer blitz of advertising and sales (which induced me to order from them for the first time!), Brocade Home seems to be having some difficulties and has closed down their website and blog.
Near the end of July, I ordered their Ribbon quilt in leaf green,
Their website - inexplicably - didn't offer order tracking (which makes no sense as they are part of Restoration Hardware and they certainly offer order tracking!) so I called about a week after I placed the order to get the shipping status. I was advised that they were backed up due to a large amount of orders and the shipment would go out in three weeks or so. As of today, the order hasn't shipped, but they now advise that it's slated to go out end of this week, or beginning of next. Apartment Therapy posted about this last week. Interesting items in the comments section.
Well, I hope I get my order...
A little rest, a little birthday cake...
Friday, 15 August 2008 SURROUNDINGS --
pillow by me!I'm going to take a couple of days off to celebrate my birthday with friends and family. Off to the DMV now to get my license renewed (fun... not). Getting together with friends tonight on the water in Hull to watch the sun go down over Boston and celebrate with festive drinks! Tomorrow my bff is hosting a pool party for me (thanks Beth!) and then it's down to Cape Cod to spend the rest of my weekend with my Mom and Dad. And then on Monday I'm spending the day helping another good friend do the final staging touches for the photography for her house sale (sniff! she's moving away!).
So, I'll be back on Tuesday! Have a nice weekend everyone!
now... where is the cabaña boy with those grapes...
Styrofoam Dome Houses
Friday, 15 August 2008 DRESSYOURNEST -- The Innuit who live in northern Canada once built homes out of ice blocks. Now a modular home manufacturer, Japan Dome House Co. Ltdhave come up with styrofoam dome houses. These houses are produced in sections and are designed to be assembled easily and quickly by a few people. There are already 480 of these [...]
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Design*Sponge and Biz Ladies Boston!
Friday, 15 August 2008 SURROUNDINGS -- Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge hit the Hub last night as she hosted one of her national Biz Ladies meet-up events at West Elm in Boston. Despite the drenching rain and fighting through throngs of Red Sox fans (West Elm is located in the shadow of Fenway Park), the event was fun and fact filled.
Grace (seated on floor, facing towards left on right side of photo) discusses how to pitch products to magazines and blogs.
My
Downtown Women's Club colleague
Susan Hammond (far left) and colleages from the Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE) and Business Volunteer for the Arts speaks about legal and business issues.
Thanks to
West Elm for hosting us, Grace for pulling these events together and all those who brought the goodies. And a big thanks to the West Elm staffer who talked me in on my cell phone as I fought Boston traffic and a bad sense of direction!
Swing with Style in a Suspended Bed
Thursday, 14 August 2008 DRESSYOURNEST -- I don’t know why but it seems that each time I see a bed suspended on ropes I automatically fall in love, and I sure that I’m not the only one. A suspended bed makes a dramatic statement in the uncluttered space, as you can see in this picture that I’ve found here. Now some [...]
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Urban Collection Sofa by Marta Antoszkiewicz
Thursday, 14 August 2008 DRESSYOURNEST -- This beautiful Sofa from Urban Collection for now is just a very interesting concept designed by Marta Antoszkiewicz. This is not the first project by Marta presented on this blog, we presented also the Ultra-Functional Bulb Table and Table with Chairs that Saves Space in the Dining Room.This sofa it’s two heat-formed planks and minimal [...]
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Jaime Hayon's Latest Project - A Satellite Champagne Bar
Thursday, 14 August 2008 TRENDOFFICE -- 
Jaime Hayon-designed a bar for Champagne Piper-Heidsieck in conjunction with Piscine, an extravagant way to enjoy champagne that was born on the French Riviera and is now available in the U.S. As some background, on July 30th Whiskey Blue at W Los Angeles - Westwood debuted a month-long Piscine experience which is complemented by an installation by world-renowned Spanish designer Jaime Hayon - whose work transcends the borders of art and design. Crafted from Suryln, a material commonly used in molded luxury goods, the striking piece morphs into a satellite champagne bar that is inspired by the brand’s iconic and extravagant red color.
(via Sally Alfis,
The night they invented champagne!
Wednesday, 13 August 2008 SURROUNDINGS -- 
How fantastic is this champagne bar designed for Champagne Piper-Heidsieck by Spanish design superstar Jaime Hayon? Crafted from Suryln, a material commonly used in molded luxury goods, the striking piece morphs into a satellite champagne bar that is inspired by the brand’s iconic and extravagant red color.
On July 30th Whiskey Blue at W Los Angeles debuted a month-long Piscine experience which is complemented by Jaime's custom bar. Salut!
{what is Piscine? According to Champagne Piper-Heidseick's website - you start with a fabulous oversize glass, fill it with their Cuvée Brut and tiny champagne ice cubes. What would Gigi say?}
Innovative Washbasin System FOLLO by Will MacCormac
Wednesday, 13 August 2008 DRESSYOURNEST -- FOLLO is the first bathroom product designed by London based designer Will MacCormac. FOLLO is a combination of modern aesthetic and underlying function. This innovative washbasin system is an ideal solution for both commercial and domestic applications. The linear aesthetics naturally follow the soft contours of the surface to create a stunning and unique visual [...]
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LAX Wall Mounted Shelf, Sleek with Clean Lines
Wednesday, 13 August 2008 DRESSYOURNEST -- First time when I posted about the LAX Wall Mounted Shelf it was more than a year ago, but then were focusing on a Wall Mounted Desk Office, but the LAX Wall Mounted Shelf was also present in that picture. The LAX Series by MASH Studios combines sleek, minimal elegance with practical space-saving solutions built [...]
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Architectural Digest Emmy Green Room
Wednesday, 13 August 2008 SURROUNDINGS -- 
Each year, Architectural Digest sponsors the Green Room at the Emmy Awards. This year, AD has selected designer Mark Boone to create a diamond-inspired oasis for the show, which is celebrating its' 60th anniversary.
“We wanted to create an elegant setting for the Television Academy and ABC to celebrate the milestone Emmy anniversary,” said Paige Rense, Editor-in-Chief, Architectural Digest. “Mark has an incredible eye for incorporating luxurious materials into a creatively imagined space that sets the right mood for the momentous evening.”
“This being the Emmys’ 60th anniversary, my concept for the Architectural Digest Greenroom celebrates a diamond-inspired jubilee,” said Boone. “My design embodies the characteristics of diamonds: depth, sparkle, crispness, mystery, facets, intensity and glamour.”
In the 625-square-foot room, mercury-antiqued mirrors line the faceted walls. Furnishings reflect diamonds’ natural origins—illustrated by the sculptural reclaimed walnut cocktail tables resemble rough-cut gems and rock crystal sconces—while platinum-toned sheepskin banquettes invite celebrities to sink in while they await their cue. Custom hardwood flooring creates a multi-layered diamond pattern underfoot, and at the center of it all stars the room’s centerpiece: a one-of-a-kind, three-tiered chandelier, made with nearly 5,000 perfectly cut diamonds, valued at over 10 million dollars.
Key Design Features:
