Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Interior design institute endorses the Rand Show

http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/94/86158.html

The South African Institute of the Interior Design Professions (IID) has given its resounding support to the fourth instalment of the re-launched and repositioned Rand Show. "As a re-spected voice in the interior design industry, the South African Institute of the Interior De-sign Professions is delighted to endorse the Rand Show," says executive manager, Fehmida Jordaan.

The upcoming show, to be held over the four-day Easter weekend next year, has dubbed 2013 "the Year of the Exhibitor", as Rand Show management goes all out to enhance consumers' experience on the show floor by bringing in more quality exhibitors.

A stronger show floor focus will, of course, be of great benefit to exhibitors too. "Designers should consider the value they can get from showcasing their expertise at this prominent consumer fair, since the Rand Show is the perfect fair for the DIY society, catering as it does for the entire demo-graphic spectrum of consumers," she says.

Opportunities for interior design professionals

"The Rand Show is a platform of excellence where consumers are exposed to anything and every-thing home related," says Jordaan.

Which is why any interior design professional would do well to consider having a presence at the 2013 show. (And of course, all IID members participating in the Rand Show 2013 also benefit from a 10% discount on their exhibition investment, making participation even more attractive.)

The Rand Show 2013 offers exhibitors within the interior design industry two curated halls devoted to the home. Hall 6 is the "DO Home" zone, where proposed exhibits range from furniture and de-cor, to art, appliances, home electronics and other lifestyle-enhancing home items.

Also in Hall 6 is an area devoted to "DO DIY" show, potentially covering the entire world of DIY from tools, materials and products, to courses. DO DIY offers the perfect platform for exhibitors to conduct interactive demonstrations, engaging with consumers in the custom-designed DIY con-sumer theatre.

As South Africa's largest consumer exhibition and launchpad, the Rand Show is a consumer plat-form not to be missed.

THE RAND SHOW 2013

WHEN: From Thursday 28 March to Monday 1 April 2013. Gates open each day at 9am and close at 6pm, although the Show will remain open until 8pm.
WHERE: Johannesburg Expo Centre, Rand Show Road, Nasrec. (GPS - S26° 14.810' E27° 58.695')
VALUE: Your ticket gets you free entry to events as published on the web

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

3rd Annual Home Decorating Contest


Last year's Grand Prize winner of $350 cash, the Baldauff Family.

http://www.moscowvillager.com/article/20121120/NEWS/121129994/1001/NEWS

Get into the spirit of Christmas! Let's light up Covington Twp.!

Covington Twp. is once again looking for the most festive homes of the season!

Judging is for exterior decoration only and will be judged on: use of decorations, neatness, use of color, brightness, appeal, detail, layout, creativity, content, originality and overall appearance.

Judging will take place on the evening of Dec. 18, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (lighting will be required).

Only Covington Twp. residents may enter.

Impartial Judges decisions are final.

Awards will be presented, including the $350 cash grand prize, on Dec. 20 at a reception held at the Moffat Estate at 7 p.m.

To enter, please fill out the form below and return by 1 p.m. on Dec. 5 to: Light Up Covington Twp. Holiday Decorating Contest, 20 Moffat Dr., Covington Twp., PA 18444.

Forms can also be dropped off in person at the Municipal Office at the Moffat Estate on Rt. 435, Covington Twp.
Please be advised, contest participants may have photographs taken of their home and family for display at the mansion.

Note: Previous Grand Prize winners may participate only once every five years.
For more information call 842-0457. (Township employees may not participate.)
Covington Twp. Christmas Home Decorating Contest Entry

FILL OUT - CUT OUT - AND RETURN

Must be received prior to 1 p.m. Dec. 5

Name:______________________________________________________________
Street Address:_____________________________________________________________
Telephone:_________________________
Signature:__________________________
Directions to your home from intersection of Rts. 502 & 435:

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Home Couture: A solution to your furniture problems

By Momina Sibtain Published: November 13, 2012 | Interior Design| http://tribune.com.pk/story/465059/home-couture-a-solution-to-your-furniture-problems/

LAHORE:
The ever-changing shopping landscape of Lahore saw a new addition to its sprawling structure on November 8, when a home-made furniture and accessories brand Home Couture by Shahnaz Noon and Attiya Rashid launched its flagship store in Gulberg.

The brand showcases furnishings such as beds, sofas, tables and armchairs. It also displays accessories and decoration pieces for a complete decor.

Aimed at crafting design-led and timeless pieces of furniture, the new store is modern, classy and extremely chic. Ranging from exquisite upholsteries to freshly designed throw pillows and cushions, each piece is detailed and wholesome. From screen-printed cushions to dyed wood inlays with mother of pearl details, the range of furniture is classic and adds that extra oomph to your living space.

Talking about the launch, the founder of the store Noon said, "Our inspiration behind launching our flagship store is driven by our vision to house a large collection of quality classic contemporary home furniture and accessories under one roof, which is premium yet affordable."

Commenting on the furniture, co-founder Rashid discloses that the woodwork is being done in her village in Chiniot. Using premium Rosewood (locally known as Sheesham), Home Couture carves its furniture with a harmony of traditional and modern influences, aligned with their passion for rekindling the concept of furniture as a functional treasure.

"This is the year of the dragon and hence you can see a lot a of dragon influence in the pieces," said Rashid. She further added: "Until December, we are working with more of an Oriental theme to honour the year of the dragon."

Both the founders were pleased with the launch, which was well attended by Lahore's media, fashionistas and socialites alike. "We are proud to have launched a dedicated standalone retail space for Home Couture, a brand that first started with exhibitions under the brand name F&S Furniture," said Noon and Rashid.

While women picked out pieces they loved, many admired the attention put in to details. "I am impressed with how well-finished the products are. The accessories are very nice and different," said one of the housewives and furniture enthusiasts who attended.

The lounging chair with Quaid-e-Azam's picture playing pool was unique and added character to the piece. It is the attention given to minor details that makes a wholesome look come together.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th, 2012.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Create your holiday home with lights

http://www.washburnreview.org/online_features/seasonal/article_33eb469f-1db0-5f96-985f-9892b9d04a6e.html

(BPT) - When it comes to decorating with lights for the holidays, there are unlimited ways to add twinkle to the inside as well as the outside of your home. Some people favor an elegant, restrained sprinkling of lights around a door, while others go for a more exuberant display of illumination on virtually every surface.

The American Lighting Association (ALA) offers some holiday lighting tips and ideas:

  • Make your home's entrance a priority. The front door is more than just the entryway into your home; it's also a welcoming first impression for family and friends. Start by adding a few, easy-to-install landscape uplights to highlight trees and shrubs, or path lighting to illuminate a sidewalk or driveway.

    "Tree lighting uses the heights of trees to spread the light out in a soft and subtle way to bathe the area in light," says Richard Lentz, owner of Dallas-based Lentz Landscape Lighting and its interiors division Lentz Services. Do-it-yourself tip: Go for low-voltage landscape lights, which are easy to install and consume less energy.

  • Add drama with color-changing lights. Newer LED lights can add custom color scenes that complement a specific holiday decorating mood. You can produce the exact ambiance you like at any moment during your party or gathering this season. Colors can be changed at the push of a button without changing the fixture, making these products useful year round.

  • Use lighting to create a focal point. Lights can draw attention to virtually anything – a centerpiece, buffet, unusual decoration – which helps guests know where to focus their eyes.

  • Add portable spotlights as highlights. These small, inexpensive fixtures typically work with a tabletop dimmer and can create pretty silhouettes, particularly under a Christmas tree, shining up through the branches.

  • Illuminate corners. When decorating with lights for the holidays, make your space feel larger by placing spotlights in room corners to illuminate dark spaces.

  • Swap out lighting accents. Replacing a neutral lampshade with one that is red or gold will soften the light and create a pretty atmosphere when decorating with lights for the holidays. Replace a chandelier's crystal teardrops with gold, silver or red glass balls, or add a few shade charms, available at many craft stores, to add some sparkle and fun.

    "One of the great things about this time of year, when there are a lot of festive gatherings, is that it's all right to break away from a few traditions and try some new things with lighting and decorating," says Bruce Hathaway, national sales manager for the Vermont-based lighting manufacturer Hubbardton Forge.

  • Check your dimmers. "Dimmers are ideal for creating that perfect look, regardless of the season, because they allow for the general lighting to play a supporting role," says Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky's School of Interior Design.

  • Update your powder room. "It's often the smallest room, yet if you measure the worth of the powder room by the amount of traffic a room gets per square foot, the powder room could easily be the most valuable space in your house," says Rick Wiedemer, president of Hinkley Lighting. A few simple, extra touches, such as a portable lamp with a colored shade, will make a huge impact.

  • Try novelty lights. Consider themed novelty lights for a bit of fun when decorating for any holiday. "Try string lights in shapes or LED crystal lights on a festive mantle," says Edward Cook, president of National Specialty Lighting in Colorado.

Visit your local ALA-member lighting showroom to discover more ideas for decorating with lights for the holidays. For information, visit www.AmericanLightingAssoc.com.