Lectures | Glamorous Green

Archive for the ‘Lectures’ Category

Architectural Digest Has a Cool New Feature

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Paige Rense gave us a going away present in the latest and her last issue of Architectural Digest.

Designers’ Own Homes- it seems like every other issue covers this topic, but this time there was a little something extra on select designer’s pages. A Matrix looking “tag” now allows you to snap a shot with your smart phone and watch interviews with the world’s best interior designers. It was like I sat in a meeting with Mica Ertegun, Mariette Himes Gomez, Juan Montoya and Thad Hayes during the 3 hours it took to highlight my hair this morning. How’s that for muli-tasking?!

I hope Margaret Russel, the new lady at the helm, decides to keep the feature in every issue and other editors follow suit. Interviews I’d like to watch include: Victoria Hagan, Karin Blake, Bunny Williams, Kelly Wearstler, Jennifer Post, Joanne de Guardiola, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Peter Marino, Ann Getty, Candace Olson, Nina Seirafi, Suzzane Tucker, Jeff Lewis, Kenneth Brown, Barclay Butera, Windsor Smith and even though he’s not a designer, Mayer Rus. Anyone listening?

Until now, I had to fight traffic, pay enormous sums for parking and walk unusally long distances (usually in heels) through design centers, trade shows or showrooms to listen to these people speak. It was worth it because I ALWAYS learned something valuable. They are the best of the best after all. But now, I can just scan and view anytime, any place.

Thanks for the parting gift Paige, we’ll miss you.

Tags: Ann Getty, Architectural Digest, barclay butera, Bunny Williams, Candace Olson, designers' own homes, Jeff Lewis, Jennifer Post, Joanne de Guardiola, karin blake, kelly wearstler, Kenneth Brown, martyn lawrence bullard, Mayer Rus, Nina Seirafi, paige rense, Peter Marino, Suzzane Tucker, Victoria Hagan, Windsor Smith
Posted in Architecture and Design, Interior Designers, Lectures, Public Speaking, Tag Technology | No Comments »

Blue Star and Marcus Samuelsson

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

Last week we were invited to a private event with Marcus Samuelsson and Blue Star Appliances. The two have recently joined forces to promote restaurant style cooking at home. It couldn’t have been better timing because we’re designing a kitchen for a client who loves to cook and entertain so much that she takes it to a professional level. Forget about the usual bangs and whistles, her must have in the kitchen is a salamander. I do love to cook, but to be honest, before her request I had never even heard of a salamander. That’s because they’re generally reserved for commercial cooking, giving meat and fish that sizzling, finishing touch. After our meeting I got on the Internet and started my search only to find that A) THEY’RE HUGE (not ideal for pretty designs) and B) they’re not approved for residential use. Finally I spotted the Blue Star salamander, the only professional quality device approved for residential use and found the invite to their event in my in box the same day.

In addition to being a total sweetheart, Marcus can cook. He is a Top Chef Master, has competed against Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America, stars on a few of his own tv shows and prepared a state dinner at Obama’s White House honoring Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. We were walked through the preparation of a four course meal and given invaluable tips along the way. Two of my favorites were: when shopping for fish, tell the vendor you’re making sushi and they will walk to back and come out with an entirely different grade than what’s on display- without an additional charge. Since ”we” don’t cook with non stick coating because it’s toxic, to prevent food from sticking, make the pan as hot as possible so you hear a serious, sizzle sound when the two make contact. We’ve tried this one on our Viking stainless and it does work.

The food was fab (surprisingly large portions) and I really enjoyed his green message: stay home and cook to enjoy fresh, well made and happy food.

Tags: blue star appliances, cooking at home, iron chef america, marcus sameulsson, salamander broiler, top chef masters, viking stainless, white house state dinner
Posted in Events, Green Living, Kitchens, Lectures | No Comments »

Legends of La Cienega Design Walk

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

This weekend the fine shops of La Cienega opened their doors for the Legends of La Cienega Design Walk sponsered by Elle Decor. This year they upped the ante, displaying film and TV inspired window vignettes up and down the boulevard. Eat your heart out Simon Doonan! The window at upscale, vintage retailer Dragonette , designed by Melissa Levander, was my favorite.

Truth is that the entire store looks like a perfected, larger than life, 60s musical, set design. It’s divine and totally defines glamorous green . Some of the other eco friendly features were Mary Cordaro’s living green lecture at Bausman and the living wall at bookstore-bistro combo, Assouline.

Prosper Assouline chatted with me about how to curate a modern library. According to him you must have a point of view and make it come to life. He and his wife are charming folks and I highly suggest you pay the West Hollywood shop a visit the next time you need to purchase a present. Their books are really something else and who else has candles that smell like leather, old paper and cigars?

Other star studded events included the Catherine Malandrino fashion show and an Elle Decor party at Baker to close the three day extravaganza. I brought Elle to meet Margaret Russell. She fell in love with my daughter and offered her an internship at the magazine. Nothing like securing a position early. Viva Legends of Design Quarter! I can’t wait to see what they do next year. To top this one, I’m expecting the Harlem Choir and elephants!

Tags: Assouline, Baker, Bausman and Co., Catherine Malandrino, Dragonette, Elle Decor, Legends of Design Quarter, Legends of La Cienega, Margaret Russell, Mary Cordaro
Posted in Events, Green Living, Lectures, Magazines, Parties | No Comments »

Juan Montoya and His Second Hand Furnishings

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a designer series lecture at the Pacific Design Center. AD 100 and Interior Design Hall of Famer Juan Montoya spent an hour dazzling us with images of his work and insider info on how he does what he does so well.

Anytime I have the opportunity to listen to a person who is this successful, I take it. Mr. Montoya is in his 70s and is going strong after decades due to his common sense approach and passion for interior design and architecture.

One of the things I love so much about being an interior designer, is that if you’re good, you get better with age- like a fine wine. It was reassuring to hear someone I hold in such high esteem, espouse the same principle that I hold dear- a green approach to design. No he didn’t use the words “sustainable” or “eco-friendly” or “green” but he practices these things none the less. In most of his designs he uses furniture, art and accessories from the 20s, 30s and 40s, some of my favorites being Jean Michele Frank and Jacques Rhulmann.

(This one is actually one of my projects, but it’s a Rhulmann table and chairs in the Frederick Lowe Estate.)

He rarely uses carpets and instead creates design in a hard (more easily cleaned and longer lasting) surfaces. He is well known for his liberal use of exquiste veneer on columns, walls, ceilings- but always prefers to restore what is there vs. ripping it out and installing new. And the greenest of all is his attitude, his very best advice being to smile a lot.

Tags: AD 100, Frederick Lowe, Interior Design Hall of Fame, Jean Michele Frank, Juan Montoya, Pacific Design Center, Ruhlmann
Posted in Furniture, Green Living, Lectures, Public Speaking | No Comments »

Living Green at California Mart

Friday, October 9th, 2009

Yesterday I attended part three, Living Green :Sustaining Business with Sustainable Design Practices, of the California Mart’s Designer’s Forum 2009 Series. The lecture included panelist: David Hertz, Mariel Hemingway, Nathan Turner and was moderated by California Homes’ Susan McFadden. The audience was packed with many of the old guard at ASID, eager to learn more about green design. David Hertz, who I’ve lectured with at my Alma Matter, the UCLA Interior Design Program, gave a riveting power point presentation and ending with a preview of the Wing House he has been working on for the last three years. I’m pretty certain this house will be remembered in history with the same relevance as the Glass House or Falling Water, only sustainable. Then it was Mariel Hemingway’s way turn. Now I understand the draw of star power, and to be fair she has written some books on healthy living, but what that had to do with the business of sustainable design practices eluded me. These old guard designers left the CEU presentation thinking that, “slow down and eat right” was relevant information to their bottom line. Also speaking was Nathan Turner, an elegant retailer and designer with impeccable taste who runs a gorgeous little antique shop in West Hollywood. He did work on Entourage’s Adrien Grenier’s ultra green home. What bothered me about this presentation was that two of the most successful green designers in the business were sitting in the audience, Rachel Winokur of Etta Designs and me. California Homes must not have been paying attention to the design firm they named Best Green Designer, my firm, when they made decisions for the panel. Green design is a serious matter as the planet and people become sicker, resources shrink and energy costs rise. Educating designers and clients with applicable information would be a good start to help form real solutions. Wake up editors!

A gracious thank you to Palecek, one of my favorite green retailers, for the following reception.

Tags: ASID, California Homes, California Mart, CEU, David Hertz, Designer's Forum 2009, eco-friendly, Etta Designs, Green Building Guidelines, Green Events, Green Marketing, Mariel Hemingway, Nathan Turner, Palecek, Rachel Winokur
Posted in Events, Green Building, Lectures, Parties, Public Speaking | 2 Comments »

Pretty Things At Dwell On Design 2008

Monday, June 16th, 2008

Last week I spoke about green residential interiors at Dwell on Design 2008. Presenting after Mary Cordaro of H3 Environmental is always fun. Mary is a Bau Biologist who lectures on the health aspects of green design. She’s like reading the editorial section of the NY Times and I’m the funny pages. I showed pictures of pretty interiors and discussed the green elements. The audience seemed to like the combo of brains and beauty. After the morning speaker session, we headed over to the trade show and looked for new and interesting green products. Some of our favorites included the assortment of planters, trees, plants and the lecture provided by Monrovia Plants. Living, breathing plants are gorgeous in interiors and help to clean the air. We also enjoyed the reclaimed wood wall and dining table display. I just love adding reclaimed wood to a project. It gives a place a sense of provenance rarely acheived by new materials.

Next on the list was this cool puzzle cabana. I wasn’t sure how it would hold up outside, but it sure would impress the neighbors.

With gas prices crippling the nation, this gorgeous sports car powered by a solar car port may have been the star of the show.

But I have to be honest and report that the prettiest things I saw at the show were my husband Roi and my designer Galina.

Tags: Dwell on Design
Posted in Events, Lectures, Materials, Public Speaking | No Comments »

Dwell On Design 2008 has moved to Los Angeles

Friday, May 2nd, 2008

On June 6th, I am speaking at the Los Angeles based Dwell on Design 2008 event and being touted as one of the most influential minds in desgin, plus a mover and shaker in the industry. Cat’s out of the bag people, it’s been published by the bible of green interior design, Dwell Magazine. Check out the info below and please join us in what will prove to be the biggest, best and most important design event of the year!

Location: Los Angeles Convention Center (West Hall A)

Join the Dwell magazine’s editorial team for an in-depth, inspirational, and engaging examination of all things modern, including architecture, urban planning, interiors, landscapes and products. We’re bringing together over 50 of the most influential minds in design such as Lorcan O’Herlihy, Michelle Kaufmann, Mark Rios, and Lori Dennis — the people who are moving and shaking the industry. Plus, we’ll let you in on the exhibition on Friday before it opens to the general public. For more info contact Dwell on Design 2008.

Posted in Events, Lectures, Public Speaking | No Comments »

[LORI DENNIS INTERIOR DESIGN]

Lori Dennis formed Lori Dennis Interior Design, specializing in green interior design, in 1998. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Coastal Living, Southern Accents, Woman's Day, Los Angeles Times, Apartment Therapy and countless other magazines, books and websites throughout the world. [more..]

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