D2S Editor Favs: Week of April 7, 2008
Favorite Controversy
Ever since the Watch Out for That Pillow Op-Ed piece appeared on April 1 in the Wall Street Journal, design professionals have been up in arms. Our position at D2S is a clear one: we're Switzerland. We see both sides of the issue of licensing professional interior designers. For example, there are many greats who are not licensed, nor do they care to be. Shelter magazines feature many designers who are ASID and NCIDQ certified professionals and the initials after their names are dropped by the publication when their work is in print, presumably not to draw attention to the many design icons who are unlicensed. Licensing is a good option for those who wish to be licensed, and for those clients who find greater peace of mind hiring someone with external credentials. Here are some links to keep watching as this dynamic discussion continues:
- WSJ.com Forum discussions on this article are attracting hot debaters from both sides of the licensing fence. Make your voice heard!
- The Interior Design Profession's Body of Knowledge is a fascinating document for us all to read and react to. If there's one thing that upset us about the WSJ article the most, completely setting aside the issue of licensing, it was the way design professionals all got lumped into a fey little ball of color-selecting, pillow-purchasing style Nazis without education, intelligence, or professionalism. Untrue. Demeaning.
- Washington Votes is a forum where you can monitor reactions to 2008 Senate Bill 6707 (addressing the practice of interior design).
- Look into the Interior Design Freedom Blog.
- Check out official WSJ reaction articles sent in response to the original op-ed piece.
- Read Radley Balko's incendiary piece on FoxNews.com called Artificial Standards, then check out ASID's response letter.
Favorite Dinnerware
Jason Miller's Seconds dinner plates for Areaware are smashing. They place patterns helter skelter, and we love the results.
Favorite Lighting
Groovy these are -- the BDLove Lamp line by designer Ross Lovegrove is meant to be lights and bench seating for indoor and outdoor public spaces. Phooey. Put one of these glowing putter-looking pieces in your home and get the party started!
Favorite Way to Organize
Simple, sleek modular shelving from B&B Italia, the Shift system is designed by Patricia Urquiola.
Favorite Group Seating
Ron Arad must have had fun designing the modular pieces for Moroso's Misfits Sofa Series.
Favorite Kitchen Chairs
UK designer Tom Dixon has been winning many awards lately, and has even opened up Shop at ABC Carpet & Home. We love his recycled vintage model 2nd Cycle line of chairs for Artek.
Favorite Yard Pal
It's spring! The Selects Seed catalog, available online, is a great way to get your yard in order. Their "antique" flowers are a joy, and their catalog is divided up into interesting and easy-to-access topics like Fragrant, Cottage Garden Annuals, Containers, and Fall Perennials.
Favorite Misting System
"Play Misty for Me" with the Orbitz Outdoor Misting System. If you're in a part of the world where it gets muy caliente, this professional system can cool you off by as much as 20 degrees.