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New research confirms impact of lighting and color on design
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesAs we approach the darkest day of the year, now is a good time to remember just how important light is to our health and well-being. Recently published research on light and lighting confirms that, perhaps more than any other element in a space, light has a profound effect on how design impacts occupants.
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Guilt-free consumption: The new trend in luxury
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesAccording to recent market studies, consumers are struggling with more than their wallets these days. Affluent shoppers in particular are feeling conflicted between their desire to spend and their aspiration to do the right thing, say the market researchers at Trendwatching.com. They are looking for products and services that will deliver value and quality while, at the same time, provide reassurance that they do no harm.
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Green-building applications: The road ahead
Don Rosato EngineeringGrowth in green-building material demand will outpace the growth of building construction expenditures as green materials continue to account for an increasing share of building materials used. In the U.S., demand for green-building materials is projected to expand 13 percent annually through 2015, generating sales of more than $70 billion.
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High Point Fall 2013: Trend watch
Christina Mogk Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesRefined. Textural. Simple. Crafted. Strong. If asked to describe High Point's Fall Market trends for 2013, those are some of the first words that come to mind. They may seem to fight with or contradict one another, and there were certainly divergent styles and messages shared, but two or more of those words can essentially be applied across the board.
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Membership can benefit you and your home
Adam FalkoffSelecting a contractor for your home can be a challenge. Prices can be competitive, similar services and delivery schedules can also be comparable. However, one way to choose the winning contractor from the pack can be assessed with one simple question: To what organizations do you belong?
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Notice policy is key to protecting lien rights
Nate Budde Construction & Building MaterialsMaking sure your company complies with all of the various notice requirements is a difficult, time-consuming, frustrating and a seemingly impossible task. This is especially true when projects are located throughout many different states with many different rules.
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Biophilia: The next step in green design
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesAs the U.S. Green Building Council gets ready to roll out LEED v4 at the Greenbuild conference Nov. 20-22, now is a good time to pause and reflect on how just how far green and sustainable design have come since LEED first launched in 2000. Once considered a fringe movement within A&D circles, green building and green products have helped to keep the industry afloat during the post-recession economic stagnation.
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Confessions of a miser: 6 tips to a strong budget
Bob FortuneBudgetary decisions often times require courage because difficult financial choices affect everyone within an organization. Belt tightening, cutbacks and general business decisions are a necessary and healthy part of the business cycle, and few people cheer when a tricky budget cut or choice is made.
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Confessions of a miser: Learning to let go
Bob FortuneI sinfully watched costs for decades — and was labeled a "miser" by my two brothers/partners. This was deeply hurtful. Our seasonal restoration business was slow in the Chicago winters. Therefore, it was essential to make nine months of revenue stretch to cover 12 months of costs. Creating a culture of frugality was a matter of survival.
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Cyberaesthetics: The next big thing for interior design?
Michael J. BerensFrom roll-up screens and slide carousels to superthin flat-panel LED monitors, interior designers have long been challenged to conjure up creative and elegant solutions for integrating technology unobtrusively in a space. Up to now, the technology itself has been passive, just another object in the room. Increasingly, however, designers have a new hurdle to jump: technologies designed to interact with the occupants in the space.
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