No confessions this week, just a lot of work. I also don’t recommend going to a four hour, 18 course Valentine’s dinner the night before a seven hour studio class.
Hopefully I’ll have a chance to stop by the ASID party at the Marin Designer’s Showcase at Villa Belvedere tomorrow night.
This week got off to a better start than the last, but didn’t end as well. I arrived early to my studio class, reluctantly posted my homework like the rest of the students for critique, and had the realization: I need to work and work hard for this class – I might be the worst person in this room (please, no!!). Maybe my brain is wired for creative drawing, but mathematical drafting is very different, especially if you have an extremely intellegent and talented architect as your instructor. After break, I slowly started to ache. Thinking it was my extreme disappointment in my first week’s work or perhaps lead poisoning from all the dust on my fingers and face (yes, I had smear marks all over on my face when I got home last week), I continued to attempt the week’s assignment. My eyes grew heavier and my body got weaker. How was I ever going to get out of there?! I packed up an hour early and just sat at the drafting board clutching to the hope that the instructor would see me, ask if I was done, and then dismiss me. No such luck. After what felt like a days worth of driving to get home, I went straight to bed. My poor dog – so excited to see me, yet so disappointed in me. I woke up the next day not able to eat a thing without my stomach clenching. Am I stressed? Am I sick? The flu? Not the flu!! The next few days I was touch and go and it has taken me this long to complete my other class’s homework. Hoping to wake up tomorrow to a fresh start and a better week.
No lead poisoning, so far.
The first day of my studio class was last week, and I’m not going to lie and say I wasn’t a little stressed out and having one way streets closed in Union Square, and going to the wrong building where my classroom didn’t exist, and showing up 10 minutes late – sweaty from running from building to building – really didn’t help alleviate any stress. But, at the close of day and week, I can confidently say, I can do this! Bring on this master’s program! I can’t believe I was drawing a two point perspective of a room on the first day, but the class was 8 hours long, so I guess you can accomplish anything in 8 hours, or at least draw anything.
This has been a busy and fun week. It first started at an intimate cocktail party at Jeffers Design Group 
(CA Home+Design winner for Residential Interior Design <3,000 sq. ft). This was a kick off to the events ahead as well as a reception for this year’s key note speaker, Trina Turk – a fun, friendly, and very lovely person. She even took a picture at the party with the other attendees donning 
sparkly shoulders. I especially loved my Trina Turk goodies in the gift bag!
The next night was the annual California Home + Design Awards Gala. Designers and industry types alike gathered for a festive night of cocktails, music, mingling and celebrating. It was fun to chat with winner Larissa Sand from Sand Studios (Commercial Design) and listen to her genuine excitement and surprise upon receiving her award. She was truly thankful to be recognized among peers for her outstanding design.
I ended the week by attending two great speaking sessions. The first was hosted by Dwell Magazine’s president Michela O’Connor Abrams and featured a panel of San Francisco designers (Scot Meacham Wood, Grant K. Gibson – this year’s of Showcase House Design winner, and Melanie Coddington) who are very active in social media as a part of their business – which immediately made me want to tweet, blog, and pin away. The second session was hosted by famous Wynn and Encore interior designer, Roger Thomas. It was a great behind the scenes look at the interiors of the hotels and the amazing amount of time and energy spent on designing and curating for the resorts. I’m looking forward to my chance to take on such a feat with a fabulous budget.
Join me next week at the San Francisco Design Center’s annual Design San Francisco. This year’s keynote speaker is the fabulous Trina Turk. Seats are filling up fast, so get yours now – and don’t miss the other great speakers throughout the week. I hope to see you there!
SOMA High-profile architect Cass Calder Smith, known for San Francisco's dining landmark, Restaurant Lulu, has done it again with 25 Lusk. Designed from a 1917 meat-processing facility and smokehouse, this resurrected space is exposed brick meets high-gloss. Enjoy custom cocktails by the steel fire orb flues in the lounge, or dine upstairs on the sleek lacquered tables. Eat your daily vegetables by indulging in Chef Matthew Dolan's crème brûlée cauliflower. 25 Lusk, San Francisco, www.25lusk.com
Tangerine Tango! Pantone, the authority on color has announced that this vibrant hue will be the “it” color for 2012. This orange is beyond your everyday orange. It’s like a firetruck ran straight into the raging fire. When I look at this color, I think fun, excitement, “where’s the party?!” The psychology behind this color is parallel to slow upswing in the economy. As it picks up, so will our spirits. Btw, did you know orange is the Netherlands’ national color?
This audacious Tangerine Tango will bring a gallant vibe to any room whether it be a simple through pillow to a sofa with a graphic pattern, or an accent wall, and no one will mistake it for your alma matter’s colors.
So, which came first? The name of the color orange, or the fruit?
When starting this blog, I promised myself I wouldn’t go longer than a week without writing. And, what have I done? Exactly that!!! I am owning up to it – with no excuses and starting on a new foot tonight, not January 1st. I apologize and look forward to all the fresh content to add, especially from my new San Francisco location!
‘Tis the season!
I am in the midst of moving to San Francisco and beyond excited about all the design inspirations and opportunities the city has to offer. I am especially looking forward to my new home away from home, the SFDC. And what’s the best part about the move? The blank canvas my new living space will offer. Oh the possibilities!!!!
See you at the next Designer Wednesdays.
Interior Design Magazine Editor at Large Dwell Studio COCO COZY Kelly Wearstler – My Blog My Life Lonny
