Mark your calendar: 2 CEUs at the DDB

We hope you're free this coming Tuesday, September 18 to join the DDB for two interesting CEUs.

Perplexed by panels? Flummoxed by valences? Stunned by Roman shades? Be at Astra from 9:30-10:30 as Michael Tavano, talented interior and product designer will lead us through "Understanding Drapery Fundamentals". Tavano used peppy panels in the room pictured above. He'll advocate for how custom window treatments can accomplish "design miracles."



Explore examples that show how the right draperies for a room can make a room or window appear larger, act to heighten the ceiling, and create a focal point for a room that might lack architectural interest. Equally important, the right fabric treatment can disguise other flaws in a less-expensive-than-construction way. We also hear that Tavano will open up his address book and share some of his favorite sources for the best lining , hardware and trim to create a unique, stunning site. 1 CEU credit; Fee: $50.

Then, from 11am-12pm in the 14th floor Designers' Lounge, join Jeff Sinclair, Director of Automation of Hartmann&Forbes who will discuss what exactly home automation is and why it's important for designers to know as much as they can about it!



Get to know the components of automated window coverings like motor, control and integration technologies. Learn what you need to know when specifying and who can help you along the way. A reception will follow in the Hines & Company showroom (Suite 1010). Click here to preregister. In the meantime, be sure to check out some of their latest introductions we shared here on Wednesday.

Hartmann & Forbes debuts natural blinds, wallcoverings

You might be familiar with HARTMANN&FORBES, award-winning maker of natural window and wallcoverings of sustainable natural materials. The 14-year-old, Oregon-based company has just launched its first line of Handcrafted Natural Woodblinds. The Walnut, White Oak, Knotty Pine and Linden Collections each feature sustainably cultivated, genuine species of American timber and are made in America.

Bark:


Inspired by the authenticity and quality of the American furniture tradition, each is custom finished using multi-step, furniture-grade techniques like cerusing, weathering, washing and distressing. This painstaking and precise approach results in heirloom quality woodblinds offered in an unrivaled range of custom finishing options.



As if that isn't enough, Hartmann&Forbes, is also introducing its first full line of Natural Wallcoverings. The Americana Collection features 46 designs made from sustainably cultivated and rapidly renewable materials such as ramie, sisal, abaca, jute and cork, and was inspired by American landscapes and landmarks.

Avenue:


The collection is made up of nine patterns, offering a range of natural textures in neutral color palettes. Highlighting the collection is the New York City-inspired Avenue Series, a first-of-its-kind design that features handwoven sisal fibers that are backed, meticulously trimmed into 3” strips, and then double handwoven into a striking basket weave. (Lexington, named for the famous Manhattan avenue, is pictured at top.)

Discover the entire line at Jeffrey Michaels Showroom at the DCOTA (Suite A-168), Culp Associates at the DCH (Suite 4018) and Hines & Company at the DDB (Suite 1010).

CEU Seminar Series: The Basics of Specifying Automated Window Coverings

Having you gotten the scoop on automated window coverings yet? If not, Jeffrey Michaels and Hartmann & Forbes are hosting a Valentine's Day complimentary course on defining automation. The course will serve as a guide for the application of motorization to window coverings and cover how to choose the appropriate automation function on any given system.

Instructors will explore a variety of applications and provide detailed explanations of each solution and its benefits. The course will also explain a variety of motor, control and integration technologies and discuss each option's requirements. Lastly, the information required by the various trades involved in an automated installation will be explained, including the requirements for the window covering manufacturer.

This DCOTA CEU Seminar Series course will take place tomorrow, February 14, at 11 a.m., followed by a lunch reception at Jeffrey Michaels, Suite A-168.

For speaker information and reservations, email marketing@dcota.com.

Sustainable Spotlight: Sleek & Sustainable Natural Rollershades

These shades satisfy the need for sleek, all the while soothing your conscious with their genuinely sustainable design. Hartmann&Forbes' handcrafted Natural Rollershades are made from sustainable natural fibers and compliment a variety of design palettes so wide that we dare you to prove us wrong.

"We recently expanded our Rollershade program to feature more than 125 weaves from the Liniedge, PapyrusWeave, ColourWeave and EcoWeave collections," said a sales representative. "The collection is now among the most diverse in the industry which means showing it off in the showrooms is a ton of fun!"

Offering smooth sophistication and graceful functionality, the Natural Rollershade collection ranges from contemporary and architectural to minimalist and modern. Their precise operation and slim profile allows for installation into modern soffits and seamless integration into modern home automation systems.

Check out Hartmann&Forbes' collection at the Jeffrey Michaels showroom at the DCOTA or visit them online.

Jeffrey Michaels Showroom Shines in the Face of Adversity

The showroom was formed the year after Hurricane Andrew blew through Florida in 1992 by dynamic duo, Diana and Michael Feibelman.

Jeffrey Michaels was first as an intimate 1,900 square feet showroom with a handful of wallcovering and fabric lines.

They moved to a 5,500 square feet showroom in order to accommodate their rapidly growing collection, which now included Fabricut, S. Harris, Vervain and Stroheim, Hartmann & Forbes.

Yet again, they are expanding to a renovated space, now 7,700 square feet, which will have a grand re-opening party on December 8 to celebrate their wonderful world of design.

Save the date and we hope to see you there!