Save the Date: Sherwin-Williams Colormix 2012

Are you in need of a color fix to last you through the lingering hot days in Houston? The Decorative Center Houston (DCH) won't let you fade out with its upcoming fall events, starting with Sherwin-Williams Colormix™2012.

Robert Allen | Beacon Hill and Sherwin-Williams present Colormix™2012, an elemental journey for interior designers. Color is always on the move, and right now, it’s exploring its own origins.

Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams Director of Color Marketing & Design, surveys the landscape to find core palettes inspired by Mother Earth.

This CEU course will take place September 27 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Robert Allen | Beacon Hill (Suite 141) at the DCH.

Fall Market Buzz: PDC CEU Courses (Part 2)

The PDC's semi-annual Fall Market 2011 begins tomorrow and we're finishing our preview of CEU credits that you'll be able to earn, just in time. Here are two more CEU Courses you won't want to miss at the PDC's Fall Market.

Robert Allen | Beacon Hill (4th Floor Atrium) will host CEU course Sherwin Williams Colormix, an elemental journey for interior designers, presented by Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams Director of Color Marketing & Design. Color is always on the move, and right now, it’s exploring its origins. Colormix™2012 surveys the landscape to find core palettes inspired by Mother Earth. The course runs from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. A light lunch and meet and greet to follow at Robert Allen | Beacon Hill in Suite B499.

Baker Knapp & Tubbs (Suite B525) presents Best Seat in the House: The Story of Upholstery. Esteemed furniture historian James Caughman explores all facets of upholstered furniture to enhance the understanding of the interior design professional. Jim’s insightful talk considers the history of upholstery, including various styles as well as some confusing and esoteric terms of craft and application. He also investigates the value of framework and illustrates how true bench-made upholstery is similar to men's bespoke suiting. This lecture will assist design professionals in selections of upholstery and justifying quality to a client.

Enjoy Fall Market and stay tuned to GoDesignGo for Market coverage if you won’t be able to make it.

Save the Date: 5 Strategies for a Successful Design Business in a Tough Market

Everyone is feeling the effects of the market, but that's no reason why your business shouldn't be thriving. Get yourself to the PDC for Five Money Marketing & Mindset Strategies for a Great Design Business Even in a Tough Market, hosted by Robert Allen | Beacon Hill.

Interior Designer and Business Consultant Terri Taylor, founder of DesignBiz Blueprint, will present the program on how to succeed with flying colors in today's struggling market.

The event takes place July 27 at 1:00 p.m. at the PDC's Robert Allen | Beacon Hill showroom. 0.1 CEU credits available. For more information, visit http://www.pacificdesigncenter.com/#/programs-events/.

The Journey of Two Chairs (Part 2)

Christie’s Interiors recently teamed up with Beacon Hill to test whether old or unsightly upholstery means the end of the line for a beloved furniture piece with the estate of the late Amy Perlin, who passed away in May of 2010.

Beacon Hill’s Director of Fabric Design, Alexis Audette, explained how to restore your most lived-in product.

CI: Why slipcovers have you chosen here?

AA: The short, corner pleated slipcover is a tailored and casually elegant design. I chose Laurel Stripe in Frost, a blend of linen and Egyptian cotton, which combines the texture, and strength of linen with the softness of cotton. The stripes are ideally suited to the small-scale chairs, and they help create an updated, contemporary look.

The more formal, traditional of the two slipcovers I call a “frog eye” design, referring to the decorative passamenterie that secures the pleat on the chair back and is repeated on the legs in the front. The fabric is a wool and linen blend from Italy called Ashland in a color known as Driftwood. Mixing wool with linen creates a more durable textile with a crisp, sculptural quality.

CI: How should one go about selecting a fabric?

AA: Seek expert advice. Interior designers have the training and experience to know what types of fabric and what colors and patterns will work best in your interior space. Another option is to seek advice from a good upholsterer.

Beacon Hill fabrics are sold exclusively to interior designers. We design singular and bespoke fabrics, and work with boutique textile mills around the world. We specialize in natural fibers, including silk, wool and linen. The designers who purchase our fabrics consider usage and the kind of frame to be upholstered, and also fabric weight and texture.

An additional consideration is color and pattern scale and type. If the sofa will be used daily, they’ll choose a fabric with high durability. For a lighter look, linen and linen blends are durable and easy to clean. A more delicate fabric, such as silk, won’t stand up to daily use but is a good choice for a decorative bench or occasional chair.

Check back with GoDesignGo for more with Alexis Audette's tips on old and new.

The Journey of Two Chairs (Part 1)

The creative team at Beacon Hill believes a frayed facade doesn’t mark the end of a well-loved classic. In collaboration with, Christie's Interiors, the company showed what’s possible when you combine classic forms, top-quality fabrics, artisanal expertise and a little imagination with the estate of the late Amy Perlin, who passed away in May of 2010.

Their results paid homage to Perlin’s collecting philosophies: “I like strong pieces that show their age” and “It’s all about line and proportion.”

Beacon Hill’s Director of Fabric Design Alexis Audette offered his expert advice about upholstery and slipcovers, and retells the process of restoring antique French chairs to highly desirable works of art.

CI: What excited you about these chairs and how did you know they were ripe for “reinvention”?

AA: I loved these chairs because of their beautiful lines. Because of their unusual small scale, the chairs can be used in a setting where space is limited, such as an alcove or a small bedroom.

CI: Tell us about the fabric you selected for the re-upholstery.

AA: We wanted a versatile look that could work well in a traditional or contemporary interior. Given the current demand for natural and sustainable materials, I selected Beacon Hill’s Natural Linen fabric in a flax color called Linen. Certified organic, this beautiful Belgian textile has the necessary weight for upholstery.

CI: Why are slipcovers important, and what have you chosen here?

AA: Slipcovers are essentially “clothing for furniture.” They can lend a whole new personality to a room, to reflect a new season, trend or even mood. Of course, a more practical purpose is to extend the life of a piece of upholstery.

Check back with GoDesignGo for more with Alexis Audette's advice on transforming old to new and making over oldies but goodies.