Meet the Blogger: DesignIntake with Julieta Alvarez (Part 2)

Yesterday, we introduced you to Julieta Alvarez, founder of DesignIntake and regular contributor to GoDesignGo and one of the bloggers participating in the DDB's Blogger Lounge during Fall Market. We sat down with Julieta to learn more about what she's been up to and what she's excited about at Fall Market.

GDG: What are some of your favorite things about your blog?

JA: When I decided to start my blog, I found myself researching and being very curious about anything that had to do with interior design. I had also always wanted to know the latest trends for my career as an interior designer. The blog was a way for me to record all of these interesting things for myself. It was a very natural evolution and the feedback I get from total strangers is VERY rewarding.

GDG: What are a few fundamental elements to the style of your space?

JA: I suppose my style is a mixture of casual femininity with masculine and bold elements. I never want to make a space or an outfit that I wear “too much” of one thing. For example: I would not want to make a space too feminine, nor too elegant. I believe a space needs a balance of different elements to work in harmony; and I always try to have a BOLD element in each space to make it unforgettable in its own way.

GDG: Were there any trends this summer that you especially loved--or didn't?

JA: I had a ton of favorite trends, including the color combination of coral and gray, watercolor paintings, Hollywood Regency, lacquered walls, gloss paint, tufted sofas, Ikat fabrics, velvets, gold jewelry, Marc Jacobs bags and leopard ballerina slippers!

I did have a few trends that I'm really looking forward to saying goodbye to, including too many animal prints in one product and asymmetrical and slouchy dresses.

GDG: Can you share some fun facts about yourself?

JA: Luxury for me is having spare time and being happy with it--spending that in a beautifully designed space wouldn't hurt either! I also love to walk around in unknown cities taking pictures and blogging about the design inspiration it gives me.

I don’t collect anything, but if I had the disposable income, I would collect shagreen clutches and bold cocktail rings!

Check back with GoDesignGo to meet more of the DDB's Blogger Lounge roster.

Meet the Blogger: Ask Patrick J. Hamilton Whatever Your Heart Desires (1 of 2)

The DDB's Fall Market 2011 Bloggers Lounge will be your one stop fix for design and lifestyle. Co-sponsored by GoDesignGo and Editor at Large, the lounge will house 15 bloggers who will be camping out in style covering Market events. We're introducing you to the Bloggers Lounge line-up of Bloggers and today we want you to meet Patrick J. Hamilton of AskPatrick and regular contributor to Apartment Therapy.

Patrick J. Hamilton has no shortage of job titles, which include blogger, interior designer, writer, humorist, activist and stylist living specialist in Manhattan. His blog, AskPatrick, focuses on residential makeovers and interior design industry events. The RISD graduate is also a specialist in small-space solutions unique to Manhattan living, but is comfortable working on projects both large and small.

"I love working with a wide range of styles, from contemporary to traditional," said Patrick. "But like MANY Manhattanites, I live daily with the challenge of smaller spaces. I’m a big fan of tailored, timeless pieces in my own home. And I’m a big fan of texture!"

Patrick's signature approach “Invest, Save & Splurge” plays a large roll in all of his interiors and blog discussion and is known for his innovative and fresh perspective to each project.

"I draw from a wide range of inspiration in my work, creating environments that are functional, comfortable and highly expressive of each individual client," Patrick said. "It’s all about the mix and never about the pedigree."

His work has been seen on HGTV in Small Space, Big Style and Rate My Space, HGTV.com, HouseBeautiful.com, TheKitchn.com, Ohdeedoh.com, and ApartmentTherapy. He was also the winner of Apartment Therapy’s first annual Smallest, Coolest Home contest, and the winner of the first Bloomingdale’s Big Window Challenge. He has styled features and photo shoots for Ladies Home Journal, The Alpha Workshops, and Florida Home & Garden. In the past, Patrick has also worked for Design on a Dime, The Alpha Workshops and the New York Designing Men: It Gets Better video.

He is a New York contributor to ApartmentTherapy, where he shoots and writes House Tours, and has also covered the ICFF, interviewed design world luminaries and covered the second season of HGTV’s Design Star. Patrick also recently appeared in It Gets Better: NYC Designing Men, a video for the It Gets Better Project supporting The Trevor Project.

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for our interview with Patrick to learn more about Patrick is most looking forward to during the DDB's Fall Market.

Event Spotlight: DDB Themes Fall Market 'Transcending Boundaries' (Part 1 of 2)

The DDB's semi-annual Fall Market is fast approaching and while the line-up is still in formation, we got a sampling of what designers can expect in the way of presentations, parties and product introductions.

Transcending Boundaries is the theme of this year's market, which features four high-powered keynote programs. On Wednesday, October 12, Architectural Digest Editor in Chief Margaret Russell will present the opening keynote address followed by a panel discussion with the editors of Traditional Home.

On Thursday, October 13, GILT Home Editorial Director Tom Delavan and Vice President Shane Reilly will moderate a panel of designers, followed by a presentation by Interiors Editor in Chief Michael Wollaeger.

Fall market parties will be in full swing with the annual Stars of Design Dinner on Thursday, October 12, and a Grand Opening Party celebrating the newly expanded Donghia showroom on Wednesday, October 13.

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for more Fall Market Details and to hear the scoop on the DDB's Fall Market Bloggers Lounge, a first-time ever event with fabulous bloggers from the blogs we love.