WHY: Andrew J. Razeghi

Given our relative youth as a nation as well as our ideals of independence and freedom, if American design can be categorized as anything, it can be found in its struggle for identity. We do not have history to celebrate and so we celebrate the future: What can BE versus what WAS. – Andrew J. Razeghi

WHERE: It Had To Be U Street

U Street NW has been honored as one of the American Planning Association’s Great Places In America: Streets for 2011. On its website, APA wrote, “In 2009 when president-elect Barack Obama ordered a chili half-smoke at the famous Ben's Chili Bowl along U Street N.W., crowds flocked to the legendary eatery and the street it has anchored since 1958. U Street has gone through difficult times, particularly the lingering aftermath of devastating riots following the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Today the street is pulsing again with the music, businesses and life that, in the early 1900s, distinguished it as the main street of Washington's ‘city within a city.’”

For more information, please visit http://planning.org/greatplaces/streets/2011/

Image courtesy Ben’s Chili Bowl. Info courtesy American Planning Association.

WHEN: “Weaving Abstraction” at the Textile Museum, Now Through January

Explore the richness of the arts of Africa through this fall’s multi-faceted series of programs at The Textile Museum. Based around the exhibition Weaving Abstraction: Kuba Textiles and the Woven Art of Central Africa, which showcases the rich tradition of raffia weaving and embroidery from the region, each program opens a window into broader cultural understanding. See textiles in motion during a dance performance by KanKouran, glimpse into the future of African design, or experience the flavors of Central African cuisine. After each event, enjoy light refreshments and an opportunity to visit this striking exhibition.

For more information, please visit www.textilemuseum.org .

Image and info courtesy The Textile Museum.

WHAT: “The Dos and Don’t of Designing Your Own Line” Comes to DC

You’ve got great ideas for designing a furnishings collection – so where do you start? Before you put pen to paper, learn the practical, legal and aesthetic factors that go into creating a branded collection. A panel of design experts including designers Jamie Drake and David Herchik, licensing expert Kate Verner and Jobi Blachy, President of Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman, will share their expertise and answer your questions.

By the way, I’ll be moderating this panel – how lucky am I?!

Please attend “The Dos and Don’ts of Designing Your Own Line” on Tuesday, October 18 (today!), at 11:00 – and afterward, please visit EF+LM’s new showroom at the Washington Design Center!

Image courtesy EF+LM.

WHO: Justice Stephen G. Breyer

Judge… AND jury! Recently Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer was appointed to the jury that awards the Pritzker Prize, architecture’s greatest honor. The appointment speaks both to Justice Breyer’s professional judicial experience and his personal love of architecture. He will join such notable names as Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid for a three-year term.

According to the New York Times, “Justice Breyer said he hopes to advocate for high-quality design in government buildings. ‘The point of all these projects is to say to people – through the architecture of the building and the construction of the building and the use of the building – that the government is you,’ he said. ‘There isn’t a wall of separation. It’s very important to break the idea of the wall down because otherwise people think this is a foreign entity. But this is a democracy, and the government is the community. The wonderful thing about a building is, it can’t do that by itself, but it can help. Architecture can help.”

Image courtesy The New York Times.

WEEKLY Ws: Washington, D(esign) C(ity)

We’re heading south this week for a special visit to Washington, DC for the Business of Design Lecture Series. In honor of our road trip, we’ll take a look at some of the more recent developments on the Washington design scene.

WHY: Sean McPherson

Life comes down to good timing and good lighting. – Sean McPherson

WHERE: Donghia Opens in D&D Suite 700

Donghia’s flagship showroom finally opens this week in Suite 700 of the D&D Building. Creative Director Chuck Chewning designed the space to honor Angelo Donghia’s iconic legacy while showcasing the largest selection of classic Donghia furniture designs ever displayed in a showroom environment. In addition, the 18,500 square foot space features the collections of house brands Rubelli and Sahco as well as 16 represented lines.

For more information, please visit donghia.com or ddbuilding.com.

Image courtesy Go Design Go.

WHEN: “The Dos and Don’t of Designing Your Own Line”

You’ve got great ideas for designing a furnishings collection – so where do you start? Before you put pen to paper, learn the practical, legal and aesthetic factors that go into creating a branded collection. A panel of design experts including designers Jamie Drake and Marshall Watson, licensing expert Kate Verner and Jobi Blachy, President of Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman, will share their expertise and answer your questions.

By the way, I’ll be moderating this panel – how lucky am I?!

Please attend “The Dos and Don’ts of Designing Your Own Line” on Wednesday, October 12 (today!), at 2:00 – and please stay for cupcakes and prosecco afterward!

For more information, please visit ddbuilding.com.

Image courtesy House Beautiful.

WHAT: KOROKO

It rhymes with “Morocco” and it’s just as exotic… KOROKO is a new textile collaboration between Koroseal and one of Holland’s leading fabric companies. This dynamic new line of timeless yet trend-conscious textiles draws inspiration from a range of styles, from Empire to the Industrial Revolution to vintage. These chic and versatile fabrics will suit a range of interiors, from classic to modern.

Carolyn Wolterink will debut the 450-SKU line at Koroseal on Wednesday afternoon. For more information, please call Koroseal at 212 751 1595.

Image courtesy Koroseal.

WHO: Editors and Bloggers and Designers… Oh My!

If there’s a style setter you want to meet, chances are he or she is presenting at the D&D’s Fall Market. From rebranding to reinvention, timeless design to tomorrow’s tastemakers, speakers will share their perspectives on what’s happening in the industry now, and how to position yourself for what’s next. Highlights include keynotes from Editors in Chief Margaret Russell of Elle Décor and Ann Maine of Traditional Home; blogging tips from the creative minds behind Curators of Chic, Demystifying Design and others; design and branding advice from designers Jamie Drake and Marshall Watson; and more.

For more information, please visit ddbuilding.com.

Image courtesy Architectural Digest.

WEEKLY Ws: To Market, To Market…

Inspiring presentations, fabulous new collections, and insider info from top magazines and blogs… Must be the D&D’s Fall Market! This week we’ll look at a few of the highlights of the week ahead, including a don’t-miss presentation on how to design your own line (featuring yours truly!).

WHY: Steve Jobs

"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works." - Steve Jobs