Spring Happy Hour
March 28th, 6-8pm
http://www.meetup.com/Apartment-Therapy/Washington-DC/643432/

After a two-month break, the DC Apartment Therapy Meetup is back in action! Join fellow Apartment Therapy readers on the evening of March 28th for a Spring Happy Hour. Stop by to celebrate the season, see old friends, and make new acquaintances.

The group’s previous meetup featured award-winning designer Supon Phornirunlit. Before a crowd of over 50 guests, Supon discussed his background, past projects, and lessons learned throughout his career. Supon’s witty presentation, entitled “Once Supon A Time”,  was chock full of anecdotes including stories of the tiny one-bedroom apartment where it all started as well as an inspiring account of his first big break - providing graphics for the FIFA World Cup. Supon encouraged listeners to take risks, trust their abilities, be open to inspiration and remember his motto, “Creativity is like beauty: If you weren’t born with it, you’ll have to pay for it.”

After a 30-minute presentation, the designer took questions from the audience and gave away products from his home decor collection, Naked Decor (www.nakeddecor.com). Throughout the event, guests enjoyed munchies by local salad guru Willie Shubert and desserts provided by Sarah Steel of Urban Referrals (www.urbanreferrals.com), a web-based service for contractor referrals. Event co-planners Maizie Clarke and Rosyln Ashford also contributed toward a fantastic evening by welcoming guests and providing festive party decor.

Visit the DC Apartment Therapy Meetup community page for event details (www.meetup.com/Apartment-Therapy/Washington-DC)! 

The DC Apartment Therapy Meetup presents "Once Supon A Time" with award-winning designer Supon Phornirunlit for our annual holiday soiree!

Tuesday, December 13 at 7pm
The Dunes, 1402 Meridian Pl NW
RSVP: http://www.meetup.com/Apartment-Therapy/Washington-DC/468102/

Join us on December 13th as we celebrate the holidays and a year of AMAZING meetups! Enjoy music by DJ Ora, light refreshments, your favorite folks, and a presentation by designer Supon Phornirunlit. Supon’s colorful Kalorama home and quirky home accessories collection, Naked Decor, have been featured in top magazines including Architectural Digest, Metropolitan Home, and Interior Design Magazine. Learn how this accomplished graphic designer transitioned his talents to a thriving home decor business.

Supon will also give away Naked Decor gift certificates to three lucky party-goers. Hope to see you there!

Supon Phornirunlit www.nakeddecor.com

Supon started his first business—Supon Design Group—with just $1,000 at age 25. As creative director, he spearheaded the design and development of high-profile projects such as brand identities for IBM’s Olympic sponsorship, graphics for Washington, D.C.’s National Airport, and product design for the Spy Museum, U.S. Open, Coca-Cola, and the Smithsonian Institute. He and his staff wrote and designed over two dozen award-winning books on graphic design, and their work was featured in publications around the world, including Graphis, Communication Arts, Step-by-Step Graphics, HOW, Art 4D, The Bangkok Post, Novum, Asia, Inc., and GM.

After 10 years, Supon sold his company to take his craft in a new direction. In 2005, he founded Supon Creative Enterprise, where he works with select clients of graphic design and produces his own line of home accessories, Naked Decor. Supon’s products have been featured in both local and national publications including Interior Design, Home, and Martha Stewart Living magazines.

Kelley Proxmire and Leah Moss share high-low design tips at Apartment Therapy’s Design Evening

Can you see potential beauty in a worn out chair or armoire? Or envision a bed sheet as the ideal window treatment? Design experts Kelley Proxmire of Kelley Interior Design, http://www.kelleyinteriordesign.com, Leah Moss of Moss Eclectic, http://www.mosseclectic.com, Judith Carrig of Capital Consignment, http://www.capitalconsignment.net, and Jill Martin of Gallery St. Elmo, http://www.gallerystelmo.com, joined moderator Desire Green of Sukio Design Co. to discuss the highs and lows of interior design at a recent Apartment Therapy Design Evening, http://www.apartmenttherapy.com.

Read article...

When to Spend & When to Save by L'Oreal Thompson

A Public Safety Announcement for all of your bargain-hunters out there (like me): “Don’t buy something just because it’s a bargain.” So says Judith Carrig, owner of Capital Consignment in Bethesda, Maryland. Just because something is a good deal, that doesn’t make it right for you.

During Apartment Therapy’s design meet-up in Washington, DC last night, Carrig and three other panelists gave their advice on mastering the fine art of high and low when it comes to designing.

Read article...

Magazines write about it; bloggers blog about it; and HGTV has a new show dedicated to it. But inquiring minds want to know, is the look for less really possible? Further, how does one know when to spend and when to save? Join our expert panel as we discuss this delicate balance and how to master the fine art of high/low!

Panelists:

Kelley Proxmire – Designer and look-for-less extraordinaire (www.kelleyinteriordesign.com)

Leah Moss – Blogger, designer, and DIYer (www.mosseclectic.com)

Judith Carrig – Owner of Capital Consignment and purveyor of fine vintage goods (www.capitalconsignment.net)

Also view The Dunes latest exhibit, Celebrities & Other Animals, a photographic expo by Discovery Communications.

RSVP

Credit: www.gokateshoot.com

September’s Apartment Therapy Design Evening paid tribute to the wildly popular design period from last century’s mid-century, a style that particularly resonates with DC-area residents. The discussion, lead by organizer Desiré Greene, featured an expert panel representing both Mid-Century Modern (MCM) architecture and furnishings: Robert Chapman, purveyor of MCM furniture, Suzanne McLees, former northeast director of Design Within Reach and resident of the modernist community Hollin Hills, and Michael Shapiro, blogger, realtor and MCM architecture expert.

Each panelist had a true passion for the period – lauding its genius and frowning upon knock-offs and potentially tasteless reinterpretations. Suzanne advised that it would be better to save your money for an authentic MCM piece than to purchase a low-quality copy. In fact, craftsmanship and durability ranked highly among MCM’s celebrated attributes; “Buy once, buy right” and “investment” were two common themes throughout the night. However, the evening was not without a healthy exchange of opposing thoughts and ideas. The group even challenged the very notion of comfort. In response to a suggestion that MCM sofas may not be the most comfortable, Robert proposed that the idea of comfort may also be a matter of taste.

Aside from furniture, the group talked MCM architecture throughout the region. Michael shared his thoughts as a specialty realtor and warned against renovations that are in opposition to the architectural intent of a MCM property. In fact, the panel generally agreed that major reno to such a home is a no-no. The panel concluded with updates from each panelist:

• Robert Chapman is planning the grand opening of his new Georgetown shop and gallery, Archer. He will specialize in 20th century design and art (www.archermodern.com).
• Suzanne McLees is busy working on next spring's Hollin Hills House and Garden Tour (www.hollinhills.net).
• Michael Shapiro continues to blog about MCM architecture and help spread awareness (www.moderncapitaldc.com).

After the panel’s end, the conversation continued among small groups throughout. Attendees included contemporary designers, vintage furniture dealers, and other MCM aficionados. Also in attendance, Doug Meyers of DC’s Modern Mobler, who believes MCM design should be both treasured and enjoyed. “Just be respectful of the furniture and be smart,” he recommends. “Assuming you're not buying these pieces strictly as an investment, enjoy them as they were meant to be, used and appreciated daily.”

The next DC Apartment Therapy Evening is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18th.

Random cell phone pics by @hellosukio

To create a post, email apttherapydc@posterous.com with pics or comments.

1. Michael Shapiro
Michael Shapiro is founder of the popular local blog Modern Capital and is a Realtor with Long and Foster. Modern Capital (moderncapitaldc.com), launched in the fall of 2006, is dedicated to covering mid-century modern and modern real estate, design and events in the D.C. area. It also is committed to raising awareness and supporting efforts to preserve mid-century modern architecture through donations to local and national preservation groups. Michael's passion for informing people about the variety of mid-century modern homes and neighborhoods in the area and an intense interest from readers looking for a real estate professional who understands and appreciates mid-century modern architecture, led him to pursue his real estate license. He is now licensed in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia focusing on helping people buy and sell mid-century modern homes.

2.Suzanne McLees
A native Washingtonian and resident of the award-winning mid-century modern community in Alexandria, Virginia, Hollin Hills, Suzanne McLees is a passionate enthusiast for modern art and design. Formerly Northeast Area Manager of Design Within Reach (DWR), Suzanne opened DWR's first location in Washington, DC, in Cady's, Alley/Georgetown in 2004 and managed the Adams Morgan studio (now closed) from 2005-2007. She has lived in France and traveled to 26 countries. Although her current profession involves international health and development with travel to Africa, in her spare time, she actively pursues her interest in all things modern. Suzanne is Chair of the committee planning the April 28, 2012 Hollin Hills House and Garden Tour (for details, visit www.hollinhills.net and, on Facebook, Hollin Hills House and Garden Tour).

3. Robert Chapman
Robert Chapman is one of DC’s leading purveyors of mid-century modern furniture. Many of you know him from his years running Modernicus. He is now preparing to open his new store at Cady's Alley in Georgetown, ARCHER which aims to be an inspiring retail experience that highlights 20th Century design and fine art alongside a permanent collection of high quality modern furnishings for the home. A regular exhibition schedule of important designers from around the world ensures the continued dialog of good design.

Meet them on 9/27!