The Open House at the new digs for the Washington, DC Design Center event was spectacular! There were lots of opportunities for attendees to enjoy many facets of interior design and be inspired through discussion panels and the beautifully decorated showrooms.
DC Design Center Event Panel Discussion is Luxury a Bad Word?
One of the more inspirational discussions was on the topic, “Is Luxury a Bad Word?” The panel was moderated by Robin Gordon, VP of Marketing for Duralee and consisted of well-known hosts in the design world: Newell Turner, Editorial Director for the Hearst Design Group (publishers of such magazines as House Beautiful, Veranda and Elle Decor among others); interior designer Eileen Kathryn Boyd of Eileen Kathryn Boyd Interior Design and showroom; and Charles Hare, Director of UK-based luxury silk specialists James Hare. Eileen and James both have gorgeous design collections represented by Duralee.
This was a well attended DC Design Center event and conference with a captive audience and very thoughtful discussions were asked afterwards. Here’s a brief synopsis with some exceptional quotes that were jotted down:
The Q & A Begins with a Panel of Interior Designers
Robin Gordon (RG) started out asking what the word ‘luxury’ meant to the panel members?
- Newell Turner (NT): “Luxury is a state of mind.“
- Eileen Kathryn Boyd (EKB): Clients should have “permission, to be allowed to live with luxury.“
- James Hare (JH): “Luxury is in the eye of the beholder and creates a mutual ‘experience’ between producer and consumer, which can lead to an exclusive partnership with a customer.”
RG asked what is the role of the designer in regard to luxury?
- NT: The role of the designer is to ‘teach’ about luxury. Wasteful luxury is shameful. Need to appreciate the reason something is luxurious. An educated consumer understands why something costs more with quality.
- EKB: The designer’s ideas (and resources) are valuable and should be treated as such. Luxury needs to stand out to justify the cost. She budgets the whole project with at least one luxury piece because not everything needs to be so costly and less luxury is more.
RG: Prior to 2007, items were more about those that lasted. Now, there is a disposable mentality in society. Currently, there are many levels of luxury. What was once a concept perhaps afforded by a few is now available to more because everyone’s idea of luxury can be different and accepted as diversity. Luxury is definitely a personal experience.
Closing thoughts:
NT: “Luxury is not a bad word.” Think about how much disposable income people put toward fashion, buying cars or eating at restaurants. One does not live in their car and the experience in a restaurant is only temporary and yet some people’s homes are lacking the same attention. Getting people to experience a showhouse can lead to a profound change in their perception for how people can live. Similarly, design magazines can give access and exposure to those examples that get people to take care of their homes. In fact, simply appreciating the fact that having a ‘home’ is a luxury. It makes sense to treat it with care. {So well stated}
EKB: “One should look [and feel] as good in your house as what you wear. Everyone has a personal color story. A luxury investment to a house ‘completes’ the look as long as it is curated.”
JH: There is certainly a dual role with fashion playing into trends that is later seen in interior design. His company bridges both worlds. {A previous blog post}
Questions and Observations from the audience:
Brenda Saget Darling, Associate Publisher House Beautiful: The younger generation should consider at least 2 – 3 ‘splurgeworthy‘ items that are a valued investment rather than all temporary or throw away, mass-produced pieces. {Be on the lookout — splurgeworthy will be the next-new coined catch phrase}
EKB: These will stand the test of time and can be reupholstered, reconfigured or even repurposed, handed-down or even sold. They increase in value over time, not depreciate.
RG: It seems like entertaining at home is a lost art, with the trend for things being disposable, getting the latest gadget or appliance but not necessarily sharing with others. {This is a future blog post}
EKB: It’s the mentality of instant gratification. Whereas, two well-made tables can change over the course of one’s different stages in life (e.g from small apartment renting to living room side tables to bedroom tables, etc.). {We have a video about this}
Paul Fogg: “A luxury purchase is a lifetime investment of enjoyment.” {good one Paul!}
All agreed that luxury purchases can lead to ‘sustainability,’ if taken care of, not tossed, appreciated, reused and even handed down to another generation, so they will continue to be grateful of the quality, time and attention to detail in the making of something that can last a lifetime or more.
Inspiration Following the DC Design Center Event Discussion
The day didn’t end here. With designer friends in tow, Randi Guthrie of Homes by Randi, Barbara Dieker of Restyle Your Space and Ann Principato, Casart Coverings Sales Representative, we attended more lectures and showrooms as a carry over for inspiration lingering this wonderful DC Design Center event.
We were treated to tidbits of delicious food and mid-afternoon libations (if you chose). We even caught ourselves in the spotlight at the American Eye showroom.
Visiting Showrooms
One of my favorite visits was to the Holland & Sherry Showroom where Cory Barber and his design crew were demonstrating and allowing hands-on designing of hand-painted wallcoverings for the new Archetype line. This was truly inspirational. I loved the textures of the wallcoverings that were achieved from the thick painted glazes in a multitude of different finishes — a decorative painter’s dream job to be creating and painting all day long. Casart coverings has a different approach but starts with the hand-painting and digital manipulation of designs for patterns that are then printed for affordable but ‘luxurious’ and lasting wallcoverings that are also customizable and reusable.
Getting even more inspiration from the many fabric swatches at Pindler, not to mention the delicious, homemade, raspberry-cheesecake cookies that we sampled.
For more information about the Washington DC Design Center, go to their website along with Jennifer Sergent’s early review of the new showrooms via DC By Design. and her most recent Overheard at the Washington Designer Center post, about the day’s earlier events. Seeing one of the pictures from that post, I realized I know this popcorn. We love the shop being right around the corner and used it for my son’s welcome gifts for out-of-town attendees to his wedding. Kudos to Popped! They are going gangbusters, and I’m happy to spread the word and share the love of the new Design Center.
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