July Sourcing Day

On July 17th, the GTA West headed to Designers Walk, http://www.designerswalk.com/ in Toronto.  Even though the weather was extremely hot, we had a great group of decorators show up for our tour.  We  visited the following showrooms Thanks for a great and informative day:

Hunter Douglas and the Resource Centre, with coffee and muffins

 provided by Helen Nichols, who arranged our tour for us.  

The resource area has conference rooms for us to use for 

meetings with clients as well as many small booths 

which showcase some of their vendors.

http://www.designerswalk.com/resource-centre.html

W Studio where Sarrah showed us their beautiful rugs, 

and taught us a few things about silk carpets.  

The selection was amazing, and we learned about their great delivery program as well.  

These rugs are all hand knotted, and come in a variety of modern to classic.

                                           Mille Luce Designs,  is an amazing lighting 

showroom, where we saw all sorts of new 

and wonderful products. 

We also saw the new light bulb by Phillips 

which is basically indestructible and lasts 15 

years- great for those hard to reach areas

We finished our tour at Robert Allen Fabrics, 

where we were like "kids in a candy shop"- 

there is something about seeing row upon row of beauttiful fabrics 

that make decorators hearts beat a bit faster.

Happenings at SOFA

June 28th brought many decorators and designers to SOFA, www.visitsofa.com once again for a great seminar from Karl Lohnes. Everybody seems to really enjoy Karl's great spirit and he has such a way of speaking and presenting facts he keeps you entertained. You want to know him better. He has presented to CDECA members in the past, most recently at our annual AGM and we all come away in a 'happy place' thanks to him.

'Another Packed House' to hear Karl Lohnes speak  

This event was sponsored by Magnussen Home, www.magnussen.com who are located in the SOFA showroom area of the International Centre.  Thanks to Linda Kafka and Azma Ousmand for arranging such great seminars and great speakers.

The topic was: 'Keeping the design ball rolling" during the slowest times of the year! Great presentation. Karl gave us much to ponder and act upon as well as sharing his recent "status" as an Artist. Yup, Karl has signed to have his very own piece of art available through CB2, www.cb2.com (new store by Crate & Store). Wow, that is really something and as Karl told us, he just felt like being creative and fun one weekend and someone showed somone, and someone else and so on and on; just from a little networking and people sharing, he got the attention

of top people at C&B and they loved what he created and voila you can now purchase his artpiece. Karl shared some other interesting options ahead for him, so keep following

A bit of England to celebrate the Queen's Jubliee

I came away with a lot of tips and was glad to have confirmation that some of what he shared, and I have already started, is a good thing. I believe the reason Karl is so sought after as a speaker and why he captures his audience, is that he talks to them as if we are all friends just sitting around having a little talk. He shares situations he has been in and how they generated business and does it such a way that is so down to earth, one feels, Yes, I could try that.

The seminar offered many great ideas and also stressed Social Media, Networking, the importance of good and honest Communication with potential and current Clients & Suppliers as well as other ventures you can stream into that could be related to your current career as a Decorator or Designer. 

A new focus can also be an enhancement to your current business as well as generate additional income, especially during the slowest times of the year. For instance a lot of us write for magazines, newspapers, why not a book?? Perhaps you can do DIY projects, sew, paint or any other creative work.  

I am a little late in writing this blog, but now that the hot days of July are upon us I am working on some of Karl's great tips!! Gonna go and tweet Karl now.......

 

GTA West Chapter Summer Luncheon.....

June 21st,  the beginning of summer was marked by our chapter luncheon.  We had a fantastic turnout including several of our fabulous and supportive affiliates.  Our venue was Il Fornello in Oakville and a great time of networking and just catching up was had by all.  What a great way to start summer - good friends and good food!!

We will be continuing our monthly meetings in a more casual manner during the summer months of July and August as we did last year with our "Summer Sourcing Days" where we as a group visit different industry showrooms..  It was met with great success so we are doing it again.  Our first Sourcing day will be in Toronto at 'Designers Walk' on July 17th.  Keep watch for more details....

SoFA Vendor Showcase and Jane Lockhart on Colour

Many of the CDECA Members as well as others in the design community turned out to the Spring Vendor Showcase at SoFA. 
Leading industry vendors were  on hand to showcase their product lines and offered us in depth, detailed product knowledge!

Here is a list of participating vendors: 

Alendel, Antex , Avant Garde , CDECA, CSP International, ' Cambria Canada,
Coast Appliances,Dann Imports,Designers Gallery,Distinctive Appliances - Opening Soon ,
Eddystone, Elite Window Fashions,Equus,Fawn Chang,Hunter Douglas,IDRC,
Joanne Fabrics,Kravet,Maxxmar,Maxwell,OTB Marketing,PPG Pittsburgh Paints,
Pride of Paris,Prime Walls,Saletex,Sequins, Shade-O-Matic,Sheridan Nurseries,
Soletex,Sun Glow,Renaissance ,Robert Allen,View It Technologies,Watermarks Kitchen and Bath Boutique

This event was sponsored by Alteriors, Pittsburgh Paint, Umbra and Indigo/Chapters.  Overall they provided prizes, refreshments and lunch.  Thanks to all.

Following the showcase event we enjoyed a lovely luncheon and then many attended the Jane Lockharts presentation "Colour Foundations for Design Professionals" which was an ARIDO CEU approved credit.

Speers Paint Event

Our GTA West Chapter's May Meeting was sponsored by Speers Paint in Oakville.  We began the evening with refreshments and a short business meeting. 
Following the business meeting, Carlos Pignataro, store manager, provided us with information on preparing general specifications, including estimates, scope, examination of surfaces, surface preparation and workmanship. Wayne Woodley of Penwood Painting and Craig Lowe of Lowe Painting discussed wallcovering installations, painting systems, working with contractors and managing expectations of clients.  The area representative of Benjamin Moore was also in attendance to discuss characteristics of Benjamin Moore paints and recent developments.

Enjoying refreshments provided by Speers Paint while we have our business meeting 

Audrey introducing Carlos 

Carlos  & Guido picking winners for their draw

Save The Date!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

12:00 noon

GTA West Chapter season finale at Il Fornello, Oakville

More information to come.

Janette Ewen at SOFA

April 3, 2012

"Stuck in a Design Rut" with Janette Ewen

A very inspirational visit was had by all recently at SOFA with a
standing room only presentation from Canadian Stylist Janette Ewen. Best known for her regular appearances on City Line, and more recently co-hosting HGTV's 'Inside the Box' with Ty Pennington,  Janette discussed the top trends in home decor, and  where to look for inspiration to develop and maintain a creative mind.

She shared her inspirations, from travels around the world, to walks in her neighbourhood, and included some sites to find and organize ideas.
http://www.houzz.com/
http://pinterest.com/
http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetHome/janette_ewen/page/1/

Thanks to SOFA for organizing this event, it truly was inspirational, and a pleasure to meet Janette.