On Thursday, March 22, The Washington Post and newspapers around the country ran an article by conservative opinion columnist George Will critical of interior designers and interior design legislation. Below is a link to the article as well as the American Society of Interior Designers response.
Washington Post Article
As a student who has spent the last 4 years of my life working full time and putting myself through school, this article has me incensed. Unfortunately, the general public has little to no understanding of what it actually takes to become a licensed interior designer. Unfortunately, even some of my closer acquaintances think all I do is move furniture around and/or pick paint colors. Yes, I do pick paint colors (which I'll have you know is more involved than just "liking" the color but that's a different subject all together). I do select furnishings and textiles. However, I am also trained in building construction, fire and building codes, and Auto CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) as well as the fine art of hand drafting.
I try not to take "decorator" jokes seriously, I try not to find offense when a decorator shops in my store presenting themselves as an interior designer. Sometimes, it's terribly difficult to just grin and bear it. I have and continuously work hard at my profession. It is a profession I love and respect. It is a profession requiring constant research and learning. It is a profession that holds itself up to a high standard. It is a profession that, I feel, deserves the right to require legislation to uphold the title Interior Designer in order to maintain these high standards. And while I do feel the law in Nevada is a bit extreme : "...it is illegal -- unless you are licensed, or employed by someone licensed -- to move, in the role of an interior designer, any piece of furniture, such as an armoire, that is more than 69 inches tall."
I also find it somewhat necessary to start somewhere.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
happiness?
Everyone deserves to be happy. I believe this to my core. Even the asshole who broke your/my heart, even the old man who has been homeless for 27 years who inadvertently gets a little spittle on your face as he asks you for change to buy a beer. Unfortunately, we are a society of one of two distinct types: those who see happiness and say, "awww" and those who see it and say, "for fucks sake". Depending on the day, I fall into either category (as do most of us?) What makes our emotions so fleeting, what makes us love and "hate" love at the same time?
Let's talk PDA, let's talk spring...It seems to me, and I may be wrong, but it seems to me that everyone is coupling. It appears everyone is affected by the new beginnings happening in nature, new beginnings occurring all over our little town. You get to a point where you start to evaluate who you are, what you believe about love, and what you want. And then, inevitably, why is it not happening for me? The bottom line, the end all be all, the most important, ME.
The more I think about it, the more I equate the whole thing to being a non-smoker in a bar full of smokers. You want it badly but you question the outcome. It's bad for me, right? It will only hurt me in the long run, right? 9 times out of 10 the feeling is short lived. 9 times out of 10 the feeling doesn't really last. And still, we crave it. We want it so badly we might just do anything to feel it coursing through our veins. Is it pessimism driving my thoughts? Or is it human nature to believe once we have been hurt, what's the point? In the end, I just chalk it up to human nature. It's all human nature. And yet I wonder, should I take it, or leave it?
Let's talk PDA, let's talk spring...It seems to me, and I may be wrong, but it seems to me that everyone is coupling. It appears everyone is affected by the new beginnings happening in nature, new beginnings occurring all over our little town. You get to a point where you start to evaluate who you are, what you believe about love, and what you want. And then, inevitably, why is it not happening for me? The bottom line, the end all be all, the most important, ME.
The more I think about it, the more I equate the whole thing to being a non-smoker in a bar full of smokers. You want it badly but you question the outcome. It's bad for me, right? It will only hurt me in the long run, right? 9 times out of 10 the feeling is short lived. 9 times out of 10 the feeling doesn't really last. And still, we crave it. We want it so badly we might just do anything to feel it coursing through our veins. Is it pessimism driving my thoughts? Or is it human nature to believe once we have been hurt, what's the point? In the end, I just chalk it up to human nature. It's all human nature. And yet I wonder, should I take it, or leave it?
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
on a good note.
I left the bar just now on a good note..The Cure was playing on the jukebox and I'm all for the Cure playing whenever it can be played. I said my goodbyes, hopped in the ole' Volvo where the end of a little Bee Gee's "Jive Talkin'" is on the radio. No problems, just driving, driving straight. Then suddenly*, end of song. Eff. No. No. Effing. Way. Some bullshit song comes on. I change the station, I change it again. NOTHING on. I switch back (umm, accidentally). I don't know the name of it, I don't know who sings it, but now all I can hear in my head is: "don't turn about, don't think about, turn your head, now baby, just let me out". (Is this right? I don't know the damn song???) I pull into my driveway, hop on the computer, and turn on my iTunes. Try to wash it all away. NONSENSICAL LYRICS STILL THERE! SOMEONE HELP ME.
Actually, it's gone now. No big deal. The Beatles, "Octopus' Garden" has taken over. Speaking of the Beatles, I have decided to document conversations I have enjoyed whilst out and about. (note: whilst = swilling beers, just an fyi.)
This eve, we discussed many topics, some only for the ears of myself and possibly one other person. Others, not so much. One noteworthy topic: Tom Dowd (and now Bibel Gilberto's "Baby" is playing). According to some sources, he "popularized" the use of the 8 track recording system. According to other sources, he invented it.
Note to self: I need to watch "The Language of Music". Why is this noteworthy to moi? I find the entire creative process so very interesting. I know the idea of "discovering" a process is random. I know the idea of actually creating something new is quite subjective. We talked about how The Beatles have claimed (Paul McCartney) to actually have invented the music video. Interesting topic, however completely insanely boastful the subject might be. I saw "John Lennon's Jukebox" a few years ago several times. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. It's a fantastic documentary about the discovery of John Lennon's portable jukebox. According to the documentary, he traveled with this jukebox for quite a while. After his death, I think around the early 90's, they found his personal jukebox. Kind of like finding someone's iPod, but much more interesting. The people who discovered it delved into the music contained therein. Can you imagine??? They took the jukebox and traveled around with it and met with the musicians John Lennon loved. Interestingly enough, so much on the jukebox inspired the music John wrote. If memory serves, quite a bit of it was Motown (big surprise). If you don't know about this PBS documentary, I seriously think you should check it out. So very inspiring.
Ray Lamontagne "Be Here Now" comes on. And, so now, I must end on a good note. To bed where I will continue to listen to some lovely Mr. Lamontagne.
drivel, drivel, drivel.
-m
*ode to camille
Actually, it's gone now. No big deal. The Beatles, "Octopus' Garden" has taken over. Speaking of the Beatles, I have decided to document conversations I have enjoyed whilst out and about. (note: whilst = swilling beers, just an fyi.)
This eve, we discussed many topics, some only for the ears of myself and possibly one other person. Others, not so much. One noteworthy topic: Tom Dowd (and now Bibel Gilberto's "Baby" is playing). According to some sources, he "popularized" the use of the 8 track recording system. According to other sources, he invented it.
Note to self: I need to watch "The Language of Music". Why is this noteworthy to moi? I find the entire creative process so very interesting. I know the idea of "discovering" a process is random. I know the idea of actually creating something new is quite subjective. We talked about how The Beatles have claimed (Paul McCartney) to actually have invented the music video. Interesting topic, however completely insanely boastful the subject might be. I saw "John Lennon's Jukebox" a few years ago several times. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. It's a fantastic documentary about the discovery of John Lennon's portable jukebox. According to the documentary, he traveled with this jukebox for quite a while. After his death, I think around the early 90's, they found his personal jukebox. Kind of like finding someone's iPod, but much more interesting. The people who discovered it delved into the music contained therein. Can you imagine??? They took the jukebox and traveled around with it and met with the musicians John Lennon loved. Interestingly enough, so much on the jukebox inspired the music John wrote. If memory serves, quite a bit of it was Motown (big surprise). If you don't know about this PBS documentary, I seriously think you should check it out. So very inspiring.
Ray Lamontagne "Be Here Now" comes on. And, so now, I must end on a good note. To bed where I will continue to listen to some lovely Mr. Lamontagne.
drivel, drivel, drivel.
-m
*ode to camille
Monday, March 19, 2007
spring break...woo hoo?
My spring break is over. A few highlights...
I got a haircut and color. Carmen is a genius and I love her. I feel like a new woman.
I went out almost every night. The drinking part wasn't the best, it was feeling like I could relax and completely enjoy myself with my good friends.
Had a little slumber party with some friends on St. Patrick's Day. Notable: tumors, instructional dvd's, a nice fire, good conversations, laughter and general silliness.
I spent Friday at the Frist. What a great day.
The Matisse/Picasso exhibit was fine. I know I am supposed to be overjoyed at having such great artwork in our city but I wasn't very impressed with the actual pieces they selected to exhibit. It was worth the $6.50 student price and definitely worth the couple hours I spent there though.
I am not a huge fan of Matisse's paintings, although I do appreciate them. What I do enjoy are his drawings. His ability to edit and to portray his subjects with the fewest lines possible has always impressed me.
The most incredible part of my visit were some video pieces by HIRAKI SAWA. One large piece, "Going Places Sitting Down", was projected onto 3 large screens in the back room of the main gallery downstairs. It honestly felt like walking into a dream. I had a difficult time getting my head back together after watching it as it was simply beautiful and elegant and relaxing…like a good dream should be.
In the upstairs gallery is an exhibit featuring Mexican Printmaking (1920-1950). My favorite pieces were by Diego Rivera (Frida Kahlo's husband). I'll have to go back. After watching Hiraki Sawa's videos, it was difficult to concentrate and all I wanted was have a cigarette and cocktail.
Which I did and I was drunk and home in bed by 10:30.
Spring break. woo hoo.
I got a haircut and color. Carmen is a genius and I love her. I feel like a new woman.
I went out almost every night. The drinking part wasn't the best, it was feeling like I could relax and completely enjoy myself with my good friends.
Had a little slumber party with some friends on St. Patrick's Day. Notable: tumors, instructional dvd's, a nice fire, good conversations, laughter and general silliness.
I spent Friday at the Frist. What a great day.
The Matisse/Picasso exhibit was fine. I know I am supposed to be overjoyed at having such great artwork in our city but I wasn't very impressed with the actual pieces they selected to exhibit. It was worth the $6.50 student price and definitely worth the couple hours I spent there though.
I am not a huge fan of Matisse's paintings, although I do appreciate them. What I do enjoy are his drawings. His ability to edit and to portray his subjects with the fewest lines possible has always impressed me.
The most incredible part of my visit were some video pieces by HIRAKI SAWA. One large piece, "Going Places Sitting Down", was projected onto 3 large screens in the back room of the main gallery downstairs. It honestly felt like walking into a dream. I had a difficult time getting my head back together after watching it as it was simply beautiful and elegant and relaxing…like a good dream should be.
In the upstairs gallery is an exhibit featuring Mexican Printmaking (1920-1950). My favorite pieces were by Diego Rivera (Frida Kahlo's husband). I'll have to go back. After watching Hiraki Sawa's videos, it was difficult to concentrate and all I wanted was have a cigarette and cocktail.
Which I did and I was drunk and home in bed by 10:30.
Spring break. woo hoo.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Go Nashville!
Current mood: optimistic
I attended the Public Workshop on Green Building in Metro Nashville this week with my gal, Allison. Pretty exciting stuff for sure! The city of Nashville has an ordinance up for approval to implement a policy of Green Building for Nashville's government buildings. If you aren't familiar with the idea of sustainable or green building, I have included a few websites at the bottom of this post. The idea of Nashville moving towards a greener philosophy is so very exciting!
Because we, as American's, spend about 90% of our time indoors, the quality of the environment we work, live and shop in is very important. If a building is green, expect 30% energy savings, 35% carbon savings, 30-50% water usage savings, and 50-90% waste cost savings. In a business, these figures add up to enhanced productivity (between 2-16%), reduced absenteeism and improved employee morale. In schools, 20% better test performances. In retail a significant increase in sales. With all this being said, the health benefits are the most important to those of us who aren't business owners. I, for one, would love to work in a green environment. Several other large cities have already implemented Green Building policies and are reaping the benefits.
From the workshop:
The purpose of the Metropolitan Government's policy on sustainable
building is to require the Government's commitment to environmental,
economic, and social stewardship, to yield cost savings to the
Metropolitan Government taxpayers through reduced operating cost
savings to the Metropolitan Government taxpayers through reduced
operating costs, to provide healthy and productive work environments
for staff and visitors, and to contribute to the government's goals of
protecting, conserving, and enhancing the region's environmental
resources. Additionally, the Metropolitan Government shall help to set
a community standard of sustainable building.
16.60.050 Policy and goals.
1. It is the policy of the Metropolitan Government to finance, plan,
design, construct, manage, renovate, maintain, and decommission its
facilities and buildings to be sustainable. This applies to new
construction and renovations, for which the planning and construction
commences on or after August 1, 2007, in which the total project square
footage includes 5,000 gross square feet of occupied space or the total
project cost exceeds two million dollars. For existing buildings or
facilities, this chapter shall only apply to renovations that add 5,000
or more gross square feet of occupied space.
..[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->..[endif]-->
If you would like to get involved, join the mailing list at the Nashville Civic Design Center Website:
I attended the Public Workshop on Green Building in Metro Nashville this week with my gal, Allison. Pretty exciting stuff for sure! The city of Nashville has an ordinance up for approval to implement a policy of Green Building for Nashville's government buildings. If you aren't familiar with the idea of sustainable or green building, I have included a few websites at the bottom of this post. The idea of Nashville moving towards a greener philosophy is so very exciting!
Because we, as American's, spend about 90% of our time indoors, the quality of the environment we work, live and shop in is very important. If a building is green, expect 30% energy savings, 35% carbon savings, 30-50% water usage savings, and 50-90% waste cost savings. In a business, these figures add up to enhanced productivity (between 2-16%), reduced absenteeism and improved employee morale. In schools, 20% better test performances. In retail a significant increase in sales. With all this being said, the health benefits are the most important to those of us who aren't business owners. I, for one, would love to work in a green environment. Several other large cities have already implemented Green Building policies and are reaping the benefits.
From the workshop:
The purpose of the Metropolitan Government's policy on sustainable
building is to require the Government's commitment to environmental,
economic, and social stewardship, to yield cost savings to the
Metropolitan Government taxpayers through reduced operating cost
savings to the Metropolitan Government taxpayers through reduced
operating costs, to provide healthy and productive work environments
for staff and visitors, and to contribute to the government's goals of
protecting, conserving, and enhancing the region's environmental
resources. Additionally, the Metropolitan Government shall help to set
a community standard of sustainable building.
16.60.050 Policy and goals.
1. It is the policy of the Metropolitan Government to finance, plan,
design, construct, manage, renovate, maintain, and decommission its
facilities and buildings to be sustainable. This applies to new
construction and renovations, for which the planning and construction
commences on or after August 1, 2007, in which the total project square
footage includes 5,000 gross square feet of occupied space or the total
project cost exceeds two million dollars. For existing buildings or
facilities, this chapter shall only apply to renovations that add 5,000
or more gross square feet of occupied space.
..[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->..[endif]-->
If you would like to get involved, join the mailing list at the Nashville Civic Design Center Website:
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