Feed Editor 12 Mar 2010 10:12:50 CST The Eye on Design provides industry-specific news and information to leaders in the interior design industry. Delivered weekly, the publication keeps professionals abreast of topics that impact the daily operation of their business. http://www.multibriefs.com/briefs/asid/design.xml en The 2010 Platinum Circle honorees for Hospitality Design, Contract magazine's sister publication, have been announced and will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Venetian Ballroom in Las Vegas. For the past two decades, Platinum Circle has been awarded to industry luminaries—architects, designers, owner/operators, purchasers—who have demonstrated the highest degree of excellence throughout their careers. 12 Mar 2010 10:12:50 CST http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4b99530b07831 1 In an era when going away on vacation is not in the budget, many homeowners are finding it makes fiscal sense to turn the master bath into a spa environment with high-end amenities such as soaking tubs, saunas, whirlpools, granite countertops, double sinks, marble and tile flooring, and his and her dressing areas. According to the American Lighting Association, the finishing touch to a redecorated bathroom is complementary lighting that is highly functional and attractive. In response to the increased demand for luxurious bath amenities, lighting manufacturers now offer more high-end fixtures than ever, making this the perfect time to create a splashy bath. 12 Mar 2010 10:12:50 CST http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4b9955acebdd1 2 There's a lot to be said for multitasking—especially when your furniture is doing it. A table that stores its own leaves, and maybe the silverware, as well; a cupboard that tucks a rack for linens into a pullout panel at its side; a mirror that stashes jewelry behind it; a bench that opens to storage beneath; or an ottoman that morphs into a bed. It's value added to the price tag—a two-fer or a three-fer. And it's smart design. 12 Mar 2010 10:12:50 CST http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4b9921d9e76a4 3 Depending on the type of interior design you engage in, wallcovering can be a designer's best friend or worst enemy. Having worked with architects for many years, most are not in favor of decorative effects like patterned wallcovering, for they believe it somehow dilutes the purity of a building's design. However, there are many designers and architects who love the viusal impact that wallcovering can provide, especially for a feature wall in a prominent area. 12 Mar 2010 10:12:50 CST http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4b9812cc14944 4 If you're reading Inhabitat, you're no doubt aware of how popular the green' trend has become. Businesses have finally started to realize that the environmental movement is here to stay, and that there is money to be made in going green. This is something that Inhabitat readers and concerned citizens should be happy about… sort of. While it is great that so many businesses finally see the green in 'going green', too often businesses approach going green in all the wrong ways—producing useless 'eco' products, tone-deaf marketing, or even worse: greenwashing. Check out our list of the top 5 mistakes that businesses make when trying to go green. 12 Mar 2010 10:12:50 CST http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4b9953d830eb9 5 Without the rapid appreciation in home values seen between 1995 and 2005, design of kitchens and bathrooms has recently been somewhat more modest. Functionality is now preferred to more and larger kitchens and bathrooms within U.S. homes. Households are placing a premium on products and features that promote energy efficiency, and adaptability in the use of space for seniors and those with accessibility concerns. 12 Mar 2010 10:12:50 CST http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4b991a2fd9d81 6 India, Vietnam, and Cuba are the top emerging destination for luxury travelers, with Galapagos Islands, China, and Chile rounding out the list, according to the 2010 Virtuoso Luxe Report. The survey of travel professionals also reveals that travelers this year are expected to book longer vacations in distant locales. 12 Mar 2010 10:12:50 CST http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4b9913850b348 7 There is a growing demand among consumers for earth-friendly products. Ranging from organic foods to recycled materials to use of sustainable materials, people are trying more than ever to green their lives and their living spaces. Natural decorating is a growing trend among interior designers with a focus on using products that will leave a smaller impact on Mother Earth. 12 Mar 2010 10:12:50 CST http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4b98153045f0f 8 The 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) wrapped on a rather positive note. The mood was upbeat, as companies moved past the downs of the previous year to focus on new plans and products for 2010. Estimated attendance was up from last year to more than 120,000 people, and the show floor was definitely packed the first couple days, and busy through the weekend, especially because the Sands Expo was not used, with almost all the 2,500-some exhibitors now in the Las Vegas Convention Center. 12 Mar 2010 10:12:50 CST http://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4b9954586aaac 9