I am pleased to announce that we now have a local chapter for the national organization IDCP (Interior Design Protection Council).  I have been named as Head chair for the IDCP for the State of Washington, http://www.idpcinfo.org/NorthwestChapter.html. 

It is my goal to open a dialog with our State Representatives and assist them in better understanding that restricting the title and practice of interior design to benefit only a small minority of Interior Designers is not necessary, and will result in the loss of thousands of jobs in our state.  Please put July 17th on your calendars as we are in the planning stages for a picnic to benefit the IDCP. 

In this economy many homeowners are facing home improvement projects that could break the bank.  Bathroom remodeling, kitchen cabinet replacement, ugly wood floors and out dated appliances are just some potential big ticket items.  I have resources that can reface ugly and expensive home items for significantly less money.

I am thrilled that my guest on today's Inside Out radio show is the inspiring Sunny Kobe Cook.  Sunny founded Sleep Country USA with $5,000 in 1991, serving as CEO and Company spokesperson for many years. Her company enjoyed considerable growth and success, including the first retailer to be recognized as a "Best Place to Work".  She sold the retail chain store in 2000 and has gone on to be a celebrated author, motivational speaker and consultant.

I'm just getting back from a few days in LA.  I have a number of blog updates coming on design features I picked up there.  

On Sunday, March 7th, a friend of ours, Trever, is going to be one of the 1,500 firefighters climbing 69 flights of stairs in the Columbia Tower. We are trying to raise donations to sponsor him. This money will go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for research, patient, services, advocacy and education. 

As an interior designer, protecting the beautiful furnishings, carpets, wood work, and art are a concern that I try to educate my clients on how to protect their investment against fading. 

Home owners with newer windows often believe that their new windows protect their home furnishings from fading.  Most new windows feature Low E Glass (low emmittance glass). The low emmittance protection is usually achieved with either a microscopically thin layer of either metal or a metallic oxide coating.  In most cases even with the more expensive windows we still see significant fading within the home.  The Low E glass and factory tinting are not enough to protect against fading.
 

It's all the rage right now. Everyone is talking about the show "Mad Men," and now it's time to bring Mad Men into your home.

- For oil, pour baby powder on the spot, let it sit for a few minutes, gently rub the powder in with a cloth and then bush powder away.
 
- For pencil marks, pour rubbing alcohol on the spot with a cloth underneath and tap dry with another towel.
 
- For suede, an eraser takes most stains out. Just make sure it's a white eraser. 
 

Aqua is the most important new color for 2010 and arguably for about the next five years.  This is a new color that you can add to a boring room and update it without redecorating the whole room.  I suggest painting the kitchen aqua; it is a remodel in a can.

New accessories are a great way to update any room in home.  The editor for Elle decor stated on my show there are fantastic accessories available at places such as Target.

The IDCW, a lobbying organization sponsored by two special interest groups, the ASID and the IIDA, is back to once again try to pass legislation that would significantly regulate the design industry as to who can call themselves and work as interior designers. (see proposed bill http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1608&year=2009). 

Last year and in years before these special interest groups failed to gain enough support to pass such a bill into law. The bill has returned and designers and associated trades are quite concerned. I have covered this debate in the past and I will state that at no time in my radio career have I witnessed such an outpouring of emotion. I want to be clear about my opinion; I believe that the public is NOT at any safety risk from interior designers and we don't need such a law. If such a law is passed hundreds of jobs would be lost, and countless small businesses would be adversely affected. Remember that we all ready have tons of building codes and professionals licensed in real safety areas (architects, electricians, etc), and there are no gaps in protections.