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Around the Blogosphere
For those of you who consider yourselves “visual people”, you are probably no stranger to finding inspiration on the internet, especially from interior design blogs. There are more blogs to browse than we have time for and something for every style. Here are a few blogs to consider adding to your bookmark list as you begin to ponder spring and summer projects for your home: Apartment Therapy, The Style Files, Kitchen Clarity and Material Girls.
And because it’s the Indiana Design Blog, we must point out a well known Indianapolis contemporary interiors blog for you to add: The Design File. The Design File just recently covered the Indiana Design Center in a post here.
Take the poll below and tell us where you go for interior design ideas, tips, trends, inspiration and advice.
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Style that “Runs the Gamut”
It’s hard to take your eyes off of the photos, we know. But read on as we introduce you to Angie Jakad Fischer, owner of Angie Fischer Studio, who will soon set up shop in an Indiana Design Center office suite.
While discussing her work Jakad Fischer explained, “I like to call my style ‘eclectic chic’ which means mixing everything from distressed wood with sleek, lacquered pieces. I embrace the individuality in each new client and work closely with them to bring both beauty and function into their lives.”
To maintain her fresh edge and keep a pulse on the latest home décor trends, Jakad Fischer takes regular “sourcing and inspiration” trips to Austin, Atlanta, New York and LA.
Angie Fischer Studio is described as one stop shopping for not only design and home staging advice but also vintage furniture–both modern and rustic, lighting, upholstery, and rare, whimsy home accent pieces. ”You will not see a room I design or decorate with all matching furniture bought from catalogs. One of the reasons my clients hire me is for a fresh, mixed up eclectic look. I am not necessarily what you would call a ‘traditional designer’.’ My style runs the gamut,” says Jakad Fischer.
Angie hopes to represent some very exclusive and unique wallpaper and lighting lines in her space at IDC, and also has a very close working relationship with Drapery Street based in Carmel.
“IDC is an a amazing opportunity and mirrors everything I hope to accomplish with my business in Indianapolis…the concept is new to the city but such a huge step forward for the design industry. I’m proud to be here from the beginning,” Angie shared.
Angie lives in Meridian Kessler with the “loves of her life”, sons Carson and Owen, and their dog Scout. We’re glad Angie’s making IDC her second home!
J.Baker Interiors Takes Home 1st Prize
Adding to the good news in our last post, we’re excited to announce another design center tenant winning top honors from ASID. J.Baker Interiors received first place honors for the Welch Residence in the Indiana Chapter ASID Excellence in Design Award competition. The design firm is located in Suite 107 of the Indiana Design Center in the Arts and Design District of Carmel. The awards were presented on March 5, 2010 at Design Interaction Day at Ball State University. Design Interaction Day is an annual event held to support the chapter’s student members from all universities across the state.
The Welch Residence, which led the Residential 3,000 square feet and above category, is pictured below. Congrats to J.Baker Interiors!
Three Cheers…
Please join us in applauding Julie O’Brien Design Group for winning three 1st place interior design awards at the “2010 Excellence in Design” ASID competition (ASID stands for American Society of Interior Designers). The honors were awarded at Design Interaction Day, an interior design student and professionals gathering held at Ball State University.
Julie O’Brien Design Group picked up top honors for the following projects.
Farris Residence in Carmel, IN
First Place – Residential – under 3,000 square feet
Plews, Shadley, Racher and Braun, a law firm located in Indianapolis' historic Old Northside
First Place – Historic Preservation
ZING Restaurant, downtown Indianapolis
First Place – Commercial – 3,000 square feet and above
The interior build-out of Julie O’Brien Design Group’s showroom space at Indiana Design Center is well underway – we look forward to her move in the next few months!
Putting the “Design” in Arts & Design
Earlier this year, the Carmel Arts & Design District was designated as an official cultural district by the Indiana Arts Commission. The district is home to over 100 businesses including art galleries, antique dealers, furniture and interior design showrooms, restaurants, boutiques, creative service providers, and specialty retail stores. So how does a design center fit into this picture? As stated by Mayor Brainard, “The Indiana Design Center will be a cornerstone in the Carmel Arts and Design District and home to our professional design community.”
Inside the design center, one will find a collection of luxury showrooms and interior design resources geared toward residential and commercial design projects. (A fresh panini or giant chocolate chip cookie can also be found at the Blu Moon Café.) Essentially, the building will fulfill the “design” component of the Arts & Design District while complementing the unique retail shops and galleries on Main Street Carmel. And just south of the Arts & Design District, activity surrounding the Palladium and Carmel City Center will draw even more energy to the district.
Visit here for a list of businesses already located in the Carmel Arts & Design District.
Sneak Peek: The Grand Hall Takes Shape
Think you’ve been to all the great event venues the region has to offer? In a few short months, we’ll have one to add to your list. While the design center will house showrooms, office space, Blu Moon Café and a design resource library, the building will also have a versatile Grand Hall space.
The design center’s Grand Hall is the main entrance to the building and will be complete with beautiful furniture, light fixtures, store fronts and a concierge desk.
Here are a few things to look forward to:
Concierge – Through our concierge, visitors who do not already have a professional design relationship are welcome to use the Designer on Call service where they can meet a professional who will acquaint them with the center and assist them in defining their needs.
The Grand Hall space and concierge desk from the north entrance.
Pedestal Vignettes - Pedestals throughout the main level will be used to elegantly display residential or commercial products and introduce them to IDC visitors.
Pedestal display vignettes.
Back-lit Signage & Video Screens - We plan to use various display signage to share IDC event news and information as well as for design industry partners and manufacturers to have a branded presence in the building.
Back-lit display examples.
Event Space – The Grand Hall space can be rented for special design community celebrations, new product launches, conferences, charitable events, and other related programs to meet the needs of the community.
As seen in the photo below, the Grand Hall is taking shape and growing into the vision presented in the renderings.
View from the south end of the Grand Hall. Note the wall space where the concierge desk will be located.
Julie O’Brien Design Group
Indiana Design Center is proud to announce a new showroom tenant. Julie O’Brien Design Group, a full service interior design and interior architectural firm, will join Indiana Design Center this spring as they move into a second floor showroom space.
With a national portfolio of clients, Owner and Principal, Julie O’Brien’s work has been published in numerous regional and national publications and broadcast in five episodes of “Homes Across America” on HGTV.
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) awarded Julie O’Brien Design Group “Excellence in Design” Awards for Finale Dessert Café Flagship location, Loon Lake Lodge, Café Nora, Zorro’s, RCI Executive Offices, MT Cup, Finale Dessert Café II and ten residential interiors.
Julie is equally excited about the firm’s new location and shared that, “By moving Julie O’Brien Design Group to Indiana Design Center, we’ll have access to design industry showrooms and resources within a single building. We look forward to sharing this space with our clients and continuing to create exquisite and very personal homes.”
Julie is truly a leader on the national playing field and has elevated Indiana’s own design industry. To learn more, visit JulieOBrienDesign.com, and see photos from her online portfolio below.
Trade Source Has Arrived!
After several days of moving and aligning fabric samples perfectly on their racks, the finishing touches have been made and Trade Source is officially open for business at Indiana Design Center. (Applause)
Owned and operated by Susan Crockett, Trade Source has been a destination for Interior Designers of the region and now occupies the design center’s 15,000 sq ft anchor showroom on the second level. In the showroom you’ll find decorative fabrics, drapery hardware, select furniture pieces and specialty wall coverings from top-selling lines like Lee Jofa, Brunschwig & Fils, Kravet, Duralee, and Donghia. The Trade Source offers over 100 lines of fabric and attracts over 400 of central Indiana’s design professionals.
Below are a some photos from their opening week. Welcome, Trade Source!
View from the entrance.
Trade Source is the exclusive Kravet dealer for Indiana.
One of several room displays.
The pattern, shade and texture you always wanted, awaits you.
Sneak Peek of the Week
The interior of the building is taking shape as tenants prepare their showrooms and the common areas begin to receive finishing touches. Over the past week, the walls went up in the Outré space, the design center anchor tenant, Trade Source, has moved their merchandise to their new 15,000 square foot showroom, and carpet has been installed in the second floor Design Resource Library. Below are a few insider photos. Once Trade Source is settled in their new space, we’ll be sure to post several photos of the showroom.
Hard at work finishing the Outré Carmel Showroom.
The Trade Source team is quickly unpacking and getting settled in to their new showroom which features thousands of fabric options, wallcovering, drapery hardware, furniture and more.
Another soon-to-be-storefront shot.
Interior view of a design resource library conference room.
Another view within a conference room, located off the design resource library.
Fabulous office space just leased to an interior designer who we'll soon feature.
Their Doors are Open: J. Baker Interiors
While new tenants are moving in and finalizing leases, we’re also excited to tell you about Indiana Design Center’s first tenant, J. Baker Interiors. J. Baker Interiors is a full service interior design studio and retail shop that features furniture brands like Kindel, Stanford, Hancock & Moore as well as Chapman Lighting.
Founded in 1955, J. Baker Interiors knows design and their reputation speaks for itself. Most recently, they were awarded the People’s Choice Award for the ’08 St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild Decorator’s Show House and the 3rd place award in ’09.
The design studio and retail shop are located on the building’s first floor and face Range Line road. Business owner Jim Baker was drawn to the new location because the design center will house a myriad of design resources and showrooms under one roof, its position within the Arts & Design District, the on-site café (stay tuned for that blog post), concierge services and vast parking options.
Visit J. Baker Interiors at the design center or online to learn more.
