Home from AltSummit & Design Camp & Now Off To Mastermind!

I feel so incredibly far behind on sharing all the amazing events I have had the opportunity to attend over the past couple of weeks from AltSummit to Design Camp, but I will definitely circle back and share the "don't miss details" before long!  All this travel has left me a bit under the weather, so I haven't felt much like blogging, but I did want to share a little about my fabulous experience at Design Camp in Atlanta with Lori Dennis and Kelli Ellis, rubbing elbows with celebrity "design rockstars" and soaking up industry secrets in the many seminars taught by the best in the industry!  Design camp was held in the beautiful Fox Theatre in Atlanta which was a treat in itself!

Opening night we were welcomed to Atlanta with a cocktail party at the beautiful Subzero showroom.  I was kicking myself the next day for not taking pictures of the actual showroom.  It was breathtaking! So many innovative designs. However, I was a little distracted by Barry Dixon!  Isn't he the cat's pajamas?  Such a southern gentleman and so engaging.  I have always admired his work, but now that I have met the man, heard him share his approach to design, my respect for him is ten fold.  I can't wait to write more about Barry and his approach to design, because it completely resonates with my "authentic" design philosophy.  

Here we are with Barry on opening night. Barry, moi and two of my dear designer friends from Atlanta, Kelly Kole and Joann Kandrac of Kandrac and Kole.  

The next day, camp opened with Bill Indursky of V and M (Vintage and Modern).  He was a "colorful speaker" to say the least!  Kidding aside, he talked about emerging trends and what we could expect.  He also talked about how trends develop.  I think I can speak for the group when I say we all learned a great deal from Bill.  Check out his website! 
Lots of eye candy there!  He warmed up the crowd and got us so excited about what's to come!!!

Bill was only one of a fabulous group of speakers Lori and Kelli scheduled for camp.  Here are some of the others we were so lucky to learn from! On the left is photographer,Gerardo Jaconelli, Kelli, Jason from Japiur Rugs, Lori, Kimberley Seldon, Katy Garrett and Ronda Carmen from All The Best Blog, who has a new book coming out this Spring!  (Not sure what Gerardo talked about, I think we were all mesmerized by his handsome looks and "wee bit" of a cute personality!)

We also had the good fortune of hearing sage advice from Susanna Salk!  Her book "Be Your Own Decorator" is one of my favorites for inspiration.   I also adore her Children's Room book.  She shared such good tips such as "dont' over style your room for photo shoots".  She said editors are "over" the trays with lemons and glasses of juice! ( of course I just did all that in one of my shoots, dang it! It will be good for a laugh and an eye roll I'm sure!)  Oh well! 

Here Clinton Smith who currently serves as the editorial director of Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles magazine and Leslie Newsom Rascoe, helped launch Veranda magazine with her mom, Lisa Newsom in 1987, listening attentively while Susanna spoke.  We later heard from both Clinton and Leslie who also shared insightful tips for designers wanting to get their work published from an editor's perspective.    

 Here is a picture from Design Camp with Kelli,Lori and 

 all the designers who went to camp with Lisa Mende Design!

Joann Kandrac, Kelli, Linda Holt, Deb Basnett, me, Kelly Kole, Liz Carroll, Lori and Tam Stone! To say we had fun is an understatement!  Thank you Kelli and Lori!

I must say another highlight of my Design Camp experience was meeting Lisa Newsom founder of Veranda Magazine and her daughter Leslie Newsom Rascoe.  Lisa was so open about sharing her pearls of wisdom from years of experience.  It was a true pleasure spending time talking with her.  Leslie was equally as engaging.  It is a always wonderful to see a family working together who support one another and especially inspiring to see a family business where the women are at the hem.   

 Speaking of Women in business, I can't believe I didn't get my picture made with Danielle Rollins, author of Soiree!  I think it was because I felt as though I was chatting with one of my girlfriends and it didn't seem right to ask for a photo. She was a lovely as her book!  Run, don't walk to buy this book!  I haven't been able to put it down since I arrived home.  I promise it will make you want to have a party asap! Danielle shares all of her secrets to throwing an unforgettable party.  Many of the events featured in her book were held at her beautiful home Boxwood in Atlanta.  More on Danielle later!   Buy the book and we will discuss it later! I promise!

You can purchase it here! 

Miles Redd decorated her lovely home and the book opens with a dinner party she threw in his NYC bathroom, yes, I said "bathroom", you must read the book to understand the reasoning behind the venue!  It's quite fabulous!  I say anyone who can talk Miles Redd into having a dinner party in his bathroom is my kind of party girl!  Of course, I think this pair may have met their match as far as entertaining with panache goes, both has such a flair for the unexpected.  Buy the book, you won't be disappointed.

 Our last panel of the day was with Christi Holcombe, Atlanta native and HGTV star, my friend Shay Geyer from Good Morning Dallas and Lori and Kelli.  They talked about being on tv and how it is not as glamourous as everyone thinks.  Sure seems glamourous doesn't it?  Oh well, another bubble bursted!  What..."no make up artist"?  

The biggest surprise of the day was compliments of Hansgrohe USA National Sales Training Manager, Jason McNeely!  We had an Oprah moment when Jason announced Hansgrohe was giving every camper  a FREE Hansgrohe  E 120 Hand shower!! Yipee!!!!

  

Not only did I receive a new shower head, but I also won a new Axor Citterio semi-pro kitchen faucet!  How lucky can a girl be?  Thank You Hansgrohe and Jason!  I love Hansgrohe's new designer lines.  If you haven't looked at Hansgrohe lately make sure you go to their website and feast your eyes!  Their products are not only made well they are beautifully designed.  Hours of research on what consumers need and want goes into each product!

I won the kitchen faucet by tweeting design ideas with Hansgrohe's new Axor Bouroullec line which offers step by step planning for your own personal lavatory!  See the killer sink below! Hansgrohe offers options not only of various handles designs but also placement options to suit your personal needs. Quite genius! 

Here is another possible option! 

Always the student...what's a Design Camp without books?  Here are some of the must have books from camp...

Green Interior Design by Lori Dennis, Rooms for Children & Be Your Own Decorator by Susanna Salk, Barry Dixon Inspirations by Barry Dixon, Soiree by Danielle Rollins, The Houses of Veranda by Lisa Newsom.  These are all must haves for your interior design library!

All in all Design Camp was everything I had hoped it would be and much, much more!  I highly recommend you attend when it comes to a city near you! 
Thank You Lori and Kelli for a fabulous experience!  You were so kind to allow me to participate in such an awe inspiring camp!!! I look forward to seeing you again in High Point for a Mini Camp during High Point Market in April!!!

Now I must fly off to Mastermind with Tobi Fairley in Little Rock, Arkansas!  I am excited to meet up with my Mastermind Group and learn more!!!!  I've missed my Mastermind peeps! If you are interested in learning more about Mastermind or Design Camp please feel free to email me anytime at Lmende@gmail.com