Grove Hill House Renovation Series Is About To Begin!

My Renovation Series is About to Begin on

 My New Blog!!!

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Lisa Mende Design Blog Becomes The Design Connector

Thank You for Reading Lisa Mende Design for the past 7 years.  I have made the decision to rename my blog,

"The Design Connector" and keep it separate from my interior design name. Please join me at

"The Design Connector"

by clicking on the name above and sign up to 

receiving emails when a new blog post is up!

The Design Connector will spotlight the products, people and places you need to know in the Interior Design world!

Join me while I renovate my own home, Grove Hill and share

the process of renovation as well as the products

I am using in my own home!

I look forward to seeing you at The Design Connector!!

Click Here to go to The Design Connector!

I invite you to sign up there to join my email list on the right side of the blog!  Simply enter your email to join and receive regular updates when a new blog posts!

Follow LisaMendeDesign on instagram, twitter,

facebook and Pinterest! 

David Hicks: Scrapbooks - Review and Giveaway!!

When I think about David Hicks, I cannot help but also think about James Bond, maybe it is because they were both British, but I think also because both had an air of mystery and intrigue, not to mention extremely handsome and debonnaire.  

Click here to continue reading...

Create The Perfect Market Plan At High Point Market!

Today, I'm sharing a not so secret weapon for tackling High Point Market.  However, if you are not using this app you must download it and start using it NOW!  It is called the "My Market" app and was designed by High Point Market to help attendees organize their market trip.  Down the app from the app store and create an account to sync your list across iPhone, ipad, and highpointmarket.org.   Save your favorite events & exhibitors in your MyMarket schedule to keep your visit organized.  

Click here to keep reading and find out why this app is so great!

What to Do At High Point Market October 2017 ~ Lisa Mende Design

Welcome to High Point Market Week!   Bi-Annually, High Point opens its doors to the Interior Design Industry and introduces us to the latest and greatest in Home Decor!  If you work in the interior design or home decor industry, this is an event you don't want to miss!  Since 2013, I have written a pre-market guide to what to do and see at High Point.  I continue to write my guide because new attendee's come each market.  I have been attending High Point Market for many years, so many so in fact, that I had to say how long because it would date me.  Let's just say I have been coming for a long time and have seen the growth and transitions the market has gone through for several decades.  High Point Market is bigger and better than ever!  Here are my recommendations for how to best prepare for High Point Market!

Click here to keep reading.....

Katy Skelton for Charleston Forge

High Point Market is upon us folks!  I always get so excited to see new collections from my favorite resources.  One resource that I have enjoyed over the years is Charleston Forge. 

Charleston Forge is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina where true artisans live and create beautiful furniture with great pride.  Every piece of Charleston Forge "has a sense of hand".  They take pride in making each piece "one piece at a time".  There is no high-speed production line at Charleston Forge.  Don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean they are slow or take forever to deliver.  I have been quite pleased with their production time for custom pieces for clients.  If you don't know this company and are heading to High Point, put it on your calendar!  If you are a consumer and see something on their website you like, let me know and I can order it for you.  Better yet, if you are having trouble finding something for your home or client, why not let them create a custom piece for you?

Click Here to Keep Reading 

Shhhhh....Listen Up! I Have Insider Info About High Point Market Insider's Tour! Never Been? Want To Go?

Have You Ever Wanted to Attend High Point Market or Haven't Been to High Point in the Past four or more years due to Circumstances?  Listen Up...

If you have never been to High Point Market and want to come and experience a Design Bloggers Insider's Tour, concierge level reservations, and treatment while there I might be able to hook you up as an insider!  Don't register on the High Point Website but instead click the link below! 

 As a 20+ year veteran of High Point Market, I'm here to tell you this is the way to come to market!  Experienced market attendees like myself will be there to guide you around market!  
Click Here to Keep Reading and Find Out How & Why You Should Come to High Point!

Lisa Mende Design is Proud to Present The 'Linden House Outdoor Dining Porch" at The Hampton Designer Showhouse 2017

Hamptons Designer Showhouse

78 and 82 Rosko Lane Southampton, New York

July 23, 2017 - Sept 4, 2017

Open Monday - Sunday 11am - 5pm

Benefits Southampton Hospital

I am so honored to have been asked by Woodard Furniture and Traditional Home Magazine to design an outdoor porch at the Hampton Designer Showhouse in Southampton, NY.   When I was asked to create a porch, I decided I wanted it to be a dining porch which would combine the casualness of the North Carolina coast with the chic high style of the Hamptons.  As with all my projects, the initial design consideration was function and flow.  Once I had my beautiful Woodard furniture chosen, the next step was to address the aesthetic design of the porch.  That is where I really have fun but before I talk about that, let's address the items I chose from Woodard Furniture.  Are you familiar with Woodard?

Woodard is so great because they offer custom options that we designers love. I chose the Bay shore wicker dining chairs with cushions in sea salt and the Glade Isle dining table but I chose to use a custom hammered top in Aztec Bronze.  To finish the space I added a pair of Van Dyke side chairs but opted to remove the large back cushion and replaced with a lumbar pillow from Woodard so the handsome mid-century back is revealed.  Last but certainly not least, I chose to include a Woodard tea cart in a white lacquer which I set up as a bar cart.   

The only hard surface in the space to consider was the fireplace which is a peach colored brick, so the jumping off point of the color scheme began with choosing colors that would work back with the brick.  Everything else was white which I chose to keep, so the porch felt light and fresh.  I honestly wanted to paint the ceiling aqua but then it would need to be repainted after the showhouse closed so I decided to keep it white but if I had been designing a porch that would remain I would definitely have painted the porch ceiling aqua or haint blue.  It is the southern thing to do, right?  Old wives tales maintain the porch ceilings in the south were painted blue for two conflicting reasons.  One tale is they were painted blue to ward off evil spirits but honestly people are as superstitious today so that doesn't hold credit.   The other tale was the blue paint was done to ward off mosquitos, which could be more likely since paint back then was made from lye and once lick resulted in death.  Today, it is more likely we paint our ceilings blue as homage to our southern past and also because blue feels like the sky and expands the ceiling to feel more expansive.  I paint ceilings blue because I like adding accent colors.

Click here to continue reading....

DJF Builders Presents "Raleigh Designer Show House" Benefitting The Boys and Girls Club of North Carolina

Please Make plans to attend the DJF Builder's Designer Showhouse which opened March 25th and runs through April 9th!  NOTE: House is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The House is really beautiful.  You don't miss seeing this spectacular project!  The group of designers who participated in this house includes some of the best designers in North Carolina!  Come see what the Madcap Gents created for the living room and see their new collection of fabrics for Robert Allen!  There are so many great designers in this house, I'm not going to name them all!  Trust me, you need to put this on your calendar and plan to attend!  

Beautiful fabrics, wallpapers and on trend ideas and products makes this house a showplace for sure!  Whether you are building a home yourself or want to see what's hot in the interior design world, this house is a don't miss!  Get your tickets now!

Our wonderful sponsors!  Thank you so much for making this happen!

Lisa Mende Design was nominated by Jackson Design & Remodel for "Best Micro Blog"  Will you please vote for us!  If you click here it will take you to the voting page!  Look for us under the "Micro Blog" Category and log your vote!  You only have to vote once!

High Point Market Announces "Design Blogger's Tour" sponsored by Esteem Media April Market 2017

I'm happy to announce that I'm going to be participating as a member of the Design Blogger's Tour for April 2017 at High Point Market sponsored by Esteem Media.  We will take you behind the scenes of High Point Market and show you what we find!  This is a stellar line-up of design blogging talent.  Make sure you follow all of them on instagram and all their channels for that matter to stay up on what's hot and trending at High Point in April as well as new resources and some other fun surprises!   Here's the lineup for the Spring Tour!

Click Here to Continue Reading and See who's on the tour....

Why I Believe Eckhart Tolle's Guide To Transforming Your Life is Worthy of Our Thoughts

Hello LMD readers!  I hope this post finds you enjoying a relaxing Saturday with your family and friends or whatever brings you joy on your precious weekend.  As you know if you have been following me on instagram, we recently moved into a new home.  The boxes are everywhere, waiting for my attention.  Client projects are piling up as I'm behind with work from taking time away to pack the years of family memories in a moving truck and setting up a new homestead.  Also, during the move, my body chose the unfortunate opportunity to get sick.  Needless to say, life has been pretty hectic the past couple of weeks.  I sat myself down this morning and gave myself a huge talking to.  Do you ever do that?  I frequently have to remind myself that Rome was not built in a day and those boxes will wait til I feel better.  I'm sure part of my anxiety is due to my profession.  It's an occupational hazard to be the one who makes life so pleasant for others when your own life feels like a booby trap when entering your own home.  I have struggled with this greatly since the move.  On the days I was sick, I dragged myself down to the sofa so that I could sit with my family.  Out of the corner of my eye, the mountain of boxes was calling to me, so I retreated upstairs to the lonely quarters of my bedroom just to avoid the guilt.  

Today, I continue to fight this nasty crud, but am determined to tackle some of the boxes.  

By the way, we are in love with the new house.  Every morning, my husband and I begin our day in our "morning room" aka the living room.  We like this room because sunlight floods in and there is a gas fire which happens with the flip of a switch. It's toasty and warm.  We have decided this room will be furnished with comfy furniture, not "living room" furniture since this is where we start our day and have our morning devotionals. 

Click Here to continuing reading to discover Why I love Eckhart Tolle's Guide to Transforming Your Life is worthy of our thoughts....

I Recommend Maria Killam's Specifying Color With Confidence Workshop!

If you don't already know Maria Killam, you may be living under a rock.  Maria is a color specialist and hails from Canada, but honestly, I think she is in the US more than Canada given the popularity and demand for her color workshop, "Specifying Color with Confidence." 

This past April, I  had the opportunity to take Maria's Class here in Charlotte before High Point Market.  As a designer for 20 years I  honestly wasn't sure there was anything about color that I didn't already know, but since Maria was my friend, I wanted to take the class.  I was surprised at how much I took away. I pride myself on having an expert color eye that has been honed through many years of practice as well as the age old trial and error, unfortunately.  I  can identify many colors from most designer paint lines because I know the colors so well from specifying them over the last two decades.  I cannot say enough about Maria's class.  The class is perfect for the novice designer who needs more confidence on how to work with clients on choosing colors as well as the seasoned designer who desires to learn Maria's system which cuts time out of the process of specifying colors.  I'll give you a little tip...buy her color boards.  I would suggest buying her boards and taking the class but if you aren't going to take the class buy the dang boards.  If you are a designer and don't have them in your bag of tricks, you are missing out.  More on that later but for now, let's chat about her class!

Click Here to Continue & Find Out Why I Love Maria's Class....

Mark Your Calender & Join Me on Feb. 23rd for "Breakfast At Tiffany's" Event With DXV & Thermador at Ferguson!

Introducing Handley Drive Furniture! New On The Scene in Codarus Showroom

Good Morning Readers!  I have a treat for you today!  I recently discovered a new furniture line called Handley Drive.  As a designer, I am always thrilled to find a new resource and Handley Drive really delivers on the goods.  This new line is being represented by Codarus showroom so if you are in Las Vegas at Market make sure you mosey on over and check them out.  While you are there give Cody the owner of Codarus a kiss for me!  

Handley Drive is the brainchild of industry moguls Rick Janecek and Sheila Butler who have a combined home industry experience of over 50 years.  Separately they have helped created some of the most celebrated home furnishing brands in the home decor industry.  Handley Drive is sure to be a success as it fulfills the need of designers to add a little jewelry to the home.

Click Here to continue reading and see this new collection ...

Branding + Interior Design by Kim Kuhteeubl on Monday Book Review & A Giveaway!!

Hello Readers, I'm excited to say that I'm back for another Monday Book Review.   I got off track with my "Monday Book Reviews series "during the holidays as I didn't have time to read much less post about anything.

  Today book won't appeal to everyone but if you are a designer, it is the perfect book to kick off your new year.  I would go a bit further and say it is a "must read" if you are a designer and haven't read this book.

Branding +Interior Design by Kim Kuhteubl  is a book chocked full of advice for getting visibility and building a business strategy for interior designers.

Wondering why you should read this book or if it is right for you?

Click Here to Continue Reading & Find out Why You Need this book

I'm At KBIS This Week! Follow Me on instagram to See What I'm Seeing Here in Orlando!

I'm currently pursuing the halls of the Kitchen and Bath Show in Orlando.  Join me today at the DXV Booth to view the Design Panel vignettes.  They are amazing! We are going to have so much fun!  

I'm also doing a designer takeover on instagram for Traditional Home Magazine and DXV Luxury, so if you are on instagram make sure you follow those two accounts as well as @lisamendedesign to see all that I am seeing at KBIS2017!

Click Here to Keep reading and find out What I'm Seeing....

Announcing Lisa Mende Design Info Products Series Launching February 1, 2017

Do you remember this photograph of the gentleman's dressing room Traci Zeller and I designed for the Traditional Home Magazine show house "Adamsleigh" in 2013?

  It was the first showhouse Traci or I had participated in as designers.  Since that time, I have participated in six designer showhouses across the nation.  I am preparing to participate in my seventh in Raleigh in March with DJF Builders.  

 I have learned so much about the process it is mind boggling.  I constantly get asked by other designers to share my knowledge about things like designing show houses, how to style photo shoots, building public relations for your design business, connecting with brands, how to get published,  and more.  I have decided to share my knowledge! 

 I will be offering early bird discount rates for the initial kick off!  

 If you are interested in being the first to know about these products please email me at lisa@lisamende.com to be put on the list. 

 Want to know how to source items for a showhouse?

I'll tell you!

Interested in learning how to style a photo shoot?

I'll tell you!

Photography by Stacey Van Berkel

I'll be sharing all kinds of information that I have learned 

the past 20 years as an interior designer, blogger and also 

about social media, PR and more!  

Remember email me at Lisa@lisamende.com to get

 on the list and receive the early bird discount!  

Information to be emailed directly to you!

Mark McDowell for John Richard

 I got an early gift this morning when John Richard posted the video that was made during High Point Market with one of my favorite product designers, Mark McDowell. 

If you haven't had a chance to see the video, be sure to take a few minutes and watch it as well as the other videos made which include other designers in the John Richard Showroom.  

Now let's discuss Mark McDowell who I think is amazing.  If you are not familiar with Mark, his products range in looks from MidCentury Mod to what I like to coin "Organic Glam."  Mark is honestly an artist first and a product designer second.  I met Mark a few markets ago and had the opportunity to have lunch with him and his wife, Kelly.  We all decided that it was probably best that Mark and I limit our exposure to one another because we wouldn't work at all if together.  We would be playmates.  Our time together would totally be creative play time because we enjoy the same passions.  Mark and I share a love of nature.  Sticks, stones, geodes, and other items found in nature are as precious to us as beautiful jewelry.  The calm, peaceful Zen found in nature lures our desires to create.

I wanted to share some of my favorite pieces from Mark's collection with John Richard, as well as give you an inside view of the man, whom I think you will fall instantly in love with as I have. 

Meet Mark McDowell, artist and designer extraordinaire.

This talented man is down to earth, has a great sense of humor and is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.  His skill, product design knowledge, and talent know no boundaries.  

When I met Mark during High Point Market in the John Richard showroom, I asked him to pose by this chest because his attire worked so well with the color story.  We all had a good little laugh when I was told these are some of the few pieces in the showroom that were not designed by Mark.   He good-naturedly continued to pose and didn't say a word about it.  It was Sarah Young, Marketing Director for John Richard who actually told me.  Mark laughed and said, "hey I don't mind, let's do this."  I quickly knew Mark a rare breed, a product designer who was comfortable in his own skin and not ruled by his ego.

As we continued to work through the showroom and chat about Mark's designs, I was able to see his thoughtful approach, passion for design and functionality as hallmark elements in all of his work.

Mark's approach to design is simple, he believes in creating

 pieces for longevity.  That is one of the reasons he looks to

nature for his inspiration.  Mark also likes to look back in

history for inspiration and then adds his creative flair to

design updated pieces with strong lines and simple details.

Mark designs furniture with the greatest attention to detail.  Many times he chooses to custom design hardware for his furniture like the twig hardware above.  John Richard should start selling the hardware too, don't you?  Sign me up!

Let's take a look at some of Mark's stunning designs...

This Hallwood cabinet was one of my favorite pieces.  The branch hardware on this cabinet is stunning.  Tiza gesso doors are set in a golden oak cabinet. I can picture a wall of three or four of these in a back hallway for a mountain house?  

Sleek, sexy bench for a hallway, foot of the bed or as extra
 seating by the fireplace. 

Kelso Hen and chicks table with pewter finish and calcite top are stunning and another favorite of mine.  

The beautiful solid crystal table we talk about in the video below.  Simple, elegance in furniture design at its best.  This is a piece that will withstand the test of time.  This table also passes by three room test which I mentioned in the video.  (If you want to know what that is, watch the video)

The beautiful Brancusi inspired solid alabaster chandelier we discussed in the video link below.  This chandelier measures 26''H X 38''D.  A modern and sculptural six-light chandelier with alabaster arms and body and a coffee bronze finish.   This piece is carved from a single piece of Alabaster! Isn't it amazing?

Hopefully, I whet your appetite to see more?  What I'm sharing today is just the tip of the iceberg in beautiful pieces from Mark McDowell for John Richard.  Visit the John Richard Website to see the entire collection!

Interested in purchasing any of the pieces you have seen?
  Please feel free to leave your contact information or email me at Lisa@lisamende.com

Please take a few minutes and watch the video! I'm off to get
some exercise and burn the top I have on in the video which makes me look as big as a cow!  (Wink Wink!)

Please enjoy!!!

        

Pantone Announces "Greenery" as The Color of the Year 2017

By now you have heard that Pantone has announced The Color

of the Year 2017 as "Greenery" Pantone 15-0343.   I saw this color quite a bit at High Point Market in October.Various shades of blue from teal to peacock continued to be evident, but green was making an appearance in many showrooms. 

Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone Color Institute executive director, told the New York Times that "this is the color of hopefulness, and of our connection to nature.  It speaks to what we call the "re" words: regenerate, refresh, revitalize, renew.  Every spring we enter a new cycle and new shoots come from the ground.  It is something life affirming to look forward to."

Click Here to read what I think about the color and I'll share with you
a couple of paint colors I have used in this color....

7 Gifts The Traveler On Your List Will Love!

Personalized Luggage Tags $31

Everyone has someone on their gift list who likes to travel.  Why not make their travel a little easier.  Click here for details on ordering

Click here for more ideas....