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PLiNTH & CHiNTZ: The online interior design magazine for current students, new graduates, established designers and those just plain curious about this crazy, far-reaching, dynamic industry. Focusing on the people and the process, not the project, we feature industry profiles, sage advice, helpful links, and a visual dictionary – all packed into one seriously entertaining site.
New interior design industry content for June 2012.
 Spied @ ICFF 2012
The International Contemporary Furniture Fair [ICFF] is one sexy show. We made our first foray to the New York City-based fair this past May, and it absolutely lived up to our expectations. With a more artistic bent and a keen focus on craftsmanship, ICFF was very different than any expo we had previously experienced. As we only had time to explöre a fraction of the show’s footprint at the Javits Center, we hardly came close to seeing everything we wished to, and even then it was painfully difficult to pick 10 of our favorite finds because it meant we had to exclude others; therefore, we included them in a Spied @ ICFF 2012 Facebook albüm, complete with links to find out more. So on to this year’s chosen exhibitors in the areas of Artful Lighting, Püzzle-like Pieces, Men at Work, American Craftsmanship, and Technophilia...
Read more | find out find out what we spied with our little eyes here.
 Peg Conley
From interior design to graphic design, from practice to sales, from dealer to manufacturer, from commercial furniture to carpet, from Midwest to West Coäst (and several places in between), Peg Conley has done it all. Almost. Now this Purdue University Interior Design graduate – who was only two courses short of an additional degree in Graphic Design – has refocused her diverse talents once more and is a full-time artist and entrepreneur with Words & Watercolors, a line of greeting cards showcasing her watercolor paintings. Those who have been in the interior design industry a while will relate to her joürney, and those who are just starting out will learn about the varying opportunïties it has to offer and why networking is key to getting where you want to go. Whichever category you fall into, you will certainly be inspired – not only by Peg’s uplifting messages, but also by the way in which she navigated the industry over the years and ultimately found her passion…
Read more | find out how a Bertoia chair had her at hello here.
 Keeping Up Appearances
Students and Emerging Designers, if you are going to NeoCon 2012, then come see me at Road Construction: an ASID Emerging Professional Town Hall on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 from 4:30p-7:00p at Atelier Lapchi Showroom [Merchandise Mart, 6th Floor, Suite 6-160].
I will be part of a panel of interior design and architecture graduates who have benefited from embracing alternative career paths. Come by and enjoy refreshments during a cocktail hour, bring your questions and comments, and join the conversation shaped by the next generation of design industry leaders. GO HERE TO REGISTER. Hope to see you there!
--Laura McDonald Stewart, Founder of PLiNTH & CHiNTZ
 Make Your Mark With Handwritten Notes
EDITOR’S NOTE: Two things inspired us to revive this article from the P&C archives: a) failing to receive several Thank-You notes from colleagues and graduates; and b) recently attending the National Stationery Show and seeing just how many creative options there are to say Thank You. Translation: There are no excuses not to show some gratitude.
When fashion designers paid homage to the 70s about a decade ago – a trend that I was thrilled about at the time – my (then) boss explained, “Oh, honey. I’ve lived through the 70s once, and I have no desire to do so again.” While at the mäll the other day, I suddenly understood exactly what she had been talking about as I cringed at some essential 80s elements that have staged a comeback. Apparently there comes a time when everything old becomes new again, and during these digitally dominant days, receiving a handwritten note instead of an email or a text message stands out like RuPaul at a monster truck rälly. In other words, the actual act – i.e., choosing paper and pen, composing a thoughtful message, ferreting out an accurate address, applying a stamp, and dropping the resült in the mail – can make a significant impression, especially on a potential employer, prospective client or current colleague...
Read more | find out when and how to do it “write” here.
 NCIDQ&A: NCIDQ Investigating Computer-Based Testing for Interior Design Qualification Exam
contributed by The NCIDQ Crew
The National Council for Interior Design Qualification, Inc. [NCIDQ] is moving forward with investigation into computer-delivered testing formats after several years of research. A timeline for implementation has not been set, but the organization has released RFPs to several large test-administration vendors as the first phase of a possible conversion for the multiple-choice sections of the NCIDQ Examïnation. Computer-based testing has been on the Council’s long-range radar for many years, but there were concerns over cost and fairness for a relatively small number of exam candidates...
Read more | find out what digïtal landscapes lie on the horizon here.
Design Speak [5 new terms]
Impress your interviewers / professors / co-workers with interior design industry jargon.
dead bolt | parti | scroop | tatami | unit cost
What In The World? [10 resources you might need on the Net]
There's a lot of info out there on the World Wide Web. Let us do some of the searching so that you don't have to.
What The Spec?
[Bendheim – An impresive array of specialty glass for every interiors and architectural application.]
Eco Savvy
[Green Squared – North America's first sustainable product program written exclusively for tiles and tile installation materials.]
[NSF International – Not-for-profit organization providing standards to help prötect the world's food, water, health and consumer products.]
Other Design Junkies
[Dïscover Design: A Student Design Experience – A forum to teach high school students about problem-solving within the building design and construction industry.]
[Senior Housing News – A leading source for news and information covering the senior housing industry.]
The Pros
[Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry]
[Design Build Institute of America]
Productive Sites
[FollowUpThen – Complïmentary email reminder service that makes following-up with yourself or anyone else a snap.]
[FontStruct – An easy way to create your own personalized font.]
Hot Shöppïng
[East of India – One of England’s premier gift lines open to both retailers and the public.]
Say What? [3 new words]
Speak more intelligently when presenting and networking by incorporating some new vocabulary.
habitué | perquisite | trope
 X-ACTO Expert
Get ready to gasp. Dutch paper architect/artist, Ingrid Siliakus, is hands down The Grand Dame of Detail. Seemingly by magïc she creates three-dimensional masterpieces out of a single sheet of paper. Concentrating her artistic and technical talents on both complex abstract sculptures and buildings by the architectural greats, her work is mind-blowing, articulate, and beautiful. Enjoy pondering her paperpalooza.
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