It’s no surprise that the dirty martini, a symbol of refined revelry and exceptional taste, is also Gibson Design Management’s chosen symbol for a reward of member excellence. Each month, the Dirty Martini award is presented to one of our members, honoring the innovative, devoted and impressive achievements of the people we are so fortunate to work with.  And what better way is there to applaud a job well done than by unwinding with a cocktail?

This month, we’d like to congratulate Ciao Interiors from Kalispell, Montana for their award-winning participation in the 2010 Flathead Parade of Homes! This year’s Parade of Homes featured 14 homes –  two remodels and twelve newly-built structures – all exemplifying the finest architecture and design in the Flathead Valley area. Ciao Interiors had the opportunity to design, project manage and furnish a new home for the event – emphasizing detailed craftsmanship (by hand) and locally-produced stone and materials.

With enthusiasm and excitement, Ciao designer Les Bernabi and his wife Linda kept fans (including the GDM team) clued in on the construction progress with updates on everything from art selection to lighting locations. As the “Stunning Lakeside Club Retreat” took shape, we became more and more impressed with the home’s rustic integrity and seamless placement amidst Kalispell’s picturesque beauty. We find Ciao Interiors’ dedication to such an enormous task praiseworthy to begin with, but we are even more thrilled to announce that Ciao won the top three awards for their home – Judge’s Choice (overall best home on the tour), Best Architecture and Best Craftsmanship. Ciao’s Lakeside Club Retreat also had the most foot traffic and was incredibly popular with visitors who toured the properties.

The "Judges' Choice" banner proudly displayed in front of Ciao's masterpiece.

We’re proud and impressed with Ciao Interiors’ finished project, and in total agreement with all the praise they’ve received for their beautiful work. After many months of managing, planning and preparing for the event, we hope Les and Linda of Ciao Interiors have an opportunity to sit back, relax and take pride in this accomplishment – while enjoying a refreshing martini, of course!  Congratulations again to Ciao Interiors, and cheers!

[P.S. If you'd like to see more detailed photos of the home, make sure you check out the Facebook album!]

A series to get your creative juices flowing for your interior design firm’s blog.  [Click to see the introduction and first set of ideas, ideas #6-#10, ideas #11-#15, or #16-#20!]

1. A definition of trims.  Educate your readers and expand their vocabularies (tape, braid, lipcord, etc.).
2. Your latest project and an interview with the client.  This could even be a video.
3. Multiple arrangements for the same living room furniture.  Show 5 or 6 basic pieces and how they can be arranged in a basic room to show a very different look.
   

   Interesting furniture arrangements create new life in a living room. (Photo: Elle Decor)

4. Appropriate height to hang art.
5. How to choose a tile grout color.  When to use contrasting grout.  What to think about regarding maintenance.

Stay tuned for five more blog post ideas, coming next week!

A series to get your creative juices flowing for your interior design firm’s blog.  [Click to see the introduction and first set of ideas, ideas #6-#10 or ideas #11-#15.]

1. Complimentary colors you might not think of.  Stretch your readers’ minds.
2. A day in the life of an interior designer.  Let them know what designers (especially you) really do.
3. Flooring for the bath.  Options and maintenance issues to consider.
4. To hide or not to hide the TV.  State your opinion.
   

   The TV: to hide, or not to hide? (Photo: House Beautiful)

5. 10 favorite settees.  Settees could also be cabinet pulls, shutter colors, countertops, or desk accessories.  10 could be 6, 7, 13, or 20.  You get the point.

Check back next week for five more blog post ideas!

It’s no surprise that the dirty martini, a symbol of refined revelry and exceptional taste, is also Gibson Design Management’s chosen symbol for a reward of member excellence. Each month, the Dirty Martini award is presented to one of our members, honoring the innovative, devoted and impressive achievements of the people we are so fortunate to work with.  What better way is there to applaud a job well done than by unwinding with a cocktail?

This month, we’d like to congratulate Lane Elisabeth Oliver of LEO Interior Design for her recent media recognition, which praised her skilled design sense and innovative approach when it comes to transforming an interior.  Although Lane’s work has been featured in many publications, last month’s Denver Life Magazine highlighted an LEO Interior Design project in a lengthy spread (“Tidy Transformation”)– describing Lane’s ability to “add life” to an outdated home interior by combining traditional elements with light colors, bold patterns and some impressive faux finishes.  (To read the full article and see pictures of the final interior, visit the LEO Interior Design website and download a PDF version.)

After a job well done, we think Lane deserves to put her feet up and enjoy a refreshing martini.  Congratulations again to Lane Elisabeth Oliver of LEO Interior Design–cheers!

We are excited to continue our new Flight School classes on the following social media tools’ uses for business: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Ava Living, and blogging.

Our next Flight School class will be offered on Twitter 101 for Business.  The class will be held on:

Thursday, January 21st at 3pm.

Agenda will include:

• Signing up for Twitter.
• Setting up your profile and Twitter page.
• Twitter Lingo: “tweet”, @replies, DMs, “follow”, and more.
• Twitter tips to get you started.
• How Twitter keeps you connected to your customers.
• How Twitter can keep you updated in the Interior Design industry.
• How Twitter helps you to build relationships within your industry.

Each online Flight School class will be limited to 12 participants. This will ensure that people can ask questions and there is interaction between you and your Social Media Flight Instructor. Register below and you will receive a confirmation within 24-48 hours. Classes are 60-90 minutes and include a Q&A session.

Cost: $47.00 per class

A few weeks ago, after I learned that Tim Schelfe, ASID–of Schelfe and Associates, Raleigh, North Carolina–was chosen to participate in The Nation’s Next Top Model Home competition, I jokingly sent Tim an email saying, “You are a rock star!”  Joking aside, Tim seems to have reached rock star status with this great opportunity as a professional designer competitor on a web-based TV show.

Tim Schelfe, ASID

The Nation’s Next Top Model Home selected 7 ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) designers and gave them 28 days and $5,000 to transform a room in a model home (competitors could spend an additional $5,000 of their own money as well).  Voting then opened to the public for 30 days online (you can still vote!) and the winner will not only win the ultimate rock star designer status but will also win $25,000 for his or her firm.

I sat down virtually with Tim and asked him about his Nation’s Next Top Model Home experience.

GDM:  How were you selected to participate?

TS: An email blast went out to ASID and I filled out the required information, including photos of my work and a headshot of me.  Didn’t think much about it and then two weeks later got a call that I made the top 12 and then the final 7.

GDM:  What made you decide to participate and do you think it will help promote your business?

TS:  Initially I was very skeptical.  I thought, do I have time for this?  But the submission process was very easy to do and I thought “somebody is going to get selected why not me”!  I hoped this would get my name and my firm out to a very large audience.  I also thought it would be a fun competition to be in and a good way to promote professional interior design.  Also, since they were casting ONLY ASID designers I felt they were sending a good message to the public; hire a professional.

GDM:  Were there any pitfalls in participation?

TS: Yes all the designers had to abide by there budgetary rules.  Also the time it took away from my real business and paying clients was huge.

(more…)

Upon sitting down to my desk this morning I received an interesting tweet from a USA Today Leadership reporter for the Money section who was conducting a grand experiment.  Del Jones, the Money section reporter, conducted these interviews for a cover story with CEOs entirely via Twitter.  What that meant is that all of our requested responses had to be 140 characters or less, although you could send multiple tweets.  This was quite a task considering the question of the evolution of our economy’s philosophy.  I was hoping for a good warm-up question like favorite color for a spring cardigan.  However, I suppose that does not make front page news.  Below is the conversation thread showing his request to me, followed by my responses and and his follow up questions.

Many people have asked me the $64 million question about the ROI of Twitter and other social media tools.  Twitter and Facebook have provided excellent opportunities to connect with the media in more of a pull-fashion.  Previously, when contacting the media with a pitch, you might worry about calling at the wrong time or being off topic.  With social media, you are able to start or join a conversation.  In the last six months, I have been interviewed for books and magazines by editors and authors whose ears might have been deaf to my otherwise plaintive cries (considering the meek and quiet wallflower that I am).  Twitter provides a much more comfortable forum for offering yourself as a resource and not feeling overly sales-y in the process.

Here are some key takeaways for working with Twitter to connect with traditional media folks:

1.  Follow them.  Read what they tweet and start to gain insight into what they are working on.

2.  If they ask a question to the greater following, respond with something helpful.  Do not pitch them immediately.  If they like what you have to say, they will keep the conversation going.  If they don’t respond right away, don’t give up; continue to try to help and be on topic for what they request.

3.  Reporters and media people need resources.  Be that resource; direct them towards a blog post that might help, even if it is not your blog post.  In fact, it’s even better if it’s not your blog post.  You then appear to be an even greater resource and show that you have their best interests at heart.

4.  Ensure that your Twitter profile is robust.  You only have a few seconds and 160 characters to show who you are and what you do.

5.  Join a Twibe at www.twibes.com.  This is a website for Twitter groups; you may choose to join the interior designer group or the furnishings group, for example.

6.  Add yourself to the WeFollow Twitter directory at http://wefollow.com.  Use three words to describe yourself or what you are interested in.  For example, I have myself listed under #ceo, #interiordesign, and #entrepreneur.  The hashtag is added by WeFollow for help with searching.

The most important things to remember when interacting with traditional media folks is true through regular pitching or through social media interactions–be on topic and be a valuable resource.  If you are genuine and authentic, you won’t go wrong.  At least if you do, they will be much more likely to forgive you.