interior design

Dematerializing Samples
Tricycle expands its alternative sampling program with Tryk.

By Mason Currey

In 2002 the Chattanooga-based sustainable-design-services company Tricycle launched an alternative sampling option for the interiors industry; manufacturers outsource the process to the company, which produces and delivers extremely realistic paper samples—called SIMs—to specifiers instead of actual carpet slabs. The idea quickly took off and has become widely implemented (and widely imitated) in the industry. Tricycle estimates that in four years its service has saved about 26,000 gallons of oil and kept more than 155,000 pounds of waste out of landfills.

At this year’s NeoCon World’s Trade Fair, Tricycle launched a significant expansion of the program, called Tryk. Previously the company could only cre­ate samples of tufted carpet, but Tryk works with woven carpet as well as wall-coverings and fabrics. It also allows for different scales and larger sizes—and the image quality is improved. “We continue to move toward a more photorealistic image,” says Michael Hendrix, Tricycle’s creative director and chief brand officer. “If you could see an image from three years ago, the tufts looked flatter. We’ve been able to improve the perception of volume in the overall look.”

The company is also launching a new Web platform, which will be fully functional by January. “It’s more robust,” Hendrix says. “It’s giving more features to the user, and it’s actually better integrated with the business practices of manufac­turers.” The end result is an even more efficient, easy-to-use, and realistic tool for designers to sample materials—without wasting them.

More at: http://www.metropolismag.com/cda/story.php?artid=3005

Started by Marin County, California's Kimberly Rider, Atmosphera is a full-service, broad-range interior design firm. In particular, they specialize in working with homeowners, real estate professionals, and developers to create personal, custom designs.

"People are becoming aware that design is all around them, ...not only in retail environments, but on the web, on television and in the growth of home improvement”, says Kimberly. “They understand they have the power to change their environments. I built this company to provide the guidance and resources necessary to help clients realize their own sense of style."

A featured guest expert on HGTV's "Curb Appeal", Kimberly has also authored two green living books for Chronicle Books of San Francisco. The first, published in 2006, is titled "The Healthy Home Workbook" - which leads the way to creating a space that is friendly to the environment, reflects the owner's personal style, and won't break the bank. Released in February of this year is her second non-fiction book, titled "Organic Baby" - offering parents dozens of solutions that fit their priorities and their lifestyle—and their budget.

The range of services Atmosphera offers includes (but is not limited to): detailed landscaping; color consultation; space planning; light remodeling; and custom furniture, window coverings, bedding, and textiles. As a Co-op America Approved Green Business and a Registered Bay Area Green Business, Atmosphera is truly dedicated to making sustainable living beautiful and beneficial.

I was perusing inhabitat's web site (www.inhabitat.com) and found the new sconce/wall lamp designs from Michelle Kaufman. They're very cool (literally) and would look great in any modernist home,

http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/08/23/the-vessel-light-by-mk-designs/

As i downsize my house (have gone from 2500 SF to 800 SF over the years) I'm always looking for simple designs to complement my increasingly sparse/minimalist style.

Like most good designs they're pricey (well for we underpaid goverment worker drones anyway).

Steve