The Learning and Education never stops.... or it shouldn't!

This year our GTA West Chapter embarked on another fantastic Professional Development Day for the members in this area.  Once again Willis, a very supportive affiliate of ours donated their space and refreshments for this 1/2 day event.

We followed this up with our annual Summer Luncheon held at the Millcroft Golf Club in Burlington.

A great day of learning, networking and eating was had by all!

Special thanks to  Jason Bouwman , Principal & Creative Director of Compass Creative in Stoney Creek, Ont., a marketing agency that specializes in serving contractors in the landscaping and home renovation industry.

Mike Hetherman, President, owner and CEO of Willis - a North American distributor of world class building materials including DuPont™ Corian®, DuPont™ Zodiaq®, Arpa Italian laminate and Artisan sinks and faucets

GTA West Chapter Fall Event

A group of decorators from the GTA West Chapter met at Q Design in Mississauga for a presentation by Sun Glow Window Coverings, one of our affiliate members.  We were welcomed with a lovely breakfast and Marilyn and her daughter Lindsay of Q Design gave us information on the work they provide to Decorators and Designers, creating lovely bedding, slipcovers, draperies cushions, light upholstery, and so on.  

Following was a presentation by the representative from Sun Glow who provided us with information on all of the newest offerings available to us.  Sun Glow is very eco minded and are constantly sourcing & developing products that have environmentally friendly properties as well as superior quality and functionality.  Although Sun Glow's specialty is Roller Shades, they also offer Panel Track, Roman Shades, Fixed Shades, etc, etc.  The products can be manually operated or automated.

We saw many of the different fabric lines including those that offer not only UV protection but privacy.  Of course being in this field, we all loved the option of adding a little bling and Glamour.  Sun Glow offers trim with the Swarovski Crystal as well as pendants used as pulls.

Cobi Ladner visits SoFA

I recently attended a presentation at SoFA, and sponsored by Canadel by Cobi Ladner on the importance of "Branding".

I think most people have heard of Cobi Ladner, formerly of Canadian House & Home Magazine.
Cobi gave a wonderful seminar on how she created her own personal brand.  She spoke about how people today want a "look" and I have definitely been hearing that around the home decor community.  Actually recently someone said it to me about a location in which to live.  They didn't like the feeling or look of the area, even though it was perfectly acceptable.  We are striving to have our own look and a feeling when our homes.



Cobi left the magazine to pursue her passion of 'fun, colourful and affordable' home furnishings which include everything from furniture, fabric, drapery, lighting, pillows, accessories, throws, teapots and soon to come bedding.

Cobi's name also stands for " 'creation of beautiful ideas'  which she completely believes in, has embraced colour and her presentation dealt with creating your own brand as she has.  One must build their brand.  How people decorate their individual homes is what your home says about you.

Cobi talked about other famous brands and how they identify a distinct product or person.  As decorators and designers we need to be building our brands.  It should reflect your own personality and a feeling we create.   We need to be individual and promote our personal style.

Below are a few photos of Cobi's style

Another photo op for me but for some reason I look sad?  I wasn't though ,

maybe just looking a little off??

 

GTA West Chapter of CDECA hosts their first Professional Development Day

A week ago our chapter hosted a fabulous Professional Development Day for members dealing with the subject of "Project Management for the Interior Decorating Profession"

Andrew R. Thomas, PMP, is a Project Management Consultant for companies such as Hatch Engineering, Barrick Gold, and teaches the George Washington University Project Management curriculum for numerous corporate clients.  Andrewwho  lives in the GTA west and understands the local market and how important P.M. is to the decorating profession.  He spoke to us for an hour at the Toronto PD day and returned to offer us an in-depth, hands-on 4 hour workshop, geared towards an actual decorating project.

Running from job to job, and working 18 hours a day, but still feel like you are constantly trying to catch up with your work load?  Well if that is the case, you need Project Management skills and we certainly were given many great tools to manage our businesses.

This workshop dealt with practices that are known to lead to project success. These practices include: assembling the right team, having clearly articulated goals and objectives, effectively engaging the client, understanding who all the stakeholders are and what motivates them…these are just a few of the key topics that will be examined.

 Andy broke us down into small groups and challenged us to work through a typical Decorating Project, and assisted us to learn the project management tools and techniques which in turn makes us more efficient as decorators and designers, thus increasing profitability, and client satisfaction.

CDECA Professional Development Boot Camp

Last week I attended the annual PD Day for CDECA which was held this year at the Westin Prince Hotel.
What a line up...

• Catherine Mitchel, One Voice Productions Inc
• Ryan Connelly, WSIB Info
• Neil Felder, LMS Prolink Ltd on Insurance
• Sourcing Panel
• Andrew Thomas, Project Management Consultant

We ate well, learned a lot and had a great day networking.  Many thanks to those who arranged this day and to our great affiliates who took part and offered fab prizes!!

Hamilton Home Show

This past weekend brought together many exhibitors for the Hamilton Home Show, located in the Hamilton Convention Centre.  Once again a few CDECA Interior Decorators participated in the "Ask a CDECArator" Booth providing free design and decor consultations to visitors to the show.

In addition to this, Pamela deVries and myself were given a one hour spot on the Main Stage on Saturday.  Our presentation talked about the common decorating mistakes people make and how to fix them.  A video may be coming soon courtesy of my daughter Megan and her boyfriend James.  Thanks guys!!

Here we are during our presentation

Here are some of the products I found...Baby and Children's furnishings by Natart

We had a great presentation, unfortunately the photos were barely visible as the lights could not be turned down... oh well

 This would be for a little princess, all in a silver shade

and a matching dresser of course 

 Furnishings by Lofty Ambitions

Live Edge Table from 100 Mile Home & Design Centre

  

 Outdoor entertaining by landscaping with style

The View Window Fashions at SOFA

Yesterday was quite the day and being Valentines Day I had a great day.  Starting of the day was a presentation by The View Window Fashions who have 3 locations, one in Vaughan, one in Toronto and just opened another location, this time in the Marketplace at SOFA.  The view consists of three people who have been in this business for many years and they know window coverings.  They will carry Hunter Douglas www.centurianwindowfashions;  MaxxMar  www.maxxmar.com,;  Levelor www.levolor.ca and Graber graberblinds.com.
The presentation commenced with three "Men in Black"  entering and then 'one man in black' strutted his stuff.  The view provided chocolate roses and eye candy for valentines day.... and later refreshments in their kiosk.  Danny Tulino, speaker for the group presented some of the newest offerings and there are many great ways to 'Dress' your windows.  All in all a great presentation and more great knowledge.

Gotta love SOFA, www.visitsofa.com for arranging all these educational and fun events for us decorators and designers and thanks to The View for the great refreshments and to the wonderful showrooms for the way they welcome us and also the great prizes.

Thanks to Linda and Lailyn!

Happenings at SOFA

June 28th brought many decorators and designers to SOFA, www.visitsofa.com once again for a great seminar from Karl Lohnes.  Everybody seems to really enjoy Karl's great spirit and he has such a way of speaking and presenting facts he keeps you entertained.  You want to know him better.  He has presented to CDECA members in the past, most recently at our annual AGM and we all come away in a 'happy place' thanks to him.

'Another Packed House' to hear Karl Lohnes speak

This event was sponsored by Magnussen Home, www.magnussen.com who are located in the SOFA showroom area of the International Centre.   Thanks to Linda Kafka and Azma Ousmand for all the work they do to offer us such wonderful seminars with great speakers.


The topic was: 'Keeping the design ball rolling" during the slowest times of the year!  Great presentation.  Karl gave us much to ponder and act upon as well as sharing his recent "status" as an Artist.  Yup, Karl has signed to have his very own piece of art available through CB2, www.cb2.com (new store by Crate & Store).  Wow, that is really something and as Karl told us, he just felt like being creative and fun one weekend and someone showed somone,  and someone else and on and on;  just from a little networking and people sharing,  he got the attention of top people at C&B and they loved what he created and voila you can now purchase his artpiece.  Karl shared some other interesting options ahead for him, so keep following. 

A bit of England to celebrate the Queen's Jubliee

I came away with a lot of tips and was glad to have confirmation that some of what he shared, and I have already started, is a good thing.  I believe the reason Karl is so sought after as a speaker and why he captures his audience,  is that he talks to them as if we are all friends just sitting around having a little talk.  He shares situations he has been in and how they generated business and does it such a way that is so down to earth, one feels, Yes, I could try that.

The seminar offered many great ideas and also stressed Social Media, Networking,  the importance of good and honest Communication with potential and current Clients & Suppliers as well as other ventures you can stream into that could be related to your current career as a Decorator or Designer. 

A new focus can also be an enhancement to your current business as well as generate additional income, especially during the slowest times of the year.  For instance a lot of us write for magazines, newspapers, why not a book??  Perhaps you can do DIY projects, sew, paint or any other creative work. 

I am a little late in writing this blog, but now that the hot days of July are upon us I am working on some of Karl's great tips!!  Gonna go and tweet Karl now.......

SoFA Events.....

Many of the CDECA Members as well as others in the design community turned out to the Spring Vendor Showcase at SoFA www.visitsofa.ca.

Leading industry vendors were  on hand to showcase their product lines and offered us in depth, detailed product knowledge!

This was a successful event thanks to the many showrooms at SoFA who participated.  A great way to see all the new product lines and become inspired.  This event was sponsored by Alteriors, Pittsburgh Paint, Umbra and Indigo/Chapters.  Overall they provided prizes, refreshments and lunch.  Thanks to all.  For a complete list of those who participated please check out the CDECA GTA West Chapter Blog at www.cdecagtawest.blogspot.ca

Following the showcase event we enjoyed a lovely luncheon and then many of us attended Jane Lockharts presentation "Colour Foundations for Design Professionals" which was an ARIDO CEU approved credits.  As usual Jane was a most animated speaker and provided great info.

GTA West Chapter of CDECA at Speers Paint

The May meeting was sponsored by Speers Paint www.speerspaint.com  in Oakville.  

Carlos Pignataro, store manager, provided us with information on preparing general specifications, including estimates, scope, examination of surfaces, surface preparation and workmanship. Wayne Woodley of Penwood Painting and Craig Lowe of Lowe Painting discussed wallcovering installations, painting systems, working with contractors and managing expectations of clients.  The area representative of Benjamin Moore was also in attendance to discuss characteristics of Benjamin Moore paints and recent developments.

Enjoying some refreshments while having our meeting

 Audrey introducing Carlos

 Carlos and Guido doing the draws.

The meeting concluded with opportunities for networking and further questions.  As usual we were treated to lovely refreshments and draws for prizes.  Thanks to everyone at Speers Paint for a great evening.

Winter Wine Tasting Event along with Tips for taking great photos of your spaces

It's That time of the Year - Parties, more parties and of course you should have some Wine!  

The GTA West Chapter of CDECA welcomed back Allan Wisby a Certified WSET Consultant, and owner of Oakville Wine Cellars www.oakvillewinecellars.ca for a second Wine Event.  Our first wine event was so successful we just had to do it again.  We were treated to wonderful wines in all price points along with some fabulous and tasty snacks paired correctly with each wine.  As with the past Wine Event, much information was shared on the topic of wine as well as a lovely selection of wines to serve at the coming holiday parties. 
Everyone went home with a 'goody bag' containing several wine magazines, detailed and informative packages on all aspects of wine, including some of his own recipes. (he cooks too!) To end off the evening there were several draws for wine items - we all love the chance to win something.

We were also given the opportunity to combine some education with this event - Megan Wisby www.innervisionphotography.ca, a professional Interior and Real Estate Photographer gave a presentation on the 'do's' and 'dont's' of taking photos of interior spaces for our portfolios, sharing examples and many tips as well as discussing types of cameras and what they each can and cannot do.

A great evening was had by all in attendance. Thanks Allan & Megan .....

Here are some great pictures of wine cellars.....