“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette
From Novità Communications:
We hope this note finds you well and we are so grateful for you all!
Don’t forget to check out our BE WELL series on IGTV and YouTube – this week Dr. Matt Lyon talks about how to de-stress and shares the benefits of deep breathing with a 5 minute breathwork exercise to start your day.
#DesignStandsTogether
Helping Hands
CARVART Protects Essential Businesses with Innovative Screen Solution
A global leader in creative architectural glass and hardware products, product engineering and fabrication, CARVART recently launched glassSCREENS>Shield, their new collection of tempered glass protective screens for essential workers. This expertly designed solution is a game-changer for businesses that are still open during these unprecedented times such as pharmacies, grocery-stores, banks, and more. With the ability to be ordered and installed on the frontlines within a week, these screens are a safe and innovative solution that are quickly getting workers the help that they so urgently need. Be sure to look out for even more from CARVART, as their team is dedicated to finding additional ways to use their expertise to develop new products to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Multi-Disciplinary Design Firm Cactus Provides Pro-Bono Assistance for Frontliners
The award-winning, multi-disciplinary design firm will be providing pro bono assistance, innovating better places, healthier tools, and smarter systems for dealing with the ongoing crisis and looking ahead to the problems of tomorrow. If you or someone you know is on the frontlines of the response to COVID 19 and you have ideas about how software, architecture or new products and services might be of benefit, Cactus wants to help. [Learn More]
Working Smarter
ASID Releases Second Round of Survey Findings to Support Design Industry
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is keeping a pulse on the industry as businesses are increasingly impacted by COVID-19. Conducting a bi-weekly industry survey, ASID is identifying industry concerns, mapping business performance, and providing insight to further support design professionals. Results from the latest survey (April 14) are now available, with subsequent findings released on the first & third Monday of each month. [View the Results]
Sitting Well: Room & Board’s Tips for Personalizing Your Seat to Your Sitting Habits
A proper office chair is the foundation to a healthy ergonomic environment. Start with an adjustable height chair that allows a 90 degree angle at your knees, then also consider your “sitting style”. Do you perch at the edge of your chair, sit all the way back, or a combination? Choose a seat depth that will work best for you. Other considerations: lumbar support, adjustable arms, and the flexibility of a swivel chair when working in a small space. No matter what chair you choose, you have to be conscious of your posture. Last but not least, be sure to layer in regular breaks throughout your day to get up and move. Making it easier for people to sit better at home, Room & Board and Room & Board Business Interiors are continuing to ship office and dining chairs for FREE via UPS. [Shop Chairs]
Mood-Boosting Design
Design Tips: Turn Your Home Into a Sanctuary with Designer Daun Curry
Since we are all adjusting to working from home these days, we tapped award-winning interior designer Daun Curry for some advice on how to balance it all. As Daun is currently operating her design business from home, she’s reflected on the importance of making the space a sanctuary while in quarantine. [View Tips & Images]
True Residential Celebrates the Home
With outside entertainment sources unavailable, people are seeing their homes in a new light and noticing areas in which their spaces are lacking in comfort, convenience, or functional design. It has become that much more apparent that outfitting your home with all of the accoutrements will benefit both in the short and long term. With a large repertoire of indoor/outdoor undercounter units, True Residential carries every unit needed to create the perfect setup for family barbecues, a backyard bar, pool room, and more for family cooking and/or entertainment nights. [Learn More]
Pergola Paradise: Making the Most of Outdoor Spaces
Architect Wayne Turett of Turett Collaborative shares how to transform your outdoor space into an oasis by adding a pergola – a simple structure that provides shade and architectural prowess to your backyard. Benefits of pergolas go beyond just shade and visual interest, they also: 1) increase home value by 20%, 2) create and define space, 3) provide privacy, 4) create a haven for plants, and best of all, 5) they are easy to install. [View Images]
Living Well
Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude
Therapist and LCSW Lynn Lyon shares the importance of starting each day with gratitude. Lyon emphasizes that when we get into the habit of expressing gratitude we can rewire our brains and create the greatest possibility for deep change and transformation in our hearts. She recommends starting and/or ending each day with a quick journaling session, jotting down the things you are grateful for – it’s simple, easy, efficient and develops the internal strategies of high energy gratitude in just a minute a day. [Lyon’s Go-to-1 Minute Gratitude Journal]
Send Sentiment with Local, Hand-Illustrated & Sustainable Greeting Cards
There are few things that make one feel better than expressing gratitude – the art of doing so is known to lead to psychological and physical wellbeing. And as Mother’s Day (May 10th) is just a short hop, skip, and a jump away, why not start there? One of our favorite handmade card companies, Hartland Brooklyn, offers unique, fun, and design-savvy cards, perfect for the “Berry Best Mom” ever.
Art Therapy: Collaging as a Creative Outlet
Giona Maiarelli, Co-Founder & Creative Director of Maiarelli Studio and an award-winning graphic designer, explores how to use your own creative process to change and document your day. Infusing art therapy, in his seven minute BE WELL Series video, Maiarelli shares simple tips and tricks for tapping into your emotions and harnessing your creativity. [View Video]
Virtual Events
Coverings Connected Offers Digital Platform for Industry Professionals to Network & Manufacturers to Launch New Products
Although most of our beloved design shows have been canceled or postponed this spring, there are so many virtual events and opportunities to take advantage of during this time. Coverings – North America’s largest tile and stone exhibition – has gone completely digital this year with Coverings Connected, a brand-new online experience. Ceramics of Italy is proud to be an active partner in this initiative with virtual product launches from 60+ member companies, a Spring-Summer Tile Trends presentation, video messages from the 2020 Tile Competition winners, and more.
Poltrona Frau Hosts Design Talks of the Future
For the second conversation in this new series, Nicola Coropulis, CEO of Poltrona Frau, spoke with longtime collaborator Roberto Palomba, architect and designer of Palomba & Serafini Associates. The pair discussed how design can evolve in response to shifting needs and priorities at home and beyond. They also touched on the recent statement released by a coalition of leading Italian design companies, including Poltrona Frau, that presents a compelling case for the safe reopening of production facilities in Italy. And if you missed the first talk with AB Concept’s Ed Ng, be sure to watch it here.