Registration Now Open for Digital by Design: Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Hosted by Design Center at the Merchandise Mart, the full-day event features CEU seminars and networking opportunities exclusively for design and architect firms

Chicago, IL (April 1, 2019) – Design Center at the Merchandise Mart is excited to announce that registration is now open for its 3^rd annual Digital by Design, a day filled with the latest trends and best practices in digital, web and social, exclusively for interior design and architect firms. The event takes place Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at the Merchandise Mart (theMART) in downtown Chicago.

Registration is required and now open – complimentary to interior design and architect firms only. Seating is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

“The avenues for architects and designers to build new relationships and capture the attention of clients is continuously evolving thanks to technology,” said Beth Hicks, Managing Director, Marketing for Design Center and Casual Market Chicago. “This year, Digital by Design discussions focus on owning and optimizing online presence. Whether that entails targeting the right audience, building valuable video content or considering software decisions, it’s our intention to offer the resources for designers to continue thriving in the industry.”

Digital by Design features four CEU seminars hosted by industry leaders. Highlights include:

The Internet is Your Frenemy (.1 CEU)

Join Michela Abrams of MODA+ for an entertaining kick-off to the day, focused on learning to compete with the internet and capture the evolving affluent consumer.

Accounting and Project Management Software: Pros and Cons (.1 CEU)

Settle in for a panel discussion, with experts weighing the pros and cons of accounting and project management tools. Panelists include: Emily Gerow of James Thomas Design; Angelo Ademo of Angelo Ademo Design; Michael Wegman of Devon Grace Interiors and moderator Brooke Hubbuch of LBV Group.

Using Video on Social Media: How Designers Can Use Video to Grow Their Business (.1 CEU)

Listen to Christopher Hall of Penumbra Pictures as he answers questions about starting small, finding your audience, crafting a series of videos without breaking the bank, and using those videos to actually grow your business.

Live the Lifestyle: How Savvy Designers Brand through Social Media (.1 CEU)

Go behind the scenes of successful Minneapolis design firm Martha O’Hara Interiors with Kate O’Hara and see how they use social media to get new customers and build a proprietary database.

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The day begins with coffee and registration, with time built in for a networking lunch. Digital by Design concludes with a wine and cheese social meant to encourage more conversation on what’s new in the digital world. For more information, please visit http://r3g.312.mwp.accessdomain.com/event/digital-by-design-2/.

About the Design Center at The Merchandise Mart (theMART)

The Design Center, located in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart, is home to four floors constituting the world’s largest and finest design center. As a leader in the $65 billion residential home furnishings market, the Design Center offers the largest presentation of high-end, customizable, residential and outdoor home furnishings worldwide, all under one roof. Encompassing 750,000 square feet, boasting more than 125 showrooms and featuring more than 2,500 product lines, it is the ultimate resource for designers and design enthusiasts of luxury furniture, fabrics, floor coverings, wall coverings, lighting and much more. For more information, visit designcenter.com. Visit Design Center on Facebook and Instagram.

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Chicago, IL (April 24, 2019) – Design Center at theMART is pleased to announce that Designers Linen Source recently relocated to a more spacious showroom to better feature their full selection of luxury bed, bath and table linens.

Located on the 14^th floor (Suite 1461), the new showroom boasts an additional 400 square feet, offering valuable space to highlight additional display beds along with several new vendors, catering to both the residential and hospitality market.

“Design Center at theMART has been delighted to call Designers Linen Source a long-standing and valued partner,” said Beth Hicks, Managing Director, Marketing for Design Center and Casual Market Chicago. “Designers looking for a comprehensive collection of luxury bed, bath and table linens, along with exemplary care and service, will be impressed with what Designers Linen Source continues to offer – now in a larger and brighter space.”

When discussing what drove her decision to expand, Designers Linen Source Owner, Jodi Ruggeri, said, “Over the last five years, business has increased considerably, and it was time. I wanted to add additional beds to the showroom and was unable to do so in my old space. We now offer designers the option to have linens professionally laundered and pressed before delivery and installation, and this service required more space as well.” Ruggeri continued, “I love working with interior designers and helping them realize their vision for their clients’ bedding and bath projects, and providing an amazing experience from start to finish. Our new space allows us to continue that mission.”

The new Designers Linen Source showroom is located at 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1461 and is open Monday through Friday.

Conversation with Jodi Ruggeri, Owner of Designers Linen Source

Talk about your creative process when working with designers. It usually starts with a color and/or a fabric swatch. I listen intently to designers and their clients, asking numerous questions along the way about their lifestyle, how they sleep, if they have children or a pet, etc. Gathering these details and information helps me to pull samples and swatches and present the best options. In addition, I will sketch a drawing for the designer and client, which will give them a better idea of how the bed will look when dressed.

What speaks to your senses? I love mixing textures, and I love neutral colors for bedding. Greys, soft blues with white and/or ivory make a beautiful bed. Add a decorative pillow with a great pattern and a pop of color, and you’re done! I do love a mixture of colors and patterns for a fun, youthful bed too. The quality of the cotton is most important, and sheets made with extra long-staple cotton are the best. I adore my modal/beechwood fiber duvet cover because it’s soft and silky and amazingly easy-care and wrinkle-free after laundering. The type of duvet (down or down-alternate) is very personal, but very important. Good quality cotton ticking makes for a “quieter” duvet and I only offer responsibly sourced down duvets and pillows.

What’s the best compliment you’ve received? After I completed a large project, the designer said to me, “You made me look like a rock-star”. That was music to my ears.

Interested in hearing more? Designers Linen Source is a long-standing and well-respected showroom in Design Center at theMART, and Jodi Ruggeri’s passion for what they do makes for a fascinating story. Contact jbrough@whitegood.com or 717-278-9338.

About the Design Center at The Merchandise Mart (theMART)

The Design Center, located in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart, is home to four floors constituting the world’s largest and finest design center. As a leader in the $65 billion residential home furnishings market, the Design Center offers the largest presentation of high-end, customizable, residential and outdoor home furnishings worldwide, all under one roof. Encompassing 750,000 square feet, boasting more than 125 showrooms and featuring more than 2,500 product lines, it is the ultimate resource for designers and design enthusiasts of luxury furniture, fabrics, floor coverings, wall coverings, lighting and much more. For more information, visit designcenter.com. Visit Design Center on Facebook and Instagram.

theMART recently announced that Watson Smith, a trade resource for carpets, rugs, hardwood flooring and more, has expanded its presence in the Design Center at theMART. Watson Smith’s new showroom opened its doors on the sixth floor of theMART earlier this week. Click Here to Read Full Article

CHICAGO (December 19, 2018) — Wired Custom Lighting, a global luxury lighting designer and purveyor, launched its first Chicago showroom in Design Center earlier this week. The commercial and residential lighting supplier opened its doors on the 14^th floor of theMART, providing Midwest designers a dedicated bespoke lighting resource with international reach.

“With our Midwest client base continuing to grow, we looked to find a home to satisfy the demand for our customizable, finely crafted lighting,” said John Saint-Denis of Wired. “Design Center at theMART is the go-to design destination for trade professionals across the region, the location a natural choice for our expanding presence.”

In an effort to provide designers with imaginative, customizable lighting, the new 1,100-square-foot showroom offers a wide range of exclusive fixtures, all of which can be tailored for scale, style and impact. Staffed by experts trained in global sourcing of diverse and precious materials, the new space also offers consulting to help designers illuminate their own vision from scratch.

“Known for craftsmanship and innovative design, Wired’s new showroom in Design Center will serve as an unique and engaging space to find exceptional lighting solutions for trade professionals and homeowners alike,” said Beth Hicks, managing director, marketing for Design Center and Casual Market Chicago.

The company hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week where attendees had the opportunity to preview the showroom’s customizable lighting collections while enjoying sips and bites.

The new Wired showroom is located at 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 14-132.

About Wired Custom Lighting
Wired Custom Lighting is a family-owned lighting designer and purveyor that prides itself on providing endless customization, high-quality craftsmanship and a unique voice in innovative design. Launched in West Hollywood, California in 2001, Wired Custom Lighting assists designers and individuals with their lighting design needs, curating and designing pieces with the most complex of customizations. All products are locally sourced, handmade and designed with attention to detail. Wired Custom Lighting has showrooms in Chicago, Dallas, Dubai, London, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. For more information, visit wired-designs.com.

About Design Center at The Merchandise Mart (theMART)

Design Center, located in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart, is home to four floors constituting the world’s largest and finest design center. As a leader in the $65 billion residential home furnishings market, Design Center offers the largest presentation of high-end, customizable, residential and outdoor home furnishings worldwide, all under one roof. Encompassing 750,000 square feet, boasting more than 125 showrooms and featuring more than 2,500 product lines, it is the ultimate resource for designers and design enthusiasts of luxury furniture, fabrics, floor coverings, wall coverings, lighting and much more. For more information, visit designcenter.com.