Call it a response to the economy, or bandwagon environmentalism, but I found this tid-bit from Iconowatch interesting… as suburbanites downsize their homes, how can our clients respond to the new beauty found in smaller spaces?  House Beautiful’s July 2008 issue smartly devotes the entire issue to small spaces; gorgeously photographed spaces that could easily be considered a “dream home.” Definitely something to note and keep watch.

According to the editors at Big Backlash, ”the ‘burbs beginning to diet. A recent report by AIArchitect suggests that homeowners are feeling the ballooning weight gain of love-handle rooms and spare-tire spaces. In their Q1 2008 survey of residential architects, “more than twice as many respondents reported home size declines” (AIA.org 6.6.08). That’s the inverse of results from the 2006 report.

So why the architectural about-face? At Iconoculture, we’ve been citing the same reasons that AIA mentions: an economic downturn, population shifts and increased environmental awareness. A National Association of Home Builders survey recently found 60% of potential homebuyers would rather have a smaller house with more amenities than vice versa (Realtor.org 5.12.08). From sky-rocketing utility costs to the need for universal design, many are finding that a morbidly obese McMansion just isn’t sustainable.

The home goods marketplace is starting to respond. Mammoth furniture mainstreamer Pottery Barn is now shedding the pounds with its in-demand “Small Spaces” collection. We’re even seeing luxury kitchen appliance brands making smaller versions for grand-at-heart-but-not-in-size galleys.

As some American dream homes start to shrink and homeowners jump off the unsustainable-home treadmill, they’ll be looking for retailers and brands that promote a more (financially and environmentally) healthful way of living.”

J. Marie Agency is thrilled to bring on board Philip Reno, a San Francisco-based revered colorist and paint expert. (www.philipsperfectcolors.com) His color collection, formulated over a decade’s work-”Philip’s Perfect Colors”- are full-spectrum, complex colors, now all available in C2 Paint’s low-VOC paint base, LoVo. 

A deeply experienced perspective is what Philip Reno brings to the world of color design. Philip spent the first eighteen years of his career as a master painter, faux finisher, and color consultant. During this time he accumulated first hand experience with paint and observed the intricacies of paint color.

“The medium of architectural paint is very complex, more demanding in certain respects than color printing or the dying of textiles. Nothing substitutes for depth of experience in honing a sense of how a color will react in any given room, or under varying lighting conditions.”

Philip’s succeeding years — since 1995 - have been spent in the retail side of the paint business. Operating San Francisco’s premier color boutique, G&R Paint Company, he has brought to market a palette of colors second to none in their complexity and sophistication. 

Below, is a House Beautiful feature on Philip, utlizing a room painted with his Perfect colors, “Mink” (on walls) and “Agua Verde” (on ceiling.)

So, I haven’t seen the movie- yet, anyways- but I came across this wonderful blog: elementstyle.blogspot.com. To my delight, up pops a break-down of how to get Carrie Bradshaw’s new, grown-up apartment, featured in this month’s issue of Traditional Home (above.)

Of course, C2 Paint’s “Stargazer” is the wall’s new paint color. Would Carrie settle for anything less than couture paint?

Check it out: http://elementstyle.blogspot.com/2008/06/note-sorry-this-is-so-late-blogger-has.html

Partnering with outdoor fabrics guru, Laurie Jenkins of Laurie Bell fabrics, Jason Champion debuts his new DECO collection, indoor-outdoor tables, planters and screens.  Mama Jenks collection, named after Laurie’s garndmother, was also as cute & delicious as the pecan pie she used to make. Congrats guys to a great ICFF. xx jill

Wow- this year’s Greenfest was really rockin’ the casbah this year.  My faves?  Colori eco-paint boutique, Allyu Spa’s on-site treatments, the fun group at Holy Cow! T-shirts, buying Simple shoe’s “Eco-Sneaks” and munching on everything from veggie dogs by The Field Roast Grain Meat Company and vegan cupcakes by Bleeding Heart bakery to the delicious frozen Acai sorbet, a crowd favorite by Sambazon- yummmmm!

I loved this booth pictured below, too: the question they ask is, “What can you do?” The basis is that no one can do everything, but we all can do something.  While “Act Now” may be a bit vague when denoted on a T-shirt, ”Shower Together” seemed a creative, concrete solution. :)

Happy Earth Day everyone!  Inspiring how much Earth Day has grown over the past few years. This year’s is especially near and dear, as it is the “official” launch of C2 Paint’s LoVo.  I celebrated by painting my office walls with C2 LoVo in “Variegated” over the weekend- a beautiful, light green-aqua color.  I am very novice painter so I can attest that this paint performs, even with only 1-2 coats. Its self-leveling qualities are simply wondrous.

Available in all of C2 Paint’s 496 colors, LoVo also has the ability to color-match. I just matched my doberman’s paw as well- look for pictures to come soon. LoVo really color matches even the most complex or full spectrum of colors, AND you can sample the product in cute little 16 oz. sample cans, shown above.  Being able to sample product may not seem like a new thing, but it most certainly is in the low-VOC paint world.  C2 does it right, once again: finally, a low-VOC paint that sacrifices nothing!