World Of Design Travels To Florida!

This week I will be traveling through florida to give my World of Design presentation. In this I will be showing film clips and slides of travels throughout the world. I will also share my new Sunbrella fabric collections and furniture for Miles Talbott. Tues Jan 26 Robb & Stucky, Altamonte Springs, Wed. Jan 27, Robb & Stucky, Tampa and Friday Jan 29 Robb & Stucky, Bonita Springs. I hope to see you who live in Florida then. I will have photos when I return of shops, design ideas and people I meet. I will see you on Feb 1.

Vertical Gardening

Being a succulent plant enthusiast, I saw this article in the Dallas Morning News about vertical gardening. Flora Grubb Gardens now sells 20 inch plastic modules so home gardeners can install succulent wallscapes. This idea originated in Paris at their Natural History Museum and I really think this is a spectacular new gardening idea. Think of it as a living Monet!

Arts Awards in Dallas

Enjoyed presenting at the Dallas Market Center Arts Awards. What an important evening for the industry. Presenting with me is the Irish designer, Clodagh. This lady is amazing and should be honored herself. Thank you Dallas Market Center for my beautiful flowers. I love the mix of deep purple, white and dusty miller. It is I who should be giving flowers to YOU.

The Barrymore Chair From Miles Talbott

Believe it or not this is one of our best selling frames for Ten Years! I named it after John Barrymore because of the distinctive profile (A young designer I met thought it was named after Drew Barrymore.) Covered in Sunbrella fabric Ping/Dune. The pillow is inspired by Indonesian designs called Jakarta. Even the decorative gimp on the skirt is Sunbrella. All from my collection at Miles Talbott.

My Favorite California State Park

One of my favorite California state parks is Los Encinos right here in the valley. Originally settled by a French family the Garniers, this is a charming spot to visit. It was saved by the citizens of Encino after severe damage from the Northridge earthquake. We all hope this beautiful refuge will remain an oasis in the middle of questionable development.

Flower Magic in Dallas

Dallas floral designer Lucy Diaz of Bella Flora has a fresh approach to flowers. Here in the lobby of the Dallas Ritz Carlton she demonstrates her creativity. She changes the display every Thursday. When in Dallas, check it out or at bellafloraofdallas.com

Great Shops in Dallas, Texas

Two great shops I visited (and bought product) while in Dallas. The Uncommon Market which unusual items for indoor and outdoor. I could have spent the entire day there at 2707 Fairmount. I also liked Ahab Bowen at 2614 Boll Street just around the corner. It is a second hand clothes shop with wonderful menswear, especially a selection of pocket squares at $5 each...what a deal!

Dallas Market Center Arts Awards

Dallas Arts Awards held at the Dallas Market Center Saturday January 16, 2010, honored those outstanding individuals who had contributed to the Retail and Marketing Design World this past year. I was honored to be a presenter along with famous designer Clodagh. What a marvelous evening.
Pictured are: Alden Clanahan who designed the wonderful table decorations and the entire evening ;Charles Ray of Charles Ray & Associates with Sharlyn Martin, showroom manager. Clodagh the Fabric, furniture and interior designer. Chardonay Public Relations Director for Clodagh.

Just to name a few.

Joe Ruggiero Hosts Lunch at Dallas Market Center

The Dallas Market Center arranged a delightful lunch in the District Cafe on the 15th floor of the Dallas Market Center. Alden Clanahan designed the environment and it was a breath of spring; orange and red tulips against bright red tables. My new Sunbrella fabrics were displayed, museum style on stands to set the mood for my presentation of Fabrics and upholstery from Miles Talbott. I also shared video clips from my travels around the world. Tote bags were given to all attendees featuring my Sunbrella pattern Chip which is based on Chippendale fretwork.

Joe Ruggiero Intros New Sunbrella Collection in Dallas

During my visit to Dallas this past week, I hosted a lunch for designers at the Hotel Crescent Court. Here I am with Shay Sampson and what a delightful lady. I presented my new Sunbrella fabrics and my new upholstery from Miles Talbott. Tables were decorated with JR fabrics and apricot roses. President of Miles Talbott Furniture, George Jordan and Brand Manager of the Joe Ruggiero Sunbrella collection, Greg Rosendale greeted designers who had come to see the new collection. I will be giving several more of these events in Nashville, Atlanta, Minneapolis, San Francisco and Santa Barbara. Details soon. It is also a great way to meet my internet friends and present my new products. The fabric on the hotel terrace is of course Sunbrella.

Dallas Travels

Off to Dallas to present fabrics and furnishings. I will have pictures for you when I return on Monday January 18.

Cecconi's New LA Restaurant

One of my favorite restaurants in West Hollywood is Cecconi's. We had dinner with designers from Sunbrella to celebrate the new fall collection. My daughter Meg joined us. It has a great menu, wonderful service and a comfortable, casual atmosphere. At the corner of Melrose & Robertson. Reminds me of a cafe in Milano!

Sunbrella designers, Greg Voorhis and Emily Cosgrove join my daughter Meg Ruggiero Ovikian for dinner.

Fabric Trends for Fall 2010

Emily Cosgrove and Greg Voorhis of Sunbrella help with the difficult task of selecting from hundreds of fabrics for the Fall 2010 Joe Ruggiero Collection for Sunbrella. We see a trend to neutrals with pops of color and patterns that bridge a wide selection of art deco, textures, unusual stripes and whimsical florals. These fabrics will be introduced to the outdoor and interior markets. Sunbrella technologies help create fabrics with an extremely soft hand that will perform as well as the Sunbrella canvass over our heads. This is all very exciting to me!

New From Miles Talbott The Wong Sofa!

This "go anywhere" sofa and settee is new for Miles Talbott. I've designed this piece so that it can be used in a hallway, for dining or comfortable in a living room or family room. Many custom options for upholstering with contrasting seat, back or sides. Shown here are Sunbrella fabrics from the JR collection Kenya/Birch and Taba/Wren stripe on seat. On the Melrose chair fabric Joy/Char. All of these fabrics make the pieces kid friendly with no worries for easy clean-up.

Table is from Gat Creek; the Lloyd square table. The Pendant light is for Craftmade and has many options for Sunbrella fabric shades.

Shutters At The Santa Monica Beach

Had lunch yesterday at Shutters Hotel on the beach in Santa Monica. I love this spot in the winter. It reminds me of Nantucket...a cozy New England atmosphere on the Pacific Ocean. Delightful!

Indoor Plants

Another beautiful spring day in LA. In my studio this summer plant has a wonderful color combination of dark maroon and lime green. Getting ready for Sunbrella fabric selections Fall/2010.

Think Spring!

Big bunches of daffodils mark the hope of Spring! Nothing cheers me up like fresh spring flowers or forced flowering branches in January. Yes, Virginia Spring is just around the corner!

William Laman Design Shop

As promised here is another design shop I always visit when I am in Montecito, California: William Laman, 1496 East Valley Rd. I can not begin to explain what treats William assembles from all over the world and it is never the same. He is also taking orders on line now!

Poka A New Sunbrella Pattern

I have always liked the look of old & new. That's why I am pleased with my new pattern for Sunbrella called Poka. This pattern makes the bridge between traditional and contemporary. The furniture is part of my collection for Miles Talbott. Wood pieces are designed for Gatcreek. All are made in America. Poka is ready for immediate delivery from Miles Talbott.