The No Da Gallery Crawl

On the first Friday of each month, the No Da (or North Davidson Street) area of Charlotte hosts a gallery crawl. If you have never been, it is something you need to put on your to do list! This area of town has been totally reclaimed from urban decay and is charming, funky and great fun. The atmosphere is festive and there are lots of people milling about. Galleries range from Art-Craft to avante garde and are mixed with wonderful cafe's and bars, lots of which offer live music. My husband and I stopped in at the Evening Muse to listened to a local singer songwriter who was terrific.
I am constantly preaching to my clients about the importance of choosing art that has a personal connection. It is a shame to buy a stock print just because it goes with your decore when you could have original art that supports a local artist, works in the room, and offers an a satisfying emotional reaction. The No Da gallery crawl is a great place to make this kind of purchase. Invite another couple and go for the evening. Enjoy the crawl, grab a bite, then go to one of the many venues offering live music to cap off your evening. It will feel like you visited a whole new world in a short drive.

Membership in IDS and in the WCAA

Recently, I submitted an application to the Interior Design Society for membership. This organization is for professional interior designers and promotes excellence in residential interior design. They require school documentation and a track record of professional experience before they consider a designer for membership. I am very pleased to have been accepted to the national organization and am looking forward to joining the local Charlotte chapter soon. Many articles that you read about hiring an interior designer encourages a prospective client to make sure that the designer is affiliated with a professional design organization. It is exciting to now be listed among such a distinguished group.

Professional organizations offer ongoing education and information on the industry that they represent. The same is true with the Window Coverings Association of America. After several visits to the local WCAA chapter, I have found that the information and network of professional window specialists to be invaluable. By Design Interiors now boasts membership in this professional organization as well as the Interior Design Society. These memberships assure my clients that I am up to date on all the current and coming information in the area of windows and interior design.