Interior Design Week in Illinois

Here is the latest and greatest news from IIDC:
Just in time for NeoCon 2011!

GOVERNOR QUINN PROCLAIMS INTERIOR DESIGN WEEK IN ILLINOIS JUNE 12 - JUNE 18, 2011

Chicago, IL - The Illinois Interior Design Coalition (IIDC) is pleased to announce Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has proclaimed June 12 - 18, 2011 Interior Design Week in recognition of the contributions interior designers make to the state of Illinois. Interior Design Week will coincide with the 43rd annual NeoCon World's Trade Fair being held at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago June 13-15, 2011.

The proclamation notes interior design as a multi-faceted profession which applies both creative and technical solutions within structures to achieve functional, safe and aesthetically pleasing interior environments; recognizes Registered Interior Designers as professionals responsible for planning space and being attuned to architectural detailing as well as being educated in regulations set forth by construction and building codes; acknowledges the interior design profession's encouragement of the principles of environmental sustainability; and identifies the Interior Design Title Act which regulates the use of the title "Registered Interior Designer" by ensuring registered professionals comply with the strict licensing requirements based on education, experience and examination established in the interest of protecting the public's health, safety and welfare.

IIDC wishes to thank Governor Quinn for recognizing the profession of interior design as well as approximately 1,500 Registered Interior Designers practicing as registered professionals in the great state of Illinois.

In addition, IIDC is indebted to Senator Kimberly Lightford who continues to support legislation for the profession of interior design.

In recognition of Interior Design Week in Illinois, IIDC urges designers qualified by education, experience and examination to register with the state as a Registered Interior Designer. For more information on how to become a Registered Interior Designer, visit:
http://www.iidcpac.org/ or email IIDC at info@iidcpac.org.

IIDC is the legislative advocate dedicated to promoting, protecting and enhancing the interior design profession in the state of Illinois. The Illinois Interior Design Title Act prohibits anyone not registered with the state from using the title "Registered Interior Designer". For further information about IIDC or becoming a registered interior designer, contact IIDC at info@iidcpac.org or visit our website http://www.iidcpac.org/.

A new way to live

This recent architectural graduate in China may be a prime candidate for "The Rent is Too High" party in New York. Unable to pay the high rent for an apartment in Beijing, he decided to build his own egg-shaped pod out of a bamboo frame, wood chip insulation, and sod cladding. The little sidewalk hosue even includes a solar panel which provides enough power for a light and some other electrical "necessities". I wonder if this will catch on in the US as people still struggle to pay for their rent in this recession...

getting the travel bug

Hola Espana!

I hve always been a traveler, and when I finally took the plunge and booked my latest adventure- I knew I wanted it to be to Spain & Portugal. I was very excited to see and experience the diverse architecture & culture. Barcelona is home to many wonderful whimsical works by Antonio Gaudi, while traveling south through the Andalusia region, you can find some of the greatest examples of Moorish architecture. What amazed me most about all that I saw was the amount of detail. They cut no corners, spared no expense. Everything was thought through to the nth degree, from the mosaic tile patterns to the stained glass design, to ensuring even amounts of light spill into a room like at Casa Batllo.

Gaudi's Sagrada Familia is still being constructed from plans that he created to finish his masterpiece. It truly is a masterpiece in every sense of the word, from the flower like ceiling inside to the climbing spires & the massive metal carved doors, my favorite detail. His work can only be continued to be built through donations & grants. It is fascinating to visit the studio where they are actually building & constructing using Gaudi's own plans. It is my plan to visit Barcelona again when it is finally complete.

As a complete contrast to the Modernism & Art Nouveau Gaudi, the must-see place in Spain is La Alhambra de Granada. La Alhambra is a palace or fortress constructed in the 14th century by the Moorish rulers of the Nasrid dynasty. It covers a massive amount of ground, over 1.5 million square feet, with 6 palaces, spectacular sprawling gardens & pools, as well panoramic views of the city from atop the hill. It attracts millions of tourists every year and has become such a popular attraction that they limit the amount of visitors each day to the site.

Here's to the next adventure & inspiration.

On November 2nd Whitney's own Design Director, Sal Graziano spoke to a group of industry professionals regarding cost effective ways to update an interior office space with longevity. The event was hosted by IFMA (International Facility Management Association) in the newly renovated Mr. David's Flooring International Ltd. in Itasca Illinois (shout out to Samantha Wenzel and the Mr. David's project team!)


Sal discussed how updating the right elements in an interior space can have a large impact on the space, without having a large impact on the budget. Incorporating energy efficient light fixtures, neutral colors, and timeless architecture and patterns can help the space hold up to evolving design trends for years. Minimal upgrades to the ceiling tile, accent lighting, flooring pattern and/or wall colors can rejuvenate an interior that otherwise may have been gutted for a fresh look. Upgrades to the lighting will not only help the look of the space, but can also provide long term energy cost savings if more efficient fixtures are used.


With over 30 years of experience in the field, Sal prides himself on staying on top of the latest industry trends. We at Whitney are extremely lucky to have such a wealth of knowledge to draw from on a daily basis.


Great job Sal!

On 10.10.10 communities across the world came together for the largest day of global political action in history. Approx. 7,380 work parties in 188 countries were organized by people hoping to inspire meaningful change in climate awareness and action. Fueled by the 350.org movement, Whitney partnered with the Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition to organize a tree planting event that provided ten residential homes with American Linden trees donated by Shemin Nurseries. Those trees will provide shade and energy savings for homeowners for years to come.

Sustainability is a vital part of Whitney’s everyday business, as we constantly look for environmentally conscious architectural solutions for our clients. As designers, we have a great responsibility and opportunity to inspire change and inform our clients of new sustainable strategies and products. This process can sometimes be long and difficult, as financial motives often drive decisions over “feel good” incentives. This was our opportunity to get our hands dirty and truly practice what we preach, even if in a somewhat symbolic fashion. Informative action and spreading awareness in our communities is crucial for us to make a dent in solving the environmental crisis we face today. Hopefully events like this will get people talking across the nation, and inspire them to get to work on creating real change in our world.

On the morning of 10.10.10, a group of twenty Whitney employees, friends and family gathered to go over our tree planting game plan. Armed with spiffy matching t-shirts and detailed hand-drawn diagrams created by our very own tree planting expert Mark Stenftenagel, we split up into 5 teams that would each tackle planting two trees at two Elmhurst homes. Each yard was marked by the city arborist to pinpoint the most environmentally beneficial planting spot, where the tree would provide the most shaded relief from the hot sun. It has been proven that when a tree is planted on the west side of a home it has six times the carbon sequestration of a tree planted in the open.

Upon arriving at the selected homeowners’ lots, we got to digging holes approximately 3’ deep and 4’ in diameter, as the sun kept us warm all day. We even enjoyed the assistance of a few little helpers who were beyond excited about helping dig the hole for their very own tree. We are certain all the enthusiasm and excitement of our young assistants was due to carbon emission reduction and not the long, slimy worms crawling out of the clay dirt. After hours of Whitney crew members digging, watering and hauling dirt and fertilizer, the homeowners were thrilled to have a beautiful new tree in their yard and to be able to say that they took part in the 350.org global work party.

At the end of a fun-filled and productive day, the teams rejoined at one of Elmhurst’s favorite pubs, where thrills, trials and tribulations were shared over a celebratory drink. The event was a great success and it will be one of many similar green community events organized by Whitney in the future. It feels great being able to make a difference in our local communities and to spread awareness to the realities of our challenges, in efforts to protect the environment and our future.

- Whitney Green Committee

Inner City Impact

Whitney and its team members are involved in many charities and organizations, such as Junior Achievement of Chicago, City of Hope, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Onward House. Continuing with our efforts to give back to the community, we've teamed up with Inner City Impact to help them with their new facility.

Inner City Impact is a non-for-profit organization dedicated to helping get children off the streets. It has served the inner city of Chicago since 1972. Committed staff reach kids ages 5 to 18 in some of Chicago's toughest neighborhoods- Humboldt Park, Logan Square, and Cicero. Through Inner City Impact's core programs, dedicated full-time missionaries and volunteers work with children in Bible studies, one-on-one discipleship, and in a variety of other Christ-centered, wholesome, and fun activities.

Their new facility will be built in Cicero and will offer children and teens a place in which to retreat. It will include private tutoring rooms, an arts and crafts center, lounge, worship center, classrooms, sports facility, and game room. This project is being made possible only through the help of others in the community. Despite the current economic hardship, many of the building materials and construction services have been donated.

If you would like to donate to this great organization or for more information, please visit Inner City Impact

searching for inspiration

As designers, we're constantly looking for ways to inspire ourselves. It can be in fashion, art, architecture, history, movies, or for some of us at Whitney, the latest issue of Azure Magazine. Design is always evolving and its nice to see people who 'think outside the box'. Take a look at some design we're inspired by. (Soft Citizen's office in Toronto & Rainbow Cleaners)