Tag Archives: cai designs

Friday Finds: Leo Designs

This week’s feature: Georgeann Rivas of Leo Designs!

“I wanted to provide my clients with a refuge from their busy lives. They have demanding careers and four children, so this lake house is their sanctuary. The smooth, curvy lines of our Kagan Sofa combined with the softness of our Thayer Coggin Swivel Chairs contribute to a feeling of tranquility and comfort in this beach home.”

Featured Product:

  • Stockton Swivel Chairs by Thayer Coggin

For more information on Leo Designs, visit leodesignschicago.com.

Our showrooms are currently open and appointments are recommended. Please contact your local showroom for assistance.

Friday Finds: Philip Chavez

This week’s feature: Philip Chavez, Creative Director for C.A.I. Designs!

“Coming from my favorite corner in the Arlington Heights showroom, my inspiration is from mixing materials reminiscent of my home in New Mexico. The use of refined pieces with dusty palettes from the sunset to tribal patterning coming from the surrounding reservations to organic shapes found in the river valley, they each evoke memories of discovering items in old barns or ranches and digging through my grandparent’s treasure trove of pieces from generations past.”

Arlington Design Center

Featured Products:

  • Wood Panel Carving by Asian Loft
  • Sectional by Burton James
  • Sideboard by John Richard
  • Dining and Cocktail Tables by Taracea
  • Art by Wendover Art Group
  • Dining Chair by Designmaster
  • Accessories by CAI Designs Imports

For more information on our Arlington Heights Virtual Tour, please visit caidesigns.net/contact/arlington.php.

Our showrooms are currently open and appointments are recommended. Please contact your local showroom for assistance.

Meet Denver Design Contest Winner Shelley Sims

During The Design Contest from C.A.I. Designs Denver, four amazing designers created a vignette in the Denver showroom. Each designer teamed up with a preselected student of Interior Design, had one hour to select pieces from existing inventory, and one hour to create their most inspired design using their selections. At the end of the time limit, we photographed each design and gave other designers a chance to vote on their favorite. The winning designer was Shelley Sims of Thrive Design. We took a few minutes to find out more about Shelley and her student Design Assistant for the contest, Miriam Griffin.

Q. Which piece in your portfolio are you most proud of and why?

A. I have a client in Keystone that has a family house that I’ve been able to work for over the years. I’ve been able to do something in each of the rooms including completely remodeling the kitchen and the master bath along with the other five bathrooms. To me, it’s the most fun and exciting project. We were able to preserve some of the parent’s design aspects while bringing the house current. The end result was a beautiful place for people who come to Colorado to enjoy the outdoors. Plus the client has been so fun to work with because they have ideas of their own that we incorporate into the home. I also get the opportunity to offer all of my great ideas so the end result is even better than any of us could imagine. I’m very grateful for them. See more of Shelley’s work here.

Q. Which interior design course was the most difficult for you and why?

A. Oddly enough I didn’t actually go to design school. I went to fashion merchandising and marketing school. That’s where I realized my love for textiles, color and design. I was trying to become a buyer or a department manager for one of the big stores like Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s, but right after I finished school I realized I was way more creative than I thought I was. So when I left New York City to come back to Colorado, I started doing visual merchandising at the Denver Merchandise Mart. Not only was I doing window displays, I very quickly worked my way into working on rooms and remodeling pool show rooms. A few years later I got an opportunity to do a remodel on a home. It was then that I realized that I love Interior Design and that I had design skills that I didn’t even know existed.

Q. Who is your biggest design influence?

A. Kelly Wearstler

Q. Where did you draw your inspiration from for your vignette?

A. Based on a couple of comments that the student Miriam had mentioned, I just made up in my mind that she was going to be the client. So I asked her to go around and pick things that she loved. We made up a scenario that she had just traveled around the world and that she had returned with treasures from her trip. She was then hosting a party where she was inviting all her friends to come over and learn about her travels. It was a really great example for her to be able to be the client as well as the designer at the same time. It made it really fun.

Q. If you could give future designers one piece of advice, what would it be? 

A. Based on that experience I would suggest they go spend a day with a couple of different designers. By doing this, they can be inspired by how each of us work so very differently. There’s not one “right” way. Each one of us bring our variety of experiences, teachings, trainings, learnings and personalities into the projects. So every room is a one-of-a-kind custom art piece.

Q. Which school do you attend?

A. Pike Peak Community College

Q. What is your favorite design class?

A. It is a tie between Accessorizing and Space Planning.

Q. Who is your biggest design influence?

A. If I am being honest I don’t have a design influence. I don’t know much about the design world seeing as I jumped into interior design head first with no clue what to expect. I’m learning as I go and meeting great people. The people that I have met along the way, who have helped me and taught me, have been my biggest influencers, I cannot wait to either work with them in the future or be like them.

Q. What are your career plans after graduation?

A. I haven’t figured that out yet but I’m excited to. I’m hoping to go into commercial design and that’s all I know right now.

Q. What was the number one thing you learned while taking part in The Design Contest? And Why?

A. Being able to work with all four designers made me realize that they all think and work differently. Every vignette was beautiful but the path we took to get to the finished product was different for each designer. It was crazy to see how each performed and it helped me see which methods were more proficient.

Clearly Fashionable

You know her or maybe you are her, that chic girl who always looks good no matter the situation.  Brimming with effortless style yet understated and lovely, she is the envy of many yet lets others stand out.  

Translate these qualities to furniture and we can’t help but think of that star of small spaces, acrylic furniture.  Uncompetitive yet playful, acrylic can complement and enhance almost any room style.  Since the peak of plexiglass in the 1970’s, this creative material has been seen in fashionable rooms everywhere.  

If it’s been awhile since you’ve used acrylic in a design, think of it as a solution to balance a busy living space or to add a hip update to a stale dining room.  The possibilities are endless.  Here are a few of our favorite acrylic pieces to add to your projects right now.

Gain a whole new perspective on acrylic furniture during our CEU presentation at Denver Launch Spring Market. Interlude Home’s VP of Sales Sean McFadden will explain acrylic’s history and why it is the clear choice for fashion forward designers everywhere. GET ALL THE DETAILS & REGISTER NOW

Woodbridge Wows at C.A.I

If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Woodbridge Furniture owner Kevin Hinshaw, chances are the next time you see him, he will remember your name, your kids’ names and that of your family pet.  It is this personalized approach to business that Kevin and his father have instilled within the company that truly sets Woodbridge apart in the furniture industry. 

One of Kevin’s favorite pieces is the Jupe dining table which features self-storing leaves that extend the table to a 72″ round that is perfect for large family gatherings.

The story of this customer focused company began 16 years ago when Kevin and his father started the business.  Inspired by design and in love with the design process, they set out to build a brand that would have a reputation for timeless design.  Despite struggles and with a lot of hard work, they did just that.  Today, Woodbridge offers high quality finishes, best in class construction, and even custom paint and upholstery options so that you get exactly the look that you envision.    

C.A.I Designs is now proud to offer the complete Woodbridge line.  Visit us and take a look at what they have to offer for your next project. 

Have we peaked your curiosity?  Visit one of our showrooms to see these pieces.


Grand Re-Opening in Denver

Thanks to all who attended our Grand Re-opening at
The Denver Design District On Thursday, Sept 27th.

 

Guests were greeted with a welcome cocktail of champagne, wine and specialty cocktail custom created by our amazing mixologist Courtney Flynn.

 

While enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres by Footers Catering,
designers and vendors mingled throughout our relocated and expanded showroom including a lighting boutique, dedicated designer library, and many new product selections.
Special Thanks to our C.A.I. Designs corporate team and Denver Showroom Staff for making our new showroom a reality. 

 

Click Here to view all photos from our Grand Re-Opening. Feel free to contact our Denver Showroom with any questions on our latest expansion or product lines.

A Very GRAND Re-Opening

Thanks to all who attended our Grand Re-opening at
The Merchandise Mart Chicago On Thursday, Sept 20th.

 

Guests were greeted with live music by Moeller Music – guitar and cello duo playing popular songs with a cocktail vibe.moeller music

 

L: Steven Siedlecki shares a hug with Haley Pearson of JP Interiors R: Mark Robinson & Ruthie Stebbins of RHS Interiors & Design with Haley Pearson

L: Pipa Bradbury of Pipa Bradbury Design with Renne DiSanto & Christina Samatas of Park & Oak R: Kristen Olsen of David Olsen Design with her husband

While enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres by Catering by Michaels,
designers and vendors mingled throughout our newly renovated and expanded showroom including a lighting boutique, dedicated designer library and many new product selections.
Special Thanks to our C.A.I. Designs corporate team for making our expanded showroom a reality. Owner Joe Caminiti made a toast to Creative Director, Philip Chavez for all of his efforts. Our Denver Showroom will be hosting their Grand Opening as well on Thursday, September 27th.

 

L to R: Philip Chavez, Roberta Honquest, Joe Caminiti, Glen Kaplan

Click Here to view all photos from our Grand Re-Opening. Feel free to contact our Chicago Showroom with any questions on our latest expansion or product lines.