WDC Onsite Newsletter: Summer 2006

VOLUME 12 • ISSUE 3 • June 2006
3OO D STREET, SW, WASHINGTON, DC 20024 • 202.646.6100

WDC Is Reaching Out To Up-and-Coming Designers

By Julia Chappell

The Washington Design Center is blessed to have so many prominent designers shop our 43 showrooms on a regular basis. For those dedicated to our center, we offer privileges such as designated parking, designer index boards, Mart Cards for easy access, a Designers in Print recognition board, lecturers and workshops for continuing education and VIP invitations to social networking events. But what about all of the new interior designers who are starting design careers? Do they know the benefits of shopping The Washington Design Center?

The Washington Design Center is making a commitment to our valued showrooms and to aspiring designers by developing a “New Designers Forum” with the goal of gaining insight into these energetic new minds. We will find out how to reach new designers, what will attract them to the center, what types of programs will help nurture their careers, how they shop and what they are looking for and how to retain them as loyal customers. If you know of any new designers that would be interested in joining the New Designers Forum, please contact me at jchappell@mmart.com.

Washington Spaces Design House Room Makes Magazine Cover

Susan Gulick of Susan Gulick Interiors dons the cover of the Spring 2006 Washington Spaces magazine featuring her Urban Space as depicted in the current design house. The Urban Space, inspired by urban Washingtonian living, combines sleeping, dining, working and conversation into one functional room. The magazine features a four-page write-up on all of the rooms in the Design House. Furthermore, the media coverage and numerous tours of the Design House have led to wonderful new clients and sizeable jobs for participating designers. Please stop by the Spring 2006 Design House, open through June 24, to see all 10 beautiful Washington Spaces.

Ed Collins Joins the WDC

Ed Collins will serve as Interim General Manager for both the Design Center and Office Center properties. Ed comes to Washington from Chicago where he served as Vice President of 33 North Dearborn, a Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) property that was recently sold. Ed brings a wealth of expertise in the residential furnishings industry to his new role. From 1995-2002, Ed served as leasing director and vice president of leasing for residential and casual furnishings at MMPI. Please join The Washington Design Center in welcoming Ed to the nation's capital.