Berlin Designs, Inc. Blog: Design Rituals

... a passionate revelation of my design rituals ...
a passionate account from a South Florida award-wining interior designer who is blessed to celebrate her 20th year anniversary of designing "interiors that lift your spirit™"
Welcome! The search is finally over. That perfect marriage of understanding without words:one look, one image, a breathtaking view... Someone who will know how to interpret her client's wishes by listening to all the unsaid words, seeing the cues, perceiving the feelings with a simple gaze.
I am the lucky designer who will get to go into the personal spaces in your life, your office or home. That place you call your own, where you can be you. Your surroundings matter to me, my passion is to let the best of you shine through the space you occupy. No antiseptic rooms, catalog photo-shoot ready, rather the elegant comfort of a back porch at sunset is the feeling I want in the interior of your private spaces. The sink-down comfort of being in your OWN space.
Let your smile shine as you enjoy learning about my passion for design. Then, you will see why we say: experience Interiors that lift your spirit™.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Controversial Ground Zero shall yet soar



As the soaring bird-like design for his World Trade Center PATH station has been endlessly pared down over the years due to budget concerns and other troubles at Ground Zero, Santiago Calatrava has maintained his cool—happily redesigning signature elements to trim costs and repeatedly telling reporters what an honor it is just to be involved. But New York Times architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff feels Calatrava's pain and goes to bat for the Spanish starchitect, using the unveiling of a new model of the revised design to praise Calatrava's skill and problem-solving while shredding pretty much everything else about the project—including its placement at the WTC (creating too long of a connection to the MTA's Fulton Transit Center), the excessive retail added to the Grand Central-inspired underground "Great Hall," the forced tweaks to the design and the overall limited use of the station. Calatrava doesn't come away completely unscathed, with Ouroussoff criticizing the limited number of entries and the fact that there's no way to get to the street directly from the train platforms, but in the end Ouroussoff pins the blame on forces greater than Calatrava. The "seeds of the design's failure were there from the very beginning," he writes, and the PATH station just "reinforces the likelihood that one day, decades from now, when the site is finally completed, it will stand as a testament to our inability to put self-interests aside in the face of one of America’s greatest tragedies."

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Ylighting brings Spanish designer overseas


Gandia Blasco from Ylighting

Gandia Blasco was born in 1941 as a family business in Valencia, basing its activity in the manufacture of blankets and traditional bedspreads. This activity was kept for more than 40 years until it was decided to give the company a strategic change in the mid-1980s. Gandia Blasco decided to change its focus toward the production and design of home-textiles, furniture, and lighting. All of the products designed and distributed by Gandia Blasco share the same qualities and features: modern, fresh design with personality.

Outdoor life and all the products related to it are the main objective and focus of the company, taking the warmth and luxury of the interior to the outdoor environment.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Kitchen remodel




Before and After









I always feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when I see the amazing changes a room undergoes during the process of remodeling. The existing architecture dictates the shapes and elements, but is the details that make the dream a reality. All the unexpected repetitions of a theme add visual power and interest. These elements can be adapted from other areas of the surrounding rooms, be it the diamond basket weave motif of the frosted glass panels or similar wood trims or finishes. Perhaps the shapes that evoke sensual curves on a counter top invite the guests and homeowner to become one with the space, allowing for traffic flow to be second nature.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Duravit Showroom in NYC

Duravit invited a few select designers from the Miami and Chicago area to attend a 2-day in depth product overview course as well as a sneak preview on their new items to be added to their amazing collection.

A full detailed explanation went into the German company's profile, Worldwide locations and position in the luxury market. Further, an insider's view of how Duravit has been doing manufacturing in a green and ecologically sensible way for over 40 years was a remarkable example to learn from.

Their partner Geberit has afforded them the edge in wall mounted sanitary toilets, urinals and bidets, thus saving precious and top dollar square feet for developers throughout the U.S.

In addition their association with designers the like of Phillipe Stark has elevated the luxury and branding efforts of Duravit to a level of unparalleled beauty and style. A true display of German engineering at it's best! Well done Duravit!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

World's First: Non-profit luxury eco-resort announced

January 14, 2009– (Atlanta, GA) The Cacao Pearl, Palawan: the world's first non-profit and luxury eco-resort community to commit 100 per cent of operating profits to environmental protection and social improvements will be built on a 124 acre private island in the Calamianes archipelago, at the northernmost tip of the Palawan Biosphere Reserve in the Philippines.

The Cacao Pearl will occupy an entire private island, with 124 acres of lush rainforest and towering coconut trees fringed with over a mile of pristine beaches, according to its operator, Cacao Resorts. This new approach to resort-communities is nestled within the eco-tourism destination of Palawan - Philippines, a stunning eco preservation area within sailing distance of two UNESCO World heritage sites & four marine reserves. The Cacao Pearl is an eco-chic low-density boutique resort concept promising sustainable development and sustainable enjoyment — designer homes with zero carbon cost, 5 stars service, an infinity pool, wreck & reef diving, a secluded destination spa, organic gardens & bar, restaurant, private media rooms and enough delicious design details to delight the most discerning guest.

"Forget old luxury, welcome green luxury!" said Joel Cere, CEO of Cacao Resorts." Cacao Resorts is offering eco-aware urban escapees the luxury of private island home ownership with the launch of a truly guilt-free investment: The Cacao Pearl, Palawan." "In a world of homogenous, over-developed concrete destinations, disinterested developers, fake themes and over-priced mini-bars, token green gestures and disenfranchised communities, Cacao Resorts provide an authentic experience for the grown-up backpacker, a guilt-free option for the traveler with conscience, a breath of fresh tropical air for sophisticated urban escapees."

Cacao Resorts operates a "greenprint" for operations and, with development partners Barefoot Investments and Abode Management, benefit from sustainable construction methods employed, ethical management practice observed, and ecologically responsible operations as standard. That means 100% renewable energy, and for the first time in the hospitality industry, 100% of the resort's net operating profits will be used to support local environmental and social programs. You can now own a truly chic eco-home with a conscience and investment-grade security.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

HOT new trend: eco-friendly fireplaces

Eco-friendly fireplaces: the constraints of a traditional fireplace disappear.
Forget about red brick and fieldstone! Eco-friendly fireplaces will soon arrive in stores all wrapped up in mantelpieces of stainless steel, copper, titanium, ceramic or synthetic coatings.
Twenty years ago talk of modern, decorative and eco-friendly fireplaces would have been considered sheer madness. But in
Europe, fireplaces burning denatured ethanol are becoming much more than just an insignificant invention. It will now be making its appearance on the North American market. A truly revolutionary concept, for these fireplaces without need of vents or chimneys can be moved around a house or an apartment without any installation. Eco-friendly fireplaces heat the interior slowly without using the normal fuels such as wood, propane or electricity.

As well as being green, these fireplaces have an outstanding appearance which could revolutionize consumer behavior. With creative use of different materials, the mantelpieces of these bio-appliances are available in beautiful designs, colors and textures.

Using classic materials and restrained styles these new fireplaces will never go out of fashion. With a front of tempered glass and an enameled frame, it’s possible to hang these fireplaces on the wall as we would a painting or a plasma television. What’s more, the form, framing and the play of the flames can be personalized. This range of fireplaces will be welcomed stateside with open arms, particularly by those looking for something different.