Featuring the theme, Fall Focus: Style & Status, Britt Albright asks, “What drives your design?” A talk dedicated to finding your inner design style, or what Britt calls "Internal Design" and extracting only the right consumer fashion influences for you or your clients. Additional conversations include how macro and micro consumer trends affect the interior designer and their choices. Britt Albright, Henredon vice president of creative design, has been a critical component to the unsurpassed design quality synonymous to the Henredon brand. In this role, Albright is responsible for all areas of Henredon's business that involve fashion and style and recently extended her focus to Barbara Barry Realized by Henredon.

In connection with the Fall Focus: Style & Status theme, The Washington Design Center marketing department is putting together a What’s Hot floor showcase. Each floor will have a display during Fall Focus that screams, "style, trend and cutting-edge fashion." As the humidity rises this summer, start thinking about which “hot” item from your showroom should be the focus this Fall. To participate, please provide a short description (20 words or less) and digital image of your What’s Hot item by August 1. The WDC plans to promote the displays through the Fall Focus mailer and program, as well as a detailed card with your showroom information on each piece. If you are interested in helping design and create these displays, please contact Jennifer Rabinovitz at 202.646.6109.

On Tuesday, October 10, The Washington Design Center premiers the Fall Lecture Series by welcoming Nancy Corzine, creator of inspirational designs in furniture, lighting and interiors, for more than 20 years. Her interiors characterize elegance, whether they reflect transitional, casual, contemporary or traditional styles. Her furniture and lighting follow suit of her interiors—elegant and sophisticated. Nancy Corzine's line is available at The Washington Design Center through the Niermann Weeks showroom. A luncheon and meet-and-greet will follow her discussion.

On Tuesday, October 17, the Royal Oak Foundation and The Washington Design Center present the famed textile, garden and interior designer, Martin Wood as he discusses Nancy Lancaster's English country house style, about which he penned a novel. Known for being the premier tastemaker of the 20th century, Nancy Lancaster created the "English Country House Style," which emphasizes a mixture of chintzes and antique furniture. Please join us for a book signing following the lecture.

The Fall Design Lecture Series concludes on Thursday, November 2, with the "Picasso of Home Furnishings," Larry Laslo. In partnership with Robert Allen, Laslo has developed total room concepts using decorative fabrics such as velvets, leathers, sheers and outdoor constructions, as well as decorative curtain rods and trimmings. These introductions will be launched in early-to-mid 2007. Please join us for Laslo's intriguing lecture and meet first-hand the designer of the flagship Takashimaya on Fifth Avenue and the Bergdorf-Goodman store here, at The Washington Design Center.

Mark your calendar! The Georgetown Jingle, a new holiday extravaganza and philanthropic event conceived by the Four Seasons Hotel, JDS Designs, The Washington Design Center and the Georgetown BID, will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2006, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown. We’ll be celebrating the inspirations of the season by showcasing area designers, Georgetown businesses and Washington Design Center showrooms.

Close-up of last year’s tree by Kelly Flocks and Antony Childs

And we’ll be raising funds for the pediatric bone marrow transplant program at Georgetown University Hospital.

Designers and showrooms can showcase their holiday style through tabletop décor, holiday vignettes or Christmas trees. The event will also feature a holiday boutique and auction.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can participate in the Georgetown Jingle, please contact Julia Chappell, 202.646.6101 or Ashley Klick, 202.543.8631.

Cynthia Bruno, Suzanne Lord, David Herchik and guest at the 2005 celebration