It's all here!
April 2nd - April 5th, 2020
It's all here!
April 2nd - April 5th, 2020
Thursday, April 4
Thursday
April 4
12pm - 9pm
12p - 9p

Friday, April 5
Friday
April 5
12pm - 9pm
12p - 9p

Saturday, April 6
Saturday
April 6
10am - 9pm
10a - 9p

Sunday, April 7
Sunday
April 7
10am - 5pm
10a - 5p

Welcome to the Inspiration Showcase

The All New!

INSPIRATION Showcase

The definition of INSPIRATION is the feeling of enthusiasm you get from someone or something that gives you new and creative ideas. That is the essence of what our INSPIRATION SHOWCASE is based on. This new feature will provide visitors access to experts who will answer design questions as well as provide visually dramatic vignettes and educational support. DIY enthusiasts will leave with a renewed sense of excitement!

We are thrilled to welcome you to the INSPIRATION SHOWCASE and believe you’ll want to return year after year for the newest trends, decorating, design and entertaining tips.

Inspiration Showcase Experts

Lauren Giammarco
Mindful Spaces

Over a decade ago Mindful Spaces was born from Lauren’s passion for organization, but more importantly because she believes that our lives can be transformed when we begin to remove anything that no longer serves us within our physical environment. Lauren has a love and natural talent for helping others within their homes declutter, create organizational systems, and invite what they truly love into the space. Aside from her organizing business she has worked as a project manager for a top Boston based media and professional organizing company, is a wellness coach, and a two-time published author. Her book, The Unbecoming, explores the journey of finding our truth and living authentically. Lauren’s career began in retail and fashion merchandising, working in management and sales roles. She then transitioned into account management in the consumer goods industry, and she is currently working for Composites One

Topic 1: Simple time saving ways to organize your pantry and closet

Two of the most important areas in our home are we sleep and where we prepare our meals. When our closets are disorganized, and our kitchens feel cluttered it can be distracting and affect our mood. There are simple tools to incorporate into our daily lives that can save us time and energy in these two areas of our home.

Topic 2: Ways to keep clutter to a minimum to eliminate distraction, improve our wellbeing, and make space for our dreams

We all deserve to live the life of our dreams. By creating a home that reflects and inspires our authentic self and that supports the vision we have for our life, we begin to open up space for that to exist in our lives. If clutter is taking over your life, I can offer ways to move past it and tackle it once and for all.

Desiree Washington Edge
Designs by Des

Desiree is an interior designer in MA who runs a family-owned design firm. Since becoming a homeowner and new mom, she gravitated towards the value of having a home filled with beautiful multi-functional spaces. By working through her own challenging experiences, she created healthy comfortable environments for her growing family, hence the birth of Designs By Des Interiors. By continuing to share simple DIY and fun behind the scenes of an upbeat designer life, wife, and new mommy, she met more boss babes who struggled with the same and grew her clientele nationwide. By leaning on her architecture degree, concentration in Human Factors in Design (Human Psychology), and 6+ years of lighting design experience, she looked at the world differently. Through the years, DBDI runs as a luxury design boutique and has mastered distorting perspectives, brightening spaces, beautifying realities, and optimizing space through different techniques they continue to implement in all their interiors.

Topic 1: Spring Renewal Though Decor

As winter comes to an end, a way to embrace the new season is adding touches of spring throughout your interiors. The sense of renewal brings a vibrant energy into a space that can be incorporated with playful warm color integrations, tying natural elements like gorgeous floral stems and buds, or light and airy fabrics through textiles like throws and pillows to name a few. Spring decor helps uplift our winter blues as we embark on all the joys, the warmer weather brings.

Topic 2: How Paint Colors Influence Behaviors

Choosing the right paint color for an interior space can be daunting at times, but it does not have to be! If you are ever looking to have an immediate impact on an interior space, one of the most cost effective and influential ways to impact behavior is through paint. Paint has a direct correlation to influencing how we perceive and experience our surroundings. It is important to understand how you want to feel and be in a space when you choose your paint color and shades. For example, are you thinking about recreating an at home spa to mimic a rejuvenating experience you once you had? Adding hues from the ocean like blues and wood tones to your scheme, will help! Never underestimate the power of color splash in a space.

Jillian Gebhart
Gebhart Interiors

Jill Gebhart Interiors is a boutique home staging and interior design firm based in Rhode Island providing expert services to real estate agents and developers as well as providing the novice homeowner to the seasoned developer with design services and event planning. In the residential space she creates beautiful and unique interior spaces, utilizing the character of a home and highlighting its untapped potential. In the commercial design and display space, Jill has created windows for Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Armani, and Forever 21 as well as local small businesses. Aside from her private clients, Jillian also supports Sunshine Development Home Rehab Firm. Jill’s formal training began at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA and Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. She holds degrees in both Visual Communications and Marketing. Her years of experience collecting art and antiques helps her infuse otherwise clean settings with a pop of personality and charm.

TOPIC 1: Decorate Small Apartments, Rooms and Living Spaces

Small living spaces are a fact of life, whether you live in a small apartment or only have one or two small rooms in your home. The great thing about small living is that it often means you’re living a more efficient and less expensive life. But don’t worry, living small doesn’t mean your design options are limited. Careful thought and planning will help you get what you need and want from your small apartment, giving you the space, you need to live your life to the fullest.

TOPIC 2: Creating a Beautiful Shared Home Office

Shared office space can boost productivity at home, and it functions best when both occupants feel welcome. A home office shared between partners can blend masculine elements such as metal and leather with graceful lines and feminine colors to make both of you feel at home. The right home office decor can boost morale, helping you to feel engaged throughout the workday. So whether you’re a seasoned telecommuter or a work-from-home novice, give your office the inviting style it needs with these home office decor ideas.

Josh West and Chris Paradis
J. Allan & Paradise Home Staging

J. Allan & Paradise Home Staging was founded on the life-long friendship of Chris Paradis and Josh West. Chris cultivated over 35 years’ experience in design and creative merchandising, most recently working as the Regional Visual Manager for a national furniture chain. His experience in interior design partnered well with Josh’s background in operations and logistical planning. As a Manager of Strategic Projects for a big box retailer, Josh joined Chris in “staging with a story”. They provide premiere services to realtors, homeowners, event planners, and seasonal clients in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. With a focus of finding the story of a home through good design, their mission is to educate on the benefits of adding value to any project. They keep it real, authentic, and help clients create the space between where they are, and where they want to be.

TOPIC 1: Ready your home for photography

Marketing your home is one of the most important components, if not the most important piece. Most home buyers are visual, and chances are your home was found in an online search or on the MLS with photos. Studies have shown that professional photography has helped listings sell around 50 times faster than properties listed with poor imagery. Having dynamic and inviting photography of your home can make or break the initial impression that home buyers have of your property.

TOPIC 2: 3 Reasons Staging will Add More Value to the Asking Price

95% of homes that are staged by professional home stagers sell, on average, in 35 days or less and for near the asking price – versus 140 days for non-staged homes, according to a study by the Accredited Staging Professionals (ASP). Staging is like packaging an item for purchase. The appearance, style, and functionality of the packaging design is what helps sell the product faster. Think of any car that you had to test drive because it looked pretty. Think of any liquor bottle or cellphone design that just looked “really cool”. Staging enhances and showcases your product to the home buyer. It is an investment to a higher return.

Arlene Ayala
Kürätëd PVD

Kürätëd is a minority woman-owned Rhode Island venture that provides incredible personally styled charcuterie and picnics. Arlene, former owner of Cashmere Eventi, an event and wedding planning business. Arlene, doing business as Kürätëd focuses on crafting charcuterie boards and micro events planning. Services include charcuterie boards, boxes, and grazing tables for your personal enjoyment, private or business events, in addition to charcuterie and mindfulness workshops utilizing her knowledge as a psychotherapist, life coach, wellness and social emotional facilitator both in English and Spanish. She believes in one’s well-being and is intentional in crafting experiences that are not only fun but relaxing and enjoyable for all attendees. Arlene is an organized and detail-oriented event planner with years of experience in designing, coordinating, and executing events. She tailors events according to the personal tastes and budgets of clients, managing and exceeding expectations.

TOPIC 1: Entertaining Charcuterie Style

A beautiful charcuterie board is a statement piece and a time-saver, since it typically requires little to absolutely no cooking. It could be described it as a signature party food. It only takes a few minutes to assemble (really!) and you don’t need to be an expert food stylist. Not to mention, it can be made ahead of time, and popped in your fridge until right before serving. Once it’s on the table being enjoyed it can be left out for grazing for up to 2 hours.

TOPIC 2: 4 S’s of Charcuterie: Sweet, Savory, Salty, Spicy

Charcuterie boards should generally incorporate sweet, savory, salty, and spicy items for a truly balanced experience. Here are some examples:

  • Sweet. Fruit (fresh and dried): grapes, strawberries, dates, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, figs, etc. Your spreads can also be sweet like the apricot jam, fig spread, jellies, etc.
  • Savory. The cheese and meats take charge here. I like to have at least 3 varieties of each.
  • Salty. Because the meats are cured, they are also salty. Cheese, nuts, and crackers are other sources of salty items.
  • Spicy. You don’t need to go overboard here – maybe one or two items. The orange cheese you see is a habanero mango cheddar. And the dark purple jelly is a marionberry habanero pepper jelly. Just make sure you let your guests know where the heat is on your charcuterie board.
Katherine Genevieve
Homeology Studios

Katherine has worked with hundreds of industry experts, including interior designers, architects, home stagers, set designers, and stylists. She’s helped build a trade department within Wayfair before stepping into the more creative role of interior stylist for the company’s photography department. Here, she worked for over three years to create imagery for catalog, direct mail, and digital channels – as well as establish brand standards. Katherine graduated with a degree in Woodworking and Furniture Design and is inspired by taking an ‘old’, disregarded furniture piece and making it once again a desired piece that will be enjoyed for years to come. Her roles of interior stylist, stager, creator, and educator provides the opportunity for her to showcase her skill sets and educating people on the true impact interior spaces can have in the real estate market and everyday life.

TOPIC 1: Dappled Lighting and What it Means

How to Create Dappled Light Imagine laying under a tree on a warm sunny day. You might find that your body immediately relaxes, and your mind feels at peace. The type of light breaking through those trees is referred to as dappled lighting, and it’s the preferred lighting to be under for most humans. Aside from the relaxed vibes, there are also plenty of design benefits to working with dappled lighting. Here’s how to achieve the dappled lighting effect in your home. So, what is dappled light? This fractured light taps into the dormant survival skills we once relied upon to stay safe before modern day housing. Basking under a tree on a sunny day typically meant no need to seek shelter or warmth. While this survival instinct no longer serves us in the same way it used to, we tend to retain those baked in preferences. Dappled lighting elicits a similar response of safety to our psyche.

TOPIC 2: Transform old furniture into new, functional pieces

Have a piece of furniture that you absolutely love, but is looking a little tired or doesn’t quite work with the rest of your interior style? Everyone has at least one piece of furniture that’s old and has seen better days. And you’ve probably dreamt about replacing it. Maybe with a designer piece of your dreams, or a piece that has the functionality you desire without the bruises of a hard-lived life. Redesigning old furniture is more fun and less expensive than replacing fine furniture. When you’re done, you’ll not only have a new piece — you’ll have serious bragging rights too.

Inspiration Showcase Demonstrations

Thursday, March 30th

Charcuterie Designer Arlene Ayala
Charcuterie Making Demonstration
Thursday, March 30th
6:00pm
 
Interior Decorator Desiree Washington
Design and Decor Presentation
Thursday, March 30th
6:00pm
 

Friday, March 31st

Charcuterie Designer Arlene Ayala
Charcuterie Making Demonstration
Friday, March 31st
6:00pm
 

Saturday, April 1st

Charcuterie Designer Arlene Ayala
Charcuterie Making Demonstration
Saturday, April 1st
1:00pm
 
Interior Decorator Desiree Washington
Design and Decor Presentation
Saturday, April 1st
4:00pm
 
Charcuterie Designer Arlene Ayala
Charcuterie Making Demonstration
Saturday, April 1st
6:00pm
 

Sunday, April 2nd

Charcuterie Designer Arlene Ayala
Charcuterie Making Demonstration
Sunday, April 2nd
2:00pm
 

Brought to you by:

Inspiration Showcase Producer: 

Pat Paolino Cruz of Pat Cruz Events is an event production specialist, former radio show host, avid networker, connection maker, marketing strategist and social media innovator nationally celebrated for ranking TOP FIVE Rhode Islanders with highest calculated social media influence. She’s created a socially oriented business environment that uses and combines a uniquely large local network and social media visibility with popular event concepts. Her face-to-face signature events (Taste of Rhode Island, RI Women’s Expo and Monthly Networking Events) provide cost-effective marketing opportunities for businesses who need to increase their network and customer base by getting them face-to-face with the ‘right people’.

SHOW TIMES
Thur, April 4th 12pm - 9pm
Friday, April 5th 12pm - 9pm
Saturday, April 6th 10am - 9pm
Sunday, April 7th 10am - 5pm
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