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ShelterPop asked out favorite design world luminaries to tell us their New Year's resolutions. We wanted to know what decorators, designers and authors were planning to do in their homes, their lives and their businesses. From Charlotte Moss to Rachel Ashwell to Alexa Hampton, here's what members of the design world are resolving to do in 2010:
From left to right: Designers Rachel Ashwell, Jamie Drake and Alexa Hampton
"To sleep more -- at least 6 to 7 hours a night -- and enjoy my beautiful bedroom/bed/bedding. To work on my penmanship. Emailing and my Blackberry have made me lazy with my execution of communication. I will buy lovely pens and paper and take the time to use the regular mail. To learn to cook a little more, from scratch. To read more fiction, especially classics."
Jamie Drake, principal Drake Design Associates:
"Laugh more, worry less and stop obsessing!"
Alexa Hampton, president and featured designer Mark Hampton LLC:
"It takes discipline to maintain your surroundings rather than simply to splurge on something new. You never hear someone resolve to spend a fortune on all new curtains, do you? (However, if you have made this resolution, please call me immediately!) As a decorator and designer, I want the environments I've created to stay beautiful.
So, with that in mind, my resolution this year -- the one I'm determined to keep -- is to maintain my own apartment diligently. I want to make sure to have my rugs cleaned every six months (I live near a bridge), my windows washed three times this year instead of only twice, and to prolong my paint job by doing annual paint touch-ups. If you're disciplined, the end result will be sexy, even though the process doesn't sound so. I also plan to get a water filter for my kitchen sink to reduce the bottled water I drink -- yum!"
From left to right: Charlotte Moss, Bob Williams and Mitchell Gold, Christiane Lemieux
"To be selective -- about everything -- advice to me from the late Fleur Cowles. To finish my 7th book on time. To work on my French. To redo my rose garden."
Christiane Lemieux, founder and creative director of DwellStudio and DwellStudio for Target:
"In 2010, I resolve to be fearless with design -- really, truly fearless -- color, prints, textures, mixing styles, bold. I will hold nothing back. I feel like I have been in a box for all 2009. The last year in business has made me realize that playing it safe is not as safe as you think. Our DwellStudio families want something new, stylish, optimistic and joyful in their lives and homes, and I resolve to deliver. I am looking forward to a year where we take all our rules and throw them out. I want a design explosion."
Mitchell Gold, chairman and co-founder Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
"My resolution for 2010 is to completely organize every room in my lake house. I tend to save everything (magazines, newspapers etc.), so my goal is to get it all filed away into cabinets in my basement and throw out what I don't need. I started doing it, and it feels great, so I now I have to finish."
Bob Williams, president of design/co-founder Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
"My New Year's resolution is to spend more time in my new house in North Carolina. My partner and I spent so much time and energy renovating it and then decorating it, that I really want to make a point to enjoy it fully. Less time out and more time at home will be my motto for 2010."
Kevin Sharkey, Executive Editorial Director, Decorating, for Martha Stewart Living
"My resolution is to ensure that all of my magazine subscriptions are up to date. I will also expand the list of titles that I subscribe to and encourage all of my friends to do the same. Now, more than ever, it is important to support such an important source of information and inspiration."
Angela Adams, Founder and Designer Angela Adams
"In 2010, I'm excited to make my sketchbook come to life. I've been filling it with ideas that I want to make a reality in the new year. More importantly, I want to make a positive impact on all fronts -- with people, places and creatures."
