Local News

Spring means wide open drapes and lighter decor

Posted: March 29, 2010
Journal Interactive - House & Home Section

The best part about spring is its promise of renewal - well, OK, that and temperatures above 35 degrees.

Although Saturday is officially the first day of spring, it's still too early to pack up all the fuzzy blankets and warm comforters; after all, we're expecting a little snow this weekend.

But by changing around a few key pieces in your home and brightening up dark corners here and there, you can begin bringing spring into your house.

Not sure where to begin? Try these tips offered by local and national design pros - and Milwaukeeans who caught a bad case of spring fever during the warm temperatures earlier this week.

Click here for the full article...

Best in Show award recipients announced

Posted: Nov. 14, 2009
Journal Interactive - House & Home Section

KL Communications announced the fourth annual Milwaukee Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Show 2009 Best in Show award recipients. A panel of Wisconsin industry professionals reviewed more than 70 exhibitors, their work and booth layouts, to select the finalists in eight categories:

• Furniture – Traditional – Piece: S. Lloyd Natof – SL Natof (Chicago)
• Furniture – Contemporary – Piece: John Kriegshauser (Chicago)
• Furniture – Traditional – Body of Work: Tom Gallenberg – Gallenberg Studio (White Lake)
• Furniture – Contemporary – Body of Work: Gregory Kirby – Kowata Tree (Milwaukee)
• Accessory – Body of Work: Bruce Erdman (Greendale)
• Fine Art – Body of Work: Phyllis Toburen (Milwaukee)
• Fine Craft – Body of Work: James Borden – Timeshapes (Zumbrota, Minn)
• Marc Harrison Award for Marketing Excellence: Gary Keener – G. Keener & Co. (New Carlisle, Ohio)

The judges included Catherine Hempfling-Prossen, ASID, LEED AP, past-president of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and sales representative for Bentley Prince Street; Kenneth C. Dahlin, AIA, chief operating officer/architect of Genesis Architecture; and Jessica Nagel Franchuk, editor for The Crafts Report.

According to the judges, the selected winners received recognition due to the strong presence of their work, the technical level of detail and superior craftsmanship, the inspired designs and the balance of functionality and artistry. They found the consistent attention to detail, organized arrangement and overall presence of G. Keener & Co. to be well suited for The Marc Harrison Award, which is presented to the exhibitor who displays overall marketing excellence.

To learn more about the award winners and other exhibitors,
visit www.FineFurnishingsShows.com.

WI Chapter ASID Member featured in the Journal Sentinel

by Aga Artka, Allied Member ASID
Posted 4/20/09

For most of us, a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a copy of the Journal Sentinel make up for a Sunday morning routine. The Sunday issue of the daily newspaper covers variety of local topics, interior design, culinary and home improvement included. If you read carefully, you might have noticed that in the April 19th, 2009 issue, one of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) WI Chapter members was featured in the Entree section.

Aga Artka, Allied Member ASID, Communication Committee Volunteer and recently awarded The Volunteer of the Year 2008/2009, was thrilled when the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel expressed interest in showcasing her home and ultimately one of her first interior design projects. Aga and her husband Brian have lived in this house for three years and are proud of the way it presents itself. Nearly all the friends and family members who visited described it as cozy, cute and comfortable.  Aga, with Brian’s involvement, has used paint as the main element to express the emotion and the function of each space. Having always been fascinated by the physiological and psychological impact of color on humans, as well as being a huge fan of Josef Alberts and his unique approach to color,  Aga has taken all her knowledge and ideas and applied it in the design of her and her husband’s first home.

Since January of 2009,  Aga is successfully making a difference in the Milwaukee community by providing interior design services to residential as well as small commercial and hospitality customers who want to improve their living and/or working standards by implementing Aga’s functional and sustainable design solutions. Aga is the sole designers and owners of Aga Artka Interior Design LLC.

To read the article and view images of Aga's home, click HERE.