FURNITURE & DESIGN BRIEFS

Designers to hear of green building

The Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center will host Charlie Popeck, president of Green Ideas Environmental Building Consultants, during its monthly First Fridays presentation.

Popeck will discuss "LEED for Homes: The Importance of Building (or Remodeling) Green" at 10 a.m. Friday at World View on the 16th floor of Building B at World Market Center, 495 S. Grand Central Parkway.

Popeck, one of the first people to be accredited by the U.S. Green Building Council as a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design professional, said he will cover the importance of green building, the benefits of building green and different categories of LEED for homes. According to Popeck, there are many misperceptions of green building, including myths regarding expense and difficulties in the process.

In addition, he will present case studies showing a variety of completed projects along with a preview of Echelon Place in Las Vegas. He also plans to give attendees an overview of how they can attain LEED accreditation.

The day's activities also will include showroom specials, hospitality and other exclusive offerings for the trade.

Reservations are requested and can be made by e-mailing LVDC@lvdesigncenter.com or calling 599-3093. On-site registrants will be asked to make a $20 donation to Safe Nest.

In December, lifestyle philosopher Alexandra Stoddard is scheduled to speak.

Furniture Direct opens modern showroom

In response to Las Vegas' growing love affair with contemporary custom homes, high rises and lofts, Las Vegas retailer Furniture Direct recently opened a new modern living showroom.

The two-story addition to the retailer's complex, located at 7650 Dean Martin Drive, features bedrooms, dining rooms and living rooms designed and made in Italy.

"For Furniture Direct modern, we have chosen to showcase product only from the original sources -- the innovators and manufacturers of contemporary design," said Joey Luna, co-owner. "Many of the modern lines featured in our new showroom have not shown in Las Vegas until now."

The new showroom offers middle- to high-end designer furniture. Among the manufacturers featured are Excelsior Designs, Thayer Coggin, Tonin Casa and Polaris. The company also is expanding its showings of Della Robbia, Rossetto and Metropolitan Home furnishings.

The retailer has been doing business in Las Vegas since 1994. Additional information is available at its Web site www.furnitureofamerica.com.

Designer authors books about color

Color expert and interior designer Zara Stender has released two ebooks simultaneously on her area of expertise. Her books, "Color Secrets Revealed!" and "The Business of Color," focus on how color can influence a person's mood and health, as well as offer information about selecting colors for your home.

"I've spent my entire lifetime studying color and its effects on us and the way we live and I'm very excited about sharing this significant body of knowledge in such an immediate, accessible format," Stender said.

"Color Secrets Revealed!" is designed for consumers or professionals with limited knowledge of color. In the book, she share her secrets for using color to make her client's lives happier. It was written in an easy-to-read and understand format.

"The Business of Color" is intended as a guide for the design professional. According to Stender, color profoundly affects the way people live and plays a subtle but important role in the desirability and sale of goods and services in the marketplace. Her research details psychological effects of common color palettes, recommended usage and warnings. Stender also addresses color and its relationship to high-end markets, feng shui, children, meditation, travel, power in the boardroom, cultural influences, buying, selling and more.

Stender is a California-certified interior designer who recently moved to Las Vegas. She is an active member of the Color Marketing Group, where she serves as chairwoman for the Western Region 2007, and is a member of the board of directors for the California Council for Interior Design Certification. She also sits on the advisory board of STIR Magazine, Sherwin-Williams' publication for architects and designers.

Her books are available at www.eBookMall.com. "Color Secrets Revealed!" is priced at $24.95 and "The Business of Color" is $49.95.