IIDA, the International Interior Design Association, is a network of more than 15,000 members in over 50 countries. Our New England chapter of almost 600 members is excited to be celebrating design and collaboration. These are topics near and dear to my heart, and as president I am excited by what I see our amazing members doing. Our passion is thinking about space, how it can serve all our needs and make our lives better.
Our annual fashion show on October 20 is more than just a celebration of fashion manifest in alternative materials; it is an opportunity for interior designers to work together in new and exciting ways, collaborating and learning from each other. The 25 teams of professional designers, educators, and students will design and create up to four runway looks from materials like carpeting, vinyl flooring, upholstery fabric, and ceramic tile. The results are always amazing, but the stories that make me the happiest are about how much fun people had and how innovative their ideas are. I am really proud to be a part of this organization.
We also celebrate how interior design can make our world a better place at our annual design awards gala. As an annual review of the best projects throughout New England, we recognize the best-designed spaces for working, healing, and living. Amazing design is happening all around us; sometimes we don’t even notice it, but it does impact our lives in significant ways. We enjoy shining a light on the best of the best in New England each year.
Our Philanthropy Committee is also hard at work helping the community through programs like “Cradles to Crayons,” providing essential items to children living in homeless or low-income situations and supporting Art in Giving, a unique program that combines childhood cancer researchers with the creativity of artists.
Good design is good business. As an organization that champions good design and collaboration across all the amazing parts of our society, IIDA New England is working to ensure our success. Thank you to all of our members, collaborators, mentors, supporters, and clients. Together we are working to bring better design to our community.
Paul Lewandowski
Paul Lewandowski IIDA AIA is a design principal at Lavallee Brensinger Architects and the 2016 president, IIDA New England.
