A New Experience at The Louvre

Posted on August 2, 2015 by sreicis

Our final day in Paris and our destination is The Musee du Louvre. This is by far one of the largest museums that my students have visited, and the layout is both daunting and a bit overwhelming. Before entering the museum we had some time to enjoy the famous entry pyramid designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei and admire the courtyard of the former palace. Once inside we were able to appreciate the beauty of the winding staircase with the integrated elevator to accommodate visitors with disabilities. A new feature that we experienced was the hand-held individual audio/visual guides. These proved to be extremely useful and both simplified and assisted the process of navigating through the museum. There is a bit of a learning curve with these devices depending on your generation. That is because they are actual Nintendo controllers. If you were a fan of these video games, then you were at a terrific advantage. In any case, even though I am not quite from the Nintendo age I did enjoy an occasional Mario Brothers game in my time, and found these audio guides to be very useful and practical. Their built in GPS system meant they could determine your location in the museum and either guide you to the next exhibit, or pause to share information on your current location. Brilliant in my estimation. There are some exhibits I never grow weary of. These include the Nike of Samothrace, which had undergone a recent restoration, the apartments of Napoleon, and of course the Mona Lisa. What a wonderful end to our beautiful Paris visit. Of course there is much more to see and do in Paris, but the students have a strong introduction to the sights and the rich history. I remind them to start taking note of what they want to visit on their return trip to Paris….because a single visit cannot be enough! Our coach bus picked us up outside the Louvre and we were off to the train station to take the Eurostar to London. As we pass Garnier’s Opera house one last time I bid a fond farewell to one of my favorite cities. Now on to the next adventure….much excitement still ahead for us!

Villa Maria at Versailles!

Posted on July 16, 2015 by sreicis

Getting to Versailles from Paris is simple on the trains, and it’s a short walk to the Palace. We were fortunate to leave the bad weather behind, at least for the stroll to the gates. The students were immediately surprised by the size of the Palace, and I knew that their awareness was still just a fragment of the true expanse and luxury. The best way to move through the rooms is with an individual audio guide. Keeping a large group together is more frustrating than helpful. We were fortunate to have a day that was less crowded, but that is a relative thing. Select a meeting place and meeting time and allow your members to move through the palace at their own pace. The large tour groups who follow a leader make it difficult for other guests and probably feel people jostling them throughout their visit. Seeing the opulence of the Palace made the French Revolution much more understandable for the Villa students. Visiting the private chambers and listening to descriptions of court life brought the monarchy to life, and students began to feel the place and space as it once had been. A few were able to visit the gardens, only to be caught in another downpour. Regardless of the inclement weather, the experience was wonderful and the lessons were powerful. As we left Versailles behind we began to prepare for the next adventure of the day. The poor weather was likely to work in our favor now. We decided we would head to the Eiffel Tower, where the lines were likely to be diminished, yet the clearing weather would give us wonderful views from the top of the tower!

Designing a Room for Ronald McDonald House

Posted on June 8, 2014 by sreicis

Recently Villa Maria College was offered an opportunity to design and complete a guest room in the Ronald McDonald House located in Buffalo, New York. The invitation came from the Interior Design Association of Western New York (IDA). The room was to be completed in memory of Julie Roberts, a young Buffalo woman. The students and faculty at Villa did not know Julie, but over the course of the many weeks that we worked on the project we came to understand how special a person she must have been. From her sophisticated style to her love for her cute and funny dog Opal, we tried to capture her spirit in this room. She was clearly loved by many and is dearly missed. Designing this space took on a very personal quality. The theme for our room?…. at the request of Julie’s family and friends it was Diamonds and Dogs. Now there was a design challenge! And of course it needed to service the needs of future guests, cater to their comfort, and focus on the purpose of their stay. To our assistance came Lynne Rider of Rider Frames and Gallery. Artist Laurie Herrmann was commisioned to create a whimsical water color of Opal. As the focal point of the room it provided all the inspiration that we needed. The color pallette became an inviting green with a playful and warm orange accent. Lucite furniture kept the small bedroom airy and light and crystal knobs on the built in wardrobe, courtesy of Creative Storage, played to the Diamond theme. This became a labor of love, to create a space that Julie’s family could be proud of, and that would respect and honor a beautiful young woman who left us much too soon. The dedication was held on Thursday, June 5, 2014… Julie’s birthday. In the presence of the Robert’s family, Julie’s friends and co-workers, members of the IDA, RMH staff, faculty and staff from Villa Maria and two members of the design team, Jillian Schultz ’14, and faculty advisor Sandra Reicis, the ribbon was cut and the room was open for viewing. The attention to detail and comfort, from the spacious wardrobe, to reading material, to extra stuffed dogs for the youngest guests, this room will be welcoming for the young families that will benefit from a stay at Ronald McDonald House. Remaining members of the design team included Tara Clack ’15 and Angela Girdlestone ’15. Earlier in the project Jason Cole’14, also was an active participant.

Interior Design Student Exhibit and Awards

Posted on April 13, 2014 by sreicis

Villa Maria College hosted the 2014 Interior Design Student Exhibit opening night reception on Friday, April 11, 2014. President Sister Marcella Marie Garus was present at the event. The reception was a resounding success culminating with the announcement of the Distinguished Students of the Year. A jury of 21 distinguished designers and educators assessed the exhibit prior to it’s public opening and based on their votes the 1st place award was given to Harrison Walsh ’14. He receives the Humanscale Diffrient Task Light, donated by Millington Lockwood. The 2nd place winner was Jessica Foster ’14 who receives the HON Motivate Chair, donated by Integrity Office Supply. The 3rd place winner was Tara Clack ’15 who receives the Buffalo Office Interiors chair. Each of the students is pictured in front of the exhibit of their body of work. Members of the jury included Ike Lowry, Cannon Design; Robert Reeder, Robert Reeder Interiors; Lee Schlatterer and Todd Piotrowski, Carmina Wood Morris; Nina Lewis, DIRTT Environmental Solutions; Edna Czyc, Wolf Gordon; Megan Ebert, DalTile; Mimi Fierle, Buffalo Office Interiors; Sandra Zygaj-Borowski, Integrity Office Solutions; Mary Golden, Ferguson Lighting and Bath Showroom; Barbara Reformat, Tiles International; Ryan Renshaw, Schenne & Associates; Jim Constantin, Laura Shoemaker, Ryan Hanes, Charles Gattie, Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Therese Smith, Villa Alum; and Villa Faculty members, Brian Duffy, Michael Bosworth, Joyce Kessel and Bob Grizanti In addition to the selection of the distinguished students there is also a best of show category for the freshmen students. Due to the high caliber of the freshman work, this was a difficult year for voting, but the majority votes went to Ana Spanake. She wins a full-size drafting table donated by Seneca Blueprint. Congratulations to all the winners! The exhibit will run until April 25, 2014.

Krug Showroom Tour with the IIDA

Posted on April 10, 2014 by sreicis

Villa Maria College Interior Design students and faculty were fortunate to participate in the IIDA Buffalo City Center sponsored trip to the Krug showroom in Toronto. Incorporated into the Studio 5 experience, and open to all students at the college, this was a professional development opportunity for students and faculty alike. A CEU presentation on Level was a key component to the visit, as was an informative and entertaining tour of the Krug showroom. We were treated to breakfast as well as lunch. Following the showroom visit there was free time to explore Toronto before catching the chartered coach bus back to Buffalo. A great day that contributes to the body of professional development hours that all Villa students must earn. Together with our alum we were a group of 19 participants strong! Go Villa!

The IIDEX Tradition….change is on the way

Posted on March 19, 2014 by sreicis

For as long as I have been at Villa Maria College….and long before I joined the faculty we have taken our students to IIDEX , Toronto in September. We started with a caravan of cars….making the trek from Buffalo to Toronto. Sometimes we stayed overnight to broaden our experience. Change was not new to us. We had to adjust to stricter rules at the border and required students to have passports or enhanced driver’s licenses. But we were always able to make it work. Students would sometimes be unprepared…and take a chance at the border, hoping their student ID and a Red Cross card would be sufficient to demonstrate good character. In the end we always made it there and back….with everyone in tow. Most recently we started renting a bus and opened the trip to all students, faculty and alumni. We would select an iconic destination for an afternoon tour. This year it was the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) where students marvelled at the Frank Gehry renovations, including the staircase that inspires romance. This always marked the start of the Fall semester. But as I said…change is on the way, and IIDEX 2014 will be held in December. Not only do we have to think about the weather (and if this winter taught us anything it was the power of the polar vortex) but the December dates will come a week before the end of classes. That means it will come immediately before finals, and immediately before final critique. So I think that change is on the way for us as well….. Our students learned a tremendous amount at IIDEX, bringing us back year after year. Even though a few exhibitors were not welcoming to students, most were…and the students remembered them. They worked at forging relationships with the representatives and specified those products in their projects. As professionals they continued to gravitate to furniture, fixtures and materials that they were familiar with. So….looking forward we will make sure that our students not lose the learning experience. We will likely be replacing IIDEX Canada with a field trip that works with the academic calendar…..but losing a beloved tradition will be difficult.

The Sewing Room at the Knox Estate

Posted on October 13, 2013 by sreicis

Caroline Barr is a graduate of the two year Associate Degree program in Interior Design at Villa Maria College. She collaborated with Rebecca Duda, also an A.A.S. Interior Design alum to create the Sewing Room. The space is inspired by the industrial age and the fashion industry. Contrast was used as a principal design feature and it can be seen in the use of color, particularly the navy and white chevron patterned ceiling, as well as the materiality, including the softness of fabrics against hard metal finishes. A unique feature in the room is the custom designed desk that exemplifies industry. Caroline has founded her own design firm, Caroline Design, which is located in Buffalo, NY.

A Home Office with a Twist….

Posted on September 15, 2013 by sreicis

Alana M. Renkas, a graduate from Villa Maria College, is a designer with Millington Lockwood Business Interiors. Together with Robert J. Seivert they created a flexible home office in the Knox Summer Estate, featuring classic mid-century pieces from Charles Eames, part of the Herman Miller Collection, as well as contemporary pieces designed with ergonomics and aesthetics in mind. Window treatments are decorative screens, inpired by the grasses and saplings growing on the grounds surrounding the estate. Art work is by Jozef Bajus and William Maggio from Thru Art Dialogue Gallery. A simple yet sophisticated color pallette includes deep neutral tones on the walls that contrast with the white executive chairs and accent the hide rug from Spinneybeck Leather.

An Elegant Bedroom for a Summer Estate

Posted on September 14, 2013 by sreicis

Villa Maria College alum Nicole Milley collaborated with Pamela Witte of White Orchard Home Furnishings and Lisa Baker of Gingham Gallery to design a timeless and comfortable bedroom for the Junior League of Buffalo Knox Summer Estate. More than just a bedroom, the space includes a cozy sitting area, just right to enjoy a nice cup of tea or a summer breakfast. Bedroom features include an upholstered headboard, special bedding and delightful toss pillows. A wool rug brings all the room’s colors together. Nicole is also an artist and provided the rendering for the show program.

A ‘Suite’ Retreat of a Master Bedroom

Posted on September 4, 2013 by sreicis

The Master Bedroom of the Knox Family Summer Estate is everything a person would imagine it to be. Designed by a group from Ethan Allen Interiors, and headed by Villa Maria College alum Michael J. Michalski, VP of design services, the space has three distinct living areas. Classic furniture to match the style and grandeur of the home is paired with modern touches evidenced in the textures and patterns of the textiles. The color palette was a ‘fresh blend of teal blues, olive greens, turquoise, citrine and touches of goldenrod set against neutrals of oatmeal and crisp cream’. This was a beautiful space to enjoy a comfortable breakfast by the seating area, a cozy evening by the fireplace or a restful night in the upholstered Alessandra bed, flanked by two silved leafed Bombay chests. Finishing touches in the space included custom window treatments, and wool rugs.

vmc interior design

committed to excellence in design education

Category Archives: Furniture