Interior Design Students in Paris

Posted on July 14, 2015 by sreicis

Our second day in Paris started early with a traditional French breakfast at our hotel. Then it was off to experience the Paris Metro…one of the best public transit systems in the world. Our destination this morning was the Paris American Academy to visit with our favorite interior design instructor, Professor Christophe Salade. The school is located on Rue Saint Jacques next to Val De Grace and Christophe took time to explain the history of the church as well as the building that houses the school. Students were comparing their own American history with what they were seeing and hearing and quickly were realizing how young a country the United States truly is. With our busy schedule it was a joy to spend our early morning at the Marco Polo Gardens, sketching at the fountain, which actually has several names but I prefer Fontaine des Quatre-Parties-du-Monde. It was a beautiful morning and although some of the students were worried about their drawing skills, they soon realized that by sketching the sculptures in the fountain they were discovering details they would otherwise have never noticed. We then strolled through Luxembourg Gardens, where once again Christophe shared his expertise, explaining the history as well as the present day use of the building and the grounds. Students could observe not only the attraction this was for local residents and visitors, but also for a family of ducks …. residents of the duck house in the gardens. So what kind of duck gets to live in the luxury of Luxembourg Gardens? Lucky ducks for sure! Our visit was completed with a visit to Bonpoint – a beautiful example of innovative interior design for a children’s wear store. This should certainly inspire our up and coming designers. The store was an excellent example of adaptive re-use and was comprised of multiple spaces, each dedicated to a different clothing group and each with its own design inspiration. Certainly a very special learning opportunity for all of us. Our visit with Professor Salade was rapidly coming to an end and we had to hurry back to the school to meet with our tour guide. On the way back we even encountered a brief hail storm…. not quite the learning experience I had anticipated. We still had a busy day ahead of us though. Next stop would be the Palace at Versailles… a bit outside of Paris but just a train ride away.

When Cynthia Leibrock Came to Town…..

Posted on January 18, 2015 by sreicis

Villa Maria College proudly hosted the Universal Design Symposium on their college campus. This event was open to all students in the region as well as local practicing professionals. And better yet it was free of charge! It started with a planned campus visit by Universal Design expert Cynthia Leibrock. Her mission is to educate students and professionals on the specifics of Universal Design and encourage using these principles in all aspects of design. To support this mission and maximize this effort, Villa expanded the platform of speakers and opened their doors to the community. With Cynthia Leibrock as the keynote speaker the program had a strong anchor. She was followed by a panel discussion on the practice of Universal Design that included researcher Jonathan White, Villa professor Ryan Renshaw and practicing professional and Villa alum Laura Wax. Other distinguished speakers included Professor Beth Tauke and Dr. Korydon Smith, both from the University at Buffalo, and Dr. Alex Bitterman from Alfred State College. Each presentation was registered with the AIA as well as the IDCEC for continuing education credits. This event was made possible with the generous support of the Interior Design Association of Western New York, SmartDesign Architecture, Eastern Energy Control Window Films, The Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access as well as the Irma Dobkin Universal Design Grant.
Villa students presented their Millennium Dream House studio projects, that feature Universal Design, as poster presentations during the afternoon coffee break. This was a wonderful learning opportunity for Villa students, who also had the added benefit of additional presentations before and after the symposium with Cynthia Leibrock. The strongest message that was shared during the symposium, is that it is the Interior Designer who will be the leader in Universal Design, above all other design and construction professions. The Interior Designer has the knowledge, ability and professional opportunity to improve the lives of countless individuals by incorporating Universal Design in each and every project.

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.

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.

Service Learning Through the ASID Student Club

Posted on March 17, 2014 by sreicis

How do you make Service Learning fun? It starts with a project that puts a smile on your face. The annual Festival of Trees to benefit Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo is a joyous event that exudes joy, wonder and design excellence. A perennial favorite with the Interior Design students at Villa Maria College, this year’s project was a truly collaborative affair. Pictured above are Harrison Walsh, Jillian Schultz, Kim Ewing and Tara Clack. Our unique wreath display was inspired by the classic Christmas poem, “T’was the Night Before Christmas”. We had sugar plums and stockings, ornaments and elves a jolly Santa and even a tiny mouse. To top off the activity we attended the Designer Showcase Reception at the Hyatt Hotel in Buffalo.

Corks and Forks with Villa Students

Posted on March 14, 2014 by sreicis

Heritage Centers hosted a unique fund raising event that called upon the local design community to create beautiful table scapes that would then be auctioned. Interior Design firm Reicis and Associates were pleased to participate with the help of Villa Maria College interior design students Jillian Schultz and Kim Ewing. At the Villa Glass Atelier, beautiful, one-of-a-kind functional, glass art pieces were designed and fabricated. The buzz on the floor was that this was a crowd favorite. The party was an amazing success and Heritage Centers were able to raise a significant amount of money. The Villa students were able to earn both professional development hours as well as service learning hours.

A Tween Dream Bedroom for the Knox Estate

Posted on October 27, 2013 by sreicis

Villa Maria College Alum Michael j. Michalski for Ethan Allen Interiors together with Lori Brennan and Maria F. Del Bufalo, also from Ethan Allen, designed a young girls beroom that was both bold and whimsical. Intense color and bold patterns create a distinctive look. The designers describe it as classic design with a trendy edge. Colors include bright fuchsia, with sunny yellow and graphic black and white. Patterns range from polka dots to stripes to timeless herringbone. Accesorized with accent pieces that speak to the equestrian history of the estate this bedroom is a perfect match for Junior League Show House.

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.

Glass Work Abounds at the Knox Summer Estate

Posted on September 15, 2013 by sreicis

Villa Maria College graduate Catherine O’Connor is both an artist and a designer. Her theme for the Jack and Jill Bath was Poppies and the Promise of Spring. Each poppy is individually done by hand, and represent several glass techniques. Contrasting with the white tile is an eye-catching paint treatment. Special glass pieces include glass shades, switch plates, window treatments and a multitude of accessories, each specially crafted and created for this space. A beautiful example of art and design coming together for Catherine’s 7th Junior League Show House. Of note as well is the twenty pound cast glass poppy which is the sink, set on an industrial black iron stand.

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