Spring 2012 - Stonemill Field Trip

By Ena Motley

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Stonemill Design Center

2915 Red Hill Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

714-435-3544

INTRODUCTION

On March 7^th the Materials and Products class went on a field trip to the Stonemill Design Center in Costa MesaCached - Similar.  Sandy Craig showed us around.  There we were able to go to four showrooms to hear about the products they sell and learn a little more about the industry.

FABRICUT

The showroom manager, Carol was such a wealth of knowledge in the fabric industry and her showroom carries several lines of fabric including their own Fabricut line.  Students are able to use the showroom and even take out 4 memo samples from the Fabricut and S. Harris lines.  As a new designer you can bring clients to the showroom, ask for information about the fabrics and get suggestions on the best selections for your particular situation.

ESTATEOF DESIGN

This wonderful showroom has many boutique lines of fabric, furniture, wallcoverings and accessories. Namely Sarah Strader- a young designer with lots of custom optionsCached - Similar. Thibaut- which has custom options in many of their wallcoverings and fabrics.  Telefina, Anna French, Robert Allen and Silk Roads.  They have not only fabric lines, but Furniture and Drapery Harware lines, that are out of the norm.  She also has a special wallcovering line that is paintable and moldable, woven woods, horsehair, embossed leather that can be custom colored, and unique drapery hardware to add another dimension to your interiors.

GERRIDY’S LTD.

Has been in buisness since 1977! She has beautiful lines of wood flooring and carpets and rugs.  There are engineered and solid wood floors.  Many of their engineered floors are 9 ply.  Anything over 4mm thick is a full cut and can be refinished as many times as you want, because it’s like having solid wood.  They carry a unique wine barrel floor as well as reclaimed wood flooring.   All reclaimed wood plank flooring is resourced from old barn, factories, and tobacco shed or farm buildings. 

We received a lesson in area rugs.  Finding that tufting machine rugs, wear out.  Carpet can be turned into an area rug.  And Gerridy’s s known for their beautiful Tibetan Rogs, made out of wool and silk.  They have lead times up to eight months, so if you want to get them tell your clients early in the project!

KENNETHMCDONALD DESIGNS

Kenneth McDonald was our final showroom and has a huge selection of fabrics to choose from for residential and commercial use. Including Kravet , Clark and Maharam.

Kenneth Mc Donald began his wallpaper and fabric business "Kenneth Mc Donald Designs" in 1956. Mr. McDonald was trained in Great Britain as a hand screen printer of designer wallpaper and fabrics. After many years of printing as well as opening his own showroom, the company was sold in 1988 to Warren De Young. It is operated by Warren and his daughter, Pamela Kellogg, along with many valuable employees. In 2000, they purchased Designers’ Resource Collection a showroom selling outdoor and indoor furniture. It has since expanded to include accessories, fabrics and specialty items that are sold to the "Design Trade." The company specializes in service to design professionals.

CONCLUSION

All the Students had a great time!  It was not only informative, but we were all able to get samples for our first project.  All these showrooms are “Design to the Trade” Only and most allow you to bring clients, but you cannot have clients walk in without you.