Washington D.C. Readies for Kick-Off of Capital Design Days

2/8/2010 by Kelly Hushin Email this article to a colleague

O n Mar. 10, the Washington Design Center will unveil a new lobby vignette concept by interior design Kelley Proxmire, kicking off Capital Design Days, a three-day program of events for design professionals and students.

In 2009, Proxmire was inducted into the Washington Design Center Hall of Fame, an organization established in 2002 that honors designers who have improved the quality of life in the D.C. area through design excellence and contributions. In order to be eligible to receive the honor, one must have practiced interior design in the area for at least 15 years, contributed to Washington life through cultural, charitable or civic works and must actively support the design center. Showrooms in the center nominate candidates and inductees are selected based upon their number of votes. Other inductees who have created lobby settings for the design center include Thomas Pheasant, David Mitchell and Justine Sancho.

“It is a true honor to be selected by the Washington Design Center as the spring 2009 Lobby Vignette design,” said Proxmire. “The Design Center is invaluable to my practice for all the staples of a room, from trims to furniture. I’m delighted to work with the showrooms on this project.

Proxmire’s design for the lobby features multiple textures such as wool, silk and patent leather, as well as a large-scale mirror inset with a Roman shade in bright red to accentuate the 20-foot walls. The sofa beneath the mirror, in both indoor and outdoor fabric, is dressed with Zebra-inspired pillows. All the resources for the space were drawn from the showrooms in the building, and thanks to companies like Kravet/Lee Jofa, Osborne & Little, JK Drapery, Brunschwig & Fils and more, the special lobby presentation will make for an intimate setting for the kickoff celebration.