Robin Baron Design

2009 brought a lot of changes to Robin Baron Design…and for me personally.  We redesigned our website and began a more personal approach to marketing through blogging and social media.  It’s been an adventure learning all the new technologies, but it’s been fun and worth it!

They say that social media builds community…and I’ve certainly experienced that.  I have become part of a large group of people who share a passion for interior and lifestyle design.  An example is my Daily Design, an ode to all things fabulous, whether I find them on the web or in print.  I’ve been able to share my daily inspirations and connect with those who feel the same (or differently).

In 2010, my resolution list is quite short…to inspire and be inspired!  Thank you to everyone who tuned in to my blog and tweets.  It’s been a learning experience and I can’t wait to continue on in the New Year!

This year has been of one of self-reflection for most of us.  We’ve had to reevaluate our lifestyles and priorities.  I’ve also been rethinking many aspects of my life, including my business.  I’ve been saying for years that I want to make interior design available to all.   It’s especially important during these tough times…we all need to feel safe and good about our lives.  I took a look at my business, thought about my goals, and found a way to make my design services more accessible.

I felt that as we are all redefining our lives, Robin Baron Design can redefine luxury with our new services, Luxury à la Carte™.  It’s not about how much you spend…it’s about being good to yourself and loving where you live.

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Welcome to the official launch of my newly designed blog!  And this is just the tip of the iceberg…we’re launching our interactive website today, too!  Everyone here at Robin Baron Design has been working for months to get this right, insuring we showcase everything we have to offer.  Check out all of our new features here on our blog, as well as on our website.

I hope you’ll discover our expanded list of Design Services and updated Portfolio.  You can even get to know us all a little better by visiting the About tab and by watching the videos, including the one here on the blog.  Some things haven’t changed though… You can still ask me about anything design related on my Ask Robin page…so ask away, I’d love to help!

Over the past few months, I’ve truly seen the power of teamwork and the creative strength of talented minds.  I want to personally thank Gary Cohen of Speakery for the development (and oh, so much more!) of the new site and blog, as well as Steffi and Jodi of Steffi Design for laying out the design and a huge thank you to Valerie, my marketing coordinator, for all of her hard work, creativity and dedication.  It really does take a village!!!

Gearing up for the weekend and preparing for my trip to Europe: Berlin, Prague, and Budapest.  This is my last weekend in NYC before I go and I’m trying to get everything in order to avoid leaving everything for the last minute…which you know, will be impossible!  I have to make sure all the loose ends are taken care of at RBD, get as packed as I can, make sure my family is situated, set up my phone for international calling…and that’s not even the end of it!  I’m exhausted, but am looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel.  And what a light!  I’ve never been to any of these cities before.

On a side note, there were massive protests in Prague over a Madonna concert.  I’m so glad I wasn’t there to witness it!  I can’t wait to share my trip with you.  I hear Berlin is fantastic for modern design.  I’m always looking for inspiration.

Do you have any trip tips for me?  Any great places to recommend…or anything I should know?  I’d love to hear!

Don’t forget to ask me any design questions…Friday is a great day to ask, so I can catch up on them over the weekend.

photo via flickr

I left New York yesterday and headed to Charlotte, NC for the Women in the Home Industries Today (WithIt) Conference.

Wouldn’t you know it, I ran into author and interior designer Libby Langdon, host of HGTV’s Small Space, Big Style.  She’s on the Board of VPs at Large of WithIt and was headed to the same conference!  I loved her necklace…it’s a fabulous statement.  What do you think?

After waiting anxiously and catching up on my e-mails, of course, I finally got to board the flight! (Continue Reading..)

It’s all a matter of perception…cleaning a home can be considered a drudgery.  But in my design world, it’s a sign the project is finally coming to fruition, with installation and move-in not far behind!  I love being able to finally recommend a green cleaning service who is, not only, eco-conscious, but also knows about post-construction clean-up!  Green Home Cleaning & Maintenance: they get the dirt out of homes using microfiber cloths, biodegradable cellulose sponges, and even wear their Tom’s when cleaning inside.

We had a chance to catch up with Andy Whelan, the owner and founder of Green Home Cleaning & Maintenance, who shared his cost-effective and helpful tips:

RB: When and how did the idea of Green Home Cleaning dawn on you?

GHC: I moved to New York in 2004 to pursue an acting career.  Handyman work was a great way to make ends meet while I went to school and auditioned.  Then it sort of evolved into apartment cleaning for my clients, which was great because it gave me a regular schedule and consistent work.  Eventually, I saw the opportunity to grow and decided to create Green Home Cleaning & Maintenance Inc. last year.  I had already been using non-toxic cleaning products and was slowly converting my customers.  It was important to develop an environmentally-friendly business with sustainable practices because of the general nature of cleaning services.  Considering the amount of water and chemicals that my customers were pouring down their drains, I decided to develop a cleaning practice that was safe and used minimal water. (Continue Reading..)