Until very recently, food preservation was a crucial daily endeavor that required a great deal of ingenuity to prevent food from quickly spoiling.  Even today, a large percentage of the food supply is wasted, despite modern refrigeration and the evolution of kitchen appliances, including those that are specifically designed with new technologies to optimize food preservation.

Join GRAFF and a panel of industry professionals as they share insights on kitchen and bath spaces in residential projects - new constructions and remodels – and the ability to incorporate GRAFF into anything and everything.

Join renowned interior designer, product designer and author Nate Berkus for an engaging conversation about the power of design with Tereasa Surratt, Creative Director / Owner Camp Wandawega. Learn from Nate’s 30 years of experience as he’s crafted compelling interiors around the world, for high end clients and television makeovers alike always with the same goal: to give people permission to create homes that tell their unique stories. Have a chance to ask a design question and get a glimpse into the new Nate Berkus fabric collection for The Shade Store. Presented by The Shade Store.

Baker Interiors Group is delighted to host renowned interior designer, Barbara Barry, and Galerie’s Editor in Chief, Jacqueline Terrebonne, for an intimate discussion about the philosophy of design. A cherished Baker and McGuire guest designer for nearly 20 years, Barbara will share insights into her distinctive design ethos, pulling back the curtain on her creative process and how she utilizes her own home in Ojai, California, as a sanctuary of inspiration. This event will include light bites and refreshments, an interactive Q&A, and a look at Barbara’s recent and forthcoming collections for both legacy brands.

Join Benjamin Moore for an engaging conversation with top Chicago interior designers, Alex Kaehler and Sarah Vaile, alongside Mike Foley of DiVinci Painters on color’s transformative power in creating well-designed spaces. Led by industry expert Sophie Donelson, learn expert use of paint, fabric, and lighting to produce designer-approved color schemes and interiors that work, and the benefit of collaborating with craftsmen.

This course will describe the benefits and applications of natural stone and how they can be integrated into interior design. You will come away with an understanding of the sustainable and environmentally responsible attributes of natural building stone, in support of LEED construction and long-term green building philosophies . You will also learn to recognize the formations and longevity of natural stone products, evaluate how to best specify the correct natural stone veneer and cut stone for the proper applications, and identify what qualities make natural stone an inherently unique building material.

Join TUUCI as we welcome designer Patrick McGuire, principle of McGuire Architectural Interiors, and photographer Craig Dugan, owner of Craig Dugan Photography, for a discussion on successfully photographing your projects. Patrick and Craig will speak about choosing which projects to photograph, dos and don’ts, preparing yourself for the shoot, and preparing your client. They’ll also touch on assuring client privacy, and how to navigate social media.

How top interior and landscape designers create beautiful outdoor spaces that include all the necessities for a well-lived - and well-designed - life outside.

Keith Fritz teaches you how to custom tailor dining tables to fit your client’s exact needs. Learn how to properly size the table for your room and how the right wood and finish can create a bespoke masterpiece.

Please join us for a CEU presentation on the Chemistry of Color. We know that for designers, color is a fundamental aspect of inspiration and creativity as they create beautiful environments for their clients. Come learn all about Chemistry of Color and the important role it has in the design we create.

Join Art For Life’s Co-Chair Darren Jones as he leads this comprehensive discussion with an esteemed panel of residential designers, elite auction house and local artists on the insiders guide to finding, securing and acquiring artwork for your clients. Learn about the importance of curating an art collection and how to establish relationships with artists. Let’s talk art! 

What is a home theater? This may sound like a simple question, but is it? Participants in this course will come away with a very distinct definition of what a home theater is—and what it isn’t! Discussions will also include basic acoustical physics, common mistakes in designing theaters, as well as specific design considerations related to video, lighting, electrical, and safety, and comfort.

An engaging conversation with leading design professionals on the five most common myths associated with designing with natural stone: suitability for kitchens, costliness, durability, timelessness, and sustainability.

Join us for a Mad Hatter Tea Party! Disney’s most iconic characters are making an exclusive appearance on luxurious textiles by Sanderson. During the event, top designers will share unexpected ways to use these timeless designs. Tea and light bites will be served.

As a leader in color, Sherwin-Williams shares yearly color trends that help set the new standard in paint decor and design. Discover our newest, most inspiring interior color and trend stories for your next project. This course will take the participant on a visual journey with stimulating imagery, factual statistics and perceptive research that supports the Residential 2024 forecast for color and design trends. We will explore the drivers influencing future color and design trends that include global, technological, historic, psychological, and economic factors.

Join us for an inspiring panel discussion moderated by Hadley Keller, featuring renowned design professionals Young Huh, Kara Mann, Joan Craig, and Shea Soucie. Discover their transformative journey from residential design to the captivating world of hospitality and gain valuable insights into integrating residential comforts into hospitality spaces. Learn how they overcome challenges, craft memorable environments, and capture financial opportunities in this dynamic industry. Discover their motivations, approach, and successful projects exemplifying their ability to create enchanting spaces. Take this opportunity to learn from industry leaders who have crossed boundaries between residential and hospitality design. Join us for an enlightening conversation that sparks creativity and broadens your understanding of designing immersive experiences.

Whether you're a design firm or a sales showroom, we guide you through a systematic journey, demonstrating how to seamlessly and effectively craft client presentations that enhance the potential for upselling your products and packages. Throughout this dialogue, we delve into the software we employ, its utilization, and the associated implementation costs. Additionally, we explore the augmentation of our sales volume through these touchpoints, and the resultant impact on our overall profitability. Concluding the session, our team will engage in a concise Q&A segment, addressing any inquiries and aiding in elevating the quality of your deliverables.

A conversation on the role of customization in creating an unforgettable one-of-a-kind space.

Technological advancements are now a must in a number of household appliances. Design, features, and functionalities are integral in delivering the best experience for a homeowner and this course will examine innovations in residential appliances. From connecting living to necessary integration, this course will cover everything you need to know to keep your home up to date.

Join interior designer Max Humphrey and Elizabeth Rees, founder of Chasing Paper, as they share tips and tricks on how to keep things spicy with your audience by promoting yourself and your brand through marketing, PR, and Instagram. Immediately following the presentation, Pindler will be hosting a book signing for Max, who will be promoting his latest book, Lodge: An Indoorsy Tour of America's National Parks, as well as his new exclusive fabric collection with Pindler and Sunbrella.

In this course, we will analyze the various ways that Sustainability can be defined in product design, production, and manufacturing within the Home Furnishings industry, and discuss how sustainable ways of working across a wide variety of business practices are imperative to supporting and fostering the earth’s fragile ecosystem. 1.0 CEU Credit. Light bites and refreshments provided for attendees.

An intimate panel conversation with top designers Scott Grooms, Xander & Keon Noori and Laura McCroskey, hosted by Luxe’s Style Director Kathryn Given, discussing their luxury design stories using House of Rohl® to create a Life Well Crafted.

Product designer Richard T. Anuszkiewicz of Monogram Appliances Designer Collection, Creative Director Knikki Grantham of Keeler Brass Company and Managing director Alexander Dornbracht of Kallista join us to deep dive in the world of product creation and market forecasting. Hear firsthand how big brands bring new concepts to life and the story behind today’s most notable finishes.

aspire design and home and David Sutherland Showroom host interior designers alongside Hellman Chang founder, Eric Chang and Summer Thornton Design principal, Summer Thornton to discuss designing luxury rental properties.

Join us as we look into three key elements that can enhance our daily lives: water, wellness, and sustainability. Starting with water as a precious and essential natural resource to its role in bringing us wellness. Focusing on the origins of wellness, learn how it can be integrated in design projects. And lastly, find out how wellness through water can be delivered in sustainable ways. Earn credits: this is an IDCEC, NKBA, and AIA – HSW approved course

An inspired panel discussion on elevating design with innovative applications from brand to designer to workroom. Sips and Snacks will be provided.

As a leader in color, Sherwin-Williams shares yearly color trends that help set the new standard in paint decor and design. Discover our newest, most inspiring interior color and trend stories for your next project. This course will take the participant on a visual journey with stimulating imagery, factual statistics and perceptive research that supports the Residential 2024 forecast for color and design trends. We will explore the drivers influencing future color and design trends that include global, technological, historic, psychological, and economic factors.

Engage your senses beyond the visual as we delve into the transformative power of intentional sensory design. Uncover how a thoughtfully designed space that taps into the human senses can nurture physical, mental, and spiritual health, evoking emotion and enabling us to tap into our intuitive side. By awakening the five senses, we deepen our ties to the sixth sense of feeling.

Justin Binnix (president of Niermann Weeks) discusses the process of designing and manufacturing custom lighting. Learn about all the elements that you should consider when considering custom lighting for a project such as sizing based on room, scale and proportion, hanging heights, materials and finishes.

Whether it's the second person on your team or the twenty-second, that next hire is crucial to your firm's success. In this seminar, award-winning interior designer, Laura Umansky, shares her secrets to building a talented team, allowing you to focus on what you love to do as a business owner. Laura will review her easy-to-use (and re-use) method that will help you reliably hire the best talent for your firm's success.

Whether it’s for fancy cocktails, a seated dinner, or a casual poolside lunch, there’s a magical allure to entertaining at home when it’s done just right. Join Jacqueline Terrebonne, editor in chief of Galerie magazine, as she leads a lively discussion with design experts Kara Mann, Dirk Denison, Eric Chang of Hellman-Chang on how to set clients up for success when it comes to planning the dining room, bar, and more.

In a little over a decade, designer Summer Thornton has grown from a budding local talent to the head of a formidable, internationally recognized design firm with an enviable social following and bestselling book, Wonderland. In conversation with journalist and author Sophie Donelson, the designer shares how she did it — from dedication to photography and content and navigating relationships with the press. See exclusive images, hear why tile & stone factor into her most outlandish projects yet, and learn how challenging projects can lead the way to your own work-world wonderland.

Marshall Erb, a renowned Chicago based interior designer shares his design expertise in the art of dressing a bed. His talent is Master-Class worthy, and he will share his process in creating and layering the perfect bed. We are proud to introduce and feature the beautiful bedding collections from Amalia Home, a fourth-generation bedding company from Portugal. In addition, we will be serving Amalia’s private label sparkling wine for the event.

Join internationally known colour expert Maria Killam as she reveals some lesser-known colour secrets to help you choose the perfect countertop. Maria developed a practical system for understanding neutral undertones that includes hidden tips, tricks, and nuances for getting neutrals and whites right. She’ll demonstrate how to use her #1 tool, the neutral colour wheel, to transform your countertop selection process. It’s an absolute game-changer! Get inspired and make confident choices for your next design project, as Maria shares her colour expertise to help you create stunning and timeless kitchen and bath designs.

Chris Ramey is the most quoted authority in the luxury segment. He is a professional speaker, columnist, and president of Affluent Insights, Precise Luxury Marketing and The Home Trust International. Luxury is a business model with its own set of laws. This presentation is full of "Aha!" moments that will change how you approach your own design business with take-aways you can implement right away, including: - Understand how luxury differs from design as a business model (and why it's better) - Elevate your brand above others in the design space - Learn how to attract high net worth clients.

Discover the inherent and extraordinary in luxury kitchens from the unique perspectives of design visionaries. working with affluent homeowners and their expectations.

Join Art For Life’s Co-Chair Darren Jones as he moderates a discussion with local artists, architects and residential designers on the importance of incorporating art into design planning. Learn tips from these esteemed professionals on the integral role art can play to enhance your design vision. Whether it is a painting, sculpture or photography, find out how to acquire that that perfect piece. Let’s talk art!

Many interior designers select color and finish without considering the paint product itself or how it is formulated. Achieving the color accuracy that you and your client envision is a very technical and scientific process. This course will explore why this process varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and ultimately why “color matching” never really “matches”.

Can Modernism be warm? While modern design is sometimes associated with cold, alienating spaces, architect Celeste Robbins and editor Jacqueline Terrebonne are ready to shift the conversation! Using examples from Celeste's new book, The Meaningful Modern Home: Soulful Architecture and Interiors, Celeste and Jacqueline's talk will explore the nine homes featured in the book and how the fundamental principles of modernism are more nuanced than one might believe. Celeste will share how these principles bring warmth and livability to a home.

Whether you're a business owner or a project manager, this talk is perfect! We'll walk you through our successful internal systems and processes that have helped us define roles clearly, collaborate effectively, and make the most of our team's abilities. Just like in the previous discussion, we'll guide you on a journey to discover the internal systems and software we use, how we use them, and the costs involved in setting them up for our business. We'll also talk about the challenges we faced and how you can avoid them. To wrap it up, we'll have a brief Q&A session with our team to answer any questions and give you a head start in improving your systems!

Prepare to be amazed as local Chicago Designers Mia Rao, Michael Abrams, and Amy Carman explore the possibilities of using wood flooring material in residential interiors beyond its intended purpose. Guests will be served light snacks and beverages adapted to the theme of the panel.

Please join Dara Caponigro, Creative Director of Schumacher, and Editor-in-Chief of FREDERIC magazine, for a conversation with designer Mark D. Sikes for a beauty-driven design conversation about his new collection for Schumacher that makes a case for nature in the home with its garden-fresh indoor/outdoor fabrics.

Join us at the recently remodeled Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Showroom for an immersive demonstration of The Galley Workstation. Enjoy small bites and margaritas while witnessing the art of taking a culinary masterpiece from preparing to serving in one convenient location.

What inspires a designer to create their own personal brand? How can that inspiration be harnessed through modern tools to successfully grow a business? Join us in a conversation with local and international designer Lindsey Goddard to discuss managing a physical career and building an impactful social media presence.

Join us for an entertaining panel discussion where our panelists reveal how they infuse their unique personalities into their design projects. From wild inspirations to unexpected design elements, we'll dive into the stories behind their most memorable and personalized creations.

From art on the walls to under your feet. Join us for a conversation about interior inspiration and the intersection of art and design.

The dream team of interior designer James Dolenc and landscape architect Craig Bergmann, and architect Joan Craig along with moderator Mary Pat Wallace pull aside the curtain on what it really takes to create a beautifully integrated home - from inside out, and the outside in. Learn how this pro trio, which is a cornerstone of every significant residential project, merge design aesthetics and integrate important art collections into the design scheme to create a unified realization of the hopes and dreams of the most important member of the team - the client.

Join ELLE DECOR for a dynamic conversation hosted by designer Courtney Casey of Courtney Casey Interiors with leading women, Alicia Cheung of Studio Heimat, Kim Kappelman of Studio Mak, and Scavolini Chicago owner, Alisha Serras, who are on a mission to elevate design…all while leaving a positive impact on their work and the world. Keeping their fingers on the pulse of the latest in style trends along with industry musts such as sustainable practices, these “boss ladies” are striving for better. Following the presentation, join us for a meet and greet open house with beverages and light bites in the Scavolini showroom.