Designer of the year and window treatments EXPO.

This year started on a great note! I was invited to attend one of the most prestigious conferences in Charlotte, NC.

for the window fashion professionals, designers,  retailers, architects, workrooms, installers, remodelers, and stagers.  Not only to learn about new products, vendors and new technology, but also to attend an Oscar like award ceremony to accept an award for one of my projects. Little did i know,  what an amazing experience will lie ahead.

I arrived to Charlotte, NC and i was completely blown away with a beautiful downtown Charlotte.

Photo credit to Gregory Polyanskiy.

I am always looking for the latest, the most innovative, stylish  and cost affective products that i can bring back to my clients home and what i saw at the conference, definitely exceeded all of my expectations.

Manufacturers and distributors of fabric, blinds, shades, shutters, decorative hardware, motorization, and technology exhibit and visit IWCE to introduce new products to customers.

Even though i was really tired, i couldn’t wait to get to the red carper award ceremony that was held in the mint museum in downtown Charlotte.

As soon as i arrived i was greeted by the warm welcome of the previous designer of the year and

Claire Bowman, competition coordinator.

 Thousands of U.S. and international visitors and buyers

came to learn about all  the latest products and technology.

 Japan is in the house…

I was extremely happy to receive the first place for the whole room integration.

The second award came to me as an absolute surprise!

What an amazing honor, is to be recognize among my peers and other industry professionals

as the

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR !

I couldn’t stop smiling:)…on the red carpet…

It was such a pleasure to be surrounded by all this amazing and inspiring women and other professionals from all over the world.

From the left: Deb Pinelli the president of the WCAA NJ chapter, me:), LuAnn Nigara and Kimberly from window works NJ and Olga Polyanskaya from Drapery expressions Colorado Springs. 

                                    Olga Polyanskaya, Hideki and Shio Nishigaki from Osaka Japan

This was a magical night and i just didn’t want for it to end,

but i had another day ahead of me and still so much to see and learn.

The next day was packed with classes on motorization, smart home technology  that is being used today.