The next "top model" could feel right at home

A new "top model" has just moved into the "reality" block. The 2009 "Nation's Next Top Model Home" competition, which pits seven interior designers against each other in a serious of web-based home decor challenges, will begin tomorrow ( June 15th, 2009).

In this unique web-based challenge ( www.nationsnexttopmodelhome.com ), interior designers will decorate the primary living areas of seven new model homes within a single new home community. The winner will take home a grand prize of $25,000.

"Nation's Next Top Model Home" will broadcast weekly online webisodes, spotlighting designers and their work through in-depth interviews, personal video blogs, and journals. The public can follow each designer ( and vote for their favorite ) as they begin their 28-day quest to turn a blank canvas into a beautifully staged living space.

The winning designer will ultimately be chosen by the public during the show's Grand Reveal weekend, where the actual model homes will be open for viewing for a period of 30 days.

The 2009 host community for this year's competition will be Compass Pointe. Located minutes outside historic Wilmington, North Carolina, the area is famous for beaches, warm breezes and southern hospitality. Known as a thriving new community, Compass Pointe is the ideal location to launch the competition's inaugural year.

Visitors will be able to tour each designer's entry home and cast their votes for the winning design.

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Despite the recession, corporate interior design work continues.

Local interior designers said they are feeling the pinch of a bad economic downturn, but are making adjustments to stay busy. In addition, they say, interest in sustainable design continues to grow even if the economy does not.

Since the housing bubble burst, some designers have been quoted as saying that the focus is now tenant improvements for office space, repurposing space (often for sublet) following a company's downsizing as well as a growing interest in eco-friendly design.

Although many U.S. interior design firms have been forced out of business due to the current economic conditions, those who have survived are seeing continued interest in sustainability in design - going green.

Design trends are looking brighter as well, as corporate clients look to offset gloominess with lighter paint and fabric as well as a lot of texture and warmth. Some designers have started referring to it as "comfort food" decorating.

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Design students turn shipping containers into unusual accommodations

Tacoma's School of the Arts Interior design instructor Seong Shin challenged her students to think "outside the box" and so they did, turning ordinary shipping containers into a variety of luxury homes, hotels, even offices.

According to a recent article in the McClatchy-Tribune, Shin has arranged for her students to formally present their concepts, in drawings and models, to a panel of Tacoma-area developers, artists, architects, real estate brokers, engineers and business leaders.

Surplus shipping containers are commonly found in port cities, and these students developed a variety of creative ways to use these for affordable yet unique living spaces.

Designs included a medical day clinic for use in Third World countries, a retail space, a hostel and a luxury apartment.

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