Two Good Reads

All Photos Courtesy of Sweet Peas Design

Two authors joined us last month ata meeting of The Design Trust in Washington D.C. – one discussed flower power,the other the power of preparing for the future in today’s rapidly changing,technology-driven world! Both of their books will be worth a look, and bothwere spot-on for The Design Trust, a think tank of designers nationwide whomeet periodically to brainstorm and learn about the business of design.

FormerWhite House florist and author Laura Dowling discussed her upcoming book andthe importance of flowers, not only in the First Home but anyone’s home!Imagine creating arrangements for dignitaries from around the world - there arecultural pitfalls even in the choice of flowers! But here’s the bottom line –flowers can change the whole personality of a room. The right colors andvarieties make you feel cheerful, special or sophisticated while the wrong onescan fight with your décor and just bring down the mood.

We enjoyed hearing from Barbara Mistick too, (above, in red jacket) co-author of “Stretch: How to Future-Proof Yourself forTomorrow’s Workplace.” The key take-away: technology is moving at warp speed invirtually every sector of our world and it takes some “stretching” to protectyourself from becoming obsolete. In the book she and her co-author share theirresearch, advice, insights and tips on how to remain relevant. I’mworking my way through it now!