Summer’s Over, But PLiNTHandCHiNTZ.com Is Just Heating Up: The Unique “Blogzine” Serves As Hip Virtual Mentor To Emerging Interior Designers

PLiNTHandCHiNTZ.com is a unique website with a mission: not only to create better interior designers, but also more well-rounded citizens. With stories aimed at 20-somethings who may need etiquette or interview coaching, to travel tales on design destinations, to profiles of former interior designers like Jennifer Velarde, founder of 1154 Lill Studios Custom Handbags, the combination blog/on-line magazine audience ranges far beyond the design industry. The site turned 2 years old this September, proudly publishing its 25th online issue and continuing to amass dedicated readers.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) September 30, 2006 -- PLiNTHandCHiNTZ.com, the unique website whose mission is not only to create better interior designers, but also more well-rounded citizens, celebrates its second birthday this month. With stories aimed at 20-somethings who may need etiquette or interview coaching, to travel tales on design destinations, to profiles of former interior designers like Jennifer Velarde, founder of 1154 Lill Studios Custom Handbags, the combination blog/on-line magazine audience ranges far beyond the design industry.

The “edutainment” approach of “learning can be fun” is working. The advertising-supported site now boasts over 13,000 monthly subscribers with about 7,000 more unique visitors dropping in to the site each month. Positive feedback comes from readers around the world, including the UK, Belgium, Canada, Austria, and New Zealand. Approximately 75% of the content is submitted by contributors on subjects that they or the editorial staff have suggested. Contributors include professional writers, designers, students, furniture manufacturers, and leaders of industry organizations.

Educators who have discovered the site are recommending it to their students and even listing it on the syllabus as a resource for its well-written glossary of design terms. Design professors also find valuable information to use while preparing lesson plans. Practicing interior designers cruise the site for new information in an easily-digestible format. Manufacturers contribute articles and advertise on the site in order to connect with emerging designers and get their brands in front of these future specifiers.

The blogzine was started by interior designer Laura McDonald, ASID/IIDA after getting the “7-year itch” at the design firm where she worked. She conceived of PLiNTH & CHiNTZ as a forum to educate interior design students on topics that are not taught in design school. Everything from interacting with clients to knowing how to work with a furniture dealer can be found on the site. McDonald’s sense of humor and willingness to ride the edge of political correctness is apparent in the Mission Statement: “To bridge the gap between the student / educational community and the professional / manufacturer community of the interior design world, and not to die of boredom while we do it.”

Podcasts are the newest feature added to the site. Driven by contributor James Ledoux’s enthusiasm for the technology, the first podcast was published in the May 2006 issue and featured Ledoux interviewing writer/personal productivity expert Merlin Mann of 43folders.com. The following month McDonald and her business partner, Amy S. Johnson, used the podcast platform as a means to report on their findings each day while attending the NeoCon design industry conference in Chicago. The resulting podcasts gave listeners a taste of the energy and excitement that defines the show, while highlighting the products/companies that caught their attention.

PLiNTHandCHiNTZ.com will continue promoting the integrity of the interior design profession and education while challenging its readers to get involved in their local communities and charities to produce better designers and better citizens through PLiNTHandCHiNTZ.com.

Contact:
Amy S. Johnson, Director of Marketing
PLiNTH & CHiNTZ
214-559-2568
http://www.plinthandchintz.com

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