Leaping Forward

So . . . not only is today in a Leap Year, it’s also on Leap Day, and it’s on the day of the work week which bridges those days from the beginning to the end.  Leaping Lizards!  That’s something to think about.

 

(Image via New York Daily News)

In my recent newsletter, I shared some thoughts:

“With the arrival of spring fast approaching, the irony of being in a Leap Year has settled in as I type.  February seems to be bounding right along and the lion winds of seasonal change are roaring past my windows.  The good news?  The extra day will help us to stretch the calendar a bit.  A gift of priceless time!”

I asked:  “What will you do with that extra 24 hours?” 

Just think of it . . . 24 whole extra hours – all wrapped up!

(Image via a Spoonful of Sugar Designs)

May your day be . . .

(Images compiled from Duralee Fabrics and Pinterest in my newsletter.  Be sure to sign up on the tab to the right!)

Whatever your plans, make every second count!

Unity in Design – An Interior Design Event

As Henry Ford so astutely said:

 

I’m so proud to be a part of a wonderful conference, bringing interior designers together from all of the different organizations and from different paths of education, experience, and expertise.  The event will be hosted by the High Point Design Center which is a premier destination for interior designers, architects, specifiers, and builders working in residential and contract design.  The participating showrooms are not only open during the biannual High Point Furniture Market, they are also open in between markets so that designers can provide clients with access to the best of the best in the home furnishings and accents industry.

This year, I’ll be part of a keynote panel discussing how to “Leap Ahead of The Curve”.  I’m still putting on the finishing touches to my presentation as so many thoughts are spinning in regards to how the design community has had to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of our industry.  One thing I know for sure is that we’ll all need to make the leap together, in order to keep it vibrant and relevant for consumers as they ponder the benefit of hiring interior designers.

I’ll be sure to create a follow-up post, upon my return, for my fellow designers who might not be able to attend.  And if you’re a consumer, it’s just fine for you to peek in on the conversations.  We’re always happy to educate about our profession!

Designing A Home With Love, Some Tweets, & Phone Calls

I wish I could share what I’m feeling in my heart at this moment . . . It’s almost difficult to put into words.  Warmth, gratitude, amazement, and honor are just a few which come to mind. 

Today was the grand reopening of our local community shelter and to witness all of the changes, which have occurred in less than a year’s time, is a testament to everyone associated with the shelter . . . the staff, the board, the volunteers, the residents, and the generous community.  Being a part of the progress has given back to me in ways too many to count. 

I’ll share a bit of today’s open house as well as some other exciting news!

Mary Ruth Smith, the Board Chair, (on the right), shares with visitors the missions accomplished for the shelter renovation.  Kathy Bragg, holding a plaque, (on the left), is the Executive Director.

The dining hall has received new flooring, new paint, and a little bit of pattern on the walls.  (As have all of the other spaces in the shelter.)  This room also provides extra sleeping space when the shelter is full.  The shelter has almost doubled the number of meals it serves – breakfast, lunch, and dinner – seven days a week.  No one is turned away.  You don’t have to be homeless to eat here.  The population of people who have homes but who are feeling the pinch in their own pantries has increased.  These meals help to supplement their needs.

With no windows in the dining room, a touch of Mother Nature was added.  (Thank you to Diana Garmon and Matthews Fast Frame for helping to make this happen.)

A dramatic difference is shown in the before pictures of the kitchen area.  The new counter donated by Charles Luck Stone has been a wonderful addition!

A fabulous, self-serve coffee/cappuccino/hot chocolate machine added a nice perk to the dining hall!

This is what the area looked like before.

 

Sometimes surfaces become a little worn.  People can feel that way, too.  My mission was to help create a place for souls to be restored and hope to be renewed.  While the staff and board have been able to provide the tools for a new life focus, I wanted to provide a different environment to support that message. 

(My original inspiration board on Olioboard.)

Social media has proven to be an huge platform, from which to share our mission, and the response has been overwhelming!  Our Giving For Gallons campaign netted enough money to cover most of the cost of the paint used to cover up a variation of colors.   I learned that sometimes you have to create a wish list and put it out to the universe in order to meet a need. 

Today, the universe called back.

While on Twitter, a dear man and furniture manufacturer messaged me:

Jeff w/TLS by Design @TLSbyDesign - GM! I'd like more details on the shelter.

I had only met Jeff Day, once, and that was at a High Point Market Tweet-Up in his showroom for TLS by Design.  We’ve shared some tweets but have not always been online at the same times.  In fact, we decided that mischievous Twitter had knocked me out of his stream, at some point.  When he was copied on a conversation this morning, between Leslie Carothers and me, he realized what the shelter needed and the impact his call could make. 

To spare you a longer story, I was able to go to today’s ribbon-cutting with the thrill of telling the board we are going to be getting new furniture for the day room, which currently looks like this:

And with the hopes it will be transformed into something resembling more of this:

Thanks to Jeff and my friend, Maybelline Te, (whose company, Snug Furniture, donated a TV console), for making the day even more amazing.  We also have high hopes for a new room full of carpet from Warner’s Rugs and Carpet.  The room will be soon be well on it’s way!  I’ll still be on the hunt for casegoods, accent chairs, wall art, and lamps, but to have the foundation pieces coming along . . . words cannot express my thanks!

 

Today was one of those days I wish I could have shared with everyone who has helped to make this happen.  This honor isn’t all about me.  It’s about you! 

And I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”
Maya Angelou

To learn more, click on the logo, below.

Let The Good Times Roll!

Even though I may be a bit north of New Orleans, I still love a good excuse for a celebration! 

 

The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple (symbolic of justice), green (symbolic of faith) and gold (symbolic of power). The accepted story behind the original selection of these colors originates from 1872 when the Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia visited New Orleans.  During his stay, he was given the honor of selecting the official Mardi Gras colors by the Krewe of Rex...thus, did these colors also become the colors of the House of Romanoff.

Go ahead.  Have a little fun.  It’s good for the soul! :)

Trend Report: Translating Cultural Design Influences

During a recent side trip to my local antiques fair, I knew I had stumbled upon some ancient treasures which have been popping up in au courant interiors!  In fact, a recent email from the folks at the High Point Furniture market shared Four Trends on the Horizon in 2012 and this was one of their picks:

Cultural influence
”Inspired by global trends, 2012's patterns and motifs blend the texture and color of old-world looks with modern decor. Textiles are inspired by temples in Thailand, while rugs feature Moorish motifs and Moroccan patterning. Also look for African kuba cloths, Central Asian suzani prints, ikats, Scandinavian designs, intricate Indian handiwork and Chinese medallions, lotus blooms and anything dragon-related. The ethnic trend also finds inspiration close to home, as Native American dream-catchers, feathers and tribal patterns influence decoration and print.”

(I just had to photograph these gorgeous textiles, at the show.  Every stitch was done by hand.)

As I perused through the textiles and artifacts the dealer had lovingly collected during a period he lived and traveled through India, he shared how he skipped the “typical tourist” spots, and went deep into the countryside, to not only find the better pieces, but to gain the cultural experience.  The idea of many hands touching and creating each piece, as opposed to machinery, made the experience richer.

(This is actually a game piece, draped on top of other crewel-stitched borders.  I kept thinking of how I could incorporate these beauties into an interior.  Ideas were brewing!)

The concept of mixing these intricate designs can be a little daunting for many.  There are a few simple tricks to prevent a room from looking as if you brought home a whole bazaar or marketplace.  If your design style leans towards clean, modern lines, just a few layers can add pops of interest or depth.  Let the crafting of cultures be the focal point.

(A great collage of cultural design from HomeShoppingSpy)

If you love to travel and tend to tuck away pieces from your ventures, this design influence will definitely speak to you!  No translation needed!

Waiting For A Proposal

I’ve been working on some proposals for interior design projects.  Of course, we creatives would love to just get down to the process of creating.  It’s what we live for.  Negotiating projects isn’t nearly as fun.

I’m one of those creative types who also likes to make sure the management of a project is programmed into the mix.  That design has got to leap off of the page, somehow.  You can give someone the brush, the paints, and the palette, but without the artist and their mad skills, it’s just a pile of stuff.

Sometimes, in determining value, there are some obvious things to consider.  And . .  there are other important things, too.  (See above.)  Of course we all know that’s subject to change at the drop of a hat.

And, of course, while we can analyze something to death, it might be better to take certain aspects for face value.  I provide “x” and the compensation is “z”.  Plain and simple.

I wonder if there is somewhere, in a proposal, these immortal words could be added instead of “sign here” . . .

“Put a ring on it.”

The best is yet to be!

Love & Affection

Now this is a four letter word I can wrap my heart around.  L-O-V-E.  “A profoundly tender, passionate affection.” 

Objects of my affection – in no particular order:

Flowers from my husband.  (Always a nice surprise!)

My favorite color.  Can you guess?  (Well, I really do have several but I’m drawn like a moth to a flame for this one.)  (Image – Pinterest)

Seeing my fellows in their element.  They love mountain streams!  (And I love them.)

A great, fun bracelet.  (Forever 21)

Family.  My touchstones of life. 

Time in my garden.  (Sun, therapy, peace.)

Landscape lampshade from Anthropologie (Could design a whole room around it!)

Smiles and laughter.  (A daily dose is required.)

Organization.  A great interior always has it.  (IMHO)

Beauty. Both inside and out.

Happy Heart Day! 

Dabbling In Design vs. Interiors Commitment

Oh, if only this could be true . . . .

On occasion, I get calls from folks who are interested in receiving “some” design advice but who are not really prepared to commit to the process of a completed space or project.  I call it, “dabbling in design”.  They were inspired by beautiful photos in a magazine, a show home, or just had a field day on Pinterest.  And let me just say, I certainly understand wanting to follow your bliss, especially when an interior has become a bit tired or forlorn or you’ve got an empty cavern.

(Step away from the monitor!)

When images of inspiration rooms float through the internet waves, it’s easy to become intrigued by the apparent ease of putting them together.  I’ve seen some great examples and I’ve seen . . . a few unfortunate ones.  (Yes, I loved “Legally Blonde”.)  I’m sure I may have put together one or two that wouldn’t be someone’s cup of tea.  (Of course, I like to think that comes down to a difference in preferences and not my professional capabilities.)

Now, when it comes to pretty . . . .

I can put together beautiful boards, all the live-long day. 

I can pull out swatches of beautiful paint palettes, too. 

 

I can give you beautiful interior images and provide the inspiration for a beautiful life.

But . . . that is only the icing on the cupcake and without the proper ingredients, and the recipe to bake it, none of the above can happen in a home.  You’re left holding the proverbial frosting bag.

A design project requires commitment to see the process through, from both the designer and the client.  No dabbling about it.  It’s my business, and for all the beauty in the world, I take my commitment to time and investments very seriously. 

Project directives are developed from gathered information:

1. Before I meet with a client, a phone interview occurs and a questionnaire is completed.  (To know you is to design for you!) 
2. At the first meeting, I have to measure the space I’m doing, along with any existing furnishings, artwork, and important design elements.  (The design process can’t begin without this.  They are also the key ingredients to establishing the dollars allocated for design, of which my services are a part of the equation.)
3. I take photos galore.  (Gotta have a ‘before’, before there’s an ‘after’.)
4. I explore preferences, functional needs, and then some. 

If I’m going to work with a client on any project, I require these steps to happen.  To not be able to do this is like trying to mix the batter together with missing ingredients.  Another trip to the market?  Think of the wasted time of having to backtrack in order to start at the beginning.  When someone says, “all of that isn’t necessary”, it pretty much tells me what I need to know about the intent behind the call. (Or, I need to do a better job of explaining the “why” behind my methods.)

Custom design is very different from “design in a box”.  It’s like comparing freshly-baked to pre-made.  Both have their place but custom design does let you “have your cupcake and eat it, too.”

 

(Which one would you choose?)

And just one final thought . . . if you’re a little nervous about about the process of working with a professional interior designer . . .  think of your project in cupcake terms.  You don’t have to buy a whole dozen at once.  It might be too much for anyone to digest.  Decide on one room and let the mixing begin.  You can always choose a different flavor!