Path to Design ~ 5.24.11

This post could also have been titled "Just Do It!" My goal with this post is to inspire anyone with a dream to go out there and work on making it happen.

You see, I have had a couple of stressful weeks at work, but instead of feeling miserable as I would have in my last job, I still feel content and fulfilled. This is because, after knowing for years and years what I truly wanted to do when I "grow up," I am finally acting on it, and it feels great. It hasn't been an easy journey getting here, but now I feel like all of the effort I've put in has been so worth it.

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After spending seven years trying out different jobs I thought I'd enjoy, such as event planning, marketing, and public relations, I still felt unfulfilled and discouraged. While I performed fine at these jobs, deep down I didn't feel I was bringing in my all, that my heart wasn't in it. I was constantly down, and dreaded each and every work week. Something was missing - I couldn't live like this.

Throughout these years, I kept having thoughts of becoming an interior designer, but having already gone to school, then back again to study Public Relations (and thinking that was my path), switching careers yet again seemed ridiculous. I kept thinking, am I crazy to want to change careers yet again? Am I just flaky? Plus, would I actually enjoy interior design? And more so, would I even be good at it?

Lonny Mag

Visions of when I was 8 years old kept coming back to me - I'd spend so much time drafting floorplans for my and my friends' "dream homes" and loved it. One day I came across all of my drawings and showed them to my mom. She was so impressed that I realized I do have this in me. From that day forward to was dedicated to learn all I could about interior design, starting with books, a night class, then finally more formal education (more posts about my journey here.)

My job as a designer is tough (I work in a retail environment, so I have to worry about making comission, working weekends, and dealing with the occasional tough client), but whenever I get involved in a design project I feel on top of the world. This past weekend I presented a project I was very excited about, and thankfully so was my client! It was such a great feeling. In this job I've learned that for me, designing a room comes so easily, so naturally, unlike any other job I've had before. It finally feels right, as if this is what I was supposed to be doing all along.

Lonny Mag

Making this dream come true certainly took effort, one step at a time. But, what it really took was listening to myself, that voice deep down inside that knows what you truly want, what will truly make you happy. So sad that too often we let our doubts and fears take over that voice. 

So that is my message to the world. I hope to encourage YOU to do something today, whether is picking up a book on your subject of interest, signing up for a class, speaking to someone in your industry, or taking a chance and applying for a job you don't think you'd ever get (you never know - trust me!) It may be a long journey, but one certainly worth taking. We all deserve to be happy!

 Lonny Mag

Please share in your comments if you have a dream you hope to work towards - we can all help and motivate each other!

P.S.: I'm sorry for the lack of posts the last couple of weeks. I just needed some time away from the computer. But I feel inspired again, so thanks for checking in!

DC Design House - Iantha Carley Interiors

Happy Good Friday! I hope you all have something fun planned for this weekend. I have Sunday off (a first in a few months!) so I am looking forward to celebrating Easter and spending some quality time with family.

Anyway, I wanted to wrap up my virtual tour of this year's DC Design House with a gorgeous bedroom and dressing room by Iantha Carley Interiors.

Iantha was inspired by the David Hicks La Fiorentina fabric (one of my all-time favorites!) in the green and white colorway, which she used to create a canopy above the bed as well as the curtains.

The result is a happy yet sophisticated master bedroom. 

Iantha also decorated the walk-in dressing room.  This whimsical, stylish room is any woman's dream! I love the pop of turquoise in the chandelier!

Iantha also had the opportunity to design a room in the 2009 Design House. Check it out:

And that wraps up my posts of this year's house. I hope you enjoyed it! For the locals, the Design House is still open until May 8, so you still have a chance to see it if you haven't!

Images: first three, my own. Dressing Room, Lydia Cutter. All others, Iantha Carley portfolio

DC Design House - Erin Paige Pitts

And we are off to another week! I hope you are enjoying the tour of this year's DC Design House. Up next is the pool room, designed by Erin Paige Pitts.

Another of my favorites of the house, I just loved the airiness of the space. Erin did a great job making her limited palette of whites work so well by using lots of texture.

The seats are hung from the ceiling with ropes! Such a cool idea. Below you see a touch of the sea with a wall full of sea shells.

It is hard to believe the room was full of dark paneling. It feels so bright and lively in there now. I would love to spend time in this room.

Named one of Traditional Home's "20 Designers to Watch," Erin has some wonderful projects in her portfolio. Check it out:

She has completed many design projects in coastal areas, which is why you see so many rooms in soothing blues and neutrals.

What a beautiful kitchen! And I love the outdoor space below. I wish I could be sitting there now with a refreshing drink in my hand!

What do you think of her work? Have a great week!

First four images, my own. All others, http://erinpaigepittsinteriors.com/

DC Design House - Samantha Friedman / J. Hodges & Associates

Happy Friday! I wanted to continue to highlight designers of this year's DC Design House. Today I am showing you the Secret Garden room, a bedroom and dressing area/bathroom that I think you'll really enjoy!

Samantha Friedman designed the kid-friendly bedroom using cheerful colors and fabrics:

I just love the dresser (above)! The window seat, however, is unlike anything I've ever seen:

What a creative, adorable idea! Any kid would be so happy to have a swing in their room!

The room has a bathroom and dressing area, designed by J. Hodges & Associates, that ended up being one of my favorite features of the entire house:

You all know I love purple! I would dream to have a place like this when I was younger (ok, I'd love to have a space like this today...just a touch more grown up!)

The bathroom is so incredibly cute. I absolutely loved it. Just look at the zebra mirror, trellis rug, and that geometric shower curtain:

What do you think? Make sure to check out more of Samantha Friedman's work here, and J. Hodges & Associates' portfolio here.

Have a great weekend everyone!

All photos, except last 3, my own. Last three, Lydia Cutter

DC Design House - Barbara Franceski

Next on our 2011 DC Design House tour is the Family Room, designed by Barbara Franceski. I loved what she did with her room in last year's design house (see my post about it here), so I was really looking forward to seeing her room.

It did not disappoint! I absolutely loved the color scheme and overall sophisticated vibe. I was especially enamored with the colorful silhouette artwork (from local artist Dave Peterson) that at first would seem out of place, but in fact makes the room. So fun!

The mix of chairs in the office/seating area adds a lot of interest to the space. She paid a lot of attention to detail with her accessories as well - they really elevate the room.

Originally, this room walls were entirely wood paneling. A coat of white paint transformed the room, though Barbara made a great decision to keep the crown molding as well as the area behind the bar (below) in its original wood tone. 

I will try to post more photos if I can, as the ones I took don't do the room justice! To see more of Barbara's work, check out her website, here.
 
 
P.S.: Have you checked out the new Trad Home magazine? There is so much inspiration in there! Read it here.

All photos, my own.

DC Design House - Lauren Liess

As promised, this week (and next) I wanted to share with you some of my favorite rooms from this year's DC Design House. First up is Lauren Liess's "Hideaway Room:"

You are probably already familiar with her work and blog, Pure Style Home. She applied her fresh, organic style to her room, which was designed to serve as a getaway spot.

She added many whimsical touches, inspired by Alice in Wonderland, that gave the room lots of character and made it feel so cozy. All of the textures, from the grasscloth wallpaper to the rug, also added to the warm, welcoming feel of the space.

I am in love with that desk (which was actually a last-minute find after an accident with the original!)

See more (non-fuzzy professional!) photos on her blog, here. 

Lauren's path to design is so inspirational as well. Feeling unfulfilled with her chosen career path in Public Relations (hmm, that sounds familiar!) she set out to study interior design, and soon started taking on design clients. This quickly led to starting her own business, which has really taken off! Lauren wrote a wonderful post on how she got started here.  

Here are just a few photos of her work (her own home):

I had the opportunity to meet her at the Design House last week, and she is so sweet, too! I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of her work!
 
Photos 1-4, taken by me. All others, Lauren Liess Interiors

DC Design House!

Happy Friday! I hope you all have something fun planned for this weekend. For all the locals, this year's DC Design House is opening to the public tomorrow! I always love attending this event - I leave with an incredible amount of inspiration every time (well, it kinda makes me want to re-decorate my entire condo!)

I had the opportunity to check out this year's house last week, and I must say the designers did an incredible job transforming an old, dark house into such a beautiful place. Here is just a snippet of what there is to see. I will be posting more photos, including designer profiles, all next week, so stay tuned!

The house is open until May 8 (check out their website for details.) Are you planning on going?

Photos (taken by me,) from top:
Pool Room - Erin Paige Pitts Interiors
Hideaway - Lauren Liess Interiors
Master Bedroom - Iantha Carley Interiors
Secred Garden Bath/Dressing Area - J. Hodges & Associates, LLC
Family Room - Barbara Franceski LLC

Path to Design ~ 3.18.11

It has been a while since I updated you all on my new design job! Happily, it is going well. Some days I still feel like I'm dreaming! I had my first (and second!) client presentation last week, so I'm starting to finally feel like an official designer :)

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You may also be wondering about my business, Estilo Home Interiors. Sad to say, I have put those plans on hold - I had to sign a non-compete contract with my company, and do not want to cause any issues. This was tough because I had been finally working towards launching the business, and was really looking forward to seeing those plans come to life. On the other hand, I'm glad it happened this way because I am learning so much that I will be able to apply to my business when it is finally time to do so.

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So what have I learned? Well, here is a random sampling, from things I have learned about design, clients, and myself:

~ As a designer, it is important to remember that clients cannot always visualize what you are proposing to them, whether describing a sofa in a different fabric or a room's layout. Drawings and samples are critical to make sure you both see eye to eye.
~ Fabric is expensive! Ok, I kind of knew that already, but yardage really adds up fast when quoting window treatments, bedding or a sofa.
~ You've got to be open-minded and knowledgeable about different furniture styles. At my store, we have to be well-versed in everything from traditional to modern styles, as we have a wide variety of clients with different tastes. I have to say I am learning a lot about more traditional decor, which I hadn't been as exposed to before. 
~ I am really bad at making decisions. It is a little ridiculous how many fabrics I'll look through before deciding on the right ones for each project.
~ Design and sales really go hand in hand. You might have a wonderful design idea, but if you cannot communicate it, or "sell" it, to the client, you won't have a successful business.

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There is so much more I learn every single day - which makes me so glad I am going through this now with a team of people behind me, as opposed to on my own. Sure I can design, but quoting things like curtains and carpeting, knowing the elements of quality furniture construction, scheduling installation - all of these "behind the scenes" stuff I am being exposed to as I go. It's funny because I thought I was ready for my business, but that was when I didn't know just how much I didn't know! Not to say it wouldn't be doable, just more challenging.

Having said that, I still can't wait for when that day comes! Only then I will be truly ready.

Client Design Board ~ California Living Room

As I've talked about recently, I am helping a friend decorate from afar. Her bedroom so far is going well. She has purchased nearly every item she needed, except for the lamps. It's pretty cool to see it all come together! Hopefully I will be able to share some "after" pictures soon.

Next we started working on her living/dining room. She was a bit undecided on what colors she wanted to go with, but offered this picture as an inspiration:

Erinn Valencich

I attempted to recreate the airy, sophisticated vibe using greens and blues for the color scheme, with bronze accents. Turns out we are going to go with deeper tones than what I chose on my design board, but I thought I would share it anyway:

The living room needs a focal point, which we can create by arranging several frames above the couch, as shown. I suggest getting cheap frames from IKEA or Michael’s, then use pages from a calendar or print out pictures online (such as here) to create a fun and affordable art wall.

Since we can’t install curtains, I thought a rug would help to bring color to the room, as well as help define the living from the dining area. More color can be brought in with pillows (the fabrics used here are all from Calico Corners, and the pillow shown is from here), and with a throw blanket. The bronze and other accessories here are ideas of items she could put on the coffee table, side table, and TV console. A tall plant would look great near her window.

The mirror shown on the board (top), is for the dining area. She does not have space to add anything more than her existing round table and chairs, so I was thinking of putting this mirror on the wall behind the table with a floating shelf underneath to create a little table to add more decorative touches. 

So there you have it. Like I said, we'll be changing the colors a bit, but she really liked the art wall idea as well as all of the decorative touches. I look forward to seeing it come together! 

Inspired by the Parsons Desk ~ Part 2

Today I wanted to share the rest of the sets I created using the West Elm Parsons Desk, an idea that was inspired by House Beautiful's "What Would You Do" feature in this month's issue. I showed you 5 sets here. Take a look at the last 5 I came up with:

 A Hollywood glam vibe

(Ballard Designs chair, Lamps Plus lamp, vintage letter holder)

A fun combination for a kid's room

(DWR chair, IKEA lamp, Iomoi paperweight)

 A 70's vintage vibe

(Crate & Barrel chair, Lamps Plus lamp, Amy Butler fabric for chair cushion)

A colorful, modern set

(DWR chair, Lamps Plus lamp, Kate's Paperie filofax)

A safari-inspired combination

(Crate and Barrel chair, Lamps Plus lamp, box via here)

I felt like I could go on forever creating these sets - it was a lot of fun! Which set did you like best?