Amidst all the hustle and bustle this time of year, sometimes its good for me to remind myself of the little things in life that make a difference. These photos from Sarah Hogan seem to find that spirit of simplicity that I seek. I love her spacious, open, light filled style. I learned of Sarah's work from one of my new favorite daily reads, Delight by Design. I hope you enjoy too! Blessings today.
Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Are you in celebration mode yet? I know I am as I prepare for our first ever Holiday Open House this coming Saturday. I've fantasized this event in my head for nearly a month now, and always imagine it as a scene from Mad Men, (minus the smoking and cheating husbands). But more in terms of style- a 1950's inspired soiree. My grandmother handed down some of her vintage holiday aprons that I plan to don for the party along with layers of costume jewelry and maybe a sparkly top. So in the spirit of my party, I've put together some favorite looks from vintage Etsy sellers. So what about you? Would you wear vintage this season for your festivities??
Images: top collage- shoes and handbag, green dress, purple overcoatbottom image: cardigan and jacket, necklace and shoes
Happy Friday! Are you ready for the weekend? I know I am. It's been an extremely busy week for me and tomorrow Eve and I head back downtown Nashville with our wares for the second, Handmade in the Arcade (that is our booth featured) craft event. It should be fun to see all of our friends and other artists even though there are snow flurries in the forecast. Sometimes the warmth of friends along with some coffee and tea can surpass any blast of wintery weather. On that note, I just wanted to say thanks to you!! You are my friends and you warm my heart every time you leave a comment because it lets me know that there is someone out there on the other side of cyberspace who connects with me in design, and creativity. I hate that I don't have time to always comment back on your site, but I do read each link left in the comment section. But please know that you are always near to my heart!
So now, let me introduce my absolutely favorite Shop Around the Corner to date: The Cross ! The Cross: Decor and Design is an uber stylish marketplace for all your shopping needs in the heart of Vancouver. The store location is at an intersection in the historic Yaletown district, and there the name was born. Their online shopping experience is heavenly with great visuals and even sweet little vignettes of the items in the store. They have been featured in numerous issues of Canadian House and Home, among others. And the blog is also a daily visual treat! Be forwarned once you enter, you will be salivating quickly! Enjoy!
Dear Gathering Spriggs readers, today I have a special treat for you. Her name is Kelle Barnard, of Barnard Interiors. She is a dear friend of mine from my first Alma Mater, Texas Tech Univiersity, Lubbock, TX! Kelle is the most gracious, warm Texas Southern Belle you will ever meet and she is opening up the secrets of her trade as an Interior Designer/Floral Artist especially for you. Hope you have fun reading about life on the inside and be sure to scroll down to find out Kelle's tips on decorating on a budget and adorning your home for the holidays!
1. Please tell us how Barnard Interiors came about.
The truth of the matter is that the birth of Barnard Interiors is a story of making lemonade out of a heaping basket full of lemons.
I graduated from college in the summer of 2002; this was right after 9/11 and no one was getting jobs, especially in the expendable industry of Interior Design. I had a job lined up in Austin but when I called to confirm 2 months prior to graduation, my would be boss said she couldn’t hire me. I looked for jobs here in Lubbock and around Texas and in the mean while, I just waited for word.
I went home to visit my parents one weekend and my Dad and I were talking and when he asked me what I was going to do, I jokingly said that I should just do what he did and start my own business. Well, needless to say, he thought this was a brilliant idea, much to my nervous astonishment and he told me to go back to Lubbock and make it happen.
I had no idea what I was doing but about a year later, Barnard Interiors was born. With much help from my local Small Business Development Center, my parents, and friends, it has been almost 7 years now and things are doing really well. A few years ago, I even branched out into floral design and am now designing wedding and event flowers! God is good!
2. What are your personal favorite projects and why?
It is cheesy to say, but I really love all my projects, but one of my all time favorites was for a client whose daughter’s wedding I had just completed. She wanted me to help her with her house that they had just moved into during the wedding. I helped her place her furniture and hang her pictures, my normal gig. But then about a year later, they decided to downsize and move into a garden home. By that time, we were good friends and as they walked me through their new little house, she turned to me and said, “You know who we are and what we like. Here is your budget and here are the keys. Have it done in a month!”
I LOVED that job. We did a minor “face lift” to the house, updating it with paint, new finishes, flooring, a fun wall texture technique, new lighting and used their beautiful antiques and furniture to make it their “favorite place on earth.”
I got the project done before move in date and they were more than thrilled. The husband was always rather noncommittal about decorating, but after he moved into his custom office, he said, “You know Kelle, you really designed a quality of life that I never knew existed. You aren’t just in the decorating business, you are in the quality of life business!” That was the best compliment I’ve ever gotten, from someone who originally thought what I did as a designer was frivolous.
3. On that note, being a designer usually requires using an unbiased design opinion to help others find their style, but I would like to know how you would describe your personal style.
Most people who know me, know that I speak my mind. With clients, I treat them how I would want to be treated. If something doesn’t look right I tell them while being as tactful and kind as possible. I let them know that it is my perspective on how they should design their house with their stuff.
My style is all over the place. I have never been a person who has favorite anything. I hate when people ask me, what is your favorite color, because I literally love ALL colors. I don’t like being hedged in by favorites. I would say my style would easily fit in with the eclectic crowd. I love mixing antiques with bright colors and modern light fixtures, or mixing things that “don’t” go together and proving that ANYTHING can work together, if you love it. I have tons of hand-me-down furniture from my parents and I love them all, but I add my modern spin on things: fabric, color, textures, etc… If something is quirky and odd, I love it.
I have a friend who came into my house the first time and said, “Whoa… you have A LOT of stuff.” I just laughed and kept on cooking for the dinner party. As the evening went on I noticed he was going around looking at my bookshelves and looking at my mementos. Later he was sitting in a chair in the corner looking at the whole house and he said, “You have a really nice, cozy little house. I really LOVE it! It feels like home.”
That is a common reaction. I do have loads of stuff, but I’m able to arrange it in a way that is interesting. I have my collection of old radios mixed in with all my books with a Chinese blue and white lamp nestled to the side. I have a collection of flower frogs strewn in with my collection of old classic novels. And I have my collection of weird nature artifacts on the china hutch/buffet with my favorite natural history botanical book! It doesn’t have to make sense if you love it.
4. In these tough economic times, what tips can you offer for people designing on a budget?
GARAGE SALES, ESTATE SALES, THRIFT STORES, & FLEA MARKETS!!!! The biggest misconception is “everything has to match.” Certain furniture stores make big bucks off of selling people a boxed set of room specific furniture with accessories “to match.” My biggest hint is… If you love it, it will work! It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t make sense or you think it will be a disaster (occasionally it is), if you as the “designer” like it, chances are there will be a common thread once the room or project is finished. Be selective, but also go with the flow. If something is too expensive in the big store, have fun on your quest to duplicate or search out a similar less expensive piece. Also, look at things differently. Many objects can have many different uses. For example, an old suitcase that you get at the thrift store could be simply a decorative piece on top of an armoire, or it could be stacked with other suitcases and made to be a side table or coffee table. And don’t forget that each of those suitcases is a perfect storage solution for items you might not need to access all the time; old photos, CD cases, mementos from high school or college are the perfect items store in old suitcases.
One more tip for a budget redo, paint. It is the least expensive solution with the biggest wow factor. The right color can really make a room sing and make EVERYTHING in it look more expensive. I am a fan of neutral earth tones that are pretty saturated, but a creamy yellow or pale minty green can really highlight antiques and give a dusty old retro feel to a room. But please, NO BEIGE! Spice things up and don’t be afraid. Live with you decisions for at least 3 days to a week before scrapping them completely. It takes time to see things differently when you are used to seeing it one way for so long. Also, invite some good friends over and get their instant reaction. Sometimes all we need is a little encouragement.
5. Last, what are your favorite insider tricks to decorating for the holidays? Any advice for the novice?
Have fun! It is a holiday. It is meant to be fun. If you aren’t enjoying it then it is a chore and that is never a good thing. The world won’t end if your decorations aren’t perfect. Take a breather and drink some hot cocoa!
First, don’t think you have to put EVERY holiday nick knack that you own out. Pick a theme and design around a few cherished items. Create a few little vignettes around your house: Christmas tree, coffee table, mantle… then stop.
Don’t toss out fake greenery just because it is old, sometimes all your old front door wreath needs is a $5 bolt of new ribbon and some simple dollar store ornaments. Add a little splash of something sparkly to make something old look fresh and new.
Don’t like a traditional door wreath? Get 2 bolts of a fabulous wired ribbon in a contrasting color from your door and tie the door like a huge present with a pretty bow where a wreath should be. Make it a traditional bow or a big loopy bow and have several long tendrils you can spiral by coiling them around your hand (like a curling iron). Use thumb tacks, double sided tape, or a little dab of hot glue on the sides of your door to keep the ribbon in place; no one will see the edges and it won’t ruin your door!
And lastly, enjoy time with your friends and family. Sit down with the kids or girlfriends and make homemade ornaments out of felt. The holidays are stressful enough make memories and have fun and remember the reason for the season!
hello dears, i don't have much time today. just a quick hello to see how you are and how your week is so far? the temperature here is dropping and i am dreaming of cuddling up to the fire with a blanket, tea and a book (or magazine). i just love the fireplace as a focal point of a room. its so nostalgic. what do you think?
images: top three: digs,digs, country living, rum, flickr, momist, flickr
Have you been obsessed by the Project Runway phenomenon as much as I have? Its so fun to see creative people being challenged and doing inspiring work. Well my favorite designer this season was, Carol Hannah, and I stumbled upon her new preview wedding collection over at Head vs. Heart. She has some masterful pieces which could be ready to wear as well. From there I discovered her website and found that she has a blog too! How does she find the time? She shared some of her interior design inspirations and obsessions, of which I have shown a couple here. Isn't it interesting how personal style is evident in all areas of design? So what do you think? Who was your fashion hero of PR this season? I'd love to hear about it!
Happy Cyber Monday, all! How was your holiday weekend (for those who celebrated)? Mine was chock full of projects for the house and preparing for my company this month-(first time at the new house). Well its Cyber Monday and hopefully online shoppers will be supporting the artistans today. Etsy has some amazing specials and offers today. Here are some of my favorite online items that I would purchase today if I had a paycheck. What do you think of Cyber Monday? Helpful or Hindrance?
Several of these images were found via a new online curated gallery: Artwall
Gathering Spriggs and Gathering Vintage are offering 10% off AND Free Shipping!!
Also check out one of my Shop Around the Corner's, Red has a new online shop!!
top images: dottie angel, annaklara-artwallsecond group: pillow-nestables, camera-leighwells, salt and pepper shakers-hindsvik, trees- lisa congdon
third group: 1. kventura, 2. sweetaverie, 3. neawear, 4. julene
J.Morgan Puett wears the "Jill of All Trades" artist's hat. When it comes to creating work, she doesn't stop at sculpture, or even installation. She creates entire collections of clothes, or a running farmhouse dedicated to her art concepts. I had written a paper about her collaboration with Mark Dion when in art school, but was recently reminded of her creative pursuits here.
Reading her artists statement and her research on textiles and interest in clothing from 1900-1930 as items which were consistently reused, remade and recycled, reminded me of my own interests brought about from a rural upbringing. Her images and works are at once nostalgic and conceptual. The two installation images are storefronts in NYC from the early 1990's.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your long weekend. I know I will. More curtains to hang and lights to string.
How was your Thanksgiving dearests? Mine was relaxing and low key -a very nice change since we are usually traveling. So, are you ready to shop?
I die! Catbird is glamorous, extremely chic, with just a touch of whimsy and wry. My sister came across this find on her NYC trip this year and put my email address on the mailing list of this Williamsburg shop. I nearly forgot about them until I received their holiday update this week. And what a wonderfully fabulous reminder it has been!
The Catbird style reminds me of my friend Daniella of Dress Design Decor. They even have a shopping category called " shop by story" where you pick your style (i.e. glamour, classic, wood nymph, city cool) and they provide a curated gallery of products just for you! Have fun finding your style! Mine is Classic. What is yours???I will have some great holiday gift guide ideas for you next week, but I think shopping at Catbird is a good start.
Happy Shopping this Black Friday!!
images: catbird
Have a blessed day today! Just wanted to quickly say, I am thankful for you. The last part of my Days of Gratitude:
K and S: Kindred Spririts! That's you. YOU truly make my world a little sweeter, a little brighter and I feel a connection to you through beauty. Thank you for reading Gathering Spriggs and for your constant support. I am blessed!
Image: Beauty Mist
