Talented Tuesday – Creative Montage

I just got off the phone with Aimee O’Boyle, the owner and graphic designer, from Creative Montage.  We were discussing some of the next steps I needed to take with the beautiful new logo she created for the rebranding of my interior design firm.  I was reminded of how fun it is to work with someone who not only shares an artistic vision, but she also has a wonderful system in place to make the work process go smoother.  People tend to forget great design is not all about the “pretty” things.  There is a lot of work to providing these services, no matter what that area of specialty might be.

Of course, we do hire designers in order to make all of the “behind-the-scenes” efforts transfer from concept to creation.  In my instance, I take it from pen and paper to a room.  In Aimee’s case, she puts it all on paper – literally!

Without further adieu . . . I give you . . .  Creative Montage!

First, I’m so impressed with Aimee’s offerings on her Etsy site.  From her save-the-date cards to invitations to monograms.  So many choices!

For those of us who appreciate even more custom choices, Aimee knows one size doesn’t fit all.  I think what surprised me the most is how reasonable her custom work is.  It all depends on how many options you need for her to create.  She’s happy to hear about your inspirations, but I can tell you from personal experience, when you give creative people some space to “do their thing”, you’ll be so happy with the results!

What a gorgeous vignette of her custom work:

Aside from her talents for couture bridal and life event papeterie, Aimee designs beautiful business pieces:

And then there is the Letterpress work.  Swoon worthy!

As an interesting aside . . . I’ve never met Aimee in person!  I was in the process of thinking about creating new business cards, about a year ago, and I happened upon her work on a Flickr site.  I did a little Googling and then found her website.  The rest just fell into place.  There was not only something about her work, which drew me in, I could somehow read her spirit through the screen. When she answered my call, I knew I had landed in the right place!

Today’s post isn’t just about talent, as you may have already concluded.  It’s also about doing business with people you know, like and trust.  Sometimes you can’t always put your finger on it, so let your intuition give you the nudge.  It’s usually right!

Thank you, Aimee.  You’re helping me to put my best foot forward! ~ Wanda

Not So Neutral – The Love of Color

“2011 - Love The Home You’re In”™

Often, one of the first calls I receive after the “thrill” of the holiday season has passed, is in regards to freshening up living spaces.  The New Year has arrived and many of you have put away seasonal decorations, which always seem to add extra warmth to any interior.  The sparkle might seem to be missing and your home may be exhibiting the need for a little extra “love” and attention! 

Even if you’re feeling the purse being pinched by how much you gifted to others, there can still be some “uplifting interior moments” as the coffers are being replenished!  It’s time to hug your home!

Let’s start with color!

Just to give you an idea of how I conceptualize the process of layering a room, I created a virtual design board.  In this case, I might have had a client who’s been afraid to dip their pinky-toe into the color pond.  I wanted to show how lovely it can be to bring in the addition of one of the latest color trends, without it being too “trendy”.  I think this is where I see folks shying away from making the commitment.  They would rather court the idea and a design board allows them to take the concept on a “first date”, as it were!

Sometimes, when color trends are presented, such as Pantone’s Color of The Year – Honeysuckle, there can be a question about how much is too much?  By distributing color in small doses, it’s easier to embrace any new palette additions and to decide if you’re ready to take it to the next level.

This Lee Jofa fabric exhibits just one example of using a pattern to slip in pops of color.  There are also geometric patterns with similar accents.  I wanted to illustrate how even bright colors can transition nicely with earthy tones.

A room has more depth when handcrafted elements are added.  A Suzani pillow, from Claire Watters Etsy site, Material Recovery, was fabricated from embroidered, antique textiles. 

Imagine how interesting it would be to frame out a pen and ink-type print with a painted frame!  Even as trends come and go, this subject would always have a home.  (From:  Natural Curiosities)

Thanks for stopping by for a little design chat.  It’s time to get back to my interiors’ list for new and fun projects!

Don’t forget to give your home a hug! ~ Wanda

Interior Predictions For 2011: The Year of “Loving The Home You’re In”™

I’m declaring 2011 to be the year of “Loving The Home You’re In”™!

(Wouldn’t it be fun to send out these announcements without having to load up the moving truck?  Who says your new home has to be somewhere else?)

What exactly does this mean?  As consumers have watched home values change, many have decided to stay in their current homes and are opting for improving their spaces, not with the anticipation of resale, but with the idea they can create a more positive, personal living environment.  Living better means optimizing space through function, optimizing emotional experiences, and planning for all of the occupants’ life stages.

So many ideas and so much time!  After all, it’s a New Year of postings!

I’m dedicating my January posts to help you consider creating a new home, in a new year, as you deserve a well-designed life! 

Thanks for joining me.  We’ll take 2011 one step at a time! 

Wishing you the best of the New Year! ~ Wanda

Christmas Countdown Day 15

The Clock Is Ticking!

I’m usually not an alarmist, (smile), when it comes to Christmas.  Things usually fall into place.  Perhaps because I decided to put together this aptly named series, I feel a bit like the sands of time are slipping through the hourglass.  All of a sudden, I’m imagining being in a long hallway, with a huge grandfather clock clanging away at the eleventh hour and scolding me about waiting so long to get my holiday list checked off!   

It’s all about perception, though, and I should think of the clock ticking as the calming rhythm of a heartbeat.  A symbol of life and a joyous looking forward to times to come. 

What a clever idea!  Antique and vintage clock faces turned into ornaments.  (Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens)

The finished tree!

 

I’m enamored with clocks . . . especially those of the floor version.  Grandfather or Grandmother, they make me feel right at home!  (Courtesy of:  Between Naps on the Porch)

This is a winning combination of a mantle clock and an over door piece.  (Courtesy of: Traditional Home)

Ah, Etsy, you never let me down!  At $90, this vintage Italian Tole clock will ring in the hour, beautifully!  (From:  unExpectedParTie)

I won’t even mention what’s right around the corner!

Thanks for spending your time with me! ~ All my best! ~ Wanda

12 Days And Counting!

Christmas Countdown – Day 10

Christmas Bright and Blue – Day 10 - The Year of Turquoise - 2010

In yesterday’s post, I unveiled the upcoming color trend from Pantone.  For some, it seems to take a few months to embrace the changing tides of design, and just about the time it hits their comfort zone – Whoosh! – it seems to be on its way out!

The great thing about color; however, is that we can continue to layer and mix until it becomes a part of a refreshed decor, as opposed to it being the focal point.  As the wise folks of Pantone plan for hues to hang around for about five years, you’re okay if you jumped onto a certain color bandwagon, within that time frame.  (Ever notice how tired you become of certain mixes, around that time?)

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind ?” . . .

Not on Santa’s watch!  (Just click on each photo and it will take you to the creator and details.)

This handmade snowflake artfully shows us the intention of the turquoise palette . . . All is calm, all is bright.

 

The assortment of blue in this garland, by Love Monkey, will be good to go for many years!

 

A popular pop of red, as the accent, is shown on this ornament by rodica.

A little touch of green and navy rounds out some holiday bling!

Not only did this hand-painted lovely capture my eye, I love the clever idea for displaying it by inverting a milk glass compote!

Ooooooo . . . origami!  Can you just imagine a tree-full of these lovelies?

Remember, what’s old is new and what’s new is old.  These 1940’s vintage Christmas balls are a testimonial for timeless design.

Ahhh, dear turquoise, I knew you well.  Love can be a fickle thing.  Who knows?  Perhaps I’ll introduce you to Honeysuckle and all will be right in the world!

Bright and Beautifully Blue! ~ Wanda

16 Days and Counting!

It’s In The Mail – The Gift of Designing Christmas Greetings!

Now that Thanksgiving dinner has settled, one of the first things I like to address . . . no pun intended . . . is the stack of greeting cards I’ve carefully selected to send to family, friends, and clients.  I don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach as to how I design an interior, so selecting cards shouldn’t be any different.  I’ve got a mad passion for beautiful paper, patterns, and lettering.  Email cards can be fun and fast but I love to send salutations which can be held in the hand.  (It’s one of the reasons, if it were up to me, bookstores would still be thriving, too.)

If you need inspiration for your Christmas card list, all you have to do is log-on to the website, Etsy.  I could spend hours searching through all of the designs!  There is something to fit everyone.

Sweet Letter Press displays a peaceful image in current colors.  There is a fab fabric from Lee Jofa and designer, Eric Cohler, which captures a similar, graphic aesthetic.

A fresh interpretation of the lodge look.  I keep hoping to use one of these patterns for a client!

This fun card, from dodeline design, brought to mind a fabulous wall display I saw, below, in the Halo Styles Showroom at the High Point Market. 

Almost hard to believe they all didn’t end up in the landfill!  (Image courtesy of the Kandrac and Kole blog.)

Sentiments expressed, en Francais, always take on certain je ne sais quoi .  I have a wish to someday make it to the Maison & Objet, in Paris, the city of lights.  It’s a trade show of magnifique proportions.  (Wonder what the French would think of my southern accent?)

One Etsy vendor, petitepear, enthralled me with breadth of her designs.  I especially heart her gift tags, as shown below:

When I saw the fine examples of papeterie, above, it reminded me of tagging along with Eddie Ross, during one of our recent antiques’ shows.  He shared a great tidbit about silver in the video I recorded, below:

A friend of mine, Beth Swanson, has a darling antiques shop, Olde Tyme Marketplace, located in the old mercantile building where the “The Color Purple” was filmed, in Marshville, NC.  These gift cards would be right up her store’s alley!

Beth is the consummate recycler.  Just look at what she’s done to this old pail!

The dog lover couldn’t help but to be won over by the little black pup with the wreath collar.  Another friend, Tammy Taylor, is “owned” by her sweet black lab, Reagan.  I just know she would share a big “AW!” if she opened this card.

Tammy is also a talented interior designer in the Charlotte area.  She just recently created a room at the Southern Christmas show.  She was recommended, by the folks at the show, to appear on a “Charlotte Today” segment.  (Smart people, they are!) Tammy was so calm and cool and offered a lot of great tips for trimming the tree!

Any Eames enthusiast would be gaga over the “tree” of DCW plywood chairs!  Santa can still get these from your Herman Miller dealer. 

A design classic!

The card above, is reminiscent of English Transferware.  It’s done in letterpress printed on antique presses using soy-based ink and 100 percent cotton paper - tree free and made from recycled fibers.  Wouldn’t it be a lovely accompaniment to this? . . . .

The relief pattern, around the border of this charger, makes it extra special.  At under $60, I think it’s a gorgeous buy!

Yes, I could find a whole universe of cards for, well, the whole universe on Etsy! . . . 

Let’s hope you’re on a first name basis, if you decide to try the magic powers of the Mistletoe card!  (Smile!)

I live not too far from the barbeque capitol of North Carolina - Lexington.  As long-winded as we southerners can sometimes be, when we’re spinning a tale, we can also oddly enough assign a short nickname to a food which requires hours of cooking over a hot pit! 

I hope you’ve had fun with me while browsing through the “card section” on Etsy!  By now you might be able to tell, I love connecting the dots of design.  A card is not just a card.  It’s about the detail and thought which went into the design.  It’s about the unique quality being shared with an individual.  It’s about a gift from the heart!

From my heart to yours . . . All my best! ~ Wanda

Final Contest Alert!  I’ll be giving away an autographed copy of Vicente Wolf’s “Lifting the Curtain On Design”!  All you have to do to enter is to leave a comment on any two of my posts, beginning with the 2010 High Point Furniture Finds – Post 1 thru November 30th – Ends November 30, 2010.

I’ll announce the winner the first week of December 2010.  I hope you’ll enjoy a festive month!