In Good Company (Interior Design Friends)

Over the years, I’ve had the good fortune to share time with some talented interior designers.  I think there could be a misperception that the more successful ones portend to emulate the personality of a “darling diva”.  In most cases, it’s just not so.  The ones who are genuinely impassioned by their work and their designs are more apt to be open and sharing with their professional peers, while making great impressions on the world of design.  It elevates all of us to provide the best in interiors for the best of life.

One such interior designer, Julie Browning Bova, founder of Julie Bova Interior Design in Indianapolis, Indiana, exemplifies all of the best in our industry.  I hope she doesn’t mind if I do add, she is darling – without the diva demeanor!

There’s no doubt about Julie’s love of all things equestrian!  What a gorgeous portrait of her for her newly unveiled website.  She’ll also be introducing a new line of her own furniture designs at the High Point Furniture Market, in April 2011.  Stanford Furniture wisely selected her to bring custom pieces to production in time to share timeless classics with this important world market.  The featured Tack Ottoman is just one of her many designs.  How fabulous is the shaping of the nailhead accent?

A gorgeous shot of a foyer is one of the first things you see on her website.  I often say, a designer’s website is the “entry” to viewing the work and the blog is where we bring you into our “family room” to sit down for a chat.  Julie’s blog, Paisley, Plaid and Read is a visual feast!

 

The delight is in the details and a picture is worth a thousand words.  Just look at the dressmaker style touches in her panels!

Another glimpse at Julie’s work. Simply sumptuous!

I initially met Julie, while being on Twitter.  She also shared a kind comment on my own blog site.  Somehow, I felt as if I had met a kindred spirit, even while we were miles apart, and I’ll be the first to admit my equestrian skills are quite limited to an appreciation but not a participation in the world of horses!  To make a long story short, we had several chats by phone, as Julie so kindly offered to share some information about a furniture line for an article I was writing for a local magazine.  Later, we met in person at last fall’s High Point Furniture Market.  I can always rely upon being able to share brainstorming sessions about the world of interiors with her.  I so appreciate those special chats, in the midst of a busy day.

Here I am, in the middle, with Julie, (on the left) and my friend, Davetta, (on the right), at the October market.  We stopped by to say “hello” to a mutual friend, Maybelline Te of Snug Furniture.  Julie, being the type of person that she is, wanted to check out the line and to bring her spirit of support to Maybelline’s inaugural launch.  We can’t wait to return the love, now that Julie’s wearing those shoes – or rather, fab riding boots!

For more information on Julie and her exciting launch, here is a great press release from Home Furnishings Business, as well as one from The Media Matters, Inc.

I believe one of the lessons from Aesop’s Fable goes, “You are known by the company you keep.”  Julie, let me just say, you honor me with yours! 

All my best! ~ Wanda

Christmas Countdown ~ Day 20

Museums and Mischief

Every year, there is a marathon day of the airing of “A Christmas Story” (<Click on for a fun trailer).  If you’ve not seen it, you must check your local channel listings as I believe it starts on Christmas Eve, for twenty-four hours, on TBS.  I’m not sure if it should be admitted, but my husband and his sister can almost mouth the entire dialogue, as they have watched it so much!

There are many hysterical parts and I don’t want to be the spoiler of any surprises, should you have been sheltered from viewing it.  Recently; however, after touring our local Mint Museum, with my friend, Maybelline Te, we came upon an exhibit of designer couture . . . shoes to be exact.  (And if you know Maybelline, shoes make her heart go pitter pat!)  Well, I just couldn’t help it . . . giggles ensued when I saw this:

And even more so when I read this:

(It’s kind of fun when a museum shares a sense of humor.)

If you are a fan of the movie, then you’ll know I thought the only thing missing might be the lamp shade!

It just goes to show you, you can take the mischief out of the museum, but not the museum out of some mischief.

With a twinkling of an eye! ~ Wanda

PS – By the way, do you think Mrs. Claus needs a wardrobe update?