Behind the Scene's:#designer MBA @Team Tobi @TobiFairley

Last week, we took a little road trip....

We took off to the East and turned a little to the South...through the hills of  Missouri and Arkansas...we stopped off in Joplin for some "Instant Karma"...

It was delicious...but not heavy on the "instant"...we didn't know what we really needed was an hour and a half  break from windshield time...getting either of us to stop for long when we are on a mission is a challenge!!  But we did it!!  And it was probably good we did...because, let's just say, we barely took a breathe for the remainder of the week!!!

From the breakfast "intro" session Tuesday morning to the closing workshop Thursday afternoon, we talked design business, we talked design, we talked business...and, did I mention, we talked design business??!!

[caption id="attachment_823" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Our Designer MBA mentor, Tobi Fairley!![/caption]

From the beginning to the end, Tobi's passion for design and for mentoring those of us in the industry was absolutely apparent!!

The lovely Capitol Hotel hosted this event and may I just say, not all hotel's are created equal!!

[caption id="attachment_817" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The Capitol Hotel, Little Rock, Arkansas[/caption]

Our suite was lovely...

...it spoke to our designer sensibilities...

...and spoiled us rotten!!

"Team Tobi" rolled out the red carpet with evening parties hosted by At Home in Arkansas...

The networking time was fabulous...

[caption id="attachment_818" align="aligncenter" width="576"] And the spoiling continues...[/caption]

with sponsors like Joss and Main, Olioboard and LampsPlus...

as well as meeting other designers from around the country!!

[caption id="attachment_816" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Our "class" of designers![/caption]

If there had to be one highlight, though, it was the input of this woman...we heard her passion to openly share her experience (in an often exclusive industry) and to pour into the lives of other business women in this industry.

This event was by far the best investment we have made, yet, into our business... (Oh...and another highlight...we finally broke down and learned how to  twit   tweet...thanks, @TeamTobi #designermba  from @asterhousedesign)

 

[caption id="attachment_820" align="aligncenter" width="576"] It was work...really...we promise!!![/caption]

 

 

 

Behind the Scenes: Our Addictions

The women of AsterHouse Design may or may not have an addiction...to accent tables...of any style...any color...any height...and any shape.  We do not discriminate in any way...AT ALL...

Which is why we have this table...

and this one...



...this set...



 

and the one it sits under...along with this one...



 

this one...

and...drum roll please...this gorgeous lady...



 

all living in our office.  Yes, that is right...we have that many tables in our office...don't judge...the space  is only 20' x 30'...we only have so much room, ya know??!!  We will bring in more when we can...an no they are not for sale...at least not until the lamp shipment gets here...then we might need to make some room!!

Freshening up...

From time to time, a client will call requesting a "face-lift"!!  The bones of the space are fine...the layout may even flow well...it is just that the furnishings need some freshening...such was the case with this space...



 

This family entertains often and this room serves as overflow...it is also directly off the entry.  So, highly visible and used infrequently-often!!  How is that for a combination?!!

The foundation of this room was this incredible vintage rug that was a gift from the client's father!!  (Who obviously has impeccable taste!!)



 

Shortly after taking this project on, we were on a scouting trip to Chicago and came across this fabric by Schumacher...

[caption id="attachment_795" align="aligncenter" width="150"] Tree of Life in Document[/caption]

The repeat on this piece is 48"!!!!!!  Talk about the perfect balance to the drama of the rug!!  So, from these two items the whole room was built!!!  New fabrics on new furnishings...vintage seashell prints...custom frames...updated accessories with a little history!!  (The only "construction" was the addition of an overhead fixture as the space was a little dark and we wanted to draw attention to the vaulted ceiling!!)



 

And here are a few after pics (please don't mind the quality...professional shots to come!!)







 

 

Face-lift...refreshed!!  Done!!

Behind the Scene's: Counting down...

In just under three weeks, the AHD team will be headed to Little Rock, Arkansas!!  And we are BEYOND EXCITED!!!

As I have mentioned, Amanda and I are eager to increase our business expertise.  We are always looking for ways to improve our offerings to our clients and make the process more seamless and uncomplicated!!  And we can't wait to meet and learn from an expert not only in the design field...but also,very accomplished in the business world!!

[caption id="attachment_762" align="aligncenter" width="195"] Tobi Fairly[/caption]

 "Selected as one of Traditional Home’s Top 20 Young Designers in America, Tobi Fairley has a signature look that is fresh and simple combining colorful, large-scale prints with classic furniture styles for a beautiful and functional result....Tobi’s unique combination of degrees in interior design, accounting and an MBA from the prestigious Sam M. Walton College of Business, gives her a competitive advantage in the design industry."

Her work speaks to her eye for great design...

And we are thrilled to have the opportunity to spend 3 days in her office...gleaning business practices and insights that will improve AsterHouse Design!  We are certain her depth of insight into the unique aspects of business in this industry will be invaluable to us, as we work with each client!!

Stay tuned for a report!!  We will certainly keep you posted!!

Progress...

[caption id="attachment_758" align="aligncenter" width="403"] Hearth room[/caption]

 

Remember this house??  The one with the to-die-for views??  Well, it is al....most....done!!

And it is going to be on the local Parade of Homes!!  Here is one last look ahead of time!!  But come see it in person!!

IT IS GORGEOUS!!!

 

[caption id="attachment_757" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Classic subway tile...rich dark cabinetry[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_756" align="aligncenter" width="432"] Perfectly patina-ed brass....that's right...brass...but not like you have ever seen!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_754" align="aligncenter" width="432"] Custom wainscotting[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_755" align="aligncenter" width="518"] There are those amazing views again!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_753" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Dramatic lighting over the stairwell![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_752" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Custom millwork takes the elegance level up a notch...or two![/caption]

Summer is here!!

Bring on the summer!!  Lazy days on the dock...design magazine in hand!!

(Funny story: Recently, I, Eryn, enjoyed a restful weekend at the lake with my family...as usual, I took with me a stack of design magazines straight from Amanda's "already-read-pass-to-Eryn-pile"  As I leafed through the pages, I came across a hot-pink sticky tab marking a page with notes written in permanent marker!!  I had to chuckle...Amanda knows how to "be" everywhere!!  I felt like I had her voice in my head, making sure I didn't miss any of the inspiring pics on the glossy pages!!)

 

Be inspired for summer......

[caption id="attachment_733" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Via Coastal Living[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_734" align="aligncenter" width="370"] Via Bjou & Boheme[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_735" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Lauren Liess Interiors[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_736" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Via Coastal Living[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_737" align="aligncenter" width="620"] One King's Lane[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_738" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Via Pinterest[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_739" align="aligncenter" width="247"] Via Pinterest[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_740" align="aligncenter" width="736"] Via Pinterest[/caption]

Trunk Show Exclusive...

In December, we took an inspiration trip to Chicago...of course, stopping at Merchandise Mart and LUXE home...

 

One of the highlights of the trip was meeting Peter Julian...

 

He was a breathe of fresh air from the moment we walked into the Scalamandre' showroom!  Born and raised in the Midwest, he could completely relate to those of us who choose to make this region HOME!  And he is very passionate about helping us make those homes....gorgeous!!!

So, a few weeks ago he let us know he was going to be in the area and, as he had promised, would love to stop in and give us a peek at the new line by Kathryn Ireland!!  "Of course", we said......"our own trunk show"...."absolutely"!!

If you have had a chance to browse through any recent shelter mags (Traditional Home, Architectural Digest, etc), this line has caused quite a stir in the design world!!  Two big names in design...putting together a line that rings with tradition, vintage vibes and updated finishes...

[caption id="attachment_722" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Kathryn Ireland for Scalamandre[/caption]

It was truly a treat to have these gorgeous fabrics brought to our office...as beautiful as they are in a magazine or an online catalog, there is just nothing like touching and feeling them...admiring the colors...in real life!!

 

Peter had done such a fabulous job of creating "stories" that incorporated the new lines with some of the classic patterns that Scalamandre' has made its name with! (And yes...we got to order memos!!)

This series has an amazing vintage feel, done in classic textures and gorgeous colorways!  The pictures do not do them justice!! LOVE!!!

Isn't that the most soothing color palette???

We realized after Peter had taken off for the next city on his tour, we didn't get a pic with him...bummer...oh well, next time!  For now we get to enjoy the goodies he left us...

...and wait for our samples to arrive!!