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!!