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!!

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!!

Behind the Scene's: Eryn's 2013 Professional Goals-progress report

Can I just say...I am addicted to lists!!  I love to have a long list of goals!  I add to it...and then when I am done, add some more!!

Now, let me clarify...just because I have long lists of goals does not mean I get alot of things accomplished. I battle my "high-quick-start-itis" all day every day...I can get a thousand things going because I have tons of great ideas (I think they are great anyway!!) popping around my mind at any given moment.  However my follow-thru stinks!!

So, knowing this about myself has been a huge help (Thanks to the Kolbe test, which I highly recommend to everyone!!)  With this in mind as I made out my personal and business goals for 2013, I began with this.....



-"follow thru challenge"...choose areas of weakness-develop tangible goals-set dates!!  As I mentioned, follow-thru is NOT my natural tendency...and so, I have purposed to strengthen that area.  (I am soooo thankful for Amanda...I'm pretty sure follow-thru is her middle name!!  And thank goodness, she is rubbing off on me!!)

So, here we are May 23rd and I thought it would be a great time to give an update on how things are going at the "half-way-through-2013" mark!!

My AsterHouse Design Goals for 2013 are:

-Take a photography course with Amanda:...hmmm...can't check that off yet...but a half check for talking with a very talented photographer who will be doing our "after" photo shoots!!

-Regular blog posts...one per week:  Well, they haven't been quite that frequent...but definitely much more regular!  And in fact, one per day for the "12 Days of Christmas" series!!  We have also added a Facebook page where we post daily life snapshots!

-Finish Sheffield course:  This course came highly recommended as a great intro into the business aspects of running a design business...I had started it before we launched our business and have yet to finish it up...so, I have emailed to find out what I need to do to finish...I guess that is another half check!

Along those lines, Amanda and I feel strongly that constant education is a huge priority...online, print, industry shows, traveling and time with other designers...we are always looking to increase our knowledge and understanding of the industry!  So, we are sooooo excited to attend Tobi Fairly's Designer's MBA in July!!  Stay posted!!

-Fine tune blog:...last year I signed up for "The Blog Class" in an effort to take our blog to a new level!  And it has been fabulous!  Emily and her team have done a stellar job with step-by-step tutorials for those of us that are less than tech savy!! So this year, I have adjusted a few key things, and my summer goal is to fill in some of the missing details on our blog!!

-New Office!!!!!  This is getting sooooo close to being done!!  We can hardly stand it!  We are so excited to show some "after" photos!!  This space is so fantastic!!  Here is a quick peek at the most recent installation...

Our new inspiration wall!!  This product is a self-healing bulletin board that we purchased by the sheet through The BoxLab here in Manhattan.  We plan to cover it with photos and design ideas...it sits directly next to our desk space and will be a great "real-life" inspiration board!!

When projects and creative ideas are what you "do", your space must stimulate and support those endeavors...our new office space is both our creative space and our "experiment lab"...we have had alot of fun trying out some products that we have not used before...can't wait to share more!!

How are your 2013 goals shaping up??

Behind the Scenes: A "Designer" Living Room

Every once in awhile, one must set aside time to "design"  a personal space.  The crucial phrase is "set aside time", because, between current client's projects, client's waiting for your time and then family life in general that can be a much bigger challenge than you might think!!  But for Amanda, it finally happened when her sweet and gracious husband asked if he could hire an interior designer to "do" their living room!!  wink, wink !!   Well, that will make a designer-wife "find time" like nothing else!!  So, in less than,  2 days...ok, it might have been 3...the plan was made...



...the fabrics selected...



 

and the furniture ordered!!  And then the wait began...do you know how long it takes furniture to arrive when you are the one waiting for it???  10 times longer than when it is for a client...not even kidding!!!

But it was worth the wait...(and these pics don't even begin to do the space justice...trust me!)

[caption id="attachment_675" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Chesterfield style sofa...wonderful layers...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_676" align="aligncenter" width="225"] extra seating...fabulous artwork...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_679" align="aligncenter" width="300"] ...interesting accessories...did I mention fabulous artwork??...[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_673" align="aligncenter" width="225"] ...a baby grand...gorgeous!!...[/caption]

 

...even room for a tidy desk area...

This space is done!!  And that makes this "designer"...and her husband very happy!!  Home Sweet Home!!

 

 

 

 

Behind the scene's: Project "AHD Office" update

 

 

 

 

So the floors of our new office are painted, the walls are painted,  the new trim has been installed and  the fabulous wall sconces are in place...

Let the fun begin!!!  And just so you can see where we are headed on this project....

The aged brass sconces are already in place...eventually we want to do a wet bar with the reclaimed wood front as seen above...and our overall concept is light, bright with plenty of work space to spread out our latest project(s)!!

OF course what good is an office if you can't lounge a little...this area just begs for inspiration to hit!!

And as much as we love white...we need a few pops of bold color to make us smile!!

We will keep you posted on the progress!!

 

Behind the Scene's: Amanda's 2013 Design Goals

Lest our blog faithfuls think our own homes are "done", "picture perfect" or "dream" spaces...I thought this year we would do several "Behind the Scene's"  posts...a look at what happens on the other side of the photo shoot...inside the "real world" so-to-speak...a personal glimpse into our lives...here is no particular order...

 

Amanda...2013 Design Goals for my Home:
-Redo Girls TV/Playroom: Involves switching out the rug,

changing the fabrics for the window cushions, curtains, & couch

pillows, switching out light fixtures, and adding floor pillows



 

 

 

 

 (Houzz.com)

 

 

 

-Finishing the Dining room: either wallpapering or painting the ceiling, and switching out the light fixture for something oversized and dramatic





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Jonathan Adler, Greek Key)

 

 

(Farrow & Ball)

 

 


-Redo my "tween/teenager" bedroom: change the wall color, add a fun wall design, switch out the rug, curtains, and bedding



 

 

 

 

 

(Houzz.com)

 

(Serena & Lily)

 

 

Amanda...2013 Design Goals for AsterHouse Design:

-Redo our office space and completing it this time!
-Create fun new business cards

Amanda...2013 Personal Design Goals:
-Take a photography class with Eryn!!!

(This one maybe???)

-Take a two/three day inspiration trip!  (Please take Eryn!!!)



 

Here we are...all serious...on task...completely focused on design research...

And then here we are after a day of intense design inspiration collection...very flattering photo angle!!  But this is real..."behind the scene's"!!

(FYI...as long as we are keeping it real...Amanda had no say whatsoever in the "inspiration" photos attached to this blog...those were 100% Eryn throwing out ideas...they may or, most likely, may not be any reflection of what she actually wants in her home!!)