Tuesday, June 25, 2013

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 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...


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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!!

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Progress...

[caption id="attachment_758" align="aligncenter" width="403"]Photo 42 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"]Photo 40 Classic subway tile...rich dark cabinetry[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_756" align="aligncenter" width="432"]Photo 37 Perfectly patina-ed brass....that's right...brass...but not like you have ever seen!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_754" align="aligncenter" width="432"]Photo 33 Custom wainscotting[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_755" align="aligncenter" width="518"]Photo 35 There are those amazing views again!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_753" align="aligncenter" width="448"]Photo 29 Dramatic lighting over the stairwell![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_752" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Photo 23 Custom millwork takes the elegance level up a notch...or two![/caption]

Monday, June 17, 2013

Summer is here!!

Photo 30



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 Via Coastal Living[/caption]




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





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





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




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

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





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





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








Thursday, May 30, 2013

Trunk Show Exclusive...

In December, we took an inspiration trip to Chicago...of course, stopping at Merchandise Mart and LUXE home...1108-1

 

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

peter


 

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"]cn_image.size.scalamandre-article-opener 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!!

fabric3


 

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!!)

fabric2



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


fabric1



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...


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

Thursday, May 23, 2013

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.....

ELS 2013 resolutions

-"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...bulletin board

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??

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Customizing a rug

We had planned this space for almost a year...it is a great homework niche' in a boys' room. We had the floor outlets planned, the desk placement sketched out and the overhead pendant hanging in the center of it all...and we had a great rug to "ground" the whole thing...but the rug didn't come with an outlet in the "smack-dab-center" where it needed to be...

We had planned to cut the rug...(no pun intended!!) but when it came time to do it there was just a wee little bit of nerves...after all, who buys a rug, only to cut a sizable hole dead center??!!  WE DO!!!!

Photo 60

 

Step One:  Remove the floor outlet cover (Strongly suggest cutting the power to said outlet before attempting!)

Step Two:  Be sure the rug is in the exact, correct, not-ever-going-to-move-it spot...

Step Three: Repeat Step Two...

Step Four:  Cut the hole to reveal the floor outlet.

Photo 61

Step Five:  Trim back away from the edge of the outlet.

Photo 33

 

Step Six:  Using a fabric glue, run a bead around the rug edge to prevent raveling. Let it dry.

Step Seven:  Replace outlet cover.

Photo Mar 02, 3 15 03 PM

Step Eight:  Admire your handi-work...

Mission accomplished...Function?  You bet!!  Form?  Absolutely!!

 

 

Monday, April 29, 2013

Great minds....

Have you ever had one of those dreams where your brother-in-law, your dentist, your first boss and your best friend from childhood all end up at the same party standing around, chatting together like they have known each other for years... and it doesn't seem at all odd...until you wake up??

I had one of those experiences, only in real life, this weekend.  I was online doing some research for a new project in Boca Raton (yes, I know...neither of us have ever lived in Florida...but we have our first "Boca" client...super excited...details to come!!) and I had that same "wait-a-minute-I-know-her-and-her-and-I-never-knew-they-had-met" moments...

I came across this blog post by Tobi Fairley highlighting artist Jane Booth.  Here is what Tobi has to say about Jane..."[She] is one of the most talented artists I have come across in a long time and now a new favorite of mine."


Blue Sky 56×60...Artist...Jane Booth


Well, you can see why she feels this way...even if abstract art is not your thing...you have to admit the colors are pretty breathtaking!!



Canyon Series: Leaving Paria  60 X 62...Artist...Jane Booth


So, it is not unusual to hear a nationally know designer sing the praises of a new-found "favorite" artist...but here is what made me go "wow"!!  Although we are not currently on a first name basis with Tobi or Jane,  we do have a small connection to them both...and that is just plain fun!!


This July, the ladies of AsterHouse Design are going to a "Designer Workshop" presented by Tobi Fairley...the intensive seminar is geared toward the business aspect of a designer's world!!   We are so very looking forward to three whole days of  gleaning from her many years of experience in our industry!!


And what about Jane??  Well, one of the great gems in our community is Strecker-Nelson Gallery (showcasing regional artists....such as Jane Booth!).  So, when a client fell in love with her work, we collaborated closely with Jay and Barbara at the gallery to put together a fabulous set of  Jane's smaller vignettes to fill a large feature wall in her space.  While putting the collection together for our client, we couldn't help but fall in love with several of her pieces ourselves...




[caption id="attachment_530" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Our "favorite things" wall... Our "favorite things" wall...[/caption]

...remember our "favorite things" wall??  Top left...rich pinks, deep red, shots of gold and a little pop of green??  It is our "happy" art...it makes us both smile!!  And it is a piece from Jane Booth!!


So here is to Tobi Fairley and Jane Booth...being at the "same party"...what is it "they" say about great minds???