From Here to There: E-Designing

First pass: after gathering some basic information from client, I pick some possibilities to see if we are in the same head space, and build from there.  My Philosophy: nurseries and baby design don't have to scream "baby".  Unexpected prints are my fave.

I have mentioned in some past posts that I'm working on a nursery for a sweet friend of mine in Kansas City.  You can imagine that face-to-face meetings are not possible, so this is my first, true e-design project and I've learned so much (thanks, in large part, to my patient, creative, very open friend Beth Ann, who has had to deal with guinea-pigdom (sorry!) for this process).
Beth and I have not even spoken once on the phone throughout this process.  It has literally been FB and email communication only, with inspiration and idea exchanges via images and website links.  And though (due to the pesky day-job and a big fat holiday in the middle of the process) we have had to deal with some delays, we have arrived at the end (atleast for me) with a beautiful, unique plan with lots of pattern play and texture, of course.  She was aware of (and interested in) my aesthetic and my love for unexpected pattern mixes.   Although Beth and I have many common likes, she is unique, so it was up to me to make this about the new baby and their family as a reflection of them.  Beth loves peach, she loves vintage prints, and is self-proclaimed lover of all-things-granny.  I don't know anyone who could pass up the opportunity to bring that to life.  Now, don't misinterpret the granny note as bad - she is interested in the past and things used and loved before us and the sweet, delicate motifs that we might have seen in our grandparent's homes (as am I) - and trust me, this momma is one of the most chic, cool, talented (she sings, paints, builds, grows, sews, stitches, cooks!) gals I've ever known.  She owns her opinions, while being immensely open - fab combo.

These images depict how we went from here-to-there in a nutshell - inspiration/color palette, second options, and final combinations - and all electronically.  And for this instance, Beth is arranging all the labor (I hear she has a very talented mom-in-law), and will quite capably finish the project from here - I've just taken what she loves and what she has, and interpreted it through fabric selection and placement. It was so fun , and I'm thrilled to get back to my roots and my education in Interior Design (one of my original loves) in a new and different way!  And as I work on the next steps for Smmidge & Momofandango, I'll be excited to start officially offering this service based on a flat fee per room and some a la carte options (labor, paint, decor etc).  So many fun, exciting changes to share with you all very soon!

Second options to ensure we are going in the right direction - did she want more brightness? No - dots deleted.  Did she really want the big bold print?  Yes! - put it back!

Here we are with the final combo for big elements per her needs (bumpers/floor pillows)

Combo with crib sheet option (right).

We included three crib sheet options that I adore, and that provide a quick way to adjust to the tone of the design.  Luggage tags provide direction on placement/uses for each fabric.

Pulling the final yardage together for shipment.  And note the fuzzy wonder in lower left - we couldn't resist for a beautiful fuzzy pop on a tiny pillow - it is beyond groovy.

Final stack, tied with twine and ready to be wrapped in butcher paper and shipped!

Friday Tune: Sean Bones & Norah Jones

Just got this album for Christmas and am loving it.  This song was my immediate favorite, though there are several amazing collaborations. The groovy background video below makes me love song, and Sean Bones even more.   And it goes without saying how much I love Norah's new do. Happy Friday!

Gift Guide Chic at the Ranch

First of all is this the best dressed horse you've ever seen?  I cannot explain how much I love his color scheme - that beautiful gray coat, the turq/cream saddle blanket, worn brown leather, and a pop of orange rope.   I need an outfit like this.  But onward. . . 


Pre-Christmas I, ever so selflessly and in the true spirit of the season (ehem), posted a Gift Guide for Gals that happened to mention a few things I would love (and secretly hoped) to receive as gifts.  Nice, right?   Not so much.  But, in the end, I truly did receive a couple of things from the post (seriously! lucky):  boots from smart husband (though not the exact boots from the guide, still groovy boots I'm totally loving), and a "frilly fringe" knit necklace from a savvy, stylish Magill sister-in-law (thanks Megan!), who not only thoughtfully took a note from the blog (and had the post printed and inside the gift for reference - SO cute), but had them made especially for me and for our other stylish Magill SIL.  Custom frilly fringes!  Can you believe?  Here are the gift guide references:

Orig Gift Guide Boots from Anthro

Orig Gift Guide Frilly Fringe from Kove

Here's how the boots and frilly came together for the perfect Oklahoma ranch day that was one of the highlights of our Oklahoma holiday this year.  What do yal think?  I was really feeling my farm & ranch roots.  Loved it.  

Smmidge Style: Plaid cap - gift.  Green Frilly Fringe from Megan.  Corduroy jacket - circa 08 Target.  Yellow cardi - Fossil 09.  Plaid shirt - Fossil 09.  Forever 21 jeans this year.   New boots - Arturo Chiang.

And just have to share Doss's first time on a horse.   I think he and his dad are sporting quite groovy ranch style themselves.

The holidays always bring a mix of all sort of feelings and experiences, and it's always a battle to balance the excitement of gift exchanges with the true spirit of the season - but in the end, it is really a wonderful feeling to give something special to those you love, and as you can tell, this year I was so thrilled to receive such thoughtful, useful, lovely gifts.  

Etsy Art Obsession: Dolan Geiman

My heart pounded when I came across this amazing piece by Dolan Geiman   Again with that rugged, smart, sort of modern Americana that I love - self described "contemporary art with a southern accent".  My fave combo.  The texture - always the element that speaks to me - of the found and recycled materials is, well, beautiful.

Seriously.  Do you die? Sigh. . . pure delight when I look at this guitar piece.   And the styling of the images (look at his painty pants!!!!) - major.  This cat is cool.  

Hello New Year

Hello 2011!  I took quite a little break from Smmidge (10 whole days!) to be with family during the holidays.  We had a wonderful time, with lots of style and stories to share in the next few days.  But now, it is just a little bit of inspiration from the super-swells at Imogene + Willie, an amazing shop, and a true lifestyle brand out of Nashville that I'm uber obsessed with.  Not just the rugged Americana they capture so beautifully in their denim brand, and shop aesthetic (this stuff ain't no glossy, homogenized RL ad, it's gritty and seems so much more real), but also their nothing-short-of-fantastic online content (videos, images, writing, ALL of it).  They make you want, no NEED, to be a part of their style. . . their brand.  The cynic in me realizes it's genius marketing, but I feel so compelled to watch, look, listen, partake in it b/c I just know it hasn't been debated around conference tables in corp headquarters, or routed through focus groups.  They do/make what they believe.  It's my hope for Smmidge as I look toward bringing it even more to life in 2011. 



Imogene & Willie from John Moessner on Vimeo.