Redmond Aldrich

Design

Another example of how a designer uses an inspiration board; this photo is from the website of Redmond Aldrich Design and is a shot of her "design-kit". The kit is fitted out for an individual according to their design requirements; it allows an individual to use the firm's services without having the designer present - e-mail and telephone and this packet. Voila.

Inspiration boards and their uses grow...

A few weeks back I started to tell you about a woman who designed

perfect little houses

or

"in scale houses".

Her name was Barbara Garfield.

The houses are all clustered together in a seaside community in Connecticut

called Rowayton.

I was finally able to get some photos

and here is an old article about her work

and another article with more great photos here.

Each summer we attend Shakespeare on the Sound;

the production is staged in on a grassy hill next to the Five Mile River,

across the street from Jo's Way, the cluster of houses

designed by Barbara "Jo" Garfield.

And each year I peak through the hedges to get a better view

of these tiny treasures.

I love the long windows, french doors and compact and efficient size.

Her houses were generally 1600 sq ft.

I am a small house person; my house is 1,500 sq. ft

and it is just right.

My little antique has been home for 20 years.

Finally Americans are learning that big is not always better.

The country seems to be in a downsize mode these days.

The pendulum is swinging.

Barbara was ahead of her time.

She started designing these houses in the 80's

as "a reaction to the McMansions",

soon to be the white elephants of the 21st century.

Imagine my surprise when I opened the wrapper of the latest

World Of Interiors

Right there, smack dab in the middle is a "mood board"

chock full of images.

Just like the boards created by mrr design (aka marnie)

except that this collage is pinned on top of all the ribbons.

This photo is called Trinity collage:

"a couture mood board" by Christian Lacroix

in his 1980's studio.

Lacroix wanted to "produce out of nowhere something that not been seen for a long time: a new haute-couture house...Lacroix adopted his usual manner: graphically, 'graphomaniacally' you might say, issuing ideas, cuttings, torn-out pages and suggestions, which all contributed to a gigantic collage that summed up his idea of the place."

Why not put your ideas out there too.

Fill a gigantic "mood board"

Let the images inspire and motivate you.

And I certainly don't have a 'look' -- just a mishmash of everything that somehow, by instinct, usually turns out to be a warm imaginative, 'living room'."
Sister Parish

I think I will enjoy this recently published book...hint, hint, double-clue.

So I did a little research and learned that book events were scheduled in my neck of the woods.

I could not attend the book event, but I discovered a new store called NEST in Dedham, Massachusetts.

So I jumped over to NEST's website, read a bit, then decided to pitch my frames to the five co-owners, thinking, if the owners like Sister Parish's style enough to have a book event, then they just might like my work, which embodies so many of the same characteristics as Sister Parish style: colorful, fun, unique, and handmade.

My instincts were spot on - I just sent an order of brown zebra frames and brown suede desktop memento boards.

If you live in the area, stop by Nest - the photos on the website show a wonderful assortment of goods. I wanted to stop by for a visit after my show last weekend but it was just too busy.

And to top it all off, my neighbor at the show last weekend, Church of the Redeemer Christmas Market, heard me giving my spiel to a potential buyer about how wonderful the frames are..."so easy to change the picture...just slip the photo in between the fabric and ribbon... the frames are in lots of fabulous boutiques... including NEST" - and low and behold, this gal's cousin is one of the co-owners of the store. Just goes to prove the old adage, the older we get, the smaller our world becomes. This same gal and I also went to high school together - imagine that - I ran into a lot of people at the Church of the Redeemer Christmas Market - it was wonderful to see old friends and to be back in the Boston area...

oh goody

Any equestrians out there?

Look at these beautiful saddle pads

created by Nancy Geaney of Dark Horse Farm Designs

Imagine this saddle pad on the back of a beautiful chestnut Morgan horse

Such a contrast:

big, strong horse; beautiful, feminine saddle pad

and check out this amazing quilt 

with a vintage horse show ribbon

from 1952

Nancy, Jennifer (as in Sis Boom) and I are all represented in this new shop. 

You can see some of the clothing by Sis Boom in the first photo.

And you all know my frames.  

THE GOODY SHOP

WESTPORT, CONNECTIUCT

Jennifer, Nancy and I have all used Sis Boom fabric in different ways.

Great examples of how versatile Sis Boom fabric designs are.

pictures courtesy of Nancy Gaeney

I scored when I was matched with these two fellas at SCORE

Peter & Dan

thanks guys

SCORE, if you have not heard, is a national organization

of retired professionals who work as volunteers

to guide small business owners & entrepreneurs

like me!

The Small Business Administration provides funds to run this worthwhile organization.

I had my first appointment in September 2007

and met with Peter & Dan monthly at first.

Now our meetings are quarterly

because they did such a good job guiding me.

I started mrr design in 1990 

thinking it would be a good business 

to build while I was at home raising a family.  

It has always been small and 

I have always maintained a real job.

My products have evolved over time but

always in the decorative accessories category.

In the last two years I improved my picture frames and 

realized that I can really grow the business.

Peter & Dan have helped me define my goals and refine my business plan.

Maybe mrr design will blossom into something big one day...

after the deep, dark recession ...

until then, the real job is just fine.

Peter and Dan continue to grill me.

Asking all the right questions.

Making me think about all the jobs I handle at mrr design: 

 creating, manufacturing, selling, marketing, bookkeeping, shipping.

I have learned that I must use my time 

more efficiently 

and 

more cost effectively too.

And still stay focused on the rest of life too!

That's what the deep, dark winter months are for...

settling in, taking a breather, taking stock of the past year.

Figuring out a way to work smarter.

If you have a small business and want some good advice try

ps. you can see my mailer on the desk

artwork done by pve design

the fellas gave me a thumbs up

now i just need lots of custom orders from 

designers & decorators 

not much to say 

dog days of summer

hot and sticky

smug rug by 

John Pour Home Typography Rugs

cut felt

funny

as seen on Daily Candy

have a seat

smile

chairs by Annie Coggan

of Starkville, Mississippi

as seen on Bloesem