Glorious, gorgeous goldenrod.

Glorious, gorgeous goldenrod.

Do not make something unless it is both made necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, do not hesitate to make it beautiful. —Shaker dictum

Do not make something unless it is both made necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, do not hesitate to make it beautiful.

—Shaker dictum

Part I: A few behind-the-scenes shots from our day of photographing the Fall 2012 Collection at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky.

Many, many thanks to the kind folks at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kriech-Higdon Photography, Beth Wagner, and Amy Ashworth for all making the day wonderful.

Part II: A few behind-the-scenes shots from our day of photographing the Fall 2012 Collection at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky.

We’re slowly moving into our new studio space in town, and I was convinced it would be several months before we had a design table in the front room.  At first I had my heart set on an industrial table from an old upholstery shop—six feet by ten feet—made of steel and wood and all kinds of awesome.  Then, thanks to my mother’s experience and insight, it was noted that I could covet the table all I wanted, but there was no amount of loving and pining that would squeeze a giant old table through our new front door. Once I gave up on that dream, I had big plans (hatched with mama Deb, who is the design maven extraordinaire) for another giant table.  Deb, who is a lot like Mary Poppins in the way that incredible things seem to just appear from her carpet bag, (aka basement, garage, hidden storage unit(s), dark corner of the family room) mentioned she had a giant industrial table.  Fancy that.  Really?  Just happened to have one?  Yes.  Her great friend, an incredibly talented craftsman, created it for her when she was repurposing/restoring/rethinking antique furniture several years ago…and not only was it enormous, but it was portable.  Well, shut the front door!  (After the table fits easily through it.) The top, measuring approximately six feet by eight feet, was made of plywood, essentially like a box lid, and it rests on two sawhorses—wood tops with folding metal legs.  And, not that I’m a giant artsy snob, but I was admittedly hesitant about the plywood finish…only because I feel I design best on a white surface.  Maybe I’m neurotic, maybe the Elva Fields website has brainwashed me into visualizing everything against a white ground, or maybe it is just simply the plain truth that you can see colors most purely against white…with no distractions.  Whatever the reason, white works for me.  And I’ve got plenty of work to do. Though Deb initially suggested painting the plywood, her second brainflash was genius.  Melamine.  So…this week, she and aforementioned great friend showed up unexpectedly at the studio front door (yes, the one that lead us here in the first place) with some liquid nails, the largest sheet of white melamine I’ve ever seen, the largest table top I’ve ever seen, and two portable sawhorses.  And two long pieces of wood trim/moulding.  And some white nails.  And…mere hours later, I have a table.  A nice, spread-out-all-my-work-and-make-a-giant-stylish-mess, seemingly-endless-amounts-of-white-space, inspiring, can’t-believe-this-is-really-mine table.  It’s kinda fancy but not (I think the plywood underneath the slick white surface keeps it humble.)  And I love it. Thanks to mama Deb and her friend, it’s the best thing to happen to the studio yet.   

We’re slowly moving into our new studio space in town, and I was convinced it would be several months before we had a design table in the front room.  At first I had my heart set on an industrial table from an old upholstery shop—six feet by ten feet—made of steel and wood and all kinds of awesome.  Then, thanks to my mother’s experience and insight, it was noted that I could covet the table all I wanted, but there was no amount of loving and pining that would squeeze a giant old table through our new front door.

Once I gave up on that dream, I had big plans (hatched with mama Deb, who is the design maven extraordinaire) for another giant table.  Deb, who is a lot like Mary Poppins in the way that incredible things seem to just appear from her carpet bag, (aka basement, garage, hidden storage unit(s), dark corner of the family room) mentioned she had a giant industrial table.  Fancy that.  Really?  Just happened to have one?  Yes.  Her great friend, an incredibly talented craftsman, created it for her when she was repurposing/restoring/rethinking antique furniture several years ago…and not only was it enormous, but it was portable.  Well, shut the front door!  (After the table fits easily through it.)

The top, measuring approximately six feet by eight feet, was made of plywood, essentially like a box lid, and it rests on two sawhorses—wood tops with folding metal legs.  And, not that I’m a giant artsy snob, but I was admittedly hesitant about the plywood finish…only because I feel I design best on a white surface.  Maybe I’m neurotic, maybe the Elva Fields website has brainwashed me into visualizing everything against a white ground, or maybe it is just simply the plain truth that you can see colors most purely against white…with no distractions.  Whatever the reason, white works for me.  And I’ve got plenty of work to do.

Though Deb initially suggested painting the plywood, her second brainflash was genius.  Melamine.  So…this week, she and aforementioned great friend showed up unexpectedly at the studio front door (yes, the one that lead us here in the first place) with some liquid nails, the largest sheet of white melamine I’ve ever seen, the largest table top I’ve ever seen, and two portable sawhorses.  And two long pieces of wood trim/moulding.  And some white nails.  And…mere hours later, I have a table.  A nice, spread-out-all-my-work-and-make-a-giant-stylish-mess, seemingly-endless-amounts-of-white-space, inspiring, can’t-believe-this-is-really-mine table.  It’s kinda fancy but not (I think the plywood underneath the slick white surface keeps it humble.)  And I love it.

Thanks to mama Deb and her friend, it’s the best thing to happen to the studio yet.   

Fall Collection 2012 Look Book

We’re slowly but surely moving into our new studio space in town, and first on the unpacking list were beads.

From vintage fabric find at the flea…to email campaign inspiration backdrop.

In and around the flea market last weekend…

Scenes from our local farmer’s market here in Taylorsville…from delicious home-baked breads to beautiful beans, it’s a sunny shopping morning we try not to miss.

Just finished this interesting and insightful memoir/autobiography by Diane von Furstenberg and my favorite words come from its Epilogue: “Life is an adventure and since I love it with a passion, I try to respect it and honor it every day, no matter how difficult it sometimes can be.  I find strength in loving my family and my friends, who make the fabric of my life, but also and always in exploring new roads and new landscapes.  And, as in nature, what I find most reassuring and inspiring is that it is never still.”

Just finished this interesting and insightful memoir/autobiography by Diane von Furstenberg and my favorite words come from its Epilogue:

“Life is an adventure and since I love it with a passion, I try to respect it and honor it every day, no matter how difficult it sometimes can be.  I find strength in loving my family and my friends, who make the fabric of my life, but also and always in exploring new roads and new landscapes.  And, as in nature, what I find most reassuring and inspiring is that it is never still.”

I cannot wait for some home-grown tomatoes soon…picked fresh from the vine out front. (Full disclosure: it is my better half who has the green thumb, and I justify reaping the benefits with a bit of watering and weeding now and then.  Sometimes.  Occasionally.  Okay, once-ish.)

I cannot wait for some home-grown tomatoes soon…picked fresh from the vine out front. (Full disclosure: it is my better half who has the green thumb, and I justify reaping the benefits with a bit of watering and weeding now and then.  Sometimes.  Occasionally.  Okay, once-ish.)

My love for this beautiful beach has been stated and shared many times over (even publicly on our blog) but I’m not sure I could ever adequately describe how dear Delray is to me.  So much a part of my own childhood, it is wildly contenting to bring my daughters here to create memories of family and sunny fun together.  Here’s to a true family vacation…and our favorite well-worn path.

My love for this beautiful beach has been stated and shared many times over (even publicly on our blog) but I’m not sure I could ever adequately describe how dear Delray is to me.  So much a part of my own childhood, it is wildly contenting to bring my daughters here to create memories of family and sunny fun together.  Here’s to a true family vacation…and our favorite well-worn path.

Now that I’m back home in Kentucky, I find I am noticing the little things that lead me to love life here more and more.  A highlight?  That for eight months out of the year, I drive past a beautiful but unadorned rock wall in this curve of the daily drive to and from work…and then suddenly in late spring, a simple sign lets me know there is magic ‘round the bend.

Now that I’m back home in Kentucky, I find I am noticing the little things that lead me to love life here more and more.  A highlight?  That for eight months out of the year, I drive past a beautiful but unadorned rock wall in this curve of the daily drive to and from work…and then suddenly in late spring, a simple sign lets me know there is magic ‘round the bend.

Headed home today with a mix of colorful memories from a beautiful week in Paris…and a hope to return again soon. After all, this city always leaves you wanting a little bit more of the wonder she holds.

Headed home today with a mix of colorful memories from a beautiful week in Paris…and a hope to return again soon. After all, this city always leaves you wanting a little bit more of the wonder she holds.