I shared a few days ago that one of my goals is to start taking on design clients. That’s a pretty scary step for me, though, and I still have to think through how I’m going to work in that capacity. I’m not scared of designing a space, that’s the appealing part. I’m also not scared about working with people, different tastes, personalities and budgets. It makes me nervous, because I’m used to just letting a room develop over time. I’m used to trial and error, rotating things in and out until I hit that sweet spot. That’s what I’ve been doing in my whole house and, most recently, in boys’ room.
A few months ago, I painted the walls in Hale Navy. I’ve been painting so many walls white and soft blue and pale gray that I was ready for some bold color and the boys’ room is a good place to do it. We also moved almost all of the toys to the basement, since my business vacated it, and rearranged the furniture. Since then, I’ve been slowly curating things to finish off the room.
The most recent thing I purchased were some monogrammed pillows for their beds. I looked at Pottery Barn and a few other stores, but couldn’t find the colors I wanted, so I turned to Etsy. I found these custom monogrammed pillows from The Hearth and Home Store and ordered two in the colors I wanted. (I paid for these, so this isn’t a sponsored post, but the pillows are so well made that I wanted to give her a plug.)
I wanted orange to tie into the antique felt UVA pennant (that belonged to my Opa) and the orange cotton twill was perfect. It also brings that color out of the quilts folded at the end of the beds that my mom made for my brother when he was a boy. The ticking quilts are from Pine Cone Hill.
One of the dressers in the room is the one I used as a little girl. My parents bought it for $35 at a yard sale and they definitely got their moneys worth out of it! I’m hoping to replace it, though, with one in a different style. I just haven’t found one that’s just the right size. The mirror over the dresser is from Birch Lane. The frame may get painted, but that depends on the dresser and the curtain fabric I’m still hunting for.
I’m still figuring out fa few things, but it’s almost there! Since the lighting comes from one direction and the walls are so dark, I’m definitely going to have to use some fill lighting when I do a final “reveal” photo shoot on this room!
Speaking of photography, I just added some workshops to the schedule for March. I’m offering a Photography Bootcamp (from styling to editing) on March 27, and a MMSMP BYOF (bring your own furniture) workshop on March 28. You can sign up and/or check out the details HERE. From now on, if you click “workshops” on the nav bar at the top of the blog home page, it will take you to the current list of workshops being offered. (I’m currently working on curriculum for “How to start a creative business” for April…)
We’re also hosting our very first “Open Studio” on Friday, March 20, 2015, from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. This is a day when the studio is open for you to come and use. It costs $25/hour and you can use all of our tools, materials, space and even our help, to work on your projects. Just some of the tools and supplies that will be at your disposal are…
- All MMSMP products & finishes (The use of our full product line is included in the cost.)
- Paint & artist brushes, sand paper, orbital sander, wood glue, clamps
- pneumatic staple gun for upholstery and staples (you need to bring your own fabric and trim)
- 2 sewing machines, including a heavy duty upholstery machine (bring your own fabric and thread)
- mat cutter (you need to bring your own mat board, photos, frames)
This isn’t a time of instruction, but a time for you to get some projects done in a creative environment where you can have some support if you get stuck. We’ll have snacks, drinks and good music, as well. We have a fridge, so you can pack a lunch or there are a few places to grab a bite nearby.
Just send an e-mail (marian@missmustardseed.com) to let me know if you’re coming and if you plan to use the staple gun, mat cutter or sewing machines, so we make sure those aren’t double-booked.
This is a total experiment, but Kriste and I love working in the studio and those attending the workshop have also commented on the awesome, creative vibe, so I thought we should make it available to others! If you just want to stop by to shop and/or hang out, you’re more than welcome.
16 Responses
I am so very interested in you ‘creative business’ workshop! Do you have any idea at all if it would be one day or two? Can’t wait to hear more. Thanks!
The boys room is coming along so nicely! Love the navy walls and how nicely the bedding has come together 🙂 Your workshop sounds fantastic! It is amazing what one can accomplish when given the space to create, and access to the proper “tools” for the job!
I may decide to come to one of your workshops but I’d be flying in. I think i could ship a piece out but would be interested in discussing ways to find the piece there. Maybe that shopping trip i mentioned a few posts ago or me hunting craigslist by you…im in need of a dresser but could find a small side table for a chair. Im sure we could come up with something!
Oh, definitely! I even have random things you could paint…old boards for signs, small chairs and stools. I could also let you know a few spots to hit where you can most likely find something.
Marian, I don’t know why you are nervous about taking on clients. Look at all you have achieved and how far you have come, it is just a natural progression for you.I have every faith that you would make a wonderful Interior Designer. You have inspired so many people (including me) to try something new, but not everyone is practical or has the time to do things themselves and would just love someone like you to advise them. I wish you well in all your ventures. Your son’s room looks great by the way. Love Linda x
You have so many things on your plate! Please write a post on how you do it.
Inspiring. 🙂
Love the room and you did such a great job. I painted my son’s room a blue like that and it was suppose to be a one coat paint. Yeah…3 coats and I dare say that will be my last time I do that. It was crazy!! Yours looks wonderful!!
I wish I lived closer to take advantage of your workshops! Sounds like fun!
Love it. My natural inclination would be to use red with the blue but love what you
did with the orange. On the color wheel the orange and blue are complimentary so they
naturally work nicely in their room.
I’d love to make a workshop and WILL one of these days while close by to visit my Dad.
Great news about taking on design clients. In my staging business the design clients came along as well. I’ve learned a great deal about the process. If you are looking for some systems to help things along I recommend Kimberley Seldon’s Business of Design. Anyone looking to have a design business will find it helpful. http://www.businessofdesign.com
Anyone in the Southwest part of Missouri that would like to plan a “carpooling road trip” to one of Marian’s workshops just let me know! I can drive and if we split the cost of gas and share a hotel it could be very affordable. Any takers???
Convo me via my Etsy Shop @ https://www.etsy.com/shop/SoVeryDesigns.
The open studio sounds interesting. Too bad I don’t live anywhere close to Pennsylvania! I would have probably come in to use your pneumatic staple gun if I did. 🙂
I would be interested in a weekend long event with you and Kriste. Perhaps with some mini classes and workshop time. I live in New York and would welcome a chance to come down.
This is exciting! What an awesome concept of an hourly use studio. I’m digging that and look forward to checking it out some time. We move to PA in the near future.
Hello Marian!
Would you ever consider making some of your workshops that are less hands on (such as your photography or HOW TO START A CREATIVE BUSINESS) available to attend via internet? I live in California and can not obviously attend your workshops (although I’d love to and meet you!) However, I would jump at the chance to attend and pay for your workshop on line (such as those I mentioned above).
So how about it? Please? Bet you’d get a lot of attendees! – Susie
I love this! We just moved from a tiny two bedroom apartment to a rental home. I have been trying to figure out what to do with their room since they’ve never had their own. I should have know to come here lol.