Shorely Chic is on Vacation...

in the snow! I've always wanted to go to Colorado so my boyfriend and I planned a trip for this week, and here I am trying to get in a quick post before running into the hot tub that it outside, and it is snowing!

So far we've spent two nights in Denver, CO which is such a nice city, day trips to Boulder and Breckenridge, and now Vail from Thurs-Sunday with two other couples!

I have taken so many inspiring pics that I can't wait to share with you when I get back!

Until then, have a great weekend!!

(P.S. I miss the beach!)

Puppy Love

Okay I must admit, I am feeling VERY unmotivated today and I hate it! Do you ever have those days when you don't want to do anything but can't figure out what to do in the meantime to pass the time? Well that is me today and I'm at work (day job), and I know I shouldn't but I decided to google image puppies because I love them so much and they make me smile :)

I thought I'd share a little puppy love with ya, hopefully put a smile on your face, too!

aren't they to die for??

An Interview with Dana Gibson Designs

During my exciting trip to the New York International Gift Fair, I was fortunate to have had a lovely conversation with Ms. Dana Gibson, owner and founder of Dana Gibson. I was immediately attracted to her work and she was even lovier to speak with than her objects I admired. We chatted about design for a while and exchanged contact info. at the end of the conversation. As an aspring designer I am always curious about how people become so successful and Dana was nice enough to offer an interview for the Shorely Chic blog. She started out making thing in her basement after a short stint as a teacher... 

Me: How did you get started with Dana Gibson? i.e. what were you doing before, what did you start out making? where did you start selling? etc....

Dana: My first career was teaching but it was not a natural fit. (I had to study hard to keep up with tenth graders). So when I moved back to my home town, Richmond without a teaching job, I started thinking seriously about turning a hobby into a money making operation. I took several great classes in ceramics in Louisiana at LSU and continued in Richmond. The things I was drawn to and made were so different than what others were doing. I was interested in ornate porcelain and they were into simple forms or earthy textures.—very pottery looking stuff This difference was the seed for knowing I had something to offer that would set me apart and a key to my success in the long run.

I first worked in my basement, a great big white room with a kiln and three work tables. I started selling to local stores then went on the road-- New York, Jacksonville, Charlotte-- and picked out a few exclusive stores . After a year I hired an assistant to help me. I had a production line now and it was all about how many pieces I could make in a day. Little did I know the selling of it was the biggest challenge. (It still is.) I remember taking $5000 worth of product to a church bazaar. I sold about $100.

I learned from this of course and kept going. Henri Bendels ordered 12 tureens which led to a 3 year relationship with the store. It occurred to me to print a catalog and that netted a huge order with Neiman Marcus. Things have changed as far as marketing so being adaptable is a huge plus.

Me: What is it that inspires you the most?

Dana: Beautiful things inspire me- a room, a beaded box, an old worn transfer ware platter. I’m more about things that have been made- a cathedral, textile- than nature. To me nature is relaxing and freeing but if I see something someone has put together and made out of nothing, I am inspired to do this too.

Me: What have been your biggest challenges as a designer?

Dana: Changing with the times. Certain things go out of style I have found in my 15 years of doing this. Thankfully I’m not in fashion or I’d have whiplash. When I first started, Shabby Chic was just dawning. Pale colors, vintage charm and distressed furniture were everywhere. These still have their place but the look is not prevalent, a bit like bubble skirts and blue eye shadow from the eighties. Black and white crispness is dominant, jewel tones and exoticism, although I see this trend waning. Staying on top of these is probably the most challenging because I have to order my product 6 months in advance. My customer is traditional and classic so she won’t s change a whole lot but she doesn’t want her house to look dated.

Me: At what point in your design career would you say you took your biggest risk?

Dana: Going overseas to manufacture. It was the best thing I could do. My conservative father said no but I heard the roars yes from everywhere else. It was a gamble for sure but if I hadn’t taken that step, I’d definitely be out of business. My product was too expensive and you could find something almost as nice at a lower price point. I also was getting a little tired of production but going overseas has it’s own set of problems.

Me: What is the most satisfying aspect of being a designer?

Dana: I like the response from my customers, the people who buy it. It’s kind of like being on stage and having an audience. To see that they like the same thing I do is tremendous. It’s also a connection with other people. In writing it would be called a voice. I have a small voice in the world of home design and that’s satisfying.

Me: Would you say there is a certain trait you must have to become successful in this industry?

Dana: Tenacity. It’s 95% work and 5% glamour. I spend some days straightening out the warehouse, or fixing product that comes in flawed so it is as nice as it can be before we ship. MY name’s on my product so when a customer has a problem, and they will when you have a lot of customers, it’s a stresser. Another thing that is helpful is faith. If it s meant to be it will be.

Me: Do you have any future plans for DG?

Dana: I’d like to design wallpaper and textiles but for now I’m so busy running the business, the time I need in the studio for this is not there. I really enjoy making beautiful things that people enjoy in their home. I kind of like being a part of their lives. At Christmas, something I made will give someone pleasure and I think of this on Xmas day. Pleasure is a huge theme in my life and what I do. Good food, excruciatingly beautiful colors, a book that moves you deeply. It’s all we have.

Me: Anything you'd like to add would be great!!

No except good luck to anyone who is thinking of doing what they love. It is a lot of work but the rewards make up for that. I’m never bored, I’m challenged, I get to come up with creative solutions. I always thought it would be fun to work in advertising—there’s a lot of stewing involved. Problem solving and working hard are a formula for success.
 

Wasn't that great?? I loved learning about Dana's journey to success and am even more excited to have established a relationship with this talented designer!

Facebook Giveaway

Shorely Chic has reached over 900 fans on Facebook! In honor of this, I am hosting a giveaway on my fan page for a beautiful Michel Design Works Beach candle - woohoo!

Sign on and become a fan to enter this beach chic giveaway! http://facebook.com/shorelychic

This eye catching candle comes in a printed glass container housed in a decorative box w/ a wooden ball on top. 14 oz./ 397 g 65-80 hour burn time.

Mi Apartamento Esta en el Otro 'blog'

Totally not sure if my title is correct, anyone speak Spanish, Sealaura? Feel free to correct me if I am wrong! The reason I write in Spanish this morning is because I was so honored and surprised to see pictures of my apartment featured in one of my favorite blogs from Spain, Con Encanto! I was scrolling down my blog roll, and bam - my living room! Now, my apartment really is nothing special, but how cool to see it in someone else's vision! Take a peek at her blog, I'm sure if you're a culture fiend like me you will appreciate seeing a Spanish perspective on design :)

Enjoy, and I will be back later this week with a post on one of my favorite shops, Dovecote, in Westport, CT and an interview with a favorite designer of mine I met at the NY Int'l Gift Fair!

Snowy beaches here in CT!

This photo was taken at my favorite, Fairfield Beach. I lived on this beach my senior year of college at Fairfield University. Our house was called the Pier 7 and there were seven girls crammed into a very small dilapidated bungalow but we didn't really care! 

I shared a child sized bunkbed with my best friend at 21 yrs. old :)

flickr

Happy Valentine's Day :)

                                                                     MaiAutumnPhoto on Etsy

 

Angie Warren on Etsy  

Love from the Sand on Etsy

 

Jenny's Bake Shop on Etsy

 

 

Shorely Chic on Etsy  

Snow Day!

Around noon when the snow lightened up I had Brian drive me around in his explorer so I could take some photos of the pretty town we live in with the fresh snow:

recession? apparently not for some...

and later some work done for Shorely Chic listing new items and making a beautiful shell mirror!

Hall China Tea Pot with Pink and Gold 

There she is, for sale in my Etsy shop!

Classic Hipper by Tom Scheerer

As I sit here watching the snow outside my window (snow day - woohoo!), I am loving this Vero Beach, Florida home designed by Tom Scheerer. The article in House Beautiful's January issue is titled Classic Hipper which suits the home very well. It is indeed classic with edgy touches like ikat pillows and exotic patterned wallpaper. 

 

I was so excited when I saw this ikat pillow because I made these for my Etsy shop, below:

Hope you enjoyed your trip to Vero Beach! Stay warm...

Spotlight on Designer: Shannon Bowers

After seeing a photo of interior designer Shannon Bowers', Dallas, TX, work on a favorite blog, I did a little more research and was instantly hooked on her story and style.  I adore her "family-friendly approach in decorating her home, creating functional spaces that are refined yet unpretentious".  The colors in her home are inspired by natural colors, think, "robin's egg blue, light sand and the lavender of hydrangeas".  The photos below were taken from Veranda.com on a story they did on the beautiful home of this talented designer.

I love all of these, add a few shells, and it would be a Shorely Chic dream!!