The Art of Giving

Are you ready for the holidays? The countdown is here!

Earlier this fall, I decided I wanted to do something special for holiday gifts. I also came across this quote from artist Pablo Picasso - and think it sums up what I love best about making gifts: "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."

I began experimenting with new colorways for existing designs, tailoring paintings and colors to create something unique for gift recipients and their homes. 

Just as fun as making the new textile designs themselves, was thinking about the packaging. Why paint for textiles, only? I played around with a couple different approaches: watercolor painting on a looooong roll of white paper (the key here was to find the longest table I could find -- and just keep painting! So much fun). The other approach: printing existing textile designs on smooth, eco-friendly papers. Here are a couple pics so you can see how they turned out:

Pictured above: Watercolor wrap - original paintings, literally on a roll!

Pictured above: our new Poppies textile design and Leaves in new Periwinkle & Red colorway, 
printed on gift wrap rolls with a smooth satin finish. 

Above: My little helper and daughter Mira

By the way, if you ever want to wrap up a gift in something special, message us. We now sell some of our designs in luxe gift wrap, too. Cost is $16 for a 6 foot(!) long roll. 

Here are a couple other designers whose gift wrapping work inspires me: design icon Tricia Guild's very own gift wrapping with fabrics: 

Picture found via Designer Guild's Christmas Pinterest board

Designer Katie Kime's fabulous graphic designs, now also available on paper:

Picture found here

Last, check out London-based designer Thornback & Peel (I also *love* her Peter Rabbit design! So sweet, organic and whimsical):

This holiday season may you treasure your unique gifts and find much beauty in your homes. Happy Holidays! 

xo,

Kate

p.s. I'll be sharing some of the new and custom colorways created this fall via my #newfabricFriday posts next year. Follow me on Instagram if you'd like to see! 

Collaboration Feature #3: Potter Stacy Snyder

Hello, Friends! 

I am so excited for you to “meet” my friend and potter Stacy Snyder via today’s post, the latest in my Collaboration series featuring fellow moms, entrepreneurs and creative business owners.

I met Stacy years ago; our kids went to the same preschool. We share a love of natural textures, printing techniques and color. The past two springs, we collaborated on a Spring Studio Sale. It has been such a treat to watch her craft evolve over the years.

Earlier this year, Stacy and I chatted more about her work over coffee. (Who wouldn't want to drink coffee out of this mug?!). I hope you enjoy learning more about Stacy's work as much as I did. 

xo, 

Kate

p.s. Attention, Holiday Shoppers! If you are looking for hand crafted, functional and beautiful holiday gift ideas, check out Stacy's Holiday Pottery Sale happening this weekend at her home studio. Located at 508 N. Kenmore Street in Arlington, VA, hours are 10a-5pm this Saturday, 12/3 and 12-5p on Sunday, 12/4. 

Pictured above: one of Stacy's beautiful mugs on my desk. My favorite way to start any morning!

When did you start your career as a potter?

In 1999, I built my cabin and studio and officially started as a professional potter.

Where do you draw inspiration?

One of my main sources of inspiration are photographs of the collaborative duo, Bernd & Hilla Becher, German photographers of industrial architecture ... and bike races! I love the energy and complexity of the races … the little villages that they go through … the roof lines in the architecture.

Pictured above: bike mugs and vases from Stacy's new white clay series

I also love the work of the historic Japanese potter, Rosanjin.  He would create these sets of plates - but instead of all being the same, they were part of a family. Similar … yet each one unique. They would look like brothers and sisters; quintuplets! He also had a way of layering surfaces, contrasting colors, foreground and background.

How do you approach your craft today?

One of my major goals in the work I do is to develop a contrast - for example, contrast in delicacy and strength, shiny and matte textures; bold and delicate lines, colors and black & white.

 

Photos above courtesy of Stacy Snyder Pottery

What advice would you offer to others pursuing a creative business:

The advice I received from my professors: “Nobody will invest in you, unless you invest in yourself.” So set up your studio, give yourself the time and have confidence in yourself.

Also, it takes balance - and that balance is always changing. Especially as a parent and a mother. You have to always adjust that balance, because it never stays the same. Just when you think you have your kids on a nap schedule, it all changes. This is the same with work. This is also part of the challenge and joy of problem solving.”

Share a moment of surprise in your work:

I remember a story from one of my teachers, a potter. As she was working, she was talking to herself saying, “Oh, I’m in trouble, I’m in trouble!”. I think about that sometimes when I’m in my studio. Sometimes getting yourself in trouble can help you find the best solutions. It’s a great place to be. 

As an artist, if you want to grow, sometimes you have to get yourself into trouble. You have to put yourself out there. And you have to make mistakes. That’s one of the best things about being an artist. 💛

We're in DC by Design! & Please Vote

This morning is already off to a great start. My family and I woke up before dawn to vote early and avoid the lines. (Side note: while this election has been such a roller coaster, one *huge* positive is how it has engaged our kids in the electoral process ... I love that my twelve-year old wanted to literally see the voting room and how it all worked!).

After voting, we *had* to get donuts at our favorite local donut shop, the Sugar Shack.





Then I checked my email and lo and behold, there was a new post from notable blogger Jennifer Sergent, author of DC by Design, on textiles ... and Mira Jean is one of the featured textile designers! Check it out:



I am over the moon to be included -- and have to pinch myself since it was just a couple years ago that I began pursuing my dream of textile design. It truly is an honor. I've followed Jen's blog for some time, an amazing resource on all things local and design related. Thank you, Jen!

xo,
Kate

p.s. If you're reading this today (Nov 8th, 2016) and haven't voted yet ... please do!

Wallpaper, Wallpaper & Art ... Everywhere!

If you're in or near the DC area and love designer show houses, you probably caught the biggest one in this neck of the woods: the annual DC Design House. An annual tradition, my mom and sister in law and I visited the home last week. I couldn't wait to see how it transformed after my initial walk through earlier this summer (read about it and see pics in my earlier post here).

Boy, what a change! It can best be summed up in two words: wallpaper + art. Below are some pics of my favorite spaces and trends in this year's home:

The rear hallway / foyer: what was once a blank canvas was transformed into a beautiful, warm space. Even with a main backdrop color of dark steel blue, the natural materials, warmth in the chandelier and darker hues in the wallpaper pattern made this space feel spacious and cozy:

Back Stairs by Farrow & Ball

The upstairs nook: for those of you who've been following along in my blog, you might remember I had dreams of re-doing this space when I attended the designer walk-through earlier this summer. I love how this year's show house designer made it intimate and sophisticated. And once again ... more wallpaper! It seemed the whole house was covered in it this year.

Pictured above and below: Chic Retreat Dressing Room space by Barbara Brown Interiors

Here's a view from the other side of the nook ... more beautiful wallpaper AND original artwork:

Even the attic opening was covered in wallpaper! This designer did not miss any detail. Check it out:

And if that wasn't enough wallpaper, there's more! Here is a photo of another nook, decorated with wallpaper. *Love* this paper's pattern detail and texture, here is a close up:

How about wallpaper in the living room? Check! This time on the ceiling, no less! --

Family room by Kelley Proxmire

Wallpaper in the guest room space? Another check! Love this bold, tropical leaf pattern:

Vintage Cabana & Roof Deck by Studio Q Designs

Not only was there wallpaper everywhere, I also loved how the designers incorporated fine and original artwork at every opportunity -- even in the kitchen and above cabinets -- in a space that is otherwise typically forgotten:

Above and below: Kitchen by Frog Hill Designs

And here in a sliver of wall space, between kitchen cabinets and a doorway:

Last but not least, I can't resist sharing more beautiful, fine art in this *gorgeous* bedroom designed by Charles Altamonte:

Bedroom #2 by Charles C. Almonte, AIA, ASID

My favorite spot of the entire home? I have to admit, as much as I loved the beautifully curated and professionally designed spaces throughout the home, one of my favorite spots was the third floor hallway which featured children's artwork from Children's Hospital patients and their families:


The DC Show House has always been a benefit for Children's. However, in all the years I have attended, I have never seen children's artwork incorporated in the homes. This year's gallery was a wonderful surprise -- and reminder of the show house's charitable mission.

Thank you, designers and DC Design House volunteers for another wonderful year!

p.s. all photos in this blog post are courtesy of me @MiraJeanDesigns; for designer and source information visit the DC Show House's website here.

Autumn & The Art of Commissions

October: one of my favorite months. Falling leaves, cool nights ... and a wonderful time to stay cozy in one's home.

Today, I took the kids to St. Michael's - the perfect day trip from DC on a cool and crisp day. We loved walking up and down Main Street, admiring the historic homes and being by the water. (Here's a pic of my little guy, John, on the dock). 

John (the "Jean" in Mira Jean :-) on the dock in St. Michael's, Maryland)

Work has been crazy busy lately, probably our busiest month yet. A little getaway for the day was a sweet respite. We've been working on getting showroom panels and dozens of memos ready to ship to our new showroom partner in Minneapolis, Tapis Decor (sneak peek, below) ... preparing for a major installation this coming week in a *gorgeous* historic home in Arlington, VA (our Aquafern fabric design (third from left) in three custom roman shades ... can't wait to share pics!) ... and last but not least, working on two commissions. 

Our stack of fabrics, for the showroom panels @Tapis Decor in the Minneapolis Design Center

One of the commissions is a for a client, following the recent presentation I gave at the ASID peer group in McLean, VA. I am so excited about this project and can't wait to share the printed fabrics with you when they are ready. 

This client *loves* poppies and the color red - and needed fabric for custom draperies, roman shades and window seat space. True to all of our textile designs, this one is no different: I am starting with an original artwork - specifically, a watercolor painting. I've never painted so many red poppies in one month! It's fun to see how everything is turning out. Here are a few peeks of the custom textile design options, let me know which one is your favorite:

Artwork #1 --

Artwork #2: 

Artwork Option #3:

As part of the custom textile design process, we are also doing a color check to make sure all the reds in the room match. This fabric is for a bench seat in the interior space, just below the custom window treatments: 

As I look back at my last post and my daughter Mira's Autumn checklist, I am proud to share we have completed not just one, but three of the items on the list: cider, fall movies and cooked squash. :-) Bonfires and apple-picking, here we come! Hope you're enjoying the fall, too. 

xo, Kate 

Hello, Fall! & Partnering with ASID

Happy Early Fall! Summer is over and we are settling in to a new routine for my fourth and seventh graders. Mira already has our Fall "to do" list up on the kitchen chalk wall ... check it out! Looks like it's going to be a busy autumn. :-)



Work-wise, it's been busy announcing our new textile collection to interior designers across the country - and closer to home, presenting to interior designers affiliated with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).



At the encouragement of my SCORE business coaches, I joined ASID earlier this year as an Industry Partner. Thanks to my coach Ellen Brotman, this in turn led to last week's meeting ... such a great opportunity! Not only did I get to meet with a room full of professional, local interior designers, but also met fellow guest speaker Stacey Tranter of Twin Diamonds.

Stacey and her company Twin Diamonds' work is beautiful. They specialize in wallpapers and decorative painting. Stacey brought a few samples with her to the ASID meeting, check them out. I just love the natural textures, colors and artisan touch:

Two painted wallpaper samples, above, shared at the meeting. The textures and subtle colors are beautiful. 

Above: another wallpaper sample, painted and stenciled. Love the natural colors and textures of this one!

Twin Diamonds does custom stenciling, too. Check out this bathroom and its coastal colors:

Photo from Twin Diamonds' website

Stacey and I share a love of all things custom. If you have a color or design you want, just ask her ... chances are she and her team can create it for you.

Speaking of custom, during the meeting one of the designers shared a design dilemma: she spent a day at the DC Design Center, picking out fabrics for a client's new kitchen ... only to find that the repeat pattern they selected wouldn't accommodate what they were seeking, nor was it within their budget. The next step? The designer is bringing me to the client's home, to see the space and discuss potentially painting a custom textile design that works just for her. Will keep you posted! Hope your fall is off to a great start.

xo, Kate

The Business of Summer

We are back from a wonderful trip to the Midwest and not one, but ... two(!) family reunions. What a whirlwind it was - and so much fun. When we weren't catching up with friends and family, we loved exploring Wisconsin's lakes and taking in the Midwest's natural beauty. Here are a few pics:

My beloved Iowa with its blue skies and cornfields

Exploring Wisconsin: John at Paradise Springs

Mira and John at the Guthrie, taking in the Mississippi and downtown Minneapolis view. 

If you know me, you probably know it's hard for me to stop working on Mira Jean Designs at times and thinking about what's next. (Perhaps that's why I love meeting other entrepreneurs so much ... they can totally relate to this!) :-) So what was on the business 'to do' list while I was in the Midwest? Goal #1: meet with Tapis Decor in Minneapolis' Design Center at International Market Square.



I absolutely *loved* meeting the Tapis Decor team and am thrilled to share: they will start carrying the textile line! What an honor to be in their showroom. It is Gorgeous with a capital G and their team could not be more welcoming.

A pic from Tapis Decor's website

Next up on the summer business goals? Work on a new collection of designs. For inspiration, I turned to my favorite source: mother nature. Here's a sneak peek of the views and new watercolors from downtime by Lake Lulu (Thank you, Nature Conservancy, for helping to protect this gem of a place!).

The view from the "studio"and our lake house by Eagle Springs & Lake Lulu

Watercolor musings, inspired by Wisconsin's lakes and lily pads.

Swirling plants in Eagle Springs Lake and new watercolor "curls" ... I've never seen spiraling plants like these!

Last but not least, I've been gearing up for a big marketing push this fall to interior designers. I have "met" so many wonderful people via Instagram - and want to make sure they know about my new textile collections. Thanks to my summer intern's work (Thank you, Maddie!), plans are on track for our first mailing to go out this fall. Speaking of, if you know a talented interior designer who you think might like Mira Jean fabrics, let me know! I will gladly add them to the mailing list.

Until Labor Day, I'll be savoring these last few weeks of summer. Stay cool!

xo,
Kate

Happy Summer! & Front Porch Inspiration

Hope your summer is going well. Our typical summer getaway is to the beach, but this year we are mixing it up with family reunions and time on a lake. How about you?

Recently, we did a custom pillow order for a client's new screened-in sun porch, which totally got me thinking and dreaming about beautiful front porches and semi-outdoor spaces. Here are a few in particular that inspire me:

For starters, check out this one ... love how they incorporated fun pillows and real artwork on the wall  to add a pop of summer color to the space:

Picture found here

This front porch in Watercolor, Florida (one of my favorite places on Earth) is pretty amazing, too ... what's not to love? Sometimes all you need to finish off a space is color on one accent wall, a cool indoor/outdoor rug (my favorites are by Dash & Albert) and a decorative mirror like the one pictured here. (Wisteria is a great source for accents like these). 

Picture found here

Closer to home on my own front porch, we recently installed two drapery panels couresty of IKEA. All I have to say is, "What took you so long?" We've had our front porch now for years, but never added drapery panels. The instant we did, they created a wonderful sense of space - and we now enjoy more shade and privacy. It's probably the single, least expensive / highest impact accent we've made to the porch since it was built. 

Picture found here

Last but not least, I couldn't resist sharing the front porch of one of my favorite bloggers, Edie Wadsworth @Life in Grace. I've been following Edie for some time and greatly admire her deep sense of spirituality as well as how she balances - and so openly shares the challenges of juggling - motherhood, home, her business, being a wife and more. Thank you, Edie! (and p.s. she is right: All you need is love). 

Picture found here 

Hope you are finding time this summer to enjoy the beautiful beaches, lakes and/or rivers near you ... and a cozy front porch like these! xo, -Kate