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