In the Press! New Feature in Arlington Magazine

The other day I was in the check out line at Whole Foods, browsing the latest issue of Arlington Magazine ... and lo and behold, there was a feature on yours truly, Mira Jean Designs Pinch me!

Our feature article(!) in the latest Arlington Magazine HOMES issue

I was interviewed back in November by the talented writer and editor Adrienne Wichard-Edds, whom I have admired for some time for her great scouting and sourcing of all things artisan and local. (After all, it was Adrienne who profiled one of my favorite boutiques, covet; and Arlington's best home made play dough for kids, Happy Dough Lucky).

Am beyond thrilled to be in this latest issue -- and an issue all about one of my favorite things, no less: Homes!

Thank you, Adrienne & Arlington Magazine!

xo, Kate

p.s. Yes, that's a peek at our new Tunisia design colorway in yellow, getting ready to ship as part of a custom pillow order for a client in the midwest ... more on that and our custom colorways, coming soon!)

Showroom & Entrepreneur Spotlight: Jackie Cox at Tapis Decor

Last summer I was thrilled to meet Jacqueline Cox, Tapis Decor showroom owner at the Design Center in Minneapolis, designer Ashley Lundgren and the entire Tapis Decor team. I first reached out to Tapis Decor virtually -- I was looking for a showroom partner in the Midwest, came across their company and loved the lines they carried. I asked if they would consider adding Mira Jean Designs textiles to their mix. After a trip to Minneapolis and the opportunity to share our fabrics in person, a partnership began. 

I am honored to collaborate with Tapis Decor and be represented by this team. Recently I asked the owner, Jacqueline, to share her thoughts on the showroom, trends in interior design and advice for fellow women entrepreneurs. Read the full interview, below.

If you are ever in the Twin Cities and looking for some interior design inspiration, be sure to visit Tapis Decor, located at the Design Center in Minneapolis' International Market Square. It won't disappoint!

xo, Kate

Interview with Jackie Cox, Owner, Tapis Decor Showroom in Minneapolis

When did you first open your doors? I purchased the company in 2008 and continued as a floorcovering store until 2012. It was then that I opened a second home furnishings store and rebranded as Tapis Decor.

For those new to your showroom, how would you describe it? A fresh inspiration to transitional furnishings. It's light, airy and incorporates both highly functional and usable pieces with curious and found accents.

The view when you walk through the showroom doors. Photos courtesy of Ashley Lundgren @tapisdecormn.

What can visitors expect when they walk in to Tapis Decor? Share with us a brief description of Tapis Decor and the lines you carry. We are selective about the lines we carry. We make sure you're getting a product that not only looks good but is well made. Tapis Decor features artists not just products. We love to carry boutique lines that are made with an artistic vision and we actively seek them out.

Another view of the showroom floor with its mix of original art, fine furnishings and beautiful accent pieces. 

What sets Tapis Decor apart from the other showrooms at International Market Square? Our selection and our staff! We've been told over and over that we have a beautiful showroom and great service.

What do you love most about owning a showroom and managing the business? I love seeing the people who come in and enjoy the space and selection. I also love watching it grow as a company and become a more prominent contributor to our local industry.

Another vignette from the showroom floor. Such a wonderful mix of deep indigo blues, lighter natural textures, comfy artisan pillows ... and that chandelier! 

Our textile display panels at Tapis Decor, alongside Victoria Larson and other artisan designers. 

A wonderful mix of natural textures and woods at Tapis Decor, punctuated with pops of color.

Is there a special project that is particularly memorable and that you enjoyed working on? If so, what was it and what set it apart? The projects I remember most are those in which we're a part of the process from start to finish. We're part of the project, not just the source of the product.

For fellow women entrepreneurs and business owners, what advice would you offer? Be true to you, that's how you produce your best product and result.

What suggestions might you have for someone designing or refreshing an interior space? Always incorporate something that reflects your personality and something that makes you smile.

What is one of the biggest trends happening now in interiors; via textiles, furniture, rugs and/or lighting? Color! It's back! Yeah! We're seeing less of the completely neutral spaces and more use of rich color.

Pick a color! Visitors can browse a Mira Jean Designs sample ring on display at Tapis Decor.

What do you love most about your job? Watching my vision come to life as a finished product. ###

Historic Home + Fellow Entrepreneur Spotlight: Moley Evans

People (myself included!) often say it is a small world ... this blog feature is a true testament to this.

If you know me well, you know I absolutely *love* historic homes. Years ago, my mother in law invited me to tour a magnificent one: a turn of the century Antebellum farmhouse in Alcova Heights, Arlington, Virginia. Her good friend Alice lived in it and was a master gardener; I remember vividly the day Alice graciously gave us a tour of her beautiful home and its surroundings. It was a house and garden to remember. 

A house to remember: the front door of this historic grand home with its welcoming front porch, haint blue porch ceiling and yellow door. Photo courtesy of its current homeowner, Moley Evans.

Fast forward about fifteen years ... and I found myself back in the home's dining room with the new owner, Founder & Director of EverWonder Moley Evans, talking about fabrics for her newly remodeled kitchen. My friends, this is the Universe at work. 

The view from Moley's dining room table, looking into her beautiful new kitchen (pre- roman shades)

Moley is an amazing business owner and entrepreneur. A fellow mom of two, she launched an after school enrichment and summer camp program, EverWonder about ten years ago -- and it's been growing ever since. 

Moley was kind enough to sit down with me this winter and share her thoughts and advice for fellow women entrepreneurs, below are excerpts from our conversation. She also selected my watercolored Aquafern textile design for roman shades in her newly remodeled kitchen(!!). Check it out: 

Do as the romans do: Moley and I collaborated on custom roman shades for her new kitchen in our Aquafern watercolored textile design on linen & cotton canvas. 

I am honored to have some of my Mira Jean Designs textiles in this historic home -- a home that is such a thoughtful blend of old + new. Even the coffee table in Moley's family room honors the home's past: it was custom made, from an old tree that had to be taken down on the property:

The Evans' family's coffee table, custom made from an old tree formerly on the grounds. 

Thank you for following along (and p.s. if you're a fellow mom and entrepreneur, would love to hear your $.02 on running a business, too ... what advice would you offer? Do you have a 'to do' list when you're on vacation, too? Tell me!).

xo, Kate

A Conversation with Fellow Entrepreneur Moley Evans:

Tell us about your business - what is your role, and how did it start? 
I am the Founder & Director of EverWonder Camps. I taught for six years, and then when I had my second child started tutoring ... which in turn sparked wanting to launch my own after school enrichment programs. Today, EverWonder offers camps across Arlington and Northern Virginia.

What advice would you offer fellow business owners? 
You write a business plan and think it's one thing -- but don't be afraid to make changes and get advice from other people. Brainstorm with others! Don't be afraid to say, "I was wrong about that." Do stick up for yourself and your product. Most importantly, celebrate your successes. As women and moms, we often do a lot. Don't be afraid to ask for help - and know it's okay to say no.

It is also very important to give back to the community. This is a big part of what we do at EverWonder. We sponsor the Jennifer Bush Lawson Foundation's Annual 5K Run, donate to Doorways for Women and Families, and more.

What's the best thing about running your own business? 
I love love love being able to give people jobs! I also love mentoring employees, creating incentives for them that help them grow, and providing teachers with work when schools are out of session.  I also love that I have a viable business that I could hand down to my kids.

What was the biggest surprise in running your own business? 
How much work it takes! It's hard to stop working -- even when I'm on vacation. There's alway a 'to do' list.

Tell us more about your beautiful home. 
It was built in 1836. The house has a spiral staircase, windows everywhere, pocket doors and a screened in porch. Douglas Wallop and Violet Lucille Fletcher ("Lucy") lived in it, in the 1950s. He wrote "The Damn Yankees." She was a writer, too, used to throw parties and played the piano ... I love that she is a part of at the home's history.

What other updates have you made to the home? 
Paint, paint, paint! When we first moved in, rooms hadn't been painted in 25 years. We also turned a back porch that was added in the 70's into a mudroom. Upstairs, we kept the same window line to keep the integrity of the house.

To learn more about Moley Evans' EverWonder camp classes and programs and ways they give back to the community, visit their website at: everwondercamps.com

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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.