Interview of a Lifetime

Yesterday I shared with you that I had recently attended the Nashville Antiques and Garden Show.  I, along with about 20 other bloggers, was invited by Nashville StyleBlueprint to preview the show as well as to meet several well-known designers, artists, and editors.

Hello, chance of a lifetime!  Y'all, I'm still questioning, "Did that really just happen?" 

Ok, snapping out of it, let me tell you who was there:  Suzanne Kasler, well-known interior designer from Atlanta, author, founder of Suzanne Kasler Design, and designer with Ballard Designs; Carolyn Englefield, editor of Veranda Magazine and author; Kreis Beall, founder of Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Design; Margot Shaw, editor of flower magazine; Michael Devine of Michael Devine Handpainted Fabrics; and Christopher Spitzmiller of Christopher Spitzmiller, Inc., Handmade Ceramic Lamps.

I'll admit.  I had to do a little research before the interview so I would be prepared.  And, I really had no idea once I knew more about each of them what exactly I wanted to ask them!  Here are these great, successful designers, artists, and editors, a chance to pick their brains and I was going blank.  Thankfully, the questions weren't up to me.  We did get a chance to ask personally and talk to each so I was able to collect my thoughts and ask.

This is after the panel interview.  We moved upstairs to a champagne reception to continue!

Here are some of the questions and their answers.

Q:  Where do you find inspiration for your design/work?

A:  The biggest majority of the interviewee said...PARIS!  (Enough said...I'm ready to go get inspired!)  A couple of others mentioned life, travel, and nature.  Carolyn Englefield quoted this about staying inspired.  "Beauty is everywhere.  Open your eyes wide enough to see it."  

Q:  Do you have a professional rule (or goal) that you've followed to get to where you are?

A:  Do what you love, follow your instincts. Carolyn Englefield
      Eliminate the hard decisions. and Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Till the good is better and 
      the better is best. Kreiss Beall
      To thine own self be true.  Michael Devine
      It's a narrative of yourself that you build.  Be authentic.  Margot Shaw

Q:  How do you measure the effectiveness of your brand?

A:  Word of mouth and exposure seemed to be the most common answer.  Bloggers have really
       helped in the area of sharing things their readers.

Q:  What are some things you see on the horizon, i.e. colors, styles, trends?

A:  (this is a compilation of their answers)  Prussian blue is a classic and is translatable across many
      design styles.  Paprika does seem to be emerging more.  As for style, bring those things that
      inspire back home but keep something familiar in the freshness.  People like to try new styles but
      they also like to recognize things from the past along with the fresh.  Go for updated classic.
      Style evolves.  When you respond to something, bring that in. - Suzanne Kasler

Several of the interviewees have written some beautiful books on design.  If you're interested in any of them, here is a link to Amazon.  This is an affiliate link. :)

The Altered Past on Amazon

           

       

       


I hope you've enjoyed the interview and will check out their books.  I have a couple already and have the rest on my wish list.  Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

Angie


I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT