Showing posts with label Susan Snow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Susan Snow. Show all posts

Monday, February 21, 2011

Searching for Style

For this week's blog post I am going to share my recent buying for Moving Designz Home & Cottage.  Normally every January I go to Toronto for the both the furniture and giftware shows.  However this year I decided to do switch things up a bit and go to Las Vegas.  After doing some planning and research I chose to attend The Las Vegas Market. 



The market is a combination of furniture and home decor and takes place at The World Market Center.  It is huge with 5 million square feet of merchandise in 3 very large high rise buildings.  After 5 days I'm pretty sure I only covered about one third of it... so big.

Connie (my sister), me and Karrie (my bff)

I chose The Vegas Market for a few different reasons.  Mainly, I wanted needed a vacation.   So I figured why not combine one with work.  Being a working vacay meant my sister and my best friend could come with me.  We could enjoy Las Vegas and still get to shop merchandise for the store.  It so helps that the American dollar is on par with Canada right now!!!


I made the all important list of things I was on the look out for.  Top of the list were lamps. 


I feel in love with these ones ... so pretty and so colourful.  



And these ones are perfect for the cottage.  Coming in green, yellow and blue.




Everyone who knows me knows I like sparkly things.  Those little dots on the lamp are rhinestones.  I think a pair of these glam ones would be most perfect for the bedroom. 


I really like the street name prints.  I ordered LA and NYC.  One of the LA prints is for me and the other for a condo project I am working on.


It certainly was no problem finding colourful accessories, which has been an issue the last few times at the Toronto show. 


I could not resist these lovely felt pillows.
Not to be selfish but I ordered a deep pink one for me.  I think it will look perfect on my bed :)


Colourful throws are a must this year.


Here is a sample of the area rug line that I picked out. 


I'm loving the patterns.


Some very pretty and colourful cut out ceramic spheres.


Our first shipment arrived last week and this corner of the shop has been remerchandised with some of the turquoise ceramics I picked out.  Still loving turquoise.... but what about pink since it is the colour of the year?  To tell the truth I hardly saw any pink in accessories... HOWEVER ...


I did manage to find this gorgeous pink handbag while we were out shopping for ourselves :)
In fact, both my sister and I each bought the same one.  Good thing we live in different cities. 


This was one of the pretty display windows all done up in delicious pink.  If you look closely, see those little pink bags on the table... yummy cotton candy!  I know this... it was good.


I might as well tell you Vegas is big on hospitality.  Almost every showroom had some sort of refreshments available.  Even wine was being served by 11am :)


Sitting down to the most loveliest of designer lunches.  Even the plastic spoons were silver.
Yes ... that is a silver plastic spoon!


Trend spotting... Old is the new new.


I was seeing lots of weathered woods combined with natural materials again this year.
Very cool!


Gorgeous texture, texture, texture


I think the best words to describe this look is "Rustic Elegance".


I ordered lots of colourful pashminas for our girlie section.


A most excellent quote.  I am a quote person.


Another view of the shop today with more new things.  I love the quote pillows.  "you can always bet on yourself"  and "breathe in the good breath out the bad".


For sure this year we have lots of striking colour and something for everyone at the shop.



My really big news is that upon returning home I was invited to be a guest writer for our local paper. 
Last Monday I got almost an entire page to write about the Las Vegas Market. 
So exciting!!!


Thanks for reading.  Have a great week!
Susan

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Reality is Settling in

Hmmm ... where to start this blog post.  I've been so busy over the past few weeks I have had no time to do any writing or blog posts.  I've had it on my "to do" list ... that incidentally never seems to end.  So many other life details and changes have taken priority in the past few weeks I've been preoccupied.  

Within the past 3 weeks the shop has really taken shape and is looking pretty fab.  The endless pile of paperwork is done and I'm starting to feel reenergized and organized.

 

This is our new shop display!  I took this photo yesterday.  This new display features pink, green, black, white and a touch of Christmas.  Very pretty.  It feels energetic! 
Can I just show you one more picture?


Same sofa, with yellow, turquoise and black, from our spring display at the Summerside shop.  Proving if you use a neutral background, in this case the sofa, any look is possible.  Colours just work!  Change out your accessories for an entirely brand new look.


Today I'm going to share some random pictures of things, thoughts and events which have inspired me recently.  This sparkly table top setting at the shop is one of them.


Wine that is named Open... how absolutely perfect!  I'm liking that...

Now that we're up and running at 98 Fitzroy St we had a small open house to mark the occasion.  I was trying to decide what type of food to have and cake sounded good...



A Moving Designz cake... of course!
 
I did not know that you could take an image and have it placed directly onto a cake until 2 weeks ago.  I'm not sure how many bakeries offer this service.  Isn't it cool?  All I had to do was bring in my logo image, which they scan and then place onto the cake.  The local Sobeys store did this with 2 days notice.



I also noticed these mouth watering chocolate treats.... while I waited to pick up my cake.  OMG I wanted to buy one (yeah two... all) and just gorge.  Is that why they make them?  So people like me can feel guilty about even wanting one?  I fought the urge took my cake and ran away before I caved.


 Speaking of sweet things... I think these pretty little espresso cups with built in spoons would be the most perfect little dishes for serving individual desserts.  

New News!!! 

 

Meet Susan Rogers of Blue Mountain Entertainment.  http://www.bluemountainentertainment.ca/index.html
A local film maker I've been meeting with over the last few weeks with a very exciting idea/concept ... Excerpt from Susan's webblog below. 

"In other news, the rumours are true, I am in the very early stages of planning a new reality based Design Show with Susan Snow of Moving Designz. No more news on that yet because we have a lot to sort out but I am hoping we will get an 8 minute pilot shot in  January."...



I guess since she's putting it out there I will too! I told my sister last night who just kept giggling and repeating "are you for real?" As in Reality TV? Yes!  Maybe!


The local paper did an amazing story on my business last weekend called  "Living the Dream"
(SOMEBODY PLEASE PINCH ME)
(SOMEBODY PLEASE PINCH ME)


More Good Karma! 
Another really amazing thing happened last month which I've been wanting to post on... Kelly James, my fellow blogger and friend from Jax Decor http://jaxdoesdesign.blogspot.com/ just happened to stop by for a visit all the way from Ottawa to PEI.   Her and hubby took a vacay to PEI and stayed at Number One Grafton and we got to have dinner and cocktails together.   


This is Kelly's stunning purple bedroom via her website (eat your heart out Ash)  Kelly is a big fan of purple.  You must and I mean must go to her website and look at her beautiful house.  She has such a great eye and her house is to die for.  I luff her style !!! 
I'm loving purple lately too!  Purple + Shoes + Bling = Shoe Heaven 


Proof... right here, right now, my new purple shoes.  Love design and love great shoes.  
Perfect with jeans on a casual Friday :)  Shoe envy?  Kelly has it, Ashley has it ( another purple fan), Anita has it, Karrie has it and a total of 30 odd customers apparently have it too!!!


Back to more random shop images .. this gorgeous white sofa that everybody loves (including me) arrived at the shop last week.  


One more view... with those pillows... I love the whole look, especially paired with the teak storage coffee table, custom graphic pillows and white cutwork accessories.  If you follow me, you will note all my August purchases that I blogged on from the buying show are finally arriving,  yeah!


 The new bedroom display, chocolate, white and green.  Coming into winter feeling warm and fresh.  Peppermint patty anyone?


The new window display... more chocolate, pretty blues and some bling.  I love the mirrored tables.... not to mention the chrome studded chair... oh love!

Large oversized wall clocks just arrived at Moving Designz Home & Cottage

Time to be thankful to family, friends and customers for your kindness and loyalty.  The flowers, the emails, the notes, the phone calls, the drop bys, the words of encouragement, the invites, the hugs, the tears, the dinners, and the unending offers of help.  All very, very appreciated.

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it"   
Many, many thanks ...  :) 

Thanks for reading.  Have a great week!
Susan  

Friday, October 1, 2010

Designers Challenge 101

For todays post I have been invited to take part in a designers challenge by my fellow blogger Amanda Burge of AB Home Interiors.  Amanda leads a very similar professional life to mine, in that not only is she a designer and blogger but she also has her own home decor shop too!  Which I think is pretty cool. 

(photo from Amanda's web)

It was Amanda's idea to bring together a small group of design loving bloggers where we all post blogs on the same topic the same day.  A family friendly family room.  She invited me to participate along with 5 other very talented designers and bloggers to show you our stuff. 

Traci Zellar of Traci Zeller Designs

Kelly Berg of Arte Styling

Kelly James of Design Ties


Kathy Passarette of Creative home expressions

Amanda Burdge of Abhomeinteriors.com

 These are all very talented creative women and I am thrilled to be part of this group!




The challenge is to design a family room on a budget of $6000.00 all included.  I'm always up for a challenge. This sounds easy enough but it can be very tough to do (more about that in my last paragraph). 


 It's always been my philosophy that everything always takes longer then expected and costs more money.  Words to live by :)  and be sure to repeat to clients!  The reality of the situation is that yes it is hard to accomplish but it can be done.  However, it's nuch easier if you use some of the furnishings or accessories that you already have and incorporate them into your new space.




For this challenge I am going to press my easy button and look at a project we completed last year that falls within the budget parameters of the challenge.  If any of you don't have an easy button on your desk I strongly urge you to go out and get one.  Staples has them for 4 dollars.  I'm telling you they work :) ... if for nothing other than a daily smile or positive affirmation or both. 


I always like to start off with a before image. 
This was the previous home owners version of the family room.   


My clients purchased the house and hired me to give this room an entirely different vibe and feel.  The room had pretty good bones to start with... including that marvelous cultured stone fireplace flanked by custom built-in cabinets.  It also had 2" white wood blinds that would be staying.  We added the drapery window treatments but for this challenge I did not include them in the pricing.  That would have put me way way over!



My clients sold most of their existing furniture from their previous residence and wanted to start fresh, completely from scratch. No Problem. They desired a relaxing calm room to chill out and entertain family and friends. 


 It's definitely a family friendly room and this entire room comes in within the alloted budget of this design challenge.  Everything in this room was sourced or supplied from Moving Designz Home & Cottage.




A close up of the 4 seater sofa, cushions and floor lamp.



The bookcase is decorated very minimalistic, just enough not too much.  My new clients hate clutter! 


Simple yet elegant cocktail table accessories.


A beautiful mirror completes the stone fireplace with the homeowners antique silver candle sticks.  And note we painted the mantle piece white.
Now for the furniture breakdown:

1 Lyric 4 seater sofa $1300.00
1 Lyric 3 seater sofa $1100.00
2 Brushed chrome dimming floor lamps $350.00
1 Espresso finished cocktail table $850.00
1 Expresso finished side table $275.00
1 Comfy leather club chair  $790.00
1 8 X 10 Cream shag area rug  $980.00

Accessories:

1 Cream throw blanket  $45.00
5 Assorted feather filled toss cushions $150.00
1 Glass vase $12.00
5 White pillar candles $50.00
2 Silver Starfish $13.50
2 Glass dishes $24.00
1 Green orchid plant $29.00
1 Silver round mirror $199.00

Total = $6167.50  Yes, slightly over but I think I did good... Do you?

Thank you Amanda for asking me to participate in this challenge.   Hmmmm ....    I wonder what the other bloggers will do? 
Under normal circumstances I would start fresh and do a mock up of an entirely new room design.  But these days nothing is normal for me... read on...


We are very busy preparing to move the shop, finalizing all the moving details, packing box after box, ordering new merchandise, designing the new store, and keeping up with our design projects. 



We are finishing packing all day today, Oct 01.  Yesterday was our last day open in Summerside.  The movers are coming tomorrow. Next week we will be settling in and setting up the new shop. It's all so exciting. Our Charlottetown address is 98 Fitzroy St in the new Homburg Financial Tower, main floor. 
More about our new space here: 
 




(Anita to the left, then Ashley and Susan on the right)

Here's my wonderful very talented team last Wednesday night as we attended the grand opening for the new building.    These girls have been working so hard over the last month checking things off our never ending "to do" list.  Thank you to both of you, I'm lucky to have you with me :)


And Thank You to our very loyal customers from all over and especially our Summerside friends.
  Please come visit us, we will miss you.


Thanks for reading.  Have a great weekend!
Susan