Dark, Twisted, Fantasy inspired Home Decor

I love Pinterest! If you don't Pinterest or have never heard of it, you need to get on it. Now. No, seriously.

I'm reading Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe, and I think the melancholy tone of the story has me thinking aphotic, and obscure thoughts, hence today's Pinterest board. It's sounds scarier than it is. The late, incomparable Alexander McQueen taught us that there is beauty in what some perceive as dark and morose. Beauty is all about perspective. These alluring images conjured thoughts of luxury, comfort, and yes, a dash of mystery...

Have a look: http://pinterest.com/OneThirdTRIBAL/one-third-tribal-style-file-dark-twisted-fantasy/

what my eyes beheld: Weekend Edition

One of the things I enjoy most is merchandising and creating displays for shops and boutiques. A dynamic display not only gets customers shopping, what retailers love, but also offers potential customers and passers-by to discover product through provocative arrangements.

This weekend while working with one of my retail clients, I put together a visual "how to" for creating a casual look with formal attire.

NIGHT TO DAY

props & apparel provided by: Ed's Salvage Co.

the Glitz & the Glam

While searching for inspiration for window treatments I happened upon an Etsy shop offering supplies for various creative endeavors. The shop owner sent me this pic to help me envision how luxe metallic window hangings might uplift a room.

Ball Chain shop on Etsy

Welcome to 2012

Hoping all of you had a healthy and happy holiday season! I am beyond excited about 2012. Sure, 2011 was a pretty good year full of the life's traditional ups and downs (a few more downs for me personally), but there is something about the promise of a fresh start that comes with a New Year that just get's me going!

New year brings new things, right? NYE 2011 found me bartending a fab party at the Morelli Gallery in Jersey City. Made a few bucks and a few new friends - good times had by all, bring it on 2012!

I know there's a lot of crazy talk about a cataclysmic event that will end the world this year (no, really, it's crazy). I happen to believe that 2012 will be forth tremendous change and an end to life as we know it, which is not so bad considering the lack of love, the economy, and greed we are currently seeing on a global level. Either way, no one, of course, really knows what this year will bring, but I'm going to hop on the Positivity Bus and hope for the best.

 "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

- The  Alchemist  by  Paulo Coehlo

There's nothing like re-mixing your reality with clean slate of a whole new year. Have you thought about what you want to do differently this year? Maybe it's time to start your business, or show yourself a little more love.

Here are a few of my 2012 Intentions:

1. Write a business plan for my interior design/creative solutions company (just typing these words is making my hyperventilate a little-who invented business plans anyway) 
2. Be more consistent with a healthy diet and exercise
3. save. Save. SAVE!
4. Volunteer with at least 2 organizations in 2012
5. Launch the website for my interior design/creative solutions company
6. Stop buying denim/chambray shirts (i have like 5 of them, guys... it might be a problem)
7. Collaborate more
8. Meditate at least once/day
9. Put up shelves in my kitchen

 Your turn! What are you planning to achieve in 2012?

Creating a "Brandifesto"

Yes. "Brandifesto," it's a real word, well I mean people are really using it to describe something that exists, whether Webster acknowledges it or not is another story, but I digress.

Anyway, my research on marketing and branding has led me to this concept. "Brandifesto" is actually a brand's Manifesto. Manifesto is a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives. According to PRCouture it's a very powerful marketing tool that can raise awareness about a new site. This tool can, when used properly and genuinely, can help connect brands to like-minded consumers and increase brand recognition and promotion. A great example would be the Holstee Manifesto, which has been shared with hundreds of thousands across the world and helped the brand promote their "kickass products." A "Brandifesto", is an inspired, creative way of telling the world who you are and what you do. As a creative, seeking to launch a start-up in a highly competitive industry this tool is a must have for my brand.

So, here's the skinny on the brand as I realize I've been a little "mum's the word" on the whole project. I'm building a lifestyle creative solutions company, specializing in space transformation for home, retail/wholesale space, and events. The brand is a celebration of diversity, the love of vintage goods, items with a story, and beauty in it's many forms with modern, edgy and global styling.

via graphichunt.com

I started this company in the hopes to show that the experience of beautifully designed spaces, products and spaces is not something reserved only for the very wealthy. There are thousands of affordable ways to create and recreate environments and goods. This brand is a celebration of the beauty in the world as we (collective beings), as individuals see it, and reflective of our individual gifts.

What do you think? Sound like the type of company you'd want to do business with? Well let me know. One of the values I hope to promote with this project is collaboration. What values, beliefs and motives are important to you when deciding to making a purchase?

inspiration is EVERYWHERE

Manifesto from Holstee.com

Are you really LIVING your LIFE??

Beige is Boring

Today I came across this room and immediately added to my "Colors" board on Pinterest, by the way if you don't have a Pinterest account you may want to look into it. It's the internet's answer to the traditional board. Do you Pinterest?

Color is everything and is everywhere right now. Notice the orange Hermes boxes on the mirrored console? I love when non-traditional items are used in clever ways to add visual interest. Are you pondering any dramatic color moves in your space? Let's talk about it.

Source: thedecorista.tumblr.com via TRI (1/3) BAL on Pinterest

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together..

I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief after turning in the last of my final projects for the semester last weekend (Get it!). Ahh, time for a little rest and relaxation you say? Nope. Not for this goal-crazy, design gal. You know what they say about failing to plan...  My list of To Do's for the Winter Break looks like this:


Nik's Winter Break To Do List
-Complete business plan for design business (hope to do a big reveal on the name soon!)
-Write Content for Website Start writing website content
-Paint and refinish a cabinet ($20 flea market find), a dresser, and a salvaged picture frame (stay tuned-should be post worthy)
-Get a little social and attend a few events where people actually mingle and interact (social networking is no substitute for human contact-let me tell you)
-Trademark new logo
-Create social media pages for new biz
-Update this blog

Last weekend I took some pics with my brand spankin' new Canon T3i Dslr (I'm giving you the excited, crazy, electronic sales guy face right now, because the journey to purchasing this thing was epic and I just love it)! These are pics that will be used within my website. Since my company will be focused on styling and decor and the transformation of spaces in homes, retail environments and event spaces, incredible website pictures are key. Nothing sells services relating to pretty things like pretty pictures, right? I was like the Paparazzi up in that piece! Check me out. You like??