I have often said that I like everything. That is to say that my likes and dislikes have changed over the years depending upon my lifestyle. When I was single I was more adventurous with my design palette, when I started having children I became more practical. The result over the past 15 years has led me to live a very “layered” life. Full of treasures and memories from the many different influences and experiences I have had.
Today, my life is split between my family and my studio – my husband Clay, 4 children, ages 6-18, and a sweet french bull dog named Ce Ce. My husband and I are both in creative fields; he designs and builds custom homes, I design textiles. With two creative minds in the mix we have a lot of opinions floating around our home. From a 6 year old boy named Joe who wants to know where his latest Star Wars collection can be displayed to our 11 yr old daughter Ella who no longer wants pink anywhere inside her teenage room. Our eldest, Olivia, is planning to leave for college so her room has been a place for homework and privacy. Then there is our 8 year old Lena who is still happily entranced in the world of imaginary play and keeps her room full of her treasures. It is all of these little people and grown up personalities that make my very layered life.
I invite you to enter the world of The Well Dressed Home and visit the ever changing design palette of my life. Design, as I have learned, is ever evolving in my home. One day it may be easy slipcovers for little hands full of playdough.. the next it might be a fashionable new set of outdoor pool furniture that is inspired by the latest runway collections. Check in often for inspiring fashion and home decor ideas, trends and fun decorating tips. I hope this blog allows you to explore your inner “fashionista,” bringing a piece of the cat walk into your home.
Get to know Annette….
What inspired you to become a designer and start a business?
I never really had a plan to start a business. I think it grew out of necessity to have some creative outlet for myself while raising young children. I knew that working full time would be difficult and therefore transitioned over time from working for other companies to finally branching out on my own. I had studied industrial design in college so I knew that I wanted to “make” products. My business started out as a simple request from my sister for pajamas and flourished into other products all surrounding textiles.
What is your favorite part of your daily work … when you reflect on the day, what is most rewarding?
A lot of my time these days is spent on management, projections and scheduling product launches. I love it when I have time in the day to work on graphics, new prints, and catalog layouts; really any part of the creative side of the business makes me happy. I have a team that helps me create, and I could not do it without them. The collaboration with my entire team is what makes it all worthwhile.
What is your most memorable design project?
I would have to say there have been many. I think my most memorable project to date would be the making of the mannequins that are now part of my book. The whole process of producing a book and then a 3D exhibit to further develop the concept of the book was a rewarding creative exercise.
If you could design a room for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I would love to have designed anything with the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen. His over the top style and execution are so inspiring. His collections were and still are like art.
What thing/place/event were you most recently inspired by?
I am still inspired by the movie Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola, the images and the costumes are over the top. I love Paris; there is always inspiration to be found there. I recently was walking around my local flea market when I came across a new vendor with amazing textiles…it was inspiring, anything one of a kind is inspiring these days. I find especially in this world of ever changing ideas it is hard to sometimes find inspiration. Uniqueness is rare.
Where is your favorite place you have traveled to?
I love Mexico. In my youth I spent a lot of time there and fell in love with the simple, slow paced nature of the country. Mexico is probably the first place I fell in love with bold color. The textiles the architecture and the people all embrace bright colors in their lifestyle. I love the interior of Mexico with all its history and charm as well as the beaches and the idyllic seaside lifestyle of small fishing villages and pueblos.
Where in the world are you dying to go next?
I want to go to India. My children are finally old enough that I could afford to take a long trip and not stress. The idea of India and its vast array of inspiration has made India a travel destination for years. I would love to discover all there is about India from textiles to architecture. I think I would love India.
