Oh my goodness gravy I have never done this but I am today.......at least I better, because out of the past 8 months of eligible entry time, I have waited until the absolutely no later than postmark deadline of today, September 29, 2006, to enter a BHG's remodel contest. I've had the form filled out for about a week and the photos taken for about 5 days. My printer ran out of ink while I was trying to put it all together the other day and I almost cried.
But alas, I will survive, oh as long as I know how to print I know I'll stay alive. Sorry.
What category you ask??? Out of twenty categories I am doing the Kithcen Remodel Over $15,000 category. I'm not going to say at this point just how much over because I'm in a really good mood today (starbucks soy cafe mocha no whip on the table). However I would like to consult with the people who enter the Kitchen Remodel Under $15,000 and find out how they did it.
Because I have always been a before and after picture fanatic (my sister and I would always pour over my mom's Good Housekeeping magazine for the best makeover, using all Avon ofcourse) I am going to leave you this weekend with a before picture and let you use your imagination on how I might have improved this space. Promise I will unroll the afters soon, as well as share the ins and outs of gutting and remodeling a kitchen over the holiday and winter months with five children, a husband, a dog and holiday guests to cook for........of course you'll see the official after pictures featured in Better Homes & Garden since I will be winning the $25,000 grand prize and all. I actually do have to win, because it was part of my remodel financing plan to do so.
I know that with just one glance it seems inconceivable that I would even want to change anything about the glory of mauve and teal pineapples above, but they didn't match my dishes. Truth be known, I would spend several minutes sometimes just staring at the wallpaper and daydreaming about an Urban Outfitters photoshoot in front of it.......I would picture like a really hungry looking platinum blonde 15 yr old standing in front of it looking confused wearing a palm leaf print floor length dress with some brown and grey striped wool arm-warmers, shoulder length plastic pink earrings........I'm telling you it could have worked. But then my eye would catch a glimpse of how my own extremely sarcastic 14 yr old, Juliana, had irreverently graffitied a thought cloud above one the pineapples that read "hello world I'm a dingy pineapple". Gosh I wish I had saved that piece of drywall.
Cross your fingers for me, I have to wait until MAY to find out! ISH! Thats a long time, I'll be winining in my heart between now and then.
xoxoAnnaMaria
Since making the decision at about 4 years old to be an artist, I've had the pleasure of dabbling in a myriad of mediums. Some I wouldn't have expected and others I had only dreamed about. Over the past few years I've navigated my way through designing anything from dishes and tablecloths to greetings and fabrics.
I have been able to work with more than 20 companies to design for dozens of different product categories, each category involving different levels of work and therefore gratification. Some collections I've had a huge amount of freedom and others I've been tightly directed by the company to make it work within a certain theme or vein of retail, which can be challenging. You wouldn't have to know me long to know how I prefer to work!! Who doesn't love freedom?
An aspect about freelance product design that I didn't anticipate was having this bank of companies that I can share random ideas with when I get them.......oh and boy do I get them. Many times I get off the wall product concepts as I drift off to sleep....... phrases, puns, and wordplay will pop into my mind and I will have to get up and jot them down. My husband has always told me that I have the gift of gab, and I think of it as his kind way to say that I don't know when to shut up. Which is true, but he's so sweet. Somehow I have managed to convince some companies (by not shutting up) that my goofy ideas have appeal to shoppers.......and it turns out we were both right.
One such example is the concept of multiple choice questions, which first started on cocktail napkins for PPD . It was just this a silly idea that has turned into a whole "test" of questions that now follow themes for birthdays, cocktail parties , coffee drinking, holidays etc.
The clever party host or hostess could of course set out a pen next to the napkins so that guests could take the test.......its is silly but makes for a good little snicker and also could distract from any overcooked appetizers. Beyond napkins this concept has found its way onto other products such as velvet pillows and Christmas stockings where there is a magnet star that you can move around to answer the question.....also I've developed several tests for coasters, bar glasses, even aprons a dishtowels......such silliness.
I'll sneak in more photos as the products roll out to stores, so be prepared for a pop quiz.
xoxo, AnnaMaria
Welcome to You and to Me! So blogging is a new thing for me and it seems there is never an end to the ways in which we can connect with friends, family and people interested in our happenings......which is great! My intent for this blog is to keep the masses (little or big) up on what I have going on with work in the studio and occassionally family as they seem to coincide quite often.
The quickest way to learn more about me is to visit annamariahorner.com and dig around for info! As a design studio owner I have my hands in many pots not the least of which is a pot that feeds five children! Yes I did say 5. They are a wonderful gang of beautiful sillyheads that keep me inspired to do my work and not take myself too seriously. And yes, ofcourse its a huge challenge to raise them and run a business, but I can say I haven't been bored in 15 years.
Anyway, I am hoping that this is a good way to keep all of you interested folks posted on whats happening here in the studio..........what fabric collections I'm working on, where/when they will be sold, who will carry my tabletop items, which trade shows I will be attending and other fun stuff. I am also constanty improving my home and I find the lines between that and real work get very blurred and one endeavor seems to inspire the other. So its superfun fun to see that my home design adventures are becoming meaningful projects to share with you as well.
The biggest news in the studio lately is that I am organized.......yes the big O. My dear husband, Jeff, helped me rebuild cabinets and other random furniture pieces that the studio seems to collect into some really useful work spaces and storage. I organized my stash of fabrics, built a new design wall to tack up my ideas and inspirations, set up a little product gallery of all my licensed giftwares.....and there will be more as there is carpet to be ripped and walls to be painted. I've shared some images of the new studio nooks here and there,and I'll share more as ongoing and photoworthy improvements are made!
Designwise I just wrapped up my second collection of fabrics called Chocolate Lollipop for Free Spirit Fabric, also 4 collections of tablecloths, runners, placemats and other table textiles for Peking Handicraft, and other projects for giftwrap, giftbags, melamine dishes, ceramic plates, so on and so forth! All these items will roll out into stores next year, and I'll update you as they do.
Thats all for now, I need to roll the design chair over to the painting table and compose some new holiday designs for some of my clients. PPD, the manufacturer who produces all my paper napkins and plates, has tapped me for some Holiday 07 designs so if its off to sketching today! That is until a little person needs something.......ahhh the juggle.
I'm really looking forward to sharing all my thoughts, processes, happenings and creations with you. I love hearing from you too!
Oh yea-and here are some my current favorite blogs!! (who also happen to carry my Bohemian fabric line)
materialobsession.blogspot.com
purlbee.com
xoxo, AnnaMaria
