Holiday Season ALREADY

Time flies when you are having fun.  Yes friends, that is exactly what I am doing, fun with friends, family and befriending some talented handmade artists and artisans locally, nationally and internationally.  My lack of posts is not due to lack of ideas.  In fact it is completely the opposite.  I have so many ideas written, pinned, saved and swirling around in this little head of mine it is difficult to keep from blogging about them.  But, I must wait...  until the official launch of  the Wind and Willow Home shop.
It is coming! When the days start getting longer and Spring is on our minds.  For now, please feel free to check out the Twin Cities Design Collective where I will be writing about fantastic local (Minnesota) talent.  You can also follow me on Pinterest where you can get a sneak peak into some the things you may see at Wind and Willow Home. Oh, and Make Sure you are a friend on Facebook for the newest updates!

Pretty in Pink: Nature Inspired Style

I am not sure if it is the dress or the beautiful picture that caught my eye here but this fun bright number is so fun.  The bow purse and the bag is so cute.  I could definitely see myself froicing in a field with this outfit.  I think I might pair it with some wedges with a more casual feel to tone down the pink but otherwise, frolic on!

You're perfect by annabu featuring miss me shoes

So Bright for Summer: Nature Inspired Style

 Okay, brights are not quite my style.  I just am not a bold person, preferring soft subtle colors, maybe bright accents if I go out on a limb.  This combination inspired me because if I was into brights (which, this combo could convert me) this may just be the outfit to start with.  I love the orange dress with the navy blue shoes and those earrings are fantastic.  Besides, now is the time of year to bring out the "HOT" colors. 

What are you wearing this weekend?  Send me your weekend outfits!

So Bright for Summer by auds78 featuring peep toe platform pumps

Diane von Furstenberg evening cocktail dress
£164 - matchesfashion.com

Yves Saint Laurent peep toe platform pumps
$625 - mytheresa.com

Vbh handbag
net-a-porter.com

Betsey Johnson flower bracelet
$125 - regencies.com

Tom Binns drop earrings
$225 - net-a-porter.com

NARS Nail Polish - Schiap
$17 - barneys.com

Nature inspired pillows: Products you may see in the showroom

I have been thinking a lot about pillows lately because they are a great way to add personality to a room without spending a lot of money.   In many of my rooms the pillows define the space.  They add color, texture and shape to an otherwise neutral background.  I also change my pillows per season adding more texture in the fall and winter when I am feeling a little extra warmth is needed.  I soften up the texture and color in the spring and summer giving the space a more casual and airy tone. 
These amazing pillows pictured below are all hand printed and are full of personality.  Please visit the links below the pictures to see more styles and design form each artist. 

Image via helkatdesign

Image via Rustic Country Crafts

Image via Art Goodies

Image via Peris and Corr

Image via Button Grass

Image via Robin and Mould

Image via Erin Flett

Here is your chance to shape the showroom. 

Please give me your input on this product via the Reactions button below.  Do you Love it, Like it or would you Pass? 

What's in a Logo

I have been working with Ariel Tyndell of Velocity Vectors on a new logo and image for Wind and Willow Home.  We have come up with some fantastic designs that portray the simplicity and timelessness of nature inspired living.   Ariel is a graphic design student at Middle Tennessee State University working on her BFA in Graphic Design. I found her through etsy (yep, did you know you could find graphic artists through etsy).  Immediatly I was struck by her modern yet organic style.   She had many images of her work and they were just the style I was looking for. So, I decided to take the leap and partner with Ariel to create the image that Wind and Willow Home will be recognized as from now on. 
Let me say, that is a lot of pressure.  Image is so important these days and it was important to me to portray one of professionalism that incorporates the visual sense of our products and designs being timeless, high quality, comfortable and of course related to nature. 
  I started this process by filling out a brief questionaire so she could get an ideas of what I was looking for. I answered questions like, "give me a brief history of your company".  I threw around ideas for the image such as a tree, leaf or bird.  We landed on the feather for it's simplicity and vision of comfort. Next she took that information and came up with 5 different logo ideas.  This is where it became difficult.   They were all beautiful and interesting in their own way, so how to decide.  Well, one of them had that perfect mix of modern and organic that I had been looking for.  From here we did some color tweaking.  Again, this was a tough decision because there are so many color choices and with my background in interior design I couldn't stay away from color psychology.  Should I use yellow to portray energy, green to portray a fresh approach or grey to keep it trendy.  As you will see we landed on blue and brown which is the perfect mix of serenity and comfort.
 All in all this process has been truly rewarding but it hasn't been completely easy.  During this process I have learned just how important, and difficult it was to stick to my original vision.  It has taken about 2 weeks of multiple emails back and forth, trying different font styles and colors along with adjustments and readjustments back to the original images.  Ariel has been patient and professional.  Finally SUCCESS, we have landed on the final logo and I am happy to share that we will be updating the blog and other social media with the new images soon. 

What do you think of the logo?  Love it, Like it...? Please share with your comments below.

Wedding Dresses: Nature inspired style

We are in the midst of the wedding season, although I am not involved in planning any weddings this year I couldn't help but share these stunning dresses are from the Vera Wang wedding collection.  They are so whimsical.  The perfect dress for the a fairytale wedding. 

Would you wear a colored wedding dress?  Share your comments below.

Contrast is the key: Nature inspired style

 Light and airy long sleeved top. Rustic short denim shorts. Bold black studded shoes and accessories.  Contrast is what makes this combination.  I see myself wearing this on a casual summer evening to an outdoor movie.  Have a great weekend!  Where could you see yourself in this outfit?


sertg

The Happiest place on Earth.... by annabu~fruit contest featuring a flower necklace

Rowen & Wren: Shops that inspire

I am not sure how I came across this shop, I guess it must have been one of those surfing (the internet) days or possibly one of their photos on Pinterest, either way they have been bookmarked for a month or so.  I go back to their website every once in a while just to get a little inspiration.  With collections such as Distant Home, Refined Rural and Timeless Living it's no wonder I keep coming back.  I love their collection of soft colors and simple products but what really stands out in my mind is their sensational product styling. Take this photo (below) for example.  The soft monochromatic color scheme and natural objects appeals to my senses and just says "casual home" to me.  I could see these organic pieces of ceramic fruit in any room of my home. 

This next photo (below) makes me want to redo my entire house in this color scheme. Soft, simple with a little color and a lot of texture.

Finally, these hand decorated tiles (above) are stunning.  I love their pop of modern colors mixed with subtly retro patterns. They also show depth of product in this shop.  All in all this shop is unique, modern and natural and that is why I keep coming back.  Check them out for yourself at Rowen & Wren.

Wearable Planters: Products you may see in the showroom

I think these, too cute,  wearable planters are so unique.  The shapes are modern and the colors are soft yet chic.  A great way to show off tiny flowers or unique greens, and of course a conversation starter. Made of 3D printed acrylic (which makes the planters water tight) and hand finished.  Show your "green" hanging from your ears, neck or my favorite, brooch.  Hand crafted by Colleen Jordan.

Images via Colleen Jordan

 

Here is your chance to shape the showroom. 

Please give me your input on this product via the Reactions button below.  Do you Love it, Like it or would you Pass? 

One Summers day: Nature inspired style

 A great outfit for a romantic Summers day.  The blue and white stripes paired with the rosy pink serve as a toned down nautical theme.  Add a punch of color while tying it all together with a floral print platform shoe.  Last but certainly not least, the hair.  One of my favorite styles, soft curls look casual and romantic.  Enjoy!

one fine day by My choices featuring denim handbags

The Big News.

If you have been following this blog, a couple posts ago I mentioned there were some exciting things happening here at Wind and Willow Home.  So...I am moving forward with my dream of starting a brick and mortar showroom. 
After a lot of interviewing for jobs in the Kitchen and Bathroom/Remodeling industry (where I had been working for over 10 years and really enjoying the work) and finding out that a viable starting salary for someone who has to support two children in daycare and of course pay some bills, is virtually impossible (after the housing industry crash) I have decided to follow a dream and start my own showroom.  Well, that is, I will be putting my full efforts into doing so.  I have started the business plan and will be spending the next 2 months concentrating on collecting all of the information and funding necessary to ensure that I have a complete business plan that will ensure a unique and successful brick and mortar showroom.

As you know, my blog posts have focused on hand made products, design and inspiration with a nature inspired theme.  This will not change although there will be more purpose to each post as I will be highlighting products that I plan to carry in the showroom. I will also highlight design ideas and inspiration directly related to the showroom design and displays along with other shops and ideas that inspire me in this process.  I will also be detailing the business plan writing process and be asking for help and opinions along the way.   I will be looking to you my loyal readers, friends and family to help shape the showroom by giving your input via opinion poles and sharing comments.

I had struggled with the decision to open up this process to the virtual world because I typically am a very self sufficient and private person.  The fear of being exposed and potentially failing is a strong case to keep this a secret, along with potential negative opinions and the worries that someone with more experience and resources could come along and take my ideas, and make this happen much faster than I.  But, on the other hand the potential for support and advice in a process that I am utterly new to outweighed the negatives.  So here I go! On a journey to make my dreams come true.  Please follow me through my successes and failures.  Please support and encourage me.  And as always, feel free to share this blog with your friends, family and anyone and everyone you know because the more people that see this the more support and advice I will benefit from and the more likely this dream will become a reality. 

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For the Cabin: Nature Inspired Style

 I will be spending this weekend up in the north woods.  I think this outfit would be the perfect layered combination, not to mention the fantastic shoes and must have purse.  Have a great weekend!

yeah by Amzy H featuring boyfriend denim shorts