Back in December when Lisa Allegory from Allegory PR reached out and asked me if I would be interested in being one of four designers, tasked with designing a 10 x 20 design vignette at the Home Design and Remodeling Show, you can imagine my response - YES. YEEEESSS!
While I have been a part of event planning, have designed vignettes for The Mom Economy and other organizations and I design for my pop-up church each week (shout out to Vous Church - we design 3 times a year and build it/take it down every. single. week.), I hadn't done a home show.
OF COURSE SAY YES THEN! Ha. Jokes aside, everything that is worthwhile in life is always in the uncomfortable and I've learned running towards uncomfort has yielded some of my greatest blessings and successes. No risk, no reward.
Needless to say, I am pumped. For the last few months, I have been designing, gathering partners, having loads of meetings and educating everyone who is willing to listen to me about why they should attend this show. My passion and persistence has been taken to the next level in the prep and planning of this space and one thing I know for sure regardless of what happens - I put my heart and soul into this.
That said, here are 4 reasons I am incredibly excited about being a designer for the Miami Home Show:
1. I have been able to design a space without a client's direction. A space that is mine, a space that has deep personal connection. A space that I had full creative freedom to do what I want. YYYYEESSS PLEEEAAASSEEE! Come on! As a designer, this is reason enough to say yes. If nothing else, it's practice and experience for clients. Check out one of my moodboards for my vision:
2. I am launching my wallpaper capsule collection at the show and that's the first time I've shared this publicly so consider yourself VIP. Admittedly, typing it makes it real and real makes it scary and gives me a bit of fear - what if people hate it, what if I don't sell any wallpaper, etc. But, onward I go because again, as long as I put my heart and soul into it and it gives me more experience in my field, it was worth it. Sneak peek:
3. The partners. You see, getting chosen for this is incredible and I feel SO lucky. But the designers are each fully responsible for getting all partners and vendors for every aspect of the space. I pride myself on my relationships but I also was slightly nervous about getting the RIGHT partners and having the RIGHT people say yes. Well, all the right people said yes. And it makes me want to cry. Take a look at this partner and collaborator list. To say I am humbled is an understatement! Literally I couldn't have done this without each of these companies and humans behind the companies that said yes to me.
Roberta Schilling Collection - furnishings and accessories
Minted - artwork
Surface Workshop - custom wainscoting
Hola Ink - printing and wallpaper education
Erin Sprunger, store manager at Anthropologie - styling education and accessories
Heir Looms Vintage Rugs - vintage rug
Hudson Valley - lighting
Mitzi - lighting
Jackie Knabben - photography
Here to Film - videography
Leah Tipton - wallpaper design collaborator
Akemi Creative - graphic designer
4. The stretch. I referenced this above but this show has absolutely stretched me. It has made me a better designer, a bit more resourceful, a bit more organized and more knowledgeable about this industry. From vendor relations and understanding the principles of designs (thank you Erin), to curating the right materials and textures and maintaining my full-time job as a designer, a mom and wife, THIS IS REAL LIFE PEOPLE! The stretch is real and I am so here for it.
I'll be sharing a bit more about my design process, schedule and more updates in the next week but for now, don't forget to check out more info about the show and follow along on Instagram!