The Skirted Roundtable: Chatting with Alexa Hampton!

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/09/23/garden/23QA1/23QA1-popup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/09/23/garden/23QA1/23QA1-popup.jpg" /></a></div><br />This week on <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2012/08/linda-and-joni-chat-with-alexa-hampton.html" target="_blank">The Skirted Roundtable</a>, Joni and I spoke with effervescent interior designer Alexa Hampton, who is not only carrying on her late father Mark Hampton's brand, but has expanded into her own multifaceted empire as well. We three had a wonderful conversation about growing up under the mentorship of her talented father, finding her own voice and how she deals with growing her business and clientele. Alexa also generously shared how she operates her business, her philosophy on working with clients and how she bills for goods and services. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/09/23/garden/23QA2/QA-2-popup.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsgWYqv4dMrZc0UUdgft-GBp_MZfSnab75uQ-P71QrtxhIdC-Cv260qY8TGSkne1PUCJ-0Lnvf-pbJS1_PT0Y1fCD8YRgBhxZvhyT0dMefEGiy41ynHGbhN8b4LoObjpOEG-Cy6IEIRP-/s1600/alexa11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsgWYqv4dMrZc0UUdgft-GBp_MZfSnab75uQ-P71QrtxhIdC-Cv260qY8TGSkne1PUCJ-0Lnvf-pbJS1_PT0Y1fCD8YRgBhxZvhyT0dMefEGiy41ynHGbhN8b4LoObjpOEG-Cy6IEIRP-/s640/alexa11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iwj8exFUgZTRpMHVx3DBgDaT-6YU6aPxniMWAwDup5iqbrTxcNhQ4LEnEcjJ_TJ53ujJH-CIK8MZNIjSPJkjBiZbSEO4XdTMXvp0seNzDaCen1xiX2TLYHaAv86iSn0ybDp137O44UJ7/s1600/alexa8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iwj8exFUgZTRpMHVx3DBgDaT-6YU6aPxniMWAwDup5iqbrTxcNhQ4LEnEcjJ_TJ53ujJH-CIK8MZNIjSPJkjBiZbSEO4XdTMXvp0seNzDaCen1xiX2TLYHaAv86iSn0ybDp137O44UJ7/s640/alexa8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVMBjA62Tv8703EGPxqZnhq5hyCbWkGqAMpVwQy1njxfuT2D6ZF7guJjm87HfKKZf_VmTM-0nGY0w0gwkRg1AdNYfFBoFlBytonYg3lhQqu5cpq74S-_JJuIhHiBl_ov-wDgt5BKVxJ1q/s1600/alexa6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVMBjA62Tv8703EGPxqZnhq5hyCbWkGqAMpVwQy1njxfuT2D6ZF7guJjm87HfKKZf_VmTM-0nGY0w0gwkRg1AdNYfFBoFlBytonYg3lhQqu5cpq74S-_JJuIhHiBl_ov-wDgt5BKVxJ1q/s1600/alexa6.jpg" /></a></div>I think this is (or was) Alexa's own home. I recall seeing her on television, maybe with the Keno brothers showing how she lived. Typical of NYC apartment, it was actually quite small, but still elegant, of course.<br /><br /><a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2012/08/linda-and-joni-chat-with-alexa-hampton.html" target="_blank">Listen here</a>!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!</div><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

The Skirted Roundtable: Chatting with Alexa Hampton!

This week on The Skirted Roundtable , Joni and I spoke with effervescent interior designer Alexa Hampton, who is not only carrying on her la...

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Pillow talk

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPa53hl8xoMaxKi3ruK5Bmd1pC9mAj98C6ewXuGVOolrCCNe8g653a6hRgSaj8JGitf9VN6P651TcYoDoW1VW7Z5T0dapq7S9AHiB1k4SnQgzmcbUs8B6AR2LTaJRElKBHrLlv9DUt23Sx/s1600/100_0745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPa53hl8xoMaxKi3ruK5Bmd1pC9mAj98C6ewXuGVOolrCCNe8g653a6hRgSaj8JGitf9VN6P651TcYoDoW1VW7Z5T0dapq7S9AHiB1k4SnQgzmcbUs8B6AR2LTaJRElKBHrLlv9DUt23Sx/s640/100_0745.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I was going through some of my portfolio photography files recently and came across a stash of photos of various pillows I've made over the years for clients and for myself. I've previously published these images in different blog posts, or in my <a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio_Gallery-Interior_Design-Massachusetts.html" target="_blank">portfolio</a>, but thought it would be fun to compile them in a single post. I made nearly all of these pillows, with the exception of the larger, more utilitarian back pillows which I sub out. But for the most part, I do the design and sewing of all the decorative pillows used in my projects. I like have some of my own handiwork in the spaces I've designed. My favorite thing to do is take left-overs from fabrics used in a space and create something different and unique. I usually don't do a drawing or scheme of any kind, I just take all the materials and see what I come up with. I usually do button placket closures in the back since I've never figured out how to do a zipper and while I could hand sew them closed, most clients want to be able to remove the cover from the pillow. So, cute covered buttons it is. <br /><br />The photo above shows a project I did several years ago and this mass of pillows was on the newly re-upholstered sofa in the living room.  Pillow styles come and go - sometimes they are chopped, sometimes not; sometimes they are all trimmed out, and other times not. It's really a personal preference thing and there are no rights or wrongs, regardless of what the design police seem to think. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYImqDeApOfdhv9Fcu2araXcHHFT3P42oLlvqAhnzf6FPQbl25S39mAxwPUG4vlfvaWURQTkC1VeDEYUmJOo6uyxuhKx6SRuKwxrTj3b11uWjSFGALAKGoJ8rhItKCyIBiXu8zp_epatX/s1600/100_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYImqDeApOfdhv9Fcu2araXcHHFT3P42oLlvqAhnzf6FPQbl25S39mAxwPUG4vlfvaWURQTkC1VeDEYUmJOo6uyxuhKx6SRuKwxrTj3b11uWjSFGALAKGoJ8rhItKCyIBiXu8zp_epatX/s640/100_0812.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Always loved this fabric! It's Kravet and include several different breeds done up like "ancestor" portraits. This client was a huge animal lover and <a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Den-Interior_Design-Massachusetts.html" target="_blank">this room </a>featured a large portrait of her two labs. Note the striped welting, which was used on the sides of these box pillows and on the back. So cute. (oh, I had my seamstress make these, I'm not so good at box pillows). <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwmOr96_TDsMHS0BX9ft_q5w7JUXS8QVwDy5p9NTycDs6IwtiNQF-2pVMvG9ZGDuu2EODQKSkf6EDopo0PZgfv9i4Eo2O2RRUce7cBlLX-LARz61OohgTXUgAZvrtuWG4OQG05jNrFTSg/s1600/100_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwmOr96_TDsMHS0BX9ft_q5w7JUXS8QVwDy5p9NTycDs6IwtiNQF-2pVMvG9ZGDuu2EODQKSkf6EDopo0PZgfv9i4Eo2O2RRUce7cBlLX-LARz61OohgTXUgAZvrtuWG4OQG05jNrFTSg/s640/100_0896.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Pillow overload? Hmm, is there such a thing? My seamstress made the back three rows of larger pillows, I made the three front decorative pillows. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlk7IfXSCpKKwZsLvZ3RO8u1FQxALF5b3jN8_pIBq9bGFxNFWDVq2mwgP5O3oXBAUhJor6brcUZhZUhmYnU5WjNodxUwhjgCaR_CE7xv9xUWZS4KE-koSWknsoB3_ZLgHBQJEtPReWlUMh/s1600/100_1110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlk7IfXSCpKKwZsLvZ3RO8u1FQxALF5b3jN8_pIBq9bGFxNFWDVq2mwgP5O3oXBAUhJor6brcUZhZUhmYnU5WjNodxUwhjgCaR_CE7xv9xUWZS4KE-koSWknsoB3_ZLgHBQJEtPReWlUMh/s640/100_1110.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>A bad photo of a pretty project. Loved that floral fabric! There was also a beautiful bed skirt in the same floral as well. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaPKGE1YHHFH2FJaJljrH9WitNv7oB7c7HURdETTiO_HzuKNnGCT1-EQTQS5CbgvUBv238ox-pTe0feMY3yZNq1DGL_sr0Tbs2G0kwKntdfID0EXDT7kRugxZ-4QZesAiYmD_hmyfkzR5/s1600/100_2035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaPKGE1YHHFH2FJaJljrH9WitNv7oB7c7HURdETTiO_HzuKNnGCT1-EQTQS5CbgvUBv238ox-pTe0feMY3yZNq1DGL_sr0Tbs2G0kwKntdfID0EXDT7kRugxZ-4QZesAiYmD_hmyfkzR5/s640/100_2035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>These are the pillows I made for the room I did for the WHDH Boston show "Room for Improvement". Homeowners on a limited budget were paired with a designer for a room makeover. The episode was called "Bedroom Oasis". Unfortunately, the video is no longer available and they stopped doing the series. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I6i19wKqwsfmr2_OoSoPZE2KnToqHR3Dv9KZ0DXqExVkqTTsGe44qVJkSqHzrJii6-p6tF89lKalPwp_LqiTJUwvAgsnSNzbNyO9NuJPbTTpW9E_PkAG8dz2TuEW-5PzUsqVxfyXoZvo/s1600/100_2193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I6i19wKqwsfmr2_OoSoPZE2KnToqHR3Dv9KZ0DXqExVkqTTsGe44qVJkSqHzrJii6-p6tF89lKalPwp_LqiTJUwvAgsnSNzbNyO9NuJPbTTpW9E_PkAG8dz2TuEW-5PzUsqVxfyXoZvo/s400/100_2193.JPG" width="350" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUv8_digjvftehavrwf2AA0A2NNM2VrpKgKQ0_0gwbikiPpCcpUPZvE0rZe7kPafrxAXrAy8Jtl1TTtp9PsGJF8T-Fcr5sYH16CdRf_5qD3k_ZfOR9FOJlfsE39clxpEDVHYQsefzQEoV/s1600/100_3850_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="635" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUv8_digjvftehavrwf2AA0A2NNM2VrpKgKQ0_0gwbikiPpCcpUPZvE0rZe7kPafrxAXrAy8Jtl1TTtp9PsGJF8T-Fcr5sYH16CdRf_5qD3k_ZfOR9FOJlfsE39clxpEDVHYQsefzQEoV/s640/100_3850_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>This was a little settee that I bought at a second hand shop and recovered myself.  One of my favorite DIY projects. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC93FthG17vbBiKAiPB9BewUF3h5tnsP1Q4TqUqm4tluY8jYP4GsofPm5DV6Owbka8-FWtOBCVhyPww6zqsg2Oe6CaDxAwyiUpQj4sWoFPVMTLeHt_gwRWsnLJBKXxHesUOljDpcTECOK6/s1600/DSCN0979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC93FthG17vbBiKAiPB9BewUF3h5tnsP1Q4TqUqm4tluY8jYP4GsofPm5DV6Owbka8-FWtOBCVhyPww6zqsg2Oe6CaDxAwyiUpQj4sWoFPVMTLeHt_gwRWsnLJBKXxHesUOljDpcTECOK6/s640/DSCN0979.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />My Tiffany & Co. pillow and window seat cushion that I made for my Goddaughter. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8T_3eiqfRx1ElxvoZQF6zzzICJv10C16nPsjsdOb6SeXwq05_a1OewUKTKpjzLKv2My8V7srek8e8xlW_EkDtg5haHa7CNblzTQ4nU6GckKE9jJXfTJkLdUplOk-lb7mhlb-U4oOXeDR1/s1600/DSCN4410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8T_3eiqfRx1ElxvoZQF6zzzICJv10C16nPsjsdOb6SeXwq05_a1OewUKTKpjzLKv2My8V7srek8e8xlW_EkDtg5haHa7CNblzTQ4nU6GckKE9jJXfTJkLdUplOk-lb7mhlb-U4oOXeDR1/s640/DSCN4410.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />These are the pillows I made for the "Princess Bedroom" project for my long time client's 5 year old. Some day I'll actually get the whole room photographed. Maybe when she goes off to college... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfdGbyjcGLx9TDE8WmHYHqctM1lDNfdM7XPfhmhFyvMP19GuxcUpUHqA1o9dFupZh3dajVD7PJYyAiOAPJtsJUGMmyyiYTRGeviaxiBM8NncFGzI39BiTKCYJXOezIc_uGEmVkHaT-V4W/s1600/KZ+LR+pillows.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfdGbyjcGLx9TDE8WmHYHqctM1lDNfdM7XPfhmhFyvMP19GuxcUpUHqA1o9dFupZh3dajVD7PJYyAiOAPJtsJUGMmyyiYTRGeviaxiBM8NncFGzI39BiTKCYJXOezIc_uGEmVkHaT-V4W/s1600/KZ+LR+pillows.png" /></a></div><br />The <a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Boston-Townhouse_Living_Room_1-Interior_Design-Massachusetts.html" target="_blank">living room</a> in the town house of the Princess project above. Very limited view, but I made the pillows on the chairs, which had a stripped silk fabric on the back. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9K9OuxIXLgiKI8c-3JLM5OK3gQnZU_5ODOIgzRLaS4uSpaw-ut6Y6nJiWd3E3jleZKz_EJ_XH_hJwr6XkR60G8g2vHNTQ-v8YmYCxfevdDPmXyiNS_ba8tHiQsh1CL1WEmQMyyEsFWp9/s1600/Merrillbrpill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9K9OuxIXLgiKI8c-3JLM5OK3gQnZU_5ODOIgzRLaS4uSpaw-ut6Y6nJiWd3E3jleZKz_EJ_XH_hJwr6XkR60G8g2vHNTQ-v8YmYCxfevdDPmXyiNS_ba8tHiQsh1CL1WEmQMyyEsFWp9/s640/Merrillbrpill.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This was my bedroom, in one of my many decorative iterations. I made the duvet cover and long back pillow our of the green toile I purchased in Paris. The silk peach pillows in front were an experiment in "oragami" style fabric folding. They really did look like a rose blossom one upon a time!  The dark red shams were store bought, and I made the oblong pillows with the toile inset. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Romantic_Bedroom-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/LindaBedroomCross2010-filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="606" src="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Romantic_Bedroom-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_files/LindaBedroomCross2010-filtered.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And then another set of bedding. Note the same peach silk pillow. I made the roll pillow and the oblong silk pillows. The ruffled bedspread was from Brocade Home, before they went out. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Oceanside_Bedroom_4_-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_2_files/Nethpill2-filtered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Oceanside_Bedroom_4_-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_2_files/Nethpill2-filtered.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />These pillows were for the <a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Oceanside_Bedroom_4_-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_2.html" target="_blank">formal master</a> in an ocean front bedroom project I did several years ago. I made all the pillows, including the cute "starfish" pillow, which was meant as a kind of joke, but was still charming, I think. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSb8S7GjPUKmo2eO68vc8J6fBsNBWoG8_lbws3yqV3ETLOsA_dDje6p-oUg4QIGzo2Lca6ap6xH_hgRbX84yeV7QShPDs41LkUj_xrbwTR0oc224dhlQpng0MxmNFt5jW6TB_lj0z9NOX/s1600/BR+pillows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSb8S7GjPUKmo2eO68vc8J6fBsNBWoG8_lbws3yqV3ETLOsA_dDje6p-oUg4QIGzo2Lca6ap6xH_hgRbX84yeV7QShPDs41LkUj_xrbwTR0oc224dhlQpng0MxmNFt5jW6TB_lj0z9NOX/s1600/BR+pillows.jpg" /></a></div>These are some of the most recent pillows I've made. This for the <a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Duxbury-Master_Bedroom_1-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_2.html" target="_blank">master bedroom </a>in the Duxbury project I recently completed. Notice things have gotten much simpler with much less embellishment. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXJWUa_N3hHOJhcy4IMJ5CpK8A5LDywC2M6-i7WkvC9rQl6UaBTRD4bCX1m2_OoHx5HRhOXAIsLRRzkaVAE2IbROhZolzjx29rSkAecV4YQQxla0Y7h_UNKxbLn_UzJrOZcJS_zSPfpNc/s1600/Overhead+pillows.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXJWUa_N3hHOJhcy4IMJ5CpK8A5LDywC2M6-i7WkvC9rQl6UaBTRD4bCX1m2_OoHx5HRhOXAIsLRRzkaVAE2IbROhZolzjx29rSkAecV4YQQxla0Y7h_UNKxbLn_UzJrOZcJS_zSPfpNc/s640/Overhead+pillows.png" width="640" /></a></div>And this is the <a href="http://www.lindamerrill.com/Linda_Merrill/Portfolio-Duxbury-Casual_LIving_Room_5-Interior_Design-Massachusetts_2.html" target="_blank">living room</a> in the same project. I never got very good photos of these pillows, so some of the fine details are missing. For instance, I used the striped fabric to make the welting on the blue and tan medallion pillows as well as the small paisley in the corner. I love putting in those small details that many people won't notice, but some will, such as this client who has quite a discerning eye. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittW8ydEmsyxgzm3RP-mWKQK0OZd5AQgKD1aNREEoF_kxO2EDhFUCT1wGDT_ifb-nvr2CPM7qZD-Gi8WHgKBrBXZaHaI0NrKx2nA1TKqG8keoOVautx5JlrtHdzUBvy8ODYQP0V7Ue-cCi/s1600/100_0810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittW8ydEmsyxgzm3RP-mWKQK0OZd5AQgKD1aNREEoF_kxO2EDhFUCT1wGDT_ifb-nvr2CPM7qZD-Gi8WHgKBrBXZaHaI0NrKx2nA1TKqG8keoOVautx5JlrtHdzUBvy8ODYQP0V7Ue-cCi/s640/100_0810.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNeAEbjGcee9NHn4yVfVstejBD_b79X7o9p1ob31tGv8lq-r6TFk337xLP9lE2UbefSSpk2NjKB1UP3m63B5BQCblBPPW4uAF6h_TWoBmzNymKiUyVZ8TwX54Kc2QQ1x8WpnaeH1A5qJG/s400/il_fullxfull.1424368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNeAEbjGcee9NHn4yVfVstejBD_b79X7o9p1ob31tGv8lq-r6TFk337xLP9lE2UbefSSpk2NjKB1UP3m63B5BQCblBPPW4uAF6h_TWoBmzNymKiUyVZ8TwX54Kc2QQ1x8WpnaeH1A5qJG/s320/il_fullxfull.1424368.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />These cute crewel pillows were done for a guest room and paired with matelasse coverlet and shams. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWfB3xkeCYkd4U-0eLqDu0oVoGJdCCggPZHiVErugLWPkrmrjYLfz3-8LMwf01G-xsHtpBpNeVpZ23XsQrNCeu0Wxnlm29thp2S_9HQLqkuE6Q-JzQWt6iUZ5FdA0CF7E-G6CRzU9dOD0/s1600/000_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWfB3xkeCYkd4U-0eLqDu0oVoGJdCCggPZHiVErugLWPkrmrjYLfz3-8LMwf01G-xsHtpBpNeVpZ23XsQrNCeu0Wxnlm29thp2S_9HQLqkuE6Q-JzQWt6iUZ5FdA0CF7E-G6CRzU9dOD0/s640/000_0029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />So, of course, I have quite a stash of leftover fabrics. One of my favorite "projects" was for a fundraiser at the local library. I forget the details, but we were asked to dress or decorate a toy "dragon" to raise money for something. Dragon is the Duxbury, Massachusetts mascot (oddly). Anyway, I went a little overboard and made a complete bedding ensemble, plus a nightgown (possibly that was purchased and altered to fit)  and "dolly" for the dragon. Note the bunny slippers. I used a small unfinished serving tray that I picked up at Joanne Fabrics and painted it white, then made a mattress with sheet and coverlet, and the pillows. These fabrics, and the green cotton ball fringe,  should all look familiar. I think I bought a whole roll of the green ball trim on sale and used it everywhere for a while. I have no idea what happened to this or where it went. But I had so much fun making it!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOK6lf3EHSOIiCG8V2QyWBwvUYWpRfqKF9Bdv32oE_sl-R9BCsWHbDusMsk7XfbCFmYLX0lpi2EHWKiFfuBDzUew0O3bVDtGlbzXqpxeZMve3jR4GzYs2F18_A40CpUs7wB6xsMokcGWRg/s1600/000_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOK6lf3EHSOIiCG8V2QyWBwvUYWpRfqKF9Bdv32oE_sl-R9BCsWHbDusMsk7XfbCFmYLX0lpi2EHWKiFfuBDzUew0O3bVDtGlbzXqpxeZMve3jR4GzYs2F18_A40CpUs7wB6xsMokcGWRg/s640/000_0027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/s720x720/246591_4009606474437_1769155934_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="477" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/s720x720/246591_4009606474437_1769155934_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />And, here is my latest pillow "creation". I seriously just took a memo sample that I had lying around, took off the tag, sewed a seam and slipped in a pillow. I didn't even sew up the sides. Sad, but true! When I get bored with it, I'll rip out the seam, press the sample and return it. shh - don't tell coughkravetfabricscoughcough. <br /><br />I hope you enjoyed my little pillow parade. <br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Pillow talk

I was going through some of my portfolio photography files recently and came across a stash of photos of various pillows I've made over ...

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Design Community Comes Together: Friends Helping Friends

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZquO4JOLkKsFbEBF3Uj7JD27FCheKQK8aEZtE8cnnDR65FL-aFj7VWFdn5-bBqlhr-Tdtm7PR93E5L5ASEosnvKJwI3yt8PeaD6DEZmwEGV8iQ8FW1D5_HrZXjHiHi85EtKmt8c4n8Dt7/s1600/pin+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZquO4JOLkKsFbEBF3Uj7JD27FCheKQK8aEZtE8cnnDR65FL-aFj7VWFdn5-bBqlhr-Tdtm7PR93E5L5ASEosnvKJwI3yt8PeaD6DEZmwEGV8iQ8FW1D5_HrZXjHiHi85EtKmt8c4n8Dt7/s1600/pin+up.jpg" /></a></div>This is a different post from those I usually do here. But, interior design isn't just about pretty places and things. At its core - it's about people, how we live and enjoy our lives.  One of the most lively, effervescent and best people in the New England design community is in need of help and prayers. My friend, design colleague and fellow IFDA board member <a href="http://www.californiaclosets.com/natick/designer/TriciaLevangie" target="_blank">Tricia LeVangie</a> has just been diagnosed with metastatic bone cancer. Folks, it isn't good. After spending the summer in ever increasing physical pain, Tricia got a diagnosis that has sent a lightening bolt of shock through the community.<br /><br />For several years, Tricia has been a top-selling closet designer for California Closets. I didn't hesitate to refer her to a recent client of mine for their master bedroom and guest bedrooms. I knew all I needed to do was give her their number and all would be taken care of. She's just that good. <br /><br />But, closet design is only part of Tricia. The other part always has me in awe. Tricia is one of those people who is completely and totally unselfconscious.  She's completely free to enjoy life without inhibition and one of her great enjoyments is dressing up to the 9's and letting her inner Blaze Starr or Dita von Teese shine through. Yes, this woman of "robust figure" (to use one of her dancing friend's phrases) does burlesque dancing, belly dancing and probably fan dancing too. She's been known to post on Facebook about searches for sequins to outfit a bra or other costume creation. She knows how to shimmy and shake it, coconut bra included. I think you can see her zest for life in these photos: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rabdQbEqW6QuVpWFzgatf7O8v4nrM1OLOQkavYo_48FZDbgrNo_KSybxSwZ8DmnnfEo-GYDktTVbIRI-GgXuKdVx_YLwTIoEuPWJE4pytb_orEvS0t956zxuHJoist3pjpjuc-dmr7LE/s1600/Tricia+20s+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rabdQbEqW6QuVpWFzgatf7O8v4nrM1OLOQkavYo_48FZDbgrNo_KSybxSwZ8DmnnfEo-GYDktTVbIRI-GgXuKdVx_YLwTIoEuPWJE4pytb_orEvS0t956zxuHJoist3pjpjuc-dmr7LE/s640/Tricia+20s+party.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>At a 2011 IFDA 20's themed garden party. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_gnz2U2NDVApg9ModbhCL9bFMMeNhZQ_Q4Yw0D_TRtwRZn8t_6f6RKPa0DvUfTJgkWjEadE-gvAeipM_yehyphenhyphenXRYliU0XiSQmw_LHbx0Kv81YpfK2qCWgRhCH_vUCAqflB8gHlBThtyo-/s1600/NE+Home+party.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_gnz2U2NDVApg9ModbhCL9bFMMeNhZQ_Q4Yw0D_TRtwRZn8t_6f6RKPa0DvUfTJgkWjEadE-gvAeipM_yehyphenhyphenXRYliU0XiSQmw_LHbx0Kv81YpfK2qCWgRhCH_vUCAqflB8gHlBThtyo-/s640/NE+Home+party.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />At the 2011 New England Design Hall of Fame Awards Dinner<br /><br />She's also a pretty damn good closet designer: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRn5mnjlufOylHls3NVsewjNNAx0nldQc47SDTgsu3zgi-MxsG9hkNFq1av7h6h299n9xhD4hHHHyKmRnr-OSNuc_9V8tWCW98qnmrlFb5GHiyhCeX5twxU2XjOgGSWkgWoGbIwamLUUm/s1600/closet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRn5mnjlufOylHls3NVsewjNNAx0nldQc47SDTgsu3zgi-MxsG9hkNFq1av7h6h299n9xhD4hHHHyKmRnr-OSNuc_9V8tWCW98qnmrlFb5GHiyhCeX5twxU2XjOgGSWkgWoGbIwamLUUm/s1600/closet.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR6Q2WTXXnTlFOQvedA6paoY70tt8xf0aeojbBfRih7tQpdeOsZZMARxqpR9tyM0RSKhqDHxtnx_t1SUy9jBD7l2tu-sbc58Ozsb5XTmE1LuekmSo6KRvhdCz4yrH2CY4xTZVTEnfGBm6/s1600/Calif+Closets+design+of+the+month.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR6Q2WTXXnTlFOQvedA6paoY70tt8xf0aeojbBfRih7tQpdeOsZZMARxqpR9tyM0RSKhqDHxtnx_t1SUy9jBD7l2tu-sbc58Ozsb5XTmE1LuekmSo6KRvhdCz4yrH2CY4xTZVTEnfGBm6/s640/Calif+Closets+design+of+the+month.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_gnz2U2NDVApg9ModbhCL9bFMMeNhZQ_Q4Yw0D_TRtwRZn8t_6f6RKPa0DvUfTJgkWjEadE-gvAeipM_yehyphenhyphenXRYliU0XiSQmw_LHbx0Kv81YpfK2qCWgRhCH_vUCAqflB8gHlBThtyo-/s1600/NE+Home+party.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aClk63Iu79oovWdEej40cFs4NaAGpTo6dbWQAHryiBVi3Qdy71pSIgqiJLhtdT3LRN_Fs0yjMcqz6eW3UAit-jYcNQsg7EDHB2IiqUuBlDw1_XoUpzdurZrssJpvR6tQOArOoPvttQ5a/s1600/TerratElmsMBRCloset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aClk63Iu79oovWdEej40cFs4NaAGpTo6dbWQAHryiBVi3Qdy71pSIgqiJLhtdT3LRN_Fs0yjMcqz6eW3UAit-jYcNQsg7EDHB2IiqUuBlDw1_XoUpzdurZrssJpvR6tQOArOoPvttQ5a/s1600/TerratElmsMBRCloset.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_gnz2U2NDVApg9ModbhCL9bFMMeNhZQ_Q4Yw0D_TRtwRZn8t_6f6RKPa0DvUfTJgkWjEadE-gvAeipM_yehyphenhyphenXRYliU0XiSQmw_LHbx0Kv81YpfK2qCWgRhCH_vUCAqflB8gHlBThtyo-/s1600/NE+Home+party.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIC53J3373xk7J9f0_VJx-sD6kQHZwQfR6m89WeFny3ZlhqmZipJmj2C565qi8-SWL_q1yV4zlN4qxCYgdYtrA1jJ58NbJN9ndK5XDnJA4D3GUOl518nq1KVwOteh6rHw_THZ5I_oiAkP/s1600/6Mil+Sales+Cali+Closets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIC53J3373xk7J9f0_VJx-sD6kQHZwQfR6m89WeFny3ZlhqmZipJmj2C565qi8-SWL_q1yV4zlN4qxCYgdYtrA1jJ58NbJN9ndK5XDnJA4D3GUOl518nq1KVwOteh6rHw_THZ5I_oiAkP/s640/6Mil+Sales+Cali+Closets.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Tricia being awarded her $6Million dollar lifetime sales award for California Closets. <br /><br />Tricia is widely loved and respected, so it's no surprise that the design community is pulling together to give back a little something to her at this difficult time. As a commission-only worker, things get a bit dicey when you can't actually work. Closet design is a heavy-lifting kind of occupation and while she's been a trooper these last several weeks before her diagnosis, she's currently hospitalized.<br /><br />Her design trade networking group <a href="http://www.facebook.com/designindustryvendors" target="_blank">DIVNE</a> (Design Industry Vendor's of New England) has been working overtime to put on a great fundraiser to help do all we can do. Let's face it, none of us can help her physically, but we can help with our love and prayers and with money.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSWhyphenhyphenoA7CLgQe-t7WQ6FD28hfzWI5Dp032cus6uAepncHI6XvJRBHAuDpGTjEo9skHCXQnDITk9MVPD6FsvNPH4rtee4yE3t6W6C8cgVVKXiJK6Q4nsAadg3nGKydYsh9yVUTzDAqG-SR/s1600/Tricia+Funraiser+poster+update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSWhyphenhyphenoA7CLgQe-t7WQ6FD28hfzWI5Dp032cus6uAepncHI6XvJRBHAuDpGTjEo9skHCXQnDITk9MVPD6FsvNPH4rtee4yE3t6W6C8cgVVKXiJK6Q4nsAadg3nGKydYsh9yVUTzDAqG-SR/s1600/Tricia+Funraiser+poster+update.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />There will be a party on August 14th at <a href="http://gregorianrugs.com/" target="_blank">Gregorian Oriental Rugs</a> in Newton, MA. It's being billed as a "Fun Raiser" that will include a silent auction, belly dancers, great food and a lot of cheer. California Closets is providing all the food plus a $1000 gift certificate for the silent auction, IFDA is providing the booze, Gregorians the space and many others will be contributing too. <br /><br />All are invited to attend this party which is meant to be a life affirming event to show Tricia how important she is as a design colleague and as a person in the New England design community. A minimum contribution of $25 is requested. If you have a good or service you'd be interested in donating, it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Jacqui Becker at <a href="mailto:jacqui@beckerfinearts.com">jacqui@beckerfinearts.com</a>. If you can just give a few bucks, that would be greatly welcomed too. You can learn more <a href="http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=r6qkaseab&v=001BVj8qibBdX2zrKgJa-_yWfhbGLdEjBnpQYnrLpft1Rr_pwFb3Jpxu75eX4QdBogO9tY9USgv4IwzG9dcvBFJ0Ft4AN67smphe4F0IhQMoBC0GAM1xFx-Sw%3D%3D" target="_blank">here</a> or just go ahead and donate <a href="http://fundly.com/friendsoftricialevangie" target="_blank">here</a>. If all you do is take moment to send good thoughts out into the cosmos, it is welcomed as well. <br /><br />Thank you. <br /><br />

Design Community Comes Together: Friends Helping Friends

This is a different post from those I usually do here. But, interior design isn't just about pretty places and things. At its core - it...

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