But……. Happy Turkey Day to you anyway. We know many of you are migrating our way like mallard ducks . We ask you to keep sober while driving your golf carts at the club, and to leave some room for us at the restaurants on 3rd Street.

So gobble , gobble to all , enjoy your day with family and friends. It is just that ours is a little more , well, perfect here in south west Fla!

Peggy Oberlin registered interior designer fla 4986

Yesterday my husband Marc and I took our clients who are building the LEED for Homes up to the Sarasota Salvage Yard. It is a fantastic place full of old  rusty wrought iron fence parts , concrete statues which include  menacing gargoyles , massive wood beams , and dusty stained glass windows. All wonderfully a little worse for the wear , patinaed in a way if imitated , we would pay hundreds for.

We spent 4 hours in the sticky heat of the midday , wandering  the yards that resemble decaying New Orleans graveyards , or indoors in the old un-airconditioned warehouse. The owners blare funky old 70′s Music into the space. They offer you a beer while you explore down  the aisles  full of old door knobs , striped boatyard furniture pieces , and baskets of rusting chains. It makes for a glorious if sweaty afternoon.

Pickin or Salvaging pieces for the home is a great Green solution to your Interior Design needs. Reuse is Eco-Friendly , but so much more.

The act of “discovering ” something special admist all the other junk  gives us some wonderful memory points in our projects. It actively engages both you and your client’s creative process , forcing you to look beyond what is and to see what can be.  It is a bonding experience between you and your client , and gives some history to your relationship as well.

We all embrace the artist within when Pickin. It is no different than throwing a lump of clay on a wheel and crafting the pot hiding inside. You kind of know what you will be Re-lifeing out of a rickety wood wagon wheel , but still are surprised and delighted at the light fixture that it is reincarnated as.

Interior Design can be predictable , practical , and even technical. Sounds a little boring , but all is a necessary part of the process. Salvaging some pieces for a project gives you a opportunity to step out of the vanilla box of the furniture showrooms , and engages the inventor inside you.

 Sometime this week ,explore the possibilities of what might be from what all ready is. Head out to a garage sale , flea market , antique show , or even that old junk cluttering up your back room. Create , Imagine , Invent , Re-Purpose , and Be the Artist!

It is Mid-Week and we often feel stuck on top of the Merry-Go-Round , waiting for the wheel to spin toward Friday. Today wake up your brain by doing something truly original. Birth your own Mona Lisa.

Peggy Oberlin Fla registered Interior Designer 4986 

The Day of Enlightenment has a sub theme entitled “Live Like A Butterfly”.

 Our Chapter has brought in an ASID Distinguished Speaker Angela Merola to present her outstanding 2 hour CEU on Client Magnetism. It is about attracting who and what we want into our  business of Interior Design. Those attending will find out that it applies to about every avenue of life though.

A Butterfly lives a simple , short ,  and beautiful life going from flower to flower seeking the sweetess nectar during it’s finite journey. I often have watched Monarchs in the Butterfly Garden first hatching out , then drying and flexing their wings . They travel forth to look for the best that the garden has to offer. The butterfly needs no inspiration , it is born with an imprint on it’s DNA that tells it what will bring it the most joy and fulfillment.

As Interior Designers we often seek inspiration from  places , people around us , and even the past. We walk beaches gathering pearlescent sea shells , climb mountains to breathe crisp air and gaze down into the valleys below. We stroll through gardens where our senses  are awakened by the brilliance of the blooms surrounding us.

Some of us attribute much of the wonder emc us to a higher power and acknowledge the presence of something greater than us. We feel that our Inspiration comes from this Divine Presence within our lives.

Others feel we must seek out our Design Inspirations. We visit  museums and study great artists, hoping their work will ignite a spark of creative passion within ourselves.

I think it is a combination of both. We have both Divine and Design Inspiration. Sometimes we are gifted with an explosion of artistic genius from seemingly out of nowhere. Sometimes we fight far to find it. And sometimes we journey forth with a so-called plan that changes dramatically, and yet happily by one of those out-of-the blue jolts that gives us an unexpected Muse.

I hope that you have found the ways to Inspire yourself on this brief flight through life on Earth. May you ultimately find , however many roses you stop and smell , the one that ignites the fire in your soul. The trigger to your own unique gift , and the pathway to sharing it.

It is Friday , we are inspired to think about the weekend ahead and what snatches of time we might steal to be our true selves. May you Live Like A Butterfly , even for one special day.

Peggy Oberlin RID #4986

However I do have some wonderful adventures discovering interesting things about Naples on about every  peddling excursion.

One of my favorite places is around and behind the Naples Airport , which is not too surprisingly located on Airport Road . (Must be a correlation there)

In any case , it is oddly peaceful near the Airport with many meandering pathways.

This morning along the way Marc stopped to clear some Brazilian Pepper tree branches that overhung the sidewalk. Only Marc bikes around with branch clippers.

We then continued back around the South side of the Airport where these non native (Thailand ) yet non invasive flowering vines grow up the fence on the runway side. I tried digging some up to plant in our yard , but I managed to kill them. They are used as a natural anti depressant , I have not attempted chewing them yet , so can not verify that. However after certain work days , I may end up digging them up again.

There is a whole area behind the Airport on the West end of long ago forgotten bike paths.

They cross a bridge and through some mangroves where  pissed off fiddler crabs wave their claws in anger every time we come by.

There are also some majorly large pipes going in back there which the supervisor told me are for reclaimed water usage. Not sure where they reclaimed it from , so if your toilets get low….

In any case happy trails to you and us as well. I also got this strange bike seat without a front that was made for women to keep things kind of hanging in the air , lol.

So Happy Friday , the mornings in Florida are the coolest and most beautiful times of the day. Go out and experience the beauty surrounding us all.  It is good for the body , mind , and soul.

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

This and me cooking too much carbohydrate filled food has long been part of our traditional celebration. Add to it that my grandson Dakota birthday is the 4th, and you see why it is one of my favorite holidays.

This year my family is scattered to the four winds , and my husband and I will be going over to my sisters for a cook out , then later down to the Naples Pier to watch the city boom booms erupt. Even though my grandson  Dakota was just with me for a few days ,and I leave Friday to see my daughter Amber and her family out West , I will miss our Oberlin style 4th of July.

Let us all enjoy this uniquely American Holiday is our own ways , appreciating the Freedom we enjoy , the Independence of spirit we represent , and the greatness that is our history. And have Fireworks , lots and lots of colorful  , spinning , noisy ,ones!

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

I began to wonder why we all make time for a Vacation and not a Creation. Vacation by definition is about taking a break , leaving , a respite , a rest. About going away from current things. Creation is about artistry ,  beginnings , a new product , idea . It is a way of giving life , it is about arrivals.

One of the biggest differences between us and the Chopins , Picassos , and Edisons , is that they made time for their passions , art , creations , and inventions. You can argue that they had genius , which is true. But , have you really spent enough time developing your own gifts?

If you even took a  week away from your “real life” to fully focus on that painting you have inside , book you longed to write , table you wished to construct , just  think of the amazing benefits you would receive. You would be more emotionally and spiritually fulfilled , you would re-energize your creative other self , you may even find financial awards from it.

So let’s all get out the calendar to plan a Creation. We are really good about remembering the down time away , and that is good too , but there is so much more to gain from making a concentrated effort to feed our inner Genius.

Today is Tuesday , it is windy , rainy , and feels like it should be Thursday all ready. I suggest we all find even 15 minutes to give to something that we are dreaming to do. Just because .

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

Recently I toured The Art Institute of Chicago. It is of course a fabulous museum that represents a broad genre of artistic genius . I am posting some small sections of famous paintings today , to show how easy it is to recognize a distinctive style.

We as Interior Designers often seek to showcase our unique point of view through our designs. How we implement color , our flair for space planning , the way we light a room, whatever we feel that highlights our differentness.

But is your work being recognized in a positive way that proves you have reached your audience , not recognized at all , or worst yet recognized as a she/he always does that ?

It is one thing to be known for example for your unusual use of color in accessories. It is a whole different thing for the word out there to be that you always do beige interiors. It can be a proud accolade if the reviews back to you are about

your creative contemporary creations , but a let down to learn that they knew it was you because you always use Mid Century tables.

It can be a fine balance between having a Distinctive Design Style , and falling into a design rut. Are you showing the special point of view that you work endlessly toward expressing? Or have you fallen into a this- is -easy- for- me -so -I -will- use -it -again mode?

One way to find out if you have developed a visual Brand is to ask your clients , colleagues, and friends about how they identify your look , or if they can identify it at all. It will soon become apparent by the adjectives if you are becoming a style icon , or slipping into a repetitive form of presentation.

We seek to be leaving an imprint that is undeniably ours in the viewers brains , in the same way you would recognize a  Monet. First thought  is Impressionist , then we see water lilies , bridges , certain colors , etc. You embrace a familiar image with appreciation and even positiveness , not boredom.

If  you are all over the place and nothing recognizable comes to mind at all with your Interior Designs , then you want to work on that as well. To have a Brand we need to have shown a look that becomes  associated with your company. “They always do the most amazing kitchen designs”. ” I know that is XYZ Designs because of the marvelous use of natural materials”. Not ,” Oh there is that purple again.”

Take some time to review your work and refine or even identify your Distinctive Design Style. If you find you do not have one , seek to develop your point of view. To not have a style may mean you are not really putting enough of yourself into your work.Your soul so to speak. Find your artistry , your creativity , find you.

Today is Wednesday often a tough day to feel inspired or introspective. Seek that 15 minutes where you work on the youness in your designs . Review , edit , renew , refine , and then Design!

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

You know Pitbull has it right with his new hit song. Sometimes we do have to look back in time to understand what the future may bring. In the case of Interior Design , this is a relatively short trip because as a recognized profession , we are in our infancy.

Although we first historically had seen signs of people working as Interior Designers in ancient India , it has really been only since the 1950s that Interior Design has been an accepted profession.

Interior Designers started out as artisans , artists , crafts people , and others with a creative bent who began to sell their services in the job of home decoration.

Interior Design has been a female -driven profession , and still is , where pioneers like Candace Wheeler , Elsie De Wolfe , Eileen Gray, and Dorothy Draper paved the way for the women of design today. They were  visionary business women who reshaped the spaces around them , as well as creating new products and furnishings to occupy these spaces. Much as Interior Designers do today.

Today in Interior Design what we bring from the past is that we need to continue to explore the limitless possibilities of our profession. Will you be designing the interior of the first commercial space station on the moon? An underwater hotel off Dubai? What sustainable and technical products will you play a role in creating?

In addition all Interior Designers need to continue to uphold high standards for the profession. Through education , testing , and accepted accreditation. We broke away from the umbrella of other professions such as architecture for a reason. We are a unique in our skill sets . We are needed by the public. We are independent business people. We have value and a place in the build industry.

Interior Design is a young , vibrant profession with a future so bright and expansive that we will experience rapid growth and changes within your life time. As always we must continue to stand strong and remember the pioneers who came before us , while making way for those following into the wonderful career.

Today is Tuesday , a day that brings a rare natural phenomena , the site of Venus crossing the Sun. May you find a rare and beautiful moment yourself today , where something wonderful begins to transpire in your own life.

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

With the advent of the Internet , it became child’s play for anyone to look up multiple sources to purchase whatever they were interested in buying. As an Interior Designer we are often hired to specify furnishings , artwork , window treatments , floor coverings , and the like. Once upon a time in a land that now seems far , far away, you could sell those items to your client and make a decent profit.

What does an Interior Designer do however when their client looks up everything they have selected for them on line ,  and declares it cheaper on the net ? Suddenly you are angry at a less than ethical client , but maybe also angry at yourself for being in the situation.

All you have to sell is really your Intellectual Property . And that is what you were actually hired for. In that case it makes it easy to recognize the  true  product ; meaning your creative ideas , technical abilities , and knowledge of the industry and it’s sources. Your clients seek to purchase what is between your ears. And there is no replacement for it on the Internet. Yes they can find another Interior Designer , who also is selling his or her Intellectual Property as well.

How do you package , market , and sell your Creative Visions , Professional Skills , and the like becomes the question.

1. Forget about focusing on selling products. Draw up a separate purchase agreement based on your over- head and other costs of doing business factors .  Make sure you include freight , delivery , ordering time , assistant time , anything that needs to be covered when you must buy and sell an item. This should be shown as a cost plus percentage. Remember this is an option to your most valuable services and product , the ones flowing out of your brain. This is a bonus , not the basis for your project profits.

2. Work with your book keeper or CPA , and your own historical business records and determine your monthly expenses including salaries , assistants , rent , advertising , etc. The cost of you doing business. Calculate in the profit you would like to make a month as well. You will want this to be a realistic figure , not too low that you end up at the Food Bank , and not too high that you price yourself above the competition. Divide the information you have gathered by the number of hours or days you usually work and you will have your flat or hourly fee.

3. Remember Interior Designers are lovers of beautiful things . We want to sell them because we want to see them installed at our projects. And yes , as well as make money from them. However , never lose focus on the fact that the only item you can sell that is difficult to find somewhere else is your Intellectual Property. Treat it like gold , because it is.

It is Thursday , a  blessedly  short work week for those that had Monday off. Do you value yourself properly ? Do you place a high enough price on the intrinsic uniqueness that is you? Recognize your worth and enjoy the abundance.

Peggy Oberlin RID 4986

Can we ever really add too much color? Yes , we actually can ,  although we rarely do. This is because people are usually so afraid of going from a Vanilla box directly to a garish , wild Gypsy palette , that they under accentuate the hues they have selected.

Like everything else in life the answer to color balance is found in Mathematics. Yes good old percentages. Let the 70-20-10 formula reign supreme and you will find the right way to domesticate any color combinations you would like to uncage in you abode.

What this means is that 70 per cent of one color must form the background  of the room , that could be  a neutral , a  cool  shade , warm tone , or even natural (wood and stone are color) hue. Your secondary colors should be about 20 per cent of the color combination , usually seen as upholstery , rugs , maybe large paintings , etc. And finally 10 per cent of the room encompasses your accent colors . Or what we now call your “pops” . This final 10 per cent can even consist of 2-3 colors , for example turquoise , orange , and emerald . As long as the proportion they occupy in your space is no more than 10 per cent of the overall scheme.

Are their colors you can’t use together? No. That’s all just no. I have used red and orange , purple and peach , anything you can think of as a palette. As long as the colors are of equal intensity and have a  fabric print or artwork that bridges them (includes both colors) anything is possible , and ultimately ends in a successful design.

So feel free to adopt those wild colors , just tame them with the formulas above , and bring some excitement into your home life.

Happy Memorial Monday , and thank you to all those brave men and women that gave the greatest gift of all , themselves.

Peggy Oberlin 4986