Genevieve Wiseman......

I have the utmost appreciation and love for Stylists. I don't think that there is a better job out there if design is your cup of tea. With that being said Genevieve Wiseman is one of those design Genius's. She is a Photo Stylist who does roomsets, tabletop, editorial & advertising. Her portfolio is stacked and her work is amazing. Please enjoy this mini interview with Genevieve.

When did you decide that you had a love for Styling?

Probably all my life - I was always moving furniture around in my bedroom to change things up when I was a kid. I also changed up the look over the years, it went from Merimeko to Laura Ashley bedding and everything in between on the walls.

My mother was a decorator for a brief stint and I remember I loved looking through all the heavy stacks of wallpaper books and going to furniture showrooms with her.

Do you consider yourself a designer as well?

Yes - overall, the same design principles apply. However the big difference is, it is a real 3D space and needs to function accordingly.

How long have you been in this field?

Full time for the past 5 years as a Stylist.

(Although, I did intern for House & Home magazine when I was in high school.)

Styling for magazines and advertising as I do, is also about photography. So I have been in the photo industry for over 10 years.

What has been your favorite project?

Styling for Target. I loved working with the photographer Mark Olson (so lovely).

Having a strong team is a real treat. Coming up with ideas and power shopping for multiple roomsets was both creative and challenging.

Favorite City?
San Francisco

Coffee or Tea?
coffee

Fall or Spring?
Spring - I love tulips

Brown or Black?

Black

Any tips for people wanting to start a career in Styling?

1) Look at lots of inspiration images and figure out what you like. It may be a theme, a color story, a certain trend. It always goes back to Susan Sontag for me, how it does what it does.

2) Go to stores/showrooms/flea markets and look at what is available to rent/borrow/buy and start to think about how it would look if it was photographed. Maybe pair it with something that is not the norm.

3) Meet up with photographers to shoot creatives to create a portfolio for yourself.

4) Go with the flow - it always works out in the end


Thank you so much Genevieve! You are one talented Chic!

Tea For Joy

Check out my interview over at Tea For Joy. Thanks Lynne! Also, don't forget to enter the fabulous giveaway!!!!

Monika Eyers

Domino.
Did I grab your attention with that one influential word? If you said no then your lying!! Just kidding:) But the truth is we all love Domino. We look forward to receiving our newest issue and soaking it all in.
Many of you recognize the name Monika Eyers as an editor for Domino. Well lucky for you, you get to learn a little more about her in this post. She is simply a fabulous person so please enjoy this interview with Monika.


How long have you been an Editor for Domino Magazine?
I joined the magazine in June 2004 as a Market Editor. There were just a few of us on staff in those days and we used to sit around the conference table brainstorming ideas for how the magazine should look, be organized, etc. It was during this time that I came up with the Monika Finds It column (which Eugenia has brilliantly taken over since I moved to London). We worked for nearly a year before finally launching the first issue in Spring 2005. It's a great experience to work on the launch of a new magazine and it's been amazing to watch how it's grown in such a short time (there's even a book coming out this month)! I eventually graduated to a Senior Editor before heading off to London where I am now a Contributing Editor covering the UK and Europe.

What does a typical day for you include?
Life today is 180 degrees from my days in New York! I was a happy workaholic at Domino, which is easy to become when you have such a fun job. Days involved researching story ideas, pounding the pavement in search of great new shops and products, preparing inspiration boards for various stories, meeting with publicists, going to launch parties, etc. All of which culminated in photo shoots for the magazine every month. A busy bee indeed!

Since moving to London, I've gone from the hare to the tortoise which was been an interesting change. I work from home now so the day usually begins with a coffee and Larry King (it's on in the morning here), then a jog in Holland Park and "office hours" in the afternoon to bridge the morning in New York. I have found the change of scenery incredibly inspiring so I'm always sending ideas back to the office. I still scout shops for beautiful things to report back on, and meet with publicists often to keep in the loop, but I'm no longer running around like a headless chicken. And I'm always shamelessly asking people "how's your house??" in hopes of finding a gem!


How do you define great style?
Any room, no matter what style, needs a balance of proportion and scale but for the truly stylish, I think one look is easy to pull off, it's the blending that is an art. Throwing it a bit off kilter, adding an element of surprise, a dash of the unexpected… Even the most classic iconic room, outfit, whatever, is better if something unexpected is thrown in. Mastering the art of that, while avoiding an overt identity crisis, is what I consider great style.


How do you define your style?
Dare I use the exhausted phrase "boho chic" but it does capture the look I tend to favor. I love classic elements mixed with ethnic accents (rugs, poufs, textiles) and, adhering to the aforementioned rule, a modernist element to break it all up (like my sleek B&B Italia sofa). This combination is pretty much my signature look no matter where I'm living - in New York it was a modern loft and now in London it's a traditional Georgian flat.


Who are your style icons?
I think a style icon surpasses the boundaries of just dressing well or just decorating a house well. They are who you look to for inspiration holistically and they make everything look so easy. For me, two people that embody this are Carolina Irving and Diana Vreeland.

While I've never me her, I so admire Irving's aesthetic and seemingly effortless ability to make disparate things flow together seamlessly. She has such a great eye and a clever edit of the choices before her. Every time I see a photo of her home or her fabric collection or her outfits, I just think "genius!"

I've also read a lot about Diana Vreeland and find her absolutely fascinating. The term maverick has been popularized in today's political sphere and Vreeland epitomized a maverick in her day. Her strength, confidence and gumption in business, fashion and her home were aw-inspiring. She made her own rules and flew by the seat of her pants with an uncanny ability to make over the top opulence feel as natural as the day is long.

Carolina Irving

What is your favorite item in your home right now?

My Julian Chichester "Dakota" dining table. I needed an oval pedestal table to fit the space and searched high and low for the perfect piece. I love the Saarinen but wanted something a bit less modern. This table is the same shape but with a rosewood top and a shiny hammered nickel base. It's classic meets The Jetsons.


Favorite place to live?
Having spent a number of summers in the Hamptons on New York's Long Island, I fantasize about living out there full time some day. I've just always loved how it's on the beach with beautiful little village towns and great restaurants, shopping and galleries; but also very country, with farms, fields and vineyards everywhere. It's like the best of both worlds and is as lovely off season as on.


Who would you like to meet and have lunch with?
I always wanted to sit down with Ilse Crawford at something more intimate than a press party. Then we did have lunch once, at her home no less, and I swear I could hardly speak. When you lunch with someone you've long admired it is SO intimidating, no matter how nice they are and how cool you'd like to think you'll play it!


What would people be surprised to know about you?

I have a fear of impending doom! I'm always afraid that something bad will happen. Someone will break in, we'll get into an accident, a bus will explode on the street just as I'm walking by (seriously), the plane is going to crash, there's probably a shark in the water, the list goes on and on and on….


Favorite coffee or Tea drink?
Daily, it would be a grande skinny wet latte with a dash of vanilla powder from Starbucks. Ever, it would be Jamaican Blue Mountain drip coffee (which I did a Monika Finds It on once) – it's beyond delicious.


What is one goal you have for this next year?
To go on Safari! I have such wanderlust and I really want to take this time while I'm living in London to experience the world a bit. My two big prerequisites before returning to the States are to see India (where I'm off to next week) and to go on Safari.

James Saavedra

When I found James blog, Decor Fellow, I was SO excited for the chance to read what inspires this L.A based designer and consultant, product developer, furniture designer and TV star (TLC's "Clean Sweep"). James Saavedra is an incredibly talented and front running designer who can pretty much do anything he puts his mind to. James was kind enough to answer some questions for simplygrove readers to enjoy! Thanks James!



When did you discover that you loved design?
That is a good question. I don’t think it was so much of a discovery…it kind of just is. If that makes sense? I think often we do not see the gifts that come naturally to us because these gifts just seem natural…dare I say, ordinary. So I would say that my love for design has been a constant. From the times as a child picking out distinct shades of blue for my bedroom, or “painting” with a Lite-Brite. Honestly, being creative was a way to escape to a world where I felt normal…like myself. I think it was my coping mechanism. It was not until much later that I realized being creative was something I was “good” at---and it was not until much, much later that I realized that design could actually be my path.


What has been your favorite venture in the design world?
My past previous venture has to be earning my degree in International Product Development and Manufacturing from FIDM. I was mentored by the Pottery Barn and we got to create product lines for an upcoming Spring season. I was able to travel to Europe to learn how to forecast trends and experience how fashion influences home goods. I was able to travel to Asia to source manufacturing. It was such an eye-opening experince both professionally and culturally. My focus was creating “higher-end” goods but still offering them within the P.B. pricing structure.
Currently, I am most excited to be launching JAK Studio Collection with my partner and friend Kelly LaPlante. It’s a furniture line that is all about smart, sophisticated silhouettes while maintaining sustainable practices. Our furniture is quite sexy –if I do say so myself! 

Do you feel more comfortable on screen or with clients one on one?
First, let me say that Clean Sweep was a terrific learning curve. One that I still can pull from today. Being on camera is much different than meeting face to face. Lines can be scripted…situations enhanced...designs altered. After all, it is TV right? I am lucky, I guess, that I can feel comfortable with a crew of twenty around me. I would certainly entertain another TV gig…given the right circumstances. However, I must admit that there is nothing like developing a genuine and lasting relationship with a client. To me it’s just more personal. 
Will you always be involved with some aspect of design?
Absolutely. 

What is a goal you have for your business?
My goals are so varied—I think that comes natural being a creative individual. There are many skills that come naturally that I would love to nurture and see what happens. That said, I do have a couple goals narrowed down:

1. I truly believe that everyone deserves the best life – one with beauty and style so it is my goal to create various product lines that will bring this belief into people’s lives. I am currently working on a trademark and copy right for these ventures. Plus I am in the middle or a re-design of my web site.
2. I believe in quality over quantity so I aim to have solid, quality projects over a roster full of so-so ones.
3. I am a big believer in giving back and that education can be a fantastic springboard for advancement. So, I would like to offer at risk youth the tools to design and ultimately be able to provide an education for them to explore their talents.
4. I really have been dreaming about a little prefab home on an acre or two of land to escape to. I am thinking LV Homes. They are amazing.
5. To live well and happily. To love well and happily. (I know it is not a business goal but I think it is important.)
6. To inspire others to consider the importance of every detail and experience a life well lived.

What inspired you to start a blog?
In my first post, I mentioned that my blog actually was born out of a need to be more organized and to create a virtual notebook of designs and inspirations that, too often, end up in a pile or a folder. I was totally unfamiliar with blogs until I stumbled upon one while searching for a photographer. Hours later, I found myself still reading blog after blog. Honestly, I figured that I would be my only reader…maybe a close friend or two. I never imagined I would stumble upon such a fantastic and welcoming community. Each day I discover a new blog and a wonderful new person. I still don’t think I have my head wrapped around it.

Favorite Coffee or Tea Drink?
If its coffee then it’s has to be an Americano with Almond milk or Soy. If its tea…any green tea will do.
Favorite dinner meal?
Hmm. Now this one is so tough. I am going to say my favorite dinner meal is one that is shared with good friends and loved one. If the company is great the food is not that important.




Do you prefer muted tones or bright tones in design?
I prefer to live in a soothing environment with pops of bright tones. But I really like all tones—it is really dependant on the application.
Favorite Design book of all time?
Hands down--Learning to See by Vicente Wolf. It was the first book that really hit home and made me say “yeah. This is it!” I am a firm believer that design really goes beyond a pretty room. As Vicente says so eloquently, “ You come to understand the soul of a space.” I believe you can discover so much about yourself through your space. It really is an extension of you…it is much more about becoming aware of what brings you joy than it is about the perfect furniture arrangement.
What would you call your personal design taste?
It is so funny how taste evolves as you travel through life. At one point I was all about bright bold colors…read turquoise cabinets! But I find, at least in this moment, I gravitate most to a world that is filled with soft whites and ivory; accented with warm metals like bronze and punctuated with dots of silvery lilac and buttery yellow. 
I can see that I lean towards a classic line but one that is tweaked slightly toward a modern take. I am a proponent of tactile senses and textures. I believe in a mix of high and low. I like to add a bit of sparkle or shimmer. I believe that each and every detail matters. Above all I design with the belief that when you walk into to a room you should have an emotional connection.

Desire to Inspire

There are a number of amazing blogs out there and some of them really stand out. There are a number of reasons a blog is not just a normal blog but a fantastic blog. One reason may be that they do there homework really well. Another reason could be that they are always on the cutting edge of design. Desire to Inspire is one of those FANTASTIC blogs. One of the two authors, Jo, recently answered a few questions for me. She is a wonderful person. Both Kim and Jo have incredible eyes for design and know how to pick good eye candy for there readers. Enjoy.
(BTW, Jo has an etsy store!)

When did Kim and Yourself decide on starting a blog?
In January 2007 after we had met on Flickr. We both loved beautiful interiors and had huge collections of images and links we had been hoarding for ourselves. We finally knew what to do with them. Time to share!!!


When did you both become interested in design?

Kim has always had a love of design and has honed her skills on her homes. Although she has never been formally trained she has a fabulous natural talent. I guess you'd say she has the eye. I'm actually trained as an interior designer. How did I get into it? Late. I had other careers before but after meeting architects and interior designers I knew it was for me. Then I changed careers again :)




Do you like working as a partnership?

YES! Blogging can be tedious and lonely and hard work. It's great to have someone to share the work load, to bounce ideas off and it's fabulous to have made a really really good friend. Kim and I don't only share interiors and links with each other we share tears and laughs. I've never met her and never heard her voice but she is a true friend!


What inspires you in the design world?
The unexpected, green design, bright colours and for me retro.



Do you prefer white or cream? Black or brown?

White, black.


What is your favorite online decor store?

Am I allowed to say eBay and Etsy? I'm a firm believer in repurposing, recycling, reuse and supporting the artist or craftsperson.


What is your favorite design magazine?

Australian magazines Inside Out, Real Living, Vogue Living and Belle. International? Elle Decoration UK Edition.



What has been your most memorable post?

They all are. I love readers' homes and dog on a chair and I really really like doing my retro posts. The most memorable Kim post is easy .... her pink kitchen redux. My God the reaction she got! It's amazing what some outrageous paint and a great sense of style can do when you have no money!


What advice do you have for other design blogs?

Find your niche, do your homework and cite your sources. Actually what I'd really say is have fun.

Lisa Bengtsson

When I think of an absolutely talented designer who has ran towards her dreams, Lisa Bengtsson comes to my mind. This 27 year old graphic designer from Sweden has worked very hard and has succeeded at pattern design, illustration design, graphic design and now the most fabulous part, she is a wallpaper designer of one of my most favorite wallpaper lines. Her 2 wallpaper projects, ” The Family” and “Svärmor” are wildly popular.
I was able to ask her a few questions via email. (I so wish in person.) She seems wonderful and I must say that we have a few things in common even if we do live over 5,000 miles apart.
Enjoy!

Where were you born?
1981 in a little town called Gnosjö in the south of Sweden. But now I live in Stockholm

When did you realize that you wanted to design?
I’ve always been fond of creative work and painting. When I grew up I liked to communicate by the means of; visualization, colors, form, pattern and typography, which today has become my job. Design for me is about communicating a certain feeling to other people. The day I realized I could communicate that feeling through my own creative ability, I decided I want to become a designer.

What places inspire you?
antiquarian bookshop

What is your favorite coffee or tea drink?
I love tea….and the best is …hmm let me see chai tea

What is your favorite local shop?
katitzi

What design inspires you the most?
It is different but i don´t have any special, But I am more inspired of old things, photos and other stuff

Do you prefer black or brown? Cream or white?
black and cream white

How did you come up with the idea for your “Svärmor” wallpaper?
The name is “Svärmor” which means, “mother in law” in Swedish. It’s a pattern made out of singular shoes coming from different periods in my life. Why shoes? There is something special about a pair of shoes. It’s an accessory we always need to wear, which changes its appearance depending on where we go. Each shoe breaths a history of our life – some of them stay forever,
others leave only a footprint behind. What I like the most about shoes is their profile, silhouette and the relationship between its shape and shadow. “Svärmor” brings to mind the issue of our consumption society and ask the question; do we really need so many new pair of shoes each season? Do we? Maybe we do, this wallpaper is a contribution to all the shoe lovers out
in the world. But why the name mother in law? Well, mother in law is also a happy family member.

Who is your favorite clothing designer?
I like Acne it is a swedish company how do really good stuff

What thing in your makeup bag can you not live without?
rosch (I don´t know how it spells but the red/orange powder you put at the cheek

Exhibitions: Top Drawer Spring LONDON 2008

Thank you Lisa for a fun interview!!!!

Fabien Barral

I had the oppurtunity to do a mini interview with one of Europe’s up and coming designers. Fabien Barral is actually a graphic designer but hopes to use graphic design differently as home decor. You have probably seen his work on design sites or blogs. He works with his wife and I have a feeling that we will see much more to come from this duo!!

Where do you live?
We live in the country, in the middle of France, near the moutains… an old 100 years old house…

How long have you been married?

We get married in 2001 and have a wonderfull girl, Thais, born in november 2003.

Do you and your wife enjoy working together?Well, it is very motivating and we have nice creative moment… But sometimes, we would prefer not to talk about work 

Who is your all time favorite designer?

My friend Reno Orange, graphic designer… : http://www.graphic-exchange.com/exellence/reno.htm

Where do you find inspiration
In graphic design, as it is my passion and work for years… I put everything that inspires me here :http://www.graphic-exchange.com

Do you sell in the states?

We ship worldwide, so we sell in the States. We have some reseller contact but as we just start the workshop, not shop resell them yet… soon i guess seeing the feedback we have.

Thank you so much Fabien for sharing a bit about yourself!
Please check out his site’s.
http://www.harmonie-interieure.com/home.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/harmonieinterieure/
www.fabienbarral.com