On our January to-do list I put “go through all old magazines.”  What this means is to continue my growing collection of torn out pages from various (mostly Better Homes and Gardens) magazines that have inspired me in one way or another.  For a while it was great.  I’d only keep 5 to 7 pages out of a 100 page magazine and recycle the rest. But as I sat down to rid my house of all the magazines I hadn’t gone through yet, I realized that my small, manageable collection has grown so much that it can’t fit into 2 binders!

On my About page I say that this blog is a way for me to keep track of inspirational ideas.  So I’ve begun a new project: to find digital copies of my collection and put them up here.  These will be no - brainer posts.  They’ll mainly be an image with an explanation as to what struck my fancy.

So to start this off:

source: Better Homes & Gardens, April 2006 issue

Exterior House Design Idea for Ellis Manor

"Eclectic Charm"

Source: Southern Accents; Photo: Pieter Estersohn; Designer: Amelia Handegan

I like the mix of textures & it’s simplicity.  I really love the material on the bed!

]]> http://www.timandjeni.com/design/2009/06/01/inspiration/feed/ http://www.timandjeni.com/design/2009/04/08/whimsical-vs-eclectic/ http://www.timandjeni.com/design/2009/04/08/whimsical-vs-eclectic/#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:35:51 +0000 Jeni Ellis http://www.timandjeni.com/design/?p=44 When you think of whimsical, what do you think of? My first reaction is fanciful: fairies, wings, shimmer, iridescent materials & surfaces, very saturated colors. A while ago I was told that my house is whimsical. That word had never come to mind while thinking about this house. After mulling over that thought, I do hope that it is! I would love for people to feel like they’re in a special (maybe a bit magical) place when they visit.

To effectively plan that whimsical place I need to have an understanding of how whimsy and interior design relate. So my question is, what is whimsical design? In my quick but not thorough search, it appears that many eclectic designs are also described as whimsical. Mainly the term whimsical has been used to describe the decor, not a design style.

First, let’s define both terms. According to Marriam-Webster, whimsical is defined as: full of, actuated by, or exhibiting whims; resulting from or characterized by whim or caprice; especially: lightly fanciful (whimsical decorations); subject to erratic behavior or unpredictable change. Their definition for eclectic is: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles; composed of elements drawn from various sources.

Using the above definitions we can say that whimsical design is being unpredictable, characterized by surprises to the visitor; while eclectic design is well edited spaces that combine several styles. There are eclectic designs that are whimsical, and also designs that are whimsical but not eclectic.

To plan a whimsically designed space, keep its definition in mind. It’s to present the unexpected.

I tend to read about resumes every couple of months, hoping to find some new information that will help me create a winning resume. Recently, my attention has been drawn to the different types of resumes, and the concept of having a creative one.

About.com tells me that there are 5 different types of resumes: chronological, functional, combination, targeted & mini. The one I’ve have been sending out is chronological. Or, at least it used to be, before I deleted part of the “experience.” Lately, I’ve been wondering if I should rewrite it in a different format. My current resume reads as if I’m a recent graduate (which I was when I wrote it). I finished at AIS nearly two years ago! It also makes it painstakingly obvious that I’ve been out of work for a while. Plus, I am just bored with it! Given my experience level, a functional format seems like my best bet.

Since I’m entering into a creative field it makes sense that I also have a creative resume. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of examples of this. So, I’m on my own. I thought that a few appropriately placed sketches would be nice.

For the two of you who read this, I thought I’d share with you 2 drafts. I’m partial to Draft 2. Your feedback will be much appreciated.

My Current Resume (for comparison)
Draft 1 (pretty minimalistic)
Draft 2 (my plan is to put a sketch in the bottom left)

To be upfront: the “N&T Relocation” hasn’t happened yet, that is why it’s not on my current resume. It can’t happen till Norm & Teresa actually move.

From what I can tell resumes are supposed to be living. Which means that I’ll need to revisit mine again and again.

First off, I should clarify what I’m looking for. I would like to be hired for an interior design position that is not sales* and is within my commute threshold (about 20 miles). That’s my criteria. Since my husband is extremely good with money, a job is not financially necessary. That gives me a cushion to be a little more picky and able to hold out for a job I really want. There have been positions I’ve wanted, but they weren’t offered.

During this quest for employment I’ve been graciously offered several interviews, and have sent out numerous resumes.

Multiple times a day I look for new job postings. It’s easy with Google Reader! I love being able to check job searches from six different sites all at once. The sites I check are:

ASID Job Bank
Craigslist
Hotjobs
Monster
NW Jobs
Simplyhired

Each RSS feed is for a specific search, so I only get design related job postings. With Monster, I had to broaden the search in order to get interior design. That means I also see software design postings. Not really what I’m looking for, but oh well. =)

As soon as I see something I’m qualified for I review my resume, do some research on the company (if that information is given**), write a short email letter with a link to my portfolio & attached resume then send it off. I then wait for a response. If it’s a position that I’m extremely interested in (and had a contact email other than CL) I’ll send a follow up email or call a week or so later. I normally don’t hear anything back.

I’ve read lots of articles on networking. I’ve asked everyone I know to be on the lookout for me. Sadly, I must be in the wrong people group for design. I’ve joined a couple networking groups on Facebook, and posted my request for job leads. Surprisingly, I did get a response. But, when I responded, I heard nothing back.

My next steps are going to be:

• Contacting the career services department at AIS and asking if she has any leads. Their services were offered to me for 6 months after I graduated, but at the time I was working and so didn’t need any leads. (or so I thought) I probably will also try contacting other design school career services as well.
• Researching local Interior Designers and begin to approach them (one at a time) offering my services on a volunteer basis, in order to gain some experience.
• Stepping up my studies. I feel that some of my skills are still entry-level. I want to be able to offer an employer more than entry-level knowledge. I’ve registered for a CAD course, and will be looking for others. Hopefully I can find some for free since we are now without income. =)
• Offering my services as a barter on Craigslist. I’ve thought about this for a while. And well, what do I have to loose?

* To me a sales job = any job where your paycheck is related to commission – in any way

**Craigslist apparently does not require company’s to put their name in the job posting. So you often see a job posting that looks great, but don’t know who they are or where they are, and have no way of finding out other than the CL email provided. It’s more than a little annoying, and should be changed

I know what doesn’t inspire me: magazines (at least not initially), books, and what appears to me as the endless amount of photographs on the Internet. After looking back at my process of working through projects, I learned that I only found magazines helpful after I had idea of what I was looking for. I’d have a picture in my head of what I wanted, and then I set out to find it.

I get inspired when I see a blank space. My mind goes crazy with all the different ways it could be lived in. Sometimes that leaves me wishing I could supernaturally “create” what is in my head at the the time to see if I really like it. When a space is empty there seems to be no limits as to what it can be.

I get inspiration from beautifully designed spaces. When it first opened, I was enamored with the design of Forever 21’s accessory store For Love 21. I still walk in there just to look at the design - I’m not even interested in their products! Another place that sparks my imagination is Romy’s. It’s so unique and sophisticated. Interestingly, I gain inspiration from commercial spaces more than residential.

Inspiration also comes late at night when I should be sleeping. It crops up when I’m trying to solve a spacing problem. Possibilities and solutions race through my mind. More than once I’ve wished I could just take a snap shot of what my mind sees, and save it for later.

Lastly, I gain inspiration when I’m encouraged. It may sound strange, but it’s true. If I feel that someone thinks my design or idea is good, then I’m inspired to keep going.

B.G. Homework: Ask a Question

Creating an accent wall is an easy way of making a focal point. It’s particularly helpful in a boring room - one without any interesting architectural elements (which sadly is becoming more and more common). You can also use them to embellish an element that you want to use as your focal point; such as a fireplace, “character walls”* or art work. The choice of color used is extreme; anywhere from the strong contrasting hues to extremely subtle changes in shades. Mary Jo Bowling once stated that it’s like, “…applying makeup: Accentuate the best feature.” That’s a great analogy! Accent walls accentuate a room’s best feature.

I told my dad that I they are a fad. I really think they are. This was not a popular thing to 10 years ago, and I don’t think it will be 10 years from now. I think that the first step away from this trend will be to treat an accent wall with something other than paint. (this is already happening…) Instead of choosing a different color, why not decide to use some graphic wallpaper, or create a different texture? I think it would be awesome to have a wall resembling a waterfall.

If this is truly a fad, what will replace it?

Dad did believe me, but only because I could think (given just a few seconds) of four people/families that have painted an accent wall. It helped that I don’t know that many people living in houses.

*”character walls” is my way of describing walls that are oddly placed, shaped or generally have some sort of character. You’ll know one when you look at it and say, “Now why did they do that?!”

B.G. Homework: Ask a Question

Here’s a list of sites that I’d like to look at further:

Living Pod
Sramana Mitra Blog
Designer Blitz Blog
The Cool Hunter
decor8
Tara Larkin Interior Stylist

B.G. Homework: Write a Link Post