A Downton Abbey Party I styled for A-Line Magazine

I'm so excited that this is finally out in print! It was difficult to keep quiet about it because the party idea and event was so much fun. I'll be posting periodically on the delicious menu, creative decorations and theme implementation in the coming days and weeks, but until then, I'm so proud to show some photos from A-Line Magazine. By the way, that cover is a beautiful photo of the Madisono's grapefruit sorbet...so delicious to look at and eat! Read the entire article for free here.

Harmonizing text in Save the Date photo cards

I wrote an article in the May issue of Lemonade and Lenses, a fabulous look book of photographs submitted by talented photographers. This issue featured weddings and my article was about fitting text harmoniously into a photocard such as a save the date. This is an example of a design adjustment with text and a beautiful photograph by Kisa Koenig Photography.

My first ikat inspired designs

I gave the ikat designs a try the other day and I'm pleased with the results. It was a lot of fun to play around with the brushed look. To create the designs, I pulled out the old paint and paper. I sketched the basic shapes I wanted to use for pattern-making with a pencil and then used a dry brush and black paint to create the look of fibers pulling down from the images. Then I scanned that in, created a .tif file in black and white, brought it into Illustrator and used the Live Trace function to create vector art. After that, the options were endless.

This is really a sneak peek into the designs I'm creating in preparation for the Surtex show at the Javits Center in NYC this May. I'll be exhibiting as a senior designer with the group A Fresh Bunch. Here is an idea of how I see these designs playing out into a tote bag.

I particularly like this colorway with the pinks, corals and reds. I have another color way with blues that I created with my sister Alex in mind. She loves blue and white patterns. It's funny, now that I think about it, we used to have sister outfits in those color ways. Mine was always in the pinks and reds and hers were in the blues. I remember getting kind of mad about that and insisting on blue things at one point, but funny how that kind of thing sticks with you.

Here is the photo that inspired the colors. I maintain a Pinterest board with images that inspire new color combinations here if you're interested.

Source: decorati.com via Margot on Pinterest

Newsflash: Ikat is not a famous designer

Source: phelans1.wordpress.com via Margot on Pinterest

Well, that may not be a newsflash to some of your more design-savvy readers, but it was to me. I've been drawn to this particular style of fabric design for a few months and was going to give it a try on my own (with the computer of course). This week my sister enlightened me that it was indeed NOT a famous design house in the Netherlands (I swear, this is what I had decided in my mind) but a TECHNIQUE of weaving. Thank goodness I didn't say THAT in public around all my fancy designer friends! Wait, I just did just admit that in public. Well, may my ignorance be your knowledge to gain now.

Basically, the ikat technique is ancient and refers to a resist dye process (kind of like tie-dying) where you bind part of the thread so that the dye does not soak into the thread. After the threads are colored with dye, then they are woven into the fabric or tapestry. The definitions I'm reading keep using the word "waft" but I have really no idea what that is. I maintain the right to keep some blissful ignorance on the subject, especially since I'm not going to dye my own threads. Or learn to weave. Yet.

I like the ikat look because it takes my favorite design style (repeat patterns) and makes them softer and less hard edged. Sometimes that's a nice touch. So, packed with a dangerously little amount of knowledge, I'm going to see what kind of ikat designs I can come up with this afternoon.

Here are some of the ikat inspirational images I found today, with more on my Pinterest pattern board.

Source: access.decorati.com via Margot on Pinterest

Source: lulisanchez.com via Margot on Pinterest

Source: greenwithglamour.com via Margot on Pinterest

"Found" vessels for flowers

"Browsing around recessed bookcases, kitchen shelves, dark closets, even the basement, to find a vessel for flowers can turn up some really wonderful discoveries! This vintage Rookwood Pottery compote has a lovely Celadon glaze that is echoed by the various succulent heads."

I just saw this great tip from Robin Wood Flowers. Using or repurposing bowls, baskets and other containers can inspire a creative floral masterpiece. I'm on the hunt now!