I have a degree in Architecture and spent over fifteen years as an interior architect in the commercial interior design industry. I was on the management fast-track in my career and, along the way, missed out on the opportunity to enjoy and develop my more creative side. That all changed when I really got serious about looking for stuff for our home. I am a modernist. Minimal spaces are an admiration of mine but only from a distance. I am so jealous of the people who can live like that! I know the vast majority of us just have way too much stuff. On the other hand, I can’t stand clutter. Too much stuff in a room makes me nervous!
So how do you find a happy medium? How do you take a period mid-century modern space anddifferentiate it from all the others – you know, make it your own? This was always my dilemma when shopping for our home. Furniture and architectural elements? No problem. Crisp flooring selections, accent furniture, paint finishes? No problem. Window treatments? A bit more of a challenge for the modernist, but we managed. Now, how about those finishing touches – you know, those things that really give the room personality? Definitely, more of a challenge when you sift through all that is “out there.” I always had this dream of opening a very chic specialty shop of the coolest accessories that I could find. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of cool stuff out there these days, but I still felt that something was missing. One day my husband convinced me that one of the reasons that I was having such a hard time “connecting” with what was “out there” was because what I was looking for was “in here”; that is, “in my head.” The ideas were scared in there, so he gave me a sketchbook, I let them out and, as they say, the rest is history. Well, hopefully, anyway.
My first introduction to the home furnishings industry came by way of area rug design. By this time I had a licensing agent and he introduced me to Momeni Rugs International of New York. I was hoping for a sweet licensing deal, but instead sold my designs outright. Licensing would have been nice, but I was so excited about the idea of something I designed actually being produced, that I realized that all designers have to start somewhere. That was about seven years ago, and these rugs are still available for purchase. That is very exciting and and I try not to cry about all the “would have been” royalties I would still be receiving!
I hope you enjoy my artwork for the floor!!
Wow, Karen. I love your concepts. This is a great website. I know you have talent, and I am encouraging you to not miss out on any more dreams.