Make it sparkle

Hello my sweet people and happy 2019!

I hope this year is off to wonderful start for you all.

January is always a lovely month in my household. Our anniversary is on the 3rd and then we go on vacation around mid-month, after the holiday rush. This year, Marc & I celebrated 9 years of marriage and 10 years of being together. We’re headed to Kauai later this week and I can already smell the plumerias. 

You’ve probably heard of Marie Kondo by now- I’m fascinated with her! She’s a petite powerhouse with a book and Neflix special called The Art of Tidying Up. Marie’s “Konmari” method is radically simple and so very brilliant: approach everything in your home with this question “does this spark joy?”.

One of the most cathartic parts of each episode (at least for me) is when the client empties their closet, putting everything into a big pile. Every piece of clothing gets the question, “does this spark joy?”. Then the joyful items go back in the closet or folded in the “Konmari” way into the dresser. The entire process is transformative.

I’ve always gone through my closet regularly, and prefer quality over quantity. But when I posed the joy question to my current closet contents, I was surprised to discover that I’d been holding onto things that totally sparked zero joy. So out they went. 

It’s pretty wild and I highly recommend you try this out and see what happens. And feel free to email me after you do and tell me what it was like for you. I’d love to hear about your transformation!

Two of my recently completed jobs are being photographed in February and I can’t wait to share them with you! Stay tuned!  

Lastly, I just want to send out a big and marvelous thank you! Last year was librastudio’s most successful business year so far and I’m thankful to each and every one of you, both clients and friends. I get to do what I love but it’s you who make it all possible.

I’ll be back in the office on January 28th, refreshed and ready to get to work on all your design needs. 

With love & joy,

Libra

Art Game

Yesterday I had lunch with a client who’s become a friend- I love when this happens! Naturally we got to talking about decorating, my favorite subject that I never seem to tire of. 

 

She: I’ve been really intent on finding a great piece of art for our living room. It’s so hard!

Me: I know!. It’s one of those things that you always find when you’re not looking. Like love. And shoes. 

She: So true!

Me: There are few hot galleries in SF to check out. I’ll send you the names. Also a new online source- Saatchi- that looks really cool.

She: Oh, yeah! You got their catalog, too! I was impressed! Do you know if they’re the same as the Saatchi Gallery in London?

Me: Probably, maybe. [I really need to go to London.]

 

I felt rather foolish. Of course she had seen the same catalog. We’re in the same demographic. We shop at the same stores. Which was all fine and well- it was a pleasant lunch date after all and we were having a great time. But I wasn’t done w/ this subject. No sir. On my drive home, I engaged in a sufficient amount of kicking myself and a little gentle berating for good measure. And then I agreed that I needed to up my Art game. 

 

And by upping my Art game, I mean compile a good directory to share! 

 

Art is essential, evocative and makes a room feel personal. When a project is nearing the end and the budget is spent, art and accessories are almost always the things that get cut. Too often this means I don’t get to see the design in it’s fullest glory. 

So here’s some great places to find artwork.

May you get inspired, excited, and find pieces that grab you. May you also send me a photo so I can see what you bought and be able to sleep well knowing that you followed our design scheme. 

Viva everything!  xo Libra

 

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