6 Design Experts Share The Inspiration Behind Their Creative Ventures.

What  inspired you to launch Sorting with Style , as well as your blog  “The Office Stylist”?

The online boutique, Sorting with Style, came from my love of office supplies, though not the kind you find at the office supply chain stores. I’m talking about the unique and colorful designs that really bring a workspace or desk together. Though to find a great selection is pretty tough, so I decided to combine my love of office supplies with my eye for beauty.

We spend more than half our lives at work and more time working than we do sleeping, so why do we neglect our workspaces/work-life? Creating a work environment that inspires and motivates you is VERY important so that’s why I started “The Office Stylist” to share tips, tricks, and how-tos to make your work life better. ( Sayeh Pezeshki of Sorting with Style and The Office Stylist )

What inspired you to launch Trend Funnel?

Whether I was working as a Visual Merchandiser for manufacturers in their showrooms or retailers in their stores, or working as an interior design consultant with residential clients I began to realize that one of the main services I was providing was an answer to the simple question “Does this go together?”

I developed Trend Funnel as a way to move shoppers through the thought process that I go through as a design consultant when I am shopping for products to furnish a space. Trend Funnel is a way for me to multiply the volume of people I am able to help. I am not just selling them a piece of furniture; I am selling them a method that they can use to decorate
their entire home. ( Mary Elizabeth Beal of Trend Funnel )

What inspired you to create and launch your design business, Pillow Throw Decor?

My passion is designing and creating one-of-a-kind,  luxury, decorative pillows and throws with designer, “to the trade” fabrics. My “Eclections” include eco, funky, modern, retro, traditional, geek, chic and almost everything else.

[Moment of inspiration came when] I completed a bedroom ensemble with 16 coordinating pillows for a client. I enjoy it so much I just never stopped creating pillows, pillows and more pillows! You can never have too many pillows. They‘ll always make you feel happy and loved. ( Christine Skaley of Pillow Throw Decor )

What inspired you to develop and launch “CreateH Designs” blog?

My blog, and interior design are two of the loves of my life. I’m in love with design, and all aspects of it. I can’t NOT be creative, in any parts of my life, from fashion, to my apartment. I love textures, and visual prints and patterns. I am completely enamored with what I do every day, playing with color and making paint, so it’s only natural that my life and work is surrounded by it.

I started the “Create H Designs” blog as a way to document my discoveries as a student of interior design and art school, and to list my loves, hates and wish lists, and all the things I learn along the way. I like to share interior design, furniture design and graphic design news, anything to do with art and anything to do with my work and life.  (Heather Bourgeois of Create H Designs )

What inspired you to pursue kitchen and bath design, as well as your blog “Kitchen and Residential Design?

I have always been creative and after a ten-year stint in advertising, I stumbled across Kitchen Design. I have a split mind sometimes. I can be very creative and artistic, but at the same time I love analytical thinking. Kitchen Design was a perfect match because it combines my dual loves of art and science.

I have been a writer my whole life and I decided to start a blog a year-and-a-half ago,“Kitchen and Residential Design” , to work as an online resource for my clients. After a few months it took off and has since taken on a life of its own. Writing it every day is one of my life’s great pleasures. Greater still is the chance I get to interact with my readers. (Paul Anater of Kitchen and Residential Design )

What inspired you to pursue furniture design (Snug Furniture), as well as your blog “Frou La La”?

I attribute family influence, curiosity and a Third World perspective to my drive to create. Growing up, we had a textile store and my grandmother was always making us something with her Singer machine. My parents are both creative. My father experiments with materials and designs furniture aside from being an astute entrepreneur. My mother is adept at needlework and has an innate talent in putting things together. I was always at our furniture factory before I worked there professionally so there was never a dull moment being an all around girl. I used to wish I had more play time like my friends but in hindsight, all those times spent in the factory have been invaluable.

When one possesses a Third World perspective, nothing goes to waste so in the Philippines, people try to find many uses for one material. The coconut is a good example. It has about 20 uses as food and/or product. (Maybelline Te of Snug Furniture and Frou La La )

Excerpted from the following Spotlight on Design interviews:

• Sayeh Pezeshki of The Office Stylist & Sorting with Style
• Mary Elizabeth Beal of Trend Funnel.com
• Christine Skaley of Pillow Throw Decor
• Heather Bourgeois of Create H Designs
• Paul Anater of Kitchen and Residential Design
• Maybelline Te of Snug Furniture & Frou La La