Aussie design

The coolest part about starting my own company has definitely been all the amazing people I have met! I'd like to introduce you to two of them, my Australian distributors (and friends:) Diane Bergeron and Amanda Harris.

I actually had the chance to meet Diane in person a few weeks ago when she was in town, and was completely blown away by how friendly, down to earth and talented she is. She's absolutely incredible. Just check out her inspiration board above! Diane says this is only a small portion of the board, so I can't imagine how insanely beautiful it must be in real life. The next photo is of her working in her studio (love that book case!) which I hope to visit one day. She also recently started a blog, and her website is being created/updated to show her design work as well as the fabric collections that she distributes to the Australian market, including Lulu DK, Carolina Irving, Les Indiennes and Of the Young & the Restless to name a few.


Amanda Harris is also an exclusive distributor of my fabrics in Australia, and has become a friend of mine in the past few months. She has a great little blog that always makes me wish I had a seaside home where I could escape, and she is currently working on a new site for her company Oliveaux as well as a showroom which she plans to open within the next year! I was pleasantly surprised to find that she is also the distributor of my friend Michael Devine's fabrics, shown above. Small world :)

September domino!

Photo: Simon Upton for domino, September 2008

Ok so lately I feel like a total Brag-geddy Anne, which is just GROSS, so I'm gonna make this quick but I did want to share my enthusiasm and appreciation for the Rubie Green coverage in the newest September issue of domino! And by the way, the issue is G O R G E O U S! It's almost too much goodness to take in one sitting.

Photo: Annie Schlechter for domino, September 2008

I was also thrilled to see my old boss, Tori Mellott in the issue! I've honestly never met anybody with a more innate sense of style, so it's been fun to learn from her and to watch her tastes evolve over the years. Her current West Village apartment is the epitome of chic :)

Photos: Annie Schlechter for domino, September 2008

It's fun to look at one of her previous apartments, featured below in the May 2006 issue of domino, to see where all her furniture, quirky finds and one-of-a-kind art has been placed in her new space! I'm in love with the bust and the Asian fish print, which are now both on the gallery wall above her sofa in her current apartment.

Photos: Annie Schlechter for domino, May 2006

I'm also a firm believer that great style has absolutely nothing to do with cost, so this photo of Tori's Ikea Expedit bookcase (yes folks, it really is Ikea!) always makes me smile. It's a solid example of how a little imagination can turn even the most inexpensive piece of furniture into a stylish focal point of a room.

And there you have it. Thanks again domino :)

J’adore Jonathan Adler

So WOW, I'm practically speechless. Being the design lover that I am, I have to say that today has been without-a-doubt one of the coolest days of my career, if not my entire life. I recently entered Jonathan Adler's Happy Chic Home Contest, by sending in photos of my teeny New York apartment along with a written description of how my decor is inspired by Jonathan. Little did I know that Jonathan Adler himself would post a writeup about my apartment on his personal blog!!! Having the opportunity to get design feedback from somebody that I have looked up to and idolized for years is beyond surreal and far better than anything I could ever win. Thank you Jonathan and thank you PointClickHome for hosting such an inspiring contest. For those of you who also adore Mr. JA, there's still time to enter by clicking here ;)

Blogging buddies

So I'm not really one to post personal pics, but I thought I'd make an exception this once to introduce you all to my best friends and their ADORABLE blogs! From left to right, Katie works for Ralph Lauren and designs jewelry on the side! Her blog Crave features some of the coolest indie jewelry design I've ever seen! The next nerd over is me, and to the right is Christina, who is also a fashion designer and completely blows me away with the ensembles she designs, sews and wears around town. Her blog DeSmitten is a daily dose of chic. Lastly there's Lauren, who is one of the biggest fashion risk-takers and happiest people I have ever known. Always the life of the party, this witty little handbag designer is known for her offbeat pairings such as digital watches with 4 inch pumps. Her blog Undeclared Panache is a "guide to East Village tongue and chic." Here's some of my favorite images from their postings :)