design like you give a damn.

each year in interior design at my school {auburn university} there is a collaborative group project that involves one student in each grade forming groups of 4. we have a project we have to complete on our own time, and it gets entered into a competition and is judged. there is no grade, this is for us to showcase our work. each year the project changes, and this year we are asked to design like you give a damn. 


"The greatest humanitarian challenge we face today is that of providing shelter. Currently one in seven people lives in a slum or refugee camp, and more than three billion people—nearly half the world's population—do not have access to clean water or adequate sanitation. The physical design of our homes, neighborhoods, and communities shapes every aspect of our lives. Yet too often architects are desperately needed in the places where they can least be afforded" (Design Like You Give a Damn).  


we, the interior design student's of auburn university, are charged with designing like we give a damn. we are designing an exhibit that showcases a place in the world that needs GOOD design. my group has chosen northern ireland, and i have to say... i'm very excited!


stay tuned... i'll post what my group and i decide to showcase and exhibit, and how we choose to exhibit that work.

georgetown cupcake

have any of you watched the addicting hit series "dc cupcakes" on tlc? i have! and i was so excited and surprised to get to visit georgetown cupcake two months ago on my first visit up to dc. i loved their sweet little shop, the way they displayed their cupcakes, how the menu was formatted and the way the store was designed! i loved everything about it... especially the way the cupcakes tasted (like gigi's, but 10 times better (yes tooch, i said it)). 


georgetown cupcake was founded by two sisters who traded their careers in fashion for something a little sweeter - cupcakes! georgetown cupcake opened its first shop in georgetown in february of 2008. georgetown cupcake also regularly participates in community events and supports numerous local and national charitable programs. 

as many of you know, my big project for this semester is designing a bank. very fun, but very intimidating! i have decided to locate my bank in georgetown, and i am implementing an on-site georgetown cupcake within my bank. fun, right?

since this is now my second visit to dc, and i have nothing to do this lovely friday until bryce gets off work... i've decided to make my way to georgetown cupcake and grab a sweet treat.

a sweet quote for a blah monday.

"i like to see people reunited. i like to see people run to each other, i like the kissing and the crying, i like the impatience, the stories that the mouth can't tell fast enough, the ears that aren't big enough, the eyes that can't take in all of the change. i like the hugging, the bringing together. the end of missing someone."
~ jonathan safran foer

inspiration!

those of you in studio with me... i've been procrastinating. surprised? i didn't think so. i've been searching the web for inspirational images, quotes or designs that will spark something within my mind to make me want to get to work on this programming document [we're designing a bank and next week we have to submit a programming document]. finally i found some images. i love these renderings! it makes me excited for the schematic [where's pg?! are you proud of my word usage??? i told you i listen in lecture] design. hope you all enjoy these images as much as i did. maybe i'll get to work on this document.....

all images done by silestar architectural renderings.

the little things.

i came across this blog which is about all the simple things in life. i love it. you all need to follow - it will brighten your day with the simplicity and reassurance that it's not just YOU that finds these things so perfect. i'm excited for a great weekend in atlanta with some special people, so these fit my mood. :)

google.

google. an amazing site that offers simplicity with its unbelievable array of information offered. their offices are even better. 


google's offices are geared towards employee happiness, because a happy employee produces better & more productive work. in order to allow for this productive work environment, google created spaces that are enjoyable to be in. what a novel concept! not only are their offices colorful, lively and spacious, but their break rooms are one-of-a-kind. if i wasn't going into the profession of interior design... i would be applying for a job at google, solely for their offices.

lobby at google offices. notice the modern reception and funky puff-ball seating.

slide at google ~ taking you from the top floor down to the bottom.

oasis space. a place for relaxation, a little nap and some "you" time. i would gladly sleep in one of those chairs at night.

a foam-filled bathtub. unique, interesting, fun.

"touchdown spaces" at google ~ little gondolas used to be private for your personal phone calls and emails.

bored at your desk? head to the hammock chair.

awesome signage.

i love finding old renderings and sketches i've done in the past. just found this sketch i did of a room for my sophomore studio, the bootcamp year. this drawing gives me reason to keep up my hand rendering skills because that is something i will always have. 

happy tuesday!

valentine's day (continued).

while my valentine's day started off sad... it got much better with a few sweet texts throughout the day, a phone call immediately once he got off work and beautiful flowers with a cute note from my meat once i got home from class. it was as perfect as it could be without my boyfriend and pup with me. and, to top it all off, bennett (haley's boyfriend) brought his pup over to love on all of us missing pate. he did a good job with some love.

a not-so-happy valentine's day for baby pate.

sweet baby pate is getting fixed today :( it will be better for her in the long run ~ but i felt horrible this morning. especially when she stuck her face in her water dish and looked at me with sad, pitiful eyes, and when she ran over to chelsea when she filled her cup up with ice and peyton couldn't get any. the cherry on top was when i handed her leash off to the vet and said goodbye, and she started crying and jumping up on me, not wanting to say goodbye. and since i can't be with her (she has to stay overnight) or my boyfriend... i will be with a full glass of chianti watching the bachelor, with my friends by my side.

happy valentine's day.

xoxo

a good graphic print.

i love a good graphic print - especially one that lays on the floor. jonathan adler has the best rugs, simply for their color schemes and amazingly simple and beautiful prints. once i strike it big, i'm layering those bad boys all over my handscraped espresso stained bamboo wood floors. mmm, can't wait.

all rugs manufactured by jonathan adler

yes, please - part II.

i am hungry, which isn't out of the ordinary for me. i'm always down for cupcakes, candy or cookies. these pictures, courtesy of a wonderful cooking blog http://www.tarteletteblog.com/, are making me want these delicious bites now! yes, please!

fill your walls with ART

i hate naked walls. and as much as love cheese, i hate cheesey pictures, paintings and artwork. below are a few of my favs i've found over the past few days.... i'm thinking i need some new artwork to grace my sad, blank walls.

"untitled - red, black & yellow"

found on overstock art

$89

"bleu II"

found on overstock art

$89

"vulnerable and confused"

found on overstock art

$94

"color stack IV"

found on overstock art

$94

"la vague" - matisse

found on overstock art

$134

more than interiors...

this whole semester i have been doing SO good at restraining my shopping addiction - for all things - clothing, accessories & home goods. i don't need it. but today i went to that one site i should be forbidden to go to: jcrew. i have a whole list of items i want & need, and i am trying to rationalize with myself on whether i want them, or whether i need them. most i need. because after all, a good interior designer must dress herself before she can dress a home.

yes, please.

i know i need something healthy for breakfast, but all i want is this - 

photo taken by the talented jenny houser.

serena & lily

one of my favorite stores, serena & lily, is having a LOVE SALE! if you enter the code "love20" when you check out, you get 20% off your final purchase. 

what do i want, you ask?

i want this beautiful custom upholstered fillmore headboard with nailheads. classic & timeless. (looks much better on the website, i promise). for $1,450 this stud is mine.

one thing i love about this website is it shows you how to get the look you want, whether it is earthy & elegant, calm & serene, bold & graphic or classic & clean, serena & lily shows you how to get these looks!

quiet & serene

bold & graphic

go check it out for yourself, get ideas or ever order a little valentine's gift :) why not?

happy (early) valentine's day

chelsea, haley and baby pate are my family in auburn, so why not send out valentine's cards with our child's picture on the cover?

love love love.

i love cheesy. 

want me to design something for you?? let me know!