Candidate #2: Austin, TX (Winner)
July 24, 2010I’ve been a California girl for a very long time. My entire life, actually.
Recently I reached a very special place in my career. A series of events confirmed a mounting suspicion that I now can actually go anywhere and continue to be successful. (Um… wow!) Once I realized this, my mind became very open to the possibilities. If I (we) can live anywhere… where do we want to live next?
Last week we visited the beautiful Austin Texas; a city of live music being played under old trees, of swimming in natural spring pools and of eating at great restaurants with great friends. Perhaps most importantly, it is not a long flight from anything. I can be on either coast in 3 hours which is very good because, even though I just bragged about being about to live anywhere, I actually will need to frequently travel to all corners of the country.
As I mentioned in the title of this post, we are not considering any more candidates. We feel in love with Austin and the position of “Kelly’s next home town” has been officially filled. We plan to be living there by the end of the year.
I almost feel that a “y’all” is in order, here but, truth be told, Austin is more cosmonite than cowboy.
(Chlorine-free swimming at Barton Springs)
Overwhelmed
July 5, 2010It is fair to say that I am a bit overwhelmed even though I am incredibly grateful for everything that is coming my way. There are so many exciting things happening right now—so many that I cannot even believe how fortunate I am, really. But all of these opportunities take a ton of work.
And I love to work, honestly I do. But I am getting to that place where my mind starts spinning out of control and I become temporarily ineffective while I debate with myself over which thing needs my attention most. And if I try to work at home, as I have been over the long holiday weekend, I also face a certain distraction in the form of a small puppy-like character with blond hair.
I will now zone out and watch old episodes of The Office.
R&D
June 23, 2010
These days, my mind is at least 50% consumed with the very official business of Research and Development for Standard.
Loosely translated, this means that I am devouring magazines during every moment that I am not working on something for a client. I scour and analyze their layouts, I study them to see what they are covering and I “read” the French ones for aesthetic inspiration (Standard, when you see it, will most likely remind you of something a little more on the European side.)
Because my R& D time is segmented, the magazines must be ready at all times. Like good little soldiers, they hold their posts—the outside pocket of my bag for easy access on the train, hanging on towel racks in the bathroom so I can look at them while I brush my teeth, taking over my entry table so I can grab one on my way out the door and next to my bed, in case I wake up thinking about the magazine and need to “just quickly check something out”… which Mike really appreciates, of course.
Yes. It is all very official.
Announcing Standard
June 8, 2010After almost a year of scheming and dreaming I am proud to announce that my new periodical publication, Standard Magazine, will debut online this September. The cutting below is a tiny portion of our fall cover, illustrated by Dallas Shaw.
Journalism runs through my blood like a mint julep through a silver straw so this move into the world of publishing was probably predestined on some cosmic level. Over the years of penning this blog and my 2008 book écologique, I’ve realized how much power there is in the written word and how much I can continue to effect a positive change in the design industry by regularly putting forth something beautiful and inspirational.
The idea for Standard came, quite naturally, from the mantra I have been repeating for years: “green is a standard, not a style.” After more than a decade of pushing my industry toward sustainability I’ve decided that the time has come to really treat green like a standard—and that means not making a big deal about it anymore.
So that is what we are going to do at Standard. We will only ever feature sustainable products and design but we will not be giving out brownie points (or even mentioning) things that should just be status quo. You won’t see the words “recycled content” or “FSC Certified” but you can be assured that we are presenting you with the cream of the eco-crop on every page of every issue. That is just our Standard.
As you may imagine, this changes things for me as well. While I will continue to practice green design, I am no longer calling myself a “green designer” because, if I am not going to give anyone else brownie points for doing the right thing, then I’m not going to give them to myself either. The adventures will change too, and I look forward to sharing all of the ups and downs with you, here on my blog.
Now, I hope that you will go right on over to check out the Standard website and read our pre-launch blog where you can meet the contributors, see some sneak-peaks of the fall issue, view some great design and become a registered reader. (You can also “like” us on facebook, of course.)
Your new old friend,
Designer, Writer, Publisher, Style Maven
I Know You Know
June 2, 2010I can always sense when there is something that one my favorite bloggers isn’t telling their readers. Maybe the blogs are shorter, maybe there are more days in between posts or there is just something “off” about the writing, but I always know.
So I am guessing that those of you who are loyal readers probably know that there is something going on here. It’s not that this information is particularly secret anymore, it’s just that I’m not able to blog about it until the story breaks elsewhere.
That “break” will probably happen in about a week, maybe sooner. And I’m sure I’ll be back to my old self again, just as soon as I am able to write about the exciting thing that I am working on and what this means for, well, everything in my career from here on forward.
It is a big change and I’m pretty sure you will like it.
The Home Office at Kimberley’s
May 20, 2010
Now that I live in Long Beach, there are the occasional days when boarding the train and hauling my cookies to the new office in Hollywood just doesn’t make a lot of sense. So I’ve set up a little work station in the garden, where I can manage my projects while enjoying the sunny days.
For those of you who follow the blog and know that I have been on the hunt for a new home city, here is the story of how I came to live in the LBC.
When I told my good friend Kimberley that I was thinking of moving out of state and just keeping an office in LA she insisted that I wait until I was sure I knew where I wanted to go and could afford to buy a place instead of renting. To help me out with that plan, she offered to let my little family and I live in her very-adorable-and-plenty-large guest house in Long Beach. The deal was too good to pass up. I now live in a beautiful, quiet neighborhood that is in walking distance to the train and several great restaurants. Best of all, I have a good friend only a few yards away.
Putting us up in her guest house is only the latest in a long string of things Kimberley has done to make my life as beautiful and fulfilling as it is today. She is solely responsible for my working relationship with Lexus/Scion/Toyota and everything wonderful that has come from that. (I met Mike while I was doing work for Lexus, so she is indirectly responsible for creating my family as well.) She has been an incredibly important part of my personal and professional evolution and I only hope that I can someday be as helpful to her as she has been to me.
Hooray for Hollywood
May 14, 2010Yep, it’s true. After nearly a decade in Venice, I have moved my office and design studio to Hollywood.
James and I are sharing an enormous loft space, full of light with plenty of room to spread out and create. Across the street, Susanna makes delicious corn tortillas from scratch. (We frequent Tacos El Patio quite a bit now.)
Best of all, I am now able to ride the train to the office. I’ve never been able to indulge in so much reading in my life and it is truly a treat. It also makes me feel a little like Don Draper. I plan to get a trench coat when the weather cools off.
A whole room just for the resource library/ My new work area
Flowers from the guys at the LA Mart/ Our bar (more Don Draper)
James and his intern Danika at the big table/ The tiny little taco stand that could
There have been a lot of changes over the past few weeks. My long time accounts manager and Jack of All Trades, Dennis, is moving to Austin and my long time assistant, Taylor, is going on a grand adventure to explore other parts of the world. I wish them both a very happy and amazing experience. They will be dearly missed.
Sarah (Moto) continues to freelance for me and I look forward to seeing more of her in the coming weeks when we will start up work again on the Caribbean project. I have also brought on Kelly Thompsen to help with projects. She just completed her internship and is doing a fantastic job, I know she will make an excellent addition.
We’re finally settled in now (both here and at the new house) and I am a excited about the wonderful things that are in store this summer.
I’m Alive
May 11, 2010Hello readers,
Just a quick note to tell you that I have not dropped off the face of the earth. I have just moved my home and office, simultaneously, and have been in a sort of moving box haze. More about all of the adventures soon and, in the meantime, let me be a cautionary tale to anyone who thinks that moving your personal and business lives same time is a good idea. It is not.
Coco’s Standard
April 21, 2010
The other night I rented Coco Before Chanel and was transfixed by a scene in which Coco is packing, into just one small well-made suitcase, all of her worldly belongings.
I found myself feeling incredibly envious of her in that moment. Imagine; instead of having a life full of many things that are more-or-less disposable, having just a few beautiful possessions that are made to last.
Today, even sustainable items are not always produced to stand the test of time. I’ve had organic clothing fall apart just as quickly as it’s conventional counterparts. I’m guilty of purchasing bamboo dinner plates, made to be disposed of, and I’ve seen poorly-made furnishings created from sustainably-harvested wood.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m very proud of the steps that the design industry and consumers have done to embrace sustainability but I think it is time for the conversation to change; for the bar to be raised again. I’d like to begin that conversation now, with the following declaration:
“If something is not made to last, it does not meet my Standard.”
I’ll soon be presenting more about the topic of an evolving Standard, but before I do, I’d love to hear what things you think should be Standard. Your comments are appreciated, here or on either of the facebook pages.
Pictured above, with Coco, a few things that ARE made to last: Porcelain Garden Stools (this one happens to be antique), The Abigal Setttee by Q Collection, Terra Plana’s Women’s Melito Pump (believe me, I’ve put them to the test.)
Get Me a Gavel: American Clay’s Makeover Contest!
April 16, 2010
American Clay, one of my very favorite wall-covering companies, has announced the start of its 2nd annual makeover contest! Professionals and Do-It-Yourselfers (DIY) can submit a project in their respective categories to show off their remodeling and renovating skills using American Clay’s award-winning, patented, all-natural earth plasters to re-do a room. Submission ends on July 1, 2010 and winners get cash, free product or professional training (which I think would be very fun.)
The panel of judges includes myself, as well as organicArchitect Eric Corey Freed, stellar Bau-Biologist Mary Cordero and the famous remodeling contractor Danny Lipford.
If you know of anyone who has used American Clay on a project this past year, please encourage them to submit to the contest– I can’t wait to view the entries!