Category Archives: Business of Design

Monday Matters: December Lists, Friend or Foe?!

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Monday Matters: Your December Lists, Friend or Foe?!

Argh!

Ok, I feel better

So it’s Monday, December 3rd & I already feel behind

Is that possible?

Precisely WHY we made our Holiday Help Page!!

Because WE need it 🙂

How’s your Calendar Shaping Up for the next 29 Days

Do you ever feel like there aren’t enough minutes?

Truth? There aren’t…but if we take care of the big matters first (the walnuts in our life) then all the little things will fit (the popcorn, sand & water)

Monday Matters: What are the 5 Most Important “Matters” for You & Yours this month?

Fill in the blanks:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Make room for them. The rest will follow.

At Couture Chateau?

1. Holiday Help Page

From Gallery of Nostalgia, one of my all time favorite images. Not sure why...it just speaks to me...

From Gallery of Nostalgia, one of my all time favorite images. Not sure why…it just speaks to me…

2. Current Clients

3. Features for Design Sites

4. Editorial Calendar for 2013

5. Budgets

What do I (& everyone else) want to do?

Play with all the Holiday Decor, chat custom, make Christmas Cookies to put on the conference table, troll pinterest for amazing ideas, talk custom wrapping…basically we want to “play design”

Gorgeous New Fabrics this season...I just want to play & design stuff around these beauties...

Gorgeous New Fabrics this season…I just want to play & design stuff around these beauties…

Problem is, if we don’t do what matters first, we will never get to the other stuff

(this does NOT come easily to me, I like the rush of a deadline & a bit of flurry)

so…on goes the Holiday Music, out comes the Inspiration Quote & we get to work

It’s Monday Morning!

Have a fantastic day! Pour a great cup of coffee or tea – put it in a fabulous cup & we will be back tomorrow with a Tuesday Tidbit & Holiday Help Page with Links.

“Live a custom life. There is only one you.”™

xo Ann

Wednesday Style Points: High Point Market, The Good, The Better…The Custom. Ann’s Top Three Take-a-Ways

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Wednesday Style Points: High Point Market, The Good, The Better…The Custom

Oh….I looove Market.

So many fabulous and fun vendors and talks (hello Charolotte Moss! What a woman!)

My top three take – a – ways:

The GOOD:

Manufacturers are becoming more Designer Friendly. Someone got the memo.

“We are Designer Friendly” was the VERY first thing I heard after a lovely Hello. Thank you! And Holly – the showroom is FABULOUS. I can hardly wait to find a project to use some of your pieces in.

I have been in this business a looooong time. Had the honor of starting in the manufacturing end for a very progressive thinker: Designers were of the highest order to that manufacturer and the business thrived. There was an understanding that the “Feet on the Ground” with the taste makers trickled down, not the other way around.

Fashion + Art has always understood that. Remember Cerulean Blue…

Perhaps the Fashion + Decor Theme had something to do with it.

Whatever the case, it was a lovely time to be at Market.

Truly.

Thank you. It was refreshing.

The BETTER:

I got to see my “peeps”. I learned from my “peeps”. I was happier in community with my “peeps”.

My “peeps” opened my eyes to some of the manufacturers I would never have gone to on my own. Accessory companies, upholstery companies and all sorts of lighting options. In the past, I have scheduled appointments and been very business like….well, this time…there was that (all business like) but there was “float”.

I like float. I needed float.

Charlotte Moss talked about time in her Kayak. That inspired me.

Float allowed me to enjoy a book signing (Charlotte, Rhonda, Scot, Suzanna)!

Float provided me an introduction to Quintessence. Hello Heaven. Thank you Traci Zeller.

Along for the fun with Traci Zeller as she style spotted at Stanford Furniture…how fun!

And yes, lovely and classic in person. Simply divine.

Float. Try it. New for me ;)…I think I like it…. (!)…..

The CUSTOM:

I met several manufacturers who are offering completely customized options now.

Hickory has always done this….but others are following suit. A wonderful thing as we “Live our custom lives…”

That is NEW. Trust me. It is NEW.

So – exciting stuff for the Design Industry.

Will check in when we are back in SF….& I’ve had my latte from my favorite local “custom coffee shop” ;)…my own kitchen…

“Live a custom life. There is only one you”™

xo Ann

Saturday Sunshine: My Designer Friends Inspire Me at High Point Furniture Market, Fall 2012

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Saturday Sunshine: My Designer Friends Inspire at High Point Furniture Market, Fall 2012

Yup – Market. 10 Miles a Day Walking, No sleep & enough visual stimulation to last a lifetime.

And ahhh…that commercial flo light. Gag.

Love it. Hate it. Love it. Need it. Truth?….LOVE IT.

Here’s what makes it work.

Collaboration even in the lighthearted “Style Spotter” Competition

The Design Community is COLLABORATIVE.

Here are the Fall 2012 Spotters. This pic was copied from The Editor At Large, one of the Design Community’s GO TO Resources. Link here. Hummm…another one of those “Collaborative Types” eh?!

Really.

As a friend of mine said: “It’s not my Land”

Stacy Naquin’s Blog

She, Stacy Naquin, that is.

What CONTEXT would someone possibly utter the words: “It’s not my Land”

Set Scene:  Airport. Heart to heart discussion after a Master Mind Collaboration.

This Lovely Lady Tobi Fairley has developed a Master Mind Program for Designers which is collaborative and impressive. I would not be where I am without her.

Discussion Item: Competing with other Designers for Clients, Commissions, Jobs…Raw bones of it?…MONEY…

And Stacy said…it’s ok…because “If it’s not ‘my Land’…it’s not ‘my Land'”

She nailed it.

Aha Moment: The right Clients, Commissions, Jobs come at the right time to the Designers they are supposed to come to. It’s this weird process. A mixture of business (of course) but…it’s more than that…provenance?…not quite…destiny?…sometimes….

In my heart I had known it all along. There have been many times I have CALLED other Designers to “pass along” a Client who would not be a fit for us at Couture Chateau. I have also been on the receiving end of those calls when a Friend – a Collaborator in this Business called Design – said “please…this is NOT a fit for me…”

Design work is like a marriage – or a “significant other” type thing. Clients & Designers: We are in each others spaces – in each others “stuff”…

And is HAS to be right. At least if you want the best. For yourself AND for your Clients.

We look at the same fabric and “SEE” different product – different rooms – different things.

We see OUR custom.

If you don’t believe…just look at Pinterest. We take pictures of the same pieces – but capture different nuances…

Here are Traci Zeller & Stacy Naquin at last Market. I count both as collaborative friends.

Hang out with us over the next few days. See what’s new. Follow our Pinterest Board for Market where we will collaboratively collect, re-pin, share & delight in design.

See what’s back IN that was OUT that is still IN our homes because we never changed it when it went OUT…(!)…ahem…BRASS…and laugh at the thought that all those (us) CREATIVES are linked together in one place…changing the world one “Devil Wears Prada Cerulean Blue Belt at a Time”…

Cerulean (also caerulean) = a color. How could I ever forget the scene that stole my heart…

Live a custom life. There is only one you.™

xo Ann

Frugal Friday: What Are the Best Inexpensive Home Design Resources?

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Frugal Friday: What Are the Best Inexpensive Home Design Resources?

Here are SOME of my Top Go-To’s for our DIY Clients….not all of the places…just some!

1. Calico Corners Sale: Once or twice a year Calico Corners has a sale on their services. For true DIY Clients, this is a fabulous resource. They will find out what things really cost and often come RUNNING back to us ;)!! after they get their quotes. However, for the homeowner desiring retail execution of their design vision and managing it all themselves, this is a practical way to go.

2. Ikea: Check out my “Confession of an Ikea Hacker” Blog Post. I need a 12-Step Program :)!

Check out our blog post on Ikea Hacker. I will not apologize for loving this store. It sparks my creativity every time I go :)! Then I need a massage & a pair of Prada shoes…but…;)!…

3. Macy’s Furniture Outlet: I have found remarkable rugs & sofas here.

Macy’s Furniture Outlet, Union City, CA

4. Home Goods: Know what you are looking for! Major labels appear here sometimes……!

Major Labels sometimes show up at Home Goods. KNOW what to look for & you can find some deals.

5. West Elm: Great prices for great style. Yes, it’s retail, but I like their accessories. Well made & polished.

West Elm’s Cottage Pillow Cover. Sublime. $29! Cheaper than our office trip to Starbucks!

Happy Frugal Friday!

Build your Couture Chateau!

xo Ann

Monday Matters: We Love Our Workrooms!!

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Monday Matters: We Love Our Workrooms!

HAND Made Table – Each Piece of Parquet was hand cut, fit and distressed…

As we prep for our sale and start to price out some items

Custom Pillow Collections by Ann McDonald of Couture Chateau

It becomes clear how much labor and love go into each product

Hand Made Couture Chateau Lining Fabric

Hand crafted details

Custom Pillows: Lined and often Interlined with our Couture Chateau Fabric!

We are GRATEFUL for the hearts and hands that make our lives better!

xo Ann

Saturday Sunshine: Reminded of one of my Favorite Quotes…

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Saturday Sunshine: Reminded of one of my Favorite Quotes

Comparison is the Thief of Joy

“Comparison is the Thief to Joy”

As the founder of a Company who’s motto is: Live a Custom Life, There is Only One You, I had to remind myself of that this week!

Some AMAZING Women at Fashion Week! Denise McGaha, Stacy Naquin, Jennifer Reynolds, Edyta Czajkowska (Not pictured, more friends: Lisa Mende and Traci Zeller…also AMAZING women!)

As several of my friends were in NYC for a fabulous time at Jason Wu’s working and learning alongside Brizo.

Photos Courtesy of Denise McGaha’s Facebook Page. You can Follow Denise HERE.

Does it get more fun than this?! I mean Brizo AND Jason Wu? A Designer’s Dream Team…

I was setting up with our Team for our once yearly Clearance Sale for close Friends, Clients & Designers

Yes, that is 4.5 Yards of Versace Home Fabric ;)!…

I realized that we are EACH where we are supposed to be at any given time

Remembering that these chairs will find JUST the right home…because we are being faithful stewards of the task at hand, and that next season it might be the right time to be somewhere else ;)!!…

As you take some time this weekend, remember, YOU have something unique, special and amazing to bring to the table

A Gorgeous Draw Leaf Table, similar to one we have in the Studio that will be for sale…

Saturday Sunshine: Be YOU!

Lift up those hands and twirl just a bit today ;)!…Even if it’s raining in your life, I promise there is sunshine behind those clouds!!

Live that custom life.

xo Ann

Friday Frugal Finds: Peek at some of the Lamps from this past year!

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Friday Frugal Finds: What do you think of these Lamp Pairs?

2 Fabulous Floor Lamps from a Studio Temporary Living Set Up

Contemporary & Traditional…we’ve used them in various projects, from Temporary Dressing Room Designs, Studio Set Ups, Photo Shoots and Publication Staging over the past 18 months…

Pair, Hand Painted Ceramic Lamps: A Feature on Pink, Old and New!

Getting Tagged & Readied for Sale…

Toile Painted Lamps: Kitsch and Fun

xo Ann

Wednesday Style Points: Behind the Scenes at Jason Wu with Brizo Faucet!

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Wednesday Style Points: Behind the Scenes at Jason Wu’s with Brizo Faucet

Jason Wu Collaborates with Brizo

So, no WE aren’t this season…but some of my friends ARE!

Jason for Brizo

Stay tuned as we stay in touch with Jennifer Reynolds

Jennifer Reynolds

Denise McGaha

Denise McGaha

Traci Zeller

Traci Zeller

Lisa Mende

Lisa Mende

and Stacy Naquin

Stacy Naquin

We will stay in TOUCH with these ladies over the next week. They are the real deal. Hard working, smart, beautiful inside and out. BLESSED to call them friends.

I will be with these amazing women next week – but as we get updates will share on our Facebook page! xo Ann McDonald

xo Ann

Monday Matters: Labor Day

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Monday Matters: Labor Day

Happy Labor Day

What do you Labor and Toll at?

Our Studio Space is a mess as we prepare for our Sale…we are laboring to make it right for our friends…!…

Do you feel rewarded for your efforts?

Sometimes this is how we feel…we work long hours and get a “raisin pay”….our heart is to always give the best away to those who work alongside us!

We wanted to take today to say THANK YOU to those who WORK ALONGSIDE US at Couture Chateau

I have always loved this image…it is humble, honoring to work and reminds me that every stitch matters…”Young Woman Sewing, The Artist’s Sister Anna Hammerchøi,” by Vilhelm Hammerchøi, oil on canvas, 37 by 35 centimeters, 1887

We are NOTHING without the skilled men and women who are EXCELLENT at their trade

An Upholstery Shop

We believe in compensating them WELL for their CONTRIBUTION to our lives and homes

Fair Trade…in the USA, it means we use well compensated local workrooms that are as small and local as we can source. It is our belief that skill is a gift and a gift should never be treated as something disposable. Gifts should be honored and rewarded. We are grateful for the gifts our tradesmen and women bring to the table so that we might furnish beautiful spaces for you!

Happy Labor Day!

xo Ann

Friday Frugal Finds….Confession of an Ikea Hacker!

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Friday Frugal Finds…Confession of an Ikea Hacker!

Ikea Hackers!

Yes, we are Couture Chateau

This is the Feature Image on our Website…not exactly Ikea…;)!

Layered, Intentional Living…Custom all the way…Private Labels for YOU…

Seriously, we private label & custom make almost everything! Including the FABRIC!

However, I still love IKEA.

This is an Ikea Kitchen!

OK, I’ve lost some of you…but…look!…

THIS is actually the “hack” that stole my heart…I was so happy when it won “Hack of the Year”!

Beauty and Style are not the strongholds of the wealthy…they are strongholds of the soul

Look at this! It’s beautiful! Even if it’s not your style…you must give props to the eye that created it!

CONFIDENCE in our Design Eye is what makes it possible for us to say it’s OK to shop at Ikea

Very cool…wish the pic was better quality, but still…you get the jist!

Seriously…do YOU have enough confidence to buck the “prevailing thought” and TRUST your eye?

Fun. Real life living for a family…

We are here to help! CALL us…the Holiday’s are just around the corner and your VIP Day is waiting!!

Click here to schedule a VIP Couture Chat! 1 Day, 1 Designer, 1 Designer’s Team, 2 Days Studio Work, 1 12-16 Page Write up, 1 Really Cool Box, 1 Happy Client !!

xo Ann