2011.

I'm so happy to get over 2010 & on to something new. 2011. I have such high hopes for you. I launched Jamie House Design in 2010, I worked REALLY SUPER hard to get it launched...then sort of let it drift. Not my business exactly, but this blog & the website. I'm really disappointed in myself about that. I started this business because of exactly what Seth Godin says here...

"The people who successfully start independent businesses (franchises, I think are a different thing) do it because we have no real choice in the matter. The voice in our heads won't shut up until we discover if we're right, if we can do it, if we can make something happen. This is an art, our art, and to leave it bottled up is a crime."

Then it happened that everytime I sat down to write a blog post or update the site I froze. Completely scared that maybe dreaming of my business is ACTUALLY better than the possibility of failing at my business. Scared of this unknown of what a designer is expected to be & how a designer is expected to act. I'm still fighting with it now. But I understand it now. I'm ignoring it & pushing it to the side now. THAT'S how 2011 will be different than 2010. I won't leave it bottled up anymore, my art that is. My designs are my art. That's why I've had this drawing I did staring me in the face for the last few months...

Because it's not too late. I've launched, I've ignored, I'm ready to stop neglecting this website & my interactions with all of you that inspire me everyday. I have a blog schedule set up. I'm planning out the reworking & additions for the website. I have PLANS in place for my business, Jamie House Design.

2011 Goals- condensed to 3 so as not to overwhelm...me.

1. 5 days a week blog posts, weekly & monthly features as well as updates on my projects (their pretty cool,  I can't wait to share some of my everyday life with you!)

2. Update my site to include links to suppliers/shops/vendors that I LOVE so you can enjoy them too, work out the details to get 10% of my profits donated to your choice of 2 charities, include more video & add a new style finder section. I'll also be updating my Facebook page more regularly with special discounts & items that will only be available there (so go "like" me:)

3. I'm putting this out there...I'm going to publish an E-Book. I will make it available for free to all that subscribe to my blog. That's a BIG DEAL for me to commit to putting together a book. But I have good things to share & I'm excited about it.

Thanks for all of you love and support! I'm excited to see what 2011 has in store for us all!

xx,

Jamie

Exciting.

I did a show-house with Sharon Staley in February for ASIDTGCC and it was recently published on the cover of the ASIDTGCC newsletter. This room was pulled together so quickly using furniture from various generous local showrooms. They really saved me on this one! The room is the living space of a 2 bedroom condo in a highrise in downtown Houston. The ceilings are low and we couldn't change the flooring or the walls. My original window treatments got stuck in the blizzard that was happening Northeast at the time...so another amazing showroom pulled together this valance for me using leftover fabric, in 2 hours! I am lucky that I get to work with such amazing people.

Here are a few more of my images from the room...

xx, Jamie

Happy Nate Day!

The fabulous Moggit Girls & CreateGirl have come up with the fabulous idea of Nate Day to honor Nate Berkus & his new TV show debuting September 13 & ALSO the real purpose is to draw attention to the design bloggers & their support of Nate. Since I'm new to the design blogging game, I thought I'd join in:)
I want to highlight my very favorite makeover that Nate did for O at Home in 2004. Any designer can make a pretty room, Nate is genius at the makeovers. I had this article saved in my secret design stash since I saw it in 2004. I'm blown away I can keep anything so long, let alone be able to put my hands on it when I need it! But for Nate I will;)

Be sure to check out all of the other amazing posts for Nate Day! Search Twitter for #nateday. Thanks Nate for living the designer dream! I can't wait to see the show!
XX, Jamie