A Fly on the Wall

Tonight I had the pleasure of attending a party hosted by Herman Miller at the new Nine Zero Hotel in Boston. The guest of honor at this party was George Nelson's personal secretary of 21 years, Hilda Longinotti.

Here she is modeling during her early years with Nelson.

 And here she is years later, while working with Herman Miller.

And let me tell you...this woman had some stories! She told us all the scoop on George Nelson, including what it was like to work in a design firm in the 50's {imagine Mad Men meets architecture}. She met Andy Warhol on several occasions. Nelson's office had hired him to do several renderings for one of their projects before he was the Andy Warhol. She was around when Nelson invited Ray and Charles Eames to join the Herman Miller design team. This woman has seen it all and it was so exciting to get to hear it all first hand from such a fun, spunky personality. I felt like I was a fly on the wall of one one of the greatest design practices to date. I think George must have been in love with her. I sure was.

I, of course, love George Nelson as well. Remind me later to tell you the real scoop on Ray and Charles Eames! You. will. die.

Dining Room Love

I love everything about Erin McLaughlin's dining room.
the settee.
the light fixture.
the old table.
the pillows.
the wire back chairs.
the rug.
the wall collage.

Everything.

image here

Process

Today I worked from home and had a little down time to add a few things to my website. I have a feeling the ole' website is going to be a little here a little there due to my crazy schedule these days.  But I wanted to show you guys just a few examples of what my design process looks like in case you've been thinking ... I would like to work with a designer on my new space but not quite sure how the process goes. Go to the site and click process. And to be honest, it varies with each client. So if you have any specific questions, feel free to shoot me an email.

Today I had my first client meeting since establishing Sabbe Interior Design:)

On a completely unrelated note, as my time wraps up here, I sure am going to miss these guys.

I made everyone these for Valentines Day. And this past Saturday, in the midst of a crazy deadline, we found time for a much needed 'stache shot. The lack of co-workers is going to be my least favorite part about starting my own business. I'm thinking of setting up some small business owner work dates. Any takers!? Please note, the occasional mustache will be required.

The Rug Company

I have spent many, many hours of my career looking at carpet. Grant it, a great deal of that carpet was commercial {which is a whole other beast}. But whether I was looking for a corporate, hospitality, or residential client, the one thing I am always on the look out for is great texture. The Rug Company website makes my heart skip a beat, no joke.
Look at this high/low texture! You want to touch it through your computer screen don't you? That means it's good stuff.

Besides their awesome rugs, their website is amazing. The room scenes will definitely be showing up in some future inspiration boards for clients of mine.

Best news...they are opening a Boston showroom!

Get excited!

Sunday!

I am so happy it's Sunday. Sunday is a tie for my favorite day of the week.

I just checked my email and wanted to share this with you guys before I forget. My friend and former Pastor, John Bryson, has been working over the past couple of years on  a video series to help prepare Christian teens to take on the college world. John worked in college ministry for over 11 years and really understands the varying types of struggles teens can go through during these very formidable years. If you have a teen I would highly recommend checking it out. It's called College Ready.

On a completely unrelated note, I plan on staring at Mr. Sabbe all day long. We both have the day off and have not seen one another awake since last Sunday.

Staring at him is nothing new.  I stared at him two weeks ago on the T. I told him I was just trying to get inside his brain. He's a very smart man.

I think I more so got into his glasses. But then again, I'm pretty sure his brain was saying...woman, leave me alone and put away the camera.

Come and Sew With Me!

This week has been exhausting. I have worked past 9 pm every night (still working with an architecture firm outside the city). And since we're operating on opposite schedules, I forgot what Mr. Sabbe looks like (just kidding).  But I wanted to let everyone know that the BCAE is offering 25% off all classes if you sign up in March. So go and sign up for my sewing classes. I'm scheduled for three. The first is the Sewing for Babies Class, then an Apron class, and then Sewing for Beginners. Something for everyone!

Here is the flier I posted around South End and Beacon Hill last weekend.

Ahhh, last Saturday...sunny, shopping, and coffee. And this Saturday you ask?...it's gray, it's snowing, and I'll be cranking away on a set of construction documents that are due by 5pm tomorrow night. What a difference a week can make! Have a great weekend!

Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal, Venice

I love mixing old and new. I think Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal in Venice is a wonderful example of how much drama can be added to a space by mixing it up a bit.

Mr. Sabbe and I went to Venice in what seems like a million years ago. (2004) Although we didn't stay in any fancy hotels. We were backpackers. And you will see by my extra wild, curly hair, luxuries such as blow dryers and flat irons were not a part of our trip. most. fun. summer. ever

Thank God for flat irons.

Announcements, Annoucements, Annoooouuuucements

Next month, after working 6 years with fabulous architects and designers, in some of the best firms in the country, I am going out on my own. I have been contriving this little venture since last September and after much thought and planning have decided that mid April will be my time to make the leap.

Visit my website to learn more about me and view a few of my projects. I am obviously a new practice, so a great deal of work I have completed at previous firms will not be able to be viewed on my website due to copyright and ownership issues. But if you are curious, you can view my professional portfolio here.

So tell your friends, tell your family, tell yourself, I'm officially in business! I will be adding a "services" tab to my site shortly to help you understand my full scope, which will include online design services (yay for all of my TN peeps right!?) But until then feel free to email me with any questions and thanks again for being my blog friends!

The Kite Runner

We went to the park today to fly a kite.

Watch out Amir, Mr. Sabbe's got some skills.

If you are thinking what is she talking about, you need to read the best. book. ever.

New Skirt, check. Gorgeous Day, check.

I cleaned my house and made my skirt last night. You should give it a try. It literally took 30 minutes.
I should have blind stitched the bottom, but that would have ruined the 30 minute part. Please excuse the fact that I don't quite have it on straight in this picture. It's hard to be your own stylist. And because I am short, I made mine a little shorter and made it sit a little lower on my waist than Susan's.

{exciting Friday night, I know} 

But I wanted to be prepared for this....

I'm headed to brunch and then going to check out a new interiors shop called J.E.M in the South End. I read about it in Elle Decor last month. If I add a lot of coffee to this equation, it could turn out to be the perfect day.

Weekend Project

This weekend I am going to make Susan's Mama skirt. I've already purchase my materials.

I've also got the bug to make a new spring bag. It was 63 today in Boston! 63!

One day soon I am going to tell you how the bag I made in the fall has been the best bag ever.

What projects are on your list?

Half Size Set

What to do with the old entertainment center....

Or the end table in your neighbor's yard sale...

Cutest things you've ever seen right!? Craig's List is jam packed with great pieces for a project like this. I need to borrow a kid to make one of these for. And who needs PB kids and their $200 kitchens when you a crafty mom like this one, or this one.

found here

Happy St. Patty's Day

Hope you remembered your green! I pinch.

Images: Milk Decor, Interior Design Magazine, Unknown

Window Film

Makes glass so much more fun, don't you think?

To explore window films that would work well in a residential setting visit the 3M website.