Thursday, November 1, 2012

WHITE + GOLD ANNOUNCEMENT + 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Now that it's official I can announce that White + Gold has a new office! Many of you locals have been to Caitlin Creer's furniture sale at EK Studios, and yep, that's where our new office is! This means we get to share a space with the very talented Elizabeth Wixom and Kimberly Rassmussen of ElizabethKimberly Designs, Caitlin Creer, Rochelle Warner, and Tracee G Designs.

The new office might look a little like this with the white desk + gold wall sculpture.



I found this beauty at a mid-century antique store downtown and fell in love. Unfortunately when I excitedly showed my husband he took one look at it and said it was an absolute NO in our house. He felt like it was too 70's and not enough mid-century cool. I agree with him somewhat, but I think that's why I kind of like it. I also might like it because it's a big gold piece of jewelry for my wall! I think it looks Italian, but now I'm just happy that I might have a place to put my little wall jewel.


I was also inspired by this pic from Pinterest...



We also just bought the domain name www.WHITEANDGOLDDESIGN.com so we can get our website up and running. We are still looking for a web designer - are any of you a web designer or know a good one? The new website also means a new blog layout + new and FINAL logo. It might end up looking something like this.




I also need to commemorate today that White + Gold Design has been in business exactly 1 year! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to us! I feel like White + Gold is all grown-up. Do you know what I mean? It's only been a year, but I have completed 7 projects, added an employee/partner, bought an office space, and learned A LOT.

This was my first start-to-finish project. I think I made something like $20 an hour!! And the budget was TINY (which was great).

And this was my first post ever, before I was an official designer. And this was what I said in that post," And FYI: I named this blog WHITE + GOLD because those are my two favorite colors. I had to add "design" because whiteandgold.blogspot.com was taken. Don't worry, I know I'm not a designer, nor do I have unreal expectations of becoming one, but since the blog is about design it made sense.

I laughed out loud when I read this. Yes, it was a very "unreal expectation" to become a designer, but I fell in love with design when we remodeled our home and I knew it was the missing piece in my life. I NEEDED interior design, and I made it happen.

I am not embarrassed to say that I didn't go to school and I pretty much just woke up one day and decided to start an interior design business. To some this philosophy is offensive - "who do you think you are to just say you're a designer?!" And there is some truth to that. But who are any of us to say we are ever anything? I hope everyone can find something they love and are good at and go for it no matter what convention says to do.

I do want to say one thing publicly - that I am very grateful that I had the means and opportunity to start my business. I am grateful to have some talent for design and a supportive husband. I am extremely grateful to Malinda, my nanny, who comes twice a week to watch my two little loves and makes sure they are taken care of and plays with them (sometimes even more than I would if I was home).

There are many days I have an internal struggle with working as a mother, but at the end of the day, and after I've thought it out, I think this is the best thing for me and my family as long as it stays balanced. Thank YOU for all of your support. I am by no means the most popular blog on the web or even in SLC, but I do have some great followers and your comments have influenced me and many of my design decisions. You have been extremely helpful and I appreciate every compliment and piece of advice.

Here's to many more years of interior design and beautiful homes.

19 comments:

  1. Hey Marianne, congrats on all the accomplishments this past year, so fun! I've loved hearing all the updates through your blog and through Judith, especially as a fellow design lover:) Keep up the good work!

    My husband runs a Design/Branding firm and Im sure he would love to help you out on your site:) http://petersenwest.com/

    best,

    Jenilyn

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    1. I just emailed him! Thank you so much for the referral. His work looks amazing!

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  2. Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary! I always adore your work and look forward to seeing more projects and ideas! -Jen W.

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  3. You are so adorable! I am THRILLED for you, the new space, your anniversary, and all the success. You are so talented, and no doubt as soon as wyatt starts makin some money I am enlisting your help for my "grown up" house:)

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  4. Congratulations on your first year! And cheers to you for following your gut!!

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  5. Congratulations on all your accomplishments so far! Good for you for following your dreams...and if someone is willing to hire and pay you to help design their home then you are an interior designer, schooling or not!!

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  6. Congrats on such a successful year! You are incredible and I love to see what you are up to. I am jealous of your office space, to work such talented ladies! Great things are in store for you my friend!

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  7. I think you're a natural and have many amazing years ahead! Congrats on year #1 and on a great new office!

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  8. Aw congratulations! And your new office is so cute!!

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  9. Congratulations, Marianne! You are an inspiration. I wish you every success! XO

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  10. Congratulations, Marianne! So excited for you. Can't wait to see all that you do, including my home one day : )

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  11. So happy for you! You are so talented, best of luck!

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  12. Congratulations! What a big year for you. Keep up the good work, you are so talented and I can't wait to see what's to come!

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  13. This is awesome Mar!! Congrats! I'm so happy for you. I'm so excited for you to design my future houses! You are so talented. Miss you!!

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  14. Beautiful Marianne!! I'm so jealous!

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  15. So cool! You have always been very artisatic. Love youe style:) miss you. I would love to see you next time I'm in town--maybe a cousins Lunch? Take care
    Abi

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  16. It's funny Marianne, I had the same dilemma when I knew I was a designer years ago but didn't feel right about calling myself that unless I had a degree. So I would say I was an interior decorator. So I went and got me a design degree. It made me feel so much more confident and I felt I had the creditability I felt I was lacking. Going to design school doesn't mean you can design, I can attest to that by being surrounded by many students who had no design sense but could ace a test. {did I mention I got straight "a's" ? lol} You have the designer eye for sure, your work is beautiful, but along with that you will have to school yourself in codes, ADA compliant stuff, HVAC etc. Nothing you can't learn on the job, but you just look more credible having that knowledge approaching client meetings. So, I say, when you have time, look into getting your degree, because it is never too late. Congratulations on your anniversary and your continued success, I love watching you grow!

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  17. Congratulations Marianne! Your interiors are amazing. I would totally hire you if I were in SLC. Also, I have the same ikea dressers as my nightstands, and I'm completely inspired to switch out the knobs after seeing yours. Thank you for all the inspiration.

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