Photo via Elle Decor.
Sometimes my enthusiasm for design isn’t quite met with the same excitement by others. Family and friends often have their own interests and really don’t want to hear me dissect the latest trends in kitchen design. But then again, with three brothers and husband in IT and my oldest son blogging about “The Ising Model of a Ferromagnet” my eyes definitely glaze over when they start talking about their latest projects. That’s why it’s so refreshing to interact with other designers, including my own team, because they just get it. Let me illustrate with a few examples:
While most of the time I find no interested family member to run an errand with me even at a local store, this is how the scenario plays out with a fellow designer:
“I heard about a new antiquities store (2 hrs away!). We should check it out at one point…”
Response: “That sounds awesome! Let’s go tomorrow?”
Another example:
Me (to family/non-designer friends): “Which shade of blue would you like best of these choices?”
Response: “Hmmm. They both look the same to me…”
versus
Me (to fellow designer): “I am thinking of Philadelphia Cream for the living room.”
Response: “OMG I love Philadelphia Cream!” Followed by a 30 minute discussion on Philadelphia Cream versus some of our other favorite neutrals, while discovering that both of us used Philadelphia Cream in our dining rooms at one point of our lives.
Photo via Apartment Therapy. Nook painted in Benjamin Moore’s Philadelphia Cream.
Do you have these same experiences? What’s your favorite thing about connecting with others who share your passion? And yes this is one of the reasons I love going to the High Point Market (the count down has officially begun!). In addition to discovering new products, new trends, and of course inspiration everywhere, it is also wonderful and energizing to be surrounded by design/like minded people everywhere!
Inspired Design 
July 14, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Yes, extremely common I’m afraid. That is what I appreciate about Twitter. Even though as designers, we may be in other states or countries, coming together for weekly chats has been wonderful and I have had the opportunity to meet several of them in person at design related events. Yes, we live and breathe design and just another reason design blogs are so fun to read!
July 14, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Thanks for reading. I totally agree. I love looking at design blogs, because it gives me a chance to see what others are doing and gives me inspiration. Twitter, WordPress, etc. also create a community feeling and allow us to feel connected regardless of distance. Though when I think about it, mathematicians and engineers probably have the same problem as us! haha.
July 14, 2012 at 1:33 pm
P.S. Rather than thinking of each other as competition, it is so much more exciting and fun to share our passion and learn from each other. Just opened (finally!) a twitter account, so just getting started with that.
July 16, 2012 at 10:57 pm
That’s great! Please join #IntDesignerChat tomorrow night at 6 or any Tuesday at 6.. It’s OK to just follow and listen the first few times as it goes fast. Best to use Tweetchat or Tweetdeck.
July 17, 2012 at 12:07 am
Will try. Thanks Patti!
July 14, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Thanks for reading. I totally agree. I love looking at design blogs, because it gives me a chance to see what others are doing and gives me inspiration. Twitter, WordPress, etc. also create a community feeling and allow us to feel connected regardless of distance. Though when I think about it, mathematicians and engineers probably have the same problem as us! haha.
July 16, 2012 at 4:50 pm
*laughs* This is so true on so many other levels. It’s like that when talking to other “Book nerds” or “Band Geeks”. Especially band kids from High School. It’s grand.
July 16, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Haha. Yes it is. It’s so nice connecting with others who share your interests. Plus, everyone gets your jokes!
July 16, 2012 at 4:59 pm
EXACTLY! Love for it.
July 17, 2012 at 11:30 am
Where would we be without each other? Who but other designers do we turn to for sources, suppliers, craftsmen, brainstorming, etc?
http://www.milwaukeeinteriordesigncoach.com/
July 17, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Thanks for reading! That is very true. I couldn’t live without them!
August 12, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Hi designers….I am new to these interactions…but I love it already! I love my fellow designers because, you’re right, they just get it! It’s so nice to have designer friends to bounce ideas off of, vent….:), and just to know that they(most of them) are on your side…
I love reading all of your comments!!!
August 12, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Thanks for reading! I agree with the bouncing ideas off of and venting. Asking a husband or child about your dilemma with two shades of blue just falls on deaf ears. Hahaha.
August 12, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Also, I checked out your Web site and portfolio. That before and after shot of the kitchen with the fabulous chandelier is absolutely stunning! I’m also an equestrian!
August 12, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Thank you!! Kitchens are one of my favorite rooms to design or redesign!! I love blinged out chandeliers… My fellow designers call me The”queen of bling”!!! Lol.