Design Camp recap - spilling some of the tips and tricks I learned

I had the exceptional privilege of being a guest at Design Camp in Austin TX from Oct 24th - 26th.  Design Camp was created by celebrity interior designers Lori Dennis and Kelli Ellis.  Aside from two days of on-trend interior design education, the people - speakers and guests - were all awesome!!!  Lori and Kelli were so sweet and made the conference feel more like a party where people discuss great ideas to expand and grow your design business.

I felt the most useful and inspiring speakers were those that covered information of social media and using it to get your designs and creativity out there!  Leslie Carothers, CEO of The Kaleidoscope Partnership, shared with everyone the amazing "Olioboard," a site that allows you to create 2 and 3D rooms that you can share with others, shop from, and save.  Most design campers agreed this was one of their favorite presentations.

A sample Olioboard

All The Best's Ronda Rice Carman spoke about the necessity of defining your brand, which includes having a website that reflects your philosophy and services.  ( I don't usually like to push my other business, web design, but I can definitely hook you guys up with a gorgeous website!)  She also recommends staying focused on what you want to accomplish - avoid having too many branches of your blog/business.  Find your niche and stick to it!

Design expert Susanna Salk spoke about getting published and her experiences creating beautiful design books.

Susanna's tips include not being afraid to get out there and introduce yourself and your work through various social networking platforms (twitter, facebook, olioboard, pinterest, etc.), and to editors and bloggers.

Lori Dennis (far left) and Kelli Ellis (far right) are the lovely ladies who make Design Camp so informational and fun.  I also got to meet fellow design blogger Julie Thigpen (to the left of Kelli), of Belle Maison.  (Thanks to Julie for the pic)

Maureen Stevens of  The Inglenook Decor (left) and I enjoying a Design Camp cocktail party.

Sounds like you would like to go to Design Camp?!?  You have many more opportunities in Atlanta, Seattle, Denver, Philadelphia, and Orange County.  Learn more and register at Design Camp.

A new store that made me heart skip a beat...

I wish more often I would come across stores like Mockingbird Domestics.  There are lots of online stores, but I get tired of seeing the same thing over and over.  Mockingbird domestics is also a bricks and mortar store, as founders Jeff and Laura are launching a location in Austin, TX.  Any readers living in Austin?  If so, you are really lucky, because I would LOVE to see some of these pieces in person.

Here are some of my favorites -

I NEED this table.  Right now, I need any table, as ours isn't fit for a barn.  This cafe style table would make me one happy girl.

How great is this walnut standing table.  They custom made this for a client and then decided they should offer it regularly.  I try to stand at my desk and I have to put my keyboard and mouse on a box on my desk to make it slightly comfortable.

This very cool rocker is made from Texas wine barrels.

How cool is this handtruck ottoman?!?

They also have a lot of lovely accoutrements.  They take pride that many of their products are from local artists and artisans, as well as having some vintage and international products peppered in.

I find this silver pedestal bowl really striking.

My mother would LOVE these barnyard skewers.

Even though I work as a freelance web designer, I am an illustrator by training, and I really admire the work of Chris Celusniak, who painted this whimsical and detailed Texas Capitol.

What do you think of their products?  You can go to Mockingbird Domestics to learn and see more.