burgundydistrict

I'm an independent designer and artist from Portland, OR. I am continuing my studies through Rhodec International and London Metropolitan University with a Bachelor (Honors) degree in Interior Design.

I've been known to fall in love with a quirky song and listen to it 24/7 for the next month. Sometimes lyrics make me think of a particular design I can include in a new product line or piece. Color probably inspires me the most, though. In Portland, colors change dramatically from season to season. The rust golds and oranges of Fall, icy whites and silvers of Winter, poppy pinks and fresh greens of Spring, and vivid reds and purples of Summer sunsets...

I really enjoy organic gardening - especially herbs and vegetables. Anything I can eat at harvest time! I also love the challenge of growing exotic flowers and orchids.

I absolutely adore cooking. If I'm not designing new items for Etsy or making some new crafty thing, I'm in the kitchen... elbows deep in a good soup. I love making homemade bread, potato dishes, creamy soups, Italian pastas, and interesting desserts with chocolate, fruit ice cream / sorbet, and caramel. In addition to featuring talented Etsy artists on my blog (listed above), I occasionally post a new original recipe from my kitchen. Some recipes from the past include winter bean soup, homemade potato chips, and zucchini, sausage, and potato stew.

Eco-friendly anything! I make journals, but I enjoy learning new binding techniques. I adore handmade clutches, big pleated purses, making simple earrings and jewelry (more modern and earth toned), sewing shoes, taking simple happy photographs and creating modern art.

:: modern / contemporary design (furniture, art, accessories -- think Ikea)
:: handmade items (the best!)
:: handbinding / book making supplies and tutorials
:: absolutely anything from Oregon
:: strawberry BUBBLE TEA (yumm)
:: japanese interior design / craft / sewing books and magazines
:: Lindt Lindor truffles and any milk chocolate (caramel too!)
:: handsewn shoes (ballet flat style in size 7.5 or 8)
:: dark brown, burgundy, red, light blue, tan, turquoise, poppy red, natural green, yellow, and crimson
:: modern fabric
:: eco-friendly items (like bamboo yarn)
:: interior design / photography books and materials
:: rings (larger or thin, colorful or not, metal or nature-inspired is great)
:: fine art or photography that is simple and modern
:: gardening - herbs and other edible foods
:: scarves (long thick ones!) / neckwarmers in neutral tones
:: exotic tea
:: Pacific Northwest coffee
:: polaroid camera 600 film - b/w and color

:: cartoons / anime / other novelty items
:: figurines / collectibles
:: stickers
:: licorice / anise flavors
:: dark chocolate
:: fantasy / sci-fi things
:: scrapbooking
:: mass produced cheap jewelry supplies
:: plastic
:: "girly" or "cutesy" stuff
:: pink / purple
:: animal prints
:: fiction books (i read - i'm just picky, haha)
:: embellishments
:: store brand yarn
:: country or traditional style accessories

The Caine Mutiny. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Great Expectations. "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!"

Flight of the Conchords. Any show on HGTV. The Office. Traveler. House. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Feist. Robert Plant. Damien Rice. Andrew Bird. The Postal Service. Sufjan Stevens. Glen Hansard. Kanye West. Alison Krauss. Coldplay. Eva Cassidy. Iron & Wine. Jon Foreman. One Republic. Lupe Fiasco. Mana. The Beatles. The Shins. Jeff Buckley. Imogen Heap. Deas Vail. Mat Kearney. Journey. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals. Stars. Eisley. Spencer Green. Brand New. Stacy Clark. Jason Mraz. Norah Jones. Marketa Irglova. Jack Johnson. Sleeping at Last. Death Cab for Cutie. Sigur Ros.