Monday's Mood Board - More On My Parasol Room

by Mari Robeson in , , , ,

I've been having a lot of fun putting together this Parasol Room for my client. I've been busy painting away. I'm not saying these will all make the cut but it's a sneak peek into how my ideas are coming together. Hope everyone is off to a great start of the week! It's going to be another busy one here. :-)


Bedding is from The Land Of Nod. Paint color for walls Sherwin Williams Rhythmic Blue SW 6806

Painting Parasols!

by Mari Robeson in , , , ,

My projects have now overflowed onto my dining room table and with a big graduation party comng up, it's time to get organized!! Eeeek!

This week I worked on a design I'm calling my Parasol Room. It's pinks and blues and I'm pleased with how it's all coming together so far. I painted these yesterday but I'm still not quite sure if they will be fabric or pillows or prints And I still have a few more ideas swirling around....soooo stay tuned... Have a great weekend everyone!

Playing Around...Concept Elevations...

by Mari Robeson in , , ,

When I put together a room I like to draw quick elevations for a couple of reasons. First of all, it's fun, but mainly I draw it out so I remember my discussions with my client and how they want their space to look. This is a little playroom my friend, Teri and I, are working on together. Just posting it because I think it's interesting to see how other designers work through the process of putting a room together, of course there are many more details to this room...paint schedule, furniture & accessory schedules, etc...etc... I'm sure even this will evolve and change. We'll know for sure in August when we do the installation!

Thank You!

by Mari Robeson in ,

Thank you everyone who came out to my Seminar at the San Luis Obispo Home Show! I enjoyed meeting you all and I hope I shared with you lots of useful information about Designing With Color! If you would like any of the information I spoke about just shoot me an email. If you want to know more updates about what I'm doing you can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest! Thank you again! xo Mari~

Updates & A Little Boy's Bulldog Room...The Process

by Mari Robeson in , , ,

Just when you think you can't get any busier, the universe has a way of handing you more! I've had such a fun week, talking on the radio, working on projects that I just love with clients that I love, and perparing for my Seminar this Sunday at the Home Expo! That is just a small part of what's been going on so my blogging has been a little - a hem - delayed. :-)

I mentioned a little while ago that I am designing a dozen different children's rooms, on a budget, and a tight time frame. Love it! Every room has a different theme and it's sparking all kinds of ideas for new art which is why my blog has been reflecting more of a kiddo vibe these days. 

This is a little peak of how I work. I do this with my E-Design clients as well (if you're interested in that just email me and I'll send you all the info.) Side note: My website will be undergoing some major construction these next few months, with all new features and services, so stay tuned for that!

Anyhow, back to the "process" First I pick my room theme, in this case, it's my Bulldog Room. Then I create a floor plan. Next, I find all the goodies; the furniture, bedding, and accessories. Last of all, I pick the paint colors. All these items and links to them are cataloged on schedule sheets so that the client knows exactly where they can purchase the items. This also gives the client a clear idea of what the project is going to cost. In my case, I had a budget I had to stick too and I'm happy to say that I came in under budget on this one.

And just for fun, I like to put together an illustration of how the room will look. This can also be done digitally at OlioBoard.com which is a great resource for those of you who like to create your own designs. I'm going to talk about their site this weekend at the Seminar. I hope to see you there!

Bed from RosenberryRooms Bedding from Serena & Lily Bulldog Pillow & Print from Piccola Casa License Plate Art from ETSY Little Red Bulldog From ETSY Rockin' Bulldog Lamp from PB Teen Wall Decal from Trading Phases Stuffed Bulldog from IKEA

New Art In My Shop - Meet My Ballet Dancer!

by Mari Robeson in , , ,

Ok, so it went from being busy, to, I can't even catch my breath busy!!! I'm so grateful for all the fun, creative design projects I've been working on and I truly Love everything that I'm doing. Aside from my Interior Design clients, I've also been designing 12 children's rooms for a new development. Of course, I love designing children's rooms and every project seems to inspire me to create new art. This is the latest of those inspirations. I painted this watercolor print for my Ballet Themed girls room. I'll be so excited to share the pictures of all these rooms in June but until then, you can purchase my latest print in my shop. Happy Friday everyone! I hope you are all creating something beautiful this weekend!

I'm Speaking At The SLO HOME SHOW!!! Join Me May 5th! 1:30pm

by Mari Robeson in , , , , ,

I'm super excited and honored to be asked to do a seminar on Interior Design and Color!!! I have sooooooo much great information to share with you! Please come join me Sunday, May 5th! It's a great show to make contact with all our local home professionals and get inspiration for your own home improvement projects!

Dancing Around With My Art....

by Mari Robeson in , ,

I've been a little MIA lately due to some incredibly fun design projects I've been working on as well as a few fun events happening in May that I'm preparing for...shhhh....details soon! Still, with everything going on, I love to steal away to my studio and paint...it's my stress reliever, if you will. One of the rooms I'm working on is a Ballerina Room. I've danced and taught dance my entire life it seems and I love to create imagery around that theme...I've posted a few pics on my Instagram too...I'm playing around with a nw technique...sketch...watercolor...ink...photoshop in color...I'm kind of liking the way they feel. I'd love to know what colors would you like to see? I'll have these prints up in my shop shortly. 

Monday's Mood Board - Introducing "Bows & Ballet!"

by Mari Robeson in , , , , ,

This week I'll be putting the finishing touches on our New 2013 Catalog and today I'm introducing a new collection; Bows & Ballet! Many of you may not know this about me but I've been a dancer my entire life. During my early twenties I actually danced professionally and loved every minute of it. I've taught dance for over 25 years but sadly, I haven't been dancing at all this year. I was doing a little cleaning up and came across my old dance shoes and leg warmers and the inspiration hit. That couple with everything striped trending right now, it's the strangest things that can inspire me sometimes.

My new little petite pillow is 12" x 12" and I just love how it's such a sweet little accent to any room. I also love the graphic feel of the art pieces grouped together with these laser cut monogrammed letters from Rosenberry Rooms. So clever! This stunning resting bench is from Layla Grace. I would love to have it in my home! Of course, I think every young ladies room should have a manikin. In my daughter's room we have "LoLa". She is fabulous at keeping track of jewelry, belts, and scarves. I used to have her in my boutique but now she has a lovely home with my girls. Happy Monday All! Let's all have an amazing week!

1 "Bow" 8" x 10" Art Print from my Shop  2 Laser Cut Wood Scalloped Monogrammed Letters from Rosenberry Rooms  3 "Ballet" 8" x 10" or 11" x 14" Art Print from my Shop  4 Petite "Bow" Pillow from my Shop  5 Black & White Striped Pillow from Piccola Casa  6 Palais Resting Bench from Layla Grayce

Mid Week Mood Board - Spot On Design!

by Mari Robeson in , , , , ,

There are a couple of things trending right now in design and I've fallen hard for them. First of all, I'm madly in love with all things spotted. Oddly enough, it wasn't the easiest accessory to find so when I came across this fabulous spotted cowhide rug over at Society Social I was beyond thrilled. In fact, let me just tell you, this is a fabulous site for designers and those who love design. The founder/designer Roxy Owens has really put together an incredible team with some serious design inspiration on her sites.

And while we are trending. Let's talk about Hollywood Regency for a bit shall we? It has always been my first love in design. Many of my textiles are influenced by the old Hollywood black and white movies I watched over and over as a kid. I remember being 7 years old and being mesmerized by the fashion and even the architectural details in these movies. Many of the borders on my pillows, like my Cherry Pillow here, are reflective of that time period. When I saw this crib over at Jack & Jill Boutique, I knew I just had to create a room around it. (More to come about this adorable website and the incredible designer behind it, Sherri Blum) This crib is gorgeous! Who says a nursery can't be sophisticated? 

Leave it to designer extraordinaire, Abbe Fenimore from Shop Ten 25, to have the hottest selections in lighting on her site. She finds the most unique and distinctive items like this amazing Tassel Pendant! 

And any room wouldn't be complete without just a touch of animal print. That's my "Good To Know" designer tip of the day by the way. Where else to find it but at Layla Grayce of course. Their Sophia Lounge Chair with zebra upholstery, adds just the right amount of chic to the room.

Last of all, let's talk about Walls. Another hot trend is Greek Key. I came across this super ETSY shop that makes a Greek Key Vinyl Border. You can't get any easier than that to dress up a room! Don't be afraid to go bold with color too. A few years ago I designed a restaurant in San Luis Obispo called Palazzo Giuseppe. The owners of the building thought I was crazy as I was painting all the molding and doors in a high gloss black and the ceilings, yes all of them, in a metallic silver, but when the last chandelier was hung and crystal placed on the table, they all said, Wow! The restaurant is still going strong and I highly recommend everything on the menu!

Here's one more "Good To Know" designer tip; whenever you are painting anything metallic (like the big gold heart on my Mood Board) it's best to rent a cup sprayer. Mask off your heart and spray the paint on. Otherwise you will have roller or brush marks. Of course you want to make sure that the room is well ventilated, windows open, etc. and you wear a mask too.

1 Original Heart Painting From Piccola Casa 2 Spotted Cowhide Rug From Society Social 3 Sophia Lounge Chair From Layla Grayce 4 Ivory Tassel Pendant From Shop Ten 25 5 Greek Key Border From ETSY 6 Beverly Crib from Jack and Jill Boutique 7 Black and White Stripe & Cherry Pillows from Piccola Casa

Mid Week Mood Board - Everything Is Possible!

by Mari Robeson in , , , , ,

On this week's Mid Week Mood Board we'd like to introduce you to our little Flying Piggy! I hope you will agree that 2013 is the year of making things happen and our Flying Piggy represents just that!I love the quote by Audrey Hepburn; "Nothing is Impossible. The word itself says, I'm Possible!" So make this year be the year to achieve whatever goals you set for yourself. I know I'm going for some big dreams this year and I hope you will too! You can find my Piggy Pillows and Print in my ETSY Shop, Picciola Casa. The goregeous glider and lamp are from Rosenberry Rooms. You know I love this table by Bungalow 5 also from Rosenberry Rooms and isn't this sweet little piggy bank so adorable? Available at RigbyandMac.

1 Chaz Pillow In Turquoise from Piccola Casa 2 Piggy Pillows from Piccola Casa 3 Uma White Glass Lamp from Rosenberry Rooms 4 Anna Swivel Glider from Rosenberry Rooms 5 Flying Piggy 11" x 14" Believe Print from Piccola Casa 6 Jacqui Tea Table by Bungalow 5 from Rosenberry Rooms 7 Piggy Bank from RigbyandMac

An Overdue Thank You!

by Mari Robeson in , , , ,

Oh my goodness...it's the Friday before Christmas and I'm quite tardy on giving thanks to some wonderful blogging friends!

I just have to stop and take the time to thank a few fellow bloggers who were sooooooooooooo very kind to feature my product on their sites this month! First of all a huge Thank You to my talented friend Brett, over at IAmTheLab for including our Macaroon Calendar in his 2013 Calendar Picks. This guy is so wonderful! He dedicates so much time to supporting the handmade community and his blog is gorgeous! I do hope you check it out and get inspired. I also want to thank Interior Decorator, Abby Manchesky, of ADelightfulDesign, for including us in her Gift Guide For The Creative Home. She too, has a blog loaded with inspiration and ideas!

Last of all, a gigantic thank you to my sweet friend, Abbe Fenimore, of StudioTen25. Abbe does the greatest collections of home decor products in her Weekend Windows. In honor of Pantone announcing Emeral Green as the color of 2013, she posted this lovely collection including our Purse Print. I just love how she puts everything together! You can view all her picks here.

As the year is coming to an end, I can't help but feel so incredibly blessed to have the support from these lovely bloggers as well as all my family and friends. There is much to be grateful for this Holiday Season. I hope that you all have a very happy holiday as well!!!!

Monday's Mood Board - It's A Panda Party! -and- Introudcing Our New Junior Collection Now on ETSY - Piccola Casa!!!

by Mari Robeson in , , , , ,

Oh My! I can’t believe it’s the middle of October already!!! It has been so busy at our studio these days, I have to remind myself to take time to go for walks and breathe deeply! I finally had the opportunity to put together a new Monday Mood Board and this time I’m keeping it really colorful and really fun! We just joined the ranks of all the other talented artists over at ETSY and this weekend we opened the doors to our new Junior Shop, Piccola Casa. Piccola Casa means Little House in Italian and since I grew up in a large Italian family, the name just seemed fitting.

Let me introduce you to one of our new designs, Panda Party! Over in our new shop you can find my Panda Party pillow and art print as well as lots of coordinating items. I have many more items to add to Piccola Casa so I hope you will check back often.

Now on to our Monday Mood Board!! Check out this amazing Regency Youth Bed I found over at LaylaGrayce. It comes in many colors and I am loving how fresh and new this design is. Of course you know I’m a fan of anything from Bungalow 5 and this perfect, modern Piedmont Side Table is available on their sister site, ZINC Door. Have you had a chance to look at the lighting collection over at Shop Ten 25? She has so many great selections over there it’s hard to pick one. Do you not love, love, love this Pagoda Lamp?!?!

When I’m painting these little watercolors, I let my mind wonder. I don’t really know why I painted circles on the ground but it seemed like a fun idea and kid’s rooms should be fun! Wall Decals are so popular these days, like these from Pottery Barn Teen….walls, ground, where ever!

So let the Panda Party begin!!! Please check out Piccola Casa and send me your ideas or suggestions. I’d love to hear from you!

1 Black & White Striped Pillow from Piccola Casa 2 Panda Party Pillow from Piccola Casa 3 Panda Party 11' x 17" Art Print From Piccola Casa 4 Bungalow 5 Piedmont Side Table from ZINC Door 5 Bubble Dot Decals from PBTeen 6 Regency Youth Bed from LaylaGrayce 7 Orange Pagoda Lamp from ShopTen25

Check Out Studio Ten 25's Weekend Window!

by Mari Robeson in , , , ,

It's always a Happy Friday when someone you admire and respect gives you a Shout Out on their blog! Especially when it's another designer who's work you really admire. I've been so fortunate to meet the stunning, Abbe Fenimore, proprietress of Shop Ten 25 and blog, Studio Ten 25, via the Blogsphere. From the day she asked me to create a few watercolor paintings for her new on-line shop I knew this would be a great friendship. Her excitement and love of design is contagious and I'm so grateful to be part of it. I'm super happy to say you can now find my product in her lovely shop! If you enjoy design like we do, I know you will appreciate her thoughtfully curated collection of home decor items. You can read our feature in her Weekend Window here. Have a terrific weekend everyone!!!