#azureelizabethdesign

[azureelizabethdesign]

Last week was a pretty busy week for me. Not only did I attend Vegas Market with my dear friend Designer Teri Thomas of Teri Thomas Interior Design the first of the week, but I made a few stops the next few days on the way back to Salt Lake City. A few of those visits were more personal... a meeting with two new important people & a good friend who I've known via social media, but never had the privilege to meet on person. Then a long stop in Panguitch to visit my client Lex & the Azevedo Ranch. It was really lovely. Even though I was there for business, we had a great time catching up the evening I arrived over his amazing cooking. I really am grateful to have such good relationships with my client's. Both of us had a crazy year last year & he'd put his project on hold after I did his custom window coverings install last March. It was still as beautiful as when I did it. The draperies really play nicely on the materials & colors of the room. Now we are back on track with the project & finally ordering the fabrics we'd selected (although we had to re-select a few) to re-upholster his beautiful furniture he had brought from his home in Salt Lake to go in the Stuido. #aeinteriordesign #AEDesign #interiordesign #interiordesigner #azureelizabethdesign #utahdesigner #utahdesign #windowcoverings #windowtreatments #customcurtains #customdesign #draperies #azevedoranch #designingwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/CoXni2BOwGO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[azureelizabethdesign]

I've been wanting to post this kitchen from a 2020 project, for a while...but thought it might be nice to wait & post it during the Holidays since it highlights a beautiful Holiday feast. This kitchen was created for my friend Erika. This kitchen design project was entirely different than my usual kitchen design projects. Most of the time when I'm working on kitchen designs, I'm collaborating with my client's contractors kitchen builder of choice...or helping my friend Dave with a kitchen he's designing. This project was different because Erika is my friend & she knew a lot of what she already wanted. It was much more collaborative than many of my other projects & that's what makes it so much more meaningful. Erika uses her kitchen more than anyone I know (with the exception of my sister Heather, who also does all the things). In fact when I came to measure the original kitchen she was elbow deep in canning fruit. It was obvious she needed more functional storage space. I suggested a cabinet with a garage to sit on the counter for all her countertop appliances she used everyday. I love how it turned out. We of course wanted to go as tall as we could with the upper cabinets & while she wanted to keep the original footprint of the cabinets...she needed more say in what cabinets had drawers or shelves. For me the biggest challenge was trying to find someone who could build her what she wanted for a decent price, so I would know she was in good hands. I had originally tried to design it with stock cabinets...but it wasn't a great direction because we couldn't utilize the space as well with pre made sizes. I finally found someone I felt was right. I love the kitchen colors & material choices. I'm glad she didn't want white cabinets. The direction we went with the colors is perfect for the function of the space. She was talking about doing teaching videos & having a nice kitchen to do those in. She is so good at her craft & I really wanted a space that would function well for her...especially if she was bringing so many eyes into her kitchen to learn. #azureelizabethdesign #design #interiordesign #aeinteriordesign #AEDesign #kitchendesign https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl0IVuxMwbi/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[azureelizabethdesign]

Have you ever had something you were trying to accomplish & it felt like the devil himself was trying to stop you? I hope you haven't experienced this. Unfortunately that is what it felt like for me getting my client's art commission completed. Thank goodness they were understanding & patient while my life fell apart there for a minute. Thus far I've been pretty resilient & I do my best to overcome the obstacles put in front of me. Sometimes creating art feels like a mini version of creating & problem solving we have to do on a bigger scale in our lives. Sometimes everything flows & you get the colors & textures just right...then other times you misjudge things & you have to fix your mistakes so that you can still have a beautiful result in the end. Such is life... #AEDesign #aeinteriordesign #aprilelizabethdesign #interiordesign #azureelizabethdesign #art #customdesign #mixedmediaart #design #artist #designingwoman https://www.instagram.com/p/ClDjAvFu_6-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[azureelizabethdesign]

Here are the pictures of the project I did over the weekend in Panguitch, that I promised to share in my last post. I haven't edited the colors & you can see they were taken at different times of the day. It's also still a work in progress. It took hours to do all this, especially putting up the custom draperies on the 10' sliding glass door. They are my favorite treatment though. I spent a lot of time on the phone with vendors trying to make sure the custom rod & the draperies were going to be exactly what was needed. The fabric turned out perfect for the space. It was a subtle pattern that made a gray & beige ombre effect...so a little more contemporary vibe to it. You can see the draperies just glow at night when the lights are low. They are blackout lined & interlined to insulate & protect my client's piano from extreme temperature changes. I picked every one of the fabrics from long distance...just from referencing the paint colors & the ceiling I coached the client how to faux finish. It was honestly a shock that I did this well. The rod for the slider in the kitchen matches the cabinets exactly. I had never even seen the finish he'd decided on even though I'd recommend a few color options. That was the design God's looking out for me no doubt. I followed my intuition on all of it & I'm glad I did. The roman shades were what we used on all the other windows/ doors that weren't sliders. They really were the best option for such beautiful window frames & they are functional as blackout lined romans in the bedroom. My client is a composer & it started when he envisioned turning this barn into his studio where he can work & record. He wanted something that allowed him to merge his more elegant furniture peices & antiques, with the rustic vibe of the ranch. So this is what I've been helping him with...finding a way to marry many different styles to create an eclectic, cozy, yet elegant space. This is the kind of challenge I love. #aeinteriordesign #AEDesign #interiordesign #interiordesigner #azureelizabethdesign #utahdesigner #utahdesign #windowcoverings #windowtreatments #customcurtains #customdesign #draperies #azevedoranch #lexdeazevedo https://www.instagram.com/p/CbWqLcmslaL/?utm_medium=tumblr

[azureelizabethdesign]

This past Friday I took a little trip down to old west, cowboy country in Panguitch Utah. The purpose of the trip was to visit my client & jobsite on his Ranch I've been assisting him with designing. From November to just last week his custom draperies, hardware & roman shades have been slowly shipping as they were available. Everything has been delayed or backordered in some way. We finally had the last of the products at the site, so I went down for a few days to oversee & instruct his contractor on the installation. This is the first time I've ever worked with or met his contractor. I live 3.5 hours from Panguitch & he travels in 1.5 hours from his location. We worked extremely well together considering we were strangers. I kept teasing him that he now is a professional window coverings installer. He's never done anything like the work we did yesterday. I'm not sure he'd ever want to do it again...lol. It's more complicated than people realize & especially when you're putting up a 168" wide, custom, heavy duty, traversing drapery rod. Here are a few pictures from Friday night when I arrived at the Ranch...just to give you all a feel of the atmosphere & i even included my cute little apartment I stayed in on the ranch. My next post I'll show you the finished window coverings...stay tuned. #AEDesign #aeinteriordesign #interiordesign #interiordesigner #azureelizabethdesign #design #designingwomen #azevedoranch https://www.instagram.com/p/CbWXK_5M-Oy/?utm_medium=tumblr

[azureelizabethdesign]

I just have to say that I have some of the most amazing client's. In the past two years my poor client's have been tested by lot's of uncertainty about projects & schedules that I have had little control over. Back orders on furniture have been unbelievable, with dates moving constantly. It was because of this that I've been very cautious about who I sell products to. Not everyone understands what our industry is experiencing. My client's have been extremely patient with the process & delays on their projects. They probably understand that I want to see their rooms done as much as they do. This project is no exception. When I delivered my client her custom pillow today, for the guest room I designed...I was definitely disappointed that her final furniture peices have had the delivery moved forward another month. Still it's coming together & she was really excited to see the way the custom pillow complements the mural I painted months ago & pulls in the custom draperies we added to the room. I will get a full room view eventually...but this will do for now. It's rewarding to see how all the colors I methodically selected work harmoniously together. #azureelizabethdesign #AEDesign #aprilelizabethdesign #interiordesign #interiordesigner #muralart #mural #utahdesign #utahdesigner #customdesign #customwallart https://www.instagram.com/p/CaGlamiLJeH/?utm_medium=tumblr

[azureelizabethdesign]

I've been thinking a lot about warmth lately. Not just when it comes to temperature...although that would make sense because it's been pretty cold outside here lately. It's a the things that can be described as warm that I've been thinking about. Warm memories, warm places, warmth in a person's character, smile & their nature. Warmth when it comes to colors & the contrast between cooler tones when the two are juxtaposed. The idea of creating a life encompassed by warmth & what that can look like has been filling my creative moments & my day dreams lately. While I've not defined exactly what that looks like...I know it's a concept I'm drawn to & hope to create more of. On a side note...I found a place for my seashells from Florida's St. Pete Beach & I think they look pretty awesome here. I love the mix of warm & cool neutrals that are inherent in these organic items. #AEDesign #azureelizabethdesign #aeinteriordesign #interiordesigner #designingwomen #design #florida #accessorizing #decor #seashells https://www.instagram.com/p/CYk6l3oLqfE/?utm_medium=tumblr

[azureelizabethdesign]

As a general rule I've not done much with long distance design consulting. It's not because I didn't want to exactly...it's because it adds complexity to the method. This in itself isn't terrible. It is just that it requires the client to be really good at communication. Everything that used to be done in person, has to be done via video calls, texting, emails...the client has to be as involved in the communication as the designer. Honestly some people are so out of sight, out of mind by nature they often don't get back. A project can fall through cracks fast if there is a breakdown of communication. I'm also not going to chase people, if they get flaky with the communication or not following through. We do have to schedule our communication just like you would do in a in person appointment. When you give someone a date to start work...it's the same as scheduling in real life. Some people think that because it's online or via the phone, they should be able to have access to you when it's convenient for them & they forget that you have other clients & obligations. This can happen with people I'm meeting face to face with & I've had such bad experiences with client's not communicating... I've been really gun shy. My first long distance consulting job came up a few years ago, when my sister who lives out of State, decided to remodel her home, so she could sell it. I've posted pictures of her kitchen before...I finally received the photos of the finished master bathroom I helped her design. I'm really glad that she took me out if my comfort zone & past my concerns about long distant designing. I wasn't worried about her not communicating. I was worried more that I couldn't evaluate the colors properly to help her with the selecting...but we figured out a way to work together to remedy this & the result was amazing. This is still a service I'm a little hesitant to offer...but I do take a few long distance client's here & there. I have the evidence that it can be done successfully. I do have great client's & my sister is included in that. #AEDesign #azureelizabethdesign #designingwoman #interiordesigner #interiordesign #designer #bathroomdesign https://www.instagram.com/p/CYSvJuirF6Q/?utm_medium=tumblr

[azureelizabethdesign]

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas." 🎄 Tonight I got the last of the presents wrapped, delivered some gifts & did the last of my grocery shopping. In all honesty even though I've filled my home with all my favorite Christmas decorations & it looks ready for the holiday...mentally I don't know that I'm caught up yet. The magical feeling I'm used to feeling hasn't set in. I don't know if it is because my daughter is far away this Christmas, or if it's because I've been so busy working that it's taken a lot more effort to get everything ready this year. I'm really not sure. I do know that I've been feeling a lot of gratitude this month for the amazing people in my life...from client's, coworker's, family & friend's. I think I have a bit of a gypsy heart. Maybe it's an artist thing? Or maybe it's because I've been uprooted frequently over the years. I like to do my own thing. I'm hyper focused on creating. I'm not easy to get close to either, because I've been so burned by people I trusted in the past...but finally after years of mainly keeping to myself, I can see that do have a tribe & there are good people in my life who I can count on who are consistent. I am feeling extremely blessed by these relationships. This seems to be a bigger focus for me than anything else this season. Maybe it's because I'm aware of how much hate & division there is in the world. I see it everyday on social media, but I'm grateful to know people who choose to love others even when it is difficult. Thank you ❤ #azureelizabethdesign #AEDesign #interiordesigner #designingwoman https://www.instagram.com/p/CX211_cO2jR/?utm_medium=tumblr

[azureelizabethdesign]

A few weeks before Thanksgiving I started putting up Christmas for my client's the Simon's. It's become my favorite way to start the season & it's always nice to spend a little time with their family every year when I'm working in their home. They are really wonderful people & I'm grateful for them giving me the opportunity to design for them, in more than a few capacities. I've helped them both with their furniture & the art in this room. I've been decorating for Christmas for them, I think five years now. At least I think that is what we figured out. I usually start pretty early because I get even busier after Thanksgiving & Black Friday because of my retail work. I really love creating Christmas magic for them & their family. I'm also going to admit that my own Christmas isn't up yet & I'm not sure when it will happen...but I no longer have the distraction of a trip & packing so I'm sure I can figure something out soon. In the meantime I'm going to look at these photos & know I'm not a total Grinch...even though if you saw my house right now you might mistake me for one. #AEDesign #aeinteriordesign #azureelizabethdesign #design #christmasornaments #designer #utahdesign #christmastree #christmas #christmasdecorations #utah #interiordesigner #utahdesigner #interiordesign #designingwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/CXNmMNaOLAS/?utm_medium=tumblr

[azureelizabethdesign]

This time of year is one of the busiest for me when it comes to selling window coverings, but I've been surprised & grateful by the way various people...friend's, new& past customers...even a few family members continue to support me in my expertise & bring me their business. The last two years have been hard...so I made a change in June & reduced my hours selling window coverings. I was stunned after, that past customers came out of the woodwork insisting that they wanted to work with me. I've also gained a few new customers that I've been so privileged to work with & get to know. I really love this part of my design work. I also really appreciate those who've cared enough about working with me, to work with my more recently limited schedule. I never imagined when I started learning this side of the industry how extremely passionate I'd become about window coverings. They can be solely functional, decorative...or even better, both. Here I've attached photos of the roman shades I did last year for my sister Heather, as part of her kitchen & dining room remodel. The design of which I also assisted her with. They were perfect with the new colors we selected together & they softened up the hard surfaces of the room. Kitchens can feel extremely cold & sterile when they only consist of hard materials. These weren't just accomplishing that purpose though...she lives in Arizona & the summer sun is extremely hot. Over time I've helped her fill her home with blackout window coverings. She told me this last year that she saved so much on her energy bill, just from blocking out the heat she was stunned. This is why I love what I do & go over pros & cons...trying to help people get the right products for their windows. I've helped customers order well over ten thousand dollars in window coverings in the past week plus & also save thousands of dollars in doing so. Posting my sister's past remodeling job felt appropriate because I once again I ordered beautiful new window coverings for a new home for her as part of this past week work. #AEDesign #windowcoverings #windowcoveringsspecialist #designer #azureelizabethdesign #utahdesigner #designingwoman https://www.instagram.com/p/CXNFaF2ssWx/?utm_medium=tumblr

[azureelizabethdesign]

The inspiration for this room was this beautiful fabric. It's the fabric that started it all. We still have a few things we are waiting for to finish it off. Despite that you can still get a vibe of the direction it is going. This room is where I painted that cloud mural. All the colors I used were based off the fabric. That being said I'm going to go a little off course & get a little personal. I have this belief about life & the things we experience. Sometimes the things you don't think you want, can be your best lessons & experiences...you just might not know it yet. Back in 2008 my life took a drastic turn when the economy started to suffer. I experienced a series of very hard losses & that started a little before that with my divorce...but in 2008 I was laid off & two days later rear ended by a semi truck. By 2009 I lost my home...& for years I waa trying to find steady work, heal from my injuries & raise my children, while living kind of like a gypsy. We had a place to sleep, but the normal routines that come with having your own home were gone. For years I did temp work, freelance designing & worked for a few different people who were some of the most morally bankrupt people I've ever met. It was quite discouraging not to have security & to be struggling with chronic pain & health issues. Then nine years ago I interviewed at Jcpenney. It was the first time I'd ever been interviewed by women & had it go well. Because I had an Interior Design degree & design experience, they wanted me to be their window coverings specialist. The truth is I was intimidated by it all. There was no training in college on this topic...but I faced my discomfort & began the long process of learning. If I had not taken that job because of the discomfort, I would not be creating beautiful window coverings for my client's right now. I also wouldn't have met & worked with some of the most amazing people I've ever known. I believe that every little experience & job...even the short lived ones have taught me something. I'm extremely grateful for these opportunities to better myself & my skills. #azureelizabethdesign #draperies #windowcoverings #interiordesign https://www.instagram.com/p/CWII3HXrjWU/?utm_medium=tumblr

[azureelizabethdesign]

A few years ago I helped my dear client's the Coopers, by designing a custom buffet/hutch for the area between the kitchen & the living room. Originally there was a very uninteresting, less than functional desk here. It matched the kitchen cabinets, so it wasn't a terrible eyesore...but it lacked real style & the functional storage space. We were going for a furniture look...not an extention of the kitchen cabinets look...I absolutely adore the way it turned out. I love the gray & the organic tile. One of my favorite ways to use color is balancing warm & cool tones together...in this case warm & cool neutrals. When you use color this way you get the best properties of both...& it's timeless. It's a little crazy that I had never posted it, other than I my stories during the installation though. I need to catch up somewhat on my projects, as Instagram really is the most updated portfolio of my design work. A few weeks ago during a drapery installation in their home, my client helped me style this up a little so I could take pictures, because I realized that I've never shown it off. If you look at the second picture you'll see a sliver of the art collage wall I've been slowly working on for them. I've had to honor of doing some pretty incredible design projects for these client's & I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity & our amazing relationship. #aeinteriordesign #interiordesign #interiordesigner #cabinetdesign #azureelizabethdesign #design #aprilelizabethdesign #designer #designingwoman #utahdesigner https://www.instagram.com/p/CWHrN1ZloPR/?utm_medium=tumblr

[azureelizabethdesign]

I don't really consider myself a mural artist, but I've done more than a few at this point in my career. It's honestly been rare & random when I get the opportunity to create murals. Most client's don't know that I paint when they start working with me. I don't typically talk about how I was an artist before I got my Interior Design degree. My original plan was just to be an artist...but life changed this. They only people who would know this about me, stalk my social media...which is what this client did over two years ago. She & her husband have been so amazing to work with because they really encourage me to use all my talents in my work. I've really tried to create designs & art to reflect them in a very personal way. It's been rare in my career that I've gotten the opportunity to incorporate my own art into my Interior Design work...but I have to say it's not rare in their home. I feel really blessed to experience this type of support & I'm super grateful that I finished this mural for them tonight. This bedroom is ready for the furniture & window coverings now. #aeinteriordesign #AEDesign #art #azureelizabethdesign #artist #mural #muralart #designer #design #designingwoman #interiordesign https://www.instagram.com/p/CT3uZEmrM1J/?utm_medium=tumblr

[azureelizabethdesign]

Last week I put together a proposal for some really beautiful custom window coverings for one if my client's. There are three rooms that we will be adding stationary draperies similar to some I did for her a few years ago. I love how each of our selections are suited perfectly, for the rooms they will be integrated into...but I admit I'm really excited about the guest rooms selection as well as the design. I've been in love with this fabric & colorway since it first launched. I have always hoped someday I could use it in one of my room designs. This is not something I would push on a client ever. I just show them options that work within the realm of what they want. Imagine my excitement when she fell in love with this fabric...even more so when suddenly I was given the opportunity to design a whole room around it. These are those moments of design joy that I cannot adequately articulate. Stay tuned to see the final result. #azureelizabethdesign #AEDesign #interiordesign #interiordesigner #designer #designingwoman #design #utahdesigner #roomdesign https://www.instagram.com/p/CRxGt8EMUsc/?utm_medium=tumblr

[azureelizabethdesign]

I've been waiting to post how my flower pots on the front walk turned out. I was waiting to have more of the different varieties of petunias blooming in unison. For weeks since I planted them if felt like only on plant was blooming at a time. They finally all decided to work together. They aren't all petunias...I've got one Fuchsia & a plant I added called Nemesia. They are a little uncertain about the heat so they aren't really blooming. Until this past year you could always see my flower pots from the street but this year the surrounding plants have created a little corner for them to tuck into. The Russian Sage has become quite tall. I don't mind it though. I still think it looks nice especially now that the petunias are blooming. I got them all at @glovernursery. I'll list the varieties below in case anyone is curious. I placed them to sort of watercolor into each other but mixed a lot of different patterns & textures together so it wasn't your typical petunia arrangement. It's the designer in me... #interiordesigner #designer #designingwoman #glovernursery #azureelizabethdesign #AEDesign #flowerdesign #flowers #flowerpots https://www.instagram.com/p/CRSHXnssW22/?utm_medium=tumblr