On day 2 of Blogfest 2012 we enjoyed an amazing breakfast on the 44th floor of iconic Hearst Towers, we were introduced to editors from Hearst Publications and met our sponsor, Kravet, Inc.'s President, Cary Kravet. We had the opportunity of sitting in on a couple of panel discussions as well. One of most interesting discussion of the day was led by Newell Turner, Editor in Chief of House Beautiful. Newell's panel consists of HB "New Wave" Designers, Michael Herold, Jill Goldberg and Jon Call. Newell shared his secret for choosing projects to feature in HB magazine by finding "aha moments" in the photographs submitted. He described "aha moments" as " something that embodies a great design idea or shows a beautiful way of life." He engaged the audience by asking us to think of our "aha moment". As I pondered the question, I realized that House Beautiful was responsible in part for my "aha moment. When I was a child, I would thumb through the magazine on our coffee table and dream about the interiors I saw on the pages. I would build elaborate play houses based on the designs I saw. I'm not sure why, but somewhere between childhood and college, I forgot about my passion. The college I chose didn't have an interior design major, so I majored fashion design. After working for years in the fashion industry, I had an "aha moment" in 1993, when I rediscovered my passion for interior design. It seemed I was happier redecorating my friends and families homes more than working in fashion. It was not easy to return to school in midlife, as a mother of two small children, but I am glad I did. I also refused to apologize, when my then 10 yr old my son said, "mom didn't you go to school for eight years? To which I answered "yes!" Only to have my son point out that his friend's dad went to school for 8 years and was a brain surgeon. It really didn't matter how long it took or what others thought. I was following my passion.
Today I work for myself, doing what I love. Whether it is designing the
interiors for the oldest house in Chapel Hill, NC
Or helping a family member or friend with their home...
or simply enjoying my own home...
My "aha moment" has led me back to my passion and for that I will always be grateful.
I love this post....and love Lisa Mende! Always follow your passion, sweet friend and talented designer!
ReplyDeleteThank You Katie! I take that as a real compliment coming for a designer I so admire!
DeleteNicely done, Lisa! Following our passions is key, whatever our age!
ReplyDeleteThank You! I feel like mine is simple but it is simply the truth!
DeleteThank you, Lisa! Awesome post!! I left a secure job in finance to open up my antiques store almost 9 years ago. Love it...no regrets. Should have done it much earlier. I'm glad you love what you do....It shows!! :-)
ReplyDeleteLoi
Good for you Loi! Aren't you glad you did! I can tell you love what you do too!!! Yay us!
DeleteSounds like you got lots out of the conference!
ReplyDeleteI love every detail Laura! You should consider going next year!
DeleteI love this post and I absolutely am following my passion and wake up every day so thankful for the luxury of living the dream. I love your sofa - that fringe has me all worked up!
ReplyDeletewww.chattafabulous.blogspot.com
Thank you Kim for your kind comment! I can't wait to pop over and check out your blog!
DeleteThis is a wonderful post! Thanks! and by the way..MY personal AHA moment is actually IN that House Beautiful Magazine (look Behind the heart.)..never stop following your dream!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lesli! I can't wait to read yours! Hope you are having a great week following your passion!
DeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteI just love this heartfelt post!! Life is really full of "a-ha" moments...it's what we do with them that defines our lives.
I am just so happy that I had the pleasure of meeting you in person at Blogfest and look forward to the next time our paths will cross!
xoxo Elizabeth
Love the idea of an aha moment. And it is amazing that you are living your passion! We all should!
ReplyDeleteJean, the panel discussion about this was really interesting. It was so fascinating listening to Newell Turner explain how he chooses projects to feature in the magazine. I hope you are living your passion as well!
DeleteBeautiful post and blog. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteRobin, thank you for commenting. I really wish you could go!!!
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