–Michelle Jennings Wiebe ASID, Florida Interior Designer

This lovely lavender Huesday is dedicated to Sasha over at Everything Fab…to a girl that truly understands style!  Happy Huesday! –Michelle Jennings Wiebe, ASID, Florida Interior Designer

The shade of creamscicles, sunshine, and of course THE Florida fruit—oranges! It’s the perfect summertime hue, full of energy & spark, and it’s everywhere in interiors right now! Now, this shade was never on my list of favorites…but it is rapidly growing on me! It all started in High Point, NC when I visited the Barclay Butera showroom—talk about show-stoppin’. They paired the fresh citrus tone with pops of aqua and navy for a fun, clean, and bold look. When orange is combined with a bold geometric…we’re talking some serious impact. It’s like taking a visual dose of vitamin C, a definite perker-upper. With that being said, I’d like to dedicate this post to the blog world’s very own dose of vitamin C—the Moggit Girls! Your hilarious tweets + blogs serve as a great pick-me-up throughout the day…happy Huesday, Joy + Janet!

–Michelle Jennings Wiebe, Florida Interior Designer

Photos via Domino, Style.com, Coco + Kelley, & Kelly Wearstler. Birch Tree painting by Kristen Dougherty on Etsy.

In the interior design field- it is extremely important to stay inspired. Keeping magazine clippings, books, blogs, fabrics, photos- (anything that gets the creative juices flowing) nearby is vital! Having a blank white wall starting back at you (no matter what your job may be) is just not going to cut it. Here are a few key essentials to keep in mind when setting up your little corner of the world:

1. Lighting- you may think that you have enough light to work with right now, but bring in an extra lamp to see if it makes a difference.  Lighting can make it or break it!
2. Storage- if you are attracted to streamlined (no drawers) desks like I am, keep in mind that all of your “stuff” will quickly take over, unless you have specific areas for it. Consider purchasing a punchy file cabinet to fit under the desk. Or if you have the room- try a credenza with loads of drawers. Shelves + boxes (think IKEA) can also help with your storage dilemmas, but when it comes to knick-knack items (pens, scissors)- try to embrace. Unique finds like mason jars, old glass bottles, or just a cool glass cup that you picked up at Urban Outfitters can serve as the perfect “junk” holders.
3. Inspiration- of course family photos are a staple in the “desk décor” department, but when it comes to true creativity and inspiration, keeping little reminders of what you are passionate about may just give you that extra spark throughout the day. An inspiration board is the perfect showcase for these items- allowing you to pin all things cool to keep your vision alive—whatever it may be!

When it comes to powerful ladies with chic offices, it doesn’t get much more tasteful than these fierce and savvy businesswomen: (clockwise) the office of Wilhelmina Slater (Ugly Betty), the office of Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada), and the office of Enid Frick (Sex and the City movie).

Cheers to a productive Monday! (now get back to work!) –Michelle Jennings Wiebe, Florida Interior Designer

Photos via House Beautiful, Metropolitan Home, Domino, Elle Decor, Houzz, Buzz Sugar, Interior Design Magazine

Why interior design?

It is a wonderful career! Even after 19 years, I still love it! I wouldn’t be doing anything else. Even as a girl, I knew this was the field for me. I drew floor plans, “decorated” my Barbie houses with detail, and took lots of art classes. I went on to graduate in Interior Design at Florida State University (Go ‘Noles!!) I eventually received an opportunity to start my own business, so I did! I am thankful to have had many great clients and projects over the years. Now, we have some big plans and goals to go national, if not international! We are also hiring some new staff, so we are enthused about that. Needless to say, we have not been participating in the recession. It is a very exciting time in our business!!

Which do you prefer designing for–commercial or residential?

Our firm designs both commercial and residential projects, and I personally oversee all or most of them. I probably enjoy residential a bit more; I find the clients are much more “into” the project, and I like the fresh creativity that residential design brings. I have a love affair with unique colorful fabrics, wall coverings, and unusual light fixtures—these typically are used more in residential. With that being said, one of my dream projects would be to design a boutique hotel! I also enjoy restaurant design.

For regular folk, where is the best place to get home accessories?

That is tough, because we buy wholesale, directly from fabulous vendors, like Arteriors, Global Views, DK Living, Cyan, Oly, etc. However, when we are in a pinch or need extra items during an installation, we love local antique stores and boutiques where the project is located, Home Goods, Ikea, and so forth.

What is your best quick/inexpensive fix idea for someone to redo a room?

Definitely paint….whether it be the walls, ceiling, trim, floors, furniture, whatever! You can give a room an entirely new look with some cans of paint!!

How often do you overhaul the design in your home?

(Smile…) That is a sensitive subject, as I have a tough time with my own home. I adore so many colors and styles that I deliberate way too long on my personal interiors decisions! My husband brags to friends that he had to pick the paint colors (not true!) I will tell you that I am getting a major itch to move……We built our current home eight years ago, and it is wonderful. It has a great floor plan, in the perfect family neighborhood, etc. It is our third home as a married couple. But, within the next couple of years, I foresee us building a new home, or performing a major renovation on a home that needs TLC. We really want to live on the water, so that is the difficult part…finding the perfect view/location AND having a great house = LOTS of $$$!

Fashion trends seem to influence home decor. Do you think high waisted jeans and shoulder pads will ever make a come back, and how do you see them translated into home decor?

I don’t see high waisted jeans and shoulder pads in home décor. LOL! Seriously, I do think fashion certainly influences interior design. The colors, styles, fabrics, influences all translate well to interiors.

(BTW, I am seeing some wonderful high waisted pants out there. I kind of like them, since so many of my low rise jeans have my rear end hanging out, especially at project installations!) (Shoulder pads don’t need to be resurrected!!—I am just sayin’.)

Tell us something random about yourself.

I would like to own a thoroughbred race horse someday.

Why do you think Modern Bird Studios is so insanely awesome?

It IS so insanely awesome! I love the artwork; it has an urban, hip feel, but could fit easily into so many interior genres. It is unique, personal, and affordable. We look forward to using Modern Bird Studios in many, many projects! Plus, you guys are a lot of fun!

What are your must-read design blogs?

My name is Michelle Jennings Wiebe, and I am a design blog junkie right now. I admit it! The list would be too long, but some of my favorites are http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/, http://www.allthebestblog.com/, http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/, plus dozens of others! We have our own newish blog, http://thestudiomblog.com/. We are getting ready to update the look and format, and we have gotten good response from the content!! We’d love new subscribers, and we’d love any feedback!

Our website is http://interiorsbystudiom.com/. So please visit us here, also! We will be adding some new project photos to our portfolio later this summer or fall! We are loving our new twitter followers at http://twitter.com/StudioM_and face book fans http://www.facebook.com/Studio.M.Interiors , too!!

Thanks, Modern Bird!!

Photos above (left) via Coco+Kelley

Photos above (left to right) via Elle Decor, Antony Chammond, Sherrill Canatt Interiors (via Tobi Fairley)

–Michelle Jennings Wiebe, Florida Interior Designer

So first off, let me say I’m obsessed with the concept behind Modern Bird. What lead to this awesome creation?

Gregg: Can we say that we’re sick of seeing people who have even a little bit of talent but that suffer because they can’t pull it together, or the stars aren’t aligned. It’s like Jamie Foxx in the soloist, sans the mental disorders. I’ve got an ability and I’m sickened to think that I can’t use my god given talents to provide for my family. It’s like what The Notorious B.I.G. says, “either you’re slingin’ crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot.” I’d like to think I’ve got the wicked jump shot.

Megan: In case you have no idea what Gregg just said, here ya go. Desperation! Gregg was laid off from his job, and I was at home with the kids. We got fed up with waiting on companies to start hiring again, so we decided to take some control and go for it. We came out swinging because we had nothing to lose! The economy sucker punch us, and we pimp slapped it right back. He actually created the ‘first’ Modern Bird piece about 3.5 years ago of our daughter. At the time we didn’t even think to try to provide for our family from it. Funny how creativity starts flowing when the situation demands!

How many different methods did you try until you perfected the process?

Gregg: Quite honestly, 3 times. It’s the magic number. You know what else is magic? Me.

Megan: Gregg is magic.

What is the craziest request you’ve come across from a potential client?

Gregg: Jeez…can I even talk about this ::looks sideways at wife::. We don’t really get crazy requests, per se. Crazy customers, however, there have been a few, for sure. In the end, you just have to do what people paid for. We had a guy once that ordered natural wood and black for his color scheme. He was mad that the wood had grain on it and that I didn’t tell him that the wood grain had any kind of prominence at all. He insisted we do a new piece. Really dude? Really?

Megan: We haven’t had anything too crazy, but we did put together a really cool image for an interior designer in San Francisco of David Bowie a la Ziggy Stardust with the San Fran skyline in the background broken up into 8 12” x 96” pieces. We have gotten in some ‘awkward family photo’ (http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/) worthy photos from people who were joking around with us, but other than that, nothing too crazy.

If you could have your art displayed in any one person’s home, who would it be?

Gregg: I think I’d have a few people. Right off I’d say Shepard Fairey or Banksy because it’s ironic. As a fan of Pop culture, I’d say Mike D of the Beastie Boys, Lance Armstrong, or Tom Cruise. Not really Tom Cruise, but most definitely in Suri’s room or something. Beck. I’d like Beck to be into my work. Hey, wouldn’t it be weird if Kim Jong-iL was into my work. Weird.

Megan: Good question! At this point, I would have to say Nate Berkus. He’s got amazing taste, amazing hair, and he has a show starting up in September, and we wouldn’t mind him telling everyone how insanely awesome our work is!! An endorsement from him would definitely help us pay the mortgage and feed our starving children, ya know?!! Basically anyone rich with power and influence.

Who or what do you think has the biggest influence on the world of art right now?

Gregg: I think the biggest influences right now are unconventional within the art world. Shepard Fairey has put the art world into a difficult position because they’ve had to make a change to the cannon of art. The odd thing about that though is that Fairey isn’t the first to question traditional mediums, and cross over art/design an aesthetic purpose. Using graphic design elements to make up your art is something urban/street artists have done for decades. People like Fairey were just in the right place at the right time doing the right thing. Regardless of that fact, the lines of art and design are not defined anymore, and the things that are considered fine art have changed. Despite my ability to paint mediums that would be considered traditional in art, I’m pretty pleased with that change that allows me to do what I love to do, while still maintaining my identity as an artist.

Megan: Gregg said it better than I could. I totally agree with what he said. Also sprinkle in some influence in fashion, and I think that is what is driving art and design these days.

What is your favorite website?

Gregg: ModernBirdStudios.com. Is that an answer? Can we whittle it down to some specific types? I dunno, this is a really broad question. I’ll just list off a few. I like http://www.smonkyou.com/ and http://www.cargoh.com/ and http://www.harpershappenings.com/ and http://www.kala-studios.com/. I visit those regularly to look or to read. Oh yeah, and http://twitter.com/.

Megan: Weather.com. I need to know how hot it is going to be so I have to check it several times a day. Okay, so not true…partly not true….not fully true, but kinda. There are SO many websites I love so this is tough! Perhaps http://www.chiasso.com/ because it is chock full of so much cool.

Any favorite design blogs? (Besides Studio M of course, he he)

Gregg: I like http://www.ironicsans.com/

Megan: This is a tough question to narrow down since there are so many amazing design blogs out there. Studio M definitely rocks!! For humor, I LOVE http://www.moggit.com/ and http://www.designblahg.com/. I think http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ and http://design-milk.com/ are pretty fantastic. Geez, this is not even the tip of the iceberg of amazing blogs. Pick any #Nateday blogger, and they belong on this list. (We agree!!)

What is your favorite room in your home & why?

Megan: Definitely my son’s room because of the colors and the boldness. I designed it and painted it while I was carrying him so a lot of love and excitement went into the creation of it. I’m quite certain Gregg will say the bedroom because of something lame like ‘because that is where the magic happens.’

Gregg: The Bathroom. It’s mostly because a lot of love and excitement goes into it. Ha, ha, that’s not true…but it’d be pretty damn funny if it was. The master bedroom. It’s all white, and super modern…like an Ikea showroom. I just love how cool it is. It’s also where the magic happens.

What are three random facts about you?

Gregg:
1. I used to compete snowboarding in the pro circuit
2. I’m half Native American from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
3. I shave my legs. (I’m a cyclist)

Megan:
1. I’m deathly afraid of snakes.
2. I did a non-stop 50 mile hike once. ONCE. I’ll never do it again.
3. I was voted Class Clown and Most Athletic in high school. I used to be someone.

Here are a few of Modern Bird’s great creations–awesome, right?

–Michelle Jennings Wiebe, Florida Interior Designer

I never thought I’d see the day when patriotic rooms became a trend- but what do you know? The Union Jack flag is everywhere right now and I’m loving it. There’s a proud nostalgic feel to the flag- it’s great on throw pillows, artwork, or even bold banners like this one from the Halo showroom we saw at High Point Market this year. (Above)

How fabulous are these photos of the White House “Blue Room”? Can’t get much more patriotic. I would die for that round ottoman bench- so glamorous. (Photos via NY Library)

Happy picnicking, baseball-ing, parade-ing, and firework-ing. Happy Fourth of July! –Michelle Jennings Wiebe, Florida Interior Designer

Photo Credit: C.Everad, Country Living, House & Garden, Coastal Living, Canadian House & Home