The 5th Annual Austin Fashion Awards wrapped up a very exciting Austin Fashion Week in May this year (not during the heat of the summer in August, thank you!). The Saturday night awards held adventures for all comers, where we watched four of our favorite Austin designers debut new collections on the dual runways that framed the main stage. Down these runways paraded fantastic garments that tickled the imagination. (And by the way, what a wonderful stage set up this year….we loved the dual runway!)

Deborah Main Designs was well represented at the event by myself, intern Brandi Moore, and the new award-winning young designer, Qin Latimer (who just happens to be my amazing daughter!).  We were joined by many friends dressed to the nines for a night of fashion frenzy!

A rendezvous at Austin Fashion Awards from left to right: Deborah Main, Brandi Moore, Anslee Connell of Savanah Red, Qin Latimer, Black & Tan winner Amanda Yilmez, handbag designer Anne Marie Beard

Part I: With pulsing music, the evening started with a festive runway presentation of all the mash up teams, a feat in itself, as there were so many wonderful teams this year.  Mixing designers with make up artists, hair stylists and photographers and more, this has been one of the fun features of Austin Fashion Week that many look forward to.  Eon won Critics Choice: Best Mash up Team with their striking red dress and hair photographed by Gerry Hanan out in white sands.  And the award for People’s Choice: Best Team Mash-Up went to Vintage Deity, the heavenly Britany Walker photographed by Gregg Cestaro. Congratulations to both teams for stellar creative work!  We are so proud that our very own photographer, Gregg Cestaro, won again for his amazing artistry.!!

And let us not forget the main stage itself which was illuminated by a beautiful crystal chandelier under the canopy of a pair of striking white arches which helped make the show so beautiful to watch.  Emcee, Sandy McIlree, from Mix 94.7’s JB and Sandy show, hosted the awards for the second year running. Here are all the winners that accepted the famous “Golden Boot”.  We know you’ve worked hard and we at Deborah Main Designs want to wish each of you the best and congratulations!!  (Keep reading below and see all the fabulous designs coming out of Austin, Texas!)

The Austin Fashion Awards "Golden Boot"; photo by Cory Ryan

The award recipients:
Best Mash Up Team (Critic’s Choice): EON
Best Mash Up Team (People’s Choice): Vintage Deity
Best Hair & Makeup Team (People’s Choice): The Innovators
The Trailblazer awards: Cheryl Bemis, Lance Avery Morgan, Stephen MacMillian Moser,
Rochelle Rae, and Kendra Scott.
Rising Star recipients: Priscilla Barroso, Isabella Rose Taylor, Jennifer Martinson, Sandra Antoun, and Daniel Esquivel.

Trailblazer award winner and founder of The Society Chronicles, Lance Avery Morgan on right, with partner Rob Giardinelli.

Here with many friends and boot winners, from left to right: Laura Del Villagio of Milli Starr, Deborah Main, Gregg Cestaro, Chery Bemis of Fashionably Austin, Jane Rush, jewelry designer Cynthia Bloom and fashion designer, Qin Latimer.

Part II: Now onto the four main fashion designers.  We loved how Austin Fashion Week staged the event with two designers, then boot winners, then two more designers. Plus the twin stages and timing were fantastic.  But what we really swooned over were the clothes and jewelry!!  Just between four local designers, it is astounding the breadth of range in color, style, fabric selection, and other materials these amazing designers utilized.  You know how we love fabric!! Amidst poetic and fire swallowing openings, each designer told a story with their clothing and jewelry and AMAZING headpieces! Wow, we’ve never seen such gorgeous headpieces!! There were so many details that we loved – from embroidered appliques and incredible texture to feather and horn adornments – it was a feast to behold!!

What you may not know about Deborah Main Designs, is that FASHION is our #1 source of inspiration!!  And each of these designers inspired us to no end.  However, there is one special one that we have an affinity for.  It might be because he chooses colors that we love. Perhaps it is because he incorporates feathers and fur.  We don’t know exactly why we love Stephen Macmillan Moser so much, except that at his show last year he said “I let the fabrics speak to me”, and we relate to that.  So take a peek at all these fabulous Austin, Texas designers (all whose work is in high demand internationally!!) and see what inspires you. Please read all the way to the end, because it was the finale of Austin Fashion Awards that summed up this most fantastic 5th awards evening with the final Trailblazer Award, given by Gail Chovan, to Stephen MacMillan Moser.

(Photos below courtesy of Fashionably Austin)

Boudoir Queen

Everything vintage was well represented in the Boudoir Queen collection, by Dawn Younger-Smith. Every piece was a wonder, full of embellishments, layers upon layers, all created with her well-known eye for detail. We particularly loved the rich colors and beautiful embroidery on many of her pieces.

Kendra Scott

Jewels were highly celebrated in all forms and fashion upon Kendra Scott’s models – from bangles up and down the arms to long strands of colorful jewels down past the waist. We particularly liked the armored shoulders below with feathers shooting toward the stars which captured the brilliance of coloring throughout Kendra’s designs.

  Gail Chovan

We had a wonderful surprise from Gail Chovan who incorporated light into the darkness of the black designs for which she is well known.   Gail is a master at layering and draping…..and this detail shined throughout her collection! The sophistication of her unique designs is contrasted with the simplicity of her barefoot models – a no-fuss look that speaks truly to the core of her style.

Stephen MacMillan Moser

Last, but certainly not least, Stephen Macmillan Moser wowed us with the finale: a dramatic enactment of a Pagan Wedding. His show was an incredibly moving vision, dedicated to the love and loss of friend and photographer, Seabrook Jones. Spectacular headpieces by Jennifer Ayers were worn by every model which, to me, elevated the models and their spectacular gowns to the status of Celtic goddesses.  With men, equally adorned with Stephen’s signature use of cut velvet fabrics and fur, we could not help but watch in awe. From color and texture to over-the-top extravagance, and the entire story line….well, Stephen’s finale just took our breath away.  You could have heard a pin drop in the audience. We were mesmerized, entranced…it was magical and evocative.  Stephen did a show last year, but this year he truly gave all of Austin his masterpiece!!! Thank you Stephen!

This Russian-inpsired design was our absolute FAVE!!

Designer Gail Chovan presenting the Trailblazer award to fashion columnist and designer, Stephen MacMillan Moser.

What a phenomenal show the Austin Fashion Awards were….we absolutely loved it!!  The finale was topped with a most poignant finish with Gail Chovan awarding Stephen Moser the Trailblazer award. For me, her speech finished the intriguing story of their love affair and sheer respect for each other as human beings (with differing opinions!) and brilliant fashion designers. It was charming, funny, and loving all at the same time….a magical evening that I will never forget!

Fashion Week may be over, but school just got out and it’s summer here in Austin, Texas. So enjoy all the sunshine, and spruce up your style with some Austin fashion.  We at Deborah Main Designs wish you the most wonderful summer ever!   XO PG

We attended two fabulous shows: the Black & Tan Challenge (to see 24 designers’ design with only two fabrics!) and the Austin Fashion Week awards (to drool over fabulous designs by The Boudoir Queen, Gail Chovan, Kendra Scott, and the infamous Stephen Macmillan Moser of Made in Heaven …we LOVE his gowns!!).

Today we’re featuring the B & T show, which was as unique as they come. But there was a whole week of  fashion events, so please check out event recaps, the Golden Boot winners, and see photos at Austin Fashion Week 2013.  Congratulations to all the winners, participants and mash up teams!!!

I had the honor of attending the Black & Tan Challenge Friday, May 3, 2013 at an Austin club called Haven.  This Challenge was one of the first Austin Fashion Week events and was extremely unique thanks to the brilliant producer, Megan Summerville.  Megan, winner of 2009 Texas Next Top Designer, has sewn gorgeous bustiers and lingerie for years and she is giving back to the community in more ways than you can imagine.   She put out this challenge to any designer (established or emerging)  in Austin to take15 yards of combined fabric (tan lace and black fabric that she provided) to design a runway look to be worn by a professional model from Butterfly Entertainment Austin. (Full disclosure here: my 17 year old daughter entered the challenge, her very first).

What was great about the show is that anyone could enter and there were no fees for fabric or with Austin Fashion Week, so for many aspiring designers (like my daughter), this was an excellent non-pressure way to show Austin your style in a very supportive community. But once they announced the competition and had 24 designers sign up, they decided to make it a contest and crown a winner.

There were SO many gorgeous designs!!! And it was fascinating to see how these designers interpreted the tan lace and black fabric, some even pulling the tulle backing off the black fabric to use separately. But two stood out and the winner and honorable mention were announced last week.  Drum roll please….

Congratulations goes to the WINNER, Amanda Yilmaz, for her gorgeous black beauty gown and the Honorable Mention, Qin Latimer, for her fashionable lace evening gown. So please scroll down and take a peek. To see even more photos visit these Austin fashion heavy hitters: Austin 360, The Chronicle, Fashionably Austin, and Keep Austin Stylish.

Photos courtesy of Juan Macias and Award-winning photographer, Gregg Cestaro.

Winner of the 2013 “Black and Tan Design Challenge.” 

Stunning detail of the collar made by sewing pin tucks in what the designer likes to call a "sun formation".

Modeled by Dagny Paige Hines, handbag designed by Anne Marie Beard, and bracelet designed by Nancy Ferrell of Ferrell Designs.

And now for the Honorable Mention, Qin Latimer, who just happens to be my amazing daughter!!  As Megan said on her post: “I’m also proud to announce the honorable mention from Black and Tan, Qin Latimer. She is an amazing talent at 17, and has a bright future in fashion!”

Honorable Mention of the 2013 “Black and Tan Design Challenge.” 

Detail of lace gown and earrings designed by Qin Latimer of Austin, Texas. Modeled by Dominique Bedford of Butterfly Entertainment Austin.

We love the criss-cross styling detail in the front and back.

And this beautiful large long bow that follows the train of the dress.

All models walked with their designer at the very end. Great fun seeing Qin Latimer and Dominique Bedford with their big smiles!

Winner: Amanda Yilmaz; Honorable Mention: Qin Latimer

The Black and Tan Challenge was an amazing show and kudos to Megan Summerville for the brilliant idea.  It was super cool too that we just happened to run into Amanda at the Austin Fashion Week awards show and were able to snap a wonderful photo of the two. What an honor it was to meet you Amanda!!Congratulations to you both!!!

As you can see, Deborah Main Designs had enormous fun, proud “Mom” moments, and quite the fashionable experience. I will be sharing more on Austin Fashion Week coming next week!  All of us at Deborah Main Designs are tossing up our luxury decorative pillows and wishing you a terrific week. XO PG

P.S. Be sure to LIKE us on Facebook  where we will continue to share our beautiful photos.

I also love to shop!  And the opening of this adorable new shop in Austin, The Embellished Cottage, reminds me of all the beautiful things my mother loved.  She and I always loved finding cozy little shops in small towns filled with an assortment of eclectic goodies from little note pads to antiques to pillows, of course.  So in honor of my mother, who is still with me no matter how many years it’s been since she passed away, I bring to you our favorite new Austin shop that carries our one-of-a-kind pillows.

Owners Charlene & Wayne Hardy have done a fabulous job “embellishing” (sorry, couldn’t resist the pun!) this adorable cottage into the quaintest and finest gift boutique.  They just opened in time for a little shopping with Mom.  You can grace your home with antique silver, pop art, pillows, globes, books, candelabras and more.

Cynthia Bloom's Collectible Jewelry, lamps, furniture and more at Embellished Cottage.

The shop even carries jewelry by local Austin designer Cynthia Bloom, who handcrafts gorgeous necklaces out of antique Czech beads into contemporary and stylish fashion.  Perfect gifts for Mom and even you!

Love how owner Charlene Hardy tucked this antique bureau in a closet!

Modern chic graphic "Love You" sign with antique candlestick, figurine and a Deborah Main pillow featuring 1950's fabric, Parisian lace, and antique brooch.

One thing I love about the shop is how the owners mix everything all up, because we love to do that with our pillows. So the shop really speaks to us and we’re so excited that Charlene selected our pillow line, Deborah Main Designs, along with many other beautiful lines to carry in her store.

Add a pop of color with one of Deborah Main's teaser pillows from the UnZipped series, featuring 1960's quilted fabric re-purposed from a woman's robe.

Above is one our newest collections, the fun and flirty UnZipped pillows.  Just being in The Embellished Cottage, with its wide array of hand-selected objects, inspires one to slip a little love note into the zipper of the pillow.

The Embellished Cottage is the new kid on the block of Kerbey Lane, but won’t be for long!  This little cozy shop with tons of collectible and fun objects will inspire you for years to come!  Stop by this weekend on Saturday with your Mom and friends, 10- 6 p.m. And watch here for details of their GRAND OPENING on June 6th.

The delightful owner Charlene Hardy with her beautiful daughter. Happy Mother's Day to you both!

Please take a quick peak at one of the other new gorgeous stores we’ll be blogging about in the future.  And have a fantastic Mother’s Day!!!  XO PG

P.s. Please check out our new Pinterest boards. We’re adding new photos every week!

Mother's Day window display at our brand new East Coast store, Be On Park, in Winter Park Florida.

Be On Park, 152 South Park Avenue, Winter Park, Florida; Hours 10 -5, Mon – Sat.. Want a gift for your mother that no one else has? This lovely one-of-a-kind pillow below comes gift boxed and ready to ship; contact the store and ask for Cheri or Janice. 407.644.1106.

A simple, elegant design of one of Deborah Main VIP pillows featuring wearable vintage brooches.

High Design is the exclusive "Juried" section in Building 1, where beautiful new products debut. Aisle 500 where our booth #502 was against the art wall in the juried section of Atlanta Int'l Gift & Home Furnishings Market

There were many highlights of our time, eight days, in Atlanta during the January 2013 market, but we’ll start with these first four:

1) High Design rocks!!!  We loved being selected out of hundreds to exhibit in this white, bright beautiful space in Building1. Fashion rules in High Design with all the new, up and coming, design products:  from beautiful currency jewelry by Thad Cline, to bedding by new designer Antage Bleu to many long established companies as well.

Me with Danielle Mason Hosker, owner of the new luxury brand called Antage Bleu, also a first timer in High Design.

2) Our booth was a huge success! With having never done an international show with our own booth, and knowing we only had a certain amount of space to make our fixtures and pillows display beautifully, it all went off without a single hitch…miraculous!!  It felt awesome to receive such high compliments about how gorgeous our booth looked and so great to see buyers come in and say “You’re pillows are so different!”.  That’s the idea, and we loved receiving such wonderful feedback, thank you!!

Our custom two piece fireplace mantel designed by Brandon Smith of D. Coop Spatial Design. Perfect for storage and displaying our VIP pillows featuring vintage brooches. Also our glass case that held all our jewels!!

A corner snapshot of our booth, #502, with our assistant Patricia Tankey, who always keeps us laughing and smiling.

Me and my best friend from high school, Andrea Vanhoven, who flew from Vermont to help Patricia and I do our first International market!

3) Our neighbors (and AmericasMart staff!) were AWESOME and incredibly helpful!  How lucky we were to have our booth smack in between Seven Barks and Wendy Stevens. This is rather a long story, but here’s the short version. David Goodman is doing marketing for Seven Barks and Rebecca Ray, so he was the first person we met.  We instantly fell in love with him as he is the most generous and helpful man, even going to the extreme of going out and purchasing tape for us during set up.  This is a man who is a retired marketing expert from Vera Bradley and charming. We are so grateful for all the tips and advice he gave us on the spot!!  He also introduced us to Rebecca Ray, an incredible designer of American couture handbags using tanned leather. She was so kind too lending her expertise…she inspires us immensely.

Then, then on the other side, was seasoned veteran Wendy Stevens who designs these amazing “museum-quality” industrial handbags from steel. I wanted to collect every single one!!  And directly across from us, were more helpful neighbors, Mark and all his assistants, of The Maxiga Group, who sell the coolest kitchen gadgets and more. Whether it was loaning us a ladder, watching our booth so we could take a break,  giving us shrink wrap and boxes, or sharing valuable tips and LOTS of very helfpul advice, EVERYONE helped us tremendously!!  It made our very first experience absolutely memorable and wonderful!! Thank you!!! (And a special thank you to Peter Sullivan who made our lighting and walls perfect and Elizabeth Moss, the queen bee of High Design who answered a zillion questions).

Seven Barks (to our left) full of fun stationery, wrapping paper, cool dog and horse notecards and more.

Wendy Stevens (to our right) and her highly sought-after fashion handbags made of steel and leather. Please go to her website and drool...www.wendystevens.com.

Here's part of our section of High Design: David Goodman our "on-the-spot-advisor", me, Andrea and Mark, the owner of the Maxiga Group with his amazing staff.

4) A special thank you to Kathleen Allen, with Veritas, my Texas mentor, who if not for the nudge she gave me last spring (‘Deborah, it’s time to do Atlanta!’), we would not have taken our brand national. And to my incredibly supportive husband of 29 years, David Latimer, who TOTALLY surprised me (which is rare!) with a dozen GORGEOUS red roses waiting for me in my hotel room after a full exhausting day of setting up our display.  Thank you with all my heart!!!

Gorgeous Veritas hand cut and polished glass vase.

Me and Kathleen Allen, of Veritas from Dallas Texas.

My roses! My beautiful, beautiful roses that my husband of 29 years surprised me with!

Keep watching our blog, cause we’re just getting started.  Next you’ll see what’s involved in setting up a booth like that and meet our first East coast account, Be On Park. In the meantime, please see more photos on our Facebook Fan Page, and designs from the show on our website Deborah Main Designs.  XO PG

P.s. If you want to receive our quarterly Pillow Talk newsletter, be sure to sign up on our website. Here’s the Spring 2013 one.

P.S. To sign up for future issues of Pillow Talk, be sure to click here.

We adore this vintage Chanel brooch (in its original box) and cannot wait to create a one-of-a-kind design featuring this gorgeous brooch....a la Chanel!

I like this photo of me at one of our holiday soirees with my PR team, Sarah and Kristin with Pom PR

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

Yes and no.  I think my first name Deborah was picked by my parents because they liked it…but frankly, I forgot to ask them about that. I do however have a meaningful story about my middle name “Main”.  It’s a long story so I’ll give you the condensed version.  My Grandmother, Fannie Main (Yes, those were their real names back in the early 1900′s), sadly was dying of a brain tumor.  She died 4 months before I was born, and to this day, has been immortalized as the kindest and most generous person. And thus, my parents gave me her family name as my middle name and I’ve been Deborah Main ever since.  (Of course they didn’t know what kind of rascal I’d turn into..ha!  More on the Main family heritage in another post.)

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

I used to cry at the drop of a hat!!  Literally, someone could just say my name in a stern way and I’d cry.  Over sensitive I guess you call it.  But now, in the prime of my years, the best years ever, I hardly cry at all. Although a good tear-jerker movie can make the tears flow. I think I cried seeing Les Miserables.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

Sometimes.  I do like my signature alot. But I do notice I change up my handwriting from time to time and sometimes it looks like my Mother’s and sometimes my Dad’s.  My teenage daughter just recently told me my cursive handwriting was “real loopy”. (To her, I don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad thing??). I wish my printing handwriting was neater, like they train you in architectural and design school.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

I’m kind of down on lunch meat these days, because over the holidays and in the summer’s that’s about ALL we seem to eat for lunch.  But I do like a good Boars head ham, peppered turkey, and medium rare roast beef.  Now my favorite cheese on a sandwich is Havarti. And if you add avocado, sweet peppers and grill it….its divine!

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

Yes, I used to have 2…but now seem to have 3. Let me explain. My son, Cason, is 24 and lives in Brooklyn, my daughter, Qin, is 17. And I have another teen (a foreign exchange student from Chengdu China)  Xin, age 15. So, now you see how I have 3!! I’m fortunate to be the proud mother of the most AMAZING and talented children…almost adults!

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

Hell yes!!  But she’d definitely drive me absolutely crazy.  I’d have blast with her, but she talks waaaay too much!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?

Being born and bred on the East coast, mostly upstate New York, how can I not?? My mother was as sarcastic as they come. But she had amazing wit (which unfortunately I did NOT inherit) and could whip back the best one-liners.  With kids I’ve tried to limit my sarcasm cause its not the best thing to teach them….so my husband has now picked up the mantle on that one.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

No, and boy is THAT ever a great story!!!  That’s how I got to know my husband David. But it would take way too long to tell you all about it.  Let’s just say that in the summer of 1981, when I met my future husband at a Hole-in-the-Wall softball game, I soon became sick with tonsilitis.  All my college friends were gone for the summer, I didn’t have a car, I had a 105 fever, and I only had been on one date w/the poor fellow.  So who do I call for help?  The “poor fellow”, my future husband, David.  Story goes, he took me to doctor, then to hospital and had to fork up $800 before they let me in the hospital and he didn’t even know me. I said deliriously (remember 105 fever!) “My Dad’s good for the money!” and then passed out.  And the story goes on with a tonsilectomy and more…..

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

NOPE!! NEVER!! Although I have a photo of my Dad bungee jumping when he turned 50…crazy guy!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

No favorite cereal, but favorite every day breakfast ritual.  I take a deep bowl and put a layer of whole almonds, then dried cranberries, then White Mountain plain, non-fat, Bulgarian yogurt (almost to the end here!), then a layer of Quaker Oats granola (I like crunch!), then I top it off with fresh blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, or peaches (when they’re in season).  I LOVE my breakfast!!!

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

Yes, I have to or I can’t get them off!

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

Yes, I am a very strong, powerful (sometimes too intense) woman.  Someone once called me a “small bulldozer” (I don’t think they meant it as a compliment but I took it as one).  I do have days when I don’t always feel strong.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

In Texas, Amy’s Dark Chocolate and Blue Bell Vanilla. But on the East Coast its hands down Chocolate chip and Black Raspberry. And YES, it DOES taste different on the East coast!!!

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Good question. I’ll have to think about this one.  But I think its their smile, or lack there of….but probably more accurately I see their whole face first and their presence, how they present themselves.

15. RED OR PINK?

RED all the way baby!!

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

My neurotic tendencies! (What neurotic tendencies….who said I ever had any!?!) I also, on occasion, will open mouth and insert foot…and am a little OCD about how I look. I’m long winded, will talk too much or when I fill out a questionnaire mines the one w/all the writing on the back too.  Oh, I also have a very bad memory and I’m embarrassed about that (and yes, it is worse then normal).

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

My mother. She drove me absolutely crazy but I adored her, I was loved by her probably the most of any person I know.  And no matter what age you are, it’s no fun not having your parents alive.  In the last 6 years of her life she lived right around the corner from me.  Never ever dreaming I’d live anywhere near my mother, her moving here was the best 6 years of my life.  She was a fiesty ‘ole gal and I miss her terribly.  I still wake up every day and can’t believe she’s gone…..:-(

18. WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?

Patience. I’m not a patient person and I admire those with patience.  Children force you to work on it and I’m trying.  And I interrupt people in conversation (that’s normal on the East coast, but plain rude in Texas)…some habits never die.

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

I’m in bare feet at the moment. But my fave pair of shoes are these aqua blue suede/faux animal print peep toe heels I bought in Wuhan, China.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

My breakfast.  I LOVE food, and used to be called “hollow leg” for how much food I could put away!!  (yes, proud of that!)

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Our foreign exchange student being tutored English…but if I did have something on it would be Adele, Set Fire to the Rain. I also love the aria, Vissi D’arte.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Midnight Blue.  It’s always been my favorite crayon color.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?

Bacon, because it reminds me of warm memories of wonderful breakfasts at my grandmothers summer home in the Pocono mountains. Anything being baked, because I love the smell of chocolate chip cookies, cakes or pies being baked. Fresh air. The ocean. Lilac bush.

24. HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS TO YOU?

Very important, but I don’t wear them publicly in my business.

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?

A luxurious home, in an old mining town, Ouray Colorado that we’ve house sat for parts of 5 summers.  I love the drive from Austin to Colorado through the barren lands of West Texas and New Mexico.  I like wide open space. My cousins home in Deer Isle Maine where I could idle away an entire summer. I love to hang the laundry out to dry.  I love to watch the clouds. As a child, my grandmother had a summer home in the Pocono mountains and I have very fond memories there.  Peace and quiet and away from daily life is essential to my happiness.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

The Olympics…but don’t really watch sports.

27. HAIR COLOR?

Brunette with a little red highlights in the sun. My father had red hair.

28. EYE COLOR?

Brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

Nope. I have bad allergies and can’t wear them cause I itch my eyes too much.  I wear glasses, red Judith Liebers.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?

In the summer: Lobster, corn-on-the-cob, and icecream in that order.  In the winter, I love a rich beef Bourguignon or hearty veal Osso Buco.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Can’t stand scary movies…..too scary!!  Don’t have to have a happy ending because I like a lot of foreign films and sometimes there’s ambiguity in life.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Get Smart with the family.  Funny and great for teens. But I LOVED Skyfall and all James Bond movies. I also love British series and comedies. And I love classics like Top Hat or Hitchcock movies.  I hate stupid, dumb ass movies or ones where no one can act and its a horrible script!

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

I’m wearing my red moose pajamas and my husbands oversized green cashmere v-neck sweater.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?

Summer! I live for care-free days of summer and the school year to be over w/no schedule and hanging out at Barton Springs pool.  I hate winter and dark gray days!!

35. FAVORITE DESSERT?

Chocolate cake, chocolate mouse, coconut cream pie, Blueberry crisp, Juniors cheesecake in NYC, too many to name here. I LOVE desserts!!

36. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?

None! But I like to swim laps and walk when I can. I desperately need a better and more consistent work out.

37. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?

I don’t like either of them. I hate staring at a computer screen. I hate junk TV and have no clue as to how people have time to watch it.  Nor do I get any of the shows they enjoy.  But I do like a good late night classic movie on TCM or to go see a great movie at the movie theater.

38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

Angle of Repose (I love to read it over and over and never want it to stop).  I love good literature. Also reading 3rd of Hunger Games, as I like to keep up with what my teens are reading.

39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

Nothing. But my Dell computer and mouse are red and black.

40. FAVORITE SOUND?

Silence. The wind blowing in the trees in the mountains away from everything. And the ocean waves.

41. FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC?

Rock & Roll and Rhthym and Blues.

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

China. I’ve been to Wuhan, Shanghai, Souzhou and Beijing.

43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

I can make my nostrils move in and out like a bunny rabbit without moving any other part of my face.  Other than that, my talent seems to be in designing one-of-a-kind pillows.  Who would have ever guessed!?!?  I used to be a jazz singer and have a lovely soprano voice….but no longer sing.

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Beverly, Massachusetts two blocks from the ocean. Grew up in Kingston, New York, Hudson Valley.

45. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?

Austin, Texas, my home for over 30 years!

46. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?

It’s a 1950′s cottage with the paint peeling off…cream with white trim and blue shutters.

47. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?

Silver Subaru and a gold Ford.

48. WHAT YEAR DID YOU GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL?

A while ago. Maine prep school.

49. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH YOUR SPOUSE/BF?

We’ll be celebrating our 29th anniversary this April…wow!!

50. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 50 QUESTIONS?

I’ve always liked to answer questionnaires about myself.  Kind of weird I know…but its probably cause my father used to make me take those silly personality questionnaires! And look how I turned out…..Ha!!

Now – it’s your turn!!!  Have fun! It’s been a great way to idle away a lazy spring break day.  Enjoy!  xoPG

We are super excited about the year ahead with this new national growth opportunity.  We look forward to sharing our experiences with you and bringing you interesting posts about not only pillows, art, design, and fashion, but also our first hand experiences about owning and growing a small business.  We’ll have tips and resources for you to share with friends and colleagues, and you’ll be getting to know other featured artists and designers and meet our new DMD team too. So stay tuned for a series about our adventures in Atlanta!  We wish you the happiest and most prosperous year yet for lucky 2013! xoPG

Name this fabulous Austin Fashion Week event! Hint P.J.

In just 7 days, Friday, November 9th, from 5 -9 p.m. , at Aviary Shop & Lounge, we’ll be having our last event of the year to kick off the release of our brand new U-tube Video (produced by award-winning photographer, Gregg Cestaro) and celebrate #Atlanta 2013. Ah, you say, “Deborah ALWAYS says it’s the last one!”.

But seriously folks, after many fantastic Austin & Dallas events, this WILL be our last one for a long time.  Come January 2013, we’ll be in Atlanta at the International Gift & Home Furnishings  market in “High Design”, and from that point on we’re planning to be “filling orders” for new wholesale accounts and clients.  No, No, No, we’re not abandoning our loyal clientele here in Austin and Dallas!  But in order to grow, we’ve heard that High Design is THE place to be – to put our product in front of national and international buyers.  So off we go and we hope you’ll wish us well!

We’ve been busy at our studio getting ready for Atlanta and we’re VERY, VERY excited!!  And extremely grateful…because you helped us get to this sweet spot.  So come on out and wish us the best of luck, or “break a leg”, whatever they say when you’re about to go on a national stage, and snag yourself a Deborah Main original before they’re all gone.  Three just sold this week, so if you’ve had your eye on one, THIS event is the time to splurge!  (Note: We’re clearing out our current inventory and YES, we’ll have lots of “Bathtub Bargains” too)

Known from our studio holiday "Soiree's", the tub is the BEST place to get an original Deborah Main pillow! We'll have a huge selection at our Aviary event at 11/9/12!

In honor of all the fantastic events we did in collaboration with generous small businesses (such as owners Shanna & Marco of Aviary), sponsors, models, photographers, friends and family, here are a few snapshots from all the fun we’ve had.  If you can guess which photo is from which event, and can name that event, you’ll win a custom “Le Petit Cadeau”, vintage button ornament gift boxed for the holidays.  (You must be able to name ALL the events. Please call 512.447.9807 to claim your prize BEFORE event day, Friday, November 9th, 2012.).  See y’all next week!  XOPG

Name that Bathtub Bargain gal and event!

Name this award-winning home event!

Can you name this Austin Fashion Week event and where?

And where were all these lovely women on this special night?

And what event could this possibly have been with the fab Laura Del Villaggio of Milli Starr and style king, Christian Ramirez?

Name that tour!

Name that model and event!

Name that event!

And lastly, name the location of one of our very first events with Leanne Venier and Rebecca Skelton, and you've won!!

P.S. Great fun going through all our event photos over the years…but there’s waaaay too many, so I’d better stop here or I’ll never stop!!  I’ll put more in future posts soon. 

Amazing texture, shapes, and color in the simple bark of a tree.

I’m finding more and more that I derive textural inspiration from nature. I see texture in almost every thing I look at. But I know I’m really drawn to wood grain.  I grew up with many beautiful antiques in my parents’, and both sets of grandparents’, homes.  I remember that my father and stepmother used to go to flea markets and buy all sorts of unusual antiques.  I even received a nursing rocker for my birthday one time (not sure what that was all about at age 20 and single?!?). But the thing that stands out most in my memory is how we used to have “storage unit sales” within our family.  My siblings and I would draw a stick (to determine who got first pick) and we’d get a turn at selecting an antique that we’d like in our future home someday.  My father was quite detail oriented and had everything labeled. Ha, if only I were that organized!

A lovely antique mahogany caned chair I scored in the "storage unit sales"!

My appreciation for beautiful lemon-oiled wood -  from one grandparents bureau to another grandparents dining table – continues to inspire me.  In fact, I LOVE wood so much that when we remodeled our home and got recessed can lighting for the first time, I would sit on the steps to our family room and gaze at the beautiful antique cherry wood dining table at night in the soft dimmed light (wierd, I know!!).

Amazing strands of wooden circles dangling in this handcrafted chandelier; Red Dot art gallery in Maine

Look through your home and see what wood grains you have going on.  You can add style in so many ways to bring a diversity of textures to a modern or traditional home. From a simple caned side chair to an artist’s elaborate chandelier, different grains of wood add so much character. Even if your home is thoroughly modern, an oversize piece of driftwood might be just the item to add textural interest.  What textures inspire you today? XOPG

Large piece of driftwood on a beach in Maine

As our small studio prepares for growth in January 2013 (more on those exciting details later this month), so does the list of things to do.  We must  make choices, and the blog is one I’ve chosen to keep.  But I really want to get to know you, and for you to get to know me and our custom studio in Austin, Texas.  That’s why we’re streamlining things and going to only focus on what’s most important to YOU, our devoted readers, and what we LOVE to write about.  This fall I’ve been realizing I can’t do everything and I don’t need to (Thank you FAB Twitter followers for all the great tips!).  But what I do do, I want it to be of the utmost quality just like our pillow creations.  Without further ado, please enjoy our new TT posts every Tuesday!

First off, I want you to know what I love about texture.  In recently reviewing my photos from this summer’s events, family vacations, and misc., I noticed that ALL the photos were great inspiration.  And what I loved about them most was their texture, the variety of shapes and angles, and colors. I even decided to keep some photos sideways because it just looked better….I was able to “see” something visually in it that I couldn’t see when I turned it the correct way.  I think this is because  I see texture everywhere…..from a textured piece of fabric, to an architectural detail….to the ordinary, a woven placemat.

For me, the above photo conjures up small, multi-colored tiles and the opposite textures of smooth, calm water on the left, soft ripples on the right. I also love all the geometric angles. Then right in the middle of all these clean lines, from the pool to the walls, pops out a very textured long seahorse and a glimmer of rough palm trees in the upper right corner.  And finally, there’s a subtle reflective quality in the pool’s layers that make the tiles varying texture even more striking!

As most of you know, I’m VERY long winded, so I aim to keep our TT’s short and full of photos.  So here’s a few more to get your Texture Tuesday style pumped up today!  Enjoy!  XOPG

Romantic & stylish textures all the rage this fall from intricate beading to sheer lace. Find these vintage handbags and hats for sale at Flashback, S. 1st, Austin, TX

P.S. And please comment so we can learn more about you!  Thx! :-
NOTE:  All photos are mine except for top one.  I have no source for that and found it on my camera??