Inspiration in the Studio

Last week we joined together in the Studio with some of our invaluable vendor representatives for a “Gratitude Gathering.”  These are the people that represent some of our favorite brands across the industry.

It was wonderful to sit down and share meaningful conversation with this team of people over great food.  We didn’t quite know what to expect when we planned the evening, but we knew that bringing together this group could only create positive energy.

The Southern Studio team took turns drawing the reps’ names out of a jar and sharing the qualities we value about each person.  We shared memories of times they came to our rescue and went the extra mile to help us “make it happen” when things didn’t go according to plan on a project.  It sparked terrific conversation about the industry of interiors and everyone walked away with a new perspective for why they do what they do.

These reps have worked incredibly hard behind the scenes to make our projects come together flawlessly on install day.  It takes a village, and we’re so grateful that this group of people is on our team!

As the weather finally turns cooler and our thoughts turn towards the holidays, we wrapped up the 2018 Southern Studio at Sunset series by welcoming Erin Weston of Weston Farms to lead an Antiquity Wreath Making Class.

It was such fun to fill the studio with clients and friends for a night of food, wine, laughter, and magnolias – what could be more Southern than that?!

Southern Studio loves to incorporate local artists into our designs. In 2002, Erin Weston relocated from NYC to her home state of North Carolina to become a farmer, combining her UNC Chapel Hill fine arts degree with the family business. Weston Farms now has more than 10,000 trees and their signature wreaths, garlands, and fresh Magnolia arrangements are shipped nationwide. Erin’s work has dazzled local markets, national interior designers and presidential florists alike, and has been featured on the cover of House Beautiful, in Southern Living Magazine, HGTV, Time Warner Leisure Channel as well on display at The NC Museum of Art. It was such a treat for her to share her talent and enthusiasm with us!  Erin’s vision to “grow a unique, enduring luxurious product on her family farm” is a perfect collaboration with Southern Studio.

After a brief demonstration by Erin in wreath making technique, we got to try creating a magnolia wreath to take home.  Everyone started with a huge bag of fresh magnolia, a wreath form, florist wire, clippers and varying levels of confidence to dig in.  And while every wreath was beautiful, each was just a little different.  Isn’t that fabulous?

Sipping cider, a pot of chili on the stove, pretzels, caramel corn, pumpkin cookies, and an evening of cheer made for a perfect fall night and a wonderful way to head into this season of hospitality.

Thank you to all who shared the night with us.  Here’s hoping all of our homes are filled with family, friends and laughter this Fall!

Southern Studio threw open our doors again last week for the latest event in the Southern Studio at Sunset series. We welcomed Amy Flurry, author of Recipe for Press, to lead a discussion on the importance of optimizing media opportunities to bring our brand of beauty, design and joy to a wider audience.  It was truly a night of collaboration, creativity and communication for the local design community.

While sipping blackberry sparkling cocktails, we connected with friends new and old, and were so grateful to all for bringing such energy and inspiration to our studio!

Many thanks to Mill Collective for generously sponsoring copies of Recipe for Press for everyone; to Ashley Cox, editor of Home Design & Décor Magazine for joining us; and to all our design friends – we hope you left as recharged and inspired as we did!

And of course, a special thanks to Amy Flurry for reminding us “It is all about making connections.”

From community events to small gatherings of clients and new and old friends in the trade, we are excited to open up our studio with the event series we launched this year, named Southern Studio at Sunset.

Last week, we were thrilled to host our second event of the series alongside the Cary Women’s Giving Network. This giving group brings women together to learn about the local community’s needs, inviting nonprofits to speak at meetings and apply through a competitive grants process. We were honored to be selected as hosts for their annual Grants Award Presentation, inviting both members and representatives from the winning organizations to our studio for an evening of celebration and community.

Four awards were granted:

$3000 to CASA for quality, affordable rental housing for low income families and individuals

$3,000 to the Fill Your Bucket List Foundation for wishes for Cary residents

$5,000 to the Green Chair Project for providing “Sweeter Dreams” beds for kids in Cary

$3,000 to the Hope Center at Pullen for preventing homelessness with young people aging out of foster care

We applaud this group of Cary women for their involvement in supporting our local community, and we look forward to more Southern Studio at Sunset events coming up this year! Stay tuned to see what event we have planned next…and see below for photos from the event!