Q: Hi Tobi,

I have been a long-time follower of your blog and love your designs. I consider myself to be pretty crafty and would like to learn more about design practices. I am curious about your methods and how you go about the process. Can you recommend any resources for learning more?

Thanks so much for your help!

Alex, San Diego

A: Hi Alex!
Thanks so much for contacting me. Education and the business of design are two of my biggest passions, so I can definitely identify with you.

Since you are a follower of the blog, I’m sure you have heard about my design camps. We just finished a big Design Camp A to Z and I have to say it was one of the MOST FUN AND EDUCATIONAL camps yet. We are making some exciting improvements and adding even more information to these events, so stay tuned for announcements about these improvements and upcoming dates for A to Z Camp. Whether you are a designer or just a design enthusiast you can benefit from this event!

If you want something more immediate, I just launched a series of pre-recorded tele seminars and video seminars. I am SO excited about these because they make learning convenient. You can listen to them in the car, while you run and at any hour of the day after you get the download.

I think you may be particularly interested in the “C is for Color” teleseminar, because a portion of this info is what I share in my A to Z camp — and it’s all very practical, useful knowledge. Plus, it’s only $20, so it’s not a huge financial commitment either!

We’ll also be adding to this over time and launching even more educational products.

I’m excited to share all of this news with you in the coming months!
I hope one of these solutions may be the answer to your question.

Have a great Thursday!
-Tobi

What’s the ultimate way to get to know someone? A road trip, of course! I mean you can learn A LOT about a person when you spend a few hours together in a car — everything from what’s on their iPod (Glee, Katy Perry & Adele) to how they take their coffee (with creamer, thank you!).

This past week Country Living came out with their list of 50 Things To Do This Summer in 50 States. While I may not be able to get to all of them in the next three months, I can guarantee you this is a list I’ll be saving, pinning on my travel boards and going back to for years to come. I mean, how could I resist a caramel factory in Colorado or a Lobstermen’s co-op in Maine??

I think one of the reasons the list is so juicy is because it comes straight from the mouths of local residents in each of the states. Who better to tell you where to shop, eat or sleep than a local, right? Speaking of locals, I was honored to be selected as the Arkansas representative for this list. If you’re wondering what I selected, click here to see what I like to do on warm summer days in central Arkansas.

Want to see who’s headed where? Follow the Twitter stream #50states for your own virtual tour of the U.S.

Happy Trails!
xo, Tobi

As some of you may remember from a few months ago, I shared a sneak peak of a recently completed InBox Interiors design of a game room for three teen girls. Now, I’m delighted to share with you the complete before and after reveal!

It all started when one thoughtful mom from Plano, TX wanted to transform an empty upstairs media room into a hip hangout for her young teen daughters. The idea was to do an extreme makeover without the girls ever seeing it. The best part? The big reveal would be ready for them Christmas morning!! That’s what I call a special gift!

This super mom’s Inbox Interiors design arrived near Thanksgiving, giving her just one month to implement the design and meet her Christmas deadline. She transformed the room behind padlocked doors to keep it a surprise for the family. Working as intently as one of Santa’s elves, she was able to complete the project and surprise her family for Christmas. Pretty amazing!

To show you how the transformation went down, I put together a few progression images — including the before pictures, the design idea and the end result. Solid, well-thought-out design plan + lots of DIY elbow grease = AMAZINGLY FUN SPACE!! Check it out…

The big reveal on Christmas morning! (Don’t you love the looks on their faces?!)

The girls enjoying their new hang out hot-spot with their super mom. No guesses who the cool kids on the block are now!

If you would like to know more about our InBox Interior’s service, check out our website here!

xo,
Tobi

You may remember a few weeks back when I shared my latest feature in Southern Living. If you missed it, I shared tips for hosting a luncheon and styled the party in one of my favorite lightweight summer fabrics (for shorts or dresses!), seersucker.

Today, I’m guest blogging over at my good friend P. Allen Smith’s, where I’m sharing a few of the reasons why I love this versatile, go-anywhere fabric.

Read the Post Here

Here’s to seersucker!
xo, Tobi

Little Rock is in for a treat: Barry Dixon is coming to town! He’s going to be speaking and signing books tomorrow at a fundraiser luncheon, hosted by the Fine Arts Club of Arkansas. Barry is probably the nicest guy I know–one of my absolute favorite people–and an amazingly gifted designer. Though he has traveled the world, he has family in this area (especially Northeast AR) and he claims his Southern roots.

His design style is informed by this association (he is the epitome of the Southern gentleman), but the breadth of his travels give his interiors a global inflection that is truly unique. He has been a great inspiration to me throughout my own career; in fact, one entire showhouse he designed for Traditional Home was featured in an issue that I treasured as my bible of design for years!

Barry is a multi-faceted designer with his own collections of fabric and trim, furniture, rugs, and more. Let’s have a look:

1. Three examples from Barry’s fabric collection with Vervain / 2. Barry’s Albemarle Dining Chair / 3. The gorgeous Hakam Table

Learn more about the beautiful things Barry’s doing at his website, and join me in welcoming him to my hometown. I’ll be sure to follow up and let you know all about the event.

xo,

Tobi

And, yes, I know I say that every time, but it just keeps getting better!! If you’ve never experienced camp, check out these pics…

Day One: We kick off camp with fresh flowers and a few video introductions.

Brittany, one of my lead designers, shared some thoughts on creating design boards.

Later, our VP of sales, Brooke, realized she matched the board!!

Joking aside, there was also a ton of learning taking place on days one, two and three!

One of the highlights of day two was a Skype session with Susanna Salk. She discussed her latest book, Be Your Own Decorator, and each camper went home with a signed copy!

And, as always, the food was one of the highlights! How cute are these lunch baskets from Palette Catering?? Yum!

As the campers rode away in this pink stretch Hummer, we were all sad to see them go. So many relationships are formed during camp and you truly learn so much not only about design, but about each other. The only bright spot is knowing we’ll be in touch for years to come!!

Stay tuned for some big announcements about our design education and upcoming dates for our next events!

xo,

Tobi

Monogrammed items are always one of my favorite go-to gifts. Whether the gift is for a family member, a friend or a client, I think there is something so special about personalization. It shows you took the time to not only think of a great gift, but also to make it more unique to the individual.

With wedding season knocking on our door and graduations already in full swing, I thought now was the perfect time to share a few fun, preppy items that are only made better with a bright monogram. Enjoy!

1. Derby Hat  2.  Acrylic Monogram Necklace  3.  Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa  4.  Ikat Plate  5.  Monogram Ric-Rac iPhone Case  6.  Monogrammed Tote Bags  7.  Square Lucite Tray

xo,

Tobi

Hello friends!
Today I am a guest on the At Home in Arkansas blog. In this month’s “Color Confidential” I’ll be helping one reader by offering a few “natural” choices for warm colors.

 Head over and check out the post now!

xo,

-Tobi

Marlsgate is a stately Greek Revival Mansion shaded by ancient oaks and a pecan grove overlooking the waters of Bearskin Lake.

Home to David Paul Garner, Jr. and his predecessors, Marlsgate Plantation is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I’m proud that I was invited to design the landscape for this grand manor.

Marlsgate’s fine exterior detail begins with Doric columns over forty feet tall and continues inside with original beveled glass windows, sliding oak doors, handcrafted woodwork, Carrera marble fireplaces, and sculpted metal ceilings throughout the house. White oak floors were installed over an inch thick layer of horsehair insulation making the floorboards very quiet.

Just the primer on the collections within this one dining room had my head spinning with wonder over the rich Southern history assembled in this single space!

This amazing centerpiece rests atop a long center spine of antique mirrored sterling silver plateaus. Layering of epernes, compotes and cakestands support the tall vertical floral arrangement nearly touching the spectacular crystal chandelier hovering over the table that seats 24.

When the candelabras below are also lit, the light reflects all around the room bouncing off the ceiling and the remarkable trumeau mirrors on the walls. So magical!

From a first course gumbo to a Royal Crown Derby service dessert plate this table is set for long hours of entertainment spent talking and socializing over dinner. Remember – there was no cable television back in the 1800′s, so dinner was their HBO.

An amazing custom service for 36 of Old Paris porcelain china by the noted French ceramic artist Jacob Petit are all marked with his J.P. initials in the underglaze. All of the plate designs have rich florals with either a bird or an insect hand-painted on them.

One of Mr. Garner’s favorite pieces is an Old Paris bisque wine jug with scenes depicting Bacchus in bas-relief. It was once gilded in gold; however, over time and with heavy use, the majority of the gold has rubbed off.

As luck would have it, Mr. Garner was fortunate enough to find over 40 of these sweet meat plates or nut dishes with his monogram “DG” on all of them.

A wonderful coquille salt cellar with its exquisite sterling silver salt spoon is very valuable and would have been placed in front of the host. Large cat-and-monkey-themed salt cellars from this time period are very collectible.

The contents of the Royal Crown Derby petit fours stand would have been consumed after a pot de crème course, but before the final fruit service of the full-course dinner party.

Mr. Garner is renowned for his professional expertise as an artist, floral designer and social caterer, frequently utilizing Marlsgate as a splendid setting for luncheons, formal dinners, receptions, weddings and social functions attended by thousands of guests annually. To learn more, visit their website Marlsgate.com.

Thanks for having me today, Tobi! I hope you all enjoyed this bit of Arkansas history.

As I’ve said many times, the blog has allowed me to network with hundreds of people I may never have met otherwise. It has also allowed me to form key partnerships and propel my business forward.

I was recently asked to write a brief article on what has changed in the past few years in regards to social media for the Technology column of Kravet’s Inspired News. As I started thinking about the story, I realized there had been a good deal of change. For instance, did you know that if Facebook were a country it would be the third largest in the world?? That’s pretty wild when you stop to think about it.

I’m sure there are things that have changed with your adoption and use of social media, too. Read my full story to see all the insights on Facebook and other social channels that continue to evolve.

If you want to get more specific on how to use social media to grow your own design business, check out these 15 tips I shared on Williams-Sonoma Designer Marketplace.

Don’t forget to follow me (@tobifairley) and my team’s new account (@teamtobi) on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest happenings. If Facebook is more your style, be sure to “Like” Tobi Fairley Interior Design. And, finally, if you prefer a more visual forum, follow me on Pinterest or Instagram!

Stay connected!
xo,

Tobi