Hi. I'm a believer, designer, yogi, artist and wife. I started my own design company AVDESIGN, one year ago. I recently launched a hand stamped line of stationery titled, Lines & Shapes at Oil and Cotton in Bishop Arts.
AV: If winning the first place Dixie House chicken drawing contest when I was 6 counts-then yes I'm self-taught ha! Actually I've been an artist since I was really little. My mom said all my friends wanted to play with dolls and my response was 'let's draw with coders(colors).' I chose to pursue the arts in college as well and graduated with a degree in Fine Arts.
AV: I worked in the design world for over 7 years and decided to take a break to become a certified Bikram yoga instructor. I taught yoga for 2 years and still freelanced with design gigs here and there. I was doing more and more design work and decided to make it official, got an LLC and designed a website and voila- AVDESIGN was born! Of course that's the polished and shortened version of the story…it took a long time to get the website up and there are still days where I ask myself ' what am I doing?!' but the majority of the time I love it! My emphasis is print collateral- wedding, baby, personalized stationery, and parties and soirees. I also do branding, logos and marketing materials. I love collaborating with musicians and artists of all mediums!
PN: Where can people find your work?
AV: On my website AVDESIGN or in store at Oil and Cotton. I also enjoy writing about interior design, fashion, health and DIY projects which I blog about on designfromatov.
AV: I love lists and feel extremely validated(I know I'm such a dork)when I cross off a task on my many post it notes.
AV: I love tumblers and blogs and I admit to being fully addicted to Pinterest-you can see the evidence of my many boards here- pinterest.com/avdesign/. I also am inspired by music. My current favorites are Feist, Active Child, Bon Iver and Taylor Vieger(who also happens to be my husband:-). He just released his second album (the V album) on itunes. Check out the goods here.
AV: Not really, I'd like to think we are an equal opportunity color/design palette household. I do have an aversion to fake plants as decor and woven baskets- again I know I'm weird!
PN: Is there anything you are dying to learn how to do?
AV: Sewing! Brooke- can you please give me a tutorial? I can use a needle and thread but the machine scares me.
AV: Since fall of 08'
PN: What was your first project upon moving in?
AV: The back porch- adding plants, outdoor furniture and creating a serene environment.
AV: Decor for the holidays! Every year I promise I'm not going to make a fuss or buy new decorations because I like to create the majority of it but something about the smell of cinnamon candles, cider and twinkle lights- it gets me every time.
AV: I'm constantly moving pieces around. I think it's the best way to make old things new again, a new setting gives whatever object, book or painting new life.
AV: Usually DIY but the occasional craft is fun! I like experimenting with recipes too- whenever my husband and I find ourselves visiting a restaurant and ordering our favorite dish over and over- I attempt to re-create the goodness at home.
AV: Recently, I took a solar-dying class at Oil and Cotton and it was so fun! You put a bunch of dried leaves, alum, the fabric or material you plan on dying and other interesting mix-ins into a mason jar, seal it, set it out in the sun. After a week goes by of the jar basking in the sun-you open it to see what you've won! Beware it is smelly- but the finished product is worth it. The yellow hankie I solar dyed is one of my favorite pieces of art in the house. I love it so much, I framed it and it's my hubby's Iphone background.
PN: Do you consider yourself a thrifter, scavenger or collector?
AV: I consider myself a hunter AND gatherer! I hunt vintage and collect all the treasures I can find. I love that pieces in my home tell a story from another time and place. To me that makes it that much more special.
AV: I collect vintage clocks mostly mid-century, mushroom artwork from 50's, 60's, and 70's, mid-century pottery and vintage jewelry. Oh almost forgot my favorite- white porcelain cats! I know it's weird but I'm ok with that. My husband even proposed to me with a white vintage kitten and a velvet ribbon was around its neck with the ring attached.
PN: What started your love of the above?
AV: I love the majority of design from the 50's, 60's and 70's. I secretly want to live on Mad Men. I feel like I belonged in that time period- the dresses, the furniture- LOVE IT!
AV: I heart Dolly Python!!! I also hit up estate sales, garage sales, and I've even had some luck at Goodwill.
PN: What's the farthest you've traveled to pick up a vintage find?
AV: Stockholm, Sweden. I was in a thrift store and found 2 beautiful scarves from the 70's. I framed both and love to see them hanging in our dining room and at the end of the hall.
PN: Is there anything you're on a constant hunt to find?
AV: Haegar pottery-to me it never gets old.
AV: Crazy Love- by Francis Chan. I love the way it challenges me in my devotion and walk with Christ. Also- Little Women, it is this months' book club read. I've read it as a girl and I'm even more excited to read it as and adult.
AV: Less is more. My husband gets irritated because I tend to freak out over what I call visual clutter. But in my defense - I function at a higher level when thing are neat and orderly, or at least that's how I justify it.
PN: What do you listen to while working?
AV: I like a lot of mellow tunes while I work- Washed Out, Gem Club, The xx. Since the hubby is professional musician(I just play one on tv), he informed me it's called 'chillwave.'
Amazing right? When I first entered her home, I warned Allison that I might just have to move in! Thank you. Thank you Allison for opening your home to Pure and Noble today. Now let's go grab a cup of coffee so we can have some girl talk while gazing at our neighbors from your plush gray chairs! tee hee hee. xo
