Off to a good start!

My website is officially up and running, linandlo.com!

I'm excited to be starting this next phase of business... And for friends and family to finally be able to see what I've been working on since last May.

Besides just interior decorating projects, I've been creating scarves, broches, and pillowcase sets with intricate hand stitched details, crocheted flowers, and vintage buttons. Since I've been growing my inventory, I've been so encouraged by the outbreak of handcrafted products I've seen around my favorite shops.

I stopped in Jcrew yesterday and was stunned by their selection of handpainted t-shirts with gorgeous tulle flowers. In Betsey Johnson, her eclectic scarfs were detailed with ribbons and flowers. Inspired by their products, I've decided to work on a more artistic direction.

The new broches for Lin&Lo have feathers, the pillows are detailed with felt shapes and letters, and the scarves will be adorned with a collage of crocheted flowers, lace cutouts, and handpainted scenes. Also, I've been started a collection of quilts that I'm excited to get out!!

After getting all the logistics out of the way, my creativity is getting back out of hiding. I'm so grateful to friends who have inspired me, helped me with photoshoots, and "free marketed" to their friends. Thank you for all the support!!

To purchase the latest products, visit my Etsy site, but make sure to check out my website!

Much love!
Lin

A New Side of Lin & Lo...

Christmas time, of course, generates a lot of quality time with family and friends. What I didn't anticipate was my motivation to dive into projects while on vacation. I credit my great grandmother, "Meme", who I am certain passed down to me all my creative tendencies. Without her stock piling of materials that she could just never let go of, I wouldn't have access to an incredible supply of vintage buttons that have been sitting in the back of closets since I was a little girl.

I remember sitting on the floor with my sister, pulling all of the buttons out of the box and looking for the prettiest, sparkliest ones... And that familiar sound of plastic and metal bouncing off each other as I dug into the 24" box like sand. You are probably wondering why I am so fond of this box of buttons, and there may be few people who can truly understand, but seeing all of the different colors and patterns and possibilities... It just stirs something in me.

With that said, I woke up the day after Christmas, grabbed every possible craft supply in the house, and just started cutting and sewing little flowers and circles. I didn't have a clear concept at first of what I was making, but I quickly found myself sitting in the middle of a growing collection of intricately designed "things." A few days later, I bought hair clips and safety pins and decided that they should all be multipurpose accessories. What I love about them is they can go on anything that deserves a little design love. Pillows, scarves, boots, sweaters, and of course, hair.

This batch of the... "accessories" (I don't know what else to generalize them as)... Anyway, it includes exclusively vintage buttons. I saw some similar buttons at the craft store recently that retailed as much as $7-$13 each, so I'm assuming ones that are over thirty years old are pretty valuable... And on top of the intrinsic value of including family heirlooms, I wouldn't know what to charge for them. In the future, with storebought buttons, the accessories will be about $10 each, but these ones are special and may just be the original ones that I'll keep forever and ever. : )

Last night, I put the last pin backing on the last flower, and I have a total of twenty completely unique, handmade accessories.

The ones below are all crocheted with embroidery floss, which brings out a very delicate feel to them. The brown leaf on the bottom left one was actually cut out by my Meme- she had a whole bag of organic shapes cut out of felt, and after turning the house inside out, I still only found one! It is one of my favorites, especially because of the wood grain button.

These ones are all made entirely out of felt, which I was scared would end up looking very elementary... But with some extra hand stitching, I think they look just as intricate as the others.

I found some amazing blue flannel, and I wanted to make it into a scarf... But I loved the idea of turning it into a pin that I could add to any outfit... Because I need flannel readily available, haha.

The following three all include this amazing GOLD fabric. I have no idea how it exists. Even better, it's probably as old as I am, so it has a lot of character through cracking, exposing a white fabric underneath. It's super soft too, unlike glued on gold glitter, so your hair will just slide across it. Also, notice the amazing buttons on the bottom two. Ohhh if only I had an endless supply!

These two include a lot of crocheting- simple circles worked as a great base for the pins. Also, I found gold embroidery floss. It sparkles. My goodness.

These three are some of my favorites- I love browns and beiges, and blue looks so natural with them. The fabric is much softer than felt but as a lot of the same qualities with some light fraying to add character. I LOVE the button on the top one- it has a crocheted cover! My Meme was amazing. Oh, and so is the cerulean blue corduroy fabric.

These two include some more of the random fabric I found, rather than felt... The top one is more of a denim, and the sailor anchor pin gives it this adorable nautical look. The other pin has a button covered in red fabric, so the whole pin is very, very soft.

These two include a burgandy ribbon material I found, which paired nicely with both black felt and the softer white fabric. Another crocheted button cover... There were only two in the whole box! I need to figure out how to make them. Or how to have enough patience to make them.

So you can get an idea of the size... This is my favorite, favorite one.

And another great one, made entirely out of felt with a pretty pearly button.

Since they have both a hair clip and a broche pin, they can really go anywhere. I opted for my suede boot, just for randomness.

So that's what I've been up to, and I'm so excited to have them done! I leave for my niece's birthday dinner in an hour, then head up to Buffalo for my last night in NY, and then I'm off for more adventures that just don't allow for a week of accessory-making.

Can't wait to get back to my office (I prefer "craft lounge") in San Diego to spend my days basking in fabric, sewing machines, and 10-12 cups of coffee!

Much love!

Scarf Season!

Every year, I typically open up winter with a crochet hook and one roll of yarn for every friend I have. By Christmas, everyone has a cozy, colorful scarf, and I'm ready to set aside any thought of crocheting for an entire year. It tends to work out perfectly.

This year though, I've been so inspired my colorful vintage fabrics and different shapes of scarves. Cowls, "necklaces," braids... So beyond my one dimensional world of crocheting. I decided to start exploring some other options, and this "necklace" scarf has been one of my favorites. I wasn't sure if all of my friends would be on board for this one, but I've even had some orders for their family members as well!

This particular scarf is for my friend Justine's mom.

I started with a rectangular piece of fabric, approximately 48" x 18". The width and length entirely depends on the kind of fabric. It will be folded in have lengthwise, and thinner fabrics will collapse more, so just use your best judgement. What I always do before sewing anything is simply gather the fabric in the shape of a scarf I'm making, hold the ends together at my neck (as if I'm clasping a necklace), and see how it hangs down around my body. If I want it shorter, I'll cut it. If I want it to have more volume, I'll make sure to cut it wider so it won't be as thin after I fold it in half.

At this point, I've already taken my rectangle and folded it in half, with the backside exposed. I then simply sewed the seam up the entire length.

When it's still inside out, take the time to trim the edges after sewing to make sure they are perfectly straight. You can do it before, but likely you will have to do it again. Some fabric tends to stretch out on one side and not the other while in the sewing machine.

Turn it inside out, and you've got your initial shape! FYI, if you'd like a traditional wraparound type scarf, you could just hem the open seams at both sides and be done... Just start with a much longer piece of fabric and make sure to test out how looks before cutting. Nothing's worse than a stumpy scarf. : )

Now you're going to fold both ends in, because they will be sewn together, and the entire thing will be more of a big, fabricy necklace.

Before you sew, take just one side and twist it once, and line the ends back up again. This is because when it is on, it just helps the bulk of the scarf land in the right way around your neck. Trust me on this one! For cowls, I just sew the ends together and never twist the scarf, but for the necklace shape, you want it to sit flatter against your chest and not look like one of those cloth baby holders.

This part is tricky, so I hope the pictures aren't too confusing. Take the ends of the scarf and hold them up next to each other, so that all the unfinished edges are one one side. There will be four rows of fabric. The two inside rows are what you are going to sew together, with the backside of the fabric exposed as you sew. Put a pin in where the seams align so that it looks "organized" when finished.

This is how you want your fabric to be laid out when you take it to the sewing machine. Try to get the two inside layers pulled out a bit so that they don't get confused with the two outside layers.

It's going to feel strange because there is so much fabric going on at this point. Just try to keep it all in the right place. Start where you put the pin on the seam, and simple hem the two edges together. You'll realize it's the exact same thing you did to sew together the initial rectangle, but since the shape is now a circle, the machine will basically start pulling the fabric around until you get back to where you started. Remember though, the hole is going to start getting smaller and smaller, and eventually you'll have no more room to keep sewing and it won't be completely sealed. If you're patient and very careful, you can get it within a few inches, and then simply pull it off the machine and cut the thread, leaving a few inches longer than usual.

Now laid flat, you see that you've sewn the edges together and have just a small hold left to sew by hand. I don't always tie a knot at the end of machine stitches, but in this case I do because it will loosen very easily, so on each side of the hole, make sure the seam is nice and tight with the extra thread you left on the ends.

Thread a needle and tie a knot, and insert the needle between the seams first so that the knot isn't exposed. Try to start a little bit further to the right and overlap where the machine has shown for more reinforcement. Then, as shown here, sew the remaining gap by going right to left, keeping the thread on the right as you go. Keep the fabric folded in a little bit just like it looks on the either side of the hole. Unlike a machine that sews the pieces together side by side, this stitch will be almost invisible if you keep it tight and as close to the inside of the fold as possible

Finish the last stitch in the "crack" of the fabric, trying to make it unseen. If it's stretchy fabric or the kind that has "pores," you can even tie it around one of the threads of the fabric. This is a pretty important knot... Because it's the last one! Throw on your beautiful scarf, you are finished!
Experimenting with different kinds of fabric is really fun. This pattern was really interesting because it seamed to have a border of flowers at the bottom as if it were made for curtains. I liked the idea that it would make the scarf have a focal point, so I went ahead with it. There are so many different fabrics that look great in this style, and you can create focal points with pins, embroiderd flowers, buttons, etc. I've got my eye on adding a Dainty flower to one!

The best part about this scarf is that you never have to do the whole "how do I wear this scarf?" ordeal. You simply throw it around your neck, and it still adds just as much color, volume, and shape to your outfit. If the fabric allows, you can even double it up the way you would wrap a hairtie around twice, for a more chunky, layered look.

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial... And I hope Justine's mom enjoys her scarf! : )

Much love and happy holidays!
Lin

Chez Lin, Oh La La...

So, in honor of starting my own business, I have had the pleasure of moving out of my independence and back in with my dad. It feels a bit backward in the steps of life, but then again... I've heard enough of the same story this year, and it only makes me smile about how we'll all look back on this time in our lives and remember how wonderful it was to not pay for rent or laundry, at the expense of never having friends over. : )

Since moving back in, I've been hesitant to do any decorating, mainly because I refuse to believe that I am settled anywhere. It's been a long time since I've felt at "home" enough to put anything on the walls. Therefore, my bedroom for the past 8 months has consisted of a white comforter, a black dresser, and um... beige walls? Pretty depressing. And somehow, with a perfect blank palette and the assurance that I would not be going anywhere soon (rent & security deposit, ha!), I still had not felt any inclination to style my bedroom.

A few weeks ago, I went to Ikea with some friends and revealed to them the "as is" section. It's my favorite. Mainly because it's the one place at Ikea that I can find something not everyone will have... Because at bulk and super low costs, I can afford (and feel comfortable with) buying an impactful amount or personalizing the pieces. For example, one time I bought eight 10" ceramic vases for 50 cents each and proceeded to paint them, and another time I got nine cabinet doors for less than a dollar each, and then hung them as one piece to mimic a headboard in my old apartment. Later, I painted them and used them as frames for pictures. They're going to live a long life... I'll post some pics of those babies.

So, on this recent trip, I helped my buddies pick out some new duvet covers, and was super jealous of the adorable fabrics and instant updates their rooms would have. As much as I'd love to buy new things, it's just not the time to be spending $40 for something I technically already have. And voila, in the land of "as is," I found a perfect little cover for just $8! And, in the same bin, a perfectly coordinated magenta pillow cover for... 50 cents!

Without exceeding $8.50, I ended up accessorizing my room with (for the first time ever) flowers, pink, and shabby chic.

It'd be unfair to say that this is possible for everyone, because in reality, I've spent a lot of money on decor items, but only when I see them on sale with a lot of potential. In the past year, I've picked up tons of things, from the pink pillows on the bed (on sale for $3 each), to the pink and white clips holding my black and white vintage postcards (10 cent shower curtain holders!), to miscellanious picture frames, candle holders, and... my favorite part of the room, a combination of cork potholders that I've wrapped in sage green plain, sage green polka dot, white, and magenta fabric to hang on the wall. I even had a little magenta hair pin that I attached to one of the boards.


So, conclusion:
1 hour
+ $8.50
+ a lifetime of interior design obsession & random shopping
= my happy, girly bedroom. : )

Onto my in-the-works office space:

My seating area is really just a combination of a lot of stuff I already have... But it's knowing what to combine that really works. The table I acquired from a past client, and it was a little darker than all of the other matching birch colors I have. Luckily, I had a birch tabletop that I wanted to use in the space, and putting it on top of the existing space made the original coffee table larger and more coordinated.

(Yes, I know they're crooked). I haven't mounted them on white foam core yet. I found sets of postcards for 50 cents each (that's a dime per post card!) because they were missing the envelopes. Lucky for me, I was only sending them to my wall. I was so indecisive about using the rustic, eclectic numbers or the bright, organic green & blue flowers. I tried both, and I really like the way I could blend the two styles!

My tabletop will eventually be a solid core white door from Home Depot ($20!), but for now I'm using my closet door. I really like the big work space... and how easy it would be to take it off the sawhorse legs (no lie, discounted from $30 down to $5 one fateful, fateful day) when I want to open up the space.

There isn't anything monumentally special about this shot, but I love sitting on the couch. The sun shines right in through the window all afternoon, and seeing a cohesive space with potential to work in? Well, that excites me.

I love elephants. On the tray is a set of salt and pepper shakers from Anthology, and they somehow end up a focal point no matter how I design my space. The desk is neatly organized, which for some is a must for creative work... Others like chaos. I think that might be because everything is "at their fingertips," so I managed to create that vibe with all of my inspirational design books and magazines right in front of me as I work online.

Below is my fireplace mantle. Right now it is just a crazy collection of everything I just happen to like that seems to coordinate in color, but it will evolve gradually. I found the largest piece at a swap meet and fell in love with the colors. Up close (and when I'm better at photography), you'd see little tiny lime green, orange, and yellow flowers that look beautiful with the bright colors in the room. It's still a little dark though, so I painted the frame white and paired it with some other darker pieces so that it would look nice against the stones. Notice the picture of Bambi and Feline that I cut out of the Disney children's book, and also the super cool wooden vase right in front of the diagonal picture of pyramid steps. Everything represents me, which is really what great design is about. Although you might not understand it all, it's a space I love to look at from across the room. (Yet still, it will mostly likely change this week.)

Lastly, I had to do something with the random black leather recliner that gravitated into this room. A few animal print pillows (I don't know why, but I am very fond of them, and there's another on my desk chair) create a very "I've traveled" feel next to the stone & wood lamp and the, of course, elephant statue. It's not that I hope one day to own a house with a room I can devote solely to elephants, but I really do like them. There is another one (it's part of the "Baby Elephant" room starter kit) that hasn't made an appearance in the room yet. I will cry the day it sells.

About 80% of my accessories are "finds." Thrift stores, swap meets, clients looking to get rid of them, garage sales, or completely upcycled things that are on clearance, about to me thrown away or forgotten. It's not that I'm always "so lucky" and just happen to find exactly what I'm looking for at a tearfully amazing price, but keeping my eye out for unique accessories just gives me an opportunity to redecorate in... well, one hour for $8.50.

Below are some ADORABLE cookie jars I found at the salvo recently. I don't know when I'll use them, considering I don't exactly have my own kitchen to employ them in. But how wonderful will it be when I have a client with shelf space, or better yet, my own counter, that will look so unique and cozy with these precious little finds.

Besides randomly wanting to post the design mojo I've had around my house, I want to pass along this advice: Carefully and creatively invest in your design future.

Don't buy anything at any time with the attitiude, "well, this could work...", but don't dismiss yourself from buying something you love just because you don't need it. Put the two ideas together, and form a small collection of fun things that you just won't see again, and would like to one day see in your home. That way, when you're older and can afford a home (or when you're just looking for a fresh, new idea for the space you're in now), you'll be able to design based on what you have and what you love. Ironically, that's usually the hardest part, but you'll have an inspired, creative, and personal head start!

Thanks for reading.
Take care!

Lazy (Productive) Sunday...

I have finally made a header for my blog- for the time, it represents the vibe of Linterior Stylist, but as always, I'll probably change it up again in a month. I've never been able to stick with one design for anything... I suppose I get to inspired and excited all the time about all of the ideas floating around the world, and I love trying them all out. When I was a little girl, I would redecorate my room about seven times a year- always with new colors, layouts, and themes.

I think one of the amazing things about being a designer is that for all of the visions I have for a space, I get to create them for someone else, and I get a sense of fulfillment of representing all of the sides of my design personality while incorporating my clients' wonderful ideas and personalities.

Here are some kits I've been working on. I've been getting my hands on some amazing vintage fabric lately, so expect some clever designs coming soon!

For the LINO line, here's "City Birds."
I handstitched bird silhouettes on a wire, and drew some quirky cityscapes to be framed in some upcycled black frames. I found the frames on a clearance rack at a dollar store, I'm assuming because they had a huge heart with the words "I love my mom" printed right on the glass. I pulled out some nailpolish remover to clean it off, and voila, had some perfect little black frames for less than $1 a piece. In French, the artwork reads, "les petites ouseaux dans la ville," which means, "Little birds in the city."

Another handstitched set, for Lintage, "Let's Be Happy" constists of handstitched "let's be happy" and "let's have fun" surrounded by some random silhouettes of whimsical (I hesitate to use that word, ever) things... Cats, flowers, leaves, birds, etc. The frames are painted and distressed, with hand drawn artwork and cutouts of polka dots and leaves to imitate the vintage fabric, stitching, and patterns.


And for the lo collection, I found this super soft navy blue fabric with white polka dots, so I hand stitched some circles in orange, gray, and navy blue. I painted the same stitching pattern and colors on three ceramic vases, so the set is perfectly coordinated.

One of my favorite parts of making the kits is finding a client whose space works perfectly with them. I do make them custom, but it's fun when I can use any of them for a space. I've incorporated three of them so far into spaces, and of course, those three are the ones that have never been photographed.

I would love to figure out just how to take photos of the kits- they never seem to show the appropriate detail! In person, I'm so proud of my work... But online, they just seem lackluster. Regardless, all of my kits are available on my Etsy shop, and maybe soon I'll have amazingly beautiful photographs to replace the ones I have now.

By the way, have you heard of Regretsy? A client recommended that I take a look. It can be a bit vulgur, but the point in itself is a bit amusing... Somehow, it does uplift me a bit about my terrible photographs, because at least what I'm selling seems professional. : )

Take care!
Lin