Investing and Nesting

I have a corporate day job that I can't seem to kick.  In the near-decade that I've been out of school, I have had some exceptional professional experiences... meeting the President, diplomatic travel in Asia, many rides on a favorite client's G5, giving "expert" commentary on cable television (ok, that's mostly exceptional for the free hair and makeup).  But my corporate lifestyle involves some serious corporate hours that I know I could never sustain long-term once the Prince and I have mini-Royals.  I think many women face this dilemma, and each comes up with her own solution.  So many women are good at so many different things, it seems unfair to be limited to one career in a lifetime.

I love design.  The Prince woke me up from a deep sleep the other day, and I told him, half awake, that I was dreaming of a coffee table.  That's just who I am!  A few years ago I began studying interior design at Parsons, really because I lived a few blocks away and it felt silly not to learn more formally about my passion at a legendary institution right at my fingertips.  I invested in myself and got so much out of the program, and while I can't seem to work up the courage to leave the corporate world entirely behind just yet, I hope to achieve great things as a designer.  For now, I have just enough time to help family, friends, and friends-of-friends with their spaces.  I'm probably edging my way into this field at the right time for me, because so many friends are buying their first "adult" abodes.  Working with other young couples is relatable, and I love giving them advice on what pieces to invest in, and when to head to West Elm. 

Things That Inspire was one of the first design blogs I ever subscribed to, and Holly did a great post yesterday on Century Furniture, whose showroom she was lucky enough to visit at High Point Market.  I think Century is a good source for investment pieces.  There are so many ways to customize their furniture with abundant color and stain options, and some of the lines are versitile enough to shift from one aesthetic to another as tastes change. 

I love this Greek key chest from the Oscar de la Renta line.  Holly showed it in a bright green that gave it an entirely different personality.

I am always on the lookout for apartment-scale furniture.  The pagoda armoire would be elegant enough for wedding china without overwhelming a smaller room.  I'd love to do it in a high-gloss red!

And I love using a set of two tables in place of one larger one, because they're easier to move around when entertaining. 

I surprisingly still have to talk people out of buying dining "sets."  I think mixing finishes is much more contemporary, and this look from the New Traditional line is updated elegance. 

A few friends are lucky enough to be buying summer homes-- wouldn't this look great at the beach?  That beautiful blue is making me wish for a weekend at the seashore!