The Design Dialogues {Alexandra Berlin}

I'm so excited to introduce you all to my friend Alex of the blog Things That Sparkle. Somehow between blogging, designing, and planning her wedding, Alex has been an incredible support to me as I venture into the uncertain territory of self-employment. Alex recently went back to school to study interior design before launching her own business! Here she is to tell you all about it.

Who you are:

Alex from Alexandra Berlin Design and Things That Sparkle

Where you are:

Chicago

Five words to describe yourself:

Creative, loving, honest, emotional, passionate.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

Classic. Glamorous. Warm. Eclectic.

Who are your style inspirations?

Oh, this is a tough one! There are so many. Bloggers are so incredibly inspiring because you're able to follow their process — it's so real and there's so much talent! I've also been finding inspiration among my favorite artists. You can create an entire room around a special piece of art! Pieces from Sally King Benedict, Lana Gomez and Amanda Talley inspire me all the time!

How did you decide you wanted to be an interior designer?

I was always one of those little kids who loved to rearrange my room and help my mom choose fabrics but it never occurred to me to make it a career. I graduated from college and went straight into advertising. After two years, I began to see it wasn't for me. I had just started my blog and realized so much of what I loved to blog about was interior design. All of a sudden, it clicked! I haven't looked back since.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?

Seeing clients happy with a home or a space they love and feel good in. That really is the best feeling — it sounds clichéd but it's the end goal of everything I do!

And the least glamorous aspect?

Missed deadlines by vendors and billing. Nothing glamorous about frustrated clients and spreadsheets.

What advice would you offer aspiring creatives?

Just do it! Seriously. If this is your passion, then follow it. There is nothing more fulfilling that doing what you love every day.

Where would you like your business to be in five years?

I'd like to have my own office space, expand my list of clients, and try some new types of projects, to name just a few!

Three items on your to do list:

If I'm really being honest... Pay the dog walker. Buy bedside lamps for client. Vacuum — So. Much. Dog. Fur. Isn't my life glamorous?

Three items on your wishlist:

Is this a dream wishlist or a realistic wishlist? I'll include both! My birthday is in a month... This perfect blush and chevron iPad cover. This perfect spin on monogramming. This Céline bag.

Three tasks on your bucket list.

Travel, travel, travel — Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Prague, Istanbul, I could go on forever! Get another puppy — I've been dreaming of this ever since my dog turned one but sadly living in an apartment in the city is not conducive to two big dogs. Have my work published — it would be totally surreal to see my work on the pages of a magazine! Such a dream.

- - - 

Isn't she wonderful? I love her advice, "There is nothing more fulfilling that doing what you love every day." Now go check out her blog and say hello!

I'm so excited to introduce you all to my friend Alex of the blog Things That Sparkle. Somehow between blogging, designing, and planning her wedding, Alex has been an incredible support to me as I venture into the uncertain territory of self-employment. Alex recently went back to school to study interior design before launching her own business! Here she is to tell you all about it.

Who you are:

Alex from Alexandra Berlin Design and Things That Sparkle

Where you are:

Chicago

Five words to describe yourself:

Creative, loving, honest, emotional, passionate.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

Classic. Glamorous. Warm. Eclectic.

Who are your style inspirations?

Oh, this is a tough one! There are so many. Bloggers are so incredibly inspiring because you're able to follow their process — it's so real and there's so much talent! I've also been finding inspiration among my favorite artists. You can create an entire room around a special piece of art! Pieces from Sally King Benedict, Lana Gomez and Amanda Talley inspire me all the time!

How did you decide you wanted to be an interior designer?

I was always one of those little kids who loved to rearrange my room and help my mom choose fabrics but it never occurred to me to make it a career. I graduated from college and went straight into advertising. After two years, I began to see it wasn't for me. I had just started my blog and realized so much of what I loved to blog about was interior design. All of a sudden, it clicked! I haven't looked back since.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?

Seeing clients happy with a home or a space they love and feel good in. That really is the best feeling — it sounds clichéd but it's the end goal of everything I do!

And the least glamorous aspect?

Missed deadlines by vendors and billing. Nothing glamorous about frustrated clients and spreadsheets.

What advice would you offer aspiring creatives?

Just do it! Seriously. If this is your passion, then follow it. There is nothing more fulfilling that doing what you love every day.

Where would you like your business to be in five years?

I'd like to have my own office space, expand my list of clients, and try some new types of projects, to name just a few!

Three items on your to do list:

If I'm really being honest... Pay the dog walker. Buy bedside lamps for client. Vacuum — So. Much. Dog. Fur. Isn't my life glamorous?

Three items on your wishlist:

Is this a dream wishlist or a realistic wishlist? I'll include both! My birthday is in a month... This perfect blush and chevron iPad cover. This perfect spin on monogramming. This Céline bag.

Three tasks on your bucket list.

Travel, travel, travel — Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Prague, Istanbul, I could go on forever! Get another puppy — I've been dreaming of this ever since my dog turned one but sadly living in an apartment in the city is not conducive to two big dogs. Have my work published — it would be totally surreal to see my work on the pages of a magazine! Such a dream.

- - - 

Isn't she wonderful? I love her advice, "There is nothing more fulfilling that doing what you love every day." Now go check out her blog and say hello!

Get started now.

One of the most ambitious goals on my 101 in 1001 list is to start my own company — as in I fully intend to have my own company within the next two years (the 1001 day mark is September 28, 2013). I wasn't expecting to hit the ground running this early on, but two months at a desk job made me realize that life is just too damn short to do anything that makes you unhappy. Just three weeks into self-employment, I've never been more confident that I'm pursuing the right path.

I love this quote for several reasons. Starting a business is never going to be easy. There's always going to be some reason not to do it. You're too young, you're worried about money, you're afraid of what other people will think. You're aware that it could totally backfire and leave you back at square one. But if it's the kind of challenge that's going to get you out of bed in the morning, excited about the possibilities — if it's the kind of thing that you'll look back on and regret not trying — then you know what you have to do.

My dad used to tell me, "He who has a beginning has half the deed done." In other words, sometimes making up your mind to do something is the hardest part. Taking that first leap of faith and committing yourself to a new venture is always daunting. But the peace of mind that follows and the excitement about what's ahead are every bit worth the initial anxiety.

Which is not to say that it'll be smooth sailing from here on out. That's another reason I love this quote. I know I don't have all the tools I need to succeed right this instant. Challenges and obstacles that I have no idea how to handle will inevitably pop up. But the opportunity for growth — for newfound strength, skill, self-confidence, and success — is not to be missed.

I'm in the early planning stages of my very own company and that's an absolutely exhilarating feeling. In fact, I highly recommend it ;)

One of the most ambitious goals on my 101 in 1001 list is to start my own company — as in I fully intend to have my own company within the next two years (the 1001 day mark is September 28, 2013). I wasn't expecting to hit the ground running this early on, but two months at a desk job made me realize that life is just too damn short to do anything that makes you unhappy. Just three weeks into self-employment, I've never been more confident that I'm pursuing the right path.

I love this quote for several reasons. Starting a business is never going to be easy. There's always going to be some reason not to do it. You're too young, you're worried about money, you're afraid of what other people will think. You're aware that it could totally backfire and leave you back at square one. But if it's the kind of challenge that's going to get you out of bed in the morning, excited about the possibilities — if it's the kind of thing that you'll look back on and regret not trying — then you know what you have to do.

My dad used to tell me, "He who has a beginning has half the deed done." In other words, sometimes making up your mind to do something is the hardest part. Taking that first leap of faith and committing yourself to a new venture is always daunting. But the peace of mind that follows and the excitement about what's ahead are every bit worth the initial anxiety.

Which is not to say that it'll be smooth sailing from here on out. That's another reason I love this quote. I know I don't have all the tools I need to succeed right this instant. Challenges and obstacles that I have no idea how to handle will inevitably pop up. But the opportunity for growth — for newfound strength, skill, self-confidence, and success — is not to be missed.

I'm in the early planning stages of my very own company and that's an absolutely exhilarating feeling. In fact, I highly recommend it ;)

Places & Spaces

A little collection of homes and interiors that have caught my eye recently... 

This perfect townhouse.

This sunny breakfast nook.

This hallway library.

These leather benches. (Same shape for less here.)

And this dreamy escape. What's stopping you in your tracks lately?

A little collection of homes and interiors that have caught my eye recently... 

This perfect townhouse.

This sunny breakfast nook.

This hallway library.

These leather benches. (Same shape for less here.)

And this dreamy escape. What's stopping you in your tracks lately?