It feels like everyone I know is graduating. I have college girlfriends who are finishing up grad school, sorority sisters who are somehow seniors, and friends' siblings who are off to college in the fall. After a couple emails from readers asking what to give new grads in their lives, I decided to round up my best ideas for pretty and practical gifts they'll actually use in their next chapter.
1. Luggage
Whether they're headed off to campus or moving to a new city, every new grad could use a little luggage upgrade. This vegan leather weekender is only $70 but you'll find more splurge-worthy options here and here.
2. Furniture
Chances are they're moving to a new place and decorating it on a budget. Be careful to give them a piece that's easy to incorporate into any decorating style. My parents gave me this acrylic console for my college graduation and I like knowing I'll always have a place for it either as a console or a desk.
3. Leather goods
Bonus points for adding a monogram. This is a great option for treating them to something they might not buy themselves, like a classic briefcase for a guy or a timeless clutch for a girl.
Dorm rooms and apartment rentals aren't known for their flattering overhead lighting. Instead of adding lamps to their shopping list at Ikea or Target, give them something special (like this Dana Gibson beauty) that will last them more than one year's lease.
6. A reminder of where they come from... or where they're headed
A meaningful piece of art always makes a great gift. I love this New York print for anyone who's bound for the Big Apple but this Etsy shop has gorgeous pieces for every city.
...or maybe a really generous Starbucks card just in case.
It feels like everyone I know is graduating. I have college girlfriends who are finishing up grad school, sorority sisters who are somehow seniors, and friends' siblings who are off to college in the fall. After a couple emails from readers asking what to give new grads in their lives, I decided to round up my best ideas for pretty and practical gifts they'll actually use in their next chapter.
1. Luggage
Whether they're headed off to campus or moving to a new city, every new grad could use a little luggage upgrade. This vegan leather weekender is only $70 but you'll find more splurge-worthy options here and here.
2. Furniture
Chances are they're moving to a new place and decorating it on a budget. Be careful to give them a piece that's easy to incorporate into any decorating style. My parents gave me this acrylic console for my college graduation and I like knowing I'll always have a place for it either as a console or a desk.
3. Leather goods
Bonus points for adding a monogram. This is a great option for treating them to something they might not buy themselves, like a classic briefcase for a guy or a timeless clutch for a girl.
Dorm rooms and apartment rentals aren't known for their flattering overhead lighting. Instead of adding lamps to their shopping list at Ikea or Target, give them something special (like this Dana Gibson beauty) that will last them more than one year's lease.
6. A reminder of where they come from... or where they're headed
A meaningful piece of art always makes a great gift. I love this New York print for anyone who's bound for the Big Apple but this Etsy shop has gorgeous pieces for every city.
All you aspiring interior designers are in for a treat today! So far the career spotlights have covered women in clothing, home decor, jewelry, social media, and weddings so I felt it was high time to share one of my favorite interior design duos. I "met" Alyssa Kapito and Vivian Muller through Instagram, where they tagged a Design Darling business card holder on Alyssa's desk which led me to discover their beautiful design work. I was so excited to meet them in person and just as excited to see Alyssa's home / office in person — serious inspiration for anyone who's self-employed! I love that they met while working for another designer and knew one day they'd collaborate and launch their own firm. I hope you enjoy their story as much as I did!
Alyssa: I started out in the art world. As I was doing my Master's thesis on Renaissance art, I realized I loved interior design and really wanted to try it. I applied to intern at Bunny Williams, which was a perfect first job — I loved it there. Then I met Vivian and we clicked immediately. We knew if we ever started our own firm, we would do it together. We've been at it now for a year and a half!
That's so exciting! What does a typical day look like for you?
Alyssa: We wake up pretty early and have a client meeting in the morning; we try to space them out throughout the day. We go to the D&D building to look at fabrics or to different showrooms depending on the project — Waterworks for a bathroom, a marble yard for a kitchen, etc.
Vivian: It's very busy! Sometimes we divide and conquer. But we're on the phone with each other until at least nine o'clock at night.
It must be awesome to have each other as a sounding board for every project. Where do you start when you're working with a new client?
Vivian: The first thing we do is get a sense of the client's personality and style. We actually send them over to Pinterest and ask them to start pinning spaces they like. It's a very visual platform and an easy way to get a feel for someone's aesthetic, what they respond to, and what they don't.
Alyssa: Once we see the space, we always know exactly what we want to do with it and tailor that plan to what the client wants. We don't like to rush it — we want people to have the perfect pieces, which requires searching and waiting. A small design project might take three months, whereas a gut renovation could take a year and a half.
Is it hard to juggle so many different projects at once? How do you stay organized?
Vivian: Everything is online — we're totally paperless. It's so much easier to find a purchase order on your laptop than in a closet full of papers.
Alyssa: Vivian's incredibly organized. She makes Excel spreadsheets for our clients with schedules, timelines, budgets... She really makes sure each project is on track.
Besides Pinterest, how else do you get inspired?
Vivian: We both love discovering new places, whether that's traveling to a new city or trying a new restaurant. Commercial spaces can be really inspiring. We'll see something at a new hotel and think, "Could this work in someone's apartment?"
Alyssa: And we love Instagram. The design community is small and really engaged — we can see what other designers are doing and get immediate feedback from our audience.
Is your average client pretty active on social media?
Alyssa: They're all young and fun — late twenties to mid thirties, some with young kids... We love our clients! They have different personalities and tastes but come to us for a certain aesthetic.
And how would you describe your aesthetic?
Alyssa: Clean, tailored, chic, with something a little eclectic for good measure.
That's really the perfect description. Take your apartment: lots of neutrals but with interesting texture and cool details like Hermès boxes and that Kate Moss illustration. I love it! What are some of your goals for the business in the coming years?
Vivian: We definitely want to do a product line eventually but right now we're just developing our signature style. We're all about slow and steady progress!
Alyssa: I think we're doing pretty well. Right now we're primarily based in Manhattan but we'd love to expand nationally and internationally. If we could do an apartment in Paris, I think I'd die happy.
Is that when you know you've made it?
Vivian: Yes! And decorating for the cover of Elle Decor or Architectural Digest.
Where there's a will, there's a way! What's one "pinch me" moment you've had so far?
Alyssa: When we met Steven Gambrel. I love his work.
Vivian: Or Martyn Lawrence Bullard. Sweetest person ever!
What's your advice for someone who wants to go into the design business? Alyssa: Be prepared to wear a lot of hats. Talk to people, learn from their experience and what they found hard in the beginning. And if you're motivated and talented, at some point you just have to go for it! Vivian: If you have a business partner, bounce everything off each other. That's the best part of having a partner — having a second opinion and getting to be two places at once so that every client gets the proper attention. Alyssa: Vivian's more business-minded and I'm more focused on design, but we both ask each other questions constantly. It's a little like a marriage — you have to find someone who really complements you!
What's the most fun part of your job? Alyssa: The best part is the moment when your colors and fabrics come tighter, right before you present it to your client, when you know it's really good. Vivian: Our job really is fun. It's probably half design work and half paperwork, but it never gets old. The design industry is constantly changing, which keeps it exciting. Alyssa: We really love it. It doesn't always feel like we're working. Sometimes it does, but definitely not always!
All you aspiring interior designers are in for a treat today! So far the career spotlights have covered women in clothing, home decor, jewelry, social media, and weddings so I felt it was high time to share one of my favorite interior design duos. I "met" Alyssa Kapito and Vivian Muller through Instagram, where they tagged a Design Darling business card holder on Alyssa's desk which led me to discover their beautiful design work. I was so excited to meet them in person and just as excited to see Alyssa's home / office in person — serious inspiration for anyone who's self-employed! I love that they met while working for another designer and knew one day they'd collaborate and launch their own firm. I hope you enjoy their story as much as I did!
Alyssa: I started out in the art world. As I was doing my Master's thesis on Renaissance art, I realized I loved interior design and really wanted to try it. I applied to intern at Bunny Williams, which was a perfect first job — I loved it there. Then I met Vivian and we clicked immediately. We knew if we ever started our own firm, we would do it together. We've been at it now for a year and a half!
That's so exciting! What does a typical day look like for you?
Alyssa: We wake up pretty early and have a client meeting in the morning; we try to space them out throughout the day. We go to the D&D building to look at fabrics or to different showrooms depending on the project — Waterworks for a bathroom, a marble yard for a kitchen, etc.
Vivian: It's very busy! Sometimes we divide and conquer. But we're on the phone with each other until at least nine o'clock at night.
It must be awesome to have each other as a sounding board for every project. Where do you start when you're working with a new client?
Vivian: The first thing we do is get a sense of the client's personality and style. We actually send them over to Pinterest and ask them to start pinning spaces they like. It's a very visual platform and an easy way to get a feel for someone's aesthetic, what they respond to, and what they don't.
Alyssa: Once we see the space, we always know exactly what we want to do with it and tailor that plan to what the client wants. We don't like to rush it — we want people to have the perfect pieces, which requires searching and waiting. A small design project might take three months, whereas a gut renovation could take a year and a half.
Is it hard to juggle so many different projects at once? How do you stay organized?
Vivian: Everything is online — we're totally paperless. It's so much easier to find a purchase order on your laptop than in a closet full of papers.
Alyssa: Vivian's incredibly organized. She makes Excel spreadsheets for our clients with schedules, timelines, budgets... She really makes sure each project is on track.
Besides Pinterest, how else do you get inspired?
Vivian: We both love discovering new places, whether that's traveling to a new city or trying a new restaurant. Commercial spaces can be really inspiring. We'll see something at a new hotel and think, "Could this work in someone's apartment?"
Alyssa: And we love Instagram. The design community is small and really engaged — we can see what other designers are doing and get immediate feedback from our audience.
Is your average client pretty active on social media?
Alyssa: They're all young and fun — late twenties to mid thirties, some with young kids... We love our clients! They have different personalities and tastes but come to us for a certain aesthetic.
And how would you describe your aesthetic?
Alyssa: Clean, tailored, chic, with something a little eclectic for good measure.
That's really the perfect description. Take your apartment: lots of neutrals but with interesting texture and cool details like Hermès boxes and that Kate Moss illustration. I love it! What are some of your goals for the business in the coming years?
Vivian: We definitely want to do a product line eventually but right now we're just developing our signature style. We're all about slow and steady progress!
Alyssa: I think we're doing pretty well. Right now we're primarily based in Manhattan but we'd love to expand nationally and internationally. If we could do an apartment in Paris, I think I'd die happy.
Is that when you know you've made it?
Vivian: Yes! And decorating for the cover of Elle Decor or Architectural Digest.
Where there's a will, there's a way! What's one "pinch me" moment you've had so far?
Alyssa: When we met Steven Gambrel. I love his work.
Vivian: Or Martyn Lawrence Bullard. Sweetest person ever!
What's your advice for someone who wants to go into the design business? Alyssa: Be prepared to wear a lot of hats. Talk to people, learn from their experience and what they found hard in the beginning. And if you're motivated and talented, at some point you just have to go for it! Vivian: If you have a business partner, bounce everything off each other. That's the best part of having a partner — having a second opinion and getting to be two places at once so that every client gets the proper attention. Alyssa: Vivian's more business-minded and I'm more focused on design, but we both ask each other questions constantly. It's a little like a marriage — you have to find someone who really complements you!
What's the most fun part of your job? Alyssa: The best part is the moment when your colors and fabrics come tighter, right before you present it to your client, when you know it's really good. Vivian: Our job really is fun. It's probably half design work and half paperwork, but it never gets old. The design industry is constantly changing, which keeps it exciting. Alyssa: We really love it. It doesn't always feel like we're working. Sometimes it does, but definitely not always!
After the blogger brunch I put together during fashion week in February, I was suddenly determined to do more entertaining. This isn't an easy task in most New York apartments (especially if you're not particularly domestic, cough cough) but I really wanted to make it happen. That's why I was so excited to hear from Kitchensurfing, a service that pairs you with a local chef who will prepare a seasonal meal for your guests using their ingredients and your kitchen. All you have to do is decide what kind of event you'd like to host, tidy your apartment, and let Kitchensurfing do the rest!
I worked with Alex, a.k.a. the Breakfast Bachelor, who whipped up a delicious menu featuring spring produce like rhubarb, ramps, asparagus, and baby greens. I was a little skeptical that he'd be able to whip up brunch for twelve guests in such a small space but he was a total trooper and the food was out of this world. We started with rhubarb mimosas (YUM and I finally learned how to open a bottle of champagne!), herbed buttermilk biscuits, strawberry fennel salad, a spring quiche, and apricot-glazed bacon for everyone else (I've been a vegetarian since college but I'm told it was delicious!). He made blackberry almond doughnuts from scratch for a sweet treat and I picked up macarons from François Payard (my favorites in New York... don't tell Ladurée!).
Oh hello, Rory. Today's lesson: if you give a dog a bite of quiche, he'll want a macaron to go with it. ;)
I didn't have enough table space or seating for everyone so we just made a big circle of chairs and everyone ate on their laps. Sure, it wasn't a formal dinner party but everyone was a great sport and it was so fun to invite a bigger group of friends over to my new apartment! It was seriously encouraging to see what Alex was able to pull off with limited counter space, serving pieces, etc. Now I have no excuse not to do it again! Maybe I'll even try my hand at the cooking ;)
Kitchensurfing paid for this brunch in exchange for spreading the word on Design Darling but I can't wait to work with them again on future get-togethers, especially if I were splitting the cost with friends. If you're hosting an event (birthday party, wedding shower, work gathering...) and don't want to worry about food prep, I can't recommend Kitchensurfing (and Alex in particular!) more highly. And as a special treat for Design Darling readers, they're offering $50 off your first booking through this link!
After the blogger brunch I put together during fashion week in February, I was suddenly determined to do more entertaining. This isn't an easy task in most New York apartments (especially if you're not particularly domestic, cough cough) but I really wanted to make it happen. That's why I was so excited to hear from Kitchensurfing, a service that pairs you with a local chef who will prepare a seasonal meal for your guests using their ingredients and your kitchen. All you have to do is decide what kind of event you'd like to host, tidy your apartment, and let Kitchensurfing do the rest!
I worked with Alex, a.k.a. the Breakfast Bachelor, who whipped up a delicious menu featuring spring produce like rhubarb, ramps, asparagus, and baby greens. I was a little skeptical that he'd be able to whip up brunch for twelve guests in such a small space but he was a total trooper and the food was out of this world. We started with rhubarb mimosas (YUM and I finally learned how to open a bottle of champagne!), herbed buttermilk biscuits, strawberry fennel salad, a spring quiche, and apricot-glazed bacon for everyone else (I've been a vegetarian since college but I'm told it was delicious!). He made blackberry almond doughnuts from scratch for a sweet treat and I picked up macarons from François Payard (my favorites in New York... don't tell Ladurée!).
Oh hello, Rory. Today's lesson: if you give a dog a bite of quiche, he'll want a macaron to go with it. ;)
I didn't have enough table space or seating for everyone so we just made a big circle of chairs and everyone ate on their laps. Sure, it wasn't a formal dinner party but everyone was a great sport and it was so fun to invite a bigger group of friends over to my new apartment! It was seriously encouraging to see what Alex was able to pull off with limited counter space, serving pieces, etc. Now I have no excuse not to do it again! Maybe I'll even try my hand at the cooking ;)
Kitchensurfing paid for this brunch in exchange for spreading the word on Design Darling but I can't wait to work with them again on future get-togethers, especially if I were splitting the cost with friends. If you're hosting an event (birthday party, wedding shower, work gathering...) and don't want to worry about food prep, I can't recommend Kitchensurfing (and Alex in particular!) more highly. And as a special treat for Design Darling readers, they're offering $50 off your first booking through this link!
