Posts from — March 2009

1. VAIN SELF PROMOTION: I can do anything! 

3. RELIEF: It’s the first thing I feel on winning the bid, as if I didn’t deserve it or someone’s doing me a favor. Thank God, I wonder why they chose me?  Did I under charge them?

4. GRATEFUL ACQUIESCENCE: Grateful for the chance to work, I acquiesce to whatever extra tasks they ask for, including multiple long drives to meetings at their  house, any and all changes- three versions, expensive samples, no upcharges, etc.

5. EXASPERATION: Fatigue sets in, and I succumb to the weaker emotions of resentment, spite and righteous flares of self esteem, all too little, too late. I should exercise, eat better and learn something from the experience, but instead I work like a maniac to Rage Against the Machine.

6. REGRET: I regret I didn’t charge more. What was I thinking? How could I forget to include that? Can I ask the client for more money?

7. RELIEF PART II: The first thing I feel on getting paid. I feel relief that money still exists (it’s been a while since I’ve seen it in person), that I am finally done and I have a sense of urgency  set in – to get the heck out of there before something else comes up.

8. DENIAL: With money finally in hand, does anyone believe they have been fairly compensated? Up close everything looks smaller, especially money. Isn’t this counter to the laws of perspective- closer is bigger- but in line with the laws of desire and gratification-wanting is big, having is small.? I ignore the disappointment and move on.

9. VAIN SELF-DELUSION: I can do anything!

paraphrased from Chronology, Princeton Press

James Swan is a busy man. We wrote last about his AfterCare program; now James‘ stylings for Ballard Designs launched this week in their March/April catalog. Ballard Designs handpicked Swan to collaborate with the company’s merchandising team because of his clean and effortless elegance designs, which have become his signature.  I had a chance to chat with James just as he was finishing the catalog shoot. Here’s another 10 minutes with James.

TrendSpot: Tell me a little about the Ballard Design project?

James Swan: This partnership with Ballard Designs is an exciting opportunity for me.  I will be styling four rooms for them using their products that are filtered through my design sensibility. Some of the products are icons and some are launching in the catalog. Each of the rooms have a new look and feel for Ballard Designs. Since Ballard Designs offers home furnishings and accessories to decorate the entire home, from floor to ceiling, I was able to extend my creativity through a variety of different design concepts. 

James Swan for Ballard Designs

TS: Can you elaborate on the filtering process?

JS: I am hoping to bring a fresh eye and design sensibility that can help Ballard’s clients understand other options for the pieces they are considering and how might they best impact their interiors.

TS: How would you describe your design sensibility?

JS: I have an eye for a classic approach to products and how they are configured in a room tempered by modern life. I am fond of 18^th century objects and though you could create museum room you still have to interface and design with today’s technology that makes our lives easier. My work strikes that balance.

TS: You mentioned offering options to Ballard’s customers- how will that happen?

JS: Ballard has created a microsite- Style Studio that is devoted the hows and why of the 8 pages, my design philosophy and even Q & A. In addition to the catalog spreads, Style Studio will  provide consumers with a behind the scenes look at the design process and catalog shoot.  It will also include a gallery of the designer’s product favorites.

 TS: What’s on the horizon for you?

JS:I have finished a book and I am close to a publishing deal. It’s not a coffee table book- we’ve got plenty of them. I hope that it will help educate, entertain and elevate homeowners at all levels make their home as beautiful as possible. It’s a  slightly tongue- in- cheek  book that gives you simple, practical hands on things to do that aren’t involved ; that you can do today. It’s called 101 Things I Hate About Your House.

Thanks James and to Ballard Designs for the photography. Designers if you like what you see or are a fan like I am of Ballard Designs check out their To The Trade Designer Program.