Peach Fuzz: The Most Stylish Items in 2024's Color of the Year

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The peach conjures images of freshness, juiciness, and radiance–exactly what I'm embracing for 2024, and Pantone clearly agrees, having named "Peach Fuzz" (13-1023) as the color of the year. As we journey through these early months, it's the ideal moment to invigorate our style with a splash of this warm, lively hue. That's why I'm excited to share with you a handpicked collection of items that capture the essence of this year's chosen Pantone Color: a mix of everyday staples and standout items, all dressed in a warm, vibrant hue that's as comforting as it is chic. Whether you're a fashion enthusiast or just looking to add a splash of novelty to your daily routine, these selections are bound to catch your eye. So, take a closer look at these 12 peachy picks and find something to brighten your day!

1. Minimalist Mug Set

I love the handles on these and the slightly asymmetrical rim. These mugs are adorable, perfect for your daily coffee or tea ritual.

2. Retro Sneakers

Timeless, neutral yet with a lively punch. These Ecco sneakers strike the perfect balance, don’t you think?

3. Classy Ballpoint Pen

Elevate your everyday tasks with this very cool pen from the German brand Pelikan, expressing your style even while you work.

4. Waterproof Hiking Shoe

In the realm of hiking gear, these Columbia shoes are as stylish as they get, providing solid support for your outdoor adventures.

5. Heavyweight Beanie

Complete your hiking ensemble with this trendy beanie, another gem from Columbia.

6. Kate Spade Sunglasses

These shades are definitely a bold fashion statement that instantly elevates and brightens any outfit.

7. Roller Skates

Embrace the fun with these eye-catching retro-style skates. And let's bring back those roller rink Fridays!

8. Woven Throw Blanket

Indulge in luxury with this classic-patterned throw by Sferra, renowned for their exquisite Italian linens.

9. Tom Ford Body Spray

Experience "Bitter Peach" by the celebrated designer, available as a body spray, eau de parfum, or candle.

10. Tea Towel

Add a burst of color to your kitchen with this charming tea towel featuring peach prints, courtesy of Urban Outfitters.

11. Twisted Candle

Infuse some quirkiness into your decor with this candle that dared to be different!

12. Everyday Backpack

I find this peach-toned Fjallraven backpack stunning in its simplicity. There’s a reason these Swedish designs are so popular!

Can’t get enough of peach? Check out Pantone’s official website, where you can discover their collaborations with brands like Ruggable and Spoonflower, among others, featuring an array of rugs, fabrics, wallpapers, and home decor items–all in shades of peach, of course!

xx, Danae

Exploring Alcove: The Procurement Solution for Interior Designers

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Did you know that interior designers may be grappling with a staggering 1,500 emails solely pertaining to procurement for a single project? This statistic, calculated by Greensighter, the UX Design agency behind Alcove, underscores the pressing need for a more efficient and user-friendly solution. Alcove was born from the desire to simplify and optimize the procurement process not only for interior designers but also for builders and purchasing agents. And let’s face it, we’re always keen to find out more about potential solutions to pain points in the workflow. So, here are the main points to know about Alcove:

  1. All-in-One Product Information Hub: Alcove centralizes crucial product information, bringing together details, orders, status updates, and communications in one accessible platform, streamlining your design process​​.

  2. Financial Management Made Simple: Navigating the financial aspects of design projects is simplified with Alcove. Easily set purchase costs, markup calculations, and resale pricing, alongside accurate tax and shipping estimates, ensuring your projects remain both beautiful and budget-friendly​​.

  3. Efficient Order Tracking: Integrated with top shipping companies, Alcove simplifies order management, offering clear insights into payments and balances, and ensuring timely product delivery for seamless client experiences​​.

  4. Streamlined Communication: Alcove's Gmail integration declutters your email communication, keeping all project-related discussions neatly organized and easily accessible​​.

  5. Web Clipper and Customizable PDFs: Import product details and create bespoke PDFs for sharing with clients and collaborators, enhancing the ease of information exchange​​.

  6. Pinterest Integration for Inspiration: Seamlessly sync your Pinterest inspirations directly into Alcove, integrating your creative ideas into the project workflow with ease​​.

As you can see, Alcove actually goes beyond just managing procurement; it's designed to help designers channel more of their creativity and less of their energy into the mundane admin tasks that often occupy far too much space.

While Alcove offers extensive benefits, adapting to its system may require some adjustment. It's a good idea to evaluate its compatibility with your existing practices and consider any necessary team training to harness its full potential.

Curious to try it out? Exploring Alcove's capabilities and seeing how it can transform your interior design business is easy and risk-free. You can schedule a personalized demo to check it out firsthand. Additionally, there's an option to try Alcove for free with a 14-day trial–no credit card details required–allowing you to experience its features without any commitment.

The pricing for Alcove starts at an accessible $39.00 per month, with the cost varying based on the plan's comprehensiveness and the number of user seats needed. This flexible pricing ensures that you can tailor the service to your specific business needs, ensuring value and efficiency.

xx, Danae

Designing to Meet Multi-Generational Needs

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Designing to Meet Multi-Generational Needs

When picturing your interior design clientele, you may instinctively think of middle-aged individuals seeking your expertise. Nevertheless, as multigenerational households become more prevalent, successful interior design demands understanding and accommodating the diverse needs and comfort preferences of all residents in the home—and doing so with style. Let’s look at some keys to achieving just that!

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6 Revenue Stream Trends That Are Going Strong for Interior Designers

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6 Revenue Stream Trends That Are Going Strong for Interior Designers

Staying ahead of the curve isn't just about creating beautiful spaces—it's about embracing diverse revenue streams that reflect the evolving needs of your clients. So, let’s explore some exciting avenues to not only expand your income but also to enrich your portfolio and client relationships.

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Cozy Comforts to Beat Seasonal Blues

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Cozy Comforts to Beat Seasonal Blues

As we dive into the winter months, we're greeted not only by the warmth of holiday cheer and precious moments with loved ones but also by a noticeable shift in the atmosphere – a plunge into colder weather and its nuanced effects. For many, this change goes beyond a mere drop in temperature; it can cast a shadow on well-being, even culminating in Seasonal Affective Disorder for some individuals. Whether you find yourself wrestling with the winter blues or simply in search of an uplifting boost, I'm here to offer 13 ways to infuse comfort and joy back into this season!

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6 Ways to Attract High-Quality Interior Design Leads

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6 Ways to Attract High-Quality Interior Design Leads

Here’s a New Year’s resolution idea for you: Take on high-quality leads only!

You’d never take an admirer of your work for granted. But you’re ready to be more selective about the clients you will take on. Whether you're currently experiencing high demand and want to choose your projects wisely, or you're committed to maintaining alignment with your brand from the outset, investing effort in attracting high-quality leads proves to pay off!

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Embracing the Future: How Interior Designers Can Go Paperless in Their Business

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Embracing the Future: How Interior Designers Can Go Paperless in Their Business

In an age where technology continues to revolutionize the way we work, interior designers are finding innovative ways to streamline their processes and enhance efficiency. One such transformation involves going paperless, a shift that not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also brings numerous benefits to the workflow of an interior design business.

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Webinar Today! Join Us Live at 1 PM EST / 12 PM CST!

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Today is the day! Join us at 1 PM EST / 12 PM CST for an exciting webinar on How to Streamline Your Business and Boost Profits with Studio Designer! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn valuable tips and tricks from industry experts, including our very own Danae Branson, sharing her expertise on utilizing Elite's virtual design assistants for work in Studio Designer. Click the button below to register to attend - there's still time! Join us live at 1 PM EST / 12 PM CST TODAY, Wednesday, January 10, 2024! Can't wait to see you there!

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Don't Miss Tomorrow's Webinar: How to Streamline Your Business and Boost Profits with Studio Designer

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Don’t miss tomorrow’s webinar on How to Streamline Your Business and Boost Profits with Studio Designer! Our very own Danae Branson will share invaluable insights on further streamlining and boosting profits by utilizing the professional virtual assistants at Elite Design Assistants in conjunction with Studio Designer, helping to take your business to even greater heights! Join us tomorrow (January 10) at 1 PM EST / 12 PM CST to learn how to streamline your operations and maximize your profits! Register below to secure your spot! See you there!

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