First Glimpse

The way I feel about the time that I spent at Blogfest 2011, an incredible event put together for the design blogging community by Hearst and Kravet, is hard to put into words but can probably best be described as pure inspiration. I came away from the experience invigorated in a way I've rarely felt before. The three days (May 16-18) were packed full of behind the scenes access to the absolute best in class in the world of interior design. I'm still aflutter over meeting and chatting with the likes of Barbara Barry, Thomas O'Brien, Suzanne Kasler, several members of the Kravet family, plus the editors of all my favorite decorating magazines {House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Veranda, Traditional Home...even my digital fave, Lonny}, and many, many more. Perhaps most exhilarating for me was that this entire experience was rooted in textiles. You can just imagine how gaga I was over every last swatch of fabric and fiber that I came across, right?! I will be sharing many posts over the next few days and weeks about the people I met, the companies I fell in love with and the gorgeous products they create but until then, here's a first glimpse of what I experienced.

{Scraps of antique fabrics that serve as design inspiration at Lee Jofa}

{Rolling swatches of linen at Brunschwig Fils}

{An inspiration board at Lee Jofa}

{The lovely Suzanne Kasler's room at the Lee Jofa Heritage Collection event}

{Some pretty white vases tucked away in a prop room at Mayo Studios}

{These vibrant rug swatches at Kravet look like little pieces of candy. Delicious!}

{Nubby wool fibers in Kravet's Carpet Product Development department}

{A bowl full of hand-spun yarn at Kasthall}

{One of many fabric closets at Kravet, overflowing with pretty patterns & textures}

{At ICFF I stumbled upon my new favorite rug designer, Luke Irwin}

{More from a prop room at Mayo Studios... I loved poking around behind closed doors!}

{Quite possibly the loveliest antique french knot fabric ever. Serving as inspiration at Kravet}

{Textiles & tacks at Brunschwig Fils}

{Contemporary quilt-like Morag Macpherson textiles at ICFF}

{Paint swatches & design at Lee Jofa}

{Hand painting textile designs for exact coloration at Lee Jofa}

{Wishing this was my desk}

I hope these gorgeous images help give you a great start to your week! Much more to come.