I am excited to spend more time with my friend and design dynamo Jamie Meares at the upcoming Southern C Summit in Charleston.  Jamie is the designer and mastermind behind the uber cool blog I Suwanee and home shop Furbish Studio. Jamie’s authentic love of design and exuberant personality make her style one to envy.  She is as savvy a business women as she is one badass chic. At the Summit Jamie will share her FIELD GUIDE FOR A CREATIVE C.E.O.. Expect big things from Jamie. 

Get to know Jamie.  

What is your training? 

a mother who constantly rearranged, and an overactive imagination as an only child.  i double majored in english and creative writing at UNC-CH

 What inspires you and your designs?

i love color, and i love the process of mixing when i create something.  prints, colors, textures, and styles.  not being educated formally in design almost makes it easier i think – b/c there are no rules i have to follow.

 What is your favorite piece or install, home? 

i love this cozy attic bedroom i wallpapered in huge pink paisley – attached

What is your favorite restaurant in Raleigh?

capital club 16

What is your favorite cocktail?

an old-fashioned with woodford reserve

How do you balance personal life and work?

turning a hobby into a career is an amazing opportunity, but it makes compartmentalizing life difficult.  my husband is involved in my company, my blog is an open journal, then you add in instagram, twitter, etc, and it’s all out there!  the one thing that makes it acceptable in the end is that i know i am being authentic – i am representing myself honestly, so i don’t worry too much about it.

Dream trip?

equal time spent with friends and alone to wander around

 Dream commission?

a boutique hotel, probably at the beach

Your favorite host / hostess gift to give?

fresh flowers

via

Who is your style icon?

anna spiro keeps me trying to reinvent.  i don’t ever want to copy, but she inspires me to attempt new things.

i always look to tom scheerer to remind myself simple is chic

kelly cutrone is borderline absurd, but she’s always been a bit of a guide for me

 Your favorite up and coming artists/ designers?

designer – i think brian paquette is insanely talented and doing something a little bit different than everyone else

artist – lulie wallace‘s pieces always make me smile

What is your most treasured possession?

my sanity

What are you reading?

tc boyle is one of my favorite authors.  i’m rereading a book of his called riven rock

What are you listening to?

haim