Wow what an amazing response to our new website, thank you guys for all your feedback we’re feeling slightly overwhelmed but so flattered so big thank you.
Today we are shooting in store all the flowers so they can go online. Gem is making up bunches of wondrous things which means that everyone will now be able to buy not just single stems, but posies and larger bouquets created by her for the first time on line so we are very excited. It feels with the revamp, the website and not forgetting my fabulous new book that we have evolved. Now I say this time and time again but that is the thing with this style of decorating, it takes time. Not just that it’s a confidence thing the more you dabble the more you want to dabble.
Before we begin with today’s musings I have a question, which I am wondering if you might help me out with. Our Design Classes as I am sure you know are incredibly popular (we have new dates to announce for Australia and NYC very shortly btw) however we get so many requests for me to run classes all over the world I had a thought. As much as I would love to spend all year teaching around the globe regrettably it’s not so practical (plus I have two kids under 4 to bring up, OK OK dogs same thing, same thing).
So how about an E class.
For all those people that can’t get to my London home to take the class or be in Australia or NYC we were thinking we could create something online. All the tips, tricks, insider knowledge that I impart in the classes could be accessible on line. I know it’s not quite the same thing, but short of cutting me into 1000 pieces thought it might solve the problem? What do you think?
Right down to business – something I drone on about all the time in the classes is how to create jaw on the floor interiors. Here it is in nutshell, are you ready?
You will need in no particular order:
Focal points zillions of them (not one, not two at least three)
Something unexpected - like say a kooky piece of art, or object a piece of furniture. The reason we are trying to throw the room off balance and thus make it more unexpected. The more predictable a room looks the more boring a room feels.
Colour – either on walls, rugs, objects somewhere, anywhere oddball shots of colour, fundamental in taking a room to a whole other level (see yesterdays post).
Scale – with all my interiors I want you to feel like you’ve just fallen down the rabbit hole and entered a magical world, and you won’t feel like that unless you play around with scale. Put things that are to big on things that are to small, super size lighting – that kind of stuff
Talking of stuff the more you have – books, plants, flowers, art – the more interesting a space becomes.
See its easy no?
Couple of images to inspire and oh for anyone coming to the store today excuse the mess its flower centric in there today!
All photography Simon Watson
Think an e-class is a fabulous idea, know so many people who would love to do it as not able to get to London easily but find your blog so inspiring, my mum being the first on the list. As I live in London giving husband a lot of unsubtle hints of your design class as a birthday present – fingers crossed come April.
Thank you. Fingers crossed indeed hope to see you in April x
It`s a great idea – to make online classes. But may be you give the classes in Moscow&
Thanks Anna, I wish I could come to Moscow regrettably there as so many requests to go all over that I just don’t have the time, hence the E-class idea
think E class would be fantastic,even thou i am planning to come to one of yours design days,im so addicted id want the best of both, my husband says im your stalker,the highlight of my day reading your blog,counting down the days till my book arrives and he says i must mention your name 10 times a day.
store looks fantastic by the way,a real treasure trove
Thank you, am very happy for you to be my stalker! Hope to see you at one of the days x
Great idea! e-classes and webinars work really well. I’ve taken several.
Thank you my dear, lovely seeing you the other week btw xx
Hi Abi personally I’m glad you didn’t offer an online class when I signed up to your retail class last year as few photos or videos can do seeing your home in person justice. I flew down from Edinburgh and appreciate not everyone can take the time out to do that. Have just finished painting a friends kitchen and snug downpipe and she loves it. She’s an interior designer and keeps telling me I’m a genius for transforming the tired navy kitchen she couldn’t afford to replace. She’s a total convert to the dark side. Live the website. Look forward to visiting the shop. Nnena
I agree with the orhers, the e-class is an excellent idea. Thanks for your daily musings, they are inspiring and so down to earth. I’ve finally convinced my husband to try the dark(er) side – won’t go as far as Down Pipe but will give Pitch Blue a go
Looking forward to a trip to the new-look store too.
Congrats on the convincing you will not regret it, once converted there is no going back x
Brilliant idea! definitely do it! I’d be enrolling for sure.
Congrats on the new website – it’s awesome. Would love it if you would consider doing a video tour of your shop – I could then visit anytime without the round the world flight
Thanks for your constant inspiration. Suse from Australia
Thank you Suse, its all in the plan videos of my home the store etc etc
E Class sounds like a brilliant idea, if Delia can do it with cakes…
By the way you really have inspired me, did a well known ID course year ago and learnt all the rules, very useful but turing them on their head much more fun and successful, good to know the rules first though makes more sense when you are breaking them, if that makes sense?
Yes, go for it! It reaches a new audience and is yet more for the AA junkies like myself!
Yes ! yes! Excellent idea !!!! I will surly be very happy to participate an e-class by you!!!!! I was planning to come to one of your classes in London but it is kind of complicated for me to plan it right now. (Living in Florence and starting renovating my pad ….)
And by the way great new website! And hope to visit your shop soon!!!
Sarit
yes to eclass! I do not even have time to leave the hudson valley and get to nyc for your class….
E-classes and webinars – definitely the way to go global and reach all lovers of good design from near and afar. It’s also a great way to have a modular ‘curriculum’ with the ongoing addition of new topics and how-to sessions and demos (the one thing missing would be those mouth-wattering buffets of yours).
And fab work on the new website, congratulations – great look, very professional and easy to navigate, ready for growth.
Love your business revamp. What an empowering start of spring!
Thank you Adriana most kind x
E-courses are a great idea. Run the first one as a taught course (I.e. using Skype), then put it (and all the questions etc) online as a non-taught course. That means that you can hit different price points as the taught course will be more expensive than the non-taught one. Plenty of options for different types of people…
E courses are a great idea. Run the first one as a (more expensive) taught course then put it all online (questions and all) as a (less expensive) non-taught course. Lots of options for lots of different kinds of people.
Fab idea. I’d love it failing you coming to Dublin of course
- its only a short hop across the water!
Oh, an e-class would be really great! Cool idea! Although I assume being in class would be also a lot of fun…! So, hope to have the chance to meet you soon, whether in cyberspace or maybe in London….:-) lots of sunny best wishes from germany…
E-Classes Fab Idea!!!!!
And wow to the pictures….
Oh yes, please! An e class would be wonderfull! I actualy allready fell like a e class pupil. reading your blog is the first thing i do in the morning, and reading it again in the evening is the last thing i do. highly addicted i would say. you have also “stalkers” in switzerland, the present for my friend will be a trip to london ,sure we will spend the whole day in your shop, VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!!
Thank you, very lovely words
Hi Corinne, What part of Switzerland are you from? I’m in Geneva! Please send me an email if you have time to sarah@sarahglenville.com
Yes! Yes! Yes! Erm, can you tell that I like the idea of an E-class??!! I’m currently undertaking an interior design Degree via Distance Learning: if I can get to grips with a Degree via online learning there’s definitely no reason why you can’t ‘spread the word’ via the internet
I would definitely do an e-class. Where do I sign up?! X
On a very different note: I wanted to recommend Michael Eastman’s photography of “HAVANA” interiors in Cuba. I saw his current show HAVANA off Kings Rd (Michael Hoppen gallery) this week and was amazed, so I ordered the book on amazon.
His images captured divine decaying interiors of stunning coloured walls, with old paintings, flower vases, sofas, high ceilings. Every photo was so well composed and mesmerizing. It reminded me of your blog so I thought I’d mention it. Enjoy if you get a chance (free show).
Thank you will check out x
Yes to the e-classes.
I think e classes are a great idea, i would even consider doing the design one again as there was so much to take in. Are you thinking of doing retail e class as well? Will you be planning a retail masterclass in london at the end of summer or autumn?
Thank you. Yes we will certainly do an e retail class as well
hiya, i am coming up from cornwall tomorrow (fri 8th) and was hoping to pop in and check out the revamped store, espesh the f&b clay paint with the tin tiles wallpaper. (am still obsessing on that paper and can’t decide which colour to go for…. ) are you still open if you are shooting new pics or have I got that all wrong? thanks abi. excited in bude xx
We are indeed open, all shooting has now finished, might see you as I am in for a little bit tomorrow
Go for it. That would be a great idea!
Sign me up! Since it doesn’t sound like you’ll be travelling to Montreal anytime soon, I’ll happily take the e-class
An e class is a super idea. It`s not the same as being present on live class, but convenient for anyone not being able to attend. Also, the store looks great.
Yes please to an e class, I would LOVE (read that as a yell) to do that
wonderful wonderful, even though we’ve been spoilt having you here twice in the last year (australia), i appreciate it is tricky trying to satisfy multiple countries in person…cheers to the www!!!