P&C Questionnaire: Kelly of Design Crush

This morning's P&C Questionnaire comes from none other than Kelly Beall of Design Crush! Design Crush is one of my favorite visits - the aesthetic, the whimsy, the appreciation of both classic and modern - it's a refreshing take and a total must! The blog touches on every aspect of design while maintaining a sharp editorial eye for content, especially as it relates to the whole. In other words, it all goes together very well! Design Crush is charming without being "cute", which is fabulous because we all know there's far too much "cute" going on in the blogosphere.  As if that weren't enough of the unexpected, Kelly writes from Oklahoma City debunking the myth that great design editorial can only exist on the coasts...

What is your occupation and how did you arrive at it?

I'm a graphics and web designer, though I got my start as an art director in advertising (via some shoddy guidance counseling). I've been back in Oklahoma City for four years working at a small design firm.

Name three things that inspired you this week.

Cooler weather.
Repurposed canvases.
Blank paper.

What is your personal style "uniform"?

Dark wash jeans. Usually white or black on top. Colorful flats. Some sort of statement necklace. And my ever-present diamond studs. I'm going for this look for fall.

Name one type of clothing, shoes, or accessory that always makes you stop and stare, and explain why.

Strapless dresses, no doubt about it. I want to be the girl who owns more dresses than pants, but it's not meant to be! I'm short (only 5'2"), curvy and top heavy. Not one of those qualities works in my favor when it comes to cute frocks, so I'm destined to stare longingly with desire for all of eternity.

Do you buy vintage? If so, what piece in your collection is your favorite?

My vintage pieces aren't so much bought as handed down, mostly from my 85 year old grandmother. As for a favorite, it's this cast iron asian-influenced cricket that sits on the hearth of my fireplace. Apparently it's good luck and is said to prevent fires in your home.

 Do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong time? If so, what era would you like to have lived in and why?

I know my ideas of this era are romanticized, but I adore the Roaring Twenties. Flappers, adorable wavy haircuts, classy gentlemen. Everything just seemed more grandiose and civilized. (It doesn't help matters that one of my very favorite books is The Great Gatsby!)

What current trend do you like the most?

Recently I've really been digging the combination of military-grade canvas paired with leather. I'm seeing a lot of it in purses and backpacks for the fall lines. It just feels really natural to me.

 

What current trend (in your opinion) cannot disappear fast enough?

I am painfully tired of the phrase "Eat, Drink, and Be Married". Painfully. (Did I already mention that?)

What film could you watch over and over and still find something inspiring? Why?

The Royal Tenenbaums. Wes Anderson is amazing, as are the set designs and characters. Everything is incredibly well thought out and planned through. I always feel rejuvenated after watching, in fact I did just that last night.

If blogging didn't exist, how would you fill your extra time?

Doing the same things I already do, just a little more often. Reading. Taking photos. Going to the dog park. Visiting dive bars. Spending time with friends and family.

Images: 1) Ansy Wong on Flickr 2) Caley Hustle 3) J.Crew.com 4) Design Crush 5) The Great Gatsby audio book cover; HarperCollins 6) Archival Clothing on Design Crush 7) Diamond Events on Flickr 8) The Royal Tenenbaums DVD cover; Criterion Collection - at Amazon.com 9) Sarah Reed on Flickr

Comments

[karey m.]

you could totally hang in the twenties. loved this so so so much. new to me blog. must go scour more of it. xoxo.

[Sue]

I think that cast iron cricket is a boot remover. Put one foot on his tail, the heel of the shoe on your other foot in his feelers, and the shoe will lever off. My parents have had one of these by their back door all my life. Removing boots and bringing luck.