Dealer Spotlight: Cotton Seed Designs

So you’re wondering how the heck we pull off finding & refinishing & making all those handmade items each month? We don’t do it alone, that’s for sure. We are so proud to have an amazing, incredible, talented team of people behind the Carver Junk Company brand. They each have a different style, personality, and strength that they bring to the team, and we want to let you get to know them all a little better! We’re writing up a series of Dealer Spotlights. So far we have focused on our “dealers”  -the folks that regularly and religiously fill space in our stores, re-stock new pieces as things sell, support our crazy ideas, expansions, and who have become our friends through the journey that has been CJC. We’ll also feature the artisans that bring in a few perfect pieces here and there, and that make all of those one-of-a-kind handmade-in-MN items for which we’ve become known. There are over 40 different individuals and businesses that come together behind the scenes to create Carver Junk Company. Tell us about yourself: My husband and I live in a small little house on the west side of Lake Minnetonka.  We have two great dogs Summer and Rudy that help keep us entertained.  Both of us love the outdoors and tackling our long list of house projects which I swear only gets longer.  I love the creative/design process and have a big appreciation for old furniture and the artisan who originally created it. How did Cotton Seed start: Being an interior designer is something I have wanted to do since I was very young.  I’ve been making and re-purposing things as far back as I can remember.  When I graduated college with my degree in interior design the economy was declining and most architecture firms were actually laying off interior designers as the construction industry was coming to a halt.  I ended up working for a couple different companies for several years while doing independent residential interior design work on the side.  Last fall, when we were moving farther out of the metro and I did not want to commute an hour to work every day, my husband and I decided now was the time for me to finally start up my own interior design business.  I feel so blessed to have such a supportive husband, family, and friends.  It’s been a little over a year and things are going great.  I’m excited to see what happens next! Where do you find your inspiration: Everywhere!  Hahaha, I subscribe to way too many design magazines, peruse Pinterest and Houzz almost daily, and gather ideas while out and about.  I also have a very talented younger sister who’s also an interior designer and we like to bounce ideas off of each other.  She’s a great resource considering I don’t really have co-workers. Some of Gabe's favorite Cotton Seed Designs creations: [caption id="attachment_870" align="aligncenter" width="665"] The first piece Gabe at Cotton Seed ever brought in to CJC, and we were completely in love with it! {it helped that Brandy was pregnant, and in love with all things coral....} The drawers were lined with fun fabric, and every detail was perfect![/caption] [caption id="attachment_871" align="aligncenter" width="665"] A more recent piece, this sold in the first day it was in the store. It's easy to see why! A gorgeous custom mix of Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_873" align="aligncenter" width="665"] One of our personal favorite CS pieces - this antique barrister {lawyer's} bookcase was completely taken apart by Gabe, rebuilt and hinges & sliders all greased up and the whole thing refinished. 'Cause that's what she does! Again, painted in Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint![/caption]           And seriously - her staging. I mean, you wouldn't expect any less from an interior designer, right? But this blog post could have been no text, and all photos, and we're sure you would all have loved her just the same! Go ahead and pin these photos - you know you want to - and then follow Gabe on Pinterest, too! {link below} You can find Gabe {and Cotton Seed} on the Internets, here: http://www.cottonseeddesigns.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/CottonSeedDesigns http://www.pinterest.com/CottonSeedLLC/   P.S. If you aren't already following along with the blog, or subscribed to our email updates, you can sign up on the right side of this page. No spam, we pinky swear!