Meet the Hive Archives - Prairie Hive

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Happy Blog-iversary (to us)!

Written on March 29, 2012 by SarahV

SVbirthdaycake Happy Blog iversary (to us)!

My how time flies! As the Prairie Hive gang sat down for our meeting this week, we realized that it’s our one-year Blog-iversary! We started off pretty quietly last year, intentionally keeping our project on the DL to give ourselves time to get used to blogging, but as I looked back on that first month or two of posts, I think we came up with some great stuff!

Here are a few of my faves from “way back when”:

PHOTOS group car2 Happy Blog iversary (to us)!

The first ever post – an introduction.

RDstreamlined airstream Happy Blog iversary (to us)!

Roxanne’s trip to the Streamlined Design exhibit at Philbrook

Lisa’s Spring 2011 Table

herb21 Happy Blog iversary (to us)!

Kim’s Herb Garden

Dawn’s DIY Moss Letters

AB%20 %20color%20pop%20downtown%20tulsa%20 %20small Happy Blog iversary (to us)!

Alayna’s Springtime in Tulsa Color Pop!

My first THIS…is the new…THAT Roundup (Honeycomb is the new Ikat)

OK, OK – it’s a little indulgent, but please – tell us what some of your favorite posts have been over the last year!! We’d love to hear from you!

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Hello World!

Written on January 17, 2012 by SarahV

For a mega planner like me, surprises are a little hard to handle…but this one is definitely the best surprise I’ve ever had! My new baby boy, Bowie, decided to come about 2 weeks early, with full dramatics of water breaking, dad rushing home from work, and mom panicking a little over the only half packed hospital bag. Every day since last Monday has been both an adventure and a blessing. I’ll be taking a little break from blogging while I get the hang of this motherhood thing, but never fear – the other ladies will be keeping you busy with posts and projects every day! I must admit, I have been reading along as a spectator for the last few days and am quite enjoying it!

I’ll share more pics in the days to come, as well as a nursery tour once I get it all finished!

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Our Travel Finds

Written on August 5, 2011 by Prairie Hive

Inspired by Heather and Todd’s use of all the treasures they have found on their travels, we told you a bit in Issue Two about something we have each found along the way. We decided to show and tell a little bit more!

ABtravel Our Travel Finds

My find is a canvas painting purchased along the Seine River while in Paris. Every time I look at it, it takes me back to that time and setting, and all the memories. – Alayna

DTTravel Our Travel Finds

DTSandler Our Travel Finds

Here are a few pieces I have picked up…colorful bracelets from St. Thomas and a couple of silver pieces from Mont St. Michel, France. I also seem to randomly run into celebrities…here’s a pic of me, my cousin Jill and Adam Sandler.We ran into him in a lobby of a movie theater at midnight in Ft. Lauderdale a few years ago. (Note my crazy fan eyes!) – Dawn

LWplate Our Travel Finds

The plate is by Paola Navone for merci - a very cool store in Paris! I chose it because of the 5 (for my family of 5, of course!) and because it was easy to bring home. -Lisa

I bought these two Edgar Degas prints on my first trip abroad in 1992 at the Louvre in Paris. Even though the real paintings don’t hang in that museum, Degas was always my favorite and I bought both for a few francs. I love that both are paintings of dancers behind the scenes, stretching and warming up. I finally saw some Degas paintings “live” in New York City at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2005. – Kim

I found this hand painted porcelain bowl while visiting a dear friend living in Okinawa, Japan. I don’t remember what the lettering means now, but the beautiful colors and birds in flight sit on my dining table and remind me each day not only of a fantastic trip, but of my friend. -Sarah

We would love to see some of your favorite travel finds! Post them to our Facebook wall or comment here!

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Design, Inspiration, Prairie Hive Mag Tags: design, home, Inspiration, Meet the Hive, travel

Meet the Hive – Lisa W.

Written on May 24, 2011 by LisaW

Hi, I’m Lisa- the final member of the Prairie Hive team. I was once a High School teacher (French and Latin). Now, I work part time as a fashion consultant. I am a horse lover, in recent years I’ve become a runner (still a shock to me), I’m an experienced shopper (I call it “retail research”), I’m a novice drummer (although the drums have been quiet for quite awhile now) and I love to plan parties. But most of all, I am a wife and a mother of three beautiful children. My husband and children are of course the center of my life, so they have influenced me more than anything.

I love design, but as a non-professional it has taken me a long time to gain confidence in my abilities. I like so many styles, I thought I was just confused! Maybe I am, but I finally feel like I have found a way to pull it all together. I really believe that if you stick with what you love and try not to compromise (too much), you will really create something cohesive and unique. My style is a little quirky and eclectic which jives perfectly with the needs and personalities of my family. We have what we need (slip-covered, washable couches and floors already the color of dirt), what we cherish (1^st finger paintings and seashells from our trips to the beach) and my attempt to incorporate “style” (lamps which no one in their right mind would shoot with a Nerf gun). Our home is definitely a reflection of who lives in it. There is nothing more rewarding than designing a space for the people you love.

The word prairie makes me happy. It reminds me of family vacations in the car, farms and sunshine and all of the other things I would love to escape to. And it reminds me of Oklahoma which I am so proud to call home and excited to feature in Prairie Hive!

Current Obsessions:

Bentwood, Stripes, White, Outdoor Furniture (out of necessity), Ikat

On my Ipod:

Everlasting Light, The Black Keys
Kiss the Sky, Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra
Dead American Writers, Tired Pony
In the Morning, the Coral
Hustle and Cuss, the Dead Weather
Mykonos, Fleet Foxes
Ramble On, Led Zepplin
Fine Young Cannibals, Wolf Parade
Angel of Harlem – U2

On my nightstand (and have been for awhile )

Roma, Steven Saylor
Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
How Proust Can Change Your Life, Alain de Botton

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Meet the Hive – Dawn T.

Written on May 18, 2011 by DawnT

PHOTOS%20dawn%20t%20hive%20photo Meet the Hive Dawn T.

I’ve always had an excitement for design and knew in high school that I wanted to be an interior designer. Actually, as I think back to my childhood, I can see the pathway to my career choice beginning in my playroom where, despite having an actual dollhouse, I spent more time laying out a floor plan (outlined by my mom’s yarn) for my Barbie’s home than I did actually playing with the Barbies. When I wasn’t space-planning my dolls’ homes, I spent hours arranging my Barbies, Kens and Heart Family babies (anyone remember Heart Family??) into family portrait poses. Funnily enough, in the past year, I have begun the process of starting my own side photography business (Life Captured by Dawn). It’s crazy how formative your playing years can be to your future, right?!

Recently, I have purchased my first home. It’s so wonderful to be able to make my mark on a place I can call ‘mine’! I’m enjoying the process of figuring out exactly how my home will reflect me. I spend my days designing for other people as a commercial designer (think offices, hospitals, schools, hotels), and as a professional, I strive to make the design reflect the client’s style, not my own. But when it comes to making design decisions for my own space, I am the epitome of indecisiveness. I like too many styles, too many colors, too many pieces of furniture, etc. to have a cohesive “style”. My tastes are ever-evolving. This quality of mine has caused my home to have a very eclectic flare. And I’m perfectly okay with that! I simply surround myself with things I love or that have meaning to me, and I feel content. My new home is slowly starting to come together, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome so far! (If you want to see my progress, look for some “before and after” blog posts in the near future!)

As much as I would like to identify with the “Prairie” portion of our group name and imagine my life to be a mixture of wide open peacefulness, light breezes, and soft sunshine, I am most definitely more in the “Hive” section. I am definitely happiest when on the go, buzzing from one activity to another, or jumping on a new project. I’m so excited to be a part of this new collective of amazing women of Prairie Hive, and love the different perspectives on life and style that each one of them bring. I hope you’ll enjoy reading along with us, and hopefully share your perspective with us, too!

On my current design obssesion list:

vivid color, clean lines, texture, dramatic lighting

On my iPod:

Rolling in the Deep, Adele
Killer Crane, TV on the Radio
American Boy, Estelle
Something Beautiful, NeedToBreathe
Empire State of Mind, Jay-Z, feat. Alicia Keys
The Only Exception, Paramore

On my nightstand:

Freedom, Jonathon Franzen
Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri
A Place of Yes, Bethenny Frankel

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Meet the Hive – Roxanne D.

Written on May 6, 2011 by Roxanne D

PHOTOSroxdhivephoto Meet the Hive Roxanne D. Hi my name is Roxanne. Actually it’s Krystal but not many people know that or maybe they do, but then they forget. My mom tells me I was born in the wrong decade and my Dad tells everyone I’m his little tree hugger. A few of my friends think I’m a bona-fide hippie, but compared to the real hippies I’ve been acquainted with, I can assure you that might be a smidge off the mark.

I’ve made some drastic life style changes in the last four years, leaving a comfortable corporate design job with a reputable Tulsa firm to pursue a few different dreams. I feel I’m finally settling on a well-rounded path to earn a living while maintaining personal freedom. Design is so integral to my life that I often wake up with a new dress or furniture design, fine woodworking details, or new space plans that I feel I must incorporate somewhere and soon, lest it get lost in my “things to do on a perfect Sunday” file. Don’t even get me started on the many business ideas!

I’m still creating the life where I can spend my days designing, reading, crocheting, sewing, gardening and making big fires in backyard. Of course these are all better with a glass of vino and some dark chocolate. Typically meals are a big production at our home and my guy makes the tastiest creations with no recipe! I’m jealous, but happy to share in the finished product. My contribution usually comes in the form of baked sweets, bread and pizza. In general, I find the simplest things in life keep me happy. Let’s face it, life is always great sharing a fantastic meal with someone you love.

The word prairie makes me feel free and I think of this clear open space just west of the Osage Hills north of downtown Tulsa. It is also the best vantage point to enjoy our spectacular Oklahoma sunsets and where the hills of Green Country greet the rolling prairie. Just wait, one day my hippie self will be restoring the once abundant meadows on my own piece of land.

Current Design Obsessions (just a few, there are SO many more):

Linen
Suzani (the original, handworked versions)
Huge windows
the Arco floor lamp

Listening:

The Moldau by Smetan, Fvorak, Fucik, Nedbal
The Damnwells
Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin
Ray LaMontagne
Harper Blynn
Patty Griffin

Reading:

The Namesake, Jhumpa Lahiri
Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand
Beethoven – The First Biography, Johann Aloys Schlosser
Quilt Romance, Kaffe Fassett
Farm City, Novella Carpenter

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Meet the Hive – Alayna B.

Written on April 28, 2011 by AlaynaB

PHOTOS%20alayna%20b%20hive%20photo Meet the Hive Alayna B.

I love design. Whether it is through interiors, photography, fashion, or graphics I love it. I enjoy creating something from nothing and looking at things in a different way.

Prior to starting my own business, Ruby Jewel Studio, I worked in both Dallas and Tulsa as a commercial Interior Designer. Now, I am able to merge my love of commercial and residential Interior Design with my love of photography. In both fields I am able to be expressive, creative, and work with color.

I strongly believe that good design can come in all mediums, price points and styles and should be available to everyone.

My personal style is somewhat hard to pinpoint. Being in the design world, I see all the many beautiful things out there, which makes it nearly impossible for me to settle with one “style” {and explains why I have about a 3 year limit on the paint colors in my home}. I love being able to incorporate personal items into a space…something that I bought on one of my travels, a hand down from my grandma, or a fabulous collection of photos. I want my home to tell a story of where I’ve been and what I’ve done.

I married my high school sweetheart. We love traveling and experiencing different places and cultures together. It’s a great feeling to escape your everyday life and immerse yourself into a new setting…although my husband jokes that I only see the new places through the lens of my camera!

Along with my love of travel is my love of food. I come from a long line of great cooks and I enjoy recreating family recipes as well as winging it and creating something new. Some of my favorite family memories are in the kitchen with everyone.

To me, the word hive symbolizes collaboration and community. This whole Prairie Hive project is a huge collaboration between six different gals that all have amazing talents. Each one of us brings a different view point and perspective to the table which allows us to {hopefully} connect with our community on many different levels. I come away from each meeting energized and full of inspiration, which is our goal for you, the readers of Prairie Hive.

Current Design Obsessions:

wallcoverings, natural wood, mixing of patterns, white

My eclectic array of music:

Empire State of Mind, Jay Z & Alicia Keys

Rolling in the Deep, Adele

Edge of Desire, John Mayer

Radioactive, Kings of Leon

Use Somebody, Kings of Leon

Rock your Body, Justin Timberlake

Don’t Stop Believin’, Journey

Fishing in the Dark, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Travel Wish List:

Seattle

San Francisco

Napa Valley

Ireland

Greece

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Meet the Hive – Kim

Written on April 19, 2011 by Kim A

I know what I like when I see it, and I’m lucky to be a part of Prairie Hive. All the collaborators are so creative, artistic and inspiring.
I don’t have a design background, other than having a massive magazine habit (at one point I had 10 subscriptions), so I’ve developed my sense of home style all on my own.

Renovating a 1950s home with my husband on journalists’ salaries can be challenging, but I’m inspired every day at work (I’m a home and garden and features writer) and all around me. Good design to me is making it look easy and effortless. The first challenge we took on when moving in our home were the living areas. Dark paneling and 1980s carpet were the first to go — we painted over the paneling in the living room with a almond-colored paint and it turned out far better than I could have ever imagined.

I love to place bursts of primary colors to break up the browns and neutrals, and again, I’m lucky to have creative friends, namely my best friend, an artist. The two paintings and sculpture she gave me are my prized possessions and are all about color –reds, oranges, yellows. And the works are so special because they are custom.

I guess that’s been my design theory over these last 5 or so years: Make it custom, no matter what your budget is. And have patience. That’s something I continue to struggle with. My home is a work in progress and so am I.

That’s how the word “hive” really resonates with me. Making my hive my home is a long but meaningful process, and the mistakes are part of the journey. We hope we can help inspire your hive here.

Design obsessions: Gray has been an obsession of mine for some time. I love pairing a stone-gray with a bright hue, especially for my spring wardrobe. But I’ve recently put a kibosh on any more gray, black or white clothing purchases!

At home, I like gray with a smoky purply color, especially in the bedroom area. We recently remodeled our master bath with white and gray tile, and we painted the walls with a color called “Wet Cement.” I absolutely love it! In fact, my tiny master bath is my favorite room in the house because I chose every inch of its design.

I’m also obsessed with the lack of color — I love a good neutral, so I can change the accents with bright, bold colors. I hope to repaint my kitchen white this year, so I can finally hang my favorite Ikea purchase of all time, a square Wassily Kandinsky print that is bursting with color.

What’s on my Kindle:

Bossypants by Tina Fey
Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

What I’m listening to:

Hang Me Up to Dry by the Cold War Kids
These Fangs by Say Hi to Your Mom
Bixby Canyon Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie
Debaser by the Pixies
Cities by Talking Heads

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Meet the Hive – Sarah V.

Written on April 2, 2011 by Prairie Hive

PHOTOS%20sarah%20v%20hive%20photo Meet the Hive Sarah V.

I am a dreamer, a creator, a thinker. I’ve always got something brewing. Whether it’s the ongoing concept for my someday renovation of my fireplace, or an idea for a new way to market for my business…there are way more things rattling around in my brain than I can ever get a handle on. The result can be admittedly chaotic…but I like to think it’s part of my charm!

Aesthetically, I like things to be layered, personal, gathered over time and maybe just a little bit bohemian. My home is ever evolving (as time and budget allow), with a list of projects dating out for years to come. A mid-century modern in what surely must be the most community oriented, creative (and party-centric) neighborhood in Tulsa, my husband and I have lots to do to make this great home even better (and you’ll get to see it here!). We share our home with 3 dogs, 3 cats and operate on a beer budget; so change comes slowly and with a certain set of limitations – a tough pill to swallow for someone with minimal patience and big dreams!

On a a sunny day, the patio, a glass of wine and a book is my favorite way to unwind, but when it’s really time to veg out (or in the depths of winter) I confess, I am a total TV junkie. My husband is a chef, so my favorite night of the week is Sunday (when he can get away from the restaurant) – we cook a nice meal, pull from his collection of vinyl and enjoy a night of catching up, wine and good music.

I love the word Hive as part of our project. A hive is an active, engaged place where many participants work towards one common goal. I like to think of our team as busy little bees out there gathering inspiration for you.

Current Design Obsessions:

white lacquer, ikat, end grain wood, texture, Missoni

Playlist:

A Million Years, Alexander
Pumped Up Kicks, Foster the People
Backatown, Trombone Shorty
Infinity Guitars, Sleigh Bells
Tightrope, Janelle Monae
Cameras, Matt & Kim
Blame It On the Boogie, The Jacksons
Turn It On, The Flaming Lips
One in the World, Tapes ‘n Tapes
Impressions of a City Morning, Brown Recluse

I’ve been reading:

Freedom, Jonathon Franzen (great book club pick!)
Elle Decor, Lucky, Rue Magazine
Unexpected Style, Kelly Wearstler
What the Dog Saw, Malcolm Gladwell

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Welcome to Prairie Hive!

Written on March 28, 2011 by Prairie Hive

The Hive girls, at Dilly Deli Tulsa. Where are the mimosas?

Photo by C.C. Miller Photography and Ruby Jewel Studio.

My obsession with blogs started with my wedding last year. One thing led to another and once the wedding was over, I found my tastes migrating to design, fashion and lifestyle blogs. As I read on, I noticed that while there was plenty to read about New York lofts, LA designers homes and even some charming Southern studios, there wasn’t much out there about the midwest and some of the oh-so cool “real” people that I have the opportunity to work with every day.

When I started mulling over the idea of creating my own, the idea seemed daunting – do I have the time, resources, or skills to produce something I will be proud of? What if people don’t like my ideas? What if it’s all been done before? Then I started thinking about all those oh-so-cool people and realized that with a group, we could produce more diverse, better content, connect with more people and most importantly – have way more fun working on it!

One of the biggest joys in my involvement with the design community over the years has been working within organizations to bring together groups of people and make things happen. I’ve seen amazing things come out of gatherings of just the right combinations of skills, perspectives and aesthetic sensibilities…which is exactly what I think we have gathered here at Prairie Hive. From a self proclaimed granola crafty type to the most stylish mom I know…from South Tulsa to Brady Heights, we’ve intentionally got a little bit of everything going into the mix here.

We are so excited to get this project off the ground, with the first step – our blog! Visit here daily for our of-the-moment inspirations and finds, great DIY ideas, a few field trips and anything else that buzzes through our minds.

Look for our online publication in May, where we will showcase some of the great design, folks and resources in our area and beyond…and hopefully give you a little inspiration along the way.

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Meet the Hive, Tulsa Tags: Meet the Hive, tulsa, Welcome!