2016 was an amazing year. I did not realize all that was accomplished until I started this post. This is a look back on Bridget Beari's 2016 but only as a reminder to make 2017 even better!
Each year is all about learning and sometimes learning as we go! I am all about a challenge. Travel and work were hand in hand this year and I loved it!
January:
I traveled to Miami to see friends and some amazing architecture, Vizcaya and Kelly Wearstler interiors of hotels were just a few . This was a jumping off to the Bahamas for my favorite spot, The One and Only and Key West.
I added a new team member, Lisa McMahon. She is amazing as she heads her own PR firm in New York. She definitely kept me on my toes and on a plane all year.
I was off to KBIS in Las Vegas as a part of the Modenus group! What an amazing show. The kitchen and bath industry gave me tons of inspiration. We visited the Wynn for a private tour and Bobby Berk's Resposive house tour.
I also met another designer from Richmond Natalie Reddell. She was a ball and we hammed it up for our instagram posts
Color was everywhere!
I even saw some old friends, Karen the design tourist!
This was also where DXV made their announcement of the DXV 2016 design panel
February:
We started new projects: One of my favorites was a whole house renovation in Richmond. Here are some sneak peaks as the final pictures are under wraps for now!
Coastal Living was amazing to Bridget Beari Colors - 3 mentions over the year as a part of their paint color stories! We were along side the big guys!
Off to the Southern Living designer Network Summit in Burmingham AL to meet with other designers. Such inspiration and fun!
Bobby McAlpine and Mary McDonald were a few of the participants.
Then off to Minneapolis to meet with the design team for American Standard and DXV. Discussing our design and shopping for accessories was a real treat not to mention the royal treatment and dinners. Veronika Miller and team were amazing in pulling us all together!
I did not realize how amazing Minnepolis was. Great restaurants and shopping. A beautiful city.
Shopping the antique stores was right up my alley. I found some amazing items for my vinquette as early as February!
March:
Our local design magazine Rhome was good to us as well with profiles on the wallpapers and paints
We also began our big Atlanta Install. Another under wraps project that will soon be revealed! It was a year long project that had us working with the multi talented architect Peter Block from Atlanta. It is a beautiful house that I can't wait to share.
So many details - like this custom dining table!
Brass bar cabinets
Ann Saks fish scale tiles
Custom designed old Hollywood vanity!
Custom design brass detailing and bench in the pool room!
I was on a Pod Cast with LuAnn Nigara about taking your products to market. Such a treat!
I even had time to judge the Miss Teen USA pagenant in Richmond
April:
Spring Highpoint Market was a big splash! First we were highlighted in an article on designing with rugs in the Highpoint News magazine.
Adorno Publishing came to market with the Elevate program and gave awards to outstanding members of the design community. I received an award for my paint and wallpaper collections!
I gave my first Highpoint talk with gal pals - Mary Douglas Drysdale, Toma Clark Haines and Tobi Fairley.
I also participated in the Instagram takeover at market. I gain some serious designer followers with this one!
Right after Highpoint we were off to NewYork for DOAD. We created an fab vignette with our wallpaper and tons of great deals! People were waiting in line to get in our booth for sales!
May:
We were thrilled to be nominated for ADAC's 2016 Southest designer of the year, SEDY.
Off to Italy with Adam Japko, Toma Clark Haines, and Jeremy Parzen for the WIne and Design Tour. We started in Venice and learned about wine, antiques and food!
June:
Thanks to Lisa Mowry for setting up our Richmond project for a highlight in Atlanta's Style Blueprint.
Back to DXV for the set design and photography! We were finally seeing our projects come to life!
Another online interview with Casartcovering. I loved sharing my insights.
Back to Atlanta for 2 blog related workshops: Annette Joseph Workshop
Peaches to Pearl Workshop
July:
The Washington Post asked us to participate in their House Call series. It is a room makeover series. It was fun to see what I could do an a serious budget.
We finished up another Outdoor living Space Project in Atlanta. We loved the ideas of our clients entertaining in this space.
August:
I was a part of the Millon Dollar Decorating podcast series. What a thrill to be interviewed by James Swan.
I spent my birthday at the Inn at Little Washington in Virginia. What a special place full of great design ideas and amazing food!
Then off to Tulum Mexico to receive some new outdoor furniture for our resort project. I took my friends and husband along for some R&R too.
Definitely one of my favorite project!
September:
This month was crazy busy. First a highlight in Aspire Magazine for the new wallpaper collection.
And another project in Southern Home Magazine- 8 page spread for this Richmond project. Thank you Constance Costas for the lovely writing.
And finally after almost of year of planning the: DXV launch in NewYork !!!!!!
Here we are celebrating with all the previous design panels.
My theme was Charleston 1890-1920. I am so proud of this design and feel it really captures the spirit of Charleston as well as highlights the DXV products.
DXV is an amazing brand with amazing products to work with. These national ads are all amazing!
We also launched the new wallpaper collection at all 3 Bradley showrooms in Chicago, NYC, and ATL. With talks and presentations at every showroom we are a real splash! Thank you Bradley for being an amazing sponsor and supporter!
I met some other wallpaper designers along the way and we shared tips and information!
I even had a little time to meet up with new fellow Southern Living Designer Network members for a Pow Wow in Atlanta!
October:
Off to West Virginia for our 20th Wedding anniversary. We liked it so much we went back for Christmas!
Off to Fall Highpoint Market:
Another highlight on using wallpaper in Designer Today!
Our new Bridget Beari Papers were on display at 2 showrooms in Highpoint! Century Furniture and Universal. What a thrill to see them on display!
Another Panel discussion on Southern Style!
Another Instagram takeover at Highpoint!
Meanwhile the DXV ads were rolling in - Southern Living, House Beautiful, Interior Design, Wine Spectator and Fine Home Building!
Even another mention in our local magazine for all these accomplishments!
November:
Another project hits the stands, our Alys Beach Florida projects gets a 5 page spread!
Our NBC Fix It and Finish It project wins a COTY award!
I was interviewed by Ruby Lux and picked out some amazing products for my highlight! If you haven't used their website you need to.
Still DXV ads are coming in as December is Veranda!
December:
I was on Great Day Washington, Washington's CBS morning show to talk about Bridget Beari Colors and Papers!
And last but not least my DXV ad was seen in Architectural Digest - Whew!!
What a Year!
Thanks for following all the way through this long blog post. I'm so grateful to being doing the thing I love the most, designing product and homes for clients!
I'd like to close this year without saying goodbye because it was amazing … so
