If you’re like me, with lots of foreign friends living overseas, you’ve run into the same dilemma when it comes to offering gifts that represent the good old American dream. Common sense beckons, a gift is something of personal nature, therefore should represent thoughtfulness in selecting it. It’s something I think my friends would like to have, and if all possible, something that can remind my friends of me, therefore of our friendship. It just so happens, as an American, I cherish the gifts I receive that depict my friends’ cultural background or ethnicity. I like to reciprocate that by presenting them with something of the same symbolic consideration.

Made in the USA, let’s face it, is a challenging commodity to find these days. In my Austin based boutique atelier setting, I keep that philosophy in mind with my creations. I hand select the material used in my products. I proudly design locally, draft out the concept by hand cutting and assembling the pieces and go as far as personally measure the quality of each individual piece that is produced.

It’s probably a matter of diplomacy, and with a sense of humor, I’d like to outline that it may also influence world peace because it promotes cultural sharing and understanding.

We have all often heard that the secret to designing your interior is to make it a reflection of our own personality. But what does it really mean? Well, in my mind, it all starts with colors and inspirations from our experiences. In fact, we are surrounded by colors so it’s a natural attraction. The experiences that inspire us are personal choices on what move us.

In my recent trip to Patagonia, Chile, I was moved by the environmental beauty the region had to offer. I was very drawn to the flint stone hue, a slate grey, against a bright green native vegetation. At home, I set out to marry those two colors in a pillow collection.

I can envision for these two tones to infuse a lot of classy pizzazz in any setting. There is something classic about this dense grey, and something cheerfully exciting about contrasting it with the right green spectrum.

So the next time you’re out and about, make a point to look around and pick out elements that move you. Bring that inspiration forth in your décor – It’s a guaranteed pleaser, which by the way, will also offer plenty of conversation topics when your visiting friends comment on the new striking look or accessory you’ve donned a room.