I'm so excited to introduce to you a new stylist we started working with for the fall 2012 catalog. It's always fun to work with new people and learn from their style and creativity. Missie is a Mississippi native who has done everything from working on the J. Crew catalog team in New York to Cindy Crawford's assistant (and yes I mean the super model!) Not to mention she's a mom of two sweet boys and somehow manages to fit a fast-paced photo-styling career in between. Luckily I had a chance to catch up with her after a shoot and chat about a few of her favorite styling tips!

Missie’s Style: 

My decorating style is a mix of old and new. For instance, I just reupholstered my grandmother's wing chairs in a neutral textured linen and added a pleated skirt to the bottom. They can move to any room in my house!

 

My favorite room to decorate in my own house is my office. It's full of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves; I painted the backs of the shelves a dark glossy brown, almost eggplant. Everything from pictures of my children to favorite magazines like Domino, Southern Accents, and Elle Decor are stacked all over! I also sit at my desk and easily become nostalgic. My desk is the kitchen table I grew up eating every meal on in Mississippi. I had it refinished and added a simple ghost desk chair and a needlepoint pillow from my grandmother, Lady. I am constantly moving things around in here and using books and magazines as inspiration.

 

Currently my biggest source of inspiration is Pinterest. It's fascinating to see what’s out there on a global level in terms of art, interiors, fashion and food ... you can be on the pulse of trends in no time.

 

I am a huge fan of Kelly Wearstler and Celerie Kemble. Aerin Lauder is also a young woman with great style who seems to balance running a multi-million dollar company and motherhood gracefully while raising two young boys! I also recently took a trip to Palm Springs and fell in love with the Trina Turk home store. It’s only 400 square feet on a good day and full of unique items like cool floor poofs, colorful patterned pillows and unique fabrics!

 

The big color for summer is YELLOW and I think we will see bright bold red and purple for the fall. Color is back! If you can't make the major renovation you want, PAINT is the best and cheapest overhaul. It can make a room feel fresh and larger.

 

The best low budget tip is to utilize your artwork! It can be your children's artwork from school or vintage family photographs. I use all wall frames from IKEA with mats. Artwork can make a room look totally transformed.


Look for Missie's work in the fall 2012 Willow House Home Catalog or get to know more about her now by following her Pinterest page and website missienevillecrawford.com/