The Future Looks Fabulous

Hello Designers. Welcome to my blog! My name is Joy Crowe and my partner Jo Ellen Collins and I are the new owners of Design Alliance in Vista, California. If you are here, then you have visited our web site and have a basic idea of who we are and what we do…. however, if you came straight to my blog, if you read nothing else, well, you wouldn’t know what is going on, so just to be safe, I’d better explain…

Design Alliance is this incredible designers’ resource hidden away in an industrial business park in Vista of North County. This operation is TO THE TRADE ONLY, so all you freelancers, independent designers, part-time decorators, small studio owners—this is a service just for you. It is a showroom full of samples of every possible element you would need for a project, with tons of catalogs and the all-knowing Design Alliance team, at the ready, to get you what you want. When I think of the shoe leather and gas I could have saved…. this is a brilliant find!

I spent 29 laborious years as a freelance designer, 70% residential 30% contract and healthcare design. Everyday I’d craft my multi-task list of the people I needed to see, the places I needed to go and the things I still needed. When I came home I’d do paperwork, then lay in bed and review what was pending… I was always working. Being a lone designer is hard. It’s tedious, demanding, high pressure work. Your days are diverse and any crazy, emotional, disappointing, angry or joyous moment could alter the outcome of a well laid plan. The stress can be intense, yet we still love it. We create from a unique set of circumstances. We see the big picture and juggle the details. We, in a superficial way, make a difference in peoples’ lives, while leaving a tasteful, stylish, color coordinated mark on the planet.

You, me, WE as independent designers, is what my weekly blog is about. The challenges and solutions, ideas and applications, the business of design, clients you love to hate and of course, anything really cool some vendor brings in, that may inspire! I welcome your input on subjects you want to talk about or even be a guest blogger, if you have something to share. Simply email me at joyatdesignallianceresource.com and I’ll set you up.

Lastly, I want to send a big THANK YOU to Joy Solleder, the original owner and creator of Design Alliance. This beautiful, talented and handy “can-do” designer had an idea and she went for it. She built this extraordinary sample inventory—AND the cabinets they are housed in—from nothing. She negotiated with countless vendors for the trade discounts we pass on to you and maintained the business between you, her and them ‘til the day she left. Joy is everywhere at D.A. Her classic good taste in design and her tenacity to follow through and make it happen is evident everywhere.

Thank you, Joy, for all that you did and for the opportunity to be part of keeping your dream alive. We are thrilled to be here. Now relax, enjoy your life in Washington and your Allegro Bus on the road. Best of luck to you and “Happy Motoring!”

Talk soon.