Somehow a couple months have magically passed since the last installation of the Work/Spaces Project, how is that possible?! Well, I'm glad to say that we're back with a bang – I couldn't be happier to feature one of my favorite designers, Megan Gonzalez of MaeMae Paperie! Megan's signature playful, vintage-inspired yet decidedly modern aesthetic is a perennial favorite of mine, and I have found myself looking to her work for color inspiration on more than one occasion – her softened palette of normally-vibrant shades is always fresh.
After recently relocating from L.A. to Minneapolis with her husband Jason, MaeMae's new space, although temporary, is a gorgeous example of a true working studio. It's so obvious that inspiration abounds all around for Megan, from the little details, to the mood boards and artwork surrounding her studio, to the city itself. That's a beautiful thing.
"In L.A., I worked in a beautiful space filled with light, and was surrounded by a bright mishmash of inspiration taped, clipped, pinned, and nailed into the walls, my stationery hanging on string, books filled with stories of adventure, love, and instruction, and faces of people who have been faithful and encouraging of all I do and am. That room was a place where I discovered what made me happy about design, opened packages of beautifully printed paper, cried at my desk when the world was too heavy, and stayed up all night when inspiration struck. It was the place I spent the bulk of MaeMae's existence, but I was ready to move on.
Little did I know what a difference it would make for my business to just create and work in a totally different space. This new studio is temporary and has been the best transition space that I could dream of.
Since it was so easy to leave L.A., I didn't think it would be so very hard to move back into a space. I'm not going to go into all the gory details, but in sum, putting your life and business back together in a new place is difficult, frustrating, and can just completely break your spirits.
I didn't feel in control of my day. Or my brain. Or anything.
After a getting back from a trip N.Y.C. (for the National Stationery Show), I was determined to get everything back in order. I had to break down everything into small parts. Running a business is complex and I had to make everything as simple as possible to get back on track. And you know what – it's actually better than back on track. It's a new track.
The new studio has a simple row of inspiration lining the wall and just one jumble of concepts for new designs on a bulletin board. We swapped out all of my old furniture for simple white tables that four of us can work on at once. I have the most fantastic team of five ladies who alternate days here. They have helped shape my days and allow MaeMae to run so much more smoothly.
This space with it's beautiful yellow walls, lofted ceiling and gigantic windows has given me room to rethink how I work. It has inspired me to start fresh and to get down to the nitty gritty of how to successfully run a business.
As I sat down to write about the space I was struck by this question Lauren asked me: "Has your inspiration and work changed since you have moved to a new city/studio/culture/etc?"
Yes it has! It has changed. Though it was painful to change, I am embracing it and I feel the very best I ever have as a business owner, and a designer." – Megan
