great skott!

i've always loved people who turn their lives around midstream and decide to follow their dreams. you know, those people who listen to that gut feeling that says, "i don't think i was meant to sit behind this desk all day." courtney skott is one of those people. before she became a super-fabulous designer extraordinaire, she was a journalism major at ut austin and the co-founder of a software company. even though she founded it with her soon-to-be hubby, i'm oh-so-happy she ditched the computer gig for furniture. cause the girl is good. very good.

each one of courtney's pieces ooze craftsmanship and command respect for the level of dedication and amount of care put into every inch. from small stools "clothed" in hand-dyed silk to a gorgeously ornate, hand-cut lacquered plywood chandelier, ms. skott has taken furniture design to a place most big-time designers don't take the time to visit anymore. the manpower and sheer amount of labor that must have gone into her silk stools is mind-boggling. it's this kind of craftsmanship combined with elegant design principles that makes courtney skott a star in my book.

stand out pieces: her "un-upholstered chair", which has a pattern carved through a walnut veneer into the plywood beneath (creating a gorgeous contrast line), the breathtakingly beautiful tree trunk ottomans (made with handmade, coffee-dyed silk, which is quilted and embroidered), which come with removable wool "jackets", and the craftstery, yet elegant, plywood chandelier (you know how i love chandeliers) which holds six votive candles and will soon be available in clear lacquered birch, red laquer and a bristol blue lacquer. you can find more information on ms. skott and her products here. (or shoot her an email at info@courtneyskott.com). support independant designers who follow their dreams!

ps: i found courtney via her friend and mine, the lovely ms. tom, but just fyi- the wonderful mr. sardar at the sf chronicle mentioned courtney here...