11.19.13

Alison Maguire – 12 Things I Can't Live Without

Alison Maguire, Assoc. IIDA, LEED GA, ZGF Architects

#1 Pinterest
In addition to being an interior designer, I am also the resource manager at my firm, so a lot of information & imagery comes across my desk every day. Pinterest allows me to gather and organize new products, ideas, and inspirations.

#2 Facetime
I moved to LA back in March and left my whole family in Oregon, including my little niece and nephew. Facetime means I still get to hear their voices and see their sweet faces every few days.

#3 Mackinac Island
The tiny island on Lake Huron was a family-favorite vacation destination when I was little. There have never been cars on the island, so everyone still travels around by bike and horse-drawn carriages. It’s like stepping back in time!

 #4 Gold
I love gold – as a metal, as a color, as a luster. Gold is a representation of optimism, success and triumph. It is inspiring to me how powerful its symbolism has been throughout history, across all civilizations.

 #5 Solestruck
I had the pleasure of designing their flagship retail store, and fell in love with their incredibly well-curated selection of shoes. I (and my shoe collection) haven’t been the same since! My favorite are a pair of spiked boots by TBA.

#6 Pantone
Not only do I obsessively use Pantone Matching System color guides, but I also pour over their trend forecasting reports. Okay, I even love all the cheeky Pantone merchandise.

 #7 Dezeen
This is my favorite design blog on the internet. It is an excellent reference for what’s new in the world of architecture, interior design, and product design. I think about half of my pins on Pinterest come from Dezeen.

 #8 Eames Molded Plywood Lounge (LCW)
When my husband and I started dating and I visited his house for the first time, the first thing I noticed was his Eames LCW in walnut (my all-time favorite iconic chair). I knew I was going to marry him right then!

#9 Sonos
When I really need to do head-down work and not be interrupted, I put on my headphones and listen to my Sonos stations. It’s like blocking out the noise of the world and focusing solely on the sounds that motivate me.

#10 My Fiat 500
I never had a car in Portland because public transportation and bike lines are all you need there. But moving to LA, I was warned that I had to have a car. Now I zip around in my little Fiat. It’s easy to park because it’s so small!

#11 Diptyque Candles
I fell in love with these candles in college when I worked at a gorgeous home furnishings store called Cielo Home in Portland, OR. My favorite scents are Santal (sandalwood) and Figuier (fig).

#12 Moisturizer
I am religious about moisturizer. I have a collection of lotions and potions that I use for face, eyes, lips, and hands. My favorite is City Block by Clinique. My mother says good skincare habits keep you younger longer, so here’s hoping!

Alison Maguire is a Lead Interior Designer at ZGF Architects in Los Angeles. Prior to relocating to Los Angeles in early 2013, Alison was the Lead Interior Designer for Skylab Architecture in Portland, Oregon where she established an extensive background practicing hospitality, retail, commercial and residential design. Her work with Skylab has been printed in many publications including Interior Design, Contract, Gray, and Form Interiors. Additionally, Alison was selected for a feature in About Face Magazine on the top five Interior Designers of Portland in 2012. Raised in Montana and Oregon, she received her BFA with Honors in Interior Design from The Art Institute of Portland in 2010. Alison applies her love of design and building in volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and Global Village. She has worked on builds in Oregon, California, and Sri Lanka.