| Miss Piggy Mantras That Everyone Should Follow |
| As the old saying goes, never work with children, animals, stem cells, or distressed tables. Well, I have worked with some of them and have a nervous tic to prove it.My career in interior design continues, but the last few years have also given way to intermittently write about interior design, because as Shakespeare once said, “the pen is mightier than the paint palette”. Life has a wonderful way of chucking opportunities at you, generally when you’re at your most hungover, and you’d be mad to pass them by. And I plan to continue writing even more whenever I can find the appropriate writing attire and colour-coordinated pens. |
| Just as Architectural Digest has been my muse magazine for decades, Miss Piggy, the most independent and inspirational pig I know, has served as model and guiding genius for just as long. |
| As some background, Miss Piggy grew up as a pulchritudinous pig on a farm in Hog Springs, Iowa. Her father died in a tragic tractor accident when she was young, and her mother wasn’t that nice to her. She had to enter beauty contests to survive, as many single women do…and she was forced to pose for ads. Including one for bacon. It’s a time that she prefers not to speak of, although she insists that she never took her clothes off for a job. She does thank her parents for giving her bus fare. Otherwise she still would be living on the farm. Her words of wisdom are sharp and to-the-point. In all honesty, can anyone really ignore Miss Piggy’s epicurean deportment, astute observations and point-on advice? |
| Like some of us, she admits that there was a time when she wafted in the winds of every trend. And like us, it resulted in some extremely unfortunate run-ins and cringe-worthy mistakes. Tile countertops, rag-rolled/stencilled/sponged walls and furniture, wood panelling, carpeted bathrooms, popcorn ceilings, screen doors, heavy drapery, wallpaper borders, mirrored walls, ruffly floral bedding, fake floral arrangements, futons and…”slightly more masculine faucets”, which is a phrase I heard on HGTV and had to save for reasons I can’t yet fully convey. |
| Some may shudder at these, and others wonder why they are on the “Bad Design Trends” list, but you can take solace with Miss Piggy’s dictum, saying if you’re happy with how it looks, don’t worry about pleasing others— because it’s not as if their opinion actually matters. |
| Taken with pound of salt, I remind myself that she started the unenduring trend of pink. Not only does she wear pink most of the time, but can honestly say she’s been pink since the day she was born. |
| Sometimes when doing a project I question myself, but then I remember her astute words: “Style comes in all shapes and sizes. Style is about expressing your inner self, capturing ethos, and most importantly, spending someone else’s money.” And to use a lot of French phrases, like “moi”. |
| As an aside, if I had to choose one style icon besides Miss Piggy, I’d have to say Audrey Hepburn. Not only did she look good in pearls, but she also came up with the fabulous idea of having breakfast at Tiffany’s. Without her, I never would have thought of having meals in a jewelry store. |
| Piggy has always believed in highlighting her best features by any means possible. Transposed to a house, this could be large windows, a great view, stupendous fireplace, high ceilings, an antique chandelier —whatever you want, you can achieve with the right orientation, good lighting, and when all else fails, post-production design help. |
| Miss Piggy is never one for being part of the crowd: “I am a pig. And as a pig, I have always stood out.” |
| So know your strengths, likes and dislikes, and go “Fabulousity with a dash of irresistibility and a great big dollop of attitude. True glamorositude.” |
| Like Miss Piggy, I am often asked if it Is it better to give or to receive. From personal experience, moi has learned that it is better to receive. But for the sake of appearances, I’d have to say it’s better to give – my opinions, my colour choices, and my phone number. |
| Like Miss P., I’m quick, I’m intelligent, I’m curious, I’m inspiring, I’m strong — look at those muscles! — and I’ve got a sense of humour and a passion for moving things up and down stairs. And I’m uniquely fashion-forward. |
| As moi says, “Designer, de better.” |
Recent Comments