I'm so excited to continue on with this serieswithin a series -fellow entrepreneurs sharing their stories as well as showing off their style at home. The prints featured in today's post are also part of our 30% OFF BEACH AERIAL SALE, too! Today, we are heading north to Vancouver to tour the lovely home of Mariel Armstrong, the co-owner and founder of PARTYSKIRTS, whom she launched with her sister, Lauren. (Keep a look out for Lauren's story later this year)!
## Mariel, won't you please tell us a little bit about yourself and Partyskirts?
> My name is Mariel Armstrong and I live in Vancouver! I am the co founder of a company called PARTYSKIRTS, which I started with my sister Lauren. Lauren and I have always been extremely social, and as we got older, we found it hard to keep up with always having a new outfit for the next event. Our Mom helped by whipping up a few different items on her sewing machine, and the major standout was what we named the "partyskirt."We loved how fun they were to wear, especially wearing them together,so we quickly had her make them in more colors. Immediately, we saw an overwhelming response from girls who would see us out and asked where they could find the skirts for themselves.That’s kind of where PARTYSKIRTS was born.
> We wore them out for years and the response never changed. So once we were both done with school, we sat down and decided to give it a fair shot.Four years later andthis is where we are! PARTYSKIRTS is such an extension of Lauren and I. We believe in celebrating the _everyday_ and PARTYSKIRTS helps us do that
Love it! I can certainly relate to figuring out whenyou're really onto something and then just going for it. It can't always be fun, of course, so with that in mind...
## What are some of the challenges and joys you've experienced as an entrepreneur?
> Being a young entrepreneur has had lots of ups and downs. I would say a challenge has been figuring things out. We haven't had much help along the way; it’s been a lot of error to find what works. That being said when we have a success or something amazing happens, the rewardis so grand. As stressful as it has been, it has also been an amazing learning experience and doing it with my sister has really helped. Having a partner really makes all the difference. We consistently are each other’s cheerleader.
That's awesome. It is so important to have a strong support system, especially at the beginning, so you're encouraged to keep going! Shifting gears, lets talk about your style when it comes to decorating your home.
## What is your approach to interior decor?
I love a clean and bright space. When I first moved into my apartment it was so dark. The space gets a lot of natural sunlight but the walls had been painted a dull yellow color, whichmade the space feel so tiny. The first thing I did was paint everything white. Immediately, it opened the space up. For my furnishing, we picked simple but classic pieces. I brought life and color into my apartment from accents, such as my pillows and accent table decorations as well as florals that change seasonally.
## And, what inspired you to choose these twoGray Malin prints?
> I was inspired to pick these Gray Malin prints because they gave my space the color and life I was looking for. I have always been such a fan of his work and when I first saw his new image St Barths, The Wave, I was in love. It was so bright and beautiful. I loved how simple yet elegant it was;I knew it would fit perfectly in my space. Originally, I had envisioned it over my bar cart by the kitchen but once I got it into the space,I felt it needed to be front and center in the living room.
> As for Gray's latest Italian Geometric series, I have always loved his umbrella shots as they are so classic Gray Malin. If I has going to have a Gray Malin, it was going to be a beach aerial, so I'm thrilled to have not one but two! Diagonal Stipes, Italy couldn't have fit my space better. The blue umbrellas compliment my blue accent chairs in the living room and the dark shadows make my black dining chairs really pop. The two photos were exactly what my space needed and I couldn't be happier!
.jpg-3cw5u-c?ixlib=rails-2.1.3)Last question...
## What about the Gray Malin lifestyle brand do you connect with?
> Gray Malin to me is super playful. It’s bright, fun and quirky. That really is what I love about it. You never know what to expect but he is always so creative and definitely does the unexpected.
Thanks so much Mariel! I've loved touring your stunning home. I'm obviously a bit biased, but I have to say I really love the way these two prints fit so perfectly into your aethestic. As mentioned, be sure to stay tuned later this year for our interview with Mariel's counterpart, Lauren. To learn more about the girls and their skirts look no further than here and also, here's a fun post they did on their blog, too. Other than that, THANK YOU for reading and following along.
xx
GM
Photos by Ainsley Rose