Sparkly Beauty & Affordable Heirloom Luxury is the Hallmark of Joanna Buchanan’s Designs ~ What is Her Brand-Building Secret?

Before I get to all the delicious details, let me begin with some context. When I start a tablescape design for a holiday, an event, or as an homage to a special guest for my Ladies Who Lunch Conversations videocast, I begin by thinking about that particular focused inspiration and then I ask, "What is the story I want to tell?”  Once I have that script or narrative, I get that jazzed feeling that artists enjoy, and I move on to source the materials that will make the table décor fantasy come to life. Same is true for creating a memorable barscape.  

This is a story about discovering a hidden treasure trove for finding those ornamental accessories ~ and hitting the jackpot.

When I first encountered Joanna Buchanan’s website and her sparkly and glamorous designs, I thought I was dreaming! It truly was like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. 
If you are not already a Joanna Buchanan superfan, consider me your sherpa to finding this home décor El Dorado!  

By way of the Goddess of Décor herself: Joanna Buchanan. 

Joanna was a very special Ladies Who Lunch Conversations guest who not only graced us with her style, wit, and charm, but also with the inspiring story of how she built her successful brand, while balancing home and family. 

Many of you already know the designer & founder, Joanna Buchanan décor for your home sweet home 💖💖. Joanna creates fashion for the home ~ which is not alltogether a surprise because (like me) she also studied fashion design.

In our Conversation, you'll get to know more about the woman behind the brand that bears her name and what inspires her.

From my “ask” to our scheduled videocast planning, Joanna was the epitome of professional courtesy and kind, respectful etiquette.  

I was so looking forward to talking to her. 

Me ~ and the tens of thousands of our viewer audience ~ were not disappointed. 

Our Conversation was a “gabfest” filled with the mutual joy of hospitality and entertaining.

Early on, I had to share with her how I felt I had discovered my home décor entertaining soulmate when I saw her mini bug clips.  I was gobsmacked, to put it mildly. 

So under the banner of a “great minds think alike” and anticipatory sisterhood, I surprised her with a feature page from my Art of the Garnish book, showing her on the videocast, how I had used one of my bee brooches as a finishing touch to accessorize a garnish for a honey-infused cocktail (that was inspired by a favorite client and friend): “Maria’s Meade: Nectar of the Goddesses. 

So seeing her bug clip designs, I had this rather cosmic connection, admiring her ability to meld such glittery beauty with élan ~ creating her now famous "Bug Clips" as the Finishing Touches ~ readily available for all! No more raiding the jewelry box!

Cocktail Karma!

And our Conversation only got better.

You’ll enjoy how Joanna describes how she developed an unmistakable vision for luxury, color, texture and pattern not only from her 20 years in the corporate fashion retail business but also through her Hong Kong and Philippine childhood, adult years in Europe and extensive travel throughout India.

That cosmopolitan and eclectic foundation has informed her style and, I believe, that spark of curiosity and discovery that great artists possess.  And as a designer, and curator, she is truly a home décor artist.

Joanna explains her bio ~ describing how she believes that by scouring the world for experts, she is producing in the best possible countries for her collection- utilizing their specific expertise. She is proud to work with like-minded small businesses in China, India, and the Philippines, working with dedicated artisans and aligning on the brand's goals and ethics. These relationships are key to the success of Joanna's vision.

Where did she learn her love of entertaining at home?

Joanna’s line of luxe, seasonal accessories, holiday decor and gifts was born from where else?  Her mother’s love of holiday decorating and a dig through her great grandmother's vintage collection of ornaments stashed in her parent’s home in the English countryside. Inspired by these finds, she envisioned a new take on classic holiday decor — an unexpected twist on conventional ornaments.

Joanna’s homes in New York City and Connecticut — which she shares with her husband and two children — showcase treasures picked up during her years of traveling. They epitomize her ability to curate modern colors, chic graphic patterns and eclectic home furnishings. Her garden is a huge inspiration for the natural elements in her work.

She recounts how after finalizing their decision on their home purchase in Connecticut, they were confronted with the landscape challenge! And because the garden fuels her designs, Joanna was keen to get the look and feel she needed ~ to be inspired both outside ~ and from the inside looking into that borrowed landscape.  

How does she create these heirloom classics? I asked if it’s a dream inspiration or something she actually sees? Joanna describes her design process ~ How she gets the idea and then gets it to paper, then to sample, then to market … Fascinating…

You’ll be impressed by Joanna’s honest telling of her career challenges working for major corporate brands, some seeming setbacks, and her fierce determination, along with an impressive dose of sunny, happy optimism!  

Attitude matters, folks.  As do relationships and networking. We can all learn from Joanna’s leadership, as she describes her journey and offers some sage advice for someone starting off in this business. 

Putting one's name on a business is bold and a wee bit scary. Especially when your brand is you!  But you’ll see and appreciate how this woman is brave, humble, gracious, and generous with her wisdom ~ sharing her learned life journeys ~ with all its challenges and triumphs ~ to help us better understand and be inspired to do likewise ~ to pursue whatever dreams we have…

Joanna tells us how after working in corporate design, she launched her business brand, and how she maintains the highest quality and that close, concierge-like customer satisfaction.  (I so very appreciate this, don't you?)

Joanna creates quality accessories that are sparkly and luxurious and soon, moody, too.  She describes her latest design look that she came up with, working together with a UK-based retail customer.

While Joanna creates classics, at the same time, she shows us how to create tablescapes and home décor compositions using unexpected color combinations and/or textures with an elegant style. And more often than not, with unique, personal charm and whimsy. Joanna inspired my blue and terracotta / orange October Halloween table design. 💙🧡! (Click to watch the video tour.)

Hospitality and entertaining, after all, is love... And Joanna exudes that love; plus a delightful passion; and sparkly joie de vivre.

Our Conversation is peppered with fun, friendly, and at the same time, intense discussion about business and personal choices, including:

How she shined as her daughter’s true “she-ro” with a brand collab…

Why online and not brick and mortar?  Does she see pop-ups in the future?

And in a JB world of glittery, rainbow like treasures from nature, can you guess her favorite creation?  And color?  And the cocktails that help inspire those glamorous barware accessories?!  

I must add, I adore her Garden Party Cocktail Picks… So if anyone is thinking of gifting me anytime soon…

I know y'all probably already have so many of Joanna's designs from her Collection. But there's always something new that will bewitch you. I am smitten with her Capiz creations.  And in our Conversation, she tells how her fascination with quality Capiz came about.

You can source some extraordinary décor for your home sweet home 💖💖 & follow her home fashion guides on all her platforms, including Joanna's website, Instagram, & TikTok.

There is no doubt that JB Sparkles! 

We could have kept chatting away for hours ~ just like those swans who were the “Ladies Who Lunch”... 🥂. Joanna & I agreed we had a blast.

You too will love Joanna as much as you do her designs. Both are playful and sophisticated.

JB Wine Charms & Bug Clips

How do you sparkle and add glamour to your home entertaining?

With Joanna ✨

You know how much I love the Art of the Tablescape & creating Cocktail Compositions at the bar, along with Garden-to-Glass drinks. 

Joanna has captured lightning in a bottle, er, glass ~ designing THE most beguiling, beautiful adornments that, I promise, will elevate your Home Entertaining Gatherings. She is truly the Goddess of Design!

🫶🌟

JB Cocktail Picks

I also had the moxie (gulp) to design a Valentine's Day tablescape in her honor for our Ladies Who Lunch Conversation. While I do this for each of my guests, I took this one on with no small amount of trepidation… Viewing the table setting via our videocast, Joanna was kind~she said it was so fabulous & she loved it. (Or did I just hear that in my head?!) 

I did say I'd keep her feedback on instant replay! Ha. 

Hope you enjoy the video tour here ~ (from my You Tube)

I do so love Joanna's "table jewelry" ~ Mother and I have gifted the shell napkin rings for a dear friend’s daughter’s bridal shower. 🐚✨

Joanna’s design and the quality make any item in her collection a treasured Hostess Gift as well as a sure bet for any occasion. Even self-gifting…

I couldn't resist Joanna's  glittery flamingos! 🦩🦩for my tablescapes (I adore exotic birds!) ~ here you'll see they dazzle the Valentine's swag bag filled with those cute Conversation hearts.  (After all, one good Conversation deserves another 😉).

In my Conversation with Joanna, you'll appreciate how this remarkable woman's genuine passion and "vision for luxury, color, and dreams" creates collections that are sparkly, and sophisticated. "Town & Country" magazine called them affordable heirlooms ~ available now...

Joanna is so inspiring ~ you'll see how she ignited my creativity, (practically launching out of my seat before I restrained myself!) ~ after Joanna broke the news that she will unveil a line of luxurious hair accessories and we talked about her writing a home entertaining style book brimming with her chic designs!

I am in deep gratitude to Joanna for honoring us ~ for being such a special guest; for being so very inspiring.... Thank you, Joanna.

Please enjoy this most delicious, juicy Conversation.

You can view via the link above on Facebook or via my You Tube channel (and please do become a Follower. Stay inspired…)

Cheers.