Cottage LuxeLogo Design Contest

#121 / #122

Hi! Here are two entries for consideration. I limited the color palette so that the logos could be stretched in a few different ways. In particular, I thought you might benefit from being able to use them as ink stamps. I think either of these logos stamped onto some brown kraft paper or ivory linen paper would fall in line with your brand's aesthetic.

For #121, I kept the type perfectly level, but tilted the banner background just a touch to add whimsy and a rustic feel. The edges have all been softened to give it a cared-for, antiqued appearance.

For #122, I added a hand drawn line around the edge to bring it back a century or two :) The The bee illustration is 100% original by me. Bees / honey were a country extravagance (although enjoyed immensely by high society as well). Napoleon used the honey bee as symbol of wealth and power in his empire. I thought it could be the perfect connection for your brand! (I just finished reading a book on beekeeping last night - so you reap the "benefit" - hahaha)

Any thoughts/feedback you have is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time & consideration.
josh

Josh, Thank you so much for your entries......I feel you have definitely captured the feel I am looking for and I really like #122 along with your description:) I happen to love bees and we actually have a beekeeper around the corner from where we live. I decided that I needed to add the words "vintage decor" in a smaller typeset under the name of the business so people know what it is I'm selling. If you could add that on #122 and make the bee and Cottage Luxe a bit smaller that would be great. Thank you! Susie

#130

Great! I'm glad we're on the same page. How lucky!! I wish we had a beekeeper that close - that book I read has me ready to start a bee farm! haha
I went with a condensed san serif font (to contrast the serifs, yet match the slimness of the type) It seemed era appropriate. If you'd like to see an alternate font (or any other changes for that matter), please just let me know.

thanks :)
josh

Thanks, that looks great! I'll let you know if I think of any modifications I would like to see. Susie

Hi Josh,
After sleeping on the designs thus far, I'm thinking the bee, even though I love it, doesn't represent what I'm doing in my business. I wanted to see if you could make some adjustments......instead of the bee, could you do a vintage style piece of furniture & move the words up & put the piece of furniture at the bottom?? Let me know if you can that....thanks!! Susie

Hey Susie - I'll see what I can do.

Personally, I'd recommend something a little deeper than that, though. It's not very often your logo would be used in a capacity where it would need to explain itself. Typically, you want your logo to give your brand character...set the aethetic, the vibe/atmosphere, etc. You want your logo to set you apart from the pack. If your logo literally just explains what you do, it becomes less of an icon designated as "your brand" and more of infographic explaining the purpose, if that makes sense. Like a restroom sign. I'm not trying to talk you into anything - just thinking through the strategy. :)

You can definitely inject some personal aesthetic with the treatment of the image (the worn effects, etc.) but you lose the iconography that you gain with something unique. For instance - if you were to brand the tags within your store with an element of your logo (a minilogo, bug, brand mark, etc.) you'd have, perhaps - a chest of drawers - with a small piece of furniture on the tag. At that point it becomes redundant. It'd be better to go with a type design.

again - just my thoughts. I'd feel sketchy if I didn't something without explaining my thoughts...I hope I'm not coming across as pushy :(

I totally understand what you are saying and I agree with the stamp on a tag idea being redundant if there's a piece of furniture on the tag. I was getting some opinions from others and the question of how the bee related to my business kept coming up so it made me think about it even though I do agree with you on standing apart and having some personal aesthetic. Are there other images besides the bee that you think might look good?
I'm open to suggestions.....scratch the piece of furniture idea. Thanks!

That only my opinion, too - I was wrong once a few years ago, so it might be my time again. (hahahaha) I'll try and come up with something that distinctly says "rustic French"...or maybe something I can incorporate WITH furniture to sort of straddle the fence?

thanks for your consideration
josh

#147 / #148 / #149 / #150

#148 / #150 - this was my "straddling" attempt. Trying to think of something that is a classic decoration that ISN'T furniture and I thought of flowers. From cottage to courtyard, flowers are a constant decoration element. French lavender being the quintessential "French countryside" flower, I thought a simple string-tied bouquet (the string bouquet showing intentional decoration, rather than just happenstance) is the perfect example of rustic french charm. I know you said to avoid purple, but lavender purple seemed like a good choice for this particular design.

#149 / #151 - Thinking again of non-furniture decoration, I started thinking about French architecture and the peaked windows came to mind. That, with the cottage-style shutters seemed like it could be a could representation for your business. It presents the "home" aspect and invites the customer to "take a peek inside"...you know - shutters wide open...who wouldn't want to take a quick look! I was hoping that the charm of the shutters might create a sort of cozy atmosphere and bring warmth & character to the logo.

thanks!
josh

Just so you know - I will be gone tomorrow afternoon until Sunday afternoon. I'll check as soon as I'm home, though.

I normally don't enter contests if I'm going to be gone for part of them...I thought we were going away NEXT weekend...sorry about that. :(

#152

and here's a version with a little less distressing....

Josh,
Thank you for sending some other ideas, I really appreciate it......I like your idea with the lavender (on a side-note, after I requested some other ideas from you, I was thinking of flowers because cottages and gardens go together and I plan to have some garden items for my business.) I also like the window with shutters, it's something different. I haven't decided which color I like best, what do you call the original background color? The bee is not out of the running either, I still like it. Thanks for letting me know you'll be out-of-town.
Susie

good! we're still on the same page then :)

hmm...gold/honeywheat? I was thinking about honey/bees at the time...so probably something along those lines. haha

I'll keep thinking of ideas, too. What about a wire basket with lavender and a loaf of french bread? Not sure how that would look...just a thought.

sure - Don't want you thinking I was slacking off! I'm a full-time freelancer from home, so I'm usually around for changes/tweaks.
thanks
josh

Hi Josh,
Not sure if you have left yet, I have chosen the one with the lavender, #150, out of the new ones you sent and the only change I would like to see to it, is if you can make it a little less distressed. Thank you!!

Still here! :)

I can have a less distressed version in a few minutes.

less distressed like #152? Or less that that? I would also provide a "clean" version as well (always best to have a "without" version)

Yes, like #152. Thanks

#165

Here you go :) I'll actually be here for at least another 45 minutes. (or maybe the rest of the day...we haven't had rain in over a month. We planned a family camping trip along the Mississippi this weekend. It's now pouring. hahaha)

That works....I like it! I hope you get to go camping. Thanks!