I admit, I don’t like to cook. Mainly, because I don’t know how to “whip up” a creation and I don’t like to do things where I don’t excel. I do, however, know how to “whip up” a creative environment.
Without owning my own home, remodeling my kitchen is not in the immediate future. But someday in a place far, far away… i will own a kitchen inspired by these elements. Hopefully, inspiring someone else to cook!
So, if you don’t know me, you have no idea how much I love the combination of black and white and how classic and timeless it is. Also very versatile, it can be upscale or whimsical, depending on the application. (I am also crazy with a capital C for the color red but I will leave that for another entry.)
I am also loving the chevron pattern trend which is of course the rug I am slowly saving my pennies to afford at West Elm (see below).
Well, I have just discovered a few other fun black & white pieces to covet…Let me know if you like them, too!
how fabulous will this look in my living room? Zig Zag Rug from West Elm
seriously adorable!! Dottie Chair from PB Teen
LOVE IT!!! Libery of London for Target - Melamine Platter
Durable & Fabulous - West Elm's Melamine Outdoor Dinnerware
Just ordered it, can't wait to wear it all the time! Black Dot Jet Set Tote from PB Teen
Who doesn't need this timeless addition to your jewelry collection? Bloom Flower Ring - Stella & Dot
Show off family photos in style & for super cheap! Liberty of London for Target
Don't forget the tray! Jungle Flower Tray from West Elm
So, as a little girl I looked forward to Easter and being able to wear a pretty spring dress, white hat, lace socks and carry a patent leather purse. How much fun! Don’t you think your living room looks forward to a little “Easter” update as well?
Here are some of my favorite spring items to add a bit of “bonnet” to your pad!
Stella & Dot "garden party necklace"
West Elm "summer garden pillow"
Steve Madden "Fauntain"
Liberty of London for Target
Wisteria "delightful doormat - birds on a tree"
Serena & Lily "Freida Collection"
Dash & Albert "zanzibar ticking rug"
Crate & Barrel "emily pillow"
The Limited "spring ruched scarf"
Happy Spring!!
I am so looking forward to the fresh flowers and new opportunities in store! I thought it might be fun to move my newsletter to my website. What do you think? I welcome your comments and suggestions!
The theme for this month is: MORE, MORE, MORE!!!
More ideas, more color, more energy! I don’t know about you but I’ve been very busy with lots of exciting endeavors and I can’t wait to share them with you here.
My New Desk
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman
So, here is a photo of “command central” as I have fondly named my new desk. It is important that my apartment not look too much like an office or I will feel like I am always at work. Looks great & functions even better!
Charity Project: Habitat for Humanity 2010 with St. Louis AT HOME magazine. I’m also very pleased to announce my involvement in this year’s Habitat Design Project with AT HOME magazine. I am on a team with several talented designers and we are working hard to transform the interiors into a warm & inviting home for a very deserving family! Please view my Target list if you are interested in donating. All will be completed by mid-May and I will keep you posted on the progress!
Upcoming Events: As many of you know, I launched DesignSpeak last October and I am very committed to educating consumers about design and where to purchase locally. I am very exited to announce our first ever “design decoded: kitchens & baths” event! This is a free seminar for homeowners seeking design advice. We will have refreshments, goody bags and giveaways! Space is limited, RSVP now to kimberly@designspeakstl.com!
Next Up: I am working on getting photos taken at several of my clients’ homes. I am very pleased with how my projects turned out last year and am anxious to show them off! Here is a sneak peek at one of my installations. The frames turned out beautifully! This project was one of my favorites this past year. My client was so wonderful to work with and she had such a fun design aesthetic that it really didn’t feel like work!
Coming Soon - New Client Photos
Blazing Trails with the Girl Scouts: I am honored to be a part of such a fun group of young professionals whose goal is mentor recruitement for the wonderful Girl Scout Organization. So many great opportunities to become involved! We are hosting a fun adult camp-out on April 17th to get you motivated and just have fun! To learn more, please join us for Happy Hour at the Moonrise Hotel on March 23rd.
Exciting News: Stella & Dot Jewelry – My sister recently enlightened me on my lifelong obsession with jewelry. “Obsessed” is a little harsh…Maybe a bit co-dependent is more accurate? I will admit it is hard for me to go to the gym without earrings…is that wrong? So, I guess it comes to no one’s surprise that I’ve finally decided to start my career in jewelry as a stylist of Stella & Dot. They are a wonderful company and I have admired their jewelry line almost since its inception. I’m very excited and I am planning my first trunk show to introduce you all to the line! Visit my webpage for more info.
That’s all for now! Stay tuned for more updates!
-K
Here’s a fabulous example of breathing new life into something old!
My client and I were busy searching for “vintage” Anthropologie-looking sofas (but at realistic prices). Luckily, she discovered that her grandmother’s antique sofa was not being used in her mother’s basement and we began a mission to update it for her young family!
Here’s the before photo:
We researched a variety of leathers and fabrics and decided that this mossy green velvet would be durable and maintain the vintage feel of the sofa. Naturally, a lot of work needed to be done in order to get it back “in shape” so to speak! The upholstery company had to re-stuff the cushions and reinforce the frame.
We also elected to strip the wood to its most natural state and give it a lighter stain. With the dark Victorian-era wood stain applied to the heavily-carved frame, the sofa appeared too “dated” for lack of a better word. We wanted it to feel vintage but fresh! Notice, the more subtle color that lets the carving stand out without overpowering the sofa.
Thank you Custom Furniture Works for such an amazing job!!
Here’s the finished product; now it’s time to search for beautiful pillows!
So, after a couple years of deciding that I needed a larger media stand (you’ll see what I mean in the before photo) and not finding one that fit my budget and vision for the room, I decided to get creative. When most people do home improvements, they tackle DIY projects. I prefer the HDDI method, also known as, Have Dad Do It.
My dad is very skilled as a carpenter but committing to a time frame is not his forte because he is in high demand. Luckily, my grandpa and my cousin were willing to help out with painting and hauling the completed piece to my apartment. Now to get my dad on board with my concept. As you can see by my sketches, I was definitely more focused on the little accent pieces…I did give him dimensions, I’m no dummy! The goal was to get the baskets of movies in the console but still functional and hide all the wiring to my components. I’ll let you judge the photos for yourself. I bet you are already thinking of your very own HDDI project! Thanks for all the hard work guys!
Before Media Wall - Yes, it's an end table...
My Concept Sketches
Phase 1 - The boys got carried away with the red paint on the center lines
Phase 2 - I created the shapes out of cardboard with my arty friend Brent's help
Voila! Finished product - Functional & Pretty!
New Media Wall - so much cleaner!
Team Photo Take 1 - Eric, quit moving!
Team Photo Take 2 - Grandpa's not smiling
Team Photo Take 3 - This will have to do!
So, I just found out that one of my favorite places for inspiration, Hable Construction, is no longer making all of their pillows out of fun wool felt patterns. And this year is the last year for the wool felt stockings…now here are the results of my web search for unique, colorful stockings! Happy Holidays!
Hable Construction Wool Felt Stockings
Ballard Designs Personalized Stockings
Pottery Barn Crewel Embroidered Stockings
Crate & Barrel Cheers Stocking
Pier 1 White Jester Stocking
PB Teen Peace & Floral Stockings
Horchow Angelica Shell Stockings
Wisteria Running Reindeer Stocking
I’m back in search of the perfect design element, this time, ornaments for the tree! Actually, ornaments can serve several purposes during the holidays, some become hostess gifts, others become napkin rings, the list goes on and on.
So here are a few that I found especially beautiful and unique this year!
Happy Decorating!
Wisteria Glass Ornament
Crate & Barrel Curly Antler Reindeer
Wisteria Silvered Mistletoe
Ballard Designs Burlap Bird Ornaments Set of 3
Pottery Barn Peppermint Sphere Ornament
Horchow Waterford Crystal 2009 Snow Crystals Ornament
Restoration Hardware
Crate & Barrel Jingle Bell Wreath Ornament
Pottery Barn German Glitter Bird Clip Ornament
West Elm Silver Ball Ornament designed by David Stark
The Launch Party is only 2 weeks away!
RSVP to kimberly@designspeakstl.com today!
Hosted by the Interior Design Center of St. Louis.
Visit their website & get directions!
So, you want to lounge a little, put your feet up, relax after a hard day at work. Who better to greet you than your favorite lounge chair? Just because it’s a workaholic doesn’t mean it sacrifices looks and personality.
Check out these great options that deserve a corner in you living room (and your heart).
First we have a classic French Bergere chair with an upbeat paisley fabric and it is instantly reborn!
Antwerp Chair - Anthropologie
Who says “caning” spells traditional? The sleek black lacquer and modern leg profile make this chair unstoppable.
Cane Chair Black - Atom Designs
Barbara Barry’s designs are graceful and effortless. She works to make furnishings the appropriately muted backdrop to our lives.
Starlet Chair - Barbara Barry Realized by Henredon
This one never gets old for me. They introduce new colors every year and the fact that it can be a recliner and still look like a Parisian club chair, I absolutely love!
Manhattan Chair/Recliner - Pottery Barn
Houndstooth. Clean lines. How can you go wrong with that?
Ryan Chair in Houndstooth - Bernhardt Furniture
Even if this chair wasn’t upholstered in a beautiful velvet, it would still make a great statement.
FL3248 - Vanguard Furniture
The perfect little mod slipper chair, can be redefined with a multitude of fabrics. Fresh & sleek at the same time.
Abigail Chair - Williams Sonoma Home
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