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
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
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
“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Fairest One of All?” How much of a statement can a mirror make? Depends on how good looking it is and what it is reflecting, of course!
Here are my some of my favorite styles for today…mostly classic pieces that inspire for decades to come.
Notice, my two favorite silhouettes, beautifully scaled floor mirrors and classically elegant starbursts…what catches your eye?
Neiman Marcus - Zebra Motif Mirror
Baker - Constellation Mirror
Oly Studio - Astrid Mirror
Neiman Marcus - Porcupine Quill Mirror
Ballard Designs - Villaine Floor Mirror
Restoration Hardware - Venetian Beaded Mirror
Oly Studio - Natasha Mirror
Oly Studio - Bubble Mirror
Sconces can either fade into the background or they can be a focal point of a hallway, staircase, dining room, etc.
Here are some uniquely beautiful options to inspire you!
Currey & Co. - Midwinter Wall Sconce
Oly - Small Delanie Sconce
Hinkley - Atlantis Sconce in Titanium
Currey & Co. - Moontide Wall Sconce
Fine Art Lamps - Portobello Road Sconce
Troy - Sausalito Sconce
Currrey & Co. - Twilight Wall Sconce
You want a sofa that looks great, is comfortable, has modern lines, perfect details and proportions. Searching for something unique, one of a kind, and perfect for you can be exhausting.
So, take a break and plop down on one of these fabulous sofa options…ahhh, relaxing.
Weego Home - Lauren Sofa
Pottery Barn - Seabury Sofa
Plantation - Grayson Sofa
Oly Studio - Hanna Sofa
Plantation - Remy Sofa
WS Home - Taylor Sofa
Crate & Barrel - Azure Sofa
Vanguard - Cooper Sofa
I’m back on the search for the “perfect” lamp. Lamps have a huge impact on a room and can really tie in a lot of other elements or simply make a statement of their own. Here are some more to fall in love with…
Bungalow 5 - Alexandra Lamp
Slip Lamps - ed 613 hpc
Mariana Imports Table Lamp
Currey & Company Florian Table Lamp
Oly - Anthony Table Lamp
Arteriors - Off White/Black Cadence Lamp
Oly - Pipa Table Lamp
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