For The Baby Book; First Steps and a Design Award

The winners from the 2009 Design Excellence Awards by KC Home Design Magazine were published in their July/August issue with the fantastic finished wood cover.  I get asked quite a bit about the projects I was honored for so thought I would share them here!

A baby’s room I designed for a sweet little girl won the Silver in the Specialty Rooms category.  I am always tickled pink to watch my clients see their homes in print. They get such a kick out of it!  The big question is, “Can we enough copies for all of our friends and family?”

One copy of the mag is going straight to a little girl’s baby book. What a lovely and memorable page that will make for years to come!

Not available in the mag are thes “Before” and “After” shots.  Wow!!!

But before you look….

It is fun to know the client wanted to bring black into her baby’s room…AND she didn’t want a color commitment on the walls!   She wanted it to sing, “baby girl,” but not at such a high volume that it would be overwhelming.  She needed a rocker, but not the typical eye-sore rocker.  Once for storage, I saw this room needed some major changes.

My design solutions?  First, I love the challenge of making black work in a baby’s room!  I brought it into rich accent pieces that my Client can use throughout her entire home in the future, but that are soft enough for the baby room for today.  For the walls I chose a glass bead wallpaper and had panels created for a bit of sparkle and elegance.   A comfortable rocker big enough for Daddy to also sit in, soft sconces on remote control so they could be turned on and off without disturbing Baby and silk and linen drapes make even trips in the wee hours lovely.  Where is the changing table you ask?  In the armoire, of course…all tucked away.

The space is now gorgeous for Mommy to enjoy and peacefully cradle a happy child.  In the future it can even lend itself to a toddler or guest room.

"BEFORE" Crib corner.

"AFTER" Crib corner.

"BEFORE" Storage corner.

"AFTER" Storage corner.

"BEFORE" Window area.

"AFTER" Window area.

"BEFORE" Empty wall, but nice legs!

"AFTER" Now a functional and pretty wall!

I just love how this shot turned out.

I really wanted to give her a special baby gift so I selected scraps of fabric from the drapes, chair and bedding after they were made, and created little clothes for these sweet bunnies I found. The one on the right foreground I added gold wings to.

I added her eyelashes and her little "coat" I made is from the same fabric as the crib's bedskirt. She may get a little toasty...

Thank you again for the awards KC Home Design and such an honorable award.

Elle Decor in Kansas City

What can we say?  We are fabulous, aren’t we?

I do love Kansas City and think this is a most flattering article published by Elle Decor.  I enjoyed our local Patricia Shackelford’s incredible ability to capture our cities graces and she did so by highlighting the best and brightest, yet not the most obvious.  Well done Patricia (she also has a great blog you just MUST see), well done!

I just had to add this to the blog one more time, but this time with regards from Margaret Russell, Elle’s Editor in Chief. Enjoy…again!

Designing Behind Closed Doors

And my question to you:  Why, oh why, can’t a closet function well and look great, too?

After working on a pair of closets in Boca Raton, Florida this past week, I thought I would share with you a few pics of them.  they were a fun transformation and you can read further to see some of the great “extras” included.

There is just nothing like an organized closet…but one that looks like a boutique, that is easy and fun to use is best!

"BEFORE" Her master bedrom closet.

"DURING" Her master bedroom closet renovation.

"DURING" Her closet hardware and lock systems being installed.

"AFTER" Her closet has been designed, installed and all of her handbags, clothes, shoes and jewelry have organized, beautiful new homes.

"BEFORE" His master bedroom closet.

"DURING" His new shelves, drawers and details have been installed.

"AFTER" His closet is now handsome with work, sport and casual wear each in their intended spots, a slick leather bench for dressing and drawers with leather pulls for orgainzation to the nines!

Some great features in this closet are the special locks.  They are Rev-A-Shelf’s brand called Rev-A-Lock.  The best thing about them (as you can see below) is there is no lock showing on the decorative front.  The locking mechanism is magnetized and internal.  You simply place the lock on the front of the cabinet in the correct spot and turn.

Lock your items up beautifully?

Poof! The same cabinet with the magnetic key now gone...fantastic!

Another great detail in this closet? The beaded hangers that are amazing.  Made for all types of garments, they hold straps in place to keep them from sliding off, are less likely to leave those annoying pucker marks on shoulders and are beautiful.  The only downside in my opinion, is they cannot hold pants, skirts or a set.  Worth it!

I just LOVE these beaded hangers from Only Hangers!

They are also available in clear.

Just like with any room in the house…it is in the details!

Make it fab!

-Jill

Click here to view Jill’s newest tips, advice and inspiration

Got a comment?  Reaction?  Question?  Interior Design question…WWJD? (What Would Jill Do) Tell me what’s on your mind.  I love hearing from you!

Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design and Co.

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Judge Jill. The 2010 Home Of The Year Awards

This past Saturday was a perfect 74 degrees, sunny and full of beautiful homes.  It was again time to judge the Kansas City Home and Garden magazine’s 2010 Home of the Year awards.

It is such an honor to be selected to judge the work of some of Kansas City’s greatest architects, builders, designers.  I know from my gold in 2008 the work that goes into each submission. The homeowner’s get just as excited.  It is a day to see who was able to do the most with what they had to work with, and how far the bar will be raised, again. See 2009′s winners.

Each year, we are sent in teams to a variety of homes all over the city in different categories.  The entries are submitted by the homeowners, architects, builders and designers and must be brand-spanking new.

About to go out and judge: Brooke Pearl, Asst. Editor, myself and Andrea Darr, Editor-In-Chief.

I take the job very seriously and even dream at night about the homes when I am trying to decide. This year, the 7 properties I judged ranged from a smaller home to almost 4 times that home’s asking price…so you can see the difficulty!  It is like comparing apples to bananas to oranges.  How do I choose?  Very carefully and thoughtfully…

I am a stickler!  My criteria?

• I look for unusual and unexpected design solutions that work beautifully
• Note smooth layouts
• Search for special details (especially those that work for the land or homeowner specifically)
• Examine quality of materials and craftsmanship
• Reward green design
• Want thinking outside of the box (instead of a “me too” design) that ultimately adds value to the property and/or the lives of those that will live there
• Notice location
• Judge the overall feel and look of the space. Not only must the home’s design work, it must be outstanding.

I ask myself:

• Did the architect waste space or leave any small, funny areas the homeowners won’t know what to do with?
• Were the niches, built-ins and/or lighting intended to be centered but didn’t quite make it?
• Is the interior cabinet hardware going to last or did the builder cut a corner where no one would look?
• What about window placement?  Vent placement?
• Does the entry have a “WOW” feel?
• Does the exterior complement the land and interior?
• How would someone live in the space and make it their own?
• Were the designers innovative while respecting the style of the structure?
• Were their solutions unique, without going into Oddville?
• Is the selling price appropriate?

The categories are perfectly arranged (I don’t know how Andrea Darr and Brooke Pearl organize this every year) so the judges can make sharp choices as we drive to each structure, critiquing and taking detailed notes as we go.

What does the competition do for you?  It encourage the designers and builders in KC to constantly question their work, push themselves, explore and stay current with trends, materials and procedures.  It matters.

Watch for the KCH&G issue in the spring so you can judge for yourself.  By then, it may just be a perfect 74 degrees again…can’t wait!

-Jill

Click here to view Jill’s newest tips, advice and inspiration

Got a comment?  Reaction?  Question?  Interior Design question…WWJD? (What Would Jill Do) Tell me what’s on your mind.  I love hearing from you!

Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design and Co.

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9 Rules For Your Home Decor, Or A Billion

There are a few things I have learned over the years with all of the thousands of questions I receive. In a quick nutshell, here are some of the basics.   I hope they urge you to study your home a little more closely…and to study yourself.

I just love going into people’s private spaces and learning about them so quickly by just looking around.  If a picture is a thousand words, each home is a billion.

A photo from my studio...

Walking into my clients’ homes for the very first time, I see the “old them.”  I hear how their lives are growing and changing, their wishes.  It is from that point that I begin to interpret their goals and dreams into their living spaces. It is a wonderful and inspiring conversation. I am honored to get to help create the “new them.”  Beauty is in all of us, all the time, you just have to know how to bring that beauty out and into your home!

1.  Your home and it’s contents are a complete reflection of you. Edit what yours screams.

2.  “We shape our environments; thereafter they shape us.” -Winston Churchill.   Create an environment that supports what you want and where you are going.

3.  Think outside the box and take educated chances or accept an unimaginative level of interior.

4.  If buying low-end/run-of-the-mill pieces, you will replace them sooner than expected, waste your budget and add to our landfills.  Buy better.

5.  It is extremely satisfying when friends and family feel comfortable in and enjoy your home as much as you do.  Create a welcoming environment.

6.  Don’t let your home look like most everyone else’s!  Express YOUrself.

7.  Children should learn to live amongst beautiful and elegant things.  Don’t limit yourself.

8.  Patiently cherry-pick the perfect piece of furniture, accessory, art, etc.. It will bring you joy to relive the feeling of success every time you see it.

9.  Choose how you and your family want to feel each and every day and create that…starting now!

Make it fab!

-Jill

Click here to view Jill’s newest tips, advice and inspiration

Got a comment?  Reaction?  Question?  Interior Design question…WWJD? (What Would Jill Do) Tell me what’s on your mind.  I love hearing from you!

Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design and Co.

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Textures, Leopards and Stripes, Oh My!

I received some wonderful new fabrics in my studio today and had fun putting them in groups.  Can’t decide my favorites…

Highlights From International Furniture Market, Artwork and Lighting

I cannot believe another High Point Furniture and Accessory Market has come and gone.

This enormous, biannual international market is brimming with the latest and greatest from designers and companies around the world.  It is what a runway show is for fashion, only it is for home fashion…and we do all the walking.

The latest furnishings, casegoods, fabrics, accessories, lighting, artwork, rugs, details and ideas, etc. are there on display to sell to the trade.  It is eye candy like you have never seen and takes up building after building from their ground to top floors, for blocks and blocks.

I just adore going.

Here are a few things I thought you might enjoy seeing.  While this is a tiny, tiny amount, it is fun to see what will slowly trickle down to the shelter magazines such as Traditional Home, Elle Decor and Architectural Digest, in the next year or so.  I just snap quick shots with my little camera each time so you can imagine how amazing they are in person…

Enjoy!

More Highlights From International Furniture Market, Casegoods

Fantastic cabinet...details of birds below.

So fun!

Lovely craftsmen ship detail.

Love the playfulness.

Dynamite headboard! Wish this photo was better...amazing! Think of the color options...

Even More Highlights From International Furniture Market, Textiles, Rugs, Upholstery

There are some fantastic pieces here from the High Point Furniture and Accessory Market in High Point, North Carolina.  Can’t wait to use them in a design!

Lovely detail!

These could be so great in other fabrics, too...

Fun pillows...

To die for drapery panels...

Additional panels...

Rugs...

Contemporary rug...

Chair detail...

Such a fun sofa...beach house, kids room, sunroom...

A Few More Pics…

Another quick mention and photo from the evening…such an honor!

I collect costume jewelry so I am a little partial to this cover.

That is me in the upper right-hand corner.