Naturally Unexpected

It is wonderful to share design tips with readers…the possibilities seem endless.  KC Home and Garden magazine asked me for a few to accompany their shot of my living room (see their page below) along with other designer tips.  It was so fun having the editor-in-chief, Andrea Darr and the photographer, Matt Kocourek over to shoot it.  She and I had a lovely lunch before hand at the Blue Koi, chatted about organic gardening and her saving a very special kitten.  She is such a doll!

"BEFORE" How the room looked the day it was bought.

“AFTER”

I believe in pushing envelope when designing a home for a truly memorable look.  I am a rule-breaker by nature so I bring Nature in.  Won’t you join me?”

Thank you KCH&G!

Kansas City To The World

LOVED Elle Decor’s article on Kansas City.  My clients, friends and I fully agree it is the fabulous and creative heart of our nation.  What a pleasure to have such a gorgeous publication highlight it’s fine beauty, talent and history.  It was a wonderfully written piece we can proudly add to our city’s résumé…thanks to our local Patricia Shackelford who did such an excellent job of sharing KC with the world.

Many thanks from the City of Fountains, Elle!

If It Was Your Home That Won, Would You Jump, Scream or Cry?

There is nothing more thrilling than watching my client’s eyes light up when they walk into their home and see my design for them, for the very first time.  Some jump up and down, some cry, some scream (and keep on screaming for a long time) and some flap their hands. I have also gotten the quiet hands over their mouths clasped in amazement.  For that one, I have to gently remind them to breathe!  It is moments like that that make all the work I do worth every minute.

But, those moments belong to my clients to enjoy every day of THEIR lives.

For me, I get an additional moment in time…an interior design award.

At this year’s Design Excellence Awards on the lovely terrace at 909 Walnut, hosted by Kansas City Home Design magazine, I was honored with two.  One was a gold for Living Room Design and the second was a silver for a precious baby girl’s room I designed in the Specialty Room catagory.  It is hard not to smile (or flap my hands!) when someone recognizes all of my work, creative thoughts and ideas for each space.  We all want to be appreciated.  What many don’t realize about me, is that those awards add to my hopes and joy for each of my clients’ lives, too.  Each design I create is a dream come true for me, as well as them.

Thank you, KC Home Design, Zach Lieberman, Katie Van Luchene, Eryn Swanson and the rest of the staff.  Also, a big thank you to the judges:  Richard Wetzel, Kevin Harden, Kim Tucker, Erin Calvin, Katie Van Luchene, Suzy and Erich Goldstein, Jeremy Knoll and fellow fab blogger Heather Clawson.

KC Home Design Mag Follows Me Through The Explosion

Buying at the High Point Furniture and Accessory Market in North Carolina is great fun. Tiring and exhausting, but fun! I would love to know how many SKU’s I see a day there…it would have to be in the gazillions. I know many “newbies” to the market never return as it is an explosion of eye candy that not many minds can wrap around and retain – let alone mentally design with.

Couldn't resist a sit!

Stopping to refigure and record.

My partner and I having a good time in a contemporary showroom.

This chandelier makes me melt (thus the chair back for support).

She is such a sweet and talented woman!

Such a great feel. Would love to design a whole house around them...

The "latest and greatest" color for 2009!

These were pretty in the sun...

Looking from IHFC toward Showplace building. Fascinating architecture, don't you think?

Hiding The View, From View, My Article In KC Home Design

It was fun to write a short article for Kansas City Home Design (see page 43 on this link’s digital version) on hiding wide-screen sets.  There are some amazing solutions such as those from Inca Lifts, that will surely amaze you.  Do be sure and check out the Inca Lift site.  The Jetson’s, eat your heart out!

Our Before and After Shots Not Included In KCHandG Mag for NARI Homes Tour With Our Featured Project

Andrea Darr of Kansas City Home & Garden magazine chose my work and the construction work of Clay Lyon of Lyon Construction to feature in her beautiful magazine announcing the NARI Homes Tour. So great to see my designs on their pages once again. The home really did turn out famously. The homeowners were absolutely spectacular (see the pic) from start to finish and couldn’t be happier. It was exactly what they wanted! They communicated their wishes to Clay and I and then let us perform the magic we do best.

The article in KCH&G, titled “Family Ties” (April 09′) shows the ‘after’ shots, but I am going to give you the insiders look at the ‘before’ shots below!

We blew out the back wall in the kitchen and added the room with the arched door out on to the new deck. Downstairs, we blew out the back wall to add the indoor pool. Clay and I had such fun designing the fireplace, pizza oven and placing the Green Egg.

Thank you Andrea, Brooke Pearl and Keith Sauro!

"BEFORE" Eating Area, Hearth Room, Family Room

"AFTER" Eating Area, Hearth Room, Family Room

"BEFORE" Hearth Room fireplace

"AFTER" Hearth Room fireplace

"BEFORE" Looking through the window at the new family room

"AFTER" The windows have been removed and the new family room is complete. The chair at left is for their daughter to snuggle and read. Notice the client's beautiful new desk...and her views!

"BEFORE"

"AFTER" For the outdoor gourmet! Notice the all-season fireplace and pizza oven on the far right.

"AFTER" Such a fantastic, relaxing and energizing room for the whole family.

Myself, our wonderful clients and Clay Lyon of Lyon Construction.

Color Rut? Grab Your Jacket

This Spring storm however was energizing.

Hiding under an umbrella to keep my camera from getting wet, I took a few snapshots (seen here). The tender leaves and young peony reminded me of homes I have designed (also seen here) and how nature “grows” and “accessorizes” the perfect color palette. (Cont. reading below)

These could have inspired the color palette below.

A soft, natural color palette for a client.

This could have been the inspiration for the room below.

A warmer color palette for a client.

If you are ever in a color rut when designing anything, just put on your coat and take a walk. If you are lucky enough to live in a region like I do, your palette options will constantly be morphing, changing and growing…a living (and never dull) source of inspiration.  I can’t wait until summer, then fall, then…

Design Your Own Beach With Happy Colors

Sometimes, a designer needs to let their office attire be a swim suit and no shoes.  This week is, “casual Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday” close to home in Fort Meyers and Sanibel Island, Florida.

I think it is important once in a while to take a moment to step back and examine my life and my life’s work.  How lucky I am to have my wonderful friends, family and a rewarding job making others happy.  However, in order to get a few moments to myself with two little ones at home, I need a beach or wait until they are sleeping to enjoy my favorite room in my home. I hope you have your healthy and beautiful escapes, too, be it a favorite beach to the next room over.

I wanted to show you the cute and fun art we found.  Does it make you smile?  The colors are superb. The power of color is just amazing.  How it changes my mood just to look at these snapshots.  Are you feeling better, too? I am in love with Leoma Lovegrove’s Gallery.

Aren’t these fantastic shoes I found?  They make mermaids wish they had feet.

Design tip from my travels: when visiting the beach, I bring home a little sand or a few shells (even check the bottom of your beach bag).  I layer them in a beautiful vase after returning from each holiday.  The layers remind me of my fun in the sun, love of life and the new perspective I gained on each journey.  This sunset is for you!

Our Interview on KCTV5 News

What a fun morning! I had such a great time watching Matt Stewart and Gary Amble of KCTV 5 News work their magic while waiting to be their featured guest. They are amazing! Matt was so fantastic at making me feel comfortable and was just as sweet as could be!  Such professionals. I have a whole new respect for their craft as they are fast on their feet.

I want to thank them, too, for their compliments on all of my “before” and “after” photos. One transformation that was on the show by Jill Tran Interior Design is below.

They are right – there are so many possibilities for all rooms…it completely depends on who designs them and that person’s resources.  Thank you again to KCTV 5….and that’s a wrap!

"BEFORE" How I found the room originally. The client said, "I just don't know what to do with it and hardly like a thing!"

"AFTER" She now calls the room, "absolutely perfect," and says it makes her FEEL amazing every day!

Me and Bob Mackie

There is nothing more fabulous than chatting with another designer who also has such passion for design. 435 South Magazine published an article “Anything But Boring” featuring all of the wonderful things I found in the High Point Furniture and Accessory Market.  I just want to let you in on a few more little happenings from the trip.

Talking to Bob Mackie makes me a little giddy! He is such a handsome, soft-spoken and elegant man, not to mention one of the most talented designers in the world. We each shared our design stories and one of his memories of making the Carol Burnett Show. Remember the scene with the dress made from the green drapes (which will be at The Smithsonian Institution) on Carol?  The scene was poking fun at Gone With The Wind.

“I saw it in the window and just couldn’t resist it.” Carol said, stroking her fringed collar.It cleverly had drapery rods jutting out further than shoulder pads ever did in the 80′s. For Bob, creating that costume was just another day of working hard, having a vision bigger than himself and making it a reality. Well put Bobbie, well put.

With that inspiration, I must return to designing a beautiful living space for a very special client. Another exciting day designing in Kansas City…

Thank you, 435 South, Maggie VanBuskirk and Kathy Boos!