T + T on Trends

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been sitting in our studio drinking cocoa spiked with cinnamon and cooking up ideas for our blog. In between installations and design meetings, we decided to do a trend series over the next few months and couldn’t be more excited about it. Although we touched on trends in our International Furniture & Accessories Market recap, this upcoming series will be much more in-depth. In each post, you’ll find tips on how to incorporate these new elements into your home or business, along with plenty of eye candy.

We’ve developed a great line-up with our thoughts on wallpaper, steampunk and pattern to start. That being said, we will take breaks from trends occasionally to talk about other time sensitive, world threatening issues, like master bedrooms for Valentine’s Day or outdoor spaces this spring. Things will get pretty spicy.

At this point, you’re probably thinking, “I don’t want to miss a single installment of this exciting series.”

Well, you don’t have to. Look for new post announcements on our Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin pages, and feel free to drop us a line. We can’t wait to hear your favorite trends and insightful musings.

Cheers!
Jill & Carmen

Rolling Out the Red Carpet

As the holidays approach, many of us are inviting friends and family to stay in our homes. While preparing for a guest takes a little effort, there’s something really chic about making someone feel completely at ease in your house. There is nothing like the feeling of knowing someone cares about you and is thrilled (and prepared) you are there.

To make a guest’s room really special, we’ve found the key is in the details. That being said, you should start with a gorgeous room, not one that’s serving as a storage space for left over furnishings and boxes. We suggest you begin with fresh bedding; clean, fluffy towels and new, pretty soaps. At this point, we invite you to turn up the volume with:

• Cotton swabs and cotton balls
• Feminine products
• Shaving cream/razor
• Shower products
• Ibuprofen, Tums, Melatonin, etc.
• A plush robe and slippers

Read more »

To Market, To Market

This November, we went to the International Furniture & Accessories Market in North Carolina to scope out new trends and collect pieces for our clients. Walking from booth to booth, we chatted up furniture, accessory and rug designers to get a clearer picture of how the industry is doing, where it’s going and what is fading out, along with what’s coming down the pipeline. Think of us as interior designers and detectives. Sitting on our favorite vendors’ pieces and touching all of the new items tells us more about how something could work in a client’s home than any number of pictures could.

Every year, we learn a lot at market, but trust us, it’s completely earned. For five days, we spend our time scouring miles and miles of home furnishing offerings. In addition to some killer calves, we always come back with tips on what is hot in home interior design. We’re so excited to share our finds with you and won’t even make you walk a mile first. Here’s our top 16 trends:

1. Steampunk

2. Wallpaper is hot, hot, hot, and it is nothing like what you might find in your grandma’s home

3. Ikat fabric/patterns were everywhere. Houndstooth, zebras, chevron, fret, damasks, quatrefoils and burlaps are still in too.

  Read more »

Antlers In The Mountains And Your Living Room

I am an animal lover.  Love the deer…don’t shoot me.  They are gorgeous creatures.  I hope many of you agree with me.

With them shedding their antlers naturally, it is wonderful to find them for your home and make them as striking as when they crown a buck.

Some ideas?   See more of our thoughts below in the fabulous Kansas City Star’s House + Home section, written by Stacy Downs.

See more photos on facebook

Have you heard?  The secret is out!  Jill Tran Interior Design is now Tran+Thomas Design Studio.

Get Book Smart: How To Display Books – III of III

We all have them.  They’re heavy, all different sizes, colors, even shapes.  For the avid reader, we want to be sure and display them as a part of our home.  They are our friends who remind us who we have met in stories, who we want to be and what we know.  They are in a sense, who we are, so they should be a part of our space, too.  They are our books.

While the digital age is only getting more sophisticated, there is solace in our reading the original copy…holding the pages in our hands on a comfortable sofa with good lighting, enjoying, even noticing the faint essence of the pages.  How do we organize our paper friends in a way that allows us to enjoy their lines?  Look on…

• Don’t overlook the importance of use.  A benefit of stacking horizontally then placing the books on their end is they are easier to retrieve when the mood arises.

• Recover with generously decorated paper, wallpaper or wrapping paper.  Fur?  Leather?

• Dare I suggest spray painting?

• For books you are less fond of, remove the outer cover for texture and uniformity.

• Mix them amongst clever and inviting objects for even more interest and sophistication

• Wrap the with twine

• Bind them with buckles

• Create a color theme

• Lay them on a table

• Open them

***SEE MORE GREAT BOOK IDEAS IN PART I OF III

“Like” us on facebook, won’t you!?

Make it fab!

-Jill

Click here to DISCOVER ALL OF JILL’S LATEST BLOGS FULL OF GREAT DESIGN, TIPS AND INSPIRATION

Got a comment?  Reaction?  Question? 
Tell me what’s on your mind.  I love hearing from you!

Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design and Co.

Jill Tran is a Kansas City Interior Designer and creates beautiful, custom interiors for her interior design clients in Kansas City and clients around the country.

Contact Jill

interior designer, home, consultant, firm, ideas, photos.

“After” my design solutions were installed by our teams.

Get Book Smart: How To Display Books – II of III

We all have them.  They’re heavy, all different sizes, colors, even shapes.  For the avid reader, we want to be sure and display them as a part of our home.  They are our friends who remind us who we have met in stories, who we want to be and what we know.  They are in a sense, who we are, so they should be a part of our space, too.  They are our books.

While the digital age is only getting more sophisticated, there is solace in our reading the original copy…holding the pages in our hands on a comfortable sofa with good lighting, enjoying, even noticing the faint essence of the pages.  How do we organize our paper friends in a way that allows us to enjoy their lines?  Look on…

• Don’t overlook the importance of use.  A benefit of stacking horizontally then placing the books on their end is they are easier to retrieve when the mood arises.

• Recover with generously decorated paper, wallpaper or wrapping paper.  Fur?  Leather?

• Dare I suggest spray painting?

• For books you are less fond of, remove the outer cover for texture and uniformity.

• Mix them amongst clever and inviting objects for even more interest and sophistication

• Wrap the with twine

• Bind them with buckles

• Create a color theme

• Lay them on a table

• Open them

***SEE MORE GREAT BOOK IDEAS IN PART III OF III

“Like” us on facebook, won’t you!?

Make it fab!

-Jill

Click here to DISCOVER ALL OF JILL’S LATEST BLOGS FULL OF GREAT DESIGN, TIPS AND INSPIRATION

Got a comment?  Reaction?  Question? 
Tell me what’s on your mind.  I love hearing from you!

Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design and Co.

Jill Tran is a Kansas City Interior Designer and creates beautiful, custom interiors for her interior design clients in Kansas City and clients around the country.

Contact Jill

Get Book Smart: How To Display Books – I of III

We all have them.  They’re heavy, all different sizes, colors, even shapes.  For the avid reader, we want to be sure and display them as a part of our home.  They are our friends who remind us who we have met in stories, who we want to be and what we know.  They are in a sense, who we are, so they should be a part of our space, too.  They are our books.

While the digital age is only getting more sophisticated, there is solace in our reading the original copy…holding the pages in our hands on a comfortable sofa with good lighting, enjoying, even noticing the faint essence of the pages.  How do we organize our paper friends in a way that allows us to enjoy their lines?  Look on…

• Don’t overlook the importance of use.  A benefit of stacking horizontally then placing the books on their end is they are easier to retrieve when the mood arises.

• Recover with generously decorated paper, wallpaper or wrapping paper.  Fur?  Leather?

• Dare I suggest spray painting?

• For books you are less fond of, remove the outer cover for texture and uniformity.

• Mix them amongst clever and inviting objects for even more interest and sophistication

• Wrap the with twine

• Bind them with buckles

• Create a color theme

• Lay them on a table

• Open them

\

***MORE BOOK IDEAS, SEE PART II

“Like” us on facebook, won’t you!?

Make it fab!

-Jill

Click here to DISCOVER ALL OF JILL’S LATEST BLOGS FULL OF GREAT DESIGN, TIPS AND INSPIRATION

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

Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design

Jill Tran is a Kansas City Interior Designer and creates beautiful, custom interiors for her interior design clients in Kansas City and clients around the country.

Contact Jill

Invitation To Hear Me Share Holiday Decor Ideas As Guest Speaker At KC’s Central Exchange Tomorrow

Come out for a wonderful lunch, some fantastic ladies and catch the spirit of the season with our slide show and demonstrations.  You are sure to leave inspired and with many ideas to make your entertaining even more festive and fun!  11:45 – 1:15

You must register with the Central Exchange or call 816-471-7560.

See “Upcoming Programs” a this link to Central Exchange:  Bring the Spirit of the Season into your Home

Link for logged in CX members

I hope to see you there!

jill

My Own Holiday Decor…Non-Traditional And Happy

It’s October 1st and time to think about the winter holidays!?!  Well that is what we did when the lovely writer Gloria Gale and photographer Jason Dailey stepped into my home in JULY!  That’s right…this is what my house looked like in July of 2010.

Speaking of, many of you always ask about my own personal home and want to see what it looks like.  I wish I had more time to work on my own home but I just get too busy designing great spaces for my clients!  Here it is ready for the holidays, in July.

I do love birds and wanted to be sure to bring them into the space.  I adore the close-up Jason took of the roses and bird seed.  It is so festive, warm and sweet.

Photo shoots are always so interesting and enjoyable.  I took a quick snap here from behind the camera to let you in on the fun.

During the photo shoot. Lights, lights, lights!

Make it fab!

-Jill

Click here to DISCOVER ALL OF JILL’S LATEST BLOGS FULL OF GREAT DESIGN, TIPS AND INSPIRATION

Tell me what’s on your mind….leave a comment here for me!

Jill Tran is a Kansas City Interior Designer and creates beautiful, custom interiors for her interior design clients in Kansas City and clients around the country.

Contact Jill

Our Baths Feautured In KC Home Design Magazine

The always stunning Kansas City Home Design Magazine interviewed me on bath design for this month’s issue on all of the wonderful trends and exciting ideas that are so fresh and “today.”  Such spaces can be so luxurious and beautiful.  The opportunities are limited only by your imagination!  I know you already know how important the design of your home can be to your life.  Keep in mind, the bathroom and bedroom are where you start and finish your day…how do yours make you feel?  What do you see when you open your eyes first thing?

Thank you Kansas City Home Design!

Close-up on the page...

Close-up on the page...

Make it fab!

-Jill

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

Tell me what’s on your mind.  I love hearing from you!

Photos:  Our bath designs are featured on the pages of KC Home Design Magazine

Contact Jill
Jill Tran is a Kansas City Interior Designer and creates beautiful, custom interiors for Kansas City Interior Design clients and clients around the country.