Guest Blog Post: Fashion and Furniture

We’re excited to share our first guest blog post with you! It covers two of our favorite topics, fashion and furniture.

The fashion and furniture design industries have become so intertwined that it seems, at times, furniture mimics fashion. We see this especially in the color-blocking and animal print trends. Patterns that have always been prevalent on the runways of Paris and New York can now be seen in the latest interior design ideas. The trend has even gone so far as to include fashion designers along with interior/furniture designers. Even more recently, however, furniture has literally begun mimicking fashion design. From little black dresser drawers to a corset-ed chair, let’s take a look at just how furniture has been mimicking fashion. Read more »

Know The Trends, Jill Shares All – A Blog Series – Small Tables

As many of you know, I LOVE great details in a space.  They make it or break it.  Leave a room standard and “done a million times” or take it to a level that makes it memorable and fabulous.  One way to do that?  I give you the small, interesting table.

Great curvy legs in a sexy color.

Not all tables are created equal. This one is NOT wobbly!

Love the inlay. Notice too, the quatrefoil again.

Fabulous feet (not everyone can say that!)

Crowd of three. More striking to see.

Make it fab!

-Jill

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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.

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The Amazing Chair

One of the things I love about my design work is the exploration.  Finding wonderful, inspiring things…even crazy, odd or silly just make my days so much more fun.  Wanted to share these with you…

I snapped this as I couldn't resist!

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.

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 Inspired With More Beautiful Objects…

Back to sharing more lovely photos with you from the Market.  I have been loving all of the gray distressed patinas and/or chalk finishes the wood has been treated with.  It is a finish that creates such mood.  I threw in some additional grays through silvers….glass and metal.  Perfect for casual mood or sophisticated and complex designs alike.  Which do you prefer?

Oh! Oh! ME first!

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Make it fab!

Jill

More Burlap And Wonderful Rough (Yet Smooth) Fabrics For 2010

Back at it again…sharing all of the hot trends with you!  You saw some of the amazing pieces in the last blog…did you see the ball chandlier?  I need to design a fantastic restaurant just so I can use it!  Saw these below at the High Point Furniture and Accessory Market, the fascinating trend…rough fabric textures such as burlaps, jutes and natural fibers were hot!

Gorgeous drapery panels!

Pillows...

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Make it fab!

-Jill

Got a comment?  Reaction?  Question?  Interior Design question…WWJD? (What Would Jill Do)

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

Birds, Birds and More Birds! What’s Hot!

First off, I have to apologize for not blogging in a month.  I have been SWAMPED with work and am so thankful to all of you for so much great opportunities to make people’s homes amazing right now.  During that time, too…was the High Point Furniture and Accessory Market.  What fun!

A darling headboard.

What was hot at the High Point Market?  Well the title pretty much sums it up….flocks and flocks of birds!  I will show you all of the gorgeous goodies I found for the next several weeks so you are up to speed on what is the latest of the greatest.

Birds on lamps, birds on fabrics, chairs, tables, artwork.  Is there anything I missed?  Enjoy!

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Make it fab…or don’t bother!

-Jill

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Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design and Co.

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

Dreamy Sofas I Really Love

These are a few of my favorite sofas.  What else can I say?  Look at them!  They each have wonderful curves and lines that would be perfect in the right space.  Their proportions are so handsome and their style is striking. I have seen all of these in person, of course, in their showrooms at the High Point Furniture and Accessory Market in High Point, North Carolina and wanted to share them with you.

It is always such a pleasure, too, to meet the designers of these great lines.  We always enjoy discussing our mutual passions:  great design.  With so many beautiful options in furnishings created by such talented people, it seems a shame to ever settle for less.   Wouldn’t you just love to melt into one of these sofas in your home or look at their beauty while share cocktails with friends?  I would love a Cosmo right now on one of these in an amazing fabric (that  looks great with what I am wearing, right, ha!) Enjoy!

Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair

Myself and Suzanne Kessler in High Point, North Carolina.

That is mirror on the side!

Hickory Chair

Such beautiful lines and profile

Same sofa, side view

Maitland Smith

Mariette Himes Gomez for Hickory Chair

The enchanting and smart interior and furntiture designer Mariette Himes Gomez and myself in Hickory Chair in High Point, NC.

Hickory Chair

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!

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A Beautiful Home With Children and Pets? Yes!

Being adorable is their only defense! Our battle plan? Smart design.

Having kiddos…with two legs and/or four, just adds to your desire to live in a beautiful home.  A gorgeous home is the perfect backdrop to enjoy, love on and take photos of them all.  But to enjoy your home with them living there too, you have to be able to relax.  How can that happen?  A martini?  Why yes!  But also with a solid interior design plan.

Flooring:

• Bare floors such as wood and tile don’t hold onto pet hair, odors and accidents which make them excellent to clean.  They are forgiving to messes and allow for easy cleanup.  If you live in a warmer region, they also allow your pets to stay cool. However stone, cement and tile grout are very porous and must be sealed properly with a quality sealer…and not just upon installation.  If an area gets a lot of traffic, it should be sealed regularly.  I also recommend using dark grouts.
• With older pets, such wood, tile or stone floors create a slippery surface.  You may need rugs (be sure all rugs have thick, quality pads under them to prevent “doggie dancing” and/or “kitty surfing” and sliding around).
• Do watch the rugs with the rubber backing attached (such as bath mats) as cats think it is an invitation to do their business.
• Carpet, even with it’s downsides, is great as it helps with traction for older pets and general joint and body comfort (for humans, too!)  Plan on having it cleaned regularly.
• Solution dyed carpets allow clean up with a light bleach solution.  They are not as luxurious or environmentally friendly, but clean differently.
• Carpet tiles?  Get a bad stain or mess, replace them!
• Choose wool!  While warm and environmentally friendly, it actually releases stains better that synthetic fibers.
• My wool rug suppliers have always raved to simply take your wool rug outside and hose it! Really!  Washing instructions

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Window Treatments/Furniture Fabrics:

• If your little ones have messy feet or muzzles, maybe no drapes in those areas would make your life easier.  This may be particularly true in the kitchen.  Some drapery styles let the fabric “pool” on the floor which can be fun place to sleep, hide or store toys!
• Fabrics that “match” your pet can forgive hair visually.  But if you are like me, my cat is light and my dog is dark!  What to do?  Pattern.
• Tight weaves create a smoother surface on fabrics and are slick so fur has trouble sticking.  Exterior or even commercial grade fabrics are so well made now, they could even be the right choice for a highly used area.  Sunbrella
• Leather and faux leathers also do not hold hair and can forgive food better than some fabrics (grease or certain colors can leave stains as the surface is porous).  Keep in mind also that claws, toys, belts and shoes can scratch them.  Some of the “bomber jacket” leathers today already have a great worn look and can easily camouflage new wear while adding to the character of the piece.  If your dog likes to chew raw hides, make sure leather is off his list!
• Chenilles, velvets or any fabric with a pile will hold hair like a magnet so steer clear.
• Keep these fabic tips in mind when selecting bedding or…
• Get your pets their own bed in a beautiful fabric that compliments your decor.  Be sure it’s core offers support with a firm interior polyurethane cushion (one of the features that makes sofas so attractive) so the warmth, support and comfort is there.  Our pets are just like us and also want to sleep on a cloud!

A small, beautiful chair just for her so she feels special and comfortable.

Try First:

While visiting a childhood friend a few years before having children myself, I noticed she had a small table with delicate wine glasses displayed at child level!  I was amazed as she had three boys.  I asked her how they have remained unbroken all of these years.  My friend said,  “The kids just know not to touch them.”  Is that not the most fantastic answer?

• From her example, I learned a few little rules can make a big difference.  My children may have water and dry Cheerios outside of the kitchen and that is all.  It is simple and easy to follow.  However, my dog Andre, completely ignores this rule…and anyone speaking to him.
• Provide good chew toys for your pups but…
• Don’t confuse your pets either.  I’ve had clients frustrated when their dog chewed the fringe on the end of their wool and silk rug, yet they had a string-knotted bone as their dog’s chew toy.  Another client’s dog went to town on a lovely little pillow, when his chew toy was a stuffed bunny in a similar fabric.  Consider your pets point of view!

Extras To Keep Fabrics Cleaner:

• Don’t forget regular brushing and grooming for the animals.
• Provide wipes or an easy-to-reach towel between the eating area and the doors of the kitchen to create a good habit of wiping hands when eating is done before running back to play.
• You can have fabrics treated additionally for extra stain resistance, but know that most of the fabrics made today have already been treated as such to some degree.

One more great trick: if you want to teach your pets to stay off certain furnishings, take a plastic chair roller mat (found in office supply stores), cut it to fit and place it upside down on your furnishings.  The underside is uncomfortable enough to discourage pets from getting onto designated surfaces, but not damaging to sweet little paws.

Good luck and if you have any additional tips to save sanity for Mom’s and Dad’s, please leave your comments!

-jill  (Mom of 2 two-legged kids and 2 four-legged kids)

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

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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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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...