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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I Give KC Home Design Mag A Tour Of The Furniture And Accessory Market

I always enjoy going to the High Point Furniture and Accessory Market.  It is fabulous inspiration, tons of work and eye candy until your head spins.  I have gone since I was a kid (they don’t even let kiddos in anymore) and must confess, was not much of a fan when I started going…I wanted to stay home and hang with my friends!  Now, I look forward to it.

I had a wonderful invitation from KC Home Design to share such an experience with their readers.  It was such an honor, as it is the first article of its kind that ventured out of Kansas City!  Thank you, KCHD!

A closer view to the page

A closer view of the page

Was such a pleasure, KC Home Design!  Thank you!

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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.

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.

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!