A Last Fall-ra-ra-ra-ra to Autumn!

As much as I love the rich, warm and delicious colors of fall, I love the bold, striking and metallic colors of the winter season, too!  So until we say, “Hello,” to the festive colors of December, let’s enjoy one last day in my favorite season of fall.

So alas, I will reflect on some wonderful spaces from my pocket of work in shades of pumpkins, golds, reds and chocolates just once more for 2009…

The “BEFORE” and “AFTERS” below:  The goals for this first room were to create a warm and “spicy” room that was soft and inviting while still masculine and “interesting.”  My interpretation and solutions?

"DURING" In the middle of the process...we already had the stains, tiles...everything! chosen and ready to go! The client was so excited to get everything done...

"AFTER"

A tall piece of original artwork from Jean Yancey (the second piece to the series is just around the corner from the first) is a wonderful welcome into the room.  The rustic lamps, hand-thrown pottery and rich woods give the space a great look and livability.  Where do the children do their homework?  By gathering around “the-coffee-table-of-many-drawers” that houses everything they might need, of course!  The ultra plush sofa, copper table and cowhide rug give a warmth and comfort like a fresh baked pumpkin pie.

"BEFORE" On the opposite side of the room you just saw, lives the area where all pies and goodies are to be baked. You can tell by the fan, it was very hot during this point in the home's construction.

"AFTER"

Can’t you just smell the fresh cinnamon bread, stews and desserts?  The stone for the top of the counter was hand-selected to accent the warm wall color and stains on the floor and cabinets I chose. Unusual light fixtures over the bar add interest and are even more amazing in person.  The small hand carved stool in the corner? … for the children to sit on while doing homework, watching television or can serve as extra seating when guests arrive.  Bon Appetite!

"DURING" The stone hearth was beautiful, but lost amongst mundane furnishings. How to lose the ho-hum look?

"AFTER"

…by bringing the space to life with decedent fall colors, a new mantle and furniture layout.  The stone is now on stage (as it should be) adding interest and an earthiness to the space.  Just a casual, warm and welcoming invite is what this room reads.  Would you care to sit down and have a cup of coffee?  Do you take cream?  Happy fall to you!

Got a comment? Reaction? Question?  Tell me what’s on your mind!

Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design and Co.

Contact Jill

A Gold Award For A Comfortable Forest

After winning the Gold for this room from Kansas City Home Design magazine’s Design Excellence Awards, I received a lot of questions so I thought I would answer some of them here!

I always try and bring the outdoors inside as it is important not only for the sake of an interior design but for good health.  Whether it be stone, trees, marble, cotton, silk, shaped woods, metals, etc., such materials promote a hearty closeness with nature and an opposition to the slick materials man has created.  Even Fung Shui encourages using those elements for a balanced life.

I always try to look at a space with new eyes and thought with this room, ‘Who said these bookshelves had to be used for books?’  With that, we ripped them out and brought the outdoors in.

"BEFORE"

The stone fireplace was a work of art hidden behind a wall, ordinary shelves and a dull palette. The unusual solution for a couple that loves the outdoors?

"BEFORE"

Bring the outdoors in!  Birch, oak and walnut trees now complement the natural beauty and colors and veins of the rock. The tree’s hand-made leaves colored in coppers, golds and silvers echo the metallic embroidered silk drapes and luxurious custom love seats. Now let it rain or snow outside all it wants.

"AFTER"

To create your own oasis plan a natural stone wall or floor for rich texture for the eyes and feet.  For placement, let the rock ‘speak’ to the stonemason.  In this room, I used soft cottons and lush silks to contrast the roughness of the stones.  For depth and a directional change, real trees, grasses and twigs add a fascinating interest and color.  If you choose to do the same, just be sure your pieces are free of any critters.  Though Fung Shui encourages live plants in all rooms, I think dried naturals can be beautiful in addition to.

Bring in a bowl of beautiful rocks, shells, small sticks or pinecones you have collected.   Let your children add to the bowl so they can contribute and increase their observation skills while playing in the sun.

I found this head of Quin Yin while shopping with my friend in Seattle. Carried her home on the plane. She is 45 pounds and just fit under the seat in front of me.

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...

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!

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?