KSL INTERIORS

Palm Springs exteriors

2010-03-28T23:40:00.001-07:00

When I travel, I always have to check out the local architecture, design and food. Palm Springs is a gold mine for all three! It is the Beverly Hills of the desert, in my opinion, its much better because you aren't in LA(ok "westside", as not to offend).
The large and mostly gated estates have unique architecture, usually mid-century or Early California, sprawling flat lots and lush landscaping. In stark contrast to what you would except in the middle of the desert, Palm Springs is in full bloom this time of year, the weather is perfect and the homes are immaculate.
Here are a few of my favorite exteriors:

Laguna Design Market Pics

2010-03-28T22:37:00.001-07:00

I know I have been a flake this past week, but the worst part of my job and personality did me in! I have been lifting too many samples and pushing around too much furniture lately. As a result, my back is shot and with it went my ability to sit and type for any period of time. So, until my interviews are written, look forward to lots of pictures.

This is a Red Fern Glass chandelier in one of my favorite showrooms, Witford. I was first introduced to these boys, at their SF design showroom when I worked up in the bay area. They are the go-to for any style, everything from Palm Springs modern to cozy ranches are covered with their great mix of upholstery and casegoods.

I picked up a few of these antique kilim covered poufs for a client(rug covered cubes in front of the sofa)from Witford. They are great and can work as seating or foot rests.

Nancy Corzine signing my copy of Glamor At Home, her new book for Rizzoli. I absolutely loved her! She has an amazing story and she is a true business woman with a graceful sense of style.

Nancy speaking to a packed house at Market

Designers Jane Butcher and Karen Moller

The new Walteriors paper line on the wall of the Kravet showroom

Some of the 3 ft Walteriors samples. They are eco-friendly, stunning and come in so many sophisticated textures. My favorite, the one on the far left, has real crushed mica in it. It is shimmery, modern and elegant.

Laguna Design Market

2010-03-23T23:03:00.000-07:00

Today was a busy day at the market. So much news and photos to come tomorrow, all around a wonderful day! Talks by Barry Dixon and Nancy Corzine. Exciting new wovenwoods, kilim poofs, sconces and chandeliers, outdoor fabric and pots.

Barry Dixon

Nancy Corzine

Nancy's Palm Beach Storefront

Sunday Reading

2010-03-21T21:32:00.000-07:00

I always take a little time on Sunday's for inspirational reading. I like to flip through the new issues of design magazines, swatch books and some new internet purchases that I received during the week.
Today, I looked at the new issue of Elle Decor, and saw this:
The Top 10 Screens

It reminded me of my January 25th blog, "Dividing Line," and was glad to see other designers are catching screen fever. Although, I still favor fabric as a material of choice, I thought the massive wood slab by Hudson Furniture was incredible. It's 19,000.00 price tag and massive scale probably will shelve it to the " in theory" section of my products, but cool, none the less.

A favorite of mine, since its release, Barry Dixon Interiors, is a bedside regular. Today, I pulled it out to help me fine-tune a few questions to ask the design legend on Tuesday.
If you aren't familiar with Barry's work, he has a brilliant eye. What drew me to his style, is his ability to place antiques without ever making a room look stuffy. He tends to mix genres and periods to create rooms that never look trendy, but always fresh and livable.
But I digress... more to come on Tuesday after our chat!

I am working on a project for a Colombian client, who loves Mexico and classic California architecture.
Casa San Miguel by Annie Kelly is a great resource for sophisticated, but minimalist Latin American design. Lots of very old haciendas, almost all decorated by American designers, creating an interesting juxtaposition of Mexican architecture and antiques with American modernism.

Milk does your home some good

2010-03-19T01:40:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to do things healthy and non-toxic, that usually is referred to as "going green," but my greatest concern is limiting my daughter's exposure to chemicals.
I have been doing some projects with milk paint recently and I thought I would also share some info about milk paint here as a green design resource.
I like milk paint because my baby puts her mouth on everything and it is environmentally safe and non-toxic. The paint is safe for kids furniture and toys, and can also be used for interior walls for people who are allergic to modern paints.
Milk paint is an organic material that gives surfaces a distinctive color-washed finish. Milk is a principal ingredient in the material, it binds the pigment instead of laytex or oil, like other paints. It has been used for centuries and has been found on artifacts dating to ancient Egypt. The fact that the material doesn't give off noxious vapors (often called VOCs) accounts for its continued appeal within today's green building community. Craftspeople, meanwhile, value its saturated colors and translucent finish, which can be used to give wooden furniture, terra-cotta pots, and other textured surfaces an antique look.
Although the available colors are some what limited, because they are derived from natural elements, you mix it yourself so you can add white to lighten or another color to blend.

You can buy milk paint from:

Old Fashioned Milk Paint www.milkpaint.com
They have nice colors, but not a really great rich royal blue. Buy their non toxic sealer if you are planing on using it on a work or food surface.

Real Milk Paint www.realmilkpaint.com
This company has some great blues and blue-greens.

For DIY info about actually mixing and using milk paint, see my other blog http://littleameliah.blogspot.com

Mirror, Mirror on the floor?

2010-03-19T00:50:00.000-07:00

I love big mirrors. I found this at an estate sale for 60.00. I know!!! I thought I died and went to "are you out of your mind?" bargain heaven. It's huge( 6' tall) and so I put it in my lovely workhorse and drove away as fast as I could. I still can't decide if they were really that oblivious or they just didn't care about antiques...
It is a gilded, Rococo style carved wood frame with amazingly aged antique glass. I smile every time I look at it. It is one of my favorite pieces and I grateful it is mine.
The trouble with mirrors of that scale is finding a place for them. I am a fan of setting them on the floor. I think it adds warmth, casualness and it takes the edge off what is otherwise a very serious piece.
Anyway, it seems to have become "of now" again and I thought I would show you a few examples:

This is from the current restoration Hardware catalog

I have no idea, i saved this photo and didn't notate!

From Traditional home by designer Loi Thai

Pasadena Showhouse Time

2010-03-18T22:14:00.000-07:00

Most people aren't familiar with "showhouses", but they are one of the most fascinating and charitable ways to see new designs, designer's work and new products all while helping a worthy cause. They are all over the country and even in smaller areas.
Pasadena is one of the oldest showhouse events in the country, this is the 45th year and I am very excited to see what they have done with the Cravens Estate.(click here for history)It was the largest and most expensive home built in Pasadena at the time and was styled after a baroque Chateau. It is about 20,000 sq ft on 16 acres, so there is a lot to see! Every room is done by a different design firm and all of the materials and time are donated.
If you live in Southern California it is well worth the drive to check it out and your ticket goes to help youth music programs. www.pasadenashowcase.org

If you want to find a show house in your area:
northeastern US
Southeastern US
Midwestern US
Western US & Canada
Fall Showhouses

Also, here are a few great sites to see some past showhouses:

Tradional Home Magazine has a great collection of pictures and ideas from around the country

Hampton Designer Showhouse

The new blue

2010-03-16T23:33:00.001-07:00

I wrote a post about Ormolu caskets on Dec. 16th '09. they are one of my favorite and coveted collector items. I love them, especially the blue hues, from milky pale to the richest royal, they have a depth and weight that is very captivating.
Well, I was flipping through the March issue of House Beautiful and saw this display by interior designer Babs Watkins. This is an amazing collection and is a great example of some of the different glass cuts and colors of these boxes.

Wool carpet

2010-03-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

Today I was looking through my new Custom carpet Book from Kravet and I was inspired by the all the new choices for natural fiber rugs. Growing up, we had wool berber wall-to-wall carpet (like the top picture) and I always liked how warm and cozy it was. It is really durable and liquids naturally bead off the surface with out a harsh chemical coating like synthetic rugs have.
Wool is a renewable, biodegradable fiber that has natural insulating properties to help retain heat and increase cooling effectiveness. Among the natural rug fibers, wool stands out as the classic rug material, being flexible, resilient, and easy to dye any color in the world. The wool industry also prides itself on its environmentally responsible production methods which is good for the sheep and the planet.
There is no reason to go to a synthetic fiber made of chemicals and plastics, when the alternative is cost effective, better for your health and the planet. Now that I have a baby, who crawls, play and touches the carpet all day, I think it is even more important to have something I know is natural and easy on her delicate skin.

Going Green

2010-03-15T23:49:00.000-07:00

Green is the new everything. After growing up in an organic, environmentally friendly home, I never really understood that was not the norm until I started going into other peoples homes.
My mother was obsessed-ish with things being natural, safe and clean. We always had wool carpets, never ate processed foods and never wore polyester. In the past few decades, the world seemed to go in the opposite direction to the other extreme, even in design. Nylon carpets, melamine, synthetic fibers, chemical paints have become the norm. I think that we have taken our environment, micro and macro to a very unhealthy place in the name of innovation and discounting.
People are finally starting to see a value in "greening" design. It is odd because green elements for the home can be just as durable, beautiful and cost effective. In fact, things like wool carpeting have always been around and are durable enough for the busiest casinos in Vegas.
So, I'd like to introduce 5 days of healthy, natural ideas for a beautifully greener home.

My favorite reasons to use a designer

2010-03-15T23:14:00.000-07:00

I am always asked "why hire a designer?" I think I am probably asked that question in some form on a weekly basis. From the husband at a client interview or a woman at a function or a snarky socialite who still thinks that gold and purple damask are "tuscan." My answer is always the same: hire a designer and you will know why.
Today, after dealing with the most difficult contractor I have ever had to work with, I remembered why I am great at my job.There is a real value in a designer far beyond aesthetics. We know how to work with trades: contractors, architects and suppliers to make your environment look better than you could ever envision on your own.
Here are my four favorite reasons to hire a designer:
One. This is what we do every day. We live it, breath it and know it. You are paying for our expertise.
Two. We know where to find what you want and usually at a better price than you think. We have accounts and relationships that allow us to get materials and case goods for better prices than you can from a retailer and we know where to go to get the best quality for your budget.
Three. When you have a contractor that either is crap ,is trying to rip you off or just has no taste, we can save your dream from becoming a nightmare. Hopefully, we can prevent you from hiring such a loser to begin with, but one can only hope...
Four. We can keep you focused, on budget and on schedule.
Five. You will like opening that door every day and coming home to a place that is tailored to you like the finest designer suit.

Time is a chang'in

2010-03-13T11:52:00.000-08:00

today's favorite

2010-03-11T10:36:00.001-08:00

Love this dresser! Modern, but not screaming for attention. Unique enough to be a statement in any part of the house, but functional. I love this for a smaller space because the pyramid shape creates the illusion more expansive walls.
799.00 38"H, 32"W, 15.5"D. Call for details, order information

Valentine's inspiration

2010-02-14T23:23:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's day

Descanso Gardens Showhouse

2010-02-13T23:50:00.000-08:00

We went to Descanso Gardens in La Cananda/Flintridge today for the first time. It was amazing for two reasons. First, my daughter decided to become a full time walker and walked like 5 baby miles or something crazy!! Second, we got to see the 2007 Pasedena Showhouse.
The Gardens are really a beautiful place, the grounds are so woodsy and lush. Not really anything in bloom this time of year, but really relaxing and the weather was absolutely perfect.
The house was technically closed for a baby shower, so didn't get to spend time taking photos, but we will be going back for sure. I did find this youtube video of some of the house:
Cindy Doyle of Homewizards.com
Youtube video of home tour

Inspired Reading

2010-02-12T22:20:00.000-08:00

I love to cook. I mean LOVE to cook. For eight years I have cooked at least 6 nights a week. I'm not talking frozen pizza in the oven, I'm talking from scratch like my mom did. I don't know if time has just worn me thin or this darn electric cooktop has absolutely tried my last shred of patience, but lately I have not been feeling the easy relaxation that cooking used to bring me at the end of the day. I have been making simple classics and have shelved my more fun recipes.
I think this might have something to do with it:

OLD indoor Kitchen:

OLD outdoor kitchen:

NEW Kitchen:

I decided to switch gears and try reading my way to inspiration instead. I have found a few great books that have slowly begun to inspire some change for the more extraordinary.

Lunch in Paris: A Love Story, with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard
Cute, fun and includes yummy recipes!!

Secret Ingredients: The New Yorker Book of Food and Drink by David Remnick
This is a reprint, I understand why it is so popular. Fun stories from around the world, if you like the New Yorker style it is a fun read, but no recipes sorry!

Kitchen project

2010-02-11T16:27:00.000-08:00

I'm liking the way this new kitchen is shaping up, here are the elements:
Oil rubbed bronze fridge from jennair:

Copper Farm sink

Glass, travertine and copper tiles:

Rained Out

2010-02-06T21:37:00.000-08:00

I was very excited to go to a local rummage sale this morning.
I love finding treasures and I have been in the purging mode
lately, so it's time for a few new pieces. I especially love
to change my accessories, I think I have mentioned this before.
It's kind of my philosophy, I am a visually stimulated person
and I am always evolving my design style.
It's a rare occasion that I get up early for any "junk hunt", as
I like to call these escapades, but the Rancho Rags for Riches
is one of those special annual events. Unfortunately, it was
rained out! Rain in San Diego? I know, a rare occurrence, but
alas, no sale. No junk to blog. On a sunnier note, it has been
rescheduled for the 20th and that means 2 more weeks for people
to donate fab treasures.

Floods and fancy

2010-02-02T22:33:00.000-08:00

Today is one of those days that makes life seem a little less glamorous and a little more..uhm..mun-day-n. If I haven't mentioned this before, I hate Mondays, I love my life, my job and my family, but there is just something that always ruins a moday. Today, there will several buzz kills. Baby with a fever, flooded kitchen and my first deadline for an art in a local mag.
I was running out the door early, on 2 hours sleep and not enough caffeine to realize that the shaking was an earthquake and not some pesky jet from Miramar. I had a nice 20 minute drive with a great cup of coffee and I was thinking about things more glamorous...
First, I am blessed to live in one of the most beautiful and unique places in the country, Rancho Santa Fe and my drive is not only scenic, but relaxing and nature-filled.
Second, I own a Delohngi Magnifica, thanks to Tammie at Starbucks, it is the highlight of my every morning and after 3 years, my trusty companion. If it ever dies, I just might follow...PS Never be without coffee, Starbucks has a great home delivery program http://www.starbucksstore.com/StarbucksAtHome/ Pick your coffee and have it delivered regularly, so you can make one less trip. Hey, my UPS man gets paid to drive around!

Third, and on the glamorous note, I rediscovered how much I love entries. As I was driving by massive gates, carved lions and giant aloe plants I was swooning. I was enticed to pull over and take pictures. Unfortunately, I was running late, but tomorrow is another day and I Will be capturing those exteriors!!
I think we forget that like our appearance, the outside of our home is a first impression. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to amazingly decorated homes, but just not been very excited because when I pulled up their yards were tacky or neglected or the paint was peeling. It is like greeting your visitors with bleach-stained sweats.
I love a freshly lacquered door and tidy lawns. Giant pots and fountains are bonus points.
Tips for an amazing exterior:
-If you have a yard that needs landscaping, hire a landscape designer or architect. You don't have to do everything at once or even pay some one else to do the work. It keeps things focused and on task. Do a planter bed one weekend and paint the shutters the next.
-One of the easiest ways to give an older house a quick and inexpensive update is to change the lighting. If all the lights aren't in the budget, start with the front of the house and then do the back when you can afford it.
-Paint your front door or give it a fresh coat of stain. A glossy front door is like lipstick for your casa.
-Always invest in a good door mat. It will save your floors and keep the dirt out. It also can add some character to even the smallest condo.
-Pots and planters add color and texture to keep your guests occupied while you try to get to the front door.

Don't:
-Paint your house some weird color. Please don't kid yourself that you are being original(Tomorrow I will show you my favorite local example)
-Put those stupid lawn ornament flags in your yard.. If I have to explain this one, then you drank the QVC coolaid.
-Put a mish-mosh of cheap multi-colored flowers in your yard. It looks cheap and headache-inducing.

Dividing Line

2010-01-25T23:34:00.000-08:00

I am constantly looking for new ideas for my clients, myself and just because I get tired of the same ol'. Lately, I have been dreaming about screens all too much and all the amazing fabrics I can cover them with.
If you have junk to hide, a messy corner of your bedroom, or a sofa that needs protecting from the sun, then a screen could be your new favorite accessory.
I especially love upholstered ones. They are warmer on a larger scale, tend to look a little more welcoming(I know it's a wall, but says "back off" more politely) and can always double as a headboard if you move. They also can ground an over-sized room and bring a too tall ceiling back to earth.
Screens aren't "out," but they certainly aren't as hip as an Eams chair and it's nice to have things that are unexpected. It is my bet for a revival trend. Especially, with all this loft business, you need a way to break up a multi-use living space or just keep it folded until you have guests and need some privacy.

steal of the day

2010-01-19T23:23:00.000-08:00

Cute linen sofa. Great for the end of the bed or a master retreat. This petite sofa is perfect for any small space, especially at $1399.00!
http://www.wisteria.com/Linen-European-Furniture-Natural-Linen-Settee/productinfo/W2506/

Adobe project

2010-01-19T22:24:00.000-08:00

I spent the morning at another new project in the Ranch today. I love starting at the beginning of a project with a client. I have a good working relationship with several architects and its nice to collaborate early and make sure the client is getting the most out of their remodel.
This house is an adobe brick home. The outside has solid 18" walls made out of a clay brick. It is very energy efficient and strong. The problem is once it is built, you cannot cut walls or add on like you would with a 2x4 constructed home.
It is a major challenge to try and maximize the existing floor plan and add on with existing openings.
We just submitted the plans for approval by the art jury, the first step in plan process,
Here are some of the "before" pictures
Old master bath

Master bath

Really dark entry

Living room. Too many things wrong to list!!

New project

2010-01-16T19:51:00.001-08:00

I haven't blogged any new projects recently, but this is a job I was at this morning. I love to see good progress and those nice plumb walls made my Saturday! These are a few pics of the guest house that is under construction.
It is a nice size guest house with a great room that has a wall of windows that open to the backyard. It has one bedroom and a bath.
The idea is to create a rustic, tuscan-style retreat for kids and adults to hang out. The challenge of a space like this is keeping the colors and style to flow with the backyard remodel. Also, with the pool and tweens, keeping the surfaces beautiful and durable.

Deciding on granite for the outdoor kitchen area. We went with the on right. what would be your choice?

Home owner and contractor in the living room.

See the more finished piece of wood over the window. Those are going to be stained, heavy, beam-looking headers over the windows. A really nice rustic look and a clean way to trim a window.

Outdoor Kitchen area, bar and seating area

Feeling uninspired?

2010-01-15T21:55:00.000-08:00

Some dreary January days bring you down! You feel pale-faced, clothes look a little gray and your home can look a little blah.
I go kind of neutral crazy after Christmas, I like a lot of tans and khaki, but after a long run of bad weather and eggnog withdraw, I am ready for some color!!
Now, there is color and then there is COLOR. I'm not talking about magazinesque, 20 shocking mismatched color. I am talking about a little splash: new pillows and a throw, a collection of vases or new bedding.
Don't get me wrong, I like shocking, but how many days will you want to live with shocking before you are begging your husband to paint over the electric yellow walls with 2 coats of primer? And where will you store a magenta sofa?
I like things that you can easily store until next spring or fling. Pillows are great, because you can always throw on a new cover and instant new pillow! Throws can live in a trunk or cupboard until it is cold enough to use it. Vases can actually be used for flowers and then put in the pantry later!
Think big, start small.

Tips:

Look at magazines and catalogs to identify a color that always leaps out at you, even if it is different shades.
Look for something that will mesh with the current color theme of your house.
Look for things that can be removed and won't leave your room feeling deconstructed.

This is great because you can change the drapes and the sofa pillow cover and whole new look when the orange has gone sour.

When you are tired of spring and ready for fall, ditch the yellow throw for a burgundy one and swap the green lamps for some wood textured or earthy ceramic color. Leave the nails from the pictures in the same spot and just swap them for some simple black and white pics. Whole new look!

This is a great example, switch the blue pillow for gold and the cobalt throw for red.

Love of the day: Wallpaper

2010-01-14T19:09:00.000-08:00

Design has abandoned Wallpaper for the most part of the last few decades, tired of the chintz and heavy florals of the 80's. Its emerging renaissance is stamped with bold prints, shocking colors and metallic hues.
I love wall paper to brighten up a windowless bathroom, a stuffy formal living room and any generally boring space that doesn't have the scale for a furniture with big prints. You don't have to do every wall. Just one behind a sofa, or across from the entry side of the room.

Cleaning essentials

2010-01-07T22:27:00.000-08:00

Sorry pictures are not loading today for some reason, maybe its the 2.5hrs of sleep I got last night. haha, darn teething! These are cleaning essentials:

Bathrooms:
A bucket under each sink with:
a pair of gloves
toilet brush(with cover)
roll of paper towels(anywhere else I say recycle and use rags, but I can't do it in the bathroom, I just can't...yuck)
Clorox naturals toilet bowl cleaner
Clorox anywhere
Glass cleaner

Kitchen:
Clorox Anywhere(for killing germs on the counter, etc. It's food and kid safe, but hey, don't drink it or anything!)
Melaluca tough 'n tender. Great for grease, stainless and general cleaning. Safe, natural and smells good.
old hand towel for cleaning up big spills
dish gloves
antibacterial hand soap
magic eraser of cooktops if you have electric. It's magic, I swear

For living spaces:
A Roomba, it cleans while you do other stuff and it recharges itself. What could be better?
A Miele vacuum. I have red. It has outlasted and outperformed our Dyson, Kenmore and Hoover. Cleans so well on both carpet and hardwood!!
A costco pack of washcloths for dusting. Put a little pledge or just damp with water and they trap a lot more dust than other fabrics.

For kids:
A toy holder for the bathtub. I love the BOON frog or ladybug
A Dustbuster-ish device for quick zip over a pile of sand by the door or Cheerios under the highchair.
Oxi Clean. Duhh, they're kids.

Spring Cleaning

2010-01-06T21:46:00.000-08:00

Ahh, the Christmas decorations are all put away and now things look a little less cozy. Those blistering January mornings make things look bleak and the dust bunnies no longer hide under the tree skirt and the twinkling garland. The piles of new toys(and old) have no where to go and the leftover wrapping is still sitting in the corner of the bedroom.
If any of this sounds at all familiar, join me over the next week to shape up your living space. I think going to the gym is a commendable resolution, but what about when you come home to mismatched sofas and ugly lamps? It's time to make your living space the sanctuary you need. Especially, when all your favorite shows are now 2 hours long or "crossover events," you better hope your sofa is comfortable or you have a nice fresh bed to snuggle in!
A peek at some of our weeks topics:
Thursday: Cleaning essentials
Friday: Favorite Fridays: Winter Throws
Saturday: Memory wall

XOXOXO Happy new year!!

Holiday Parties

2009-12-31T00:28:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, may it bring you beauty, happiness and many blessings!!
I'm sorry I have not been more consistent over the past week, but the holidays are busy and I have a little one cutting 4 teeth!
I was thinking how nice it would be to throw a new year's brunch. I love to have casual parties with food, kids and inevitably, football! January is refreshing and white in most places, so I like to keep the theme simple. White and silver for the main colors and then one bright color that coordinates with your regular decor. Keep all the flowers simple, I even like just greenery and a few cut branches from the Christmas tree.

Five party essentials for a great New Year's brunch:

Place card holders:

Perfect for labeling buffet items or setting a more formal table, these are sleek, modern and will be used time and time again. $7.95 at Crate and Barrel stores!

Ice Bucket:

Chilling champagne or pellagrino an ice bucket is a long term investment. Use it for any party. For sodas, water or beer. It is a hostess staple everyone should own. If you don't think you have room to store it, it looks great out. Put it on top of the fridge with other stuff stored inside or put it in a cupboard and stack all your party supplies in it. Hotel Silver-Plated Oversized Bucket $169.00 available at pottery barn

Cloth Napkins:

A set of bleachable, white cloth napkins is always great to have on hand. They are easy to clean and go with any decor. Way nicer than paper, better for the environment and really affordable at 9.99 for 12. Room Essentials® Buffet Napkins 12-pk. White Target stores

Champagne flutes:

Cheers!!! Viv Flute $3.95 Crate and Barrel stores

Great Food:

I saw some really tasty recipes for finger foods on the Country Living website at http://www.countryliving.com/cooking/recipes/delectable-holiday-appetizers-1208?src=edit&mag=clg&chan=hp&link=delectable-holiday-appetizers-1208-PP-M1&click=pp

Don't funk your pillows

2009-12-26T23:29:00.000-08:00

I was out picking up a few quick things today, now that the holiday madness is over and I stumbled upon some poor pillows that had been poofed, squished and karate-chopped into the most unnatural shapes and laid out all in a row across the back of a probably very perturbed sofa. It's like wearing pleather shoes or squeezing large "girls" into one of those jeweled tops you see on Real Housewives. It's wrong.
I'm not a proponent of sloppy pillows by any means, but I can't stand when things look so contrived and unusable. There are ways to layer, fluff and arrange pillows so they look nice, but you still want to sit on them. If you form them into strange shapes, no one will want to sit on your couch for fear of watching them take a beating from their black-belt hostess.

Do not's:

Karate Chop the top of your pillows. It's mean. Especially, do not chop the top and then the sides into a weird cross thing.
Do not lie pillows flat and then put another set standing. All flat or all up. They look like they are about to fall over..

Do's:

Loosely stack them by size, they don't have to be stacked in a matching order, unless you like a more traditional look.
Stack from largest to smallest

Remember to give them a good shake and then hold a corner and smack the front to fluff. No Karate chop, just a good ol' fashion slap.

my adventures in wrapping

2009-12-24T00:07:00.000-08:00

Today, I was exhausted by other peoples "christmas spirit" and rudi-tudiness. I was cut off a dozen times and had someone try and barge in front of me while paying for work book! I tell ya! really?
However, I came home to a wonderful family and we had "Taco Tuesday" on Wed, which made everyone happy. Then I sat down to wrap a few things, which made me happy.
Here are a few pics of my favorite packages:

Tips:

Buy cute ornaments after christmas on sale and use them to decorate presents next year. The snowman on the gift bag is a last year clearance find. It also is an extra gift.

I tried the scarf -as-wrapping thing I blogged about last week! What a hit!! Also an extra gift. I took this one to a holiday party, it was a huge hit.

Use unexpected papers. I love this paper and I'm sad I don't have much left. It works for everything and with the green and gold bow it looked incredibly festive.

Cool modern nursery

2009-12-22T23:38:00.000-08:00

I have been working on a nursery for a client and came across this really great glider. It's my love of the day!

Love it

2009-12-21T23:27:00.001-08:00

Love this, really cute quilted Christmas tree. Made me smile today, it is something my mom would make. Hand-quilted and then a cascade of stitched on ornaments. They remind me of garland, which I will blog about later today!!!

Real Christmas smell

2009-12-21T17:41:00.000-08:00

I love the smell of real pine garland during the holidays, it's not a smell that you can duplicate with any air freshener or candle. It just smells like winter and Christmas! Here are a couple of ways to use the garland. It looks great on stairs, I even put it on a chandelier(just make sure it's not close to the bulbs!) I like to attach a few ornaments to it and ribbon looks really nice up on the stairs. It needs to be spritzed with water once a day, twice if you run your heater all the time, to keep it from getting dry.

These are from our house last year

These are from the house of designer Mary McDonald, taken for Veranda magazine

This is by interior designer Suzanne Kasler, makes doing those late night dishes something worth smiling about...

This is just such a pretty spray and very updated with the orchids!

Coffee table of the day

2009-12-19T00:07:00.000-08:00

As great rooms get greater and sofas get larger, this is a coffee table to match! Even if your room isn't that big, this is great if you have two opposing sofas or you don't want multiple ottomans and coffee tables. This is elegant, rustic and a statement piece!!! It's 79" wide and 30" deep. To the trade only.

Wrap it up

2009-12-17T23:44:00.000-08:00

I'm sure most of you are in the thick of holiday madness, the best of you are way done with your shopping and some haven't started. My favorite thing is to hand someone a gift that looks as wonderful as what is inside. Wrapping can be such a creative outlet

These were done by Heather Bullard, the West coast editor of Flea Market Style. They have a great vintage feel. She used some fake flowers and old pattern paper. Hint: if you can't find the right style of paper, use scrapbook paper. There are so many patterns and usually a lot of vintage prints. You can also use the heavier sheets from the small blocks to make tags.

I saw this in Real Simple mag. A inexpensive peacock feather on top of any wrapping paper that needs a little sprucing up.

I know these particular examples don't look very festive, but scarves are a great recyclable wrapping paper and gift in itself! Just make sure it's a square, actually, if the gift box is rectangle you can use a longer scarf. I love to tie them off with a broach. It's like a whole accessory package!

Love this! The glitter makes it festive, especially if you use a metallic paper, like gold dots or silver with embossed Christmas trees.

Jazz up a plain box by covering the whole top with different sized bows. This would also be cute with purple and silver or green and gold mixed together.

I love this tower by Martha Stewat. It is so nice, especially if you are giving someone a set of mixing bowls, different ornaments or even a set of doll clothes for your daughter. It will make them grin for sure.

Must have accessory

2009-12-16T22:20:00.001-08:00

I was perusing one of my favorite local antique stores for inspiration today and I saw a beautiful and simple cut crystal casket. Caskets are little boxes for jewelry, trinkets, tea or sugar. The really amazing ones are from France at the turn of the century.

Some can look almost modern, because of the heavy block lines and the sharp geometric patterns. On the other spectrum they can be ornate with ormolu(ormolu - brass that looks like gold; used to decorate edges) trim and ornate feet.
The clear glass cut crystal has a reflective quality that is spellbinding. It's like looking at a 15 carat diamond in the light. They are very expensive, something to covet. They range in price from about $900.00 to $4500.00 us. I think that one or two are plenty, not something to hoard. When you have too many of anything, it's overkill.
They can also be Opaline or Milk glass like the blue one. I recently saw an amazing teal one from Russia that sold at a Christie's auction for over $6000.00 It was stunning! http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=5278419
Where to use it:
I love them on a vanity or on a bookshelf on top of a few horizontal books. The blue opaline, looks especially smart as the pop of color on a mantel. I also love them on an end table next to a lamp to catch the amazing faceted glow.

Amazing chair of the day

2009-12-16T00:20:00.001-08:00

I love this chair in a great fabric!

Think pink

2009-12-15T23:31:00.001-08:00

Dorothy Draper, design icon and color maven, loved everything pink. Maybe it was all the therapy or maybe she was just extra eclectic. Either way, I saw a picture of her today while flipping through an old design mag and it inspired a 12 hour pink fetish.

Tranquil family rooms

2009-12-14T00:14:00.001-08:00

While I'm trying to get this blog ready for 2010!! I thought I would share a few daily inspirations. I think that over the holidays we get so overwhelmed with bright lights, extensive color and a mish-mosh of styles. About this time in december, I crave a simple, clean palate. I still like cozy and interesting accessories, but crave the hues of a January morning.

under construction

2009-12-12T01:11:00.000-08:00

Sorry Blog has been under construction the past few days, but look for a new post on Saturday. Thanks for checking back!

Black and white Christmas

2009-12-06T23:39:00.001-08:00

My very talented friend and owner of La Bonne Vie, Nicole MacIntosh www.labonnevieevents.com. Designed a sophisticated and elegant holiday table tonight. She used white feathers, silver ornaments, silver-tipped pine cones, vases of fake snow, silver and white dishes and black napkins. It was festive and unique.

To complete the modernist

2009-12-05T23:36:00.000-08:00

So sorry for the construction, I started this blog without knowing much(anything!)about blogging. I have enlisted the help of some tech-savvy associates to get KSLinteriors looking as chic as things I blog about! Back to the important stuff, I had done a post about jewelry boxes for everyday things(see Dec 4, 2009) and I want to show you how to complete each look. For the modernist, I did a nightstand, complete with all the right pieces for a clean, modern, but not minimalist look. Enjoy! All products are to the trade only and are available to order through KSL Interiors.

Interesting, small vase, fresh flowers
aresuch a treat, simple is better. A
bunch of a single kind of flower, like yellow
roses looks great!

A water carafe with glass is a
bedside necessity. Much nicer
and healthier than a plastic
water bottle.

Jewelry boxes as pretty as what's inside

2009-12-04T22:28:00.000-08:00

I had a bad habit of taking my jewelry off where ever. I don't like to wear it while I'm cooking or cleaning. I would leave it on the nightstand, by the bathroom sink, or on the kitchen window sill. I was always running around in the morning to collect random earrings or a bracelet. I found a cute little jewelry box that I put by the sink and that is where I put all my daily wear stuff.
Anthropology has a great variety to fit any decor:

For the Sophisticate:

For the Bohemian:

For the Moderist:

Pick your favorite and check back tomorrow. I'll show you how to complete each look for a stunning display

Lighting for Christmas and beyond

2009-12-04T17:18:00.001-08:00

I love these lamps, they are like a vase and you can fill them with different things. I like them filled with little ornaments, jingle bells or snowflakes during the holidays. The rest of the year you can put something that coordinates with your regular decor or add things seasonally like shells and sand. I also like these for themed kids rooms(not for really little munchkins)filled with little match box cars or bright fake flowers!

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/bacchus-table-bedside-lamp/?pkey=cguest-bedv

Late start on the holidays

2009-12-03T22:17:00.000-08:00

I feel like I am talking about Christmas in July. I am really not sure where the year has gone, but I feel incredibly "tardy for the party."
This year we moved into a much smaller place, so I am contemplating hanging the Christmas tree from the ceiling to keep my 9 month old away from it and keep my precious floor space. The possibilities are endless and here are some "themes" to inspire you this season. (click on picture for close ups)

Don't forget if you need any last minute sprucing up, call us!

Ohh the textures!!!!

2009-12-02T23:01:00.000-08:00

Today, my little Millie and I spent several hours with Mechele looking at all the yummy new fabrics. Check back tomorrow for day light pics, nothing photographed well at night, sorry! I am star-struck by Eric Cohler's new collection. I want it all, it has everything I dream about. It's eclectic, but not overwhelming. It's a mix of styles, but they blend seamlessly and the textures are scrumptious!! Reminds me a lot of Andrew Martin, my other favorite.
Another collection I am growing rather fond of is Threads from the UK. They have all the makings of a British tailor in a fabric collection. Their books need top hats they are so sophisticated. I love their new prints with metallic treading, they are glamorous with out being dated.

Lovely simple pattern

This was a particularly soft 100% wool with a soft silver embroidery

This has the woven metallic tread in it. Just stunning!!!

Mix themes

2009-12-02T00:24:00.000-08:00

I think that design has finally embraced the melting pot. People tend to over decorate in a particular style, all modern or tuscan or french country and it's boring. There is nothing interesting about something that looks like a model home.
Rooms that have unusual elements, add visual interest and keep from looking dated or like you bought out a furniture store display.

This is a great family room. It has Asian influences with the urn, black tray and vase, but it also has a beachy feel from the shell pillow, glass, seagrass rug and starfish.

This bedroom has a nice mix of modern, with linen for a more casual feel and some Italian and Asian accessories for interest.

The hard working display

2009-11-30T16:08:00.000-08:00

Most of us have a poorly designed bathroom, not enough closets, or just too much stuff. Not having enough places to hide things can be a problem, but there are ways to make mundane everyday things look appealing. My vanity is one of those places!!

Tips:

Trays make a group of random objects look like they belong together.

Various height differences of objects add visual depth.

If you use different textures, make sure they have something in common: a color, shape or function.

Enjoy!

Fresh Sheets

2009-11-29T00:14:00.001-08:00

Since I only had 2 hrs of sleep last night, I am ready to hit the hay. There is nothing better than the smell and feel of clean sheets. I am obsessed. We change our sheets at least every 3 days. It is a small luxury to get into a nice freshly laundered bed.
Add extra calmness to your night time routine by storing your linens with a nice subtle-smelling bar of scented soap like lavender or rose. When you get in at the end of a long day, it is worth the extra few minutes it took to swap the sheets and the smell will make you sleepy.

favorite new fabrics

2009-11-28T03:06:00.000-08:00

Lee Jofa Embroidery. To the trade only, contact KSL for ordering info

HOME MAGAZINES 5.00 for the year!!

2009-11-28T03:02:00.001-08:00

This is the best deal. They do it once a year and you can get all the great home and cooking magazines for 5.00. Get it for you and give as an awsome gift. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. LOVE IT

Keeping the laundry under control

2009-11-22T21:47:00.001-08:00

Haha. Some of you might be wondering if this post is a joke, but I promise it is for real. I have learned from my neatest friends and my mom that in order to stay on top of the wash, you have to do it start to finish.
I know that I have time to do a load, dry it, fold it and put it away after the baby goes to bed. I don't try and do it during the day when its chaotic and don't have time to see it through. Pick a 2 hr window when you know you won't flake and forget about it.
The other trick is to do "like items". I have a basket for adult clothes, one for the baby and one for sheets and towels. As soon as I have enough for a load I can see, rather than trying to sort a big mess of stuff. It also makes putting things away tons easier because sheets and towels usually go in the same place and kids laundry all goes in their rooms, etc.
I used to be really good at leaving clothes folded on the dryer, my husband started to joke that the laundry room was our closet. I just hated walking all over the house to put things away. Now, the load all goes in the same spot and it is much less painful. This is a great trick to save you time and keep organized.

KSL Wholesale Ordering Program

2009-11-21T22:00:00.000-08:00

KSL will be offering a wholesale ordering program through the end of the year. If you have been needing new furniture or accessories and have waited, NOW IS THE TIME!!! We will be submitting large group orders with select manufacturers before the end of the year and are offering our customers an opportunity to buy at cost.*

This is a great time to get the pieces you covet at 50-80% off retail. Call for details.

*shipping, tax and design fees additional

Love of baskets

2009-11-21T00:00:00.001-08:00

When you look around and feel like there is a lot of random clutter, grab a basket! As a designer I have hundreds of samples: little bits of fabric, random tiles, wood chips. At first, I tried boxes, but you can't see what is inside, so I started using baskets. You can find them in any size, price and texture. They look good sitting in a room and you can match them to any decor. Now, I use baskets for everything!! Especially with kids, you can have toys in the family room and still look clutter free. All those stuffed animals can go in a nice big basket in the corner of the bedroom and not feel like you have to use up all your valuable shelf space storing them. Clean up is easier and it allows your child(and spouse) to help in the clean up process too.
It's hard to simplify and de-clutter sometimes and baskets are a good way to start. Rooms look picked up and are are visually cleaner. The other bonus is that identifying what you can live without is easier. If you don't touch the basket for a month, the contents can probably go to a friend or good will.

Baby Safe Candles

2009-11-19T19:53:00.001-08:00

It is really nice to have candles lit around the house, but with kids and pets it's a big fire hazard! The new flameless candles have a real wax outer with a flicker led light in the center, so from the outside they look just like a real candle, but are kid, pet and holiday party safe.
They have recently added timers and remotes, so you can put them in high places and actually use them! The costco set has timers, so every evening they turn on and off automatically. They are functional and add a dash of ambiance to any room.

Quick tip of the day

2009-11-18T20:50:00.000-08:00

Did you know that the easiest way to get a price sticker off glass or mirrors is purell!! Just rub a little glob on with your finger, let it sit and rub it off with a paper towel. Quick easy and no smell