Color Prediction (Not) with Susanna Salk and Sandra Espinet ...

Hello, Hello ... I have so much to share you better tighten your bootstraps ... or use your toes to grab on tight to your flip flops!

Last week I had the pleasure of attending Design Camp in Las Vegas.  If you can imagine 325 Interior Designers, design students to celebrity designers.  All gathered in one (big) room to be inspired by one another, learn about new trends both in design and social media, and my favorite part ... meeting new and re-connecting with old friends to inspire one another.  Let's face it ... Social Media Rocks.  But NOTHING beats one-to-one relationships!

Thank you Lori and Kelly !

Here we go ... 

Up First.  Color Trends.

Via

First Up ... Susanna Salk who shared images and the stories of the spaces she collected for her newest book Decorate Fearlessly.  I have a huge crush on her ... she is so down to earth, so talented and I am convinced that she and I could be fast friends!  

She has the wonderful gift of making everyone feel that way!

The book celebrates Fearless Design ... Going for it and making it work!

No, not everyone can do this and make it look this good.  

The message here, however, is ... design for you or your client with what you/they love and bring it together without some pre-conceived idea that everything has to be "on-trend".

 You like dark, brooding, full spaces ... Go For It.

You want light, open, spacial designs ... Go For It.

And say, perhaps you want giant palm trees in your bedroom ... 

well, by all means Go For It.

But notice the design ... if you are going to do it .... DO IT!

Don't skimp!

The takeaway.

There are no rules.  

Trends, yes.  No Rules.

We were also treated to Sandra Espinet.  Yeah, I'd like to be her friend as well!

She has traveled literally everywhere.  It started when she was very young and moved everywhere with her family. Her love for travel has just grown stronger as she continues to search the World for inspiration and items to bring back to use for clients homes. 

And her new book, The Well Traveled Home, will delight your senses with her travels and how she brings her well traveled vision to her spaces.  

Sandra is inspired by colors she sees in culture, and she brings those colors back to her clients to create new spaces.

She doesn't follow the trend, she creates the trend.

What is not to love about THAT?? 

So Ladies and Gentlemen ... Go for It.  Do what feels best to YOU.

Keep it FRESH by all means ... but don't hold back!

Very Freeing ... don't you think!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Friday Snip-Its … Can it Really be Spring??

1.  Nudes.  Perhaps I am getting older.  I love them.

2.  This fabric made me happy.  Wanted it for the kitchen.

It was TOO much! But the Color!

3.  Do you know this lady?  We met for lunch this week. 

Get to know her!

4.  Carpet Borders.  On the hunt.

5.  This Chandelier.  I need it for a client!

Does she want it like I do???

6.  The Fig is IN.

7.  This Nude.  She celebrates Confidence.  I love her.

8.  More Carpet/Border Hunt for a client.

9.  This Band. Being Considered for a Red Room (mine!) Near You.

Happy Friday sweet Friends.  Celebrate the Weekend.

The Sun is Shining.  God is Good!!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo

kim

Old ... is new Inspiration to Me!

This past weekend I had the WONDERFUL opportunity to read some magazines.  I love blogging, y'all know I do.  And the inspiration ... it makes my day to catch up with favorite bloggers and see what DIYing they are up to, what they cooked for dinner, or just getting to know them better.

But the Magazines.  There is something about the rag that holds me captive.  Some people save their copies for years.  I am a RIPPER!  I try not to destroy them, but I find favorite things and before I know what has happened ... RIP!  

I do keep a notebook of my favorites RIPS ...  I should put more on Pinterest.  But I am a toucher.  A feeler.  And want to do it over and over again!

Here are a few of my favorite images from this addition of Traditional Home.

What draws us in?  Do you know what really makes you smile?

Here's what really strikes me when I am looking for inspiration:

Window Details and Floors ... 

Neutral? Yes, but look at the subtle color in the chair fabric and the texture in the wooden table that brings in the warmth ... and can't you just FEEL the linen on that stool? ... 

And here, if it weren't for the happy punch of Color and Gloss this dining room would be BORING ... but no snooze here ... 

  I like so many styles, so it makes it very fun for me to really look at the images that I have ripped away and discover what draws me in.

What draws you in?

Making the World More Beautiful ... One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Color Infusion!

Thanks so much for hanging with me while I tromped off to NYC for a little ... LOT ... of Inspiration.  BlogFest 2013 hosted by Kravet.  I feel like I have had an IV POUR of inspiration ... and will share it all with you over the next few posts!

In the meantime, here' what really resonated with me while in the City and at BlogFest and at the Kip's Bay Showhouse ...

COLOR is Back in a STATEMENT kind of Way!

On the Street.

In the Stores.

In Design.

Oh Happy Day for Me!!

I hope you will drop back by to see how I was inspired ... and take the ideas Home!

xo

kim

 Happy Friday!!  After a few days "off" ... This week has been fast and furious!!

Last Fall ... this is how I was feeling ... 
No Snow, just beautiful colors!

 I know ... it is winter now.  The Snow brings a Black and White scenario.  But while we were in this mode I had the fun opportunity to work with a client on an addition.  A new Family Room ... and here were our inspiration fabrics.

Loving what Kravet bought to the table here and ...

so did She!!

We are still working on a few Details ... but here's what is happening.

Are you Sneaking A Peek of the Woods behind these windows ... we gave a nod to nature ... and then a little hip vibe to bring out the Color!

And Yes ... You are Spying The JAWhitaker ... oh Yeah! 

Don't go judging ... the table Rocks ... but it isn't styled!!  We are Just Snapping Photos today!!

Enjoy your weekend my Sweet friends ... I will be attacking the Beast in the Basement!!

xo,

kim

The Painted Home

Design Coffee Table Books are always on my Christmas 

List.

 ... And this one was under the Tree!

Source

I think it's the January doldrums and lack of color outside that is making me soak up the SUN through the pages of this "Painted Home!"

These Apple Green Leather Chairs and gilt bamboo stool give me just the lift I need!

Dena shares her home in the pages of this beautiful book.  The love for her home comes through with all of the cozy spaces and her flair for color and pattern! 

I didn't know Dena before I got this book ... evidently she's quite a Hot Ticket (as my MIL would say)!

  

And I applaud!!

And This Romantic Dinner for Two or Four can be created in a heartbeat ... this is why I love "moveable" furniture!  Dining Room by Night ... 

Sitting area by Day!

I am working with a new client right now on a beautiful Sun Filled Room.  I have named it The Solarium.  She is game and I am investigating Painting the Walls ... in a Mural Fashion ... I love it when my clients' are All IN!!

What are you GAME for this week?  Well ... I hope you Bring it!

xo,

kim

More CGN!

Since I had my AHA moment (as stated by Kim@Chattafabulous .... Thank you!)  I am loving my color in neutral spaces and able to 'see color' in a way I haven't before.

This entryway is warm and welcoming and bursting with Color Goes Neutral!!

Another example how neutrals can be warm.

All photos courtesy of Elle Decor!

I still love a good dose of happy color splash.  However, these Colorful Neutrals are capturing my attention right now.  

Maybe it's the fall in the Air ... and my need of Change!

Have you changed anything up for Fall?

xo,

kim

AND ... CGN

Look what I got in the mail today !!!  Loving a little eye candy!!

AND ... Amanda Nisbett Designs.  I ordered this sooooo long ago I forgot about it.  It must have been HOT!! 

As you, my sweet readers, know.  I struggle with neutrals vs. color.  I am on a relentless see-saw ... color/neutral/color/neutral.

Well, Amanda has helped me see the light.  I think I just might be balanced with my new term.  CGN.  Color Goes Neutral.  Seriously.  

Look with me.

Nothing Harsh. Not too Busy.  Not Overwhelming.

Just Neutals ... INfused with Color.

CGN - Color Goes Neutral.

I just might have found the balance on my see-saw!!

xo,

kim

Diggin' on DIGS!

Don't you love it when you stumble upon some THING or some ONE that you just DIG ... well take a gander at what Joceyln Chiappone of Digs Designs has been up to! 

Y'all know I have seriously tried NEUTRALS ... they are pretty, the are serene ... but these Colors!!  And the Pucci Inspired Chair backs ... ahhh ... 

And a little Animal ... AND Ikat ... 

Okay, I'll do neutral chairs if I can have Wallpaper Backed BookShelves!

Chinoiserie Anyone?  You know what I love about this dining room? Besides the obvious?  I work on alot of older homes with low ceilings ... they are tricky.  This is room has a low ceiling and it doesn't look it ... Kudos!

TEAL (is that an outdated color name?) but I do love the color of these doorframes.  ooh and look at those dutch doors?

Old Fashioned Colorful Bathroom Fun!

Americana Shining!

All photos courtesy of DigsDesign

When I was younger all I wanted was an Iron Bed.  I didn't even realize how cool it could be if it were painted RASPBERRY!!

I just "met" Jocelyn and I am crushing.  Bring on the Color Missy and thank you for sharing it with all of us!!

Are you still in the neutral zone?  Or are you giving some thought to bringing in some color?

xo,

kim