“‘Twas Easter-Sunday. The full-blossomed trees Filled all the air with fragrance and with joy.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Anyone who knows me knows that I am happiest when entertaining. There is nothing I love more than setting up for and hosting a party. I am always on the lookout for new and creative ways to set a table or create that perfect party ambiance. For all of you hosting Easter this Sunday here are a few inspiration images to get your creative juices flowing…. Happy Easter and Enjoy!! xx K
stonegableblog.comGweneth Paltrow Easter Lunch in LondonMartha Stewart
Personalized chocolate filled candy eggsBetter Homes and Garden
wedsociety.com
Martha StewartBetter Homes and GardenEddie RossEddie RossCelebratemag.comSvitlana Flom
“He left the drapes open, watched the lights of the cars and of the fast food joints through the window glass, comforted to know there was another world out there, one he could walk to anytime he wanted.” ― Neil Gaiman, American Gods
I am in the middle of designing a window seat for a client and I thought I would share some of my inspiration. There is something about a cozy window nook with a beautiful view. The space needs to feel intimate and cozy … a secluded space that is still a part of the room. There are a lot of elements to consider when building a window seat. Do you want shelving? Storage? Lighting? You have to consider how you want to frame the space, how deep you want the space and most importantly, how to make the space as comfortable and functional as possible. Stylistically these window seats are very different but there were elements in each one that I was able to draw from and incorporate into my design. Enjoy! xx K
“Another fresh new year is here . . . Another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, and fear, To love and laugh and give!
This bright new year is given me To live each day with zest . . . To daily grow and try to be My highest and my best!
I have the opportunity Once more to right some wrongs, To pray for peace, to plant a tree, And sing more joyful songs!”
– William Arthur Ward
So grateful for everything and everyone in my life this year. Wishing everyone peace, happiness, love and good health in this new year! See you in 2015! xxK
“This is my wish for you: peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!” – D.M. Dellinger
“There is a virtue in country houses, in gardens and orchards, in fields, streams, and groves, in rustic recreations and plain manners, that neither cities nor universities enjoy.” – Amos Bronson Alcott
Mark Cunningham Elle Decor
I have always been drawn to the concept of laid back elegance in my designs. For me, the idea of a refined rustic interior begins with a neutral palette, a mix of metals and wood, industrial and ceramic lighting, and a pointed use of antiques. Rustic rooms gain their personality and refined aesthetic through a very delicate and selective mixture of preserved and exposed natural architectural elements; reclaimed wood beams and exposed stone walls or fireplaces. These natural elements in the architecture should then carry into the decor. Think of natural fibers and fabrics such as linen, leather and sisal. Everything should be about earthy texture and simplicity. Everything has its place and purpose. Mid-century pieces are also great for this style of home. My former boss Mark Cunningham is an expert at creating the refined rustic look as you will see in many of the inspiration pictures of his work that I included in this post. I love how he uses a Navajo rug or throw to add a little pattern into the room. Enjoy! xx K
Clark Stevens Country LivingMark Cunningham Elle DecorPortia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres Elle DecorRobert Stilin Elle DecorMark Cunningham Elle DecorAlfredo Paredes – Architectural DigestHome of Patrick Dempsey – Estee Stanley Interior Design – Architectural DigestMarkham Roberts Inc. – Architectural DigestKathleen Walsh – Architectural DigestAnouska Hempel Design – Architectural DigestSuzanne Kasler Interiors – Architectural DigestMarkham Roberts Inc. – Architectural Digest
“Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.” – William Shakespeare
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays to set the table for. I love working with a fall color palette and bringing nature indoors. I like to think of the table as its own small landscape; incorporating flowers and natural elements throughout the table setting. Here are a few Thanksgiving tablescapes for inspiration and some of my favorite items to set the table with this year. Enjoy! xx K
Country Living
Whenever I am setting a table I love to mix the high and low. For example, putting fine china on a more rustic wood slab charger as I did in my Thanksgiving table “wishlist” below…
“Every book is a quotation; and every house is a quotation out of all forests, and mines, and stone quarries; and every man is a quotation from all his ancestors.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Laura Yaggy Domino Magazine
It is finally starting to feel a little bit like spring here in New York and that means … time for spring cleaning. One of my favorite spring cleaning activities is re-styling my bookshelves. It is a great way to freshen things up and give new life to your old objects and accessories. When re-styling a bookshelf you should always be thinking of ways to alternate the color, sizes and orientation of your books. This will help give the shelves some visual interest and break the monotony of vertical rows. Lighting and artwork on the surface of the shelving is a great way to give your bookshelves an additional design element without adding extra items that may leave your shelves feeling cluttered. To keep a clean and tailored look always make sure to keep all the spines of your books at the same depth. Here is a little inspiration to get you started… Enjoy!
Francois CostaSouthern LivingConnie Newberry House BeautifulDomino MagazineDiane Von FurstenbergElle DecorAlain and Claude Fassier House and GardenSteven Gambrel House BeautifulMichael S. Smith House BeautifulVicente Wolf Architectural DigestRichard Meier House & Garden
“The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It’s the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for it’s existence against the winds and rain and scorching sun.” – Napoleon Hill
pamela hanson
House Beautiful
“For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground.” – Lyndon B. Johnson
“These gems have life in them: their colors speak, say what words fail of.” ~George Eliot
I first discovered Bounkit on my never-ending and seemingly impossible quest for the stylish and modern clip on earring. (Yes, I might be the only woman under the age of 80 who does not have her ears pierced.) When I finally stumbled upon this treasure trove of gorgeous semi-precious gemstones (that offered all of their earrings with a clip-on option), I thought I had died and gone to heaven! A native of Morocco, founder Hassan Bounkit launched his jewelery line in 2006. His inspiration derived from his Mediterranean background, ancient Moroccan designs, art deco and his love of nature. Each piece is handmade in the label’s New York atelier from crystal, wood and organically cut stones. Below are just a few of my favorite creations. I hope you enjoy these elegant and exotic creations as much as I do! xx Kris
All items seen below can be purchased on their website www.bounkit.com.
Ring with Green Amethyst and Lemon QuartzEarrings with Rutilated Quartz and Smoky TopazEarrings with Amethyst and Green AmethystEarrings with Blue Quartz and GarnetEarrings with Moonstone, White Topaz, Button Pearl and White Cat’s EyeEarrings with Green Onyx, Green Amethyst and Black OnyxBracelet with Green Onyx Beads and Clear QuartzCuff with Black Onyx and Carved LabradoriteCuff with Lapis and TurquoiseNecklace with Melon Lapis and Multi Strand PeridotNecklace with Rutilated Quartz and Smoky Topaz
“There are as many styles of beauty as there are visions of happiness.” – Stendhal
The weather is finally getting nicer and I was inspired this morning by an Instagram photo of a De Gournay wallpaper posted by a friend and fellow interior designer, Georgia Tapert Howe of Carolina George. Inspired by 18th Century Chinoiserie; nothing reminds me of springtime and brings the beauty of nature into a home quite like an exquisitely hand painted De Gournay wallpaper. The company specializes in creating block-printed panoramic wallpapers developed in early 19th century France and called: Papiers Peints Panoramiques. Every paper is handmade by skilled artisans and each one is a true work of art. The epitome of luxury, beauty and fantasy the paper can be customized any way the client desires and made into matching pattern fabric. Personally, De Gournay paper in a dining room is a look I will never tire of!! Thanks to Georgia for the inspiration… I am jealous that you get to work with one and am certain it will be stunning! For everyone else, enjoy the way designers have used these gorgeous papers in the pictures below! xx K
Nest Design CO
“Another fresh new year is here . . .
pamela hanson
House Beautiful
Kristen Laird Design 