Designers Archives | Page 2 of 3

Workspaces, Made in the USA and Shopping the World

July 24, 2013

The other day I came across this photo of designer Kristin Albers office space and was captivated. I usually lean towards bold, fun colors in my work space but I really felt a connection with the monotone color palette. The space feels cozy and totally relaxing with a simple sophistication to it.

source

In doing a little research about this office space I discovered that all the binders, which I originally thought had been wrapped in Kraft paper, were actually products made by a company right here in the USA.

Guided Products makes simple, durable, reusable and beautiful binders, folders, business cards, labels and iPad cases. And the company has a great business philosophy.

When I started looking for information on Kristin Alber I learned that she is pretty amazing designer and business woman. In 1999 Kristin and her husband founded the store Domestic Bliss in Mesa, Arizona and have since gone on to establish FOUND Design Co. a second store which sells a curated collection of home finds. Kristin is also the talent behind ReStyleSource.com which is a national guide to local shops and restaurants plus a blog featuring amazing content on interiors, DIY projects, fashion, food, entertaining and parties! You can read about RestyleSource here.

The Domestic Bliss store is one of most beautiful stores I’ve come across in a long time and I haven’t even seen it in person. The store is filled it with an amazing collection of vintage and new items and is expertly merchandised with lifestyle vignettes and creative displays. I could go on and on about this store but I’ll let these photos speak for themselves.

Here are a few images of the store decorated for Fall and Christmas….

Domestic Bliss also offer interior design services and creates beautiful spaces for their clients like these…

Such a great mix of patterns, colors, textures and finishes.

This home decorated in shades of white and cream is just stunning…

Wow, right?? So much goodness under one business umbrella.

We are planning a trip out west next year and I will definitely include Domestic Bliss on my list of places to check out.

For more inspiration you can find Found on Pinterest or you can visit them in person in Mesa.

FOUND by Domestic Bliss
166 W Main St

Mesa, AZ 85201

Open Tuesday thru Saturday

More images of Kristin’s work space can be found in the book Where Women Create Organization!

Be Inspired!

Design Crush: Katie Ridder

June 12, 2013

As a designer, blogger and all-around creative, I read about and study lots of interior designers. One of the designers that has recently stood out to me is Katie Ridder. Although Katie has designed since 1995, after a stint at House & Garden and House Beautiful magazine, her work has made an impression on me because of her use of color.

In today’s design world so many designers are creating rooms that are “quite” and “soft” often using totally neutral color palettes. While these low-key rooms are on trend and have their place, it’s refreshing to see a designer like Katie designing rooms that are just as stylish, just as on-trend, just a sophisticated yet full of color. Color is obviously a signature design element for Katie and she does it well. Take a look as some of Katie’s work…

I love that Katie has used the same color on the wall and chair fabric resulting in a room that feels very cozy and relaxed.

A colorful sofa is something you will find in lots of Katie Ridder designed spaces. The sofa is always the attention grabber but plays beautifully with the other textiles in the space.

I love this combination of yellow and teal which makes the room feel pretty without being too cute.

A colorful bed, something you don’t see a lot of these days.

Oh how I love this orange sofa against the creamy walls and flooring.

This is one of my favorite Katie Ridder rooms. I love the Americana feel with a touch of eclectic glam and whimsy.

Americana with a traditional spin. The pops of red really give this room energy.

A great example of saturated colors mixed with pastels.

I recently added Katie Ridder’s book to my design library and have been inspired by so many of the spaces she has designed.

To learn more about Katie and view her complete portfolio, visit her website!

all images via Pinterest

Blog Connections and Some Amazing Artwork

March 21, 2013

As I blogger, it has always been somewhat of a mystery about who it is that actually reads my blog. I know that a larger percentage of my readers are women and many of you are designers like me. I also know that I have quite a few male readers (yeah men!) and that lots of you love the same things I do…fashion, entertaining, gifting and design. It is always nice to connect with my readers and I love it when one of you takes the time to drop me a note to let me know how much you enjoy what I write and share with you.

A couple of months ago, I got an email from one of my readers in NY letting me know how much HE liked my blog. Victor had a website listed at the bottom of his email and of course I checked it out. Come to find out that one of my blog readers is Victor-Raul Garcia, a very well-known abstract modernist painter from NY. Victor and I have traded a few emails and I have come to love his work and wanted to share it with you.

Here’s Victor in action creating one of his colorful and dynamic pieces.

Victor was born in Lima, Peru, raised by his grandmother and came to the US at the age of 8. He has long had an interest in interior design, visual expression and color therapy, all which led him to follow his passion of being an artist. Victor is known as an artist that explores new ways to create his work, often mixing traditional materials with non-traditional elements like coffee grinds and wood stains.

This is how Victor describes his work…”Layers are the distinction between past and present, old and new, buried and rediscovered. The process I use in my work I call ‘art archeology’ since I am stripping away layers to unravel a hidden mystery or putting on layers to add mystery to what’s hidden. I believe we all have a physicality, a personality and an essence, which is what I hope to portray in each piece.“

Victor’s work has been collected by people all over the world, has been shown in many galleries and has been featured in many magazines. Here’s a look at some of his current pieces.

ASUNCION

BABEL

INRI

RED ENVY

TORMENTA DE FUEGO

What I love most about Victor’s art is the intense use of color and the bold statement each piece makes. I hope to one day own a piece of Victors work.

The blog world is an amazing space. While I may never know who each and every one of my readers is, I love when I can connect with someone, make a new friend and find a whole new source of inspiration. As someone who has always wanted to dabble in painting, I’m inspired by Victors art.

Thanks Victor for reading ConfettiStyle and for reaching out and saying Hi!

To learn more about Victor you can visit his website here or connect with him on Facebook here!

p.s. I’d love to get to know my readers better so leave me a comment and let me know your name and where you are from.

How to Decorate your Home with Confidence

January 8, 2013

In my years of owning a home décor store, designing and writing this blog, I can honestly say that one of the major pitfalls the average person has when it comes to decorating their homes is a lack of confidence. As a designer, I not only have studied my craft but was fortunate enough to be blessed with a good sense of style and design which have been invaluable in my work. Even with all that going for me, I still follow a set of simple rules when it comes to designing for clients and myself. These are the rules you need to know to Decorate Your Home with Confidence!

You Need a Vision: You need to decide how you want the space to feel, look and function AND determine what you like and don’t like in design!

Easier said than done but this step is critical in creating a design for your home that will not only feel good but look good as well. This may require you to live in your home for a while and let it speak to you. What style do you want to create for your home and what colors feel right in your home? What elements do you want to play up and/or take the focus off of? Knowing how you want a space to look and feel is all part of the design plan and design vision.

You Need a Plan: How is the space being used or to be used? What items that you already own stay or go? What pieces of furniture do you want/need in the space?

Creating a plan not only in your head but on paper will help you embrace and execute your design plan in every detail. Draw the space as you envision it, tape off the floor where furniture pieces will go and move things around until the flow and layout feel right. You can read more of my tips on Space Planning here.

You Need a Starting Point: Now is not the time to go out and buy any and everything you like. You need to start with the pieces that will make the most impact in a room.

The best starting point for your design is the selection of the rug, larger art pieces and the sofa. Think of these as the foundation to your design.

Choose your area rug, large artwork and main furniture piece first…

then select the paint colors that will work with them. Rarely does it work to select a paint color first and then search for pieces to work with the color.

You Need to Evaluate: Once all the major pieces are in place and the walls are painted, take a step back and evaluate what you’ve done so far.

Change anything you don’t like, make adjustments to the floor plan and decide what other elements are needed to allow the space to meet your expectations. Simply put, if you don’t like something, change it.

You Need to Personalize: This is where the fun and magic happen. Personalizing your design plan is what will make it come to life and feel complete.

Add photos, textiles, books and accessories. Surround yourself with the things you love and the things that will allow you to relax and enjoy your home.

AND finally, You Need to Enjoy Your Home!

Make it a priority this year to spend time with friends and family in your home. Enjoy the comforts it provides and let is nourish your soul!

Developing a confident attitude when it comes to decorating your home is as simple as envisioning, planning, executing and putting your personal stamp on the look and feel!

If you need help creating a home you love, CONTACT ME to schedule your personal design consultation. If you live outside the Atlanta area my DOOR-TO-DOOR E-Design service is for you!

For more design inspiration, be sure to Like ConfettiStyle on Facebook, follow on Pinterest and show us some tweet love on Twitter!

Inspiration from a Design and Fashion Idol

September 20, 2012

While I’ve spent a little time recouping from my surgery, I’ve had a chance to watch all the shows I had recorded on my DVR. Amongst the long list of Oprah shows, Dance Moms (guilty pleasure) and Housewives of NYC were all the episodes of Sarah’s House with none other than on of my design idols Sarah Richardson. I don’t know if you had a chance to watch but this series was noting short of fabulous. Sarah and her charming side kick Tommy design the most stunning and livable rooms ever. I love Sarah’s esthetic, her use of color and how she

Here are my favorite looks from this season of Sarah’s House.

Love the industrial mix that makes up this vignette.

The softness of this room gives off such a relaxing feel. Although it’s a tad on the formal side it looks very approachable.

Stunning grey and white kitchen. I’m loving the look of multiple paint finishes on kitchen cabinets.

Great pattern mixing! And that coffee table looks like a fun DIY project.

This cute little work space has lots of character!

A beautiful entrance!

The black cabinet really helps to add depth to this space and the artwork collage helps the TV to blend in.

The white wall ( created with moulding and paint) is a brilliant way to create a focal point and frame out the bed/headboard.

Love this furniture turned vanity and the unexpected style sink.

I adore, adore, ADORE this wallpaper! A powder room is the perfect place for this intricate and whimsical pattern.

A front view of the entry. I really like that Sarah used different element on each side of the chest to make the space less predictable.

The perfect fabric for these chairs.

This kitchen and eating area is just amazing. And check out the stained table base with the painted wood top and painted chairs. So fresh!

Every kitchen need a mini frig/wine cooler. Love the tiered layout of the island, making each work are distinct.

Pretty and quaint!

This is an awesome craft space! Love the paint treatment on the ceiling and all the organizational elements from IKEA!

My next sofa purchase will be grey! I so love this color palette!

A great example of mixing finishes!

Who wouldn’t love this bathroom. Those hexagon mirrors are to-die-for!

To learn more about Sarah Richardson and see more of her stunning design work head to her website and check out her Facebook page. And, to learn why I love her personal style read this post! Sarah’s not only one of my design idols but she’s also one of my fashion idols!

I hope you are as inspired as I am!

Kate Spade Never Fails to Impress

September 5, 2012

Kate Spade is one of my favorite designers and while surfing the KS site the other day I discovered a few things I that am swooning over.

Check it out!

1) Striped Notepads for jotting down ideas and info! 2) Taxi Mittens..perfect for a weekend trip to the Big Apple! 3) Leopard iPhone Case which is right on trend for Fall! 4) Adorable Faux Fur bag that has my name written all over it! 5) Cute Cluster Ring that will go with just about anything. 6) I never met a handbag I didn’t like and this Dot Shopper is no exception 7) Loving this Gabby Car Coat in my favorite color, red!

To see the full line of Kate Spade products, head here!

Ralph Lauren Style

June 24, 2012

The rough and refined elegance of Ralph Lauren’s style never goes out of style.

This vignette is one of my favorites with just enough old world charm to give it character and the right amount of refinement to make it elegant!

photo source: Ralph Lauren Home

Design Crush: Eileen Kathryn Boyd

April 30, 2012

Happy Monday!

I thought I start the week off sharing a few images from a designer I admire a great deal.

Eileen Kathryn Boyd is known for her use of color and her skill at creating rooms with a distinct color footprint. Taking inspiration from the fashion runways and adapting the color inspiration into the personal spaces within a home is what makes Eileen’s work stand out.

I know these beautiful and colorful spaces will put a little “happy” into the start of your week.

Enjoy!

One of the most amazing wall treatments I’ve seen!

Want to learn more about Eileen and see more of her work, head to her website here and follow her blog here!