K.I.D. Collective

Category: design

a new favorite

January 19th, 2010

I have a new blog crush. It’s even*cleveland. Don’t you love it when a blog reads your mind? Well even cleveland has been reading mine. Everything posted is pure perfection. Right down to Pentagram’s What Type Are You post.

Apparently I’m emotional, understated, progressive and disciplined. And the type that fits my personality… Archer Hairline. You can take the test yourself here. The password: character.

Addendum: After posting, I realized the K.I.D header Celeste designed for me is not a far cry from the Archer Hairline. Maybe this was her inspiration? Here’s another blurb about the font that’s my new found favorite.

Archer, the colorful slab serif. Sweet but not saccharine, earnest but not grave, Archer is designed to hit just the right notes of forthrightness, credibility, and charm. Designed by: Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones

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simon says

January 15th, 2010

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Simon Schubert has created some pretty rad paper foldings of homes and interior spaces. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Spotted on Today and Tomorrow

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the joys and pains of vaca

January 6th, 2010

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The awesome thing about vacation is taking time off and spending it with people you love. The not so awesome thing about vacation is catching up after said vacation. I’m in up to my eyeballs people. I’ll try to get back here in the next few days. Until then, take a look at some images from one of my Christmas gifts from Jevan.

We followed Emily’s tradition of 4 gifts: Something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read. It was a fun way to think about gifts for one another. And I’ll tell you, it was even more fun watching Jevan open his gifts and determine the category they fall under.

The gift I’m sharing from Jev falls in the Something to Read Category. It’s called Flea Market Style by Emily Chalmers. It’s already getting some use. I’m even taking it to a meeting this afternoon.

And if you need further proof that I don’t sit around and surf the internet all day, not that that’s a bad thing, because there are days I would love to do just that, here’s a little blurb on a project I worked on with my old firm that just finished. If you get the Denver Post, it’s planned to run either January 9 or 16. Talk soon. Promise.

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gallery walls

December 16th, 2009

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Via Skona Hem spotted on Design to Inspire. I could do an entire post on this home. It’s so perfectly imperfect. The Daines always get it right.

Gallery walls are a great way to showcase more than one piece of art, especially small scale pieces, in the home. I say art in the loosest of terms here too. Family photos, sketches done by the kids, music posters could all be showcased as long as there is one consistent feature. Maybe you have all black and white photos, or maybe it’s a handful of line drawings, even the same frame color works great. Regardless, for this look to feel cohesive, to me it needs this commonality to keep the wall from feeling too chaotic.

Over the years Jevan and I have accumulated a collection of small scale artwork. We have some of it hanging but a few pieces have yet to be framed. Since I’m not great at styling tons o’ stuff on walls, my style is way too symmetrical to pull this look off on my own, I began pulling images that could become a good source of inspiration.

I’m really loving the different sizes and frame thickness paired with the same frame color. This means I have a good amount of work ahead of me painting frames. We’ll see how ambitious I actually am when it comes down to it. Here’s my inspiration ‘board’.

Design by Nate Berkus. Perfectly simple yet so interesting. Love the little jacket hanging on the wall.

Via ffffound. This is just a mish mash of everything and I kinda love it. Sadly, I don’t have a wall this large to make it work.

Via the late great Domino Magazine. While I’m not crazy about the stripe wallpaper I do love the different scales and different types of art.

Via Melanie Acevado. I love all white. This is just dreamy.

Via Mikael Beackman. Interesting way to look at dishware.

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brass is back

December 15th, 2009

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J.Crew Women’s Collection entry at the Upper East Side. Lonny Magazine

OK, hear me out. I’m seeing a lot of brass these days. I mean everywhere. From the Ace Hotel to the interior of the new J.Crew Collection store it all over the streets in some main stream places. I have to admit, I’ve never been a fan for brass. It’s so shiny and flashy and screams LOOK AT ME. I’ve always been a more brushed stainless kind of girl but I have a confession, it’s growing on me. When not highly polished it has a sense of warmth and comfort that steel can never offer.

I’m no expert but have a strong feeling brass is back because of the state of our economic situation. We are still at war, creeping through the biggest recession since war times, add in a little terrorism and it makes sense we would want our homes to feel more comforting and warm as opposed to the starkly modern homes of the last decade.

[from left to right, top to bottom]

Fjällnäs Reserve, was built in 1882 as a retreat for Swedish royalty to experience the drama of what Fjällnäs calls “the eight seasons.”

The Stumptown Coffee Roasters at the Ace Hotel in New York. Brass shelving detail.

Fireplace and brass fixture photographed by Mikael Beackman.

Jenna Lyons’ bath in Brooklyn, photo by Melanie Acevedo. See more of her home here.

4.25-Inch Bronze Tetraxis Star : $20 and the 9-Inch Bronze Tetraxis Star : $60. This piece is bronze but still has the same look and feel of brass.

Brass A330S Pendant : $290 at Matter in Brooklyn. Originally designed by Alvar Aalto in 1939 the light was reintroduced in 2007 by Artek.

Brass fox door knocker. $12.79.

Escutcheon NG square-metal plate fixture with porcelain socket : $280 through Vica.

These are just a few ways to incorporate the warmth into your home without making it look like Liberace moved in with you. Think I’m out in left field? Take a look at what’s going on in the fashion industry and actually look at what people are wearing. Interiors will soon follow, it’s only a matter of time. Still think I’m out in left field… I would love to hear why.

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the white choice

November 13th, 2009

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These homes by Whiting Archicture are just what I need to get this morning going. Simple, understated but oh so thoughtful. It looks like every detail was considered. See the wood paneling in the first photo with the switch plate centered perfectly? Now that’s planning, no one gets that lucky. Here are a few snippets of my faves. Yes, there are more to be had here. I didn’t want to inundate you so early on a Friday, that’s more of a Monday thing, if you ask me.

While I’ve always wanted an all white house, I also think of the melt downs that would ensue while trying to keep it white. I think gray is more my speed. At least I know my limits.

[Photos: Whiting Architects, discovered via Design to Inspire]

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little shop of… interior design

October 27th, 2009

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While my style lends itself to being modern, I love the idea of working with a client who has a more traditional aesthetic. This gives me a chance to explore other styles as well as add modern elements to an otherwise traditional palette. While working with Mary on her dining room, living room, office, lounge and powder room she determined it was time for a big change from the yards of floral, plaid and patterned wall paper all with deep reds, cornflower blues and pale yellows. The goal was to make the house more sell-able (she and her husband are downsizing), add some classic pieces she can take with her to a new home and transition to a neutral, lighter palette while still keeping a traditional aesthetic. Take a look at the inspirational images above to see the starting point.

For the Dining Room, there are a handful of existing pieces to work with; a very large brushed brass dining room chandelier, a tall cherry corner hutch and a cherry buffet. To balance these 3 very traditional pieces we found a simple Mission style table in cherry (this table seats 12 when it’s fully extended – can you imagine the dinner parties!), comfy inexpensive upholstered chairs with dark legs that we are adding brass nail heads to the base and a cow hide rug. To stay in the classic realm I added two brass wall sconces to flank a large wall mirror (please ignore the dust) with a pineapple detail to go above the buffet. In colonial times pineapples signify hospitality. And that’s exactly the feeling we are going for. A place where everyone can sit back and enjoy themselves, for a while. This is just the beginning, so check back in the coming weeks to see what’s going on with the other spaces and all the details and accessories.

[Images above are clockwise from top left: Bar cart (via Design Sponge bar cart guide); Brass Wall Sconce; Antique Pineapple Mirror; West Elm Dining Chairs; Mission Style Butterfly draw top Table; Cowhide Rug.]

Above is Mary’s Color Palette. All colors are Sherwin Williams Harmony Interior latex (meaning no nasty, toxic paint smells). For the Dining Room we are using the light blue (2nd from left) as the main wall paint and the warm gray (3rd from left) for the wainscot. All the trim will be white. The other colors, you ask? I’m saving them for a different post.

If you are looking for an update, trying to incorporate pieces you can have forever, need tips on what style works best for your tastes or you just don’t know where to begin, I would love to help out. Whether it’s a room for your new baby or an entire house remodel, I’m up for the challenge and am more than happy to work with you to find something you love and also fits your budget.

[Inspirational Photos: Blue Dining Room - Elle Decor; Taupe lounge - Design Sponge Sneak Peek]

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jenna lyons = pure inspiration

October 26th, 2009

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Yesterday I was thumbing through the latest J.Crew and it took me nearly half the catalog to realize the model is Erin Wasson, she’s even on the cover. I kept thinking she’s so familiar, where do I recognize her? I blame my slowness on this unlikely combo; grunge and prep are not often paired together. Regardless, she looks great, I love a lot of the pieces she is wearing and she gives J.Crew the edge they so desperately need.

I’m totally guessing here, but think this match might have something to do with Jenna Lyons. She’s J.Crew’s creative director and face behind the catalog’s Jenna’s Picks. Lyons has done wonders for the brand and has given it an entirely fresh new look by adding unexpected contrasts: grunge meets prep, luxe meets humble, girly meets masculine. To inspire you even further, I thought I should show you some images of Jenna’s home. It’s one of my favorite features from the late great Domino Magazine, partially because of these juxtapositions. I find myself going back through the mag for projects, inspiration and just for fun. What about you? Are you a magazine hoarder too?

[Photos: Erin Wasson - J.Crew; Jenna Lyons' home - Melanie Acevedo for Domino Magazine]

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erin fearins – a day in the life 01

October 15th, 2009

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In the Brooklyn post yesterday I mentioned a new series that’s in the works. It’s basically all about being in a person’s shoes for a day. I asked a handful of people I find interesting to let us follow them for 24 hours. The intent is to get a glimpse of what their life is like and hopefully be inspired by their creativity, realize that we don’t have to make a living through a traditional 9-5 job and that we can have fun with our careers. Check back over the next few months for the continuation of the series. I’ll have a post up twice a month through the end of the year highlighting a new person. Thanks to Erin for being the first in the series and for making me laugh out loud. I hope you all enjoy as much as I have.

ERIN FEARINS

Interior Designer – Coburn Architecture

Brooklyn, NY

7:59 AM Remove cats from head and drag myself out of bed.

8:32 AM Juice, yogurt, and about 37 vitamin supplements. Wonder to myself why they haven’t just created one super-huge capsule already?

8:40 AM Realize that this sad shoe selection is the downfall to nearly every outfit I pull together. This must be amended, and fast. Currently eying these Isabella boots. I could wear them with anything. Or these caged heels. Love all the cut outs! They would be great with bright blue wool tights this fall.

9:01 AM Arrive at the D&D Building for annual “Market Week” which is actually just a two day event. A series of talks and presentations on all things new in the world of interior design. There was a whole thing on blogging and how it can be super-effective for marketing a new career!

9:02 AM Regret that I did not bring my own coffee as there is none available here!

11:01 AM Coffee dilemma is averted, and bonus: I’ve just been inspired by the fabric printing process! So fascinating. I wish I could set up a Barbie size fabric printing table in my living room. Imagine the wee couture items that could be created!

11:45 AM Saw this little guy at a showroom in the D&D. I fell in love with his chocolate milk mustache, but quickly realized that if I brought him home my skittish lamp monkeys might kill him. If you don’t have skittish lamp monkeys in your home or are looking to add to your collection, these two would be an adorable addition. And a recession friendly guy.

Chocolate Milk Mustache Monkey vs. Skittish Lamp Monkeys

1:45 PM Had my palm read by a psychic hired by a carpet showroom. Go figure. According to Madame Sherrie Lynne, I am a silly person who needs to be more silly all the time, especially while working. Also, there were lots of cards involving celebrating and drinking from huge cups. Apparently, things are looking pretty good for me! I’m not even making this up.

3:15 PM Reviewed potential “must-bid” items from Tepper Galleries Auction preview of the late designer David Barrett’s estate. Due to estimate price, I “must-not-bid” on this chaise, but I’m thinking that Mr. Barrett has validated my obsession to hand paint cheap-o Parsons chairs into odd masterpieces!

5:12 PM Meet famed designer, Jan Showers, at a book signing. After looking at her book, I quickly realize that I would like for Jan Showers to adopt me. She signed mine: “To Erin: May you always have glamour in your life! All best, Jan”. Sadly, this will never come to pass.

6:35 PM Upholster this cast-off footstool using a fabulous black calfskin (similar to calfskin in photo), a gift from my B.F.F. upholsterer, Fausto. Now to reattach the horns so said stool has the ability to support weight of an actual foot. If you are interested in Fausto’s contact info, let me know.

7:15 PM Brooklyn in a chilled glass! Jesse’s special house-made Amer Picon, rye and a splash of blood orange bitters. Perfection on such a blustery evening. Check out the recipe here.

7:23 PM Massage a tiny (adorable) chicken with butter and thyme and roast at 425 degrees inside my equally tiny oven.

9:10 PM Catch up on the first season of Mad Men. Yes, I’ve clearly been living under a rock for the past three years. I love the aesthetic of this show, but all the smoking makes me physically ill.

11:23 PM Email this list of random things I did today to Casey. (Hopefully she will continue to speak to me.)

3:35 AM Wake up in the middle of the night to find that the cats have returned to their regular sleeping position on my head. All is correct in my world.

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counter intelligence

September 29th, 2009

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I’m working on an exciting project at the moment and thought I would share a few tidbits for the master bath. Fiddlehead Designs out of Denver, CO has some of the best concrete out there. Their mix is over 80% recycled content and they replace 30% of their portland cement with flyash.

Don’t you just love this sink? It’s called the mini ramp.

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Category: design

a new favorite

simon says

the joys and pains of vaca

gallery walls

brass is back

the white choice

little shop of… interior design

jenna lyons = pure inspiration

erin fearins – a day in the life 01

counter intelligence

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