Posts filed under 'Home Decor'
Stacy sits down for a Q&A about lighting with April Pride Allison, founder of Seattle-based kaarskoker—a brand of chic candle covers that can be found at boutiques in the city, such as Great Jones Home, G.R. Hedges, Lit Shades and Revival Home & Garden. Before creating kaarskoker, Allison was devoted exclusively to her interior design business, having earned a B.A. in Architectural History at the University of Virginia and her Master’s in Decorative Arts and Design at Parson’s in New York. The designer dished about trends, lighting secrets and what’s new for kaarskoker—read on!
SK: What do people get wrong about lighting?
APA: They don’t realize that they are important showcase pieces, like your furniture—it took longer for me to pick the lighting in my house, than anything else. If you don’t understand scale, or how much light a room needs to be functional and beautiful, it’s overwhelming. You tend to pick out what you’ve seen in a magazine that’s basic, or whatever is at Lowes. People don’t realize how many options are out there.
SK: What is your best tip for lighting?
APA: The secret is put in as much lighting as you can, and then get a dimmer. Light changes throughout the day, and you want to have options. Also, about 5 years ago, I didn’t have a lot of art, but you can get a great sconce, throw a kaarskoker on it, and it’s something that increases the value of the house.
SK: How do you light your house when you entertain?
APA: In my living room, I have chandeliers and sconces with different switches that both have dimmers. I light the walls a little and dim down the chandeliers. I put two pillar candles on the coffee table and candlesticks on the side table—it’s about creating mood lighting, and the dimmers help with that. To dress up the table, rather than use votives, I put tons of candlesticks around where food is displayed.
SK: How about outdoor entertaining?
APA: I love small, potted plants. IKEA has these amazing clay pots—they stand 3 inches tall and 2 inches in diameter—that I fill with herbs and use to dress the table for a party. I love glass hurricanes. I guess that’s the East Coast in me, and I also love candles outside. I like to use the coral pattern kaarskoker because it’s such a fun color, with 6-inch-tall tapers because they’re done at the end of the night and you’re not stuck with that little bit left that you don’t know what to do with.
SK: What are you inspired by right now?
APA: Fashion right now is great. We’ve gone back to what’s really feminine—less structured but polished. Lilac is everywhere! I love all the floral patterns this spring, it seems like happy times. For instance, Maggie Gyllenhaal looked fantastic at the Oscars!
SK: What about lighting trends?
APA: I’m seeing repurposed lighting a lot lately. I wrote a blog post about Barn Light Electric—I love that vintage look. You see it locally, like at Red Ticking and Smith. There [Smith] is an example of taking lights that people left for dead, dusting them off and putting in filament bulbs. One of the points of using kaarskoker is that you don’t have to ditch your old lights, you can just update them instead.
SK: What’s coming up for kaarskoker?
APA: I designed a candlestick lamp—also called a buffet lamp, that is popular on the East Coast. It’s a petite lamp that you can put in tight spaces when you want task lighting—perfect for a desk. I’m also doing a sale with One Kings Lane that’s very exciting. It will happen sometime this spring, and I’ll send out an e-mail and post on our blog when that will be!
SK: What is the Collector’s Series?
APA: These are the designs that I won’t be running again after they’re sold out. They’re fashion inspired and very bold. The scale pattern has been popular—it comes back around about every four years—but it’s going to look good even when it’s not “in fashion.” It reminds me a lot of Tony Duquette, Hollywood interior designer and set designer. Ziggurat brings out my inner Lily Pulitzer—David Hicks actually made it popular, followed most recently by Jonathan Alder. These are for someone who wants something special that you won’t see again.
Candlestick lamp, $325 for kaarskoker, (877) 272-4042
Scale and Ziggurat patterns from the Collector’s Series
Maggie Gyllenhaal at the 2010 Oscars. Image via Huffington Post
Stacy’s favorite inspiration photos:
March 17th, 2010
One of the best things about working at Seattle Homes & Lifestyles is that we get to see so many beautiful homes and gardens. But don’t be jealous because we’re sharing the wealth! Check out this online-exclusive bathroom remodel by Martina Clymer of Design Stage (read the full story HERE). We love the transformation and were taken by the sleek-but-warm style.
Before and after.
Check out these products to get the look in your own home:
Hansgrohe Metris S Trim 3-hole Roman Tub Set, available through Keller Supply, Seattle and Redmond locations; Glace tile in clay, available through Ann Sacks, 115 Stewart St., (206) 441-8917.
CaesarStone Absolute Noir 6100 counter top; Hinoki tissue box, $45 at Design Within Reach, multiple locations.
March 3rd, 2010
We attended the opening of Dixie Stark Home (616 S. Lucile St., 206-762-4747) on Friday and loved the new space and products. Made out of cargo containers, the combined boutique and office was warm and welcoming with a great mix of traditional and modern items. We spotted tigerlily and purple along with natural woods and lucite pieces. Plus, Stacy had a chance to catch up with the designer herself to hear about the new space. To watch Stacy’s interview, click HERE.
February 8th, 2010
Here is more from the Las Vegas Market!
Showrooms with more contemporary pieces are featuring modern furniture with flat-woven antique-style dhurrie and kilim rugs. Flat-weave rugs in general are showing strongly.
Cowhide rugs are also a popular look with both modern and traditional vignettes. Cowhide is just one example of the trend toward natural materials, such as horn, shell and unfinished wood. The mix of materials—wood, metal and glass—on a single piece is seen everywhere. Reclaimed wood and industrial fixtures dominate the new lines.
An amazing twig chandelier at Arteriors Home.
Elegant chinoiserie-style lamps and accessories at Arteriors Home.
Fabulous wood-and-acrylic table paired with a sophisticated leather sofa at Archetype.
I love this lamp from Arteriors Home!
Lovely modern outdoor furniture with a great twig table!
Awesome sofa at RVA Designs—nailheads always look great!
Look! Vintage trophies at Go Home, Ltd.
February 4th, 2010
World Market Center Las Vegas is the largest facility in the world featuring home and hospitality goods. This week, the center has attracted thousands of buyers, designers and furniture representatives from all over the globe, and I’m here with Diane Schultz, owner of Kirkland’s KOAP Home (120 Central Way, (425) 822-2003) hoping to get a sneak peek at all of the newest pieces that will be unveiled at the show!
So far, I’ve been amazed by the breadth and depth of product at the market. The buildings are enormous and the showrooms are as eye-catching as possible. Some of the biggest exhibitors cater lunch and showcase sepctacular floral centerpieces—Vegas knows how to put on a show!
For trends right now, companies are showing a lot of neutrals and tone-on-tone patterns. As Pantone’s Color of the Year, turquoise pops up throughout but mostly in lighting and accessories.
Take a look at our finds from the past two days and I’ll be back tomorrow with even more:
Sophisticated style at 18 Karat.
More neutrals to love at 18 Karat.
A colorful entrance at Cyan Design.
A creative window on the contemporary furniture floor.
A cool installation at the Four Hands showroom.
Colorful lamp bases at the Robert Abbey showroom.
February 3rd, 2010
We have to admit that we’ve been a bit obsessed with finding the perfect chair for our living room. The only problem is that we love everything we see. A wingback, a rocker or a chaise lounge? Mohair, linen or leather? Sleek lines, traditional curves or an eclectic mix? We just can’t decide. Here are a few beauties that have caught our eye. Now if only we could make a decision!
Onda chaise, Nancy Corzine Furniture; Sienna chair, Oly Studio.
Rosebud chair, Chaircouture; Paramount lounge chair, Blu Dot.
Vicomtesse lounge chair, Baker; Buttercup rocker, Blu Dot.
Egg Chair, Design Within Reach; No. 476 chair, Baker.
January 21st, 2010
Our Room of the Day is from a fabulously chic and colorful home in Seattle (read the story HERE). We love the fearless mix of bold prints and classic design pieces. The look is unexpected and unique.
Photo by Alex Hayden
Photo by Alex Hayden
To achieve your own eclectic style, pair vintage finds with modern staples. Go big with bright prints on upholstered pieces, rugs and wallpaper. Or try clustering accessories of a similar type or color to make a statement. Here’s what we love to help get this eclectic look:
Bertoia Bird lounge chair and ottoman, KnollStudio; British antique modern couch, MetroSofa.
Platner armchair in moss mohair, $2,681 from Design Within Reach; Capri bottle lamp in blue, $275 from Jonathan Adler.
Elizabeth wallpaper in brown, $60 a bolt from Graham & Brown; decorative cushion in violet with green dots, $55 from BoConcept.
Assorted large letter sign, $325 from Area 51 on Bond and Bowery; angled glass vases, $41 each from Whimsy Home Décor & Unique Gifts.
January 19th, 2010
It’s another day of Seattle rain and gloom (surprise, surprise), but we’re trying to be positive and make our own sunshine by sharing fabulous pieces from Shine by S.H.O. (formerly Shine Home). We absolutely love the new collection—which features the oh-so-chic hues of turquoise and citron yellow—and admire the bold mix of vintage and modern styles. Enjoy!
The Lola chair is a glamorous wing back with nailhead trim; hand-knit flowers from Italy add a sweet touch to the simple-but-stylish Grace ottoman.
Contoured surfaces make the Casablanca 6 Drawer chests stand out; we love the lace-inspired trim on the Shanghai console.
The Metropolitan pendant channels art deco elegance while the Catalonia small chandelier is boho chic with lacquer beads.
Shine by S.H.O. is available at these local retailers:
Revival Home & Garden
1517 12th Ave.
(206) 763-3886
Veritables
2806 E. Madison St.
(206) 322-7782
January 11th, 2010
It’s 2010, and doesn’t it just feel fabulous? It’s a new decade, year, month and day—we’re already scheming for this year’s projects, and we’d like to approach them with a fresh perspective. White is wonderfully clean looking, so be inspired to create your own new look!
Harriet Lamp, Jayson Home & Garden; Massive Photograph of a Sea Urchin, Seattle’s Galen & Lowe Antiques, via 1stdibs
Niche 3-Drawer Dresser, West Elm; Clyde Mirror, Oly Studio
Staub La Cocotte Set, Anthropologie; 3-Piece Lotus Candleholder, cb2
January 5th, 2010
Question: what do you get for the person who has everything? Answer: if they’re artistic or design-minded, you’ll find it at your local museum store. Not only do they offer cards, art books and jewelry, both the Seattle Art Museum and the Bellevue Arts Museum have a selection of novel home decor items. Right now, the SAM is offering a coupon for 15 percent off on their Web site.
A museum store is a great way to find unique gifts and to support the arts! Take this selection from the gift guide at the MOMA Store for inspiration:
Folding Bird House, Aalto Vase
Millerstripe Tray, Garcon! Wine Opener
Eva Teakettle, Almond Bowl
December 10th, 2009
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