Kristin Drohan Interior Design

Twelve Chairs Boston to Launch Kristin Drohan Collection

I'm very to excited to announce that this fabulous store and interior design studio, Twleve Chairs Boston will be carrying the Kristin Drohan Collection in a month.  I have collaborated with the owners, Miggy Mason, LEED AP and Roisin Giese to provide them with an exclusive, made in the USA, sustainable upholstery program for their customers and interior designers.  You can read about their store here.

I will be flying up Thursday, March 8th for our exclusive launch party from 5-7 pm at the store.  If you live in Boston and would like to attend, please email me kldrohan@yahoo.com or hello@twelvechairsboston.com to be placed on our invite list.  It is going to be a fun party so SAVE THE DATE!!

Design Success University

This week I did a seminar with Gail Doby, the owner of Design Success University. 

 
I have to tell you I'm overwhelmed with all the people who have emailed, and Face-booked messaged me with wonderful feedback.  I want to tell y'all Thank you, thank you, thank you! Of course I want to also thank Gail too.  She provides a much needed service to our industry, and I know those of you who have utilized DSU have experienced the positive results in your business.  When I listened back to the recording, I was soo nervous to hear myself.  I really wanted to be helpful without sounding like an idiot.  With the exception of saying "absolutely" a few thousand too many times, I think I did okay.  My husband said we should  play a drinking game. Every time I said "absolutely" everyone takes a drink.  Unfortunately, everyone would be plastered in that hour.  I'm working on some additional words to add to my vocabulary.  Again, thanks to everyone who personally reached out to me.  I meant what I said in the seminar.  I think it is imperative for us to be helpful in this business.  I hope to meet y'all in person one day.  If you missed the call and would to purchase the recording, DSU has it available for $47.  Here is the link. 

Well, I'm headed off to Brimfield tomorrow.  It is the biggest antique market in the world, with over 6000 exihitors.   I'm sooo excited.  I have been trying to go for the two years I've lived in New England and it never works out.  It looks like it won't be raining either.  Yeah! Thanks again everyone, and keep in touch.

NKBA 2011 Finalists Kitchen Porn

Before I get to the finalists, I'd like to thank a couple bloggers for featuring my work. First is Nan, at Playful Decor, who blogs about all things kids. She has featured my daughter's bedroom (which we are totally redoing right now, oy vey) from our DC house to the Boston house.  You can read it here.  The second is Strictly Homemade whose article is about contemporary art. You can read that post here.  Thanks ladies!

I've been meaning to do this post since last month, but work and life got in the way. In the latest issue of the NKBA mag, they have identified the finalists for their annual contest. Here are some from three of the categories. The first three are in the Small Kitchen category, the next three Medium Kitchen and the last three Open kitchen.

 
Chris Novak Berry, St Louis, MO

 
Rose Maire Carr, Ramsey, NJ

 
Dana Jones, Long Beach, CA

 
Anastasia Rentzos, Mississauga, ON

 

 
James E. Howard, St Louis, MO

 
Elina Katsioula-Beall, Pasadena, CA

 
William Landeros, Denver, CO

 
Chris Novak Berry, St Louis, MO

 
Terri Schmidt, Delafield, WI

So there you have it.  Some interesting choices, don't you think? What is your favorite?

Look for my post on the 2011 NKBA Style report on Monday.  Find out if Granite is still "in" or "out".

New Phillip Jeffries Wallcoverings

Even though we have had tons of snow this winter, Spring is in the air.  Maybe not in the weather, but in the design world.  This is new product launch time.  I'm so excited to share the new products at PJ with you.  Phillip Jeffries, is another favorite resource of mine.  They have four new collections and I think the Rivets are going to make me pass out.  Without further ado.

Geology: This is actually a micro thin "veneer" of honed slate and it comes in 6 colors. How cool is that?  My head is already spinning with design ideas.

 

Rivets: This is a raised relief pattern of pearlized links created to look like nail heads and is available in 9 colors.  If you don't know by now, I absolutely love nail heads.  This pattern is making me hyperventilate.

 

Grecian Squares: This has four layers of applied color to look like parchment and comes in 7 colors.  I love the red.

 

Trellis Embroidery: This has a diamond pattern embroidered on their Manilla Hemp and has an applied  stain repellent. It comes in 3 colors.

 

These are some great new products!  I'll definitely have to check them out in person at High Point the first week of April. 

 

New Philip Gorrivan for Highland Court and thanks to Design Shuffle!

I'm headed to the airport in a couple of hours for a short little trip to NYC, so I thought I'd quickly finish up this blog post.  Before I share the new PG collection for Highland Court, I would like to thank, Maritha Sears, at Design Shuffle for the awesome article she wrote about me last week.  I shared it with my Facebook friends but here it is if you missed it.  Design Shuffle, emailed a few weeks ago and asked if they could publish some of my work.  When I asked which pictures they wanted to feature, they gave me a list of what all happened to be my house.  Now you can check out my New England digs.

Earlier this week,  my Highland Court rep stopped by my studio to show me the new Philip Gorrivan line.  The past collections have been some of my fav fabrics.  I just used one of them in a project last month.  I took a few pics to show you the collection.  The color palettes were mostly muted, which I found interesting.  There is an Ivory, Gray, Purple, Cocoa, and soft Turquoise.

 

Love the faux bois.  It comes in a couple of the color ways.

  

Purple or Turquoise croc anyone?

 

What do you think? 

Would You Have the Guts to do THIS?

Recently, I started an entire house gut job for a client.  It is an adorable Cape that is getting a complete overhaul.  New kitchen, three new baths, new floors, new configuration...the whole enchilada.  While designing the kitchen,  I came across this amazing range pictured below.  I love it.  I want it.  It's not cheap (but not Wolf-expensive either) and I don't know if I would have the guts to do a colored range.  It inspired me to render my dream kitchen, and now I love it even more. 

 

Could you, would you, do a colored (neutrals don't count) expensive range?  The one I want is red.  The cabinet company I use has red cabinets and they coordinate perfectly.  It's like the sole of a Louboutin.  Remember you gotta pay for it.  Would I get sick of it?  Hmmm, I don't know.  Maybe someday...in the forever house.

 

 

My Shelter Pop Interview on Providing Free Design Advice

 
Recently, I was interviewed by, Shelterpop which is AOL living.  You can read the article here.  The topic was providing free design advice either virtually or as part of a retailer's service. This is a controversial topic with designers who blog.  There are some who are adamantly against it and even state that in their blogging and there are others who do it on a regular basis.  Here is my school of thought and reasons for doing Free Advice Friday.  I feel everyone should have the opportunity to live in their "best" space.  If we are truly honest, most people can't afford to hire designers.  I provide this service for those people.  The majority of people who send me dilemmas for FAF are usually young, many are just starting out in new homes, or they are overwhelmed and don't know where to start.  I've read from designers who won't give free advice--their reason for doing so is that it isn't fair to their paying clients.  I would argue that the service I give my paying clients, is a far cry from free advice.  Not only it is not on the same page, it isn't even in the same library.  I have never had a paying client question this practice and several like to make comments on the FAF solutions.   A few of my FAF subjects have even turned into E-decorating clients.   I think giving free advice promotes good will, and is one of my ways of giving.   I figure if some of the heavy hitters like, Vicente Wolf, Phoebe Howard, and my friend Paula Grace can do it, I can too.  It is a great solution when you meet someone at a cocktail party (soccer game, grocery store etc) and they find out you are an Interior Designer. What follows many times is a question about a decorating dilemma they are having.   Without seeing a picture, it is sometimes very hard to comment.  I always tell them to go to my blog and submit their situation with a pic for FAF.   I like win-wins.  It does take some time but I really enjoy doing it.  However, it may take me awhile to post a solution from the time it is submitted, because ultimately, my paying clients do get priority.  I don't think I'm going to change any minds, but I thought this article provided an opportunity to address my reasons for giving decorating advice.  Thanks, to Marilyn Zelinsky, contributing writer AOL Living for the shout out. 

Pantone Color of the 2011: Honeysuckle

Pantone has named Honeysuckle the color for 2011.  Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director for Pantone cites the need for something uplifting as motivation for choosing something so vibrant.  

 

What do you think?  Do you like it?  It is an inherently feminine color so I'm not sure about broad appeal.  Here are some examples of its use.  I prefer it as an accent color but I will say, it would be hard to be depressed in the rooms that are enveloped in it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 Are you sold on it or freaked out?

My Favorite Things: Designers What are Yours?

In the latest issue of House Beautiful, they feature both the Editor, Stephen Drucker and several other renowned designer's favorite things.  You can read their lists here.  I thought that would make a great blog post, so I have borrowed the idea and am using the same categories as HB.  Unlike Oprah, I will not be giving my list away.  

Lamp: Arteriors Home Annabelle Lamp and Visual Comfort's Chandy and Murano Glass Chandys

 

 

 
 

Car color: Black

 
 

Mattress: Therapedic I-Care

 

Coffee Table Books: David Hicks, A life of Design



Flowers: Lilies ( All types)

 



   

Sofa Shape: Camel/Tuxedo Mash up (Coming soon to the Kristin Drohan Collection)

 

 
 Comfort Food: Fajitas, Guac, Salsa, and Chips



Soap: Pecksniff's

 

Towel: Bed Bath and Beyond Elizabeth Arden Towel White and Ivory

 
Chair: Jack Host from Kristin Drohan Collection

 
Vacuum: Dyson

 

Ice Cream: Mint Chocolate Chip (I'm not a big Ice Cream person, I prefer cake)

  
Scented Candle: Archipelago Beramot Tobacco

  

 Wallpaper: Phillip Jeffries Glam Grass

 

 Toothpaste: Sensodyne (My husband has sensitive teeth)

 

Showerhead: Grohe Rainshower

 
Coffee or Tea: Coffee New England Blueberry Cobbler

 

 Workhorse Fabric: Sensuede from Robert Allen ( million colors, washable, indestructible)

 

Kitchen Gadget: Pampered Chef Chopper ( I hate prep work, this makes it a little easier)

 

Color: Black

 

 

Everyday Glassware: Crate and Barrel Charlie Glasses ( Clean and Simple)

 
 
 
Readers, what are your favorite things?  Designers, put your list together on your blogs and Facebook pages. I loved reading the HB designer's list.  I think it is interesting and telling. 

Eco Friendly Kitchen and Bath Products

Okay, so long time no post.  What can I tell ya.  I took a little sabbatical.  Not at Cirque Lodge or anything.  I was on vacay and I'm spending time with my kids.  I've found that all work and no play makes me, dull, pissy, and no fun.  I'm working on balancing work and life.  Recently, I started working on  a whole house update for an eco friendly client.  My research for this project has uncovered some cool stuff, so I thought I'd share.  Part of the project includes updating the kitchen and three baths.  That means cabinets, flooring, tile, counters, fixtures etc.  My cabinet company of choice is Wood Mode.  Most of my clients lean more traditional, so bamboo or some of the other eco options just don't work atheistically.  The great thing about Wood Mode is that they are ESP ( Environmental Stewardship Program) certified.  They use sustainably forested wood and a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer which virtually eliminates VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) in the finishing process.  That means when cabinetry is installed, there won't be any off gassing to effect the indoor air quality.  

 
Here is the product design board.  I have blogged about ECO by Consentino before.  This is a countertop material made from 75% post industrial and consumer waste.  It is heat resistant, doesn't need to be sealed, and doesn't scratch or stain.  Some of my favorite color ways are featured above.  Priced similiar to granite, it comes in 10 1/2 ft slabs, which eliminates the need for seams when installed. What more could you want?  I've also included WaterSense faucets for both the kitchen and bath.  This is an EPA designation that reduces water usage by 20% but does not sacrifice performance.  Lastly, I have featured Forecast Lighting's Organic Modern grasscloth pendants and Ben Moore's Aura paint.  Aura is low VOC not zero VOC which is their Natura line.  Even though Aura is a bit pricier, my contractors think it has superior performance.  There you have it...My client's Coastal Inspired Eco Friendly Kitchen and Baths.  I'll keep you posted on our progress.