Kristin Drohan Interior Design

New Product Introductions I'd Like To Use In Design Projects In 2013

I'm just finally recovering from the holidays and embracing the New Year.  What a crazy December.  We had an insane amout of furniture orders that shipped last month. It was wonderful to have all the orders but a nightmare to get them finished and shipping was apocalyptic.  On to the New Year.  Everyone is launching their new stuff and I have a few eclectic finds I'd like to use in design projects this year.

 
Someone please let me use this Hermes wallcovering by Dedar.  It comes in a few other colorways but this I love this orange.  They also have pillows in this colorway. It will take mucho dinero, but in a small powder bath this would be AWE some!

This mirror by John Richard is super cool. I'm totally loving all the chain link in the market right now. This is such a fresh rendition with rectangle chain instead of oval chain. 

Saw these lucite horns in a Showroom last Fall in High Point.  They were being used as decor and the showroom staff did not know where they came from.  After some research we found they are from Grace and Blake.  Horns are everywhere, but this is such an interesting, funky, fun take on them.

 
Mary McDonald's appliques for Schumacher are totally sick.  I want to use them on pillows or window treatments.  If none of my clients takes me up on this, I'm doing it for myself.  On second thought, I'm going to do it for myself regardless.

 
This pillow for Surya is awesome. I love the geometric design and the coloway.  Such a bargain too.  I could design a whole room around it.

Totally digging this navy knot rug from Surya as well.  Another budget find and it comes in a few other colorways too.

There you have it. I also have some new KDC pieces in prototype that I can't wait to use too.  Looking forward to 2013.

 

The Reveal Kitchen Before and After

I still have a couple little tweaks but for the most part the kitchen is done.  We are loving the new island already.  Here is what we started with.

It isn't terrible, but that is a lot of wood in the same tone.  I was not a fan of the green walls either.  You can see remnants of the faux finish in the adjoining hearth room too. It was nicely done but so late 1990's (even though this house was built in 02).  I didn't want to spend a fortune, so I used the same space plan, had the cabinets painted, updated the lighting, and switched out some appliances. I still want to trim the fridge out and put glass in a couple cabinet fronts, but I need a break. I am tired of the contractors.  My painter used Rustoleum Black Satin in a can from Home Depot.  It has worn like iron with no chipping for over a year.  On the island we used Sherwin Williams All Surface Enamel in oil.  This has worn ok. I had to have the cabinet door that houses the garbage can resprayed.  In addition to extending the island I also had the base trimmed out to look more like a piece of furniture. This is how it turned out.

See what a can of paint can do?  We are loving the new Thermador cook top and Bosch dishwasher too.  I am very happy with how it turned out and that Leathered Black Pearl granite is amazing.  Doesn't show anything and it is so unique.  I have some new counter stools I've designed in production at the factory, but I'll have to wait a couple more weeks for them to be finished.  I figure when I get tired of the turquoise, I'll switch the lights and have the island painted, for a whole new look.  

My Favorite New Furniture Pieces

We have a lot of new pieces at the Kristin Drohan Collection that I wanted to share with you.

Chuck Chesterfield

Chaz Chesterfield

 

Cheryl Cocktail Ottoman

Gertie Gueridon Side Table in Espresso/Silver and Whitewash/Gold with sandblasted reclaimed wood top

Ian Cocktail Table with sandblasted reclaimed wood top
Hutch Ottoman (My 11 yr old daughter named this. Do I need to mention after whom?) Hint: She and all her friends are obsessed with the Hunger Games.

Double X Bench in Gray Wash, Espresso, and Black

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wacky, Wild and Wonderful of High Point Spring 2012

I'm just returning from High Point market and had a nice time.  It was relaxing and fun.  I think it was the first time my friend, Paula Grace and I dropped some cash on items for ourselves. We are always buying for our clients and things we see for ourselves we usually ponder before pulling the trigger.  Market was interesting.  Here is my report.  After seeing the "Restoration Hardware look" for the last couple years, we saw the return of bling.  I mean wild bedazzled bling.

And this

Pillows, headboards, chairs, tables etc were encrusted with crystals. I don't know what I think of it. A pillow is one thing, but the rest is so...Liberace.  That wasn't the only embellishment on furniture. Nail head, chain link, and wheels were all the rage too.  Interestingly enough, there wasn't a really predominant color as there has been in the past. There was a lot of Blue, but in various shades.  It was all about bright color. Orange, yellow, green, pink and even a smattering of red. Especially in custom lamps.  We all agreed, the "find" at market was a custom, made in the USA lamp program.  We can pick the lamp base style, choose the color, finish, and shade and then have it fabricated to order.  The best part was the excellent price point.

My daughter had put in a request for a rug that is like a Flokati or Mongolian lambswool for her bedroom.  This is what I found.  It is so wacky.  I haven't purchased it...yet. I'm not 100 percent sold even though she loves it. (Paula wanted me to pose on it).  It was sooo soft.  Don't freak out.  It is an "end of lifecycle" hide.  No animals were killed for the hide. 

Sometimes it is the little things that are wonderful.  Like these from Barbara Cosgrove.  The hook is so clever.

Love these leather handled trays and the horn and wood dominoes.

That leaves me to my purchaces.  My first purchase was a chandy for my entryway from Halo Stylesthat I will be waiting 4 months to receive since it is custom. I figure what is 4 more months, I've been looking for something for almost a year. This is what it will look like only in polished nickel. It is 43" in diameter. Wildly huge. 

 

  At Phillips Collection, I purchased this barracuda (the top one) for my son's room.  It is over 4 ft long and it is so cool. It follows the curve of his bed perfectly and is right up his alley.  

His bed from The Kristin Drohan Collection:

 

 Last but not least is an outdoor sofa from LLoyd Flanders.  I actually don't love this sofa but I needed a reasonably priced, high quality sofa, that I could customize in color and fabric and this fit the bill.  Mine will be in an ebony loom color with caramel Sunbrella.

Well that about wraps it up.  If you were at Market, what did you find?  

Like this

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. 

My Favorite Paint Colors

I get asked about paint colors a lot.  I thought I'd share my favorite paint colors with you.  First, I 'll share a little trick on viewing color.  I had a client whose entire business was analyzing color.  The FBI was a big client and they worked with organizations that required scientific data and color analysis.  He taught me a little trick that seems completely logical, but never in my interior design training had anyone ever mentioned this.  If you always view your color on a White background, the undertones will appear and you get a truer sense of the color.  I do this for fabrics too.  Have you ever had someone tell you that  a color has Green undertones and to you it just looked like plain Beige?  If you put paint swatches on a White background you will see those undertones.  Obviously, it is important to use a low VOC paint as well.  VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds, which are toxins in air vapor within a confined space.  VOC's are found in adhesives, stains, glues and paint.    I like Benjamin Moore's Natura and Sherwin William's Harmony.  To replace an oil base paint finish I like Ben Moore's  Aura.  An oil base paint is used for furniture or anything that requires durability.  However, oil base paint has high VOCs.

Here are my Favs:

 

These are all Historic colors from Ben Moore.  If you are looking for a neutral these are fail safe and are great for the body of a house.

 

These are all Ben Moore colors too.  They are my favorite Blues and Grays which I use a lot in bedrooms, dining rooms, sun rooms, and kitchens. 

 

The first swatch is Ben Moore and the last three are Sherwin Williams.  I use a lot of Black and White in my designs.  Linen White, Creamy White and Tricorn Black are great for cabinetry and trim.  Ceiling bright white is nice for ceilings when you need a White with a hint of Blue.  It is great for kitchens, sun rooms, and bathrooms. 

 

I'll be honest, I don't do bright walls often.  I'd rather the color in the room come from fabric, rugs, art, and accessories.  These are great colors for kid's rooms, guest rooms,  and powder baths.  The first three are Ben Moore and the Red is Sherwin Williams.   These are my favorite.  What are yours?  Please share.  I'll be joining Blue Monday at Smiling Sals andMet Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.  I'm also joining Timeless Tuesday at Paula Grace Designs.  Check out the great posts over there.  FYI, I'm writing about these products without any payment or incentives from either company.  I just like their stuff.