Kristin Drohan Interior Design

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.