Holiday Table with a Twist

I love what Kristen of Kristen Catto Interior Design did with this for an event table at the Michigan Design center Kravet showroom.

This table makes me want to pull out all the stops and mix it up! Notice the hand painted orchids. It is time to entertain and I hope this gives you some inspiration for some creative table tops of your own.

Portrait of Portland features the Encore Street of Dreams penthouse!

To see the full article click here Portrait of Portland

The Treasure Seekers

The 2009 NW Natural Street of Dreams moved to the Pearl District this August, where visitors flocked to eight different penthouses at four different high rise locations. Kimberlee Jaynes of Kimberlee Jaynes Interior Designs, Inc., and Richard Rolfe of Madison Millinger Handmade Rugs – the team that won Best Master Bedroom Suite in the Professionals Choice Awards – transformed unit #1603 at the Encore On The Park, a curved 16 story building overlooking Union Station, Mt. Hood, and the Fields Park.



KIMBERLEE JAYNES: "I like a bed that suggests serenity and simplicity. My own bed is topped with a down-filled white duvet cover, sporting an inset in a navy chain-link embroidered detail. I like to mix textures, so I used a heavy camel-colored tailored bed skirt to add interest and anchor all of that frothy white. It's all very classic and restful to me!" Each individual setting on their concrete-topped dining table from JD Madison is set with individual place settings of collectible dinnerware, obtained exclusively from Kimberlee Jaynes.





KIMBERLEE JAYNES: "Layering a room with lots of textures and subtle differences in colors is what adds visual intrigue to a room and sparks one's unwavering interest. From the heavy, crushed chenille curtains in the den to the smooth, copper-sheathed daybed nestled against the thick, carved wooden panels, a classical acanthus leaf pattern stone planter from Elements International, we have wrapped the room with many layers of textiles and textures that reflect a well-traveled lifestyle and cast an exotic flavor over the room."

What do you see as on trend for 2010?
"There are many trends but here are a few that I see going strong in 2010.

Techno Chic: A new beginning, showing optimism and progress with intelligent features that do all the thinking for you. Everything from faucets to fireplaces with high-tech traits that make it so stylishly simple in terms of looks and usability. Water faucets with streamlined features with sensitive-to-touch screen technology that will preset your ideal water temperature and control your water usage, making your bathroom environmentally responsible while stylishly chic.

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Ode to Nature
From staircases to shower stalls I am seeing nature-inspired decorative graphics abound. Concrete staircases sporting a meandering tree branch graphic motif. Incorporating all things natural, architectural and sustainably designed into one ultra-modern Zen package.
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Ethnicity
Craftsmanship is treasured. Folkloric patterns and intricate elaboration: embellishments, embroidery and details are embraced in this trend.
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Color Futures
Earth’s Elements: Natural colors drawn from plants, minerals and soil, such as under-ripe olives, yellow ochre, iron oxide and tarnished gold. Pale earth tones mixed in are used on shiny surfaces such as reflective lacquered white sand, patent pale avocado and burnished metals.

Illusion: The atmospheric light-enhanced tones of watery blue-grays such as the “Castle Walls” color used in the Encore penthouse. Translucent and fluid cloud colors of smoky steel grays grounding this palette are vermillion red and horizon brown.

Cityscape: A sharp modern palette made up of flesh, silver, deep purples, water aqua, navy blue and a very pale apple green.

There is no doubt that the livability of our planet will continue to dictate a new design framework for us all.

Who are some of your design icons ?
My tastes are a wild mix! Warren Platner, Philippe Starck, Charles and Ray Ames, Andre Putman for their attention to detail and modern simplicity. Sister Parish and Jamey Drake for their use of color and putting things together that they love and not because they match. Barry Dixon, Barclay Butera and Ralph Lauren for their sophisticated yet relaxed blend of timeless design. Thomas O’Brien and Kelly Wearstler for their edgy luxurious design and Barbara Barry for her paired-down elegance.
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Tip: Take your time and buy quality -- you will love it forever! From area rugs to upholstered goods, relentlessly seek out quality. Remember, quality provides a richness and depth that cannot be duplicated."

Excerpt from Portrait of Portland "The Treasure Seekers"Pages 20 - 22.November, 2009.

Donna Pizzi / photos by Greg Kozawa

Decorating with Passion

" The end result of what you do will never be convincing if your heart isn't in it. Take for instance, the interior design of a room. Within your own four walls each of us has complete design freedom. Everything is possible. It would be a shame not to take advantage of this opportunity, especially in an age when home living has come to be, more than ever before, a direct expression of quality of life and individual lifestyle.Only we have the power to turn our home into an oasis of peace and enjoyment, an escape from the stresses of everyday life. Simply longing for it is not enough."

The Above text and photos are from Passion by Jab Anstoetz I could not agree more and find myself wanting to give some more passion to my own home!

An Interior Designer is____________

I believe that an interior designer can be all of what is described below and most importantly... is an insurance policy for your dollars spent. Unlike clothing you can't take furniture back.

Below is an excerpt from "Inspired Talk" a blog by Steve Nobel Founder and principal of NOBELINKS, a consulting practice specializing in the luxury markets for home furnishings and interior design, worldwide.

"In a recent post, I wrote about meeting the young legions of aspiring connoisseurs on the crest of an INSPIRED career. You probably know someone just like them. Imagine for a moment the skills, class and confidence a young interior designer must possess to make it in the new economy. If someone you know were listening to the siren song of design, contemplating a course of study or even a career as a designer, what would you tell them about the profession?


An interior designer is _________.



clairvoyant: a “fresh set of eyes” to know what clients want before they know it.
conjurer: to make dream believers out of clients, so when they say, “I never would have thought of that,” you say, “I did.”
couturier: like ‘made to measure’ apparel, everything a designer does is custom fitted to a client.
confidant: to listen well, really well, for the revealing cues to do what’s right for clients.
counselor: a neutral 3rd party between romantic partners to take some of the pressure off decision-making.
advocate: for a client’s cause throughout the entire process; they have probably made mistakes before, which can be discouraging and expensive!
navigator: to chart the course for successful results, in spite of misgivings clients carry with them, or have not been able to resolve on their own.
co-creator: leader of a team that brings the best ideas to the top of the list.
curator: honest and experienced editor; you know what belongs and can make the tough choices about what does not belong.
systems engineer: staying the course in strict phases; managing the subcontractors, making site visits in boots while balancing budgets and time lines.
techie: able to incorporate a myriad of technology for entertaining, healthy living, and all the new ways of living well.
concierge: the ‘go-to’ person for just about everything (florists, caterers, clubs, schools, etc.), including special access to special things in special places."

It's time to come inside...

Yes folks the weather has changed and we are coming inside our hives like heavy laden bees in midsummer...looking for a place to land.

Is your hive cozy and comfortable and interesting to you? We spend a lot of time inside in the NW so creating an environment that you love is one of the best investments you can make!

Nancy Bozhardt is a Pratt institute graduate that has worked all over the world and it shows in the sophisticated mix of colors, textures and accessories that she uses to make her client's home a truly interesting and comfortable resting place.

Easy updates without braking the bank!

Endtables the forgotten furniture....It is amazing to see what a lift new endtables will give to a room. The endtables pictured above in unique shapes and unexpected materials everything from resin to handcarved marble are from our own Pearl district store JD Madison

Replace your lamps. Lamps are like sculptures or pieces of art. Look for lamps to add colorful accents to your room. Gravitate towards interesting shapes...find something out of the norm. If you don't like the shade replace it at a lamp store...they have all kinds of shapes and colors and textural materials.

Re-upholster a favorite chair. Look up an upholstery school in your area and get a bid.Re frame some art.

You will be surprised to see what a new mat and frame will do for an art piece it can be like a breath of fresh air. There are many do-it-yourself framing shops to keep prices down.


Don't forget to sell your replaced items on Craig's list, give them to the Goodwill or give them away on freecycle.com

Re Paint a room. Paint color will give you the biggest bang for your buck. It may take some elbow grease to complete the job ...but oh what a difference a new paint color will make!

French Essence...filling all the senses!

Vicki Archer has written a book about all things French. I have been a follower of her blog French Essence for one year now and have thoroughly enjoyed it! Below are a few words from Vicki.

"I like to think that in France there is a sixth sense a French sense.
There is a certain something about the French and the style in which they live that creates a unique ambiance. Their success lies in their inherent ability to blend all the senses, which makes for a life that is filled with emotion and a life which is forever stimulated. Ambiance permeates every aspect of French life, whether it be in private places or public places.
Thank you for the wonderful comments and emails - I am deeply touched by your generous words and I am so very appreciative of your support. To answer some of your questions, French Essence is available in Australia and New Zealand now and will be sold on Amazon later this year. In the meantime to win a copy of French Essence please leave a comment and subscribe to my blog here. If you are already a subscriber or a follower you will be automatically entered to win. I will draw the winners next week, xv."