April, 2011

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Color Superstar!

Friday, April 29th, 2011

That’s right, Kelly Ann Bernier, is going to be a color superstar! I am so excited that I decided to take the opportunity to meet and learn from my blogging friend Maria Killam in Atlanta in a couple weeks.

Discovering Maria’s blog, Colour Me Happy, a couple years ago changed my life. I’m serious. I have learned so much from her, not only about color, but also how to reach for what I have a passion for:

Decorating and color!

I think that I do great selecting the perfect paint color for myself and my clients. After Maria’s color-class in a few weeks, I will be transformed into a superstar! This class will increase my color knowledge in both interior and exterior color selecting. Maria performs a hands-on class, which is my best and favorite way to learn. If you read Maria’s blog, you can see how she explains and teaches undertones so well, which is a huge part of color selecting. Fabulous and fun!

I try and go to my IRN conference every year and besides all that I learn and all the great people I see, one of my favorite parts is my own hotel room. Is that weird? But it just tickles me to have a room all to myself for a couple days that I can do what I want, eat when I want and watch what I want. And the best part I love- getting that quiet knock on the door in the early am bringing me a fresh pot of hot coffee! Heaven!!

Dubai Luxury Hotels

A few of the other attendees in the upcoming training and myself have been emailing each other making cocktail hour plans for the first night. I can’t wait! Learning about color for three days with Maria Killam- how great is that!

Have a wonderful weekend my friends! Finally- sunny, warm weather here in New England!

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Posted in Interior Decorating | 4 Responses »
Tags: color, color expert, color superstar, IRN, Maria Killam, neutrals, paint selection

Design Genius Steven Gambrel

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

All of these photographs are from an upstate New York Tudor home he recently designed. The amazing photographer is Simon Upton.

All of these pictures are of one home! Wow! Isn’t his use of color extraordinary?

Most of the furniture and rugs were designed by Steven.

Steven Gambrel established his New York-based design firm, S. R. Gambrel Incorporated, in 1995, only three years after earning an architecture degree at the University of Virginia. He has a passion for timeless, comfortable houses as you can see in all of his work.

He has been celebrated in many magazines and newspapers, including House & Garden, Elle Décor, Interior Design, Departures, New York Times, and New York Magazine.

To see more of Steven’s work, you can look through his portfolio here.

Comments? Don’t you just love his work? Which is your favorite? I think mine is between the room in first photo and the kitchen. I looove that kitchen! He is definitely one of my top designers!

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Posted in Bedrooms, Favorite Designers, Interior Decorating, Kitchens, Living Rooms | 2 Responses »
Tags: bedroom, blue, contemporary, Decorating ideas, dramatic, living room, Steven Gambrel. Simon Upton

Before & After Canopy Bed

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

Have you ever take an inspirational photograph of a room you love, and try to duplicate it?

There used to be an HGTV show that was based on that idea. They tried to recreate a stunning, expensively designed room on a small budget. Does anyone remember the name of that show? It was on a few years ago.

Well, when I saw this photo below:

I really, really loved it and thought I would give it a try. I bought four white window sheers from JC Penny’s inexpensively at $42.00 . I purchased the 84” length but the 95” would have also worked well.

I took out the two hems (four total), and got out my old but trusty sewing machine and sewed two panels together.

This was the room below before I redecorated. It is another guest room in my NH home. I did like it, I just get this crazy urge to decorate something and then watch out!