Rooms: Some Favorites From Kate

First things first, I feel like I should take a moment to introduce myself. After such a great introduction from Susie, I feel as though she's set out big shoes for me to fill, but the beauty of a sister is they have the ability to build you up one moment and then quickly tell you you're "looking tired" the next! So I won't let it go to my head and I hope to be of some value when I post here.

For those of you who might recognize my writing style and have been reading blogs for a long time, I kept up a blog for a few years way back when called "snobertson." You'll see in my instagrams that I still use the handle, although I've only recently owned up to it. Blogging fell by the wayside for a few years, but I really enjoyed the process and other people's blogs are a staple of my morning routine. I'd be lost without them. And background on the name: it's a (hopefully?) good-hearted nickname acquired from years of opinions. I never seem to be without one, but thankfully am slowly learning when to keep my mouth shut!

I thought a good way to get to know me would be to share a few of my favorite things and rooms. Obviously, Susie and I have a similar aesthetic or we would never get anywhere, but we don't always think and act as one, so here is my take on a few favorite rooms:

Source: cotedetexas.blogspot.com via Kate on Pinterest

Me, at my most formal, would look like this room from Phoebe Howard. I love her rooms. But something Susie and I talk about all the time is how to re-interpret the South for our area. We lack the history that makes rooms like this feel charming and lots of the homes we work on are close to the water or within sight of it and demand a more laid-back approach. We've made a compromise with life in order to achieve this look by making rooms like this "Secret-Safe" -- it might cost more to put an indoor-outdoor fabric on the sofa, but guaranteed it will be the difference between using the room or letting it become a mausoleum.

Source: sproost.com via Kate on Pinterest

Which leads me this room by Victoria Hagan. It's a big exhale in the form of a room. I will be the first one to tell you that I am not the biggest fan of the style this region adopted from who-knows-where of "Northwest Contemporary." While I love modern design, I don't love how brutal it can become and DARK. We already live in a cloudy spot! This home embodies what I wished we'd picked up from our east coast sisters. It's light and bright and charming and it's perfectly suited for being around the water, which so many of us are.

Source: highstreetmarket.blogspot.com via Kate on Pinterest

On the other side of the coin, I love me a pattern. I don't love pattern and color for pattern and color's sake, however. I love it when it's unexpected and when it ties everything together. I like mixing it and I'm often accused of considering certain patterns to be "neutrals," which I know isn't the case. But so help me if the right animal print doesn't go with everything. And I'm not talking Gorga-Jersey-fuzzy leopard. This Betsy Burnham room accomplishes a pattern on a sofa in the best possible way.

Source: melledesign.com via Kate on Pinterest

I know this room (scratch that, whole house) is on everyone's list, but that's because it's so damn good. This is what I wish I saw more of when people wanted to keep things natural and rustic. The tight color palette and streamlined furniture all works so well together. And a nod to those who remember the rest of the house,  add the great room with the beamed ceilings to my list.

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: southernliving.com via Kate on Pinterest

A huge thing about me: I am a sucker for the details. It pains me when they aren't given enough thought or when the hardware on cabinetry falls flat. Details are the things that make one house different from the next and in my opinion, it's the reason that designers will always have a job if the client recognizes the need. Builders aren't in it for those details and why would they be, to a certain extent? They are there to give you a good quality house in the best way they know how, while keeping costs down. Designers are here to give you a great quality home and that is through the details!! Grasscloth! Fabrics! Lighting! Nothing sets a home apart more than things like a good fixture (down with the boob lights!!) or millwork. And the jewelry that is a sink faucet... I won't even start down that road of missed opportunity.

Source: whitefloors.blogspot.com via Kate on Pinterest

First the attainable (above): I love this bathroom because it's kind of "the everyman's bath." There is nothing about this bath that keeps it from being in your house. It's totally common, yet packed with every ounce of great style and thought. No marble shower walls, no fancy fixtures and it speaks to what I mean about details. It's the bits sprinkled on top and in-between that make it perfect.

Source: troveinteriors.blogspot.com via Kate on Pinterest

And then the more out of reach (above): It's another Victoria Hagan and it's just gorgeous. I love so many of her homes and this bath is the perfect mix of traditional with a twist (note the lucite sink stands) and the fact that it's so roomy and uncluttered is beautiful in it's own right.

I'll post some favorite things next time, I don't want to wear out my welcome on the first post.

-Kate

A Big Announcement & Change

Hello and belated Happy New Year. I hope everyone's year is off to a good start.  I have finally resurfaced from the holidays and feel like I'm back on a regular schedule. As regular as my schedule can be with two kids and a busy design business, that is.

I haven't been one to share too much personal information on the blog, but a new year calls for a new approach. Over the past couple years I have struggled to find a balance in my career and in my home life. My passion for my job can be all-consuming and at times my family is left wondering if and where their dinner is that evening. I've also been known to be the mom that is running late at pick-up as I'm trying to squeeze as much into each hour of the day as possible. I have to set the alarm on my iPhone or they probably wouldn't be picked up at all (I can admit it). Needless to say, I've had many times where I thought I needed to choose between continuing with my career or focus on my family, as I didn't feel like I was excelling at either. But it really wasn't a choice I could make as I love working and I'm a better mom for it (besides my tardiness and late dinners). I also struggled with working by myself as I'm an extrovert.  I was tired of spending 8-12 hours a day by myself. Not to mention the amount of work that goes into running a business. Something had to give.

Since starting the business, I've had the pleasure to have my sister occasionally work with me part-time while she was in Interior Design school when she wasn't doing internships or working elsewhere. She is 14 years my junior, so she knows acronyms and technical information like how to build a website that a child of the 80's doesn't know, which has come in very handy. She started working with me on a couple of jobs this Fall while she was looking for a permanent job in commercial design. During those months of spending 10-plus hours a day together on-site or trapped in a car driving from client to client, she decided that she wanted to continue working with me to grow Trove Interiors versus pursuing commercial design (despite some tempting offers). I was shocked BUT thrilled. She is the ying to my yang. A perfect complement. She brings the combination of  business experience (she was an accomplished advertising Account Manager prior to going back to school and general over-achiever) with an amazing eye for design. Also, being so much younger she keeps my finger on the pulse of what's current and trending. Not to mention she is one of the hardest working people I've had the pleasure of working with over the last 20+ years.

I am thrilled to announce that Kate is now an official partner in Trove Interiors. She is not just my sister but one of my best friends. I can't imagine my life and business without her. I'm so excited for what this next chapter offers for both of us personally and professionally.

2013 is going to be great!

Join me in welcoming Kate to the business.

Wrapping Things (and Presents) Up!

2012 is winding down, but it doesn't feel like things have slowed as I get ready to take a break for the Christmas and New Year's holidays. I've mentioned how crazy that stretch of 6 days are before, but it basically consists of Christmas Eve at my house, Christmas day at my parents, another Christmas with my Husband's family who lives out of town and yet another when my dad comes in to town. Then throw in my sister's and my twin nephews' birthdays (who turn 18 this year -- I'm getting very old somehow...) and the week is not a vacation in the most traditional sense.

As I sign off and wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, here is what has been going on since my last post:

Upholstery approvals -- this one is in an awesome heavy weave indoor/outdoor fabric (but you'd never know it was tough from the looks of it up close)

 Building houses and enjoying the views during meetings. 

Taking a few minutes to enjoy some lit Glassy Babies on my desk, even if proper votives weren't handy.  

Dogs walking on my coffee table looking for food scraps (someone please give me some sanity).  

Chair score! Set of 4 waiting for a new color and new seat. 

 Kicking off projects...

Wrapping gifts for the holidays... I got the clients done, but my family, not so much...

Dropped off these pillows to a client yesterday, just in time for Christmas.

Flower arranging, then taking a pic in a moving car, in the dark (Hydrangeas, garden roses, green berries).

Fabric arrivals for a very special wing chair in a master bedroom. He gets leather, she gets turquoise prettiness. 

 Fabrics in play for a living room. Not sure who's made the team yet. 

Genius! Silver walnuts! Stealing this for next year. 

Spraying an antique faux bamboo dresser. Hands are speckled black and hair has an interesting texture...

Hoping to settle in for a long winter's nap next week. Best wishes to all and peace on earth, please. 

xo. 

Back in time for holiday decor...

Radio silence for the last few weeks has been due to this crazy season. It's no surprise I'm sure to hear that this is the busy time in the industry for designers. Everyone comes back from summer rearing to go and there is, of course, the natural push to get things installed before the holidays as much as possible. And if it's not possible, how do we make your home special while you wait?

We've been busy with project installs and orders, but in the meantime there is the tug of two boys on my sleeve to get my own house in gear for Christmas. The lights are up outside thanks to my determined husband, but the Christmas tree went on rain delay last week, so we're anxiously awaiting the next opportunity to get out there and bicker over which tree is "perfect" enough. And since I've talked about my lack of enthusiasm for Halloween, I am proud to tell you that I happily partake in Christmas decor.

Last night, my family got together at my parents' for a birthday dinner and clipped the bailing off their tree. While my tree is limited to 8 feet, their's comes in at awe-inducing 11.5 feet and seeing it pop its Spanx (it's a fitting analogy, don't you think?) got me in the mood for Christmas.

And before I jump in to inspiring Christmas decor, I have to share two links to soups that have warmed me up lately after weekends in the rain while my kid plays hours and hours of Lacrosse. Both are SO easy and delish, and from Gwyneth Paltrow's cookbook (haven't made a bad recipe yet from it and it's all very "whole" food cooking): French Onion-Style White Bean Soup & Broccoli-Cheddar (or Stilton) Soup.

Source: toneontoneantiques.blogspot.com via Trove Interiors on Pinterest

Source: goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com via Trove Interiors on Pinterest

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Trove Interiors on Pinterest

Source: goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com via Trove Interiors on Pinterest

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Source: centsationalgirl.com via Trove Interiors on Pinterest

Source: gotlandsliv.blogspot.com via Trove Interiors on Pinterest

Source: vtinteriors.blogspot.com via Trove Interiors on Pinterest

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Source: desdemventana.blogspot.com via Trove Interiors on Pinterest

Hot Out of the Kiln!

It doesn't have the same ring as "hot off the press" but it's just as newsworthy to me! Our fabulous tile installers emailed me a photo of my tile shipment today and it's just too good! I'll be stopping in this week to see it in person and approve the shipment, but here's the teaser: 

The picture is, admittedly, not so great, but knowing what this will look like installed is good enough for me. This raised arabesque pattern comes in a rainbow of colors and can even be mixed with stone, see exhibit A:

Gorgeous -- the marble is flat, the ceramic is subtly raised.

Or as we chose for this project, a glass crackle that puddles on the outside edges and creates oodles of depth and dimension for just a hint of color. Exhibit B:

Not my color

Yes,  my color.

AND I'm so excited for this tile to live next to its grasscloth neighbor -- I think they'll be quite happy together:

Exhibit: Awww Yee-Ahhh!

Set to be installed next week. In the meantime, I'm tracking powder room wallpaper shipments and wrangling floor re-finishers. 

About As Festive As I Get

 My two boys have started to show signs of resentment concerning my lack of Halloween decorations. I can't help it, I've never been a fan of the holiday. Where I will compromise is on "Fall" decorations. I found these two images on Pinterest today that will serve as inspiration for our compromise. They would love fake cobwebs and ghosts hanging in my trees. I would not. I figure they can add it to the list of therapy items to attribute to being raised by a designer.

 

 I also recently introduced color into my Christmas decorations, so I figure that's a win for them right there!

Working. And More Working!

Serious progress is happening at the house I mentioned in an earlier post. So much has been happening that it's kind of crazy here, but I have managed to get a few photos. I'm pretty bad about keeping the blog up to date on my projects, but I'm considering this to be an early New Year's resolution (before you laugh people, we are staring down the barrel of NOVEMBER).

If you follow the me on instagram (@troveinteriors), you might have seen a picture of one of my boards before we went in to a huge presentation last week. This was just one of multiple rooms:

The custom entry bench is built and awaiting inset drawers. Such a great use of space for this little niche and the drawers will hold shoes, hats, gloves & what-have-yous:

All the new marble was installed last week which was huge. HUGE. Our trades really busted it to get in the counters and fireplaces. Literally, our amazing partners picked up the stone, we met them there to template at the yard(!), they drove it to their shop and 24 hours later we were installing. Unheard of. Did I mention this was a tight timeline, oh yeah, I did.  This surround was cut from the same portion of stone so the veining is continuous and stays true to the slabs natural pattern. And it has the prettiest creme color with a subtle"leathered" texture:

Also working on a little girls bedroom. These are two of the schemes that I quickly snapped a picture of on the floor:

Scouting at the Seattle Design Center I found these amazing faux bamboo chairs with leopard seats. They are perfect as-is and the bamboo is thicker than I usually see on this style of chairs making them a little heartier and unique. Love them:

No judgement as I'm sharing work-in-progress photos of the living room fireplace. We were dealing with an existing box and hearth sizes so we have some more work to do on the finishing touches to make everything come together perfectly. But from design drawing to reality, here we go:

Lastly, remember the pass-through? The cabinet box is in and the millwork is completed. The kitchen side needs more explaining, but I'll share that when we get things painted. As my contractor said "Sure took a lot of detail work, but it sure looks nice." Gotta love a guy who thinks about the small stuff with us:

That's all for now, keep on keepin' on is the motto around here.

Fall Favorites

1. Zara Home Throw | 2. Frye Riding Boot | 3. Furbish Leopard Pillow

4. J. Crew Venus Fly Trap Necklace | 5. Vince Sweater | 6. LL. Bean Tote

7. Vince Riding Pant (living in them) 8. C.Wonder Bracelet | 9. Zara Home Accent Tables

Work in Progress

We've opened up the wall on the Queen Anne house and it sure is dramatic. My client had one request when we started: she wanted to be able to see what has happening in the combined dining/living when she was in the kitchen, and well, this sure accomplishes it. As you can see, you always get a surprise when you open up a wall and if you look closely, boom, plumbing from the upstairs. This has been re-routed and the lovely chandelier has been moved and taken down (and not a moment too soon).

We are prepping for a new upper that will help fill this space. The goal is to make the pass-through look as high-end as possible, so we've spent many hours planning this one out. 

As evidenced by the piles on my desk of drawings and fabric. Fixtures will be here this week and we're templating the marble just in time. 

A bit of a departure

It's obvious that I deal mostly with residential design. It's where my heart is, but every once in a while I get the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone.

One of my awesome clients is moving in to her own office space for her neurofeedback practice and she asked me to help her outfit the new digs. It's a practice that only requires a waiting room and her treatment room, but the program is long and the space is cozy.

Our CAD was down when we needed to brainstorm furniture arrnagements, so we got back to basics and brought out the paper dolls of furniture. If you're not familiar with Neurofeedback, it's very interesting and it helping all kinds of patients (migraines, autism, ADD). From a space planning perspective, the patient must be in close proximity to a television screen and the practitioner must be able to see the screen and work at their computer.

The winner!

More details on how we furnished such a space on a budget to come.