A Well Planned Guest Room

I'm still on my guest room kick. Having pulled together some of my favorites the other day, I thought it would be worth thinking about what it really is that goes in to a well thought-out guest room. I know that designers fall in to a class of people who are thought of as hard to please, and yes, maybe that's true. But really, design is about intention and attention (intention because everything should have a reason for being the way that it is & attention because life is lived in the details), so with those two things in mind we aren't such a hard group to channel.

For instance, we think about the way a room is used by those within it. In a living room, where will you put your glass? How far to the nearest outlet? I recently stayed in two hotel rooms with no outlets near the bed or outlets that were blocked by nightstands (what!?!). Explain to me how that works for travelers living and breathing by their cell phones?

So let's break it down.

A great looking bed frame: This is more for you than for your guests -- you deserve to have a room that looks great when you walk by and guests appreciate a finished space. It should be the focal point and always positioned directly across from the door (whenever possible) so it's the first thing you see. 

A well-made bed: With so many great options for sheets on the market, a great set is within reach. PB, Restoration, and West Elm are all great resources. Also, extra blankets nearby for people who run cold and a fan for people who run hot (and also need some white noise). 

Good lamps and nightstands: In this case, the nighstands function as dressers. Living out of a suitcase is sometimes unavoidable, but providing a way to make it more bearable is always appreciated. Being able to pull clothes out of a drawer makes you feel less frazzled and makes re-packing so much easier. 

A bench or chair: A place to put your shoes on is such a necessity. Full disclosure, I'm neurotic and hate sitting on a bed in street clothes, but I've surveyed people in the right company and found out I'm not alone... And this one here is an incredible price. 

Beside the bed: Flowers are a special touch and don't need to be fancy, but nothing makes a room that is ordinarily empty feel fresh and welcoming. It's also inevitable that when waking up in the morning at a good friend's house a hangover of some size is usually a problem... Water beside the bed in a carafe with a glass is always appreciated (as is a handy bottle of Tylenol). Also, something to read (even if it's your cast-offs it's probably new to them). I prefer magazines with great articles versus a book for short, but interesting, reading. Vanity Fair, Food & Wine and Details are all great and cover your bases. 

All the best,

Kate

These items are available through Trove Interiors -- For more information, contact us for help creating a beautiful home. 

Going Paperless

I was thinking about the whole idea of invitations the other day. I love getting a real invitation in the mail for an event. It makes the whole thing feel more special -- it helps create excitement around the event and it just seems to make even the smallest thing feel legitimate.

The problem with invitations is that we all seem to be living on our computers and the best way to get a hold of someone these days is through email. Not to mention, I'm hoping I'm not the only one who forgets to get the mail once in a while? All of this has lead to the huge popularity of evite and the like, but the problem is... I really hate their formatting! It's tacky. I totally use them, but every time my heart longs for the paper invite I could have sent if I had a grasp on things.

So, meet Paperless Post. It's not free, but it's inexpensive and the designs are great. It's what I would have sent in the mail in most of cases, but instead it's online and it even "opens" like a real invite.

I've finally found "the one"

Remember when I used to do "good finds" on Fridays? Well, I thought I'd lean back in to it and right now, there is one thing in particular that is rocking my world. I've finally found the best mascara.

For years I have struggled with mascara ending up under my eyes mid-way through the day. Every brand I tried, it never helped. I wore waterproof and it crumbled, water-resistant and it gave me raccoon eyes almost instantaneously. Only made worse by the fact that I am super lazy about properly taking it off, so the waterproof mascara was caking up for days.

Enter Trish McEvoy's mascara. It's totally different and took some getting used to, but it's the kind that comes off in "tubes" with just my face wash and doesn't crumble off during the day because of it's crazy mascara voodoo-technology. I LOVE IT -- anything that makes me look a little less tired is tops in my book.

It's a good find.

Good Finds: Merin Designs Totes

I think there are few better ways to describe me than the term "Bag Lady." Sadly it's not because of an impressive collection of fabulous purses, but more so because of the amount of stuff I'm always carrying with me: my purse, a shopping bag filled with newly acquired samples, another bag devoted to a client, another bag for the spill-over that wouldn't fit in the first bag... you get my drift.

Two things have recently improved my situation: My girlfriend, Kea, who made a great bag through her company Merin Designs. And a wonderful client who so generously gave me one of the bags for Christmas (I think, because I clearly always had so much stuff with me).

They are awesome-- HUGE with capital letters, but filled with just right pockets to keep everything organized. It is a bag designed by a mom, for moms, but the difference is that it makes it possible to not feel like you cashed in your style chips just because you have lot of stuff to haul.

Another bonus, the bottom is waterproof -- "Keep your bottom dry" is her slogan and it really does, so come summer it does double-duty at the pool and in every other season, it stays dry in parking lots while you fumble with groceries or corral kids. Medium sizes are also now available, as well as the cutest little Mini Merin. AND, you can visit them on Facebook for news about fun events and promotions :)

Featured in our local magazine 425 as an A-list item to have

One of 5 styles, all named after Seattle neighborhoods.

5 current colors

The Mini Merin

A Round-Up of Finds

I've been painting some sconces for a client, so as I sit down to get some desk work done my paint-covered hands keep catching my eye. But, it got me thinking that I have run across some great products lately that are worth knowing about and it also gets me thinking that there are some cute little internet finds out there that sure seem worth talking about for spring (if this Seattle rain EVER STOPS!!)

EmersonMade has been all over the bloggosphere lately because of her awesome house. And I'm becoming a fan of her stuff, so effortless and let's face it, she models all her clothing and she looks like a pro doing it -- she is super cute. But this sweater and dahlia combo makes me wish I went to my "ladies who lunch" functions looking like this.

I need to start packing myself a lunch (ugh) because somehow I always find myself inconveniently out and about when I get hungry, and conveniently, right near a Starbucks or fast food place. It's a wonder I haven't keeled over from unhealthy eating lately. If I packed it in a baggu, maybe it would make the sad sandwich inside seem more interesting.

It's currently on my fingernails, but has anyone ever tried this line from Rustoleum? It's in the Universal line and the can sprays like an honest-to-god sprayer with a sqeeze-grip. Plus, I used the hammer finish and it is really cool looking. I'm in shock!

The color for spring they keep saying: nude. So I've got my eye on some little Tory Burch nude flats. I'm not going to be the girl in pumps for day, I've faced that fact, so maybe some of these adorable ballet flats will fit the bill.

My sister was on a road trip this weekend with girlfriends and all of them were raving about "The Beam." She uses a clarisonic, but the girls were saying this little red/blue light machine has been the cure to pesky adult breakouts and also reverses the signs of aging. She volunteers with college-aged girls who were using it for problem areas, but the red light can be used alone to increase collagen and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and redness. I have to say, I'm intrigued... anything to stop that clock!

Lastly, it's random but it makes me happy: iPhone covers on ebay. I took the plunge and invested a whole $1.99 in a matte gold iPhone 4 case in December and it's still going strong. It makes me happy every day and for $1.99 I feel like I cheated the system. AND I can always tell which phone is mine in the sea of smartphones.

Good Finds

It's been a long time since I've seen anything at Pottery Barn that caught my eye.

However, this week I went in looking for some white bedding and saw a couple things that looked new and inspiring.

I love this 24" bird pillow. It looks like a custom made pillow with the green welting and beautiful linen fabric. It just screams spring and would be so great in a living room or even as Euros in a bedroom. A couple of these babies will be mine. At this price - why not?

Finally, someone has made a linen duvet comforter. Just the right weight and right amount of texture. You can also get the matching shams or Euro shams. I can't think of a better foundation for a timeless bed. (Not loving the grandma crochet sheets, however)

This sconce is so great. Too bad they didn't offer it in a silver finish as well. However, a little spray paint and it's any color you want.

I also like the ridged silver pendant. Something unique and fun for your kitchen.

Dear Pottery Barn,

Keep adding new products like these and I'll start shopping you again.

Good Finds

If you love Barclay Butera's look but can't afford him (not many of us can) nows your chance to get a little of his look at a fraction of what it would cost.

He just launched an online pillow program. Now you don't need to be part of the trade to purchase from him. While they are still pricey, they are comparable to other decorative pillows sold online through specialty retailers.

They are typical Butera style. Lots of blue, classic stripes and florals. Of course he's also offering my favorite "B" pillow. However, that one will cost you a pretty penny.

Here's a little sample.

Check out his website for the full line of pillows. He's one step closer to being crowned king of the "lifestyle" design world.

Look out Ralph, Barclay's on your heels.

Good Finds

I am a department store make-up junkie. I think I've tried every skin and make up line looking for the perfect product to make me look like I have that dewy porcelain skin of all the cover girls and actresses. I know they are airbrushed, but it doesn't stop me from trying.

I've never found the perfect fix. But to my surprise, I've found a couple drugstore finds that are amazing and don't break the bank.

I was at a girlfriends and tried her Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush. I couldn't believe it. It went on so easily and gave me the perfect glow. My favorite color is "Rose Petal." Subtle and gorgeous.

Just opening it and looking at the beautiful mousse texture and color makes me happy. I've had better results with this than any department store blush.

If the blush is great, what could the foundation do for my skin? You can bet I'm going to find out. It's only $13.99 so what do I have to loose?

The other one that's always getting rave reviews is the CoverGirl and Olay Simply Ageless Foundation. It's supposed to prevent the pigment from settling into fine lines, therefore make you look younger. Sounds good to me. But the packaging just isn't as pretty as the Maybelline version and I'm a sucker for packaging.

I love this Maybelline Lash Discovery Mascara. I've always loved the classic Great Lash, but this one's brush is small and fine. Perfect for those hard to get lashes and it doesn't leave a clumpy mess. It comes in waterproof for people like me who cry when they laugh.

But maybe the best find of all, is this Organic line by Boots available at Target. Good day creams are hard to find as I have dry and sensitive skin. I've tried them all. Even the miracle La Mer. I love my Decleor, but at $65 a jar it's pricey. And really, who uses just one jar in their routine. This cream is almost as good and it's $12.99. It's fragrance free (unlike most of the natural/organic lines) and keeps me hydrated all day long.

This Face Super Balm is amazing as well. It feels like a sugar scrub and is slightly greasy but it moisturizes like crazy. For skin like mine, balms are incredible once you get past the texture difference. I use it as my night cream and on rough patches on my hands. It's $8.99!

Who knew recession beauty shopping could be so much fun.

Good Finds

A fellow blogger, Snobertson, sent me this great fashion site, Frugal Fashionistas. I'm loving it. With my limited time to stay on top of fashion trends I get in a fashion rut. I go to my normal standbys. Skinny jeans, ballet flats, blouse and cardigan. I'm still presentable, no mom jeans, but I need to mix it up. In order to do that, I need inspiration and not inspiration from Vogue or Bazaar. Attainable and affordable inspiration. Plus, who doesn't like to look at a little celebrity gossip or fashion?

I love that I can quickly browse through the looks and pick out the ones I like or are realistic (let's be real as most of these outfits would never work on a real person or someone who didn't live in L.A.) and modify them for my price point, style and age. You can search by celebrity or just scan through all the posts. They also have beauty features which I love as well. Sometimes I just want to buy some drugstore makeup for the experience of shopping the aisle. I don't want someone telling me what I should buy based on my coloring. It takes me back to my junior high and high school days. Remember Wet 'n Wild?

This is almost as good as any celebrity gossip rag. I don't care about what the celebs are doing - just they are wearing. Good-bye people and US Magazine. You are no longer needed.

Here are a couple samples.

Katherine Heigl (In case you live under a rock)

Reese Witherspoon

Eva Mendes

Penelope Cruz (perfect shopping or travel outfit)

Camerion Diaz (Great winter shopping look)

Statement Necklaces

Fall Forecast - What's hot and what's not

Beauty Buys


Thank you Frugal Fashionists!

You just gave me my celebrity fix while providing me with some useful information.