SWAP AND FLEA

Stop by and see me this weekend at The Gypsy Wagon swap and flea this Sunday. I'll have tons of cool vintage. I have some rugs and other textiles, wall mirrors, and I'm I think that I'm going to part with my peacocks....I think. Don't hold me to it.

ABOUT TOWN || MARGARET HUNT HILL BRIDGE

If you live in Dallas, Texas and you've driven by you may have wondered, exactly what is that going to be? Then I realized it's a bridge. The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge (formerly Woodall Rodgers Bridge) is only one of three bridges designed by Santiago Calatrava bridges being built over the Trinity River as part of the Trinity River Project.

A lovely addition to the Dallas skyline. For more details you can go here.

IMAGES: 1 Gus Rios 2 & 3 Tilton Lane

ELLE DECOR WORST TRENDS OF 2011

When I first read what the worst decor trends were of 2011 on ELLEDECOR I got a good laugh and then I tweeted about it. See my tweet here.  I'm all about living with what you love. I'm not the only one that has an opinion on the topic. See Emily's post from yesterday. Let's take a look at what the experts say and then I'll give you my take on it ....here we go.

Ronda Carman of All the Best Blog says "I adore books and cannot imagine life, or my home, without them,” But for her, books as props have a short shelf life. “Rose Tarlow put it best: ‘An object added for effect instead of affection will always look like an affectation.’

MY TAKE ON IT: The later part of last year I cleared out hundreds of magazines and books I've  purchased– yet no longer using. I took them to a local used book store and sold them all for a whole $12. Yup, $12 is all I got. Can you imagine my face? Most of the books and magazines I purchased because of the pretty covers and the content disappointed me. The magazine were full of ads and I was tired of paying to see ads for products I don't use. So I guess you can say I agree with Rhonda whole-heartedly if you're not reading them why have them laying around? Get rid of them!

Richard Shapiro antique dealer has modernism malaise, calling out the “monotony of one mid century room after another, all with predictable, gratuitous, gimmicky accessories.” He lobbies for collecting objects from different periods and styles that all have a bit of soul. MY TAKE ON IT: I personally don't want to live in an entire home decorated with mid-centry modern furniture and agree that a home should have a collected look— but if that's how someone wants their home decorated like that, then so be it. Who am I to say how someone is to decorate their home?  That's basicly what it boils down to. Right?

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It’s time to retire brightly lacquered Hollywood Regency furniture, says decorator Mary McDonald: “I think we all have seen enough garage-sale junk sprayed in high-gloss Skittles colors to last through the next century.” MY TAKE ON IT: I agree and I disagree with this. I think a pop of color is needed in any home. Garage sale junk? Those are harsh words to use calling someone stuff junk? I've acquired some fabulous things from garage sales. Though people might could use discretion and not have a entire room full of painted furniture? I'm just saying.

Designer Mario Buatta singles out dysfunctional decoration,” his term for interiors that don’t relate to people. “Everything is done for styling, and nothing has to do with living— there’s no place to have a conversation or set down a drink,” he says. “The best time to look at a room is the day after you’ve had a party because you see the way people used the space” MY TAKE ON IT:  I can't figure out how people live like this? Homes like this have no life. Looking like department store. Not warm and inviting at all. I agree homes should flow and function the way real people live. Now if you like the merchandized look or model home look as I like to call it... then I guess it works for you. Me personally– I love a home to look lived in. 

Gilly Gray

The DIY craze has run its course, says decorator Sheila Bridges, who has seen her share of “earthy, handmade concoctions. Just because it can be reclaimed doesn’t mean it should be” MY TAKE ON IT: WOW! I seriously can't believe someone said that? I'm all for creating something from nothing. Another man's trash is another man's treasure still holds true today. Like Forest Gump, that's all I'm going to say about that.

Now, what say you? Do you care what the interior designer's say? Do you care what's in or what out? Are you like me, you live with what you love?   
IMAGES: ELLE DECOR,EXCEPT WHERE NOTED + Quotes taken from Elle Decor's website.

TASTEMAKER INTERVIEW WITH KAREN KITOWSKI, ASID

I had an opportunity to chat a bit with Dallas interior designer Karen Kitowski. Interior designer for a townhouse located on Miro which is one of the homes on the Dallas Modern Home Tour. She has won many design awards and has been featured in various design and news publications— such as Luxe Magazine, Better Homes and Garden and the Dallas Modern News to name a few. In this short yet informative interview we gain some insight on her inspirations for her designs an her personal style.

 

cmv: What was the inspiration behind decorating 3315 Miro Place? 

Karen: I wanted to create the feeling of a New York SOHO art gallery. A 55 foot long great room with crisp white walls and a 20ft ceiling reproduces that bright airy space you feel when you walk into the Guggenheim or a loft style gallery. Combined with white furniture, the room becomes a canvas for the stand out accent pieces like the zebra print rug and the 18th century French buffet au deux. 

cmv: I notice on this project for Miro there appears to be a lot of high-end pieces, do you ever incorporate vintage pieces in your design? 

Karen:Yes, I use vintage pieces when it’s appropriate and goes with the design aesthetic. I use vintage in my home! 

cmv: Describe an average day working on a project. 

Karen: Every day is different. I could be researching furniture or fabrics in the showrooms, looking for inspiration in art galleries, gardens or boutiques, creating color boards, meeting with clients, doing paperwork, etc. There really is no average day!

cmv: What exactly is your personal style? 

Karen: In my own home, my choices have been in the modern style with a lot of texture, color, and art. However when designing for a client, my personal style is irrelevant. I depend on my eye and knowledge to achieve the client’s vision.

cmv: Do you make any decor changes with the seasons?

Karen: The only seasonal changes I make in my own home are Christmas decorations; however, I have had clients ask me to revamp their homes to reflect a new season. I achieve that mainly by changing accessories.

cmv: Can you share a few key things about yourself, your background and what led you to pursue a career in interior design? 

Karen: Even as a child I was intrigued by color and design. In fact, my first project was decorating the interior of my dollhouse! I knew I wanted to pursue a career that took advantage of my interest in light, color and form, so I studied art and business with a specialty in design at California State. In 1977, I opened my own design studio. Since then I primarily work in residential interior design, but I will occasionally take on a commercial project when asked by an existing client. 

cmv: If you were not an interior designer, what would you be doing? 

Karen: I can’t imagine doing anything else! 

  

cmv: What have been the biggest accomplishments of your career so far? 

Karen: I did the interior design of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s office in the Supreme Court building as well as his home in California. Honestly, making each and every  client happy is my biggest reward!
                                      
cmv: What part of your work do you love the most and why? 
Karen: I like the variety of the day to day and being able to select and assemble beautiful furnishings. 

cmv: What recommendation can you give to homeowners who would like to discover their own signature styles? 
Karen: Cut out photographs that you’re drawn to from design magazines. Save them, and you will start to see a trend developing. Then you will know your style! 

cmv: Are there any current design trends you prefer? 
Karen: Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity.

I want to thank Karen for taking the time to chat with me. Should you be in the Dallas, Texas metro area you can see her work on the Dallas Modern Home Tour, Saturday January 28, 2012. For details and tickets go here. To contact Karen for her interior design services go here. 
IMAGES: 1-3 DALLAS MODERN HOMES TOUR \\  4 KAREN KITOWSKI

1ST ANNUAL DALLAS MODERN HOME TOUR

Dallas Modern Home is having their first annual tour of modern homes. Twelve homes have been curated for this self-guided tour. Ingrid Spencer, former managing editor and now contributing editor for Architectural Record. Ingrid helped to curate the homes on all of the Modern Home Tours and provides guidance to ensure that modern design is constantly at the forefront of each tour. 
4311 Middleton

 

 2963 Magnolia

This home is a perfect example of modern living. Modern doesn't mean having to forgo warm and cozy, and this decor is a perfect example— Clean lines yet warm and inviting with a touch of rustic with the unpainted exposed beams. 

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This tour of homes will feature innovative homes that exemplify modern living, addressing issues from sustainability to ergonomics all while pushing the boundaries of design by incorporating recycled materials, rainwater collection systems and natural ventilation while maintaining the clean lines, simple shapes, and lightness associated with the modern architecture movement.  
9839 Rockbrook Dr.

 

4445 College Park

This home is my favorite. Tons of windows to let the natural light pour in. For an opportunity to visit these homes and others on the tour, you can purchase tickets in advance here.  The tour is Saturday, January 28, 2012 starting at 11AM cst. Be sure to visit the Dallas Modern Home website for complete details.  
IMAGES: Dallas Modern Home Tour

BHO x MLK

1929 | 1968

In Memoriam. Dr. Martin Luther King.

ANTONIO WINGFIELD x TABRAN

I know it's been a while since I've blogged about anything on a worthy note. Truth be told, I have been totally uninspired. I've wanted to add a fashion feature for the longest and since I'm more of a behind the scenes person last year I quietly tried to recruit a model or two last year but was unsuccessful until now. Tabran will be the featured fashion model for chic modern vintage. I'll be featuring vintage and vintage inspired outfits and original designs by Antonio Wingfield. 
Antonio Wingfield, fashion designer | photographer

Tabran, featured model for chic modern vintage