Are you wishing that Spring would hurry up and arrive?  If so, here are a few ideas that you can start incorporating in the midst of winter.

1.  Change your bedding.  Places like Mod Decor are carrying bedspreads.  The simple cool design comes from the actual stitching.  So, think solid and stitching.

2.  Update your bedside table.  When selecting a bedside table keep it in proportion with the bed.  If you have a tall bed use a tall table.  If you have a low bed use a low one.  Places like Room Service- LA have unique pieces.

3.  Lighten Up.  Often overlooked, lighting can dramatically change a room.  Having a bedside lamp is functional and allows another place to add texture and color.  This lamp has very clean line and doesn’t distract from the design.  The color ties back to the upholstered headboard and bedding.  So, your eyes go from the bedding, to the headboard, to the lamp to the wall covering.  This lamp came from Circa Lighting.

4.  Cover It Up!  Consider adding a wall covering.  It adds that finishing designer touch. 

While walking through the LA Mart I found some very clever products using recycled materials.  They would make great weekend projects.

Computer Cases, Pens and Picture Frames made from electronic parts.

This is a mirror.  The “spokes” are made from rolled up magazines and news print.

This light is made from cleaning product containers. 

Hello!

I hope you are enjoying the holidays.

I wanted to let you know about an online design event that I am excited to be participating in. It starts next Monday, January 4th!

2010 is the beginning of a new year, a new decade, and new ideas for design solutions.
Over the course of ten days, January 4-8 and January 11-15, ten will bring you design ideas from the experts that will help us stick to New Year’s Resolutions in style.

ten is a collaboration between two popular design bloggers:
• Benjamin Moore’s Sonu Mathew of Living In Color with Sonu and
• Kathy Barlow of HomeWorkshop.com

Each day of ten, you’ll learn from one of 10 top design experts, about a fun New Year’s Resolution that relates to home design, decorating and color.
I will be covering the resolution “Improve Your Relationship” on Thursday, January 7th!
Each day, you’ll even have a chance to win a cool prize, relating to the resolution.

Check out the list of experts and learn more at tendesigndays.com;
tell your friends, and I’ll see you there next week!

Thank you and Happy New Year!!
Kenneth

With New Years fast approaching I wanted to share some ideas on how to prepare for a special event. 

FURNITURE PLACEMENT
Before your guests arrive, walk through the entire party space, taking note of the placement of furniture. There should be at least 18” of clearance for pathways between furniture.
Don’t forget to create conversational groupings, (seating for 2 or 3 in fairly close proximity to one another), to allow for your guests to talk.

CLUTTER PATROL
When you are reviewing your furniture placement, it’s a good opportunity to assess your “clutter.” View your décor as a newcomer would see it.
Does the décor (I’m talking about the smaller items in a room—pillows, pictures, collectibles) project the image that you want? Is there the potential for a party mishap based on the clutter (i.e. a grouping a tabletop pictures that could fall or break with the slightest jostle)?

BEVERAGE CENTER
I suggest setting the beverage center in between the entrance and the main party space.
Stock the beverage center: in addition to the beverages, include glasses, a bucket of ice, tongs, whatever implements you need for your service (corkscrew, bottle opener, can opener, straws), any accompaniments you desire (cherries, lime twists, olives, lemon wedges), and a couple of bar towels to take care of spills.

FOOD CENTER
Set out your food in one larger area, and perhaps scatter bowls of snack foods (chips, nuts, candies) throughout the party space.

TRASH CONTAINERS
Use one can per room, and make sure that the can is lined with a plastic bag. I usually store additional plastic liners in the bottom of each can to eliminate any frantic searches for fresh

JUST IN CASE
Inevitably, every party has some sort of minor disaster. The best defense is a strong offense—in other words, accept that there may be a spill or similar, and prepare for it.

FINISHING TOUCHES
• Make an eye-catching door decoration by tying a length of festive ribbon onto a wreath and hanging a selection of baubles from it.

• Inexpensive cameras placed around in trays are sure to capture some of the evening’s events.

• Candles and tea lights make a room feel festive.

• Everyone has a hard time keeping tabs on his or her drink at a party. Take some card stock, cut into small pieces, punch a hole and place a piece of ribbon through the hole and tie to the glass. Number them or leave blank and let the guests write their names.

Happy New Year!  Thank you for making 2009 so memorable and here’s to 2010.

Five very easy ways to recycle your wrapping paper.

After opening all our presents, we are left with piles of wrapping paper. Each year it takes several garbage bags to clean up the mess and you haven’t done much in the area of recycling.

1. Use a piece of wrapping paper to cover a cork board and hang it on the wall. Now you have a festive board to leave messages and your to-do lists.

2. Cut the paper into small pieces and leave them by the phone. Use the white side of the paper to write down messages.

3. Stuff the crumpled up wrapping paper in shoes, purses, hats.. to keep the form.

4. Use the paper around the base of a bouquet of flowers you are taking to someone special.

5. Measure your drawers or cabinets. Cut the paper to fit and insert.

 

YOUR VOTE COUNTS

If you enjoy the blog, please vote for Kenneth Brown Design in the “Home Design” category for Apartment Theapy’s 2009 Homies—Thank you!!!

Happy Holiday to you!

I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you for your continued support and well wishes. I wish you and yours a happy healthy holiday. Sometimes the best gifts are those that are free like; a smile (thanks for bringing one to me), a thank you, a child eyes when they awake on Christmas morning to see what Santa left under the tree. I hope you find what you’re looking for underneath the tree too and this holiday finds you in the warmth of your home with family and friends.

2010 has many new and exciting plans for us and I am thankful for you to allow me to do what I do best- creating rooms and products for all budgets, because everyone deserves to live a beautiful life.

-KB

Here are some of my tried and true design tips.  I hope they provide you with ideas and inspiration as well as a bit of an escape from the craziness of the season.

THE FOUNDATION

Color is the language of design, if you have no color, you have no voice. In this kitchen, which has a very muted palette with white walls and cabinets and stainless steel appliances, I incorporated color by choosing bright chairs.

ENLARGE A SMALL ROOM

When it comes to making a small room appear bigger, believe it or not I suggest filling it with furniture. The catch? Use fewer pieces of larger scale furniture. In addition, I love big, canvas paintings. They act as additional windows and work to extend the eye beyond the room.

LIGHTEN IT UP

For rooms that get little natural light, start with the plane on which everything sits. It’s all about flooring materials. Brighten up the floor by using a light-colored area rug. It adds an instant lightness to a room.

UNCONVENTIONAL UPDATE

Perhaps the most dramatic way to change the look and feel of a room is with the lighting. I am a huge fan of chandeliers and often includes them in rooms where you wouldn’t normally find them. They bring a certain character to a space. I’m so tired of recessed lighting; it can make a room like a football field.

BALANCE

I prefer a rich color palette. I love mossy greens, terra cotta and browns, all very romantic colors.  But be careful not to overdo it. With this room, the rug and throw provide the pop of color, which highlights the speckled brightness of the wallpaper. To balance the color and avoid busyness, the bed, lamp and side table are monochromatic with simpler lines.

With the holidays upon us,  here are a few of my tips for keeping High Style at Low Cost.

1. Secondhand Shops: used goods are great buys! Visit flea Markets, eBay, garage sales and moving sales. People that are moving are more willing to negotiate on pieces, which will save you money.

2. Use Color: be bold, layer and contrast. Don’t be afraid of your walls! Paint is the biggest bang for your buck. Think about keeping ceiling and moldings white so the wall color bounces excitement into the room. When looking from one room to the next, remember to layer your colors so they work well together. Additionally, accent colors add personality to the room.

3. Area Rugs: guaranteed to warm up any space. To make a living room more comfortable, bring in a large area rug so friends can feel comfy lying on the floor. Check out carpet remnant stores to save money on store-bought area rugs.

4. Buy Practical Furniture: when picking a sofa, choose something neutral and basic. Use pillows for punch. This piece will be the biggest part of any budget so you want it to be timeless. Ottomans make great flexible seating pieces that are easy to move around for a party.

5. Ohhh Factor: mirrors add sparkle, space & light. For a super glam look, place loads of votive candles on the mirror to add that extra sparkle.

6. Spray Paint: used for an instant face lift. Accent pieces that look dingy or too “grandma’s place” are instantly updated with white spray paint. It’s a $2.00 quick fix!

7. Accesorize: find inexpensive, everyday items at the grocery and book store. Combine a basic white mixing bowl and a bag of fresh limes. Together they add instant punch to your coffee table – they’re also good to mix into your margarita or diet coke! Look for used books at garage sales and stores. Select larger hardback books with colors on the cover that tie into your room’s décor.

8. Plants: keep life in your living room. Orchids add a sense of natural beauty.

9. Take Your Time: leave a fast makeover to the designers. By going slow, you will save money and not feel the need to buy everything you see right away. This allows you to make smart decisions, thus creating smart design.

When taking on a project, remember my motto…all budgets deserve good design!

Here are several simple, inexpensive decorating ideas to get you into the spirit of the season:

Color Flair: Don’t be afraid to add in unique, bold colors that stray from the traditional red and green. Work in unusual color schemes such as purple, pink, and gold. The colors blend well and really brighten up a room.

Festive Furnishings: Make an impact by switching out everyday pillows and throws with ones in holiday hues. Throw in a few bright pillows with embellishments or bedazzled jewels for a cutting-edge look. Also make your furniture festive with decorative slipcovers in rich fabrics like velvet.

Seasonal Centerpieces: Create a super, simple centerpiece from the grocery store—purchase fresh produce (apples and pears) and place them in a bowl or on a plate. Finish off the look by adding garnishes of berries, leaves, and nuts.

Topiaries Galore: Purchase Styrofoam cones from a local craft shop and hot-glue candy onto it, creating a holiday topiary. Candy that works well: sugar-covered spice drops, red-and-white peppermint drops, gummy bears, jelly beans, etc. The same principle can work for making a wreath for your door using circular-shaped Styrofoam.

Light the Way: Take down curtains in the living room (or room of your choice) and create drapes using grapevine lights over a curtain rod. Add snowflake lights, crystal icicles, and glass balls for more flair.

Basket of Presents: Tidy up the area under the tree by putting the presents in straw baskets and placing those around the tree for a cozy, finished look.

Apple of Your Eye: Decorate using faux fruit from a crafts store. Red and green apples can be pierced and strung with wire to create garland around doorframes and entryways. Smaller fruit can be used as garland on the tree.

Wishing Wall: Bring back the memories year after year by creating a holiday collage with photographs, cards, and more that hangs on the wall each season. Secure all these items on a framed cork board and decorate with ribbon and garland. Continue to add/update memories each and every year.

Happy Holiday Decorating!!