Launching New Katie Denham Interiors Website and our Book Winner!

I was sitting on pins and needles all weekend......I checked this morning, and it had not happened yet...... I checked this afternoon and it is up and running!

The new and improved Katie Denham Interiors website has officially launched! 

I created my first website in a flurry when I started my own design studio 4 years ago now.  I have been in the design business for such a long time working as the principal designer for other firms, but the recession forced some changes, and I decided to start my own studio. It was scary to start a business in the economic climate we are in right now, but also very exciting. I was very fortunate to have wonderful clients who were with me all of the way...referring new work and remaining good friends. It is hard to believe four years have gone by already. It is cliche to say it, but it really does "seem like yesterday" that I hung my shingle.  When I first started, I really did not have much in the way of photography for a website. It was quick, and honestly a bit rough. So........

I am very excited about the fresh new look and am looking forward to adding new projects in the months to come. There are many details to wrap up before a project is ready to photograph, and I am in the midst of    getting a few projects ready right now. There will also be a few more menu items as things progress as well.

I hope you will stay tuned as things come to fruition!

Many thanks to my very talented website designer!

......................................

Thank you all so very much for reading katiedid!

I look forward to reading your comments every day.

Now....on to the winner of the GIVE AWAY of THIS fabulous design book!

Congratulations to Callie Grayson of the blog, 

Grayson: a Different Shade of Grey!!!!

Hop on over and say "hi" to Callie and visit her blog. You can see her home and the progress she is making, her DIY projects and favorite recipes.

Thank you all for entering, and there will be another GIVE AWAY very soon!

GIVE AWAY: Last chance to enter for The World of Muriel Brandolini

A keeper, this one. 

Last chance to enter the 

GIVE AWAY

of

The World of Muriel Brandolini Interiors

courtesy of Rizzoli Publishing

It came to my attention that those who are subscribing to katiedid did not have access to my sidebar to follow on google. So to make things easier for subscribers, you may enter by emailing your contact information to me. 

To see more about this fabulous book and to enter on the blog page, click on over HERE.

Good Luck and I will be announcing the winner on Monday!

GIVE AWAY: The World of Muriel Brandolini

Photo by Eric Boman

 Muriel Brandolini is an adventurer. Her life reads like an epic novel, and her aesthetic illustrates her story with bold bright gestures capturing the romance and joie de vivre that any story worth reading would encompass.

I have been glued to my advance copy, gratis of the very kind folks at Rizzoli, ever since turning the first page. I am an admitted design addict....with the added addiction of bibliophilism vying for my attention daily. I am in no way seeking rehabilitation for my addictions, and it is books like this one that feed my cravings. 

Photo by Eric Boman

The World of Muriel Brandolini is my perfect read. It is filled with Brandolini's brilliantly exotic interiors which are so magical, telling a story all on their own. There are many design books which are filled with beautiful photos of beautiful interiors.....all unique and beguiling in their own way. The thing that sets this book apart is Muriel's personal story. She talks about her life from the beginning, starting off with her birth in Montpellier, France to a French-Venezuelan mother and a Vietnamese father. She takes us to Vietnam where her family moved when she was just a baby and then to Martinique when she was twelve, and then off to Paris where her education begins in earnest. 

Photo by Oberto Gili

Muriel travels the world thereafter meeting fascinating people, adding to her global aesthetic along the way. She takes us with her when she falls, accidentally, into a decorating career in New York, when the home she creates for her young family becomes famous after being published eleven times in one year. 

 We get to see her house in its many incarnations over the years, as well as her beach house on Long Island's Peconic Bay. All of her magical thinking is laid bare for us in Part I, the first third of the book.

Photo by Michael Mundy

In Part II, we are taken on a tour of client residences that take your breath away. Every piece in each room looks like a collected work, and worthy of attention. Many would say that this is not the formula for success in design.....that perhaps it is too much...and this is where Muriel proves them wrong. Muriel Brandolini  and her style have been described as everything from unconventional, exotic, bold, and magical, to "that newly minted American arbiter of haute bohemian chic"( New York Times). I would say she is all of those things, and more so if you consider America a melting pot of influences from around the world.

A single block of rock crystal....the side table by Martin Szekely. Photo by Pieter Estersohn

Brandolini's sophistication comes from her experiences, yes, but perhaps more so from her fearlessness. I think it is this quality that drives the creativity in the truly talented. She is unafraid of what the neighbors think. She teaches us that there are no rules in design. 

In the introduction by Wendy Goodman, design director of New York Magazine, says in the early days, she used to think Muriel's clients were "very brave and very lucky"....and now she thinks they are "just very lucky".

Photo by Pieter Estersohn

And oh how much I would agree.

Photo by Pieter Estersohn

Rizzoli has again been very kind in offering you, my fearless readers, a chance to win this stunning book for your very own!

To enter this GIVE AWAY,

Follow these easy steps:

1) Hop on over to the Rizzoli and take a moment to look around. See the facebook link? Go ahead and "friend" them.

2) Become a follower on the katiedid blog by clicking the google friend connect button on the right.

3) Click on the "comment" link at the bottom of this post and leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts about Muriel Brandolini and her exotic style!

4) Make sure I can contact you by including an email address, or make sure your username has a link to a contact email.
5) The Cut Off date to enter is October 9nd, this Sunday at 5:00PM PST. I will announce the winner the next day, October 10th!

AND.....as promised, 

the winner of the Michael S. Smith Kitchen and Bath book is...........

Barbara at Haus Design!

Congratulations Barbara!

Have a Fearless Day!

New Online Magazine - Heart Home, and a WINNER!

Open publication - Free publishing

Online Magazine seem to be gaining in popularity, and there certainly are some great ones out there! One of the newest on the scene is 

Heart Home Magazine

.....direct from the heart of Britain. Founded by Arianna Trapani of Arianna Interiors, Carole King of Dear Designer's Blog and Daniel Nelson of Atelier Tally, Heart Home is full of Anglophilia and some more exotic stuff as well. 

A quarterly publication, Heart Home is full of interior decor, travel, fashion and all things British. It is bright, happy and creative.

A couple of articles in this debut issue are about two of my favorite bloggers, so I was excited to read all about them! Holly Becker of decor8 and Maryam of My Marrakesh are featured with beautiful photos about their homes and lifestyles.

So, just another way to get your decor fix. No need to thank me. 

In other news....

The winner of the Charles Faudree Details book from Gibbs Smith is (drumrollllllll....)

Ann from Hill Country House blog. If you haven't met Ann, hop on over and say hello! She has a wonderful blog about her adventures in the Texas Hill Country. There is always something fun, creative going on. Lots of American and Folk antiques and great vintage finds.

Congratulations Ann! I know you will love the book. It is beautiful!

GIVE AWAY: Michael S. Smith Kitchens and Baths

Couldn't you just spend hours here?
Photo by Francois Halard

Michael S. Smith.....the name alone conjures thoughts of design mastery....top designer lists....high style and designer brands. Michael S. Smith has "It"! Mr. Smith is the subject of previous interior design books bearing his name: Michael S. Smith Elements of Style with Diane Dorrans Saeks and Michael S. Smith Houses with Christine Pittel, both for Rizzoli. Both are in my library.

Photo by Michael Mundy

I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of his latest book: Michael S. Smith Kitchens and Baths! One of the largest segments of my own design business is the remodeling of Kitchen and Baths. I am always on the lookout for inspiration. Michael provides it in spades with this new book! Page after page of beautiful photography, stylish and functional spaces, and lots of resource information.

Beautifully done kitchen...Pendant lights by Alison Berger, hood, La Cornue Range, and I love the large marble "cutting board" on the island!
Photo by Thomas Loof

The book is organized by house project into chapters based on location rather than style. Because, as Michael says, "....it turns out that most rooms are rather hard to define in a word or two...just like most people." And so it is. 

There is a section for the Beach, Town, and Country, as well as a section for Resources. It is a great way to see how different styles can take on a sense of place. How a modern kitchen or a traditional one feels "right" at the beach or in the city.

Michael gives really in depth descriptions of the spaces and information about all of the finishes, and why they were chosen. He describes how the layouts were changed and why. The Kitchen and Bath are functional spaces first and foremost, but Michael also believes that they should provide comfort.

Fun, casual kitchen in Hawaii for a young family. Love the turquoise concrete floors, and the glass embedded terrazzo counters. The cabinet hardware is green and right out of the 30's.
Photo by Grey Crawford

Not only are there scads of fabulously designed kitchens and baths in this book, but also breakfast and dining spaces that often times are part of what has become one of the most used entertaining spaces in the home. Kitchens have become a place where people congregate and share in the preparation of meals or share a glass of wine while the hosts set out nibbles for guests and get things ready. 

Michael S. Smith understands this and Kitchens have become one of his most favorite rooms in the house to design.

The combination of Carrara marble, Venetian Glass mirror, mirrored furniture, white flowers and fresh blue pale paint is restful and very glamorous. Lovely! I do wonder who might peek over the stair railing while one is dozing in the tub though!
Photo by Michele Arnaud

And what about Bathrooms? They are a place to relax and rejuvenate. A private space that should be a pleasure. This means it must function properly and also be easy on the eyes. There are loads of beautiful examples here, from stunning Master Bathrooms to jewelry box Powder Rooms.

A more masculine Guest Bath with "pinstripe" Turkish Marble, "Asher" from Ann Sacks. As Michael Smith describes it..." you feel as if you're in a Napoleonic campaign tent made of marble instead of cloth." I love that description!
Photo by Michael Mundy

There is huge variety in Michael S. Smith designs which is what I like to see in any design book. Many designers are masters in a particular style, but Michael S. Smith shows us here, he has mastered them all. What runs through his work is design excellence through his unique use of materials and details, and an adherence to timeless beauty rather than trends. I think his work will be just as appealing and fresh 20 years from now as they are today. 

This will be a book that I will be referencing for years to come.

GIVE AWAY ALERT!

AND....one of YOU will get to have

Michael S. Smith Kitchens and Baths

  for your very own!

The publisher, Rizzoli has generously offered a copy to one lucky winner.

Here is the scoop:

1) Hop on over to the Rizzoli and take a moment to look around. See the facebook link? Go ahead and "friend" them.

2) Become a follower on the katiedid blog by clicking the google friend connect button on the right.

3) Click on the "comment" link at the bottom of this post and leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts about Kitchens and Baths, this book and what you would do if you could have any kitchen or bath you wanted!

4) Make sure I can contact you by including an email address, or make sure your username has a link to a contact email.
5) The Cut Off date to enter is October 2nd, this Sunday at 5:00PM PST. I will announce the winner the next day, October 3rd!

Good Luck and Happy Reading!

Monday Already?

Couldn't I just stay here a little longer?

Nope....it's time to get cracking! Lots to do this week.

To start off, don't forget to enter

  THIS GIVE AWAY!

Charles Faudree's new book is so beautiful, you will want it for your own library!

You will find that Charles Faudree is a designer that is totally OK with mixing man's best friend and  pillows.

Give Away: Charles Faudree Details

 Tablescape - "The sophistication of crystal lamps, silver frames and orchids is a pleasing contrast to the antique French farm table...."

 Do I ever turn down an opportunity to review a new design book? Absolutely NOT!  Especially when the book is the newest by one of America's top 100 designers, Charles Faudree. Mr. Faudree's work has been published in Veranda, House Beautiful, Southern Accents (how we miss you!), Traditional Home to name but a few. 

This is not Mr. Faudree's first time around the book publishing block. His other books include the most recent Charles Faudree Interiors, Charles Faudree's Country French Florals and Interiors, Charles Faudree's Country French Living, and Charles Faudree's French Country Signature. For any of you that are French Country design lovers and even those of you who just like great design, click on over. He is a master. 

Charles Faudree has been creating beautiful interiors for 4 decades throughout the United States and Europe. He is even now in the process of designing a residence in Abu Dhabi. He also has created a line of fabrics for Vervain (which you can find on the Vervain website HERE) and maintains a retail location for antiques and interior design in Tulsa Oklahoma.

So on with the new book's "Details"........

This newest book by Mr. Faudree is all about those details:

  Charles Faudree Details , by Charles Faudree with Francesanne Tucker

As he says, " Details may seem like a small subject, but these finishing accessories are by far the most important part of decorating. People's lives are expressed by the little details. They give a room its soul." Amen! The rooms I see in magazines that are the most successful in my opinion, are the rooms that above all else, show the character, interests and loves of the inhabitant. 

".....the details of a room create its identity. The accessories we display, their color and texture, abundance or restraint, similarity or variety, combine to establish a unique personality for each room. The way we put them together is art. It's what it's all about." Hitting the nail on the head, I say.

Wall Decorations - "A wonderful collection of green majolica complements the antique Black Forest mirror..."

Charles Faudree Details is not only a beautifully turned out book with gorgeous full bleed photos by Jenifer Jordan, it is organized in a way that makes it a wonderful reference. Each chapter takes on another area where details can be arranged to make a room sing: Tablescapes, Wall Decorations, Mantels, Fabrics and Lighting.

Wall Decorations - I think this wall shelving display of white everyday dishes is just beautiful...charming and useful. And I did notice the very small depth of the base cabinet...perfect for a small space!

In each section, Mr. Faudreee takes us by the hand and shows us why each item is chosen and placed the way it is. For Tablescapes scale, contrast, color and balance all play a part. But even then there is no particular formula. Experimentation is the key. Mr Faidree does place an emphasis on adding flowers to any tablescape. Even one bud will add a bit of life to a room. Wall Decorations include not only art and mirrors, but shelving and accessory display on the shelves. The one thing Mr. Faudree emphasizes is that pedigree is not important, but "the emotional response it creates". 

Fabrics - The serene blues of the color palette and the cheerful animals on the pillows.... and on the sofa, ahem..... are the perfect reflection of this lakeside cabin

 Fabrics are as important as furniture for Mr. Faudree. "You can buy fabulous antiques, but without the magic of the right fabrics to compliment them, you've compromised their impact." Whether it is a mix of patterns or a cleaner look like the one above, Mr. Faudree creates magic. 

Mr. Faudree also gives us hints about how to light any room. From candle and firelight to the proper use of can lighting....he expresses his thoughts. Sconces, Chandeliers, table lamps and task lighting can all be functional as well as an enhancement to the decoration of a room. It is always a pleasure to learn why a designer makes the choices they do.

Mantels are also a place where character can show itself. The fireplace is always a focal point, and what's above can make or break a room. Mr. Faudree leads us through an array of beautiful rooms and explains why each mantel has been successfully composed.

Lighting - A wonderful Lantern paired with crystal candelabras are perfect for this entry table

I think you will enjoy this newest in the Charles Faudree collection of books as much as I do. To make sure you have a chance to own it for yourselves, the publisher, Gibbs Smith has kindly offered a copy for one lucky winner!

To enter this 

GIVE AWAY

of

 Charles Faudree Details

Simply follow directions:

1) Hop on over to the Gibbs Smith website and take a moment to look around. See the facebook link? Go ahead and "friend" them.

2) Click on the "comment" link at the bottom of this post and leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts about the the snippet you have seen so far!

3) Make sure I can contact you by including an email address, or make sure your username has a link to a contact email.
4) The Cut Off date to enter is September 25th at 5:00PM PST. I will announce the winner the next day, September 26th!

Good Luck and Happy reading!

Winner Take All: Card Room at the Thunderbird Lodge and GIVE AWAY WINNER!

A couple of weekends ago, I was up at Lake Tahoe and spent some time at the Thunderbird Lodge. It was a little jaunt back in time to see one of the last and perhaps best examples of Lake Front estates built by the grand old San Francisco society members before World War II.

George Whittell Jr. was one of California's most notorious playboys and was famous for his exploits with women, fast cars and fast boats. He collected women and wild animals, many of which he kept on his estate. It would only follow that he had a penchant for gambling. The Card Room at the Thunderbird Lodge was built to entertain the "boys of summer" with card games and those women I mentioned. It is one of the few Card Rooms still in existence on the Lake.

George had a clever communication system in place to let the boys know when the coast was clear for a card game, or when to stay away when the wife was in residence. He had a series of lights installed on the chimney of the main house. When it was game night, the light was green. When the wife was home, the red light would show across the Lake. Clever pre-texting system, no?

The Card Room has two huge stone fireplaces, one at each end of the room. There are leaded glass windows and exposed beam ceilings. One of the most striking additions to the decor is the massive Elk trophy. It is believed to have come from New Zealand, so it has been suspected that George may have won it in one of his card games.

I am sure that George had his share of winnings......

For you curious George fans, click on over HERE for more stories about George Whittell's infamous past.

And now for another winner!

I am happy to announce the winner of Barry Dixon's latest book:

Congratulations to 

Linda in AZ!!!

Barry Dixon Inspirations, A Give Away!

I am always excited when a new design book comes along....even more so when the book is all about a designer for whom I have the greatest admiration. Barry Dixon is a household name: listed in House Beautiful's Top 100 Designers, "A-list designer" by the Washington Post, and "2010 Hall of Fame Designer" by Home and Design magazine. The list does go on! You can imagine my excitement when I received a copy of Barry Dixon's newest book, Barry Dixon Inspirations from the kind publishers at Gibbs Smith.    

Many of you may already have Mr. Dixon's first book, Barry Dixon Interiors. If you enjoyed it, get ready for his newest work in this beautiful book. It is full of ideas that are, as the title represents, nothing less than inspiring.Written by Brian D. Coleman with beautiful photographs provided by Erik Kvalsvik, it is as beautifully put together as are the designs on its pages.

One of the the things I most admire about Barry Dixon's work is that he mixes things up: modern and traditional, refined and rustic. And he seems to do so effortlessly. That is the mark of a master...the seeming effortlessness. In the kitchen above, Mr. Dixon mixes rustic finishes with clean modern cabinets, and then throws in bar stools that reference traditional style. It all works!

 You can see Barry Dixon's attention to detail and, again, his ability to mix things up right on the front cover. At first glance, everything is of course lovely, leaning towards a tailored traditional look. But when I took a closer look, details such as the grommets on the curtains and modern drapery hardware, the contemporary lines of the sofa, and the modern accent table all combine to make the space much more interesting. And just take another look at that chandelier....fantastic!

The book is all about inspiration. It so happens, I have been working on a remodel of a house in the Sierra foothills where I am using metal panels on the face of the kitchen peninsula. My clients and I have been reviewing metal samples, and we finalized the choice today. I was inspired to include metal in the design since I had recently been looking at metal strapping that was holding together the wine barrels on a recent trip to the wine country. It is just a bit of positive reinforcement to see metal panels used in a kitchen design by Mr. Dixon pictured above.

I wanted to show you a few of the pages that inspired me. The whole book is beautiful and it was hard to narrow it down for you. These images just struck me, and all for different reasons.

 This bath looks so serene and beautiful. The 18th century marble tub is decadent and set perfectly in the symmetrical space. The exotic touches of the Ming Dynasty carved teak window screen and the inlaid mother of pearl chair transports me to another place. I love the Kathryn Ireland toile fabric on the curtains and the Walker Zanger tile floor....all so very pretty.

 Another favorite project of mine in the book is the converted brick building in Corinth Mississippi that Mr. Dixon turns into an Urban Loft. Again, Barry uses his design alchemy skills mixing up elements. He kept the walls as they were: brick with plaster worn away. He deliberately left the electrical conduit showing on the walls behind the painting...perhaps the detail I liked most in the space. He differentiates the Dining Room from other spaces by using horsehair and linen sheers keeping everything open and light. He used the open Plantation style caned back chairs with a nod to the warm Southern evenings. Southern Industrial style....a new trend?

The Master Bathroom in a home outside of Washington D.C. caught my attention because Barry used a 1930's Lucite English chair covered in zebra at the traditional vanity table. What a great way to shake things up! Just a "glass slipper" of a thrown for a lady's bathroom.

It is all in the details: the nailhead trim on the onion dome screen, the decorative tape at the bottom of the ottoman, the contrast welting on the custom designed chair and the metal chain link floor lamp....it all takes design to that next level.

 At the beginning of the book, Barry Dixon describes where he finds inspiration:

"Inspiration is everywhere. It lives in the memory of our past, the vibrancy of our present and the possibility of our future. It hides in plain sight in the view outside our window and it sits on the shelf inside our home. It lurks in foreign ports of call and waits patiently in our own backyard. It whispers to us in our dreams and screams at us in our waking moments, urging  that moment of glorious combustion when our thoughts collide to spark out imagination."

I am putting that up on my wall.

So.....have I whetted your appetites?

 I think you will be happy to know that the generous folks at Gibbs Smith have saved a copy of 

Barry Dixon Inspirations

for a lucky winner! To enter this GIVE AWAY all you need to do is:

1) become a follower by clicking the Google Followers button on my sidebar

2) Leave a comment with your contact information so I will be able to let you know if you are the winner.

3) Hop on over to the Gibbs Smith website and let me know the other books that inspire you! I am always on the lookout for great books!

I will be picking the winner Friday August 5th at 5:00 PM California time.

Good Luck to you all!

And the Winner is.........

First, let me say 

THANK YOU

 to everyone who participated in this latest 

GIVE AWAY

of Rizzoli's Kelly Hoppen Interiors!

Now....down to brass tacks......

Congratulations to the winner:

Mommycamille

I will be having another Give Away soon, so keep an eye out!

4 Ladies and a Chair

Let's say a dear departed Aunt Sophie has left you this beautiful Louis XVI style slipper chair in her will (or perhaps it was six of them!)....what would you do with it/them? 

Cristin Priest from the Simplified Bee blog posed a similar question to four designer/bloggers and the results are as varied as the bloggers. Cristan asked the designers to create room design using this chair and whatever else took our fancy. I was one of the participants and had so much fun letting my imagination run wild. I put together a moody blue room with white accents and a fantasy of accents. The other designs are creative and so pretty.

To take a peek at all of the "what if" designs, hop on over HERE. 

And on another note...don't forget to enter the Give Away for Kelly Hoppen's latest book:

Get all of the information HERE!

A Change in the Weather

The Cherry Tree is in full bloom today...I had to catch it while I could. I think it is time to take down the Christmas lights, huh? We'll get to it when we paint the house this summer....I am still thinking about the color. I am now thinking Camel with white trim and gloss black doors. Then some black and white stripe awnings on the windows.  Anyone want to weigh in?

 It's nice when a husband calls and invites one to lunch on the spur of the moment....just because it is a nice day, and the sun is shining. There is something to be said for blue skies and the scent of Freesia in the air.

The tree is just exploding! And the bees are buzzing.

 An outdoor cafe named Magpie's... our first time there, and it was wonderful. Lemon Chicken Salad with Spring Greens, Kalamata Olives, and shaved Fennel......and a Carrot Cake Cookie for dessert....oh my....delicious...the Earth is waking up.

Ahhh! The sun is here!

Happy Weekend!

P.S......Don't forget to enter the Give Away 

for:

Get all of the information to enter HERE.