'Tis the Season: Mantles & Tablescapes Galore

Red and green are so last year! Instead try a creative color combo with this modern take on holiday décor. Or try re-purposing your home accessories with this bohemian table setting.
Money Saver: Bring the outdoors in with this fabulous mantle display that won't cost you a penny!
I hope these suggestions are helpful in your home...Check out FOX NEWS iMag for the latest tips & trends
How to Decorate a Small Mantle
Modern Holiday Table Décor Ideas
Tips for a Bohemian Holiday Table
How to Update Your Holiday Mantel
Make Your Holiday Wreath Stand Out
How to Use Ivy on Your Mantel

Happy Holidays from all of us at EKB Interiors!

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. Wishing you happiness." --Helen Keller

Lonny Magazine's Holiday Issue...Giving the Gift of Inspiration

Christmas came early this year for me!  When I found out that I was going to participate in the Holiday Issue of the incredible Lonny Magazine, which in my opinion has completely revived and ignited a new liveliness to the disappearing shelter mags, to say I was ecstatic is an understatement.  Not only did it force me to get my Holiday Decorating in order but I was able to challenge myself to reinvent those traditional sentiments with a new fresh Holiday Spirit.... 

To read the rest of the article and view the issue in its entirety please click through the latest issue of Lonny Magazine.  Special Thank You to Michelle, Patrick, & Ellie....Michelle I appreciate your enthusiasm towards my home and I can't wait to work with you again....Patrick you captured my home perfectly, you have an amazing eye....And Ellie you are such a doll and thank you for all your hard work.  What terrific and talented people....It's no wonder Lonny is the great success it is!

Happy Holidays!

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."

-- Hamilton Wright Mabie

Duralee Delighted at The High Point Market

This past Market I was invited again to collaborate with the very talented Terry Galliani who is responsiable for creating showrooms for Duralee. We work closely together to set the color forcast for Fall 2010.... and I am continually inspired by them as a company...This fall Clarke & Clarke's fabrics were highlighted. The showroom was divided into three color spaces, yellow, fushia and teal. I attached some of my favorite vingettes to show all of you....It's no secret that I've been designing a textile collection for Duralee Fabrics set to launch in the Spring of 2011.  During this time I've had amazing experiences, being challenged creatively and truly forced to recognize what makes me the designer that I am today....and for that I am very thankful to the Duralee Family.  This showroom really sparkled this year and I can't wait to hear all of your thoughts.... 

The detail on these pillows provide such a couture look for a bargain price.

That Savory fabric on those chairs is such a rockstar fabric and the bench is a must-have

Notice the Screens....They are to die for and I love using them with clients

Strong pops of pink on a quiet gray backdrop....Tres Chic

Such a Memorable Moment

Timeless Furniture

Lee Clarke and Duncan Clarke of Clarke & Clarke Amazing Fabrics!

"Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget." - Anonymous

Highlights from High Point

To say that the Furniture Market at High Point, NC provides me with endless inspiration is an understatement of great proportion.  I literally walk around this enormous venue with my camera and a notebook and desperately try and soak up all that inventory. Here are some of my favorite moments from the trip.

         

Bunny Williams debuted her beautiful shop Beeline Home - So much inspiration! 

Oly Showroom - Clean & Fresh 

Jeff Jones Home at Verellen Showroom - Love the use of lamps on dining tables

E. Lawrence - So clever!  What a great way of creating art with books

Larry Laslo - Spectacular Showroom....I have to find a place to use this art

Mr. Brown was introduced by Julian Chichester - So Inviting & Approachable

Snug Furniture - Gorgeous Showroom & Inventively Innovative

Julian Chichester - Timeless & Always on Key!


"Sometimes you cannot believe what you see.  You have to believe what you feel." - Morrie Schwartz

Bundle Up Your Table

Does anyone else feel like September never happened?  It seems like I went to bed after a long summer day and woke up in chilly October.  I absolutely love the Fall but am overwhelmed by the busy....Work gets so crazy, kids are back in school, and the Holiday's are looming!  

Part of the stress & excitement of the Holiday's is the anticipation of entertaining family and friends, which for me is always centered around the Dining Room Table.   

I am a big proponent of keeping the dining table set year-round.  I really love using the dining room as a second family room - An inviting place that isn't reserved for Holiday's but supports everyday life.  Something I started doing to my table that my clients have commented on is placing actual table lamps and stacks of books on the dining room table.  This anchors the table giving it some additional mood and task lighting.  I love this look because it feels very library-esque. 

Seating is so important for those long family dinners.  The use of these Queen Anne Arm Chairs at the head of the table give the table a very cozy and comfortable feel.

I am crazy about Banquets!  I have one at my kitchen table and I'm always intrigued when I see them in dining room settings. 

Size doesn't matter!  I love these two intimate dining tables.  Kelly Wearstlers beautiful blue tablecloth dresses this tiny table up instantly & John Saladino's clean crisp tablescape paired with those lust-worthy lilac slipcovered chairs is so elegant & effortless.   

This table is my inspiration for this Holiday season.  I love using unpredictable color stories and making them feel just as Holiday-like as those traditional ones.  This gold, orange, and blue does just that!  Don't be afraid to experiment and play around with your favorite color combinations. 

Layering, Layering, Layering!  Layering is definitely the key to a cozy Fall Holiday table.  In addition to lamps on the table I started using scarves as table runners and thin throw blankets to add extra texture and interest.  Touches of Fall foliage and other outdoor elements give any table that bundled up feeling that the season just exudes.  My advice for this years Holiday Table is to experiment with items and fabrics you have at home that mean something to you.....I think you might surprise yourself at what actually ends up sticking!

"If you walk into a room and it does not move you, then the room is a failure." John Saladino

Inspirations to FALL over....

I've been on a bit of inspiration overload.  The Internet is such a powerful tool and can really elevate your creative notions into realistic and obtainable dreams. Between client color stories, completing my fabric collection, and being a wife & mother, I've needed all the help I can get on harnessing my creative brainpower.

This is one of my favorite color stories.  Those side tables are clever and I love the leaning black mirrors.

 

I love the royal blue cabinetry in this beautiful kitchen.  Makes me want to play with more unexpected color combo's....

I love this elegant approach at creating the perfect partner's desk.  So lovely!

Who said you can't make your own Chanel.....Now that's creative!

I've been laboring over finding the perfect chairs, barstools, banquets....Oh my!  Must have these barstools and the green accent cushions are a great color pop and something I would definitely use myself. 

The serene palette with that gorgeous dusty gray banquette paired with the signature Romo wallpaper makes eating at this table first class all the way.

I recently made some big changes at my shop, transitioning from a retail store to strictly a design firm.  In doing so I recognized the necessity to keep my team inspired by there surroundings.  This was one of my favorite inspiration images.....Stay tuned for the finished product!

“If you only do what you know you can do- you never do very much.” - Tom Krause

Color Me Happy......

Say No to Neutrals:


Ribbon Revival:


Paper Play:

"People need dreams, there's as much nourishment in them as food." - Dorothy Gilman

Dream, Inspire, Create.....

I recently had the pleasure of working with the Fox News iMag Team on Home segments for their terrific Lifestyle iMag.  I was lucky enough to share some of my favorite tips for redesigning and inspiring everyday areas.....

Table:

Thank you Noelle & Brooke and the rest of the crew for all your help....Please enjoy and let me know if you have any tips you'd like to share with me!

"To do more for the world than the world does for you - that is success."

Henry Ford

Covered From Every Angle

Part of designing is not being afraid to take chances and training your mind to think outside of the norm.  Playing around and testing the boundaries are all part of the creative process, and for me the most exciting experience.  One of the hottest trends this year is the use of asymmetrical angles and unusual shapes. 

 

 

 Cut-outs, Curves, and Angles with Vengence - Fashion is exploding with these bold interpretations, which are overflowing the runways.  The creation of these new & interesting lines - through fashion, hairstyles, architecture - are really pushing the envelop creatively.  Now I'm bursting to try these concepts out in my own designs and projects....

Often times when designing a space, we tend to let the walls dictate how we layout or arrange our furniture and accessories.  Personally I'm tired of feeling constricted and prohibited by walls.....I find the most interest and intrigue in the unusual and unexpected, but also functional and visually appealing....Talk about a tricky combination, but once the recipe is in place the end result is always delicious.     

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for." - Georgia O'Keeffe