A Fresh Bedroom

Instead of bore you with the details of why I've been away from the blog for so long I thought I would just get right back into the swing of things and share a recent project I've been working on.  My client wanted to update her current space (picture childhood white dresser with painted pink knobs and floral, Shabby Chic bedding) and make it more sophisticated and, umm, male friendly. She wasn't quite ready to give up her beloved pink so I chose pale pink and treated it as more of a neutral. I paired the paler shade with crisp white, oatmeal linen, warm currant and shimmering brass. It's a calming atmosphere and a little girlie but the base of the room is classic so all of the more feminine pieces like the pillows can easily be swapped out over time.

Recent Acquisitions

Despite the cold, rainy weather here in Chicago I have not taken these lovely sandals off since I purchased them at J. Crew last week. I went through a period of hating silver - I blame it on the abundance of Tiffany's jewelry I wore in middle/high school - but just recently I've fallen back in love with the sophisticated metallic.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a golden girl through and through but sometimes it's nice to switch things up at bit.  The silver is understated yet chic and seriously spices up any outfit.  I contemplated buying a second pair but instead opted for a Moroccan wedding blanket (details to follow) which just so happens to coordinate.  Bling, bling.

image by kristin kerr luber for simply smitten

Inspired by Cynthia Frank

.01 Abstract painting | .02 Regent demilune table | .03 Orange chair | .04 Horn accent table | .05 Casa Bello Sofa | .06 White floor lamp | .07 Rope coffee table | .08 Seagrass table |.09 Grey velvet pillow

I know, I know....I took a very long break from the blog - But let me say this: When one steps away from the internet for a bit and focuses on business, one gets a whole lot accomplished and finds new sources of inspiration!  One also ends up swooning over other people's homes and contemplating selling everything you own and starting over!

One such home is that of Elle Decor contributing editor, Cynthia Frank!  I've loved Cynthia's style for a while now and didn't even realize it - turns out photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank consulted Cynthia, her mother-in-law, while decorating her lovely New York apartment (blogged about here).  Now I'm being a little exaggerated when I say I now want to sell everything I own and start over - I just really love this home.  Those vintage plaster lamps made me sigh and the black and white marble floor! This inspired me to add a little bit more color to my home for summer and was the overall style inspiration for my "Girl on a Budget" project (which I share more on later) - think lots of white and pops of color!

I put together a Cynthia inspired board above with some great pieces from Horchow (they're having an incredible sale right now), West Elm and Etsy.  That rope coffee table has my name written all over it!   Granny chic, what?

Where do you get decor inspiration from?

May

I'm overwhelmed by the feedback and number of emails I've received so far regarding the geode lamps I'm having made. I'm going to work hard today to respond to each and every email but I just want to thank everyone in advance for your interest and support. I am beyond excited to say goodbye to April and start May on this positive note. Things can only go up from here - warm weather, sunny skies, green grass, al fresco dining, weekends at the beach....I simply can't wait!

My Custom Geode Lamp

My love rocks started at a young age when I would make my mother buy me little pieces of pyrite (aka fool's gold) and it flourished into a full-blown obsession the second I laid eyes on Willy Daro's impressive collection of agate, crystal and coral lamps.  Oh the things I would do to own a Daro lamp but with prices between $2,000 and $10,000 on 1st Dibs I'm pretty sure that will never happen.  So inspired by Willy's lamps I set out on a mission to make my own for a fraction of the price, this is the result.  I purchased the citrine geode on ebay and then had a local shop make the ebony base and custom figurine pipe.  I am beyond thrilled with how the piece turned out!

I received several emails about the lamp after I posted a picture on Instagram and I am excited to announce that I am going to have a few more made and sell them here on the blog.  If you are interested in purchasing one or finding out more about the process and cost feel free to send me an email at kkerrdesign@gmail.com.  Because lets be honest, rocks rock.

photographs by kristin kerr luber for simply smitten

Smitten | Vintage Vanity Accessories

I was cleaning out my makeup drawer yesterday and I got to thinking that my bathroom could seriously use a little spruce up.  I started looking through some of the pictures on my Bathrooms pinterest board and realized that a lot of the bathrooms I like have vintage vanity accessories on display.  I'm a sucker for an unexpected, opulent moment and sterling and cut crystal vanity jars that were once used for powder and perfume or brightly colored opaline jewelry boxes add the perfect amount of vintage charm to a modern bath or bedroom.  I also love the idea of putting daily vitamins and other medications in vintage apothecary jars and displaying them on the counter - I figure if they're out in the open I'll be more likely to take my daily vitamins daily! Corral everything on a beautiful tray to avoid clutter and maybe add a little piece of coral and you'll have the chicest bathroom around!

So, do tell, what's on your bathroom counter?

images T Magazine / Nate Berkus / Good Things for Life

Inspired by Cy Twombly

I really loved the colors in this painting, Untitled, 2001, so last week I decided to pick up a paint brush and try my hand at reinterpreting the work of one of my favorite artists, Cy Twombly.  I'm really happy with how the piece turned out - it adds the perfect pop of color to my neutral bedroom!  Next up, creating a piece for over my sofa...yes, that canvas is still blank.  I'll share my inspiration for that project later in the week.

Design Hunter | Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques Fair

Vintage swimsuits

A vintage table very similar to one I recently purchased for my apartment.

I Married Adventure - everyone's favorite vintage book.

I have a thing for fur pillows.

A pair of Fornasetti chairs

Malachite stool and brass and lucite lamp.

I'm on a mission to find something similar for my kitchen - I plan to mount it on linen and display in a lucite box frame.

Porcupine quills mounted in lucite.

Hello!  I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.  My mom and I went to the Botanic Garden Antiques Fair over the weekend and although I didn't purchase anything, I did find a ton of lovely pieces and loads of inspiration.  Some of my favorite items included a Fornasetti chair, porcupine quills mounted in a lucite block, a stunning malachite fabric bench and metal knife template that would look awesome framed in a lucite box and hung in a kitchen.

The International Antiques Fair at the Merchandise Mart opens this Friday so if you happen to be in town I suggest stopping by.  There is a keynote presentation by Charlotte Moss on Friday and a Young Collectors' presentation by Leslie Hindman on Saturday.  I plan to stop by the show on Friday so if you'll be there let me know!  Happy Monday!

images by kristin kerr luber

Why Don't You...

Why don't you hang a few panels of fabric behind your bed to add interest and height to your bedroom walls?  My friend Liz and I were recently discussing how she's having a hard time deciding what to hang over her bed. There are a medley of options available from mirrors to artwork and sculptures to nothing at all but finding the perfect piece for that awkward space can be tricky when you're on a budget because the scale has to be just right - that's why I love this option!  It's a simple and elegant way to soften the walls and is a great option is you don't have a headboard. You could easily whip up a few reversible panels for under $100 then flip them over depending on your mood or the season.

So, do tell, what's hanging above your bed?  Still on the hunt?

Image Antony Todd's Manhattan Apartment 

The Need for Tweed

Tweed: a rough woolen fabric made usually in twill weaves and used especially for suits and coats. 

I love the idea of incorporating fabrics that remind me of fashion into my designs, which is why I fell for this multi-colored tweed.  Inspired by this Jane Aldridge's killer vintage Chanel jacket collection I decided to use my fabric find to make throw pillows for my client's sofa.  I'm absolutely obsessed with how they turned out!  The colors are subtle but work oh-so-well the the Cathy Bruni Norris painting and the texture pops against the neutral sofa.  It's easy to get wrapped up in the trendy prints that walk down the runways and show up in shelter mags but I like to stick to the staples like tweed and bouclé -- they're perpetual classics that can spruce up even the most torn pair of boyfriend jeans or casual linen sofa!

I'll share more info about the space and the custom geode lamp we are having made as soon as everything is installed so stay tuned!  Happy Monday!

Images by kristin kerr luber for simply smitten