Pink Eggshell

"Finding the perfect condo is like finding the perfect mate."- Carrie Bradshaw

2012-01-31T09:08:00.000-05:00

Several years ago, I read a book called "One Fifth Avenue" by Candace Bushnell . The building was one of the most sought-after locations in the city (located at One Fifth Avenue - in case you haven't guessed already) and who owned which units was an extremely important part of the story line. To be honest, I didn't really understand the obsession. One of the characters walked by the building for years wishing to own a unit there. There were lawsuits and scandals and all sorts of drama. I remember reading the book and thinking, "Why don't they just move into another building?". And even when Sarah Jessica Parker and Mr Big were house hunting and she replied to the Realtor that she "always loved that block", I still didn't get it.

Until, UNTIL, I found myself waiting and wanting to buy a condo in The Atlantic. I'm not going to go into all of my history with Atlantic Station, which includes living in a condo facing the construction, and realizing that my view and investment would soon be a thing of the past. Fast forward several years, and I have done countless walk-throughs, calculated and regulated what it would cost to buy a one bedroom, two bedroom (when I had my baby) and now three bedroom condo in the building.

The Atlantic is such a beautiful building. With it's art-deco inspired interior, its a knob to what's new in modern design. Think...glamour...times 10. I know that many people think that the Sovereign or Mansion would be a better investment. I've been in both and they're lovely, but I just love The Atlantic. The space is perfect for me and my lifestyle. I can envision raising my baby there and having a home in Mississippi for the summer. Seriously, I've thought about this in vivid detail.

Last week while at the building, I was told that it had been sold to yet another owner. Truth is, there have been problems with the building since even before it was completed. Ups and downs with pricing, bankrupt builders, multiple owners. It's just a sad story. The building is so beautiful. Too beautiful to turn into rentals. As a matter of fact, I would probably shed a slight tear if that happens.

Here are some images from the lobby that I took during my visit last week. Do you love it? I have a new client in the building and will bring you those images when I have them. Tell me I'm not the only one. Is there a building or neighborhood that you are dreaming of living in some day? What makes it special? I really want to know.

This Week On Pintrest - Pinkeggshell Loves: Personal Style

2012-01-27T10:17:00.000-05:00

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1. lecoil.tumblr.com 2. boots | netaporter.com 3. YSL Easy bag in leopard 4. Dress | Oscar dela Renta 5. Beautyisdiverse.com

Nominate Your Favorite African- American Interior Designer

2012-01-26T10:12:00.030-05:00

*Deadline to receive nominations is Friday February 24th at Midnight EST

The 2011 Top 20 African American Interior Designers List

Straight from the Vault. Gambrell Renard's New Take on Fur

2012-01-24T09:47:00.005-05:00

This post is for the seriously glamorous! For those of you out there not afraid to rock a mink or better yet chinchilla. For the hip-hop divas who understand the risk of checking your coat at the club, as well as the well-heeled socialites stepping out for an evening at the opera. From as far back as I can remember, black women of a certain social set have worn full length mink coats to evening events. In her later years my grandmother, who was suffering from dementia, called my mother in a panic because she wasn't feeling well and wanted to go to the hospital. My mother said that when she showed up (in mid-July mind you), that my grandmother had on her fur coat and biking shorts. I'm not sure if she thought it was a formal affair or if it was so ingrained in her to wear it up into town that she just threw it on. At any rate, I have always had a love affair with fur...it's in my blood.

Some time ago, I got an email from Brandon Gambrel about his new pillow collection. I love finding new products to share with you, so I asked him to send some information over. I instantly fell in love with the Logan Collection. From the first moment I saw it, I knew that I'd have to add the amazing pillows to my home's decor. There's so much to love about the collection! It's hand-crafted in the USA from premium furs and leathers. I absolutely adore the way he melded the cherry coffee hair on cowhide with the white rabbit fur. Don't you just just want to scream at how the texture causes the entire piece to spring to life? The pillows come in a variety of leathers with mink, chinchilla and fox fur options. What's not to love?

This combination is to die for! It would also work really well for my male clients. Thanks a million Brandon for reaching out to my readers. We are so in love!

This Week on Pintrest - Pinkeggshell Loves: Glamour at Home

2012-01-20T09:45:00.002-05:00

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Ready. Set. Let's Shop Joss and Main

2012-01-17T01:03:00.003-05:00

I've been so excited since I learned that I would be curating a collection for the home furnishings sale site Joss and Main. If you aren't already familiar with the site, think high fashion, great quality home items at tremendously deep discounts. I absolutely love to use them when sourcing items for my clients! I save them tons of money and myself tons of time. Just the other day, I found some amazing lamps and side tables for a fraction of what I've seen them for at local retailers. You're gonna love them! There are pillows and artwork. Tables, sofas, vases and rugs. Everything you'll need to add pizazz to your home's decor without adding debt to your budget. With my Midtown Modern collection, you're going to score big on great finds for your home. I've hand-selected the items in this collection to fit into your modern lifestyle. There's a happy mix of products that I am sure you'll love!

How it works? Simply click on this link , register at the member's only site, and then start shopping. As always, I'll be available here to answer your questions and to guide you with your purchases if you need me. I can't wait to see what you find!

Ice Cube Celebrates the Eames: Video

2012-01-13T09:34:00.002-05:00

I shared this story with you on facebook while we were closed for the holidays. Here is the video that goes with the story. I love that we are a people of many layers. He studies architectural drafting becoming a rapper. Correction. "Gangster Rapper". LOVE IT!!!

Kimberly and Cameron: We've Got Game

2012-01-10T10:30:00.001-05:00

Quick Note. The Game premiers tonight on BET and I know you will be watching. There has been a lot of talk about the set design since the show started filming in Atlanta. Many of you were not impressed. This goes to show just how important the setting is in selling the lifestyle. The Game has new set designers and buyers this season, so let me know what you think of the changes. Check in after the show and leave a comment. Buyers for the show rented art pieces from us, so I hope it adds to the overall success of the set design this season. #fingerscrossed

Photo credit: Promotional Image for season 5 of The Game

When you Absolutely, Positively, Have to Be There Over Night

2012-01-10T10:21:00.001-05:00

I've lived in several cities throughout the country in my lifetime. Hattiesburg for college, Nashville for graduate school, Houston as I embarked on my design career, and now Atlanta where so many of my dreams are coming true. Moving is a tremendous hassle. No matter how many times I've done it, it still gets on my nerves. I now consider myself an expert on moving...a relocation professional if you will. Not simply because of the numerous moves that were just mentioned, but because of the number of clients I've had to pack up and move at a moment's notice. Even though I've done it, even though I've figured out some time and money-saving techniques, I simply could not imagine doing it for a living.

With all the NBA commotion going on in December, it was hard to not pay attention to the lock-out and the onslaught of trades that followed. And while the world was consumed with where Khloe and Lamar were headed, Shannon Brown and his wife, R&B songstress Monica were making plans to move their family to Phoenix, Arizona. A few days later, I noticed a tweet sent by Monica thanking interior designer Alicia Lamar for a successful move.

I thought. Huh? Does every designer do this? I absolutely had to find out, so I called Alicia in the hopes of getting more information. Turns out, in addition to designing the homes of celebrities like Carmelo Anthony, Denzel Washington and Eddie Murphy, Alicia also offers relocation services. As a matter of fact, she added an entire division to her company to handle such requests. Alicia agreed to talk to me about the concierge relocation business, but was extremely hush hush about her clients and their homes. I tried to get images of Monica's house, LA LA's fabulous new LA home or a peek into the plans for Vivica Fox's new bachelorette pad, but had no such luck. Those girls have a great designer and friend in Alicia and she guards their privacy with skill and class. Would you be able to sit on such wonderful projects without screaming about them from the rooftops? You might not get much information out of Alicia, but if you need to pack up and move your 5,000 square foot home, exotic cars, handmade wedding gown or prized art collection, she's definitely the person to call.

Photo credit: Image of Monica and Shannon in bed via Straight From The A

Michel Boyd and Marlo Hampton; Defining Personal Style at Home

2012-01-03T11:51:00.004-05:00

I met Marlow Hampton early last year during a taping of the Real Housewives of Atlanta; prior to that,I knew nothing about her. Well...that's not true. Like many of you, I had seen her home on the pages of Michel Boyd's website, but had not made the connection. When I finally put it together weeks later, it all started to make sense. That home; the elegant home with the custom upholstery and designer details had to belong to someone like Marlo. Marlo's style, which has been showing up everywhere from fashion blogs to pintrest is sexy, confident and exudes glamour. After meeting her, I quickly understood why she had chosen Michel Boyd to help her to design her home. They both have the type of style that turns heads similar to the type most people expect to see on the streets of New York or Paris.

On her website Simply Marlo , Marlo gives you a peek inside her life and shares with readers not only the things she feels are necessary to creating a glamorous life, but also how big a role fashion plays in her life. I personally was drawn in by the stylish items she was willing to part with in her boutique as well as the looks she's been seen rocking around town.

There's just as much attention to detail and high fashion in the furnishings selected by up and coming design star Michel Boyd. The custom bed's covered in a moss colored suede are from Boyd's bespoke offerings available later this year. The Hermes blank and luxurious textures in this room are just as much staples of Michel's high-end design aesthetics as they are Marlo's personal style.

"I admire dinnerware by Fornacetti, not just for their unique style, but for the philosophy with which they are made: I want to free my inspiration from the limitations of the usual." - Marlo Hampton

"History is infused with a sense of humor on these Fornasetti wall plates. The dining space required the solid cashmere on the chairs and the white porcelain in order to balance the patterned wall covering and our plates' personalities... no dinner guests required." -Michel Boyd

The spectacular outcome of the space, suggests that the two worked extremely well together. Michel was able to take her love of fashion and glamour and infuse it with his love for interior spaces and custom detailing to create a home that is truly reflective of Marlo's personal style. Bravo Michel.

Photo credits | Portrait of Marlo via Simplymarlo.com | Living Room designed by Michel Boyd of Smithboyd Interiors | Portrait of Michel Boyd by Allen Cooley Photography | Michel and Marlo at RHOA viewing party via YBF.com | Michel Boyd image Allen Cooley Photography | Marlo about town by Pamela Morgan | Guest bedroom designed by Michel Boyd of Smith Boyd Interiors | Image of Marlo by Rob Ector | Image of Marlo on street via simplymarlo.com | Diningroom designed by Michel Boyd of Smith Boyd Interiors | Lounge designed by Michel Boyd of Smith Boyd Interiors

Welcome to 2012. Time to Celebrate!

2012-01-02T12:34:00.001-05:00

WOW! Are you as excited about 2012 as I am? I feel refreshed and extremely excited about the new year. The older I get, the more I start to appreciate life; sounds cliche' I know, but it's true. I can look at my life now and see growth. This year, I have a lot in store for you. I want this to be the year that you finally tackle some of those projects in your home that you've been putting off for one reason or another. I want to help you set up a bar, so your girlfriends can stop by for an in-home happy hour or stock your cabinets with dishes so perfect, that they make everyday meals seem like little celebrations. I've seen your boards and must admit, you are collecting some beautiful items for your home life. My goal is to help you move them from your computer into your home. It's time to start living again! As I'm consistently challenging and stretching myself, I've started a new blog called Kimberly and Cameron everyday, which covers the day to day activities that go into running both Kimberly and Cameron Interiors and Pinkeggshell.com. The year 2012 marks our tenth year in business, and I'll be taking a hard look at where the business is now and making the tough decisions necessary to move it to the next level. If you are running a business, join me there as I ensure a promise to always be extremely honest and transparent with you. Here at Pinkeggshell, we've added new tabs and new content. We plan to give you as much design information and inspiration as possible. 2011 was a stellar year for me. As many of you know, I filmed "Design Wars" for HGTV, and got to participate in other really cool design events like the "Next Cool Thing." Stick around; I promise you will not be bored. After all, celebrating is what I do best!

2011-12-01T07:48:00.002-05:00

Thank You for visiting Pinkeggshell.

Have Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Purchase These Paper Mache' Christmas Ornaments and Help Support Haitian Artisans

2011-11-29T09:52:00.018-05:00

I am so in love with these hand made paper mache' ornaments from west Elm. They are the product of a collaboration between the retailer and the Hand/eye Fund. The ornaments which depict scenes from the 12 days of Christmas were made by artisans in Port Au Prince Haiti. The ornaments will be a fun addition to your Christmas decorations. And with10% of the proceeds going back to the Hand/eye Fund, your purchase will ensure a happy holiday for all involved.

These desert plates which also share the same design would be a prefect hostest gift and another great way to demonstrate your support of the Hand/eye fund.

{images West Elm.com - plates printed by Portland letterpress company - egg press}

2011-11-25T10:05:00.002-05:00

"Your traditions are what make you who you are."

-Nate Berkus

Happy Thanksgiving Friends

2011-11-24T02:12:00.005-05:00

I love this Southern Living Magazine cover.

5 Tips That Will Make Your Guest Bedroom Rock

2011-11-22T09:50:00.001-05:00

This is something that might become even truer as you get older, but I think that you should treat your guest bedroom the same as you would the master suite. As the holiday season approaches and you have guests coming to visit, it's kind of unwelcoming to just rake all the crap that has accumulated in there over the past year onto the floor and offer it to your guests. (Or if you're somewhat industrious - under the bed or shoved unceremoniously into the closet.) Yes, that has happened to me. I recognize that as a design professional, I make some people nervous about having me over. There's really no need. I'm not at all overly formal about how people keep their homes. It's just too much to worry about, when those who are interested in getting help call me. What I am talking about is taking a few moments to think about the room and what you personally might want for yourself when you're away from home.

For me, nothing spells out a good night's rest like great bedding, so that's my main thing. Now, I'm not even talking about the size of the bed itself. Truthfully, there are people who have the same size bed in both rooms, but simply don't think about sharing the good stuff with the guests. I've stayed with people where I got extremely cold during the night (no cozy blanket to drowsily pull over my freezing body) or where the sheets were so rough, I'd rather forgo the pajamas and stay in my daytime clothes.

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A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

2011-11-18T15:15:00.000-05:00

I was thinking about my friend Jada today, so I went over to her facebook page to see what she was up to. Jada and I have been friends for over 15 years so I can always count on her to be doing something amazing. I was surprised however, to see these images of her doing yoga on a beach, in Costa Rica at sunrise. I knew that she was going, but had no idea that this is what she would be doing. WOW! What an experience. Just another thing to remind me that I could be doing more. I love it! Please if you haven't read it, please read "A Million Miles in A Thousand Years." it's all about taking time out for adventures such as this. I am so happy to be this close to real motivation. Now, let me find something amazing to do this weekend. Any suggestions?

Color, Always a Great Pick-me up!

2011-11-15T17:30:00.002-05:00

Isaw these while over at the Sister Sophisticate blog on Saturday. It was just what I needed to brighten up my day. Did I mention that it was rainy and grey outside? Boy and to think, I have tons of work to get out. Anything for a pick-me up right! I would love to see either board translated into a living space.

Window Treatments that Appeal to the Fashionista in All of Us

2011-11-10T06:50:00.005-05:00

Image Property of Eileen Kathryn Boyd
www.EileenKathrynboyd.com

I've been doing a lot of drapery work lately. In part because I work with the most amazing workroom, but mainly because the demand for draperies in the home has increased. Over the past few months as I have been striving to present my clients with the most modern take on this age old craft, one designer's work continues to pop up on my radar. That of New York based designer, Eileen Kathryn Boyd. I've had the pleasure of meeting Eileen on several occasions and can tell from her conversations that she is deeply passionate about the art of window dressing. She loves fashion and it's evident in the window treatments she produces. There's something bold and refreshing about her approach. She's not afraid to take traditional fabrics and trim and do something unique that hasn't been done before. I can say with certainty, not since Scarlett O'hara has anyone made drapery panels look so spectacular!

Check out more of Eileen's dressmaker details at www.eileenkathrynboyd.com

So Obsessed: Karla's Kloset

2011-11-10T06:50:00.002-05:00

I've been obsessed with the Karla's Closet since Beth over at My Chic My Way introduced me to the blog. Karla is absolutely amazing at putting together smart, interesting, well-edited clothing combinations. They're always fresh and always so so chic. In addition to the magnificent clothes (please peep the Gucci Python platforms that I am fiending for), the photography is simply alluring. She has inspired me more than Carrie Bradshaw ever could. There has to be larger place for her in the fashion world. She is simply...The Truth.

By the Way, I'm From Mississippi!

2011-11-09T12:17:00.009-05:00

Everywhere I go, I start the conversation with Hello, I'm Kimberly from Mississippi. So you can imagine, how proud I was to open up this issue of Uptown magazine and see the words Mississippi-born in front of my name. I am more than proud. And what I've found, is that there are many fantastic people all over the world who share my Mississippi roots and pride. Your children, when they are pursuing their dreams need to know that there are people out there who come from where they come from. And that where they come from matters little in comparison to where they can go.

So, I want to shout to Mississippi and say thanks for everything Mississippi has given me.

Thanks to my family - all 10,000 of you

Thanks to Lafayette Co. Schools- Where Champions are made - year after year

Thanks to my church families both in Abbeville and Hattiesburg Mississippi

Thanks to the Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta- MUNU Chapter - Where Excellence is standard

Thanks to my Friends from all over the state, who come from small towns and county roads and who are now doing amazing things to shape the future of our country.

Thank you - I couldn't be more proud!

How should I share my HGTV experience with you? Flickr? Facebook? Get Ready. There are a lot of Pictures.

2011-11-08T01:13:00.002-05:00

November Is Gonna Be Huge; HGTV Design Wars, Uptown Magazine, Digital Atlanta and A Birthday

2011-11-07T09:51:00.001-05:00

Happy November! I am so excited about this month! Not only is it the month of my birth, but also the month I make my big HGTV television debut. You have to make sure and watch for me on HGTV"s new show, Design Wars. As it happens, I am also featured in this month's Uptown magazine. All good stuff, right? Since 11 is my lucky number, it's no wonder that this year has been amazing for me. I kid you not, it has been one event, project, job or opportunity after the next. There's so much to be grateful for, so as we celebrate my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, I am prepared to lay it all on the line and shout, "Hallelujah for this year!" Normally, November is the month that I stop blogging and focus on closing out the year and spending time with friends and family, but not this year. This year I'll be here until the very end, sharing with you all the fabulousness Holiday Season 2011 has to offer. Wondering what to expect as we kick off our year-end celebration? Well, let's start by spending the month saying thank you. Thank you to anyone and everyone who has made each opportunity in your life possible. Thank you guys! I definitely know that you're out there. Maybe you're not following, maybe you haven't liked us on face book, but I know that you are out there. I read your comments and definitely get your emails. So, please accept my heartfelt "Thank you" for all your support and encouragement. I will be speaking at ADAC this week for Digital Atlanta. If you're in Atlanta, on Thursday November 10th, please stop by. I'd love to thank you for your support in person. Several of the designers from the Uptown magazine feature and the African American Top 20 will join me at the Anisworth Noah showroom for a champagne toast. I'd love to see you. This year has been full of so many amazing surprises, I can't wait to see what's next. Join in the celebration by telling me the answer to this question, "What are you thankful for?"

What I've Learned from Martyn Lawrence Bullard

2011-10-26T00:15:00.001-04:00

Image Martyn Lawrence Bullard

I've officially gone global. For some time I've been working on a project in West Africa and it has really been interesting. Every time I think that I'm going to go there and move mountains, I find that things don't move as quickly in Ghana's cash economy as I would like. In many ways it's a smart system. There's no credit and my clients only order, build or buy what they have cash to cover at that moment. I already have the green light on some amazing installations! So now, I just have to be patient. I want to bring you the pictures and the details, but that's just ego. I'm trying to hurry the project toward completion to prove to the world that I can do it. That I did do it. That I just might be missing out on a bigger opportunity or blessing. Then, in walks Martyn Lawrence Bullard. On last week Martyn was at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center and since he is my absolute favorite out of all of the Million Dollar Decorators, I made it a point to attend. Unfortunately, I was terribly delayed and didn't get to experience the entire event. However, what I did take from Martyn is that your experiences influence the opportunities that come along in life. And that your job is just to simply be open to them. In short, you never know without a shadow of a doubt that what you're working on is going to lead to something big. Instead, you just have to do it. This realization has helped me to not be as anxious about the amazing opportunities I have in Africa. As I hurried to my next appointment, I found myself taking a moment and really thinking about my future as a designer. Of course I want to grow. Growth takes discipline and patience. So, maybe that short encounter occurred to make me question my attitude about how I experience life and the actions that I will now take moving forward in life. Therefore, today I'm moving Marty to the top of my Design Mentor list. Not just because I think he's cute (although that goes without saying), but because I love his globally inspired designs and the innovation that he's bringing to the interior design industry. Because in his design and life, he's left room for the unexpected. One day I'll get there myself. To tide you over until I have images to share of my Africa project, here are a few of my favorite Martyn Lawrence-Bullard globally inspired spaces. What do you think? Which one motivates you?

The Sexyness of St. Barts Comes to Houston

2011-10-25T08:38:00.001-04:00

Of course I'm in love. It was an easy seduction. The fashions were hot, the textures were sensual and the overall store vibe - Glamorous! I've been a fan of Calypso St. Barts Home for some time. I make it a point to stop in every single time I'm in New York. I covered the store here back in 2008 and have fond memories of the helpful staff, energetic managers and stimulating home selections. I love the New York store, but the Houston store which is only a month old, is different. Not in the decor though. The shells and soft motif are present in both, but the Houston location just seems really polished and slick. From the moment I set foot in the store, I felt that I was catching a glimpse of a future home. One where my friends would come visit me on a gorgeous island and my house would be... well, magnificent! This store is also located in the Highland Village area which has quickly become one of my favorite shopping destinations. I've always been a huge fan of Kuhl Libscomb store and that upper Kirby area, but Highland Village is coming on strong.

I love these throw pillows in the orange fur and orange hide. Brilliant!

Normally, I don't like the casual nature of tie die, but here, it works. I definitely would use these in a second or vacation home.

This chandelier is repeated in other locations. The shells are stunning and I'm awestruck by the scale.

I wonder if it was custom. Does anyone know?

Two Words- TOM FORD

2011-10-22T15:04:00.004-04:00

Airing Sunday October 23rd at 8PM EST only on OWN

2011-10-22T01:34:00.000-04:00

Have a great weekend.

Creativity

2011-10-22T01:22:00.001-04:00

Creativity is that one part of me that I refuse to let go of even a little bit. I love to dream, to think and to create. With creativity there is always room to grow. To be better and to do more. Creativty is the WOW at the end of a project when it turns out better than you first imagined. It's the words that come flowing out when making a point that you didn't know were there.Creativity has an energy. It gets you hype and won't let you sleep. It's God's Red Bull. I take opportunities to create everyday. It makes me happy and helps me to enjoy my life. I feel that when I am being creative that I am connected to a universe of doers, of scientist, designers, musicians and artist. Who are all riding a wavelength that keeps taking you higher and higher. I pray for peace, for health and for love. I pray for creativity. "

Elaine Griffin For Home Goods: Design Happy Video Series

2011-10-19T00:41:00.000-04:00

The world is about to get a little more beautiful for a lot less money. I was so excited to receive the link to this video in my inbox today! It instantly made me happy. Designer extraordinaire, Elaine Griffin has teamed up with Home Goods to show you how to creating amazing spaces without spending a fortune. Home Goods has always had great decorative objects, now they've taken it a step further and will show you how to incorporate them into your design plan. I love this idea! I have always felt that education is key. The more you know, the better you live. I've added it to my YouTube channel and you should too. It's a great reference and Elaine is such a great teacher! I love her book Design Rules. I've underlined and highlighted it beyond recognition. Love her! I know that you'll find the videos helpful and the room designs inspirational. Check them out and let me know what you think.

Mecox Gardens Houston

2011-10-17T19:01:00.002-04:00

It was so refreshing working in Houston last week. I was in town updating the tri-level city home of an old client. He wanted to make changes to his now seven-year-old space and I was all in. I really enjoyed tackling his project from this angle. It gave me the opportunity to practice what I preach. You know, about investing in the bones and selecting furniture that is timeless. Working on his project allowed me to visit some of my favorite stores with the sole purpose of checking out their accessories. The details. Initially, this proved to be harder than I had imagined. More stores than expected had a poor selection of accessories. I was a mixture of sad, disappointed, and frustrated because as always, I was on a deadline. It wasn't until I stumbled upon Mecox Gardens in Highland Village that I felt any kind of hope. Highland Village is a cool little shopping area located a few miles north of the wildly popular Galleria area. Very high-end and very very chic! There was a lot of construction going on in the village, but it was well worth navigating. The store was amazing. Just look at what I found.

Preparing Your Closet for the Fall and Winter Season

2011-09-28T10:17:00.001-04:00

A few years ago, I was in a store behind a smartly dressed young man. He was picking out a dress for his wife for an event that they were to attend that evening. I commented on the dress and he gave me some brief details about the event. I told him I was shocked that she would trust him with the task of picking out a dress, to which he replied, "She sat me down to watch The Devil Wears Prada and I have a better understanding of fashion. Now, she trusts me." You know what? I think he has a point. It seems that since movies like The Devil Wears Prada, The September Issue and the wildly successful Sex and the City, we have all become more fashion conscious. In an earlier post Personally Obsessed, I explained just how inspired I have become with the new offereing of my favorite boutiques. I feel the energy and it's contagious!

My job as an interior designer is to show you how to organize, store, and preserve the items that are making their way into your closet. Today is the first day of fall which means if you haven't already done so, it's time to pack up those summer things and make room for your sweaters, scarves, coats, hats and boots. Boy, that's a lot of stuff! But don't get discourgaed...I can help.

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The Anthony Mackie You Should Know

2011-09-25T09:19:00.001-04:00

For some reason Anthony Mackie has been on my mind a lot lately. It's really kind of a strange thing. I read an article once about people searching for the meaning of their dreams. In a funny, matter of fact, let me enlighten you type of way, the author said, "Just because you are dreaming about Brad Pitt, does not mean that Brad Pitt is dreaming about you." So I write this knowing that Anthony is probably not thinking about me. It's not that he doesn't know me, in fact, Anthony and his friend Austin Taylor saved me from a potentially dangerous trip to Bedsty, Brooklyn a few years back. After that we quickly became friends and would hang out when I was in New York. It was fun to see him and his friends taking a huge bite out of the Big Apple. They were young, free, and as southern gentlemen, very popular on the social scene.

Image Essence.com

On one such trip, I found myself at an event with Anthony where we stumbled upon the topic of collecting art. As it turns out, he and I bought from the same gallery, The Stella Jones Gallery, in New Orleans. After the event, he invited me to his condo to see his collection. I was floored! You could not step into his condo without stepping over magnificent works of art. The pieces in his collection were very thought provoking and in a subtle way, reflective of a part of him that I had only recently gotten glimpses of.

Life happened and I didn't go to New York for a while and Anthony's career was taking him to new heights, so we lost contact. It wasn't until after Hurricane Katrina, while watching HBO's "When the Levees Broke" by Spike Lee that he crossed my mind again. All of the guys in my New York group were from New Orleans, so as the news of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina rolled in, they were at the forefront of my mind. I learned from the documentary that Anthony's father and step mother died during the flooding. I cried for him that evening. There was an amazing amount of detail about Anthony's family shared in the documentary, mainly because the story was shared by Anthony's brother, Calvin. As I learned about his family and their strong ties to the community, Anthony and his art collection came to mind again.

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Bunny Brenda: At Home at the PlayBoy Club?

2011-09-20T00:10:00.005-04:00

Naturi Naughton AKA Bunny Brenda image The Urban Daily

Where's a girl to live? Seems like an ordinary dilemma, right? Just imagine being young, sexy, rich and Black in the 60's. Today we can live pretty much anywhere we'd like. There's no real limit, well of course money, but other than that the sky really is the limit. So take a step back in time with me and imagine the dilemma Bunny Brenda faced when considering a place to live during her Playboy days. Imagine being able to afford to pay for a beautiful home or penthouse apartment, but not being able to move in because of the color of your skin.
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Baccarat and Owen Lawrence; Another Lovely Evening in Atlanta's West Midtown Design District

2011-09-16T05:35:00.010-04:00

Owen Lawrence is table Top Heaven. If you've never been to their Urban Market shop, you must pop your head in look around. It has some of the most stunning place settings that you can find anywhere. With lines like Bacacarat, Versace, and Hermes, it's the chicest place to find those special pieces to help serve up some style while entertaining for the holidays.

Look, new Pinkeggshell fans. Everyone was so fun and friendly. I love the south!

What I Loved About Atlanta's Nod to Fashion Week 2011

2011-09-13T02:54:00.005-04:00

I'm saying it. You're saying it. The magazines are saying it. Living a fashionable life has just as much to do with what's in your home as what you're wearing on your body. Nobody understands this more than Michael Habachy. From his ultra-sexy nightclub Vanquish, to his pop-up store, Habachy was showing off his style all week long. Check out these custom upholstered chairs Habachy designed for the pop-up store. Seductive, chic, and contemporary all rolled into one (or in this case, two). In addition, he also designed the VIP lounge for the "Night to Remember" tribute. As I said before, he was all over the week's activity. Seamlessly fusing home decor with high fashion.

It All Started with the Movie RIO

2011-09-11T18:38:00.001-04:00

My daughter has been watching the movie RIO on repeat ever since we brought the DVD home several weeks ago. She loves the music and sings and dances as if she's auditing for FAME. To be honest, I completely understand why she loves it. The colors and visual effects are stunning! There's a part of the movie where tourists are hang gliding off the side of a mountain. For some reason, every time it comes on, I think to myself, "I want to do that". But when? How? It so happens that I just finished reading "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller. This all has me thinking differently about my life and the story that I am telling with it. So today when I came across this video, it solidified my desire to do more.

The 2011 International Best Dressed List

2011-09-09T10:46:00.001-04:00

Fashion is in the air. While over at Vanity fair.com earlier today, I noticed that three of my favorite people were featured on their International Best Dressed List. First are the Obamas. You know that we love Michelle Obama. Has a month gone by that I haven't mentioned her? She and President Obama were listed under best dressed couples. I love this! You know how I feel about a well-dressed man. Mrs. Obama always looks amazing. I love the risks that she takes with fashion. She's in my fashion Hall of Fame. Next is Shala Monroque. Her personal style just oozes out. She is so fearless when it comes to fashion. Just check her out in this fushia gown and royal blue turban. She was featured in the Vogue best Dressed edition and shows no signs of slowing down. Quite simply... She Rocks! Love her! Finally, I love, Love, Love Janelle Monae. How can one person do so much with black and white? Do you guys realize that she has ascended to international best-dressed status by wearing primarily black and white. This means that she has mastered shape, fit and detail. There's so much I can learn from that type of discipline. She always looks polished and perfect. To see who else made the list visit Vanityfair.com

A Night to Remember- A Tribute to Willi Smith and Bethann Hardison

2011-09-07T09:53:00.002-04:00

A Night to Remember Tribute to Willi Smith and Bethann Hardison
Models styled by Tameka Raymond

I tweeted from this event that it had "forever changed my life." Here's why. My friends in Atlanta are a social bunch. In fact my friends through out the country are a social bunch. As a result, I attend tons of social events. What has happened without me knowing, is that I have become a little jaded. I have grow accustom to being in star studded events with politician and celebrities, so I somehow started to think it was the norm. But it isn't. I am an extremely blessed individual. I am no different than the lady driving the city bus, except, God has chosen to bless me and bestow his favor on my life. This has been true for all of my life. With that being said, Tuesday night's event was different. The beauty of the event from the models to the murals spoke to a different part of me. I felt the time and creativity that went into designing the venue. It was literally all around me. In that moment, "that always stop and pay attention" seed was planted. The next thing that moved me was the history of Willi Smith and what he accomplished in the fashion industry. I had not heard of him before that evening and for some reason that bothered me. In that moment, the second seed was sown, to recommit myself to life long learning.
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Most Eligible Dallas Fans, Let's Update Courtney Kerr's Bedroom

2011-09-06T00:57:00.009-04:00

I normally don't watch television during the spring and summer. For years, I've only had cable in the fall and winter. I never really thought about it before, but it's been true for some years now. What I do is read and listen to books on tape. It's definitely my thing. I love biographies and can spend days caught up in a good story. So on Thursday, I had my cable turned on and quickly feel into the marathons on Bravo. One show that was interesting to me was "Most Eligible Dallas". Not because of the story since who knows what that's about, but because of the bedroom of the main attraction, Courtney Kerr. Courtney is a very opinionated, self-described fashion addict. She hangs with sexy ex-ballplayers and toasts the good life while wearing the latest in high fashion. As a 29 year-old woman about town, I was surprised to see that her bedroom was anything but sophisticated.

I was Just Saying Hello...

2011-09-02T12:13:00.001-04:00

Do you remember going away for the summer and the day before you are to return home, meeting the cute boy who lived down the street? Or stumbling upon your favorite shop just around the corner a year after you've moved in a new neighborhood? That's how I feel about finding out about Desire Greene and her DC shop Sukio only after she has decided to close it and venture into greener pastures. She was referred to me by one of my Blogfest besties, Roslyn Ashford, of the blog Unexpected House Guest. She thought that we should meet and she was right. Desire was so much fun and full of energy. So, I still wanted to do the post to introduce her to you and give you a glimpse into her style. She's definitely one to watch as she is full of ideas. Desire's extremely passionate about Design and the work she intends to do in DC. So do fall in love with her as I have, but don't mourn the closing of her shop. Just know that she's out there somewhere creating amazing things for you home. Things that could be coming to a market near you very soon.

Image Natalie Stemp

Welcome to Hollywood Baby!

2011-09-01T10:48:00.002-04:00

I stepped out on our balcony and noticed that there was a movie being filmed right across the street. As I looked on with a blase' stare, I realized that it's kind of become the norm here in Midtown. I've wandered into my favorite stores to see sections blocked off because of filming. I've incorporated corporate condo design into my business because I've been asked to design spaces for the cast and crew of several movies. Overall, it's been a tricky transition because some buildings are not yet film friendly, but I'm committeed to this niche thought. As you may recall, earlier this year we participated in an event called The Next Cool Thing. It was a great collaborative event put on by mastermind Barbara English. The goal of the event was to display local talent to the decision makers who are coming to Atlanta to make movies. If you didn't see our "Catch Me If You Can" inspired space, check it out here. The coolest parts about that event were the booths and some of my favorite boutiques have already begun to work on their booth for next year. As I've observed, there's definitely enough local talent to support this new emerging industry.

Vanquish Lounge Atlanta: Designer Michael Habachy's Hot New Project

2011-08-28T11:18:00.003-04:00

Vanquish Lounge

Interiors: Michael Habachy

Architecture/ Design: David Daniels

Digital Wall Murals: Amy Rader

Custom Faux Finishes: Les Roberts

Photo c/o: Mali Azima

In case you missed it, here are images from Vanquish lounge designed by my fellow Design Wars Designer Michael Habachy. The party was last night to celebrate the grand opening and I must say, it does not disappoint. The space is spectacular! It definitely will become a go-to destination for the Atlanta jet set. Look for venue in upcoming episodes of your favorite Atlanta-based television shows.

I love the colors and textures that Michael used in the space, but by far my favorite design elements are the digital wall murals by Amy Rader. Hot to death! A close second, as the space is crazy good is the lighting. I LOVE the chandeliers. Excellent choices and easily translated in a residential space. The mood is very very sexy. What a great collaboration! Congratulations! The space looks amazing¡

"If You Live In a Place Like This... What's There to Fight About?" - Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and The City

2011-08-24T18:43:00.003-04:00

The Home of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith via Architectural Digest

My mother often jokes that if she and my dad were to separate, she'd have a curtain installed down the middle of the house. "If he stays on his side, I'll stay on my side!", she'd exclaim. Sooo with all the breakup rumors floating around about Will and Jada, I'm gonna count on their beautiful Malibu estate to keep them together. Whatever issues they are facing, I'm sure it's nothing a conversation and a bottle of wine on the bedroom terrace can't handle. Couldn't you just imagine Jada storming out with the kids just as this issue of Architectural Digest was delivered to her home? As she heads for the Bentley she catches a glance of the cover. Remembering the remarkable rooms along with the love and care that went into selecting every single item in the home, thinks to herself, "What am I doing? I'm tripping. TMZ will not make me leave this house. In fact , if there is another woman, she can just move into the guest house and stay out of my way."

Bedroom terrace where any and all problems can be worked out.

For more information on the house that love built, pick up the September Issue of Architectural Digest. There you'll find information on where to buy the fabulous items selected for the Smiths as well as information on the designer, Stephen Samuelson, who put all of this together.

What Happened to Tameka Raymond's Home Boutique?

2011-08-22T01:15:00.001-04:00

After months of procrastination, I put it on my calendar and finally made my way out to Roswell, Georgia to check out Tameka Raymond's home boutique. Before I start let me be clear. I'm a fan of Tameka Raymond as a stylist. I know that many people have strong opinions about her and the whole Usher thing. Personally, I don't understand all the fuss. I read an article about the boutique opening and wanted to check it out. First of all, I was surprised that it was not on Roswell Road in Buckhead but was actually in Roswell, Georgia. I almost didn't make the trip just thinking about the journey. So you can image how disappointed I was after arriving at the shop to find that the home boutique had been closed. Sigh! Now I know that I'd put the visit off, but seriously, to have closed up shop in less than a year? I was so disappointed. I went ahead and ventured into the clothing boutique to see if I could get some answers (and some AC since it is the middle of August and it was far). The clerk gave me her pre-rehearsed reason for the home boutique's closure, but after looking around, I could tell the real reason. Tameka is better at picking clothes than she is home goods.

What we love about our favorite home boutiques is the unique point of view that the owner brings to the table. Everything from the items they choose to the color palette that's represented, reflects the owners' personal taste and flair for design. It's why we go there and look around when we need that special something, but don't know what it is until we see it. From what I could gather from the few home boutique items that were in the back of the store, the Estella Home Boutique offerings were not special at all. Nothing about them said Tameka Raymond, style and trend setter. I was so sad. I expected drama from Tameka. Unexpected elements, fun and interesting mixes of color and textures. I got nothing.

Tameka probably had the same thought that most people do. She probably thought, "I have good taste and I know what I like, so let me venture into home decor". It just doesn't work like that. I'll bet if asked she'd say she spends countless hours educating herself on the latest denim and the hottest new fashion accessories. In order to have a successful home boutique she would have to put the same time and effort into choosing draperies and vases as she does belts and ballgowns. Above are some images from the clothing boutique. Not bad right? The chandelier is my favorite feature of the space. The home store closed with little, if any, notice by the public...I guess it's just as well.

I'm So Bad A#$

2011-08-09T09:44:00.001-04:00

Image Essence.com

I'm adding this picture to my "So In Love" tab because I feel like you would have to be pretty bad-ass to wear this little number. Lately, I've started to realize that people are not comfortable with bad-ass females. There's a chic in my gym class who I think is pretty cool. I like that she goes straight to the front of the class and lays her mat out like she's come to play. From time to time when there's a substitute instructor, you can catch her pushing herself to stay just as much in step with her as she does with our regular instructor. I overheard some girls in the back whispering, "She's so competitive." For some reason, I turned and said, "So what? What's wrong with her being competitive?" As if it has to be competitiveness, not confidence, that nudges her to the front of the class. I've noticed her struggling with a new routine, but that doesn't change her techniques. She lands the moves and before long, is in perfect form. I don't talk to her. I already have a hard time in any kind of aerobics or dance class. SO, I stay safely in the back with the backbiting haters, challenging myself to make it to the front of the class. You always hear there's safety in numbers, but on the other hand, eagles always soar alone. Maybe this week I'll walk boldly in to class and place my mat down right next to the girl's mat. Well okay...maybe I'll put it on the row right behind her mat (baby steps folks, baby steps). I adore strong, confident women. They've learned not only to take the risk and endure undue criticism in stride, but to also look powerful while doing it.

Definitely Watching the Throne!

2011-08-08T23:33:00.001-04:00

Okay. I am a self-proclaimed Jay-Z fanatic. Can't help it, I just am. I put a quote from his third album on my business card back in 2003. "The Crib's Got Killer Views and Square Feet, You'd have to film MTV Cribs for a Week." Come on, I was designing for 23 year-old millionaires, how could I not use that quote? I am also a self-proclaimed Kanye West fan. He's so creative! So with that being said, I LOVE their collaboration "Watch the Throne". In a surface way OTIS is by far my favorite. The beat is crazy and I love Otis Redding. "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" is actually in my playlist right now. But on a deeper level, I am in love with "Illest MF Alive". Now, I bet you are wondering how I can like a song whose title I can't even spell out on my blog. It's just that I love the message. Oprah introduced you guys to Decoded last year, so I will proceed with the expectation that you know what I am talking about.

The back side of my early business card.

This time, hidden in the bottle popping excess is a message about collecting art and evolving your life. Embracing your style and beauty and abandoning the traditional standards of beauty. I'm all in! I love the travel references and the rags to riches stories. Love it all. So, it doesn't bother me that they are enjoying the fruits of their labor and reaping the rewards of years and years of hard work! Congratulations guys! Great collaboration!

Hot Off The Press / New Portfolio Pics

2011-07-28T08:45:00.025-04:00

Here is the room I designed for one of our Pinkeggshell readers. It is also the room from the Oxford Eagle article that you guys have been asking about. Even though it was a hundred degrees outside, we decided to light a fire for the picture. Enjoy!

Interior Design By Kimberly Ward of Kimberly and Cameron Interiors

Jocking Val's Style : Design Inspiration from 'VH1's Hit Show Single Ladies'

2011-07-26T07:06:00.006-04:00

This could easily fall under the category of "too much time on your hands", but on the contrary, I don't have time for this. I wish I had time to point out all the amazing details that have gone into the set design of Val's home and boutique on the VH1's new hit sitcom Single Ladies. Even as I'm writing this, I feel that I'm not doing justice to the rich color palette and the smart blending of modern and traditional furniture, along with fabulous accessories. I am so in love with the added architectural details of her front doors, that I want to create a post about that alone. This is a post about living with your personal style. It's something that I think is truly missing in most people's home's design. If this were a blog followed only by interior designers, we'd talk until exhaustion about the use of wallpaper, the mixing of art and accessories, and the magnificent way in which Cheryl Adams used painted furniture alongside traditional finishes. And even to top it off, how she had the nerve to do what I'm pushing my clients to do, which is to embrace velvet. But since this is for the onlookers, the ones who just enjoy pretty...Lets talk about Val.

Val's character, played by Stacey Dash, is a young recently single lady living in Atlanta. She's a former personal stylist turned high-end boutique owner by day and a millionaire-dating, champagne sipping, fashion trendsetter by night. From the very first scene, you can tell that she loves to mix things up. One evening she might be joining a guy friend for drinks followed by a spontaneous trip on his private jet and the next, looking for fashion inspiration at a college house party. There's no putting this glam goddess in a box. This juxtaposition of style also shows up in her Buckhead condo. Known for it's ritzy night clubs and as luxury shopping haven, Buckhead is the perfect setting for Val who's in the middle of it all.

The first comment my sister made as we watched the pilot was how sexy the cast and the set appeared. Now, this is huge for her because she never notices things like that. Of course, I notice everything design because that's my job, but when my right-brained, nurse practitioner of a sister is moved by the decor, then you know you're on to something.

My original thought was to identify the things from the show and tell you where to purchase it. Like this: "The above sofa from her living room is available at Macy's for about $900.00". I decided against this approach when I started to realize that many of these items are things that walk by every day as you are out shopping. Therefore, what you need is to know why to buy, not where to buy.

The space you create should evoke a mood. An atmosphere that's a backdrop to a lifestyle that already exists. It shouldn't be trendy, but instead it should be a natural representation of your personal style. I showed a guy my portfolio the other day at a party. When he got to the image of a bachelor pad with a platform bed he asked, "When did you do that one?" I started to say "2005", but he completed my sentence for me. It's true. When I designed that space, my client was a young single doctor living that life. Now he and the guy looking at my portfolio have both moved on to a different phase of life. But that's the joy of it all. The collecting of memories and the evolution of your life. After a while, you house transforms itself into a home and starts to look like you because it naturally has to. It has to fit in order to function.

So what type of mood is your home setting? We talk a lot about living with the things that you love. I'm even using my psychology degree to work to understand where your road blocks are. I'm here doing my part. Now, what about you? Have you stopped looking at how your neighbor lives in their house and started to focus on how you're living in your own home? Have you stopped wondering what others will like when they come over and started to focus on what you like and will see every day as you move through your home? Have you given any thought to the set you're living in while you play out the scenes in your own life? If so, then chime in because I'd love to hear your thoughts. If not, then there's no time like the present to get those creative juices flowing. So, let's begin. Ready. Set. Action!

Ward to Appear on HGTV's "Design Wars" ...More on Page 6

2011-07-22T01:13:00.009-04:00

It's official. Someone around me can't keep a secret. Not that I was keeping a secret, I just was holding out so I could surprise all of you. So here's the thing. I went home for a few weeks to spend time with my family. It's a small town and word got around that I was back on the scene. Well of course they were like, "Kim, what cha been up to?" ...And a press release later. Okay, maybe that part is shaky. And then a conversation at church. Ummm... still not quite certain that's what happened either. And then before you know it, I'm on the Front Page of the Oxford Eagle. Now, you won't get any complaining out of me because I absolutely love Oxford. I would have written the article myself and tagged all my friends and family in it if I could have. So here's the suspect part of this story. One of my mother's friends sent me a message on Facebook saying that she enjoyed the article. I quickly called my mother who mysteriously was standing in front of a group of her friends handing out copies of the paper. What the Oxford Eagle might not know and will soon find out, is that my mother isn't thinking straight right now. She hasn't gone out and bought all the papers - just about 20 or so. And in a few days, everyone is going to ask her why they didn't get a copy and she will then demand some sort of mass reprint. - Since she's the leak I suspect, she'll just have to deal with it. In the meantime, I'll send her Tina Knowles' comments on how she deals with Beyonce's fame.

Custom Fitted By Campion Platt

2011-07-20T23:40:00.004-04:00

I bought the book because Campion is handsome. Did I say that out loud? Actually, I bought the book because I am a huge fan of Campion Platt. You see, before blogging, design enthusiasts would wait feverishly for their favorite glossy to show up in the mail every month and then page by page, devour the content. Reading every line and taking meticulous notes. Only if it was truly remarkable would we tear the page out and add it to an inspiration board. Even then, if you were a collector, you'd buy a replacement copy of the issue so that you'd have a perfect copy. Campion Platt was a staple in Architectural Digest and so the love affair started from a distance. Over the years, I started to expect to see his projects and was always impressed with his latest endeavor. Fast forward to the book. How wonderful it is to take this visual journey with him! He narrates the projects in way that makes you feel that you were actually there during the process. Made to Order is also cool in that it goes behind the scenes of custom-made furnishings. Due to the size of some of my clients, I have had to have many of the pieces for their homes custom-made. There's a name for that...Bespoke. And Bespoke is what Campion does extremely well. With numerous partnership and licensing deals, we can expect to see more of these custom-made products available for mass markets. I'd love to hear from you about the book. How does Made to Order fit you?

[Look who I bumped into. The ubber stylish and crazy talented Michel Boyd of SmithboydInteriors Have you seen his work?]

Personally Obsessed

2011-07-19T12:51:00.001-04:00

You know what it is. It's the truth that says yes, you can give up drinking as long as you're not at a bar. Jay-Z compares shopping to doing drugs and now that I've laid my eyes on Gucci's Huston high heel platform Mary Jane pumps, I'm officially in remission. You see, I've made a lot of money in my life and spent even more on things. In recent years, I've decided to be more responsible...and for years it has worked. However, what I've noticed lately is that there are more amazing things on the market than ever before! So technically, I haven't exercised any personal restraint, there just haven't been as many compelling things to tempt me. The sight of these shoes, pulled me right out of denial and started me to thinking just how many consultations I'll have to do or clients I'll have to retain in order to buy not one pair, but three of the six colors that Gucci has introduced this season.

Mary Janes are my favorite shoes. Hands down, my absolute first love. So, as a test to my will power they're back. I refuse to fight it. The pull was so strong, that I followed up on a lead today and got him to write the retainer check after just 30 minutes. It's a new-found desire. Even more so than me wanting a new client to pay my rent. Paying bills doesn't motivate me. I'm not living in fear of not having my house, my car or my cell phone service. What motivates me is anything that's exciting. So right now, I'm planning to buy the shoes in several fabulous colors.

So, that one decision to actually buy those shoes, got me to thinking about all the things that get my blood pumping. I figured that I really love meeting interesting people. People who are living life and enjoying their journey. This is another energy that I can't help but be attracted to. So, I have to push. I have to keep saying, "Make a move, do something!" Find that thing that gets your blood pumping and over indulge. Deciding to buy those shoes, caused me to focus on landing a client. Made me look at my wardrobe to see what else I'd need to buy to go with those shoes. That thought led me to clean out my closet and donate the tattered jeans and stretched out t-shirts that I had started to leave home in more often than not. Since, I was going to meet a guy with great style and convince him to retain me so I could buy those shoes, I had to do my hair and pull out a great dress. By the way, since the closet was clean, I decided to paint it and finally get those slim hangers that I recommend to everyone. ALL of this because of the new collection from Gucci.

I LOVE it! I love that people are out creating things that they love, that I can now fall in love with and create stuff that in turn inspires me to create. It's all so magical!

Too Good To Pass Up

2011-07-16T22:32:00.006-04:00

I'm over-committed! I literally, have more art than I have space for. I can't help it. When I see something I love, I have to own it. Now, this has been problematic in the past. I've started the process on an expensive piece only to find that it took significant sacrifices to finally finish paying for it.

I am definitely not the designer for big box store art. I designed a condo for some guys in Buckhead and they insisted on art from a local store. They were so proud of the selections that we settled on. That is, until they started seeing it pop up in other people's homes.

In my opinion, it's a common misconception that special art has to be expensive. I have both in my collection. I have pieces that cost the same as a great used car and pieces that are a few hundred bucks. Today I purchased two limited edition prints by Vincenzo Rizzo after reading a post about the artist on Beth D. Smith's new blog -My Chic My Way. I simply could not pass them up. Hmm...maybe I can find a place for them in my office. I'll post pics when I get them in and framed.

Kanye News from my Blogfest Bestie Erika Johnson

2011-07-14T15:06:00.002-04:00

So you know how much I love the girls from Blogfest. I mean, It was so great to meet so many like minded style makers. One such person whom I've grown to love is Erika Johnson of Radiant Republic. Funny, stylish and always ahead of trends, she's definitely one of my style twins. This morning she sent over this Kanye news and I had to post it. She's also on vacation so we've both kept it short. Go over to her blog and say thank you! I'd really appreciate it.

Images People.com

Kanye Certainly is my favorite bad boy. This year alone, he was called out for his "mean" ways in a Taylor Swift anthem, dumped Amber Rose, headlined Coachella, and collaborated with no other than Jay-Z on a new album. Well watch the Throne... because this comeback stretches far beyond the recording studio.

Grazia has reported that Mr. West will rock New York Fasion Week This fall with the debut of his new women's wear line. A man serious about fashion, Kanye has already collaborated with Louis Vuitton for a sneaker collection, interned with Fendi, and been named the 2010 ACE Awards Style maker of the Year. When I heard about Kanye's new line, I couldn't help but think, "It's about time." What do you think about the latest Kanye News- enough or can't get enough?

Pascal Le Segretain/ Getty Images

What's Going On with Your Home's Decor?

2011-07-14T01:40:00.001-04:00

Image bernhardt.com

We've come a long way and in a lot of ways. I don't want to get you off track, but I have to ask. Are you playing it too safe with your home decor? I sat down and thought about it today. Really thought about it. About what I want for you.

What I truly want, from the bottom of my heart, is for your home to look like you. To look like you on your best day when you are feeling amazing and you float around a room flirting and smiling at everyone. That's what I want. I want you to make the connection with your emotional state and the state of your home. I've been wandering around the web and I know that your hold-up is not the lack of information or inspiration. The world is abuzz with home improvement tips, ideas and pictures. There are decorating shows and literally millions of images to flip through on sites like Houzz.com and pintrest.com.

So my thoughts are (and please correct me if I'm wrong), you are doing other things with your life. Is it that only people who like decorating care about design blogs and DIY projects? When do the rest of you decorate? My friend has undertaken a renovation project, but only because her husband refuses to buy her a new house. So is there a disconnect? Do you feel that when things are not great at your current home, that it's time to trade it in for a new one instead of transforming it into the space of your dreams? The wonderful thing about blogs and magazines is that they show you what you can do with the space that you have. From how to switch out lamp shades to choosing compelling color palettes, all the information you need is literally at your finger tips. So what's the hold-up? Please tell me. What's going on with your house?

Are You Throwing Me Shade?

2011-07-12T14:01:00.005-04:00

The Queen of Cool Sunglasses Amber Rose
Amberose.com

My 12 year old niece was going out. We're in Mississippi so it was over 100 degrees today. So I said to her, (pulling my Tom Ford sunglasses from my head), "Here take these". She was like, "I have sunglasses, and besides, those are old lady sunglasses." Seriously? Okay so, they weren't the neon yellow Ray-ban Wayfares she pulled from her bag, but they are freaking hot!

Kids think that they have the patent on cool. I think that my friends and I are a pretty stylish group. Of course we can't be up on everything. We have jobs, households and are spending our own money. Just the other day, my friend Jada showed up for cocktails wearing the Dolce and Gabbana Mirror Aviators 2075. Not the regular ones you can get at Saks or Neimans, but the mirrored ones that had to be special ordered straight from Milan. The difference is when you're cool as an adult, it's because you're innately cool and not because all your friends are doing something and you do it too. And by the way, I noticed last week at Neimans that the Tom Ford Jennifer sunglasses were the best seller. Really??? I had a pair in both red and pink more than 6 years ago. Where are the cool points for being ahead of the curve little niece of mine?

D & G Mirror Aviators 2075

Tom Ford Yvette Sunglasses

RayBan Wayfare Sunglasses

Lily Pulitzer for the First Lady Luncheon

2011-07-07T11:42:00.006-04:00

During Blogfest2011, at the Kravet facility, our tour guide pointed out a colorful piece of fabric that was designed by Lily Pulitzer for an upcoming First Lady luncheon. I quickly snapped an image of the fabric and made a mental note to look for pictures of the room later when they were printed in the press. The bold color choice was right in step with the daring fashion moves that Mrs. Obama often makes. Absolutely love her for that! I also felt fortunate to have a little inside information about such a historical event. There is truly a lot of care and consideration that goes into the events in the First Lady's life. I often find myself wondering how she's taking it. I am sure that she's aware of the history and importance of the events in which she attends, but to live and do so many things that first ladies have done for centuries has got to be amazing! To my surprise, I couldn't find very many images from the event online. Even my favorite Obama source - Mrs-O.org didn't cover the event. So, I was elated, when I found these images of the event captured on the Kravet blog.

Image via Kravet.com/blog

This orange color was created especially for the First Lady's Luncheon. As you already know, orange is extremely hot right now. This shows just how connected to the First lady is to fashion trends.

My image
This is the original fabric that I snapped a picture of at the Kravet studio. I love the dandelion color way and thought that this would be lovely.

Image Via Kravet of First Lady Lunch

The fabric in Lily Pink. Another winner for lunch!

To read more about this event and other great Kravet sponsored events,

visit their website at Kravet.com

HGTV Design Star Season 6- Time to Chose your Favorites

2011-07-07T01:23:00.005-04:00

Is it possible to be in reality show overload? Not if you love interior design! I personally can't wait to take a break from the cat fights and high class drama for some creative competition. Competition is good right? I mean how else will you know what you're made of until you are pitted against eleven other designers who think that they’re the hottest things smoking? I can tell from previous seasons that some people are in it to be TV stars, while others are truly budding design stars. I was able to flip through some of the designers’ portfolios today, and man, this crew has talent! I certainly don't envy them at all. I’m especially loving the diversity of the designers represented this season. Adore the mix! I'm not making any predictions, but look out for Mark Diaz and the other contestants who bring a lot of commercial and retail design experience to the competition. They definitely know what it takes to wow large audiences. It's Season 6 and we're expecting to be moved. Bring on the thunder!

Image Design Star Contestant Cathy Hobbs

Design Star Contestant Doug Hines

Design Star COntestant J Allen

HGTV Design Star Season 6 Premiers On Monday July 11 at 9/8c

We're All Wrapped Up In This Beautiful Bedding

2011-06-16T22:05:00.003-04:00

Image Diana Von Furstenberg

The wrap dress, go ahead and try to imagine your wardrobe without one. It’s a fashion staple that we can no longer do without thanks to icon & fashion designer, Diane von Furstenberg. Her collection at Bloomingdales includes jaw-dropping prints in mouth-watering colors that are made to spice up your interior. From bedding to dinnerware and home accessories, this collection will breathe new life into your home and make it look as effortlessly fashionable as the ever-popular wrap dress. Treat yourself to a trip to Bloomingdale’s Home department today and see what Diane von Furstenberg has in store for you. See you at Bloomie’s!

Straight from the Post

2011-06-16T21:55:00.006-04:00

My sister was sharing her favorite things with us long before Oprah made it the holy grail of giveaways. It always comes unexpected and just because. If she likes it, she wants everyone to have it. From favorite recipes to moisturizers to cheese, she loves to share the products that leave an impression on her.

I tend to stick to things for a long time. I'm faithful to my favorite products, so it's fun knowing that she's out trying new things and passing on the good stuff.

You know you are getting something good, when the sender has their own address stamp. This is a sign that they get things in the mail without a whole lot of procrastination. Gotta love that.

Let's see what we got this time.... Awe.... It's soap! And if I were wondering why she would send soap. She included a note with her top five reasons for loving the product. 1. It reminds her of our grandmother 2. It smells delicious 3. It makes her skin feel better. 4. It is a local company. Awe... and 5. It's organic. OK Alchemy of Sol. That has to be worth something.

So if you are the adventurous type and you would like to try this soap with me, please visit the website and order some. Or leave a comment below and maybe my sister will send you a bar.

A Journey Through Blogfest2011

2011-06-07T23:14:00.015-04:00

A lot of you have been asking "How was New York?' Sorry it has taken me this long to post about this amazing event. The delay will make sense later. As a side note though, if you ever attend Blogfest and I hope that you do, schedule a few days after to decompress. You will need it.

For me, Blogfest2011 was about inspiration, collaborations, and innovation. It was my 1st blog conference so I didn't know what to expect. I was excited about the itinerary, but had no idea what the Kravet family had in store for us. Truth be told, I could not have imagined all the wonderful things we experienced at Blogfest2011. Beth Green and her team poured their hearts into this event and you could definitely feel the love.

What surprised me more than the Kravet's attention to details (and they thought of EVERYTHING) was the relationships that were made in those 3 short days? Many of you might not know this, but Beth Smith of CSD Blog lost her mother a few days after the conference. She has quickly become one of my dearest friends and I ask that you keep her in your prayers.

Speaking of new friends, I have some people, I'd like for you to meet. We all shared the same experiences, but took away different memories. Because of that, I thought, it would be cool to introduce you to some of the bloggers in attendance. You will love seeing Blogfest2011 from their eyes. I do have images and will release them in a later post, but for now, I’d like to take you on a little journey.

Grab a cup of coffee and get comfortable. Click on the links and bookmark your favorite new blogs. You will learn to love these guys as much as I have. Now come along as I share with you Blogfest 2011!

For Best All Access Coverage

Stacey Bewkes Quintessence Blog

Amy Parrag Eye See Pretty

Roslyn Ashford Unexpected House Guest

Chassity Evans Look Linger Love

Deena Parham Urban By Design - Great Speaker Coverage
Amy Reeves Plain & Fancy Living

Raina Kattelson A Stylist's Life

Sarah Devaney- O' Neil Storibrookdesigns Open Studio

For Great Photo Coverage

Abbe Fenimore Studio Ten 25

Mae and Elise Here in This House

Manvi Hidalgo Mochatini

For Love Letters to Our Hosts

Austin Handler Designing the Hamptons - "Kravet Social Media Event & Facility Tour"

Eric Miller Mpression "Kravet- Keeping it in the Family"

Mindy Miles Greenberg Encore Decor "Kudos to Kravet"

"House Beautiful Opens it's Doors"

By Jennifer Duchene

LYS Home

Details on the House Beautiful APP

By Melissa Hawks

Well Appointed House

For Lessons From Blogfest2011

Lakeitha Duncan Home 23 Duncan Boys

Meredith Heron Meredith Heron/ Blog

Vanessa Francis Decor Happy - "The Joy, The Wisdom and The Pretty"

Dedicated to My New Best Friends

Krista Nye Schwartz Cloth & Kind "Kindred Spirit" Post

Lakeitha Duncan Home 23 Duncan Boys

Traci Zeller Tracie Zeller Blog "Blogfest Besties"

Chanee Vijay {me}longings

Best Coverage of Elle Decor Concept House

Chanee Vijay {Me}longings

Dane Caldwell 2HD Unleashed

Manvi Hidalgo Mochatini

Susan Cohan Miss Rumphius Rules

Best Use of Free Time

Cynthia Mason Hernandez - Kips Bay Show house Post

Abbe Fenimore - ICFF Furniture Show Coverage

Hilaire Pickett - Kips Bay Show house Post

For Coolest Color Coverage

Elizabeth Moyer Pretty Pink Tulips

Kate Van Geldern Domestikated

Marisa Marcantonio Style Beat

Tamara Matthews-Stephenson Nest By Tamara

For The Best of Barbara Barry

Carrie Leskowitz Carrie's Design Musings

Elizabeth Moyer Pretty Pink Tulips

The Making of A Great Book

Marisa Marantoni Style Beat

"Blogfest 2011 Lee Jofa - Designer Vinettes"

Linda Merrill Surroundings

"Blogfest Traditional Home Presents the Heritage Collection"

Linda Pakravan A Design Snack

"Everything Old is New Again"

When All You Can Think About Is Food

Elizabeth Moyer Pretty Pink Tulips

(Pinkeggshell would be here if I were doing a different post!)

The food was AMAZING!

Thanks Sub Zero and Wolf!

For Other Random But Fun Stuff

The Loot - SWAG coverage Lisa Ehrlich Hamptones

SWAG coverage Beth D Smith CSD Blog

Scavenger Hunt Post - Carmen Christensen Time 2 Design

Scavenger Hunt Post Nyla Free Nyla Free Designs

Coverage of New York Design Center Hilaire Pickett Design Lines Ltd.

For More Blogfest2011 Images, Please Click Here.

The Top 20 African American Interior Designers 2011

2011-05-10T09:22:00.031-04:00

Image Michel Boyd of Smith Boyd Interiors.

I understand that every time I walk into an auditorium to deliver a speech or sit on a panel for a discussion about interior design, I represent the minority. Not just as an African American, but more specifically as one working as a professional in the design community. When I am featured in magazines and other media outlets, the questions that repeatedly arises are, who are your colleagues, is there someone like you in my neighborhood? Who are the top African American designers? First, understand this. It is impossible to build a successful career defining yourself as only an African American designer. Yes, I am African American, but I obtain clients of all races. I'm sure that the designers on the list will agree - beauty and style know no color. I worked with many different individuals to compile this list. I took suggestions from other designers, decorative center staff from around the country, local Realtors and home builders. I submitted the list to my esteemed colleagues for scrutiny and this is the final tally. In no particular order, here are our the Top 20 African American Designers.

Hamptons Townhouse by Michel Boyd of Smith Boyd Interiors

Michel Boyd Smith Boyd Interiors SmithBoydInteriors.com Atlanta

Cecil Hayes Cecil Hayes CecilHayes.com Miami

Elaine Griffin Elaine Griffin ElaineGriffin.com New York

Ron Woodson Wodson and Rum WandRdesign.com Los Angeles

Sheila Bridges Sheila Bridegs SheilaBridges.com New York

Darryl Carter Darryl Carter DarrylCarter.com Washington DC

Afiya H. Kumar AHA Designs AHAdesigns.com Chicago

Robin Wilson Robin Wilson Home RobinWilsonhome.com New York

Joan Goodwin Vernandah Interiors Vcustomdesigns.com Columbia, SC

Keitha Brathwaite Contrast Design Contrastdesigngroup.com Chicago

Kimberly Ward Kimberly +Cameron Kimberlyandcameron.com Houston

Joy Moyler Joy Moyler Interiors Joymoylerinteriors.com New York

Marian Akinloye MA Design Studio MAdesignstudio.com New York

Erin Shakoor Shakoor Interiors Shakoorinc.com Chicago

Venus Williams Vstarr Interiors Vstarrinteriors.com Miami

Lisa Turner Interior Obsessions Interiorobsessions.com Los Angeles

Courtney Sloane Courtney Sloane Courtneysloane.net New Jersey

Janice Palmer Ydesign International YdesignLLC.com Atlanta
Roderick Shade Roderick N. Shade Interior Design Roderickshade.com New York

Katherine Alford Nyla Simone Home Nylasimonehome.com Tempe, AZ

Million Dollar Decorators

2011-05-09T09:28:00.003-04:00

Janice Palmer, Joan Goodwin, Vickie Carter and I all woke up with the same idea Friday morning…to check out the cast of Bravo's new Million Dollar Decorator series this weekend. Little did any of us know that we would not only meet some of LA's most amazing decorators, but some of Atlanta’s decorating royalty as well. With Design Week at ADAC and the final week of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Decorators’ Show House, Atlanta was jumping with interior design excitement. If you are reading this blog, you know that I am a huge fan of originality and creativity. So imagine if you can, being surrounded for two days by some of the most creative and innovative designers in the business. My heart still goes into palpitations at the mere thought of it! There were names present that you know like Suzanne Kasler and some that you will come to know and love like Melanie Turner.

I was there with Janice, Joan and Vickie to celebrate the African American Top 20. They each individually represent 20+ years in the design industry and numerous million dollar projects. With 9 years in - I'm the new kid. That sounds funny, but it was really great to be in such amazing company. There were laughs, stories, and so much encouragement. It was perfect! I still vividly remember my first million dollar home project. It was a gorgeous estate well over 7,000 square feet, nestled right in the heart of Houston in the uber exclusive Historic Bellaire enclave community. The homeowner was so supportive and receptive to my plan for his home. He was such a delight to work with and the entire project turned out great! There were a few hiccups of course - he was allergic to goose down and I still chuckle at the trouble I went through changing out all the cushions and pillows in his house.

Looking back, I credit that project with allowing me to spread my design wings and to blossom as a true professional. As I gaze into my future, I am extremely hopeful and tremendously excited. I believe with all my heart that my best is yet to come…and I am so looking forward to the journey.

2011-05-07T21:01:00.001-04:00

Just In Time For Summer - Trina Turk

2011-05-04T23:12:00.001-04:00

Design ADAC is in full swing. It's such a fun time of the year, a time when we can climb from under our projects and other obligations to get ideas and inspirations from our colleagues and other industry greats. This year's events are hosted by Veranda Magazine and have already received rave reviews from its attendees. I'm home this week with the baby, but have been keeping up with the goings on via twitter and Facebook. Lucky for us, there are some great presentations scheduled after her doctor's appointment on Wednesday. One of which is a conversation with Trina Turk about the relationship between fashion and interior design. This is a topic that we love hereRu at Kimberly and Cameron because it serves as a great jumping off point for many projects. We often say that we want people to feel as comfortable in their homes as they do in their favorite pair of jeans. We'll update you on Facebook after the event. If you get a chance come out and say hello. Until then, live fashionably!

1. Tourquoise Ring 2. French Lace Tunic 3. Rumper and 4. Cayman Sunglasses in Gray

Trinaturk.com

Thursday May 5th

11am - Noon

ADAC ATLANTA

Fabric samples from Trina Turks Line for Schumacher

Give Me More - Michelle Obama

2011-05-02T23:04:00.005-04:00

Michelle Obama was on Oprah today and I must say, she is always impeccably dressed. She has an effortless chic style that is so inspiring. I started to write about her after she wore that amazing Alexander McQueen Dress to the State Dinner (image 1) but didn't. After seeing her again today, I couldn't let the moment pass . She makes looking good seem so easy! As I previously posted, we talk about Michelle all the time around here. She is a serious force to be reckoned with in the fashion world. I now understand why so there were so many conversations about Jackie Kennedy's style. Great Style, effortless style is rare. So rare in fact, you can't help but talk about it when we see it. So give me more Michelle Obama. She's just the inspiration I need to dress a little nicer and be a little more darig with my wardrobe.

Stylish Blogger Award and 7 Things

2011-05-02T15:16:00.008-04:00

Many Thanks to Tiffany over at Savor Home for giving me the "Stylish Blogger Award." I recently attended a dinner party for the "Taste Makers of Atlanta." One of the prerequisites for entry was that you weren't constantly self promoting (true story). I hope these 7 things allow you to get to know me better and doesn't fall in the self-promoting "Look what I've done" category.

OK. My Name is Kimberly Ward.

circa 1992
{1}I am from Oxford Mississippi. Here I am with some of my high school friends. Mississippi is a cool place. Oxford was recently named the cultural capital of the south. Did I mention that it's a very stylish place to grow up. In 2003 WWD named Ole Miss one of the top 10 most fashionable colleges in the nation. Have you been to Oxford on game day? Glamorous!

Not only can you find high-end fashion on the town's square (We're talking Gucci and Chanel), there's also bingo at church and Friday night football. {2} I'm from a huge family.

Oregon Rally Obama campaign 2008

Like this Obama rally huge. (Just Kidding) We're a social Bunch. My oldest sister was one of the first African-American homecoming queens at our high school way back when. Since then we've been involved in everything from cheerleading to sororities. As long as there's some sweet tea and a reason to get dressed, there's a Ward in the midst.

I got my {3}love of linens from my mother. There's nothing better than great sheets and towels. I got my love of the home from my grandmothers who taught me everything from soap making to sewing.

I was destined to be an interior designer. In Home Economics,( yes, I said home economics) I would make these fancy monogrammed pillow cases.

I wish that I still had them.

I now spend my days in pursuit of the good life. {4}I own a boutique design firm that specializes in high-end residential projects. Not quite million dollar yet, but enough for me to wake up everyday and do the things that I want to do. I'm sure someone out there can decorate an entire house on a dime, I'm just not one of them.

Speaking of the good life. I have a daughter.{5}

Here she is at a furniture store. I take her everywhere with me. I just got her a passport so she can travel with me to Europe and Africa this summer. Her first outing was at 3 months to a Rachel Roy fashion show at Neiman Marcus. She's been hanging every since. She's the inspiration behind my newest project.

I love books, art and photography. {6} I have read 1 non fiction book every month for the last 7 years. I now consider amongst my friends and advisers, Cathy Black, Steven Covey, John C. Maxwell, David Bach, Christine Comaford, Zig Ziggler and Lois P. Frankel.

Finally, and this is kind of random, but I L.O.V.E - LOVE a well dressed man. The more custom the clothes, the better. If I'm at a hip-hop club with the the music banging and guys in saggy jeans and I noticing a guy leaning in to order his drink wearing a Hugo Boss suit, he's who I'm spending the evening with.

In appreciation, I'd like to recommend Beth over at Mychicmyway, Manvi Hidalgo, over at Mochatini and the forever fashionable Joy Moyer of Haute-Zone for a stylish blogger award.

Pink Petition #0005 Don't Be Afraid to Be Fabulous!

2011-05-02T09:40:00.002-04:00

The Simpson's Movie Image Harper's Bazaar 2007

"Come on in. Let your hair down. Let me pour you a glass of champagne."

Would You Dare?

2011-04-29T00:25:00.004-04:00

Image Jan Showers Janshowers.com

When I came across this image by Jan Showers, I immediately thought, "That took some guts!" I'm a risk taker by nature and was truly inspired by the use of the print fabric in this space. I've seen thousands of design spaces over the years and think that the room is expertly executed. I started to wonder" Is this what non-design people think of when we make suggestions that seem far-fetched to them?"

For some reason this image even made me feel hopeful. Hopeful that someday, someone will say, "Hey I trust your vision, do whatever you'd like." Hopeful that someday clients will blissfully surrender without the creative battle that often takes place during the design process.

My guess would be that this is not the first project that Jan Showers has done for this client. What do you think? At what point would you trust this particular recommendation for your home? Is this something you would just trust your designer to execute at the beginning of your relationship? Or is this something for a well-worn, hard earned designer/ client relationship?

Betsy Burnham is Having Fun!

2011-04-26T09:17:00.013-04:00

Image Besty Burnham Burnhamdesign.com

Image Betsy Burnham via House Beautiful

This is kind of about Betsy Burnham, but not really. It’s about how she’s one of the ladies who I think lives a life that’s authentic and cool. When I look at her designs, I truly believe she's having fun. I get a feeling that she's well aware of the rules and that's about it. You know, as I continue to encourage you to embrace your style and live in that style, I want to introduce you to people who are just as fierce as you are. People who have fully embraced their creative side and trust that inner voice that says "There's something about that chair."

If you need to know more about her formal training, visit her website www.BestyBurnham.com. However, this isn’t about the formalities. This is about identifying interior design style icons that you can count on as much as you can Louis Vuitton or Prada. It's about getting comfortable with great design that is fashion-forward and not at all stuffy. I want you to swear by your personal style and find it impossible to continue to live in a beige box. I want your friends to walk into your home and know with certainty that you are having a great time in life! So here’s to living la vida loca!

"Oh, The Places You'll Go!"

2011-04-26T01:44:00.002-04:00

Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be as famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don't
Because, sometimes they won't.
But on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike,
And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems

whatever they are.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!

(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
excerpts from "Oh The Places You'll Go!"
-By Dr. Suess
For my friends who are trying to get there.

Room Service Atlanta... Bringing the Vision to Life!

2011-04-25T01:00:00.009-04:00

Inside one of the 12 rooms being made over for the Nicholas House Shelter by the Room Service Crew!
Deserving Design Delivered!

We're off! Today we started working on our room makeover at the Nicholas House Shelter. The designers from Room Service Atlanta were there working away when we arrived. The energy was so positive at the site and it's a good thing because we arrived bearing bad news about our title sponsor. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we would not be getting a cash donation that we were so hoping for. In moments like this, I tend to not fret (well not much anyway) because it forces us to get creative and dig deep.

So, as of today, right now actually, we are changing things up and taking our room in a new direction. Many of the items that we originally had on the list to buy will now have to be replaced with "found" or donated items. Think we can pull it off? Let's hope for the sake of the families that will use this space as a rest stop as they rebuild their lives that we do. We'll have pictures on Friday. Stay tuned to see how things unfold as we work our magic!

Click Here to Follow this project and to see after photos of the space.

Another Lovely Dress

2011-04-21T15:41:00.002-04:00

Tracy Reese Ivory Shirt Dress

$385.00

According to "The Secret", by telling you about this dress, I am secretly drawing it closer to my closet.

Or something like that.

Pink Petition #0003 Why Not Stay Home?

2011-04-19T00:19:00.003-04:00

Corsica sofa and Chair. Potterybarn.com

As the mother, sister, aunt, niece, friend and an all around social butterfly, I get invited to lots of parties and family celebrations. I love a good family get-together. In fact, of all the memories of my childhood, having friends and family over for impromptue gathering is by far my favorite. Recently, I was at a Chuck E Cheese for a birthday celebration and thought to myself, "boy this would have been better in their backyard.” Besides the cost and time constraints, it just seemed kind of generic. The kids had fun. They’re kids, they will always have fun, but the adults seemed distracted and disconnected. I think what was missing was the adult interaction with the success of the party. You know, the people in the kitchen sending trays out to the person on the grill who is also blowing up the ballons and wrestling with the dog. It’s what I love about home. For me, in recent years, I feel that there has been a disconnect with the home and its inhabitants. Home for me is a place of healing. It's more than just a place where you store your stuff and sleep. It's where you make the memories that you will charish for the rest of your life. Your home should chronicle the evolution of your life. From the time you changed the office into a nursery to the time you added an additon for your ever growing family to creating a room for a parent who now has to spend their final days with you. It's home. This week's pink petition asks, "What will it take to get you to stay and play at home? Is there a project you need to finish or a room that you to put together? Whatever it is, we want to hear about it and help you with it. Join us tomorrow at noon as we explore ways to make your home celebration ready. facebook.com/pinkeggshell

Give Me More Glamour!

2011-04-18T00:28:00.003-04:00

I am starting the revolution! I am giving you permission! I am setting you FREE! I am giving you unexpected ways to turn your home into a place of glamour! Together, we will say "No more" to straight lines and chrome finishes. We will say "yes" to soft sexy colors and curves that don't stop. Together, we will slowly take back our homes and here's how we're going to do it.

First of all, let's create a plan that calls for a color change. Do I dare say tone it down? I know that "pops of color" are all the rage right now, but there's something to be said for a perfectly executed room that uses subtle colors. Think softer variations of your favorite color. It's not a return to beige, it's a return to glamour and what's glamorous...and dare I say, sexy. It's doing things in a quiet, more subtle way.

Next, let's get rid of all the straight lines and sharp edges and replace them with some curves. Curves in the bedroom. Curves in the living room, curves in the bathroom. Curves all around! We want to create movement and nothing does that better than furniture with curves. This round tufted ottoman is perfect for getting things moving. It's a piece so striking that could stand on its own. What makes it a winner is its shape. So try it in a variety of colors if you'd like. As long as it's round, you really can't lose.
Finally, go for the Gold! Ok bronze, but whatever you do, please start moving away from silver, chrome, nickel or any other silvery finish. It's just time. The warm glow of a golden or copper finish is so glamorous! Be deliberate in your search for these pieces. It may be a little difficult right now, but while you wait for the rest of the marketplace to catch up, check out antique markets and high end retailers. They'll have the goods.

The first step of change is always the hardest one to take. So say it with me now...Yes I can! Yes I can! Now go out there, make me proud and do it!

Happiness is a Journey

2011-04-17T23:38:00.000-04:00

"For a long time it seemed to me that
life was about to begin-real life. But
there was always some obstacle in the way,
something to be gotten through first,
some unfinished business, time
still to be served, a debt to be paid.
At last it dawned on me that these
obstacles were my life, this perspective
has helped me to see there is no way
to happiness. Happiness is the way. So
treasure every moment you have and
remember that time waits for no one."
Happiness is a journey,
not a destination...
-Souza

In loving memory of
Sheena L. Glover Warren

Original Art By Sara Larson

2011-04-15T00:23:00.006-04:00

Original Art Saralarsonart.com

I am a lover and collector of art, so whenever I come across an artist that I like, I recommend them to everyone. This piece is by Sara Larson. We love her bold use of color in this depiction of the woodlands of the Midwest. Easy to love and easy to incorporate into your home. At 395.00 it's a true Fab Find!

I'm in Love With this Dress!

2011-04-14T00:09:00.003-04:00

Josie Natori

Printed Silk Body Scarf Dress

$495.00

Saks.com

Pink Petition #0002 What Makes You feel Fabulous?

2011-04-12T00:52:00.006-04:00

Bedroom of Fashionista and Celebrity Stylist RachelZoe.com

This week's Pink Petition is right up my alley. It deals with all thigs fabulous. In fact, it asks the question "What Makes you Feel Fabalous?" Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I love fur. I think that it's so chic and so glamorous. I have vintage fur coats, fur collars and fur cuffs. If it's furry, I'm loving it. In recent years, I've come across some amazing faux fur pieces that were simply to die for. I love them too. If you are wondering how I incorporate my love of furs into my home, just look around. I have fur pillows and throws to keep me feeling fab and warm durning those cold winter months. So how about you? What makes you feel fabalous and how are you living with it in your home?

Bar Stocking 101

2011-04-12T00:14:00.028-04:00

I have a bar in my home...don’t most women?

You see, I have a fully stocked bar with numerous beverage options for every type of visitor who comes over. At one point in time I used to keep my liquor under the sink completely out of view, like I was hiding it from some one. I certainly didn't have it proudly displayed in my home like every single guy that I know. As I've become older and hopefully wiser, I’ve realized that the best place for things is right out in the open. Well, as out in the open as I can tolerate as an overly organized, slightly neurotic neat freak. But I digress…Anyway, as I reflect on my weekend a little more, (boy did we have fun) I thought about the need to have a stocked bar. Throughout the weekend, several friends stopped by for drinks. In my world, this happens a lot since I live in the city. All of my friends can easily drop in pre-club and have sip of wine...or in the case of the birthday girls this weekend, pop a bottle of Moet.

Kenton Bar Cabinet 799.00 CrateandBarrel.com

I wanted to locate a bar that would fit seamlessly into my existing décor and space. As I was looking for bars online, I stumbled across a nice selection at
www.crateandbarrel.com. I was really impressed with the variety and feel that any of the ones that I have chosen to feature today, can be cleverly disguised as a plain cabinet simply by hanging a piece of art over it and adding a lamp.

Marin Bar Cabinet 999.00 Crateandbarrel.com

You'll find that stocking this bar (just like every other aspect of your design process) will be a very unique and personal endeavor. I, for instance, drink vodka and tonic as my personal beverage of choice. So you see, I’m simple, but I like to offer my guests vodka martinis in order to spice things up a bit for them. I have friends who likes wine and others who prefer champagne. The men, nine times out of ten, prefer a whiskey or cognac. Keep in mind, there’s no wrong way to do this. Mix and match your offerings to the preferences of your most frequent guest. That way, you know at least two people in the room will be happy...you... and them. Salud!

Romantic Bedding from Beyonce' and the House of Dereon

2011-04-11T00:04:00.007-04:00

Need to put some romance back into your bedroom? Well once you try one of these dreamy bedding collections from Beyonce' and House of Dereon, your heart will be all a-flutter once again. The collections are cleverly named after her number one love songs, like “Dangerously In Love", "Diva" and "Sweet Dreams”. Each look and touch invokes visions of luxury and makes you want to just snuggle right into them and never come up for air. So break out the Rose' champagne and fill the tub up with bubbles. Absolutely everything about this collection just flat out whispers L-O-V-E! I wonder which one she and Jay-Z sleep under. Hmm...

Find this amazing bedding at Bed Bath and Beyond.

"Dangerously In Love Bedding"

"Here's to the Good Life!"

2011-04-10T23:45:00.004-04:00

I’ve had an amazing weekend! The weather in Atlanta was perfect, my best friends were in town, and I finally had time to relax. YES! As it turns out, I come up with the most fantastic ideas when I am relaxed and able to chat on and on about my projects, ideas, and future plans with people who love me and want the best for me. We had the most amazing dinner at South City Kitchen located in Midtown!(Whether you're having the buttermilk fried catfish or their yummy sea scallops, it never gets old.) Then we popped over to Bar 11 for drinks and the final cherry on top of my day was that we shopped, shopped, shopped! Every now and then, I stop and remind myself that I have a wonderful life. So here’s a little thank you for the people with whom we shared a drink with over the weekend. “Here’s to the Good Life! Cheers!”

Empire Mirror | Fab Find

2011-04-08T00:33:00.005-04:00

This Empire Mirror from Zgallarie is Just Stunting! Almost 100 beveled mirrors of varying dimensions both in size and prjection were used to create this mirror.

Amazing focal point and at just 449.00 a true Fab Find!

Vicente Wolf is Coming to Town

2011-04-06T12:13:00.004-04:00

Vicente Wolf is everywhere! From Rue Magazine to Selling New York, if it's hot and of the moment, he's there. Veteran designers of his caliber normally, don't do online magazines or reality shows. It's his unique ability to be in the mix of what's new, yet firmly grounded in tradition that makes him such a relevant figure in the interior design world. His design blog is extremely popular with novice and professionals alike. He has done an amazing job of allowing us into his world with his "At Home", "Behind the Scenes" and" Interior Design Business" sections. We live in a world, where any one with graphic design skills, a scanner and a little time on their hands can come off as a design expert. With all the creatively designed blogs, it's sometimes hard to tell who really knows what they are talking about.

...In walks Vicente. He has both the life and business experience to answer all your questions. Whether you are the home owner or the design professional, he unselfishly offers insight on creating the ideal home. He has been featured in countless shelter publications and dishes out real advice on everything from setting a professional rate to setting a table.

Copywright 2008 By Vicente Wolf | VW Home

Vicente will be in Atlanta on April 13 from noon to 2pm . Lucky Us! He will be at the America's Mart for a chat and book signing. It has been five years since he has visited Atlanta, so RSVP now and expect to arrive early. This event will surely sell out quickly! I will be feverishly making my way to the front of the line with my book and Mont Blanc in hand, so watch out!

Let's Start a "Pink Petition"

2011-04-05T14:36:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I absolutely have to thank Keesha Grady who has come on board to help organize my e-Life. She and I have been working for several weeks updating my website, downsizing my social media and clearing out my inbox. She sat down with me over the weekend to go though my one-thousand and one emails. The mission at hand, you ask? She'd read and I'd respond. (So Carrie, so Sex in The City, I know, I know.) As it turns out a lot more of you have submitted questions than I have submitted answers. SORRY!!! With so many alerts going off sometimes, I just push the button to stop all of those chirps and never get back to the message (hence my need for e-Life organization). When we were about 20 emails in, Keesha looked to me and said "Boy, you get a lot of Pink Petitions!" Instantly a light bulb went off and we decided to create a format where I could answer your questions quickly. Keesha has graciously set up a Twitter forum for you and now we can take your Pink Petitions live on Wednesdays from noon until 1pm EST.

Our New FaceBook Welcome Page! www.facebook.com/pinkeggshell

When I started Pinkeggshell, I wanted to have a place to share my ideas, thought,s and design experiences. As my readership has grown, I get asked a lot of design questions weekly. A lot! Everyone who has a home seems to have a question and I truly feel that everyone deserves an amazing home.

Therefore, I'm committed to answering all of your questions to the best of my ability and have quite an arsenal of experience to pull from. During the past ten years I've been in business, I have designed over 70,000 square feet of living space for a broad range of clients all across the continental US. As the design columnist for Gospel Today magazine for over three years, and as the featured speaker on radio and television broadcasts about interior design, I've had the opportunity to share my approach to design with hundreds of thousands of people. Working in every aspect of interior design throughout the years has instilled me with certainty that I can provide you with the information that you're looking for.

I am so excited about the debut of Pink Petitions because it gives me the opportunity to speak directly with you, people who truly matter.

Be sure to Friend us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pinkeggshell where you can upload your images. Then take the next step and follow us on Twitter @pinkeggshell. And finally, to really show us the love, follow our Live chats at #pinkpetitions. Our next phase launches today at noon... so be ready to have your petitions answered!

ElleDecor.com - Welcome to Instant Inspiration!

2011-04-04T05:49:00.012-04:00

The new and seriously hilarious editor of Elle Decor was at ADAC last week to introduce us (the design community) to their newly launched website. The event was intended to show designer how to navigate the site, but I kept thinking about you- our readers. This is the perfect site for the design lover of any skill level. Here are a few things that I think you will love about the new site. First of all, there's ED's Look Book. ED's Look Book is a collection of rooms from the magazine's archives. Here you will find projects separated by room and style. The image above was selected by entering "Living" as the room and "Eclectic" as the style.

My second favorite section is Home Design 101. Here you will find clever new ideas and expert advice. This is the perfect section to use in order to gain insight on how to pull off your desired look. If you have lots of questions, well look no further because they have lots of answers.

Finally, if you truly want to achieve a look worthy of the pages of the magazine, use their Designer Registry to locate the perfect designer. You can search for a designer according to your style, budget or region of the country. Once you enter your preferences, designer bios and samples of their work are available at the click of a mouse. Voila! Personalized designer recommendations. Now you don't have to spend countless hours of your time searching the magazine's on your own or racking your brain trying to figure out how to create the perfect look. How cool is that?

Elle Decor has thought of everything. It's a valuable resource that I know you will love. Check it out and let us know what you think. We love comments!

You Live in an Amazing Time!

2011-04-03T07:13:00.031-04:00

Today, for the first time in a long time, I feel in control of my schedule. Ahhh! It is a truly liberating feeling! You see, we've been running on all cylinders since the beginning of the year. We started with "The Next Cool Thing" and have been involved with one project after another since then. The television show that our team has been working with wraps in a few weeks. Everything is good. So, in the spirit of some much needed down time, I cancelled my day today and decided to stay home with my daughter. I finished up some loose ends, sent out a few invoices and chilled. No play dates, no meetings. Just take out and Fergie. (My daughter absolutely loves her!) I found that even though, I missed a few events in March { Kerry- Big Daddy Howard at the Foundry, The Atlantan event at Refined Home Boutique ( my new favorite shop.) and Switch Modern} I feel very satisfied about what we've accomplished.

We live in an amazing time! There are so many opportunities to do the things that we love and meet the people whom we admire. I don't take any of it for granted. Now, more than ever, I feel that we can have all the things that we've imagined and live the life of our dreams. - Thanks to the internet, the world has become a more fashionable and creative place. We have access to so many beautiful things and amazing expert advise. You can learn to make a quilt or cook a porter house. The time is right to Live your Best Life! (Thanks Oprah)

April should be fun, especially since Vincent Wolf is coming to town! You've got to come out to see him. He is such an inspiration and we just love him around here. High Point market started today. We're looking for some innovative new products and ideas to come from that. All in all, I feel that this is the year for those of you seeking to take your home and lives to the next level. Take a moment assess your progress thus far and then charge ahead. The time is Now!

A Final Word On "Living With What You Love."

2011-04-02T18:40:00.008-04:00

In the "Start With What You Love" post, I recommended that you should start decorating your room around a fabric, rug or picture you couldn't imagine living without. Several readers were confused thinking that you should start with the large purchases like the sofa first. Let me go ahead and clear things up a bit. Think about your home as a large puzzle. You would never dump the pieces of a puzzle out and try to assemble it without some sort of plan. When you put together a vision board or a folder of your ideas, you are giving yourself a picture of the finished project to go by. Purchasing the large items first is smart, It's like assembling the edges before tackling the middle. This is a strategy. The inspiration is the guide. So lets say you did choose a one of a kind area rug. It is easier to choose an upholstery fabric for the sofa that works well with the area rug, than it is to purchase a sofa in a strange color and try to find an area rug. Just remember, the inspiration item dictates the mood and often color scheme of the house. Choose it with your heart and all the other decisions will become much easier.

Cole and Son Classic wallpaper - The Phoenix available at the Lee Jofa Showroom

I love this Phoenix wallpaper by Cole and Son! I have gone into the Lee Jofa showroom several times and bothered the sales team about its details. There are no samples available as the paper would have to be custom ordered. I know that some of you might not get it, but I love it. It reminds me of the story of the Phoenix rising. It has an emotional pull on me, so I want to live with it.

Sofa Selecting 101

2011-03-31T15:22:00.058-04:00

Azure Sofa Crateandbarrel

When you start to look at different sofas, you'll wonder why some sofas cost considerably more than others. Once you take a step closer, the difference in price can be seen, not only in the fabric, but in the more important underlying construction.

What to look for:

1. Eight-way hand tied ( It's not an outdated request if you expect your sofa to last several decades.)

2. If eight-way hand tied is not available, try a sofa with no-sag coils.

3. Kiln- dried hardwood frames. (important because frames improperly dried have the potential to bend or warp.

4. Frame construction. It should be screwed and not glued.

5. Proper padding. Check all the areas subject to excessive wear and tear for proper padding. Expect this extra padding on the arms, and on the front edge of the sofa.

6. Speaking of padding, the cushions (seat and back) should consist of a foam core with down feathers.

Parker Sofa by Thayer Coggin

7. Finally, choose options that will make the sofa uniquely you. Things like the style of the arms, the skirt or legs and the cushions can be tailored to fit you perfectly.

Happy Hunting. Uplaod an image of your sofa to our facebook page. Let us know why you chose it and what makes it special. We'd love to hear from you.

Miami!

2011-03-28T15:49:00.005-04:00

Images from the Palm South Beach.

If I were not concerned about being carried away by teenage boys celebrating spring break, I'd blow this rainy town and head straight to Miami.