Kathryn Lemaster

Art and Design

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Designer Insights: Interview with Terry’s Fabrics in the UK!

I hope you all have enjoyed a wonderful summer! If we’re connected on social media, you’ve probably seen it’s been a fun and full one around here. (If we’re not connect there… Um, we should be! I’m on Instagram and Twitter daily – @kjlemaster – please reach out and say hello. I’d love to stay in touch with you there!) Time seems to have flown by at lighting speed. It’s hard to believe autumn, my very favorite season, is just around the corner. Lots of exciting things are on the way, including some fall decor inspiration. More on that soon! 😉

A recent highlight I wanted to share with you today: I had the privileged of being interviewed by Terry’s Fabrics, an awesome fabric and home decor resource located in the UK, as a part of their “Designer Insights” blog series! Writing answers for the Q & A and sharing some decor inspiration I’m loving for the Top Choices section was so much fun. I always learn something new about myself and my style through collaborations like this; it is my hope you will learn something new through it, too! Click the article below to read the full page version on their blog. Thanks again to the wonderful Terry’s Fabrics team for the opportunity to be a part of this great series!

Courtesy of: Terrys Fabrics

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Unstyled: A beautiful mess

Everyone loves a beautifully styled photo. I’m the queen of taking 15 minutes and 12 shots with my iPhone just to get that perfect “selfie” of my coffee cup, complete with the morning sunlight streaming in to highlight the steam coming off the top… #coffeesesh #cupojoe #goodmorning #mycoffeewokeuplikethis … you know the drill. We like pretty pictures of pretty things.

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Plus, styling is fun! Maddening as it can be, I love focusing on details, so I love the tweaking, fluffing, centering, taking away, adding more – whatever the equation is to get the desired composition in frame. It’s an art form. Toss the throw (throw the throw?) over the sofa this way – no, it looks better that way – okay now just two inches to the left – nope now it’s covering the pillow. Let’s just scratch the throw all together…

That’s art though. When it comes to reality, who actually lives in a perfectly styled or even clean house all the time? Somebody? Anybody? If that’s you, I’d really like to know your secret because 99% of the time my house is a complete disaster zone! My friends and family will be the first to tell you that. Because life is crazy. When I’m short on time (which is always…) and something has to give – the people in my life will always take priority over the places, spaces and things. Laundry will stack up to ridiculous heights. My desk becomes buried under piles. Name a surface – it probably hasn’t been dusted. The cute coaster and candle vignette you saw in a picture has been replaced with the PS3 and TV remote and a coffee ring… where did the coasters go?

I wanted to stop comparing my imperfect home to all of the perfect ones I see in photos – even the photos of spaces I’ve created for others! Just like I shouldn’t compare myself to the seemly flawless, stick-figure thin fashion models. That’s art. Those are photos. This is reality. It’s important to be happy in your own skin and in your own home.

With that in mind, I snapped a few photos around my office and living room recently as an exercise. Could I candidly snap a single photo, with no rearranging, no fluffing or polishing, no straightening the drapes or moving the clutter – could I do that and not be embarrassed by the flaws and imperfections I see?

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With all the things I’m still critical of  on my own “to-do” list still to be done – could I just appreciate what’s there now, as is? I began to focus on the beautiful things about this photo. The tall windows, the natural light, some of my favorite colors, the sweet puppy curled up on the couch… hey… that’s actually a pretty beautiful sight! Remotes and all!

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I was surprised how much I loved these spaces when I actually stopped and looked at them in a candid state. I love the stories behind the things in the room, regardless of the “camera ready” status. I know my rug is crumpled. I know there’s a crack in my ceiling that needs to be covered with crown. Yet somehow when I look at these images, it just makes my heart really happy because there’s a story behind each and everything that i love in here. The garland left over from my best friend’s baby shower. The rainbow art I created on my front porch on a sunny day with a glass of wine when I just needed some art therapy. The sketch of Paris my sister brought back for me from her travels abroad. The bell jar light fixture my mom and dad helped me install. Even unstyled and in slight disarray – it’s a reflection of me and those I love, and that is what really amplifies the beauty!

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The blue velvet chairs that were my grandmother-in-law’s. The pillow I made that made me realize I’m not a seamstress. The side table I picked up on an estate sale adventure. The lovely antique desk I get to use while storing for some of my best friends. There’s so much to love in this photo – no styling needed!

Love the space you’re in – appreciate what you have. To-do lists, wish-lists, dreams and aspirations for your home are great – that’s why I have a job – I get to come in to help people achieve those dreams. But don’t let those things stop you from realizing and appreciating how beautiful your home is right now, when it’s put together or when it’s falling apart – because it’s a reflection of you and your real life.

Embrace the beautiful mess.

Rufus and Nellie sure have.

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(Yes, that’s a tear in the sofa cushion. That was the dogs contribution to making the room really look lived in. Thanks y’all, for helping me keep it real.)

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Designer Insights: Interview with Terry’s Fabrics in the UK!
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Kitchen Styling Tips on At Home in Arkansas Blog

If you enjoyed our Before & After feature in At Home in Arkansas this month, you’ll definitely want to click on over to their blog today for a bonus feature from this family friendly kitchen design!

They will show you how we built in flexible accessories to be able to swap out styles in a pinch, creating two different looks and feels. Hopefully you’ll get some ideas on how this could apply in your home!

Click on the image below to connect to their post, “Styled Two Ways“!

 

 

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So much growth around here this spring. 🥹🌿 P So much growth around here this spring. 🥹🌿 Plantly, personally, relationally, familialy, professionally, educationally, spiritually, recreationally, socially… so many ways. 🤍 

Liam love has ached from growing pains in his legs as he’s shot up taller this year, and I can’t help but think of many points over the last year I’ve cried out over the same thing in my own way, internally. It’s been a year of repotting and acclimating, shedding withering leaves, sprouting new ones unexpectedly, and pressing through rocky soil at times. But through it all, we water and tend to - our plants, our hearts, and eachother. We received tending to and watering, from our loving Gardener and from one another. We learn what that looks and feels like. We remember, we practice, and keep adding to each new discovery of what helps us thrive. Old downtrodden pathways healing, covered over with new growth, and new pathways (in at least my nervous system and brain that so needed it) being bushwhacked (as my friend recently wished me all the grace and success with 😂🙏🏼) and becoming more familiar: a new normal. 

We’ve been in our home sweet 1930’s cottage for a year now, and I am so incredibly proud of the ways we’ve each branched out and up, roots sinking in deeper through the dark and sometimes rough terrain, finding eachother even there and locking arms deep in the soil as well as holding hands with leaves reaching toward the light together, be it by sun or by moon. 🌳 

“they will be known as might oaks of righteousness, planted by Yahweh as a living display of His glory.” Isa. 61:3b

“and He sees to it that each seed gets a new body of it’s own and becomes the plant He designed it to be. “ 1 Cor. 15:38b

(PS! I released a new podcast episode this week sparked from the above verse. I share how the Lord’s been speaking to me through plant imagery / terminology, things I’ve been learning about our design for consistent watering / rewatering, my heart / ways I’m learning to relate now as I’ve been overcoming some old fear based, faulty thinking, that’s made room for new and beautiful growth. You can listen to it on Spotify on the Unhindered podcast or profile link!🪴)
Part 2 of this bright and happy retro-inspired kit Part 2 of this bright and happy retro-inspired kitchen before & after, cause I’m still not over it yet… 😍 #minttobe

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#thatsdarling #vintagedecoration #vintagedishes #tilebar #fiestawear #kitchenremodel #kitchendecor #kitchen #kitchendesign #homeimprovement #interiorinspo #whitekitchencabinets #whitekitchen #kitchengoals #homesweethome #diydesign #theartofslowliving #thehappynow #flashesofdelight #diyhomedecor #verilymoment #pursuepretty #interiorstyled #interiordecor #interiordesign #kjlartanddesign
In the midst of a full and challenging season, tim In the midst of a full and challenging season, time stood still for a blissful 24 hr spring break escape with my loves, March 23-24. 🌿✨ 💦 🌸 ☀️🥹💞 We took Mabel Ann the Main Line, our sweet lil 1947 vintage camper trailer out on her maiden voyage before we start the reno updates! We were so happy in her little aluminum form, we didn’t want to leave! 🤍

#familymemories #springbreak2023 #lakecatherinestatepark #arkansasstateparks #thenaturalstate #thegreatoutdoors #chasingwaterfalls #vintagecamper #glampinglife #thatsdarlingmovement #optoutdoors #gonecamping #gonefishing #lifeisgood #arkansasonly
An unbelievably fun, cheerful and bright kitchen b An unbelievably fun, cheerful and bright kitchen before & after, hot off the press from @forrest_addison_roberts camera. 📷 😍 🙌🏼 💐 Absolutely loved going back to see this retro-inspired kitchen design that these creative clients and our fav contractor crushed implementing! 👏🏼 

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#thatsdarling #vintagedecoration #vintagedishes #tilebar #fiestawear #kitchenremodel #kitchendecor #kitchen #kitchendesign #homeimprovement #interiorinspo #whitekitchencabinets #whitekitchen #kitchengoals #homesweethome #diydesign #theartofslowliving #thehappynow #flashesofdelight #diyhomedecor #verilymoment #pursuepretty #interiorstyled #interiordecor #interiordesign #kjlartanddesign
Weather report from an Arkansas wilderness, just a Weather report from an Arkansas wilderness, just after sunrise yesterday.🕵🏻‍♀️ Lovely weather we’ve been having lately - thunderous water with a 197% chance of falling. 💦😅

Adventuring with @forrest_addison_roberts will forever be one of my favorite reasons to wake up before dawn. 🌌 🥾 ☺️ 

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#neverstopexploring #waterfallwednesday #arkansaswaterfalls #arkansasoutdoors #optoutdoors #hikinglove #coupleswhohike #arkansasonly #naturereels #hikeyourownhike #waterfallphotography #waterfallhike #waterfallchasing #reelfunny #neature
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It is a delight to work with Kathryn LeMaster. She is a good listener who has been able to help us transition into a smaller home while still keeping the essence of our family intact.

- CINDI C.

My husband and I decided to update our house focusing on the kitchen and bathrooms. We were so impressed from the beginning with Kathryn! She was easy to work with and took our vision and made it all come together! She was extremely professional and we highly recommend her. Thanks Kathryn!! We couldn't be happier!!!

- LAURA D.

I have been doing business with Kathryn for several years, where she had played an integral role to enhance the quality and appeal of the visual impact of our furniture in TV commercial s. She independently picks products that perfectly match each commercial. She is also an absolute pleasure to work with. She is flexible when needed, and always has a positive disposition.

- LAWRENCE ZIGERELLI, PRESIDENT/CEO, FFO HOME

We asked Kathryn to create sets for a food shoot with multiple items. She created sets with for each dish and had them passed them off with the client who was out of town. She was extremely organized and methodical about how she purchased and approved each set. Not only was her work exceptional, her presence made the client feel at ease.

- DERO SANFORD, OWNER, THINKDERO

We highly recommend Kathryn. She listened to us as her clients and executed ideas based upon our design style. We had bought a new house and asked her to help us furnish, design, and style It. We appreciated her detailed drawings and ability to "show" us the vision and plan. She is quick to respond and allows for flexibility based upon timeline needs. Once deciding together on budget, she works toward that goal. She is a lot of fun to work with!

- CHRISTY H.

Kathryn assisted me in styling and accessorizing our new home. She nailed my design ideas and style based on the questionnaire and my comments. I was amazed at how she was able to match my style exactly! It would have taken me years to accomplish what she accomplished in one day. I would highly recommend her and look forward to working with her again in the future.

- BEVERLY R.

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