Inspiration Archives - Kathryn Lemaster

Fall Decor Inspiration: At Home in Arkansas front porch feature!

Happy October!!

Fall is my absolute favorite season, of which October always feels like the official kick-off to me. It’s the best month of the year in my book, which is why I am especially thrilled to have a fall decor project included in this month’s issue of At Home in Arkansas magazine! Snatch up a copy and mosey on by their website to read the full feature – aptly titled “Welcome to Fall!” – for more lovely photos and fall decor ideas!

Here’s a preview of “Look #1: Cheerful, Warm, Eclectic” – designed my moi and styled with the expert assistance of Editor in Chief, Chip Jones, topped off with glorious photography by Rett Peek!

Behind the scenes bonus material! (Crafting, coffee consumption, and amature photography by moi as well…)

Burlap and twin garlands and pumpkin wraps in progress. Produce hunted down at various pumpkin patches and grocery stores. Materials found at local craft stores and my garage. 😉

Nothing like a few handmade Kantha quilts and pillows made from recycled Indian saris to warm up a space! Available at my favorite yoga studio, Arkansas Yoga Collective.

Styling away! My estate sale retro side table had to come along, of course. So did a few fun rugs from Cynthia East Fabrics. The Gerber daisy and ceramic planter were less than $10 combined at Home Depot. #score

Ready, set, shoot!

The pros, making that photo magic.

That’s a wrap!

Make sure to visit At Home in Arkansas to read about this fall front porch design and see more glorious, non-amature photos. 😉 We’d love to hear your thoughts or questions about sprucing up your own space for fall, so feel free to leave a comment below or on At Home’s page.

Thanks for hanging out on the porch with me. This was fun. It’s going to be a great fall!

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

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.

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?

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!

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!

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.

(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.)

Spring Inspired Color

The drastic mood swings in the weather lately have me longing all the more for spring to finally grace us with its presence. I’m starting to catch the spring cleaning fever, and with it spring project fever. I’m wanting to paint this and reupholster that and switch this out and hang this up… can anybody else relate?

If you too are in the mode of freshening things up around your home, hopefully these spring and floral inspired color palettes by Design Seeds will refresh and inspire you. I’ve chosen a collection revolving around various shades of the color of the year, Radiant Orchid, to give you some ideas on other colors that play oh-so nicely with this lovely pinkish purple!

(Flower Hues by Design Seeds)

(Orchid Hues by Design Seeds)

(Color View by Design Seeds)

(Nature Hues by Design Seeds)

(Pinned Brights by Design Seeds)

(Color Dew by Design Seeds)

(Cherry Hues by Design Seeds)

(Balloon Hues by Design Seeds)

(Still Tones by Design Seeds)

(Flowered Palette by Design Seeds)

(Flora Palette by Design Seeds)

Here’s to a sunny, warm, and colorful weekend!

xo,

-K

This calls for cupcakes

Don’t you just love a reason to celebrate? I sure do, especially when the celebration involves cupcakes.

Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design turned 1 on Thursday, and by George, that’s a darn good reason to celebrate!

Come along with me and my lovely sister, Hannah, and join us for a whimsical picnic in the woods complete with delicious cupcakes and teacups full of milk to celebrate KJL’s birthday!

I am delighted when I think back on what an amazing 1st year this was. I didn’t really know what to expect in the beginning, so I’m truly thankful for all of the amazing opportunities that surprised me and exceeded my expectations. God is so good.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me! I would not have made it this far without the unfailing support of faithful friends, family, readers, clients, and professionals I look up to and learn from. You guys rock my world.

Please lift your cupcakes and let’s “cheers” to another great year ahead!

xoxo,

-K

The Farmers Market

Hope everyone had a great weekend. We went to visit our friends, who moved up to Columbia MO a few months ago, so it was the best of weekends! One of my favorite things that we got to do with them during our stay was shopping at their local farmers market.

It was just the funnest thing ever – so beautiful and inspiring, too! Everyone had their products displayed so nicely in their booths. Everything looked like fall and smelled like fresh coffee and baked goods. I’m not sure how I’ve managed to miss out on the local farmers market experience at home, because I absolutely loved the one up there. Note to self: go to Arkansas farmers markets. Like, now.

(photo cred: Laura)

My take-aways from our market trip were an amazing cup of freshly pressed french-press coffee by the Fretboard Coffee, Inc. and a giant basil plant that cost a whopping $3. What?! It matches Laura’s basil plant (above) she picked up on an earlier visit, along with some tomatoes and farm fresh eggs. Omelette, anyone?

Look-alikes: Glam Living Room

I’ve had this image of a Jan Showers designed living room pinned to my “Living Rooms” Pintrest board for awhile now. Every time I see it it just makes me happy! I absolutely love the bold geometric prints and bright colors – what sophisticated fun.

(schlegel penthouse by jan showers via decor pad)

You can read more about the owners and the design of this space in this article by D Magazine.

Using the above image as inspiration, I created a look-alike living room design of affordable options to get a similar result!

1. Lamps – $80 each

2. Side Tables – $60 each

3. Black Pillow Covers – $38 pair

4. Pink Pillow – $99

5. Sunburst Mirror – $250

6. 8×10 Wool Rug – $310

7. Gold & Glass Coffee Table – $173

8. Daisy Arrangement – $50

9. White Tray – $30

10. Gold Vase – $20

11. White Sofa – $1090

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Everything on the board totals $2,340. But just think – if you were working with an existing sofa, then you could get everything else for $1,250!

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Here’s to a happy Monday and great end to September. Tomorrow brings my favorite month of the year… 🙂

Stay inspired!

-K

Guest Post on House of Turquoise!

Good morning and happy September to you all!

Today, I am so incredibly thrilled to be guest posting on one of my all-time favorite blogs, (drum roll, please) House of Turquoise! What a privilege.

The lovely lady behind HOT, miss Erin Olson Moser, is a happy new mama to sweet baby Wesley as of a couple weeks ago. Congrats again, Erin!

Needing to take a little time off with husband and baby, Erin set into place a great line-up of guest posters to fill so she can spend this precious time with her new little family.

Though I was just flabbergasted that she asked me to be among the guest posters, I was truly honored, and had so much fun putting together a special post for HOT.

So without further adieu, please check out my guest post by tuning in to the one and only House of Turquoise today (and every day really! Seriously, if your not already, you should follow HOT. That’s my bit of advice for the day.)

(via peppermint bliss)

If you’re stopping by my blog via HOT today, well then welcome! I’m so glad you decided to click on over for a visit. Please, make yourself at home, check out my blog and site, and feel free to leave a comment or shoot me a message here if I can answer any questions for you! So glad you dropped in, and hope to see you back soon. 🙂

If you’re hankering for more turquoise inspiration after browsing House of Turquoise – which I consider to be the mecca of this superior hue – you can always follow my Totally Turquoise board on Pintrest here, or check out my previous post on Turquoise, here!

Thanks again for being here today. I really and truly appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to slow down for a moment soak up some inspiration with me!

-K

Ikea Love

Can we just talk about how much I love Ikea for a moment? I love the product variety and reasonable prices. I love the innovative thinking of the product designers. I love the crazy Swedish product names. I love their cinnamon rolls (and free coffee if you’re an Ikea Family Member, which you should be). Where else can you go for a combined dining and designing + showroom and shopping experience? Nowhere I tell you. Nowhere.

I returned home from Dallas via Frisco yesterday in order to stop by Ikea on the way out of town. I needed to pick up something for a client as well as pay a visit to my Swedish “family” and pick up a few treats for myself. It’s always a sweet, sweet reunion (partially because of my traditional cinnamon roll snack).

During this visit, I met this chair named Strandmon and I really wanted to take him home! He’s very handsome, super comfy, and comes in gray or orange linen or dark blue velvet… and is only $279!

Allow me to introduce you to my new crush, Mr. Strandmon Wing Chair.

Here’s a pic from Ikea’s inspiration gallery of Strandmon and a few of his buddies chillin with Isala (the cute little coffee table.)

Yep. I’m bumping two orange Strandmons to the top of my wishlist. I’ll come back for you someday, my dears!

If you live far away from an Ikea store as I do, you may find it helpful to know that Ikea’s website has great inspiration galleries for various room types. It’s the next best thing to visiting the showroom in person, as it helps to see how items can look within a certain context and a great way to get ideas on how to incorporate their products! Here are a few of my favorite Ikea inspiration pics:

How about those yellow Stockholm swivel chairs?! Super fun and funky and a great pop in this living space! View more products from this space here.

Who knew you could create a complete kitchen design including cabinets and countertops all at Ikea? It’s a one stop shop I tell you! View this image and find out item details here.

From the dining room gallery, I’m loving this rustic/industrial look! For more item details, click here.

Last but not least, how about this cozy living room? What a great way to create a Pottery Barn type feel, but for a fraction of the cost! More details on this space, here.

I hope you enjoyed this little Ikeaspiration sampling. If you get a chance to go by a store soon, please give Strandmon my love. Thanks!

Tybee Island

Hope you all had a great week! I returned yesterday from a week in Tybee Island, GA. What a wonderful family vacation! Just what we all needed.

While I’m getting caught up this week, I want to share images from my trip with you. Today let’s look at snap shots from the beautiful island, and later this week we’ll take a stroll through historic Savannah.

I got to do a little bit of everything I was hoping to. I think my favorite was just spending time by the water. The shore was mere steps from our beach house. You could just take the sand trail through the tall grass and bam, you’re there. What a dream!

Strolling to the beach with my lovely little sis to sip on some coffee and read.

We made friends with the seagulls. My dad and little brothers were the real “bird whisperers” and got them to eat right out of their hands.

My favorite feathered friends where the pelicans though. They were so beautiful! I got such a kick out of watching them dive straight into the ocean to catch fish, always flying in a perfectly spaced “V”, and standing in rows… so organized!

On our boat tour with with Crab Creek Charters (highly recommend!) we went right by Billy Currington’s house – had no idea he lived on Tybee! Not too shabby, Billy…

Another highlight of the boat tour was circling the beautiful old Cockspur Island Lighthouse that was built in 1837!

I just couldn’t get enough of the tall, wild grass. It was everywhere!

The sunsets were of course, breathtakingly beautiful.

*sigh*… I miss it already.

As hard as it was to leave, it is good to be home, cause there’s no place like home. It’s definitely on my list of places to return to though… as soon as possible! 😉

I’ll be back in a couple days with photos from our trip into Savannah!