Kathryn Lemaster

Art and Design

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Hillcrest Cottage Featured on House of Turquoise!

Happy summer to you! We’re officially halfway through the year now and what a whirlwind it’s been so far. I don’t see things slowing down any time soon with our little one on the way, arriving mid October. Yay! We did just get back from a much needed East Coast vacation however, and there’s lots of Cape Cod and New York City inspiration from that on the gram!

I was so grateful to have the Hillcrest Cottage project featured in At Home in Arkansas “Bright Ideas” issue last month. I was still reeling from that excitement when to my surprise and delight, the lovely Erin from House of Turquoise reached out wanting to feature this colorful cottage as well!

What’s more though, she will be unveiling a few bonus shots from the shoot that weren’t included in the original article. So if you thought you’d seen all of this project – think again my friend! Head on over to House of Turquoise and don’t miss the bonus detail shots and one of the dining room, too!

Thanks for reading, and I hope your spirits are lifted by the happiness of this colorful home!

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Oh Happy May!
House of Turquoise Feature: Before & After Reveal of Rustic Modern Bath
Fall Decor Inspiration: At Home in Arkansas front porch feature!

Oh Happy May!

Spring is my most second favorite season of the year (fall wins, because… the leaves, and my birthday!). I’ve been doing the happy dance ever since I saw the first bright green buds on the trees in my backyard this season. It seemed like overnight, everything was new and bright and alive again. I just love it! Well most of it. I could go without quite so many April showers, pollen-nados and here in the South, actual tornadoes…

But that’s all behind us now (I hope) because it’s MAY – with all the flowers, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and pre-summer joy it brings.

One of the special joys this May in particular brings for me is the long-awaited unveiling of a project dear to my heart – the charming and colorful storybook cottage remodel in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Little Rock!

A huge thank you to At Home in Arkansas Magazine for the beaming feature that so beautifully communicates the creativity, heart and soul behind this project. Be sure to read the full story and see more of the wonderful photos by Rett Peek, here!

The kitchen was the most extensive portion of the remodel, so to appreciate just how far it came from it’s less-than-thrilling beginnings, I’ll leave you with a few “before” photos for reference…

Change is good, yes? 😉 Here’s to beautiful seasons of transformation and newness!!

xo,

Kathryn

PS! If you’re new here, thanks so much for dropping by. I’d love to keep in touch! I recently completed my first ever free downloadable resource for my readers (my top paint colors, hello!) and would love to gift that to you for joining my “E-Party”! If you missed or exited the pop-up invite upon arriving here, you can simply scroll down to the bottom of this page to find the invite. Easy peasy!

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Hillcrest Cottage Featured on House of Turquoise!
Kitchen Remodel Before & After Reveal, Part 1: Before
Kitchen Styling Tips on At Home in Arkansas Blog

“Heirloom Revival” Guest Room & Bath Reveal on House of Turquoise!

Ready for the never-before-seen Guest Bed and Bath photos from the beloved Heirloom Revival project published by At Home in Arkansas Magazine last year?!

RP_aha_150325_2010_610Good! Because I have been waiting a year to share them with you and I’m so excited I can hardly stand it!

When it comes to publishing, sometimes there are a few rooms from a whole home project like this that don’t make the cut due to page numbers and editorial content. Rich in unique design details and historic family heirlooms, this aqua hued guest suite – located off the main hall in the center of the home – was just such a duo of rooms when the story was originally published.Baker_Redesigned Floor Plan_03.2015_610I wanted to give the rest of the house a full year of fanfare before adding these two hidden gems to the mix!

Then of course, I had to find the perfect place to introduce them to the world. I’m so honored to have everyone’s favorite aqua tinted blog bringing you these never-before-seen spaces for the first time: House of Turquoise!!

Without further adieu, please click above to head on over to Erin’s blog!

I’ll leave you with a “before” glimpse of each space…

Existing_Middle Bedroom windows_610

Existing_Guest Bath_610

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House of Turquoise Feature: Before & After Reveal of Rustic Modern Bath
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Heights Remodel Project Featured in At Home in Arkansas Magazine!

It’s been such an exciting whirlwind that I haven’t had a chance to announce on the blog yet, but At Home in Arkansas Magazine, our state’s ultimate home and lifestyle publication, featured our Heights remodel project in their May 2015 Before & After issue!!

(Instagram moment from when I read it for the first time… #memories. Follow on Instagram, @kjlemaster to keep up in real time.)

KJL Art & Design Instagram

You can pick up the magazine in newsstands around AR today, or subscribe to receive your very own, glossy copy in the mail! What makes this being in this issue even better than it already is – one of my super talented, good designer friends – Brittany Nixon – has a remodel project featured in the same issue! This is the kitchen from her project on the COVER! (Go Britt!! *virtual high fives*) If you see this magazine – snatch it up fast! The Before & After issue is one of the most popular of the year and will be gone before you know it.

At Home in Arkansas May 2015 Issue

The Heights remodel is a very special project we’ve been working on since the end of last summer and just wrapped up – barely in time for the magazine photoshoot! The story is one-of-a-kind. I just can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you get to hear it first from an outstanding source like At Home. From the editor, to photographer, to writer, to everyone else involved – the team that covered it is amazing, and I’m so grateful to share it with you all this way thanks to them! I’m positive you will enjoy it and glean something inspiring from it. Click here to read the full story on their website, and enjoy a preview of one of the before & after comparisons below!

Laundry Room turned Home Office:

Before:Existing_Laundry-turned-into-office_Baker_06.2014_bw (1)
After:

RP_aha_150325_1779aI die over that cheerful little office. Every. Time. I still wish it were mine!

Be sure to stay tuned this month and next for project extras, bonus photos, and behind-the-scenes that may be surfacing on our blog and At Home in Arkansas Magazine’s blog! 😉

 

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Oh Happy Day!
At Home in Arkansas Before & After Feature is online!
Oh Happy May!

House of Turquoise Feature: Before & After Reveal of Rustic Modern Bath

Ladies and Gents, thank you ever-so-much for coming by on this special day for a very exciting  before & after reveal!

I am incredibly thrilled to have the one and only Erin Olson Moser from House of Turquoise unveiling this project in terrific HOT style by featuring the after photos for the very first time today!!

This is going to be so much fun! I’m sharing the before photos and design plan here – then you can hop on over to House of Turquoise for the amazing after photos, photographed by Karen E. Segrave of KES Photo. If you’re coming over by way of HOT, welcome!! I hope you enjoyed the finished result and will relish your regressive design “meal” as you take a peek back at how it all began.

Meet my friends, the  Bollens, a wonderful young family with whom I had the pleasure of working on this project. Jessica and Daniel were new homeowners and ready to kick it up a notch or 10, functionally and aesthetically, with their master bathroom. Take a step back with me to their original master bath:

There were many reasons to bid farewell to the existing layout and finishes. From the brown tile and cave-like shower to the ho-hum single sink vanity, it was simply time for an update.

They opted for a DIY style design plan, as they are savvy do-it-yourself-ers. They also enlisted the help of skilled craftsman and builder, the talented Mr. Chandler Tedder, to oversee the remodel.

I wanted to include their wishlist items (make-up vanity space, double sinks, glass shower, display and hidden storage…) while incorporating their taste and style, which was one of my favorites – a rustic-modern fusion! After collecting their input, I set to work designing their dream bath and presented them with a design concept which included dimensioned drawings, a concept board with selection options, material samples and a resource shopping list.

Here is a sampling of a few of the new selection options to give you an idea of where we’re headed:

Below are the concept drawings illustrating the new design!

Can you image it now? Thanks to the Bollens and Chandler, who took it from a concept to a reality, Karen, who captured it, and Erin, who’s sharing it today… you don’t have to just imagine – you can go see it, right now!! Jump on over to House of Turquoise for the grand after reveal!!

 

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“Heirloom Revival” Guest Room & Bath Reveal on House of Turquoise!
Kitchen Remodel Before & After Reveal, Part 1: Before
Hillcrest Cottage Featured on House of Turquoise!

Kitchen Remodel Before & After Reveal, Part 1: Before

What fun it was having our kitchen remodel project be the Before & After feature in At Home in Arkansas Magazine for the whole month of April!

To continue the fun, we’re kicking off the month of May with our before and after blog series on this project, rolling out more before and behind the scenes photos, design drawings, as well as the entire portfolio collection of after photos by Karen E. Segrave, shared for the first time ever!

Let’s go back to the begining – the walk through and the before photos, which include some great action shots of the family at work! I didn’t want to disturb the cooking and cleaning while snapping photos and taking notes, as it was helpful to observe how the kitchen functioned (or in this case didn’t) for their big, busy family on an everyday basis.

Without further adieu, meet the Barber’s “before” kitchen!

(Upon entrance from the left/south end)

(Sink area to left)

(Cooking area to right)

(Breakfast peninsula to left)

(Study/Office beyond peninsula)

(Turning back toward entrance)

(Looking back toward entrance)

Note the many activities happening at once – dishes being unloaded, dinner cooking, grocery bags just unloaded from car to counters, homework being done in the midst of it all – can anyone relate? Multitasking is already a chore, but with the current layout of their kitchen, it was nearly impossible to have various activities going on simultaneously without bumping into someone or knocking something over. Though in need of style updates for sure, the first issue we tackled was function and space maximization. I’ll walk you through what we changed and why in the next post!

Thanks to my wonderful clients for being candid and willing for me to share where we started so that you could fully understand and appreciate the drastic difference of where we end up.

Stay tuned for the the next post, revealing the redesigned plan!

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Guest Room/Office Before & After Reveal

Earlier this year I shared a guest room redo that was part of a larger project. (If you missed that one, you can check it out here!)

Well today is the day I get to share another room from that project – the 2nd guest room and office! I’m so excited. Ready? Here we go!

Before:

Are you scared yet? It’s okay – I was too. Don’t worry, I promise this story has a happy ending!

The jumping off point for the new design from a functional standpoint revolved around maximizing the space plan to incorporate a small office space. We also needed to work with a few existing items, mainly the bed. If you click to my previous post, you’ll notice we ended up flip-flopping the existing beds between the rooms!

From an aesthetic standpoint, the inspiration started with a beautiful crewel embroidered duvet my client and I had seen at Pottery Barn.

Below is a mini inspiration board from during the design process. Then keep scrolling for the after photos!!

Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design - Guest Room/Office Before & After - Design Board

Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design – Guest Room/Office Before & After – Design Board

*drum roll*

.

TAH DAH!

A far cry from the before photos, yes? I told you this would be a happy story! 😉 I’d love to know your thoughts on the project and invite you to leave a comment/question below.

If you were inspired by this project, please share it with someone you think would enjoy it as well or pin to your Pintrest board for later with the handy-dandy new “Pin-It” button I just installed! (It should magically appear in the corner of each photo as you scroll over… yes. It’s pretty exciting. :))

A special thanks to my fantastic photographer Karen E. Seagrave for the beautiful photos! As always, thank you to my wonderful clients for trusting me with your space. And finally thank YOU for being here today!

Stay inspired,

-K

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MORE TO LOVE:
“Heirloom Revival” Guest Room & Bath Reveal on House of Turquoise!
Saturday Special: Before & After Reveal
Heights Remodel Project Featured in At Home in Arkansas Magazine!

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

__________________________________

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!

___________________________________

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

Stay inspired!

-K

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The Farmers Market

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Join the e-party below to get personal notes, news, decor advice and inspo from Kathryn and receive a FREE copy of Kathryn’s new e-book, “7 Steps to Design + Decorate like a Pro” as a party favor for joining!

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Happy Friday my friends! It’s been a chilly week Happy Friday my friends! It’s been a chilly week around here with an ice storm yesterday, and snow in the forecast for next week, which is a central Arkansas rarity! ❄️ I hope wherever this finds you - that you are well, you are safe, you are warm.

May this aerial of peonies and coffee, reclaimed wood and sunlight, bring you peace and joy, as well as encourage you to switch up your perspective now and again. 🌸🌿☕️☀️🪵 

Consider what it’s like to walk in the other person’s shoes. Stretch yourself beyond the box of comfortable norms. 

If your usually a “big picture” thinker, try focusing on the joy of one small, beautiful detail. If you’re normally fixated on one thing in front of you, try stretching your sights to be in awe of the vast, grand(e) scheme. 

Do whatever it takes. Stand on the chair at the restaurant to see what birds can. Pull over and take a shot of that sunset through the sunroof (that’s what it’s for, right?).
 
Seeing things another way leads to new discoveries, opens new doors for connection, increases compassion, deepens empathy, grows adaptability, adds gratitude, wonder, and much more. 💝

Love y’all,
K

•

#pursuepretty #verilymoment #flashesofdelight #thehappynow #theartofslowliving #interiorinspo #homeimprovement #kjlartanddesign #interiordesign #interiordecor #interiorstyle #thatsdarling #personalgrowthjourney #dailywisdom #itsthelittlethingsinlife #peoniesaremyfavorite #peoniesofinstagram #coffeeflatlay #floralflatlay #flatlayfriday #flatlayoftheday #ihavethisthingwithflowers #reclaimedwood #farmtable #eatlocal #littlerockarkansas #boulevardbread
This #tuesdaytransformation brought to you by the This #tuesdaytransformation brought to you by the happy bright, white + blue breakfast room that’s an extension of the kitchen remodel from a few posts ago! 😄🙌🏼 (Check there to see how cute they coordinate together... 💙🤍) 

Swipe to see the “before” and construction photos. 😱 Yes. Drastic. I know. 

There to remind us yet again, that anything is possible. ✨ And that likely if it gets worse first, it’s because it’s about to get worlds better, because, #process. 🙃🙌🏼

Stay hopeful my friends. Warm and cozy, too! It’s about to get extra cold and icy here in Arkansas this week but - I imagine it’s because spring is just. around. the. corner. 😌🙏🏼💐

xo,
K

• 

@rettpeek 📷 
@steph.space 🌿🥭
@athomearkansas 📰 

#kjlartanddesign #interiordesign #interiorstyle #kitchenremodel #homeimprovement #interiorinspo #kitchendesign #breakfastroom #diningroomdecor #breakfastroomdecor #kitchengoals #homesweethome #interiordecor #interiorinspo #diydesign #theartofslowliving #thehappynow #flashesofdelight #diyhomedecor #verilymoment #thatsdarling #pursuepretty #homeimprovement #dreamkitchen #tuliptable #vintagechairs #scoutstudio #scoutdallas
Today I want to introduce you to @monarch61project Today I want to introduce you to @monarch61project - a project near and dear to our hearts for many reasons.💞 Toward the end last summer, @emmilyy23 and I had the honor of partnering with this new nonprofit to design their amazing new space for women to heal and connect in!! 

Inspired by the mission in Isaiah 61 (my favorite book!) “to heal the broken-hearted” - this place will be a place of hope, healing, community, and support for all who enter their doors. 🦋 

This haven will include a cafe, marketplace, creative arts studio, wellness studio for yoga, self defense classes, therapy rooms that will convert to cozy bedrooms if a safe place to stay overnight as needed, a beauty bar, spacious laundry room and kitchen, and more!!! ✨ 

Swipe to learn more and catch sneak peeks from their design presentation! Follow @monarch61project here and on Facebook to help support them and get the word out! Reach out to @chefmarynicole or @stirredmarybec to learn how you can donate toward the warehouse renovation costs to help this vision become a reality! 

If you or someone you know have experienced trauma of any kind, including the trauma of being a victim of abuse of any kind (and yes, spiritual / emotional / verbal / psychological too) know that you are not alone. I am here for you. This is a safe place. You do not have to process and heal alone. 

Whether you’re a woman who could benefit from connecting through Monarch61 with other ladies who’ve been through a similar hell, or a man who can relate to any of the above and just need someone to sit with you and hear your story - I am personally here for you, and have walked with friends, ladies and gents, through challenging stories of many kinds. Yours is every bit as valid and deserving of being heard and held. You have an advocate and friend here, and can message me any time. 

If you need help defining what trauma or abuse is, please oh please, ask me. I will help you find the answers. Being able to name your experience is the beginning step toward more wholeness. 

You are loved, treasured, and myself and other safe people as I have come to discern them, are here to surround you with so much love and support. 💝
On this wonderful Wednesday, I bring you a winning On this wonderful Wednesday, I bring you a winning Kitchen before + after! 🤍💙 Swipe to see the “before” of this view (and swipe again to see a fun little initial thumbnail sketch from early on in the design process!)

Going back to the “before” had me thinking about process. Oofph. Sometimes “the process” can be grueling and discouraging. Often, it must get worst before it gets better, or as a friend recently reminded me “sometimes you have to take one step back to be able to go two steps forward.” But that is how we arrive at the “after” stronger, better, more lovely in time. Slow and steady. Hold the vision, do the work, take the steps. The “after” will be reached in it’s perfect time. 😉

Whether it’s a home remodel, a health journey, a relationship you’re building, inner healing you’re braving, a dream you’re leaping for, an opportunity you’re waiting for - remember that there’s One who sees and knows you and this process. One who works along side of us to bring the vision about. One who promises to “make all things beautiful in their time”. 

Whatever process you’re beginning or in the midst of, don’t be afraid of what you see walking in on the proverbial start day, or on demo day when you take that “worse” step back, hit delays, or even lose sight of the original vision. There is One who remains steadfast and holds our hands even on days we’re unsure what the heck we got ourselves in to or where it’s going. One who promises to “be faithful to complete the work He began” and helps us do the same.

Remember what it’s all for. Remember where you’re headed with it and why. Have faith. Do your work. Stay the course! It will be worth it, m’dears.

Cheering for you always! 📣
#tbt to warm sunshine and hot coffee on a crisp da #tbt to warm sunshine and hot coffee on a crisp day at @fortsmithcoffeeco with my partner in design @emmilyy23 . 
☕️🌸☕️ 

Wherever you are today, I hope you keep your heart-eyes open, eager and expectant for the little gifts today holds. 😊 Be it the foam art in your coffee, the way the sunlight will surprisingly find you, or the dandelion that smiles at you from the curb. With gratitude and wonder, may you collect these little moments like big treasure. 

•

#kjlartanddesign #goodmorning #itsthelittlethings #thatsdarling #itsallinthedetails #cheerstoyou #coffeeshopvibes #coffeesesh #coffeetime #coffeeshop #coffeeart #foamart #rusticindustrial #modernrustic #interiordesign #interiordecor #thatsdarling #verilymoment #flatlayoftheday #flatlayphotography #photostyling #interiorstyle #newmorningmercies #fortsmith #fortsmitharkansas #shoplocal #eatlocal
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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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