Kathryn Lemaster

Art and Design

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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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MORE TO LOVE:
Oh Happy May!
Designer House Reveal: The Before
Kitchen Styling Tips on At Home in Arkansas Blog

Designer House Reveal: The Process

Today I want to give you a glimpse of the design process I went through in creating the Patio Bath in the ASO Designer House. The process is similar to how I begin every project.

If you missed it, be sure to check out my previous post with more before pictures of the space!

The next thing after thoroughly documenting the space on camera is to document it on paper through measurements and more notes. Mine are always VERY rough sketches and scribbles, but it’s the numbers that count. When I get home and get all of the numbers and scribbles into AutoCAD (drafting software)….

… I can turn this (above)… into this (below):

My drawings are my maps. To start with an accurate, scaled drawing means I’m not going at this blindly. It eliminates so many question marks and protects from wasted time and energy during the selection process. They are the absolute truth that let me see how much space I have between point A and point B, thereby dictating what size light fixture, mirror, frame, rug, etc. I have allowance for.

I put that allowance together with the needs I’m trying to meet within that space functionally and visually. With that information I then know what I need to be looking for when I start selecting. When I select something, I draw it to scale to make sure it’s the perfect fit from a functional stand point, but also from a visual stand point of appropriately filling and balancing within the space

Switching gears from the technical side of the process to the creative!

I knew I wanted to create something fun and whimsical but at the same time calming. Like a little daydream of sorts!  Since designers are responsible for the cost of labor and materials for their rooms in the Show House, I wanted to keep the cost reasonable by using things I already had if possible. I had yardage of these Dwell Studio fabrics on hand. They are some of my absolute FAVORITES that I’d swooned over for years and purchased awhile back with the intention of using them in my Master suite someday.

Thus began my inspiration for the direction I wanted to take the room. One by one I started thinking of items that would work wonderfully with these fabrics, evoking the feeling I envisioned. Then I’d add the items to my inspiration board.

An inspiration board is the first method I use when developing a design scheme. It contains anything from general ideas to specific selections. The helpful part of this is getting everything on the same page – literally – so you can get an idea of how it all works or doesn’t work together. It can include everything from specific ideas (the custom shower curtain I designed) to general ideas (a geometric rug).

Another method I use besides inspiration boards to give me rough idea of what things could look like together is creating a mock-up in photoshop over an image of the actual space. It helps to see things  in context of the room.

As each selection checked out from every angle (budget, fit, scheme, deadline) I started ordering, scheduling subcontractors, and spending alot of time on site installing what I could as items arrived. My sweet family showed up time and again to help me out with the install at various points along the way where I could not have done it myself. They are my heros! 🙂

Before I knew it… it was ready!

Don’t miss the reveal tomorrow morning!!

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MORE TO LOVE:
Designer House Reveal: The Before
Designer House Reveal: Happily Ever “After”!
Designer House Room Reveal Week!

Designer House Reveal: The Before

Today I wanted to share more “before” photos of the Patio Bath along with the initial observations I noted upon first seeing the space that helped shape the outline and “punch list” of my design. Please enjoy this room tour from my perspective!

In my previous post introducing the reveal, we left off here:*enter room* It’s very… coral? I love coral! Why don’t I love it in here? Ah – it’s a tall skinny room with inadequate lighting. The coral is closing in around me and I don’t like it in this application. Glass shower… that’s nice. I wish it were frameless. The frame lines make for so many right angles. I think I want to hide it. Something soft. Note: I feel uneasy. Change wall color. Something calm. Add soft billowing curtain to cover shower.

Speaking of inadequate lighting, what kind of lights are even in here? *look up* 1…2…3 can lights. One over shower, two off centered over vanity. Two windows is good natural light. But I want more overhead light. I love light. It helps the space feel bigger. It helps you see. And the right light fixture makes such an artistic statement. Note: Add fun lighting. Something on wall over vanity, something in the center of the ceiling.

*look down* Hm, nice travertine floor. It looks cold though. Maybe it is cold, from the air vent. Don’t love air vent placement. Don’t love tiny fluffy crooked rug. But I want something soft. How would two bath mats work in here? They’d fit, but I don’t love where how they would fit. I want to unify the space. I want one rug. I want a runner! Note: Look for skinny runners (not the marathon type, the decorative type.) Ask if it’s a problem to cover air vent temporarily for “show.” If that’s a no-go, can I cut out a hole in the rug for the vent? Hmmm…

*look back* More coral. Yep, definitely need a new color. Hey, those electrical outlets and switches stick out like a sore thumb. I want to hide them. And hey, are there no towel bars in here? How will I dry my hands? Note: tall floral arrangement in corner to distract from switching/outlets and towel ring next to them to dry hands on way out the door.

*look to right* I like the vanity color, and the cute little feet. What’s bothering me? Ah – the countertop. It’s cultured marble with a poured  sink and back-splash. Why does it look like plastic to me? I would love to upgrade that. That would be expensive. Hey, there’s satin nickel hardware everywhere. Shinier would look nicer here. Note: Go over budget and look at upgrading counter-top. Something white. Marble? Quartz? Change out all satin nickel hardware for chrome.

*look closer at vanity* While I’m thinking of upgrades… how COOL would a glass vessel sink with a waterfall faucet look in here?! I mean this is alright… it works. But something sleek and spa-esque would really help accomplish the feel I’m going for. Note: Pinch pennies to get new countertop… so that I can get a  glass sink and faucet. Yep, definitely want to do that.

*look to left* It already has wooden blinds… those can stay, you need privacy in a bath. One again, so many right angles. The window needs to be softened. Drapery? Floor panels are sort of impractical for a bath, but especially one with a shower. Cornice? Valance? Yes. Nothing overwhelming. Just a simple “hat” for the window to soften the corners and bring in pattern/color. Note: Pull images of outside-mount window treatment style options. Think about fabric. Call seamstress for quote.

*walk back to entrace and turn around for another look* Yep. The shower is fine but nothing special. Drapery in front of it would be prettier. The countertop will do, but if I can swing it, and new one and new sink/faucet would be fabulous! The mirror is too square for all of the right angles already happening in here. Maybe round? Definitely want to add a wall sconce over the mirror, or maybe one on either side of it. Hey, a giant piece of art or a grid of several pieces would look swell between the mirror and shower! Okay, yes, good talk with myself. I have something here. This could be great.

Stay tuned to read about the design process next!!

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MORE TO LOVE:
Kitchen Remodel Before & After Reveal, Part 1: Before
Designer House Reveal: The Process
Designer House Reveal: Happily Ever “After”!

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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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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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