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 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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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
The loveliest night with some of my favorite folks The loveliest night with some of my favorite folks in one of my favorite happy-places, celebrating a decade of interior & production design through this divinely inspired and lead company, #kjlartanddesign ✨🪄🏡

📷 by @addisonjones.co (except for my iPhone shots! 😜)

Thank you @boulevardbreadco @justpeachylr @nothingbundtcakes @field_andflower for helping make this special event so extra special (and delish!) 🙏🏼🥂💐

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#kjlartanddesign #eventdesign #interiordesign #interiordecor #littlerockinteriordesign #interiordesignersofinsta #smallbusinesslittlerock #womenownedsmallbusiness #companyparty #10yearanniversary
Happy 10 years to #kjlartanddesign ! 🥳🥹🙏🏼💝 A couple of nights ago we got to celebrate this company milestone with clients, vendors, family and friends who’ve supported us and been such an amazing part of our journey, and what a sweet celebration it was! 

Thank you to the incredible team at @boulevardbreadco that helped us host this once-in-a-lifetime event - there’s nowhere else it could have been, cause y’all have been our favorite “office” away from the office for many many meetings, work sessions, coffee breaks, and the like! 🥹

I am still pinching myself that I’ve gotten to experience the gift of being my own boss for 10 years now since starting up this start-up. They say “the Lord has a plan” and this company is one of the biggest examples of my life of that proving true - I wouldn’t have ever taken the leap or pictured myself as a business owner without His gracious leading, one small step and leap at a time. What an unexpected, faith leaping, hard work, sweat and tears, laughs and joys, rewarding, wild, growing and expansive journey I never planned to take it has been! My heart can’t contain all of the joy and wonder and gratitude over it all. 

There’s many more treasures of photos where these came from (can you tell which were the iPhone snaps at the end vs. the stellar event photography of our very own @forrest_addison_roberts / @addisonjones.co 😂🙏🏼🙌🏼 What a guy ❤️) as the gram limits me to 10, but will share more soon. 

Thank you to each and every one who came out to celebrate with us! Meant more to me than you’ll ever know. 🥲💝 

Thank you to my wonderful team @emmilyy23 @paulawalkertoney @forrest_addison_roberts without who I wouldn’t be here / would be a frazzled, running on fumes, forever hot mess. 😂😭🙏🏼 God handpicked each of you for this team. I am the most fortunate to get to work with each of you!!

Thank you also to @field_andflower for the gorgeous floral arrangements!! 💐 And @justpeachylr for making all my branded balloon garland dreams come true. 

I could say so much more, and thank so many more people, but the gram will also cut me off character count wise soon so - I’ll pause my gushing for now. 😅

Love y’all. ❤️
I have loved this @straydogdesigns handmade + emb I have loved this @straydogdesigns handmade +  embroidered lampshade floor lamp from a distance for about 10 years. Finally had a client go for it and order it, and unwrapping it yesterday felt like a long-awaited Christmas! 🥹🤩 #worththewait #ilovelamp
The coziest air bnb in Hot Springs, a couple of ou The coziest air bnb in Hot Springs, a couple of our favorite couples, icecream cake for all, hiking date for us complete with cupcakes + rosé in a cave… only for  @forrest_addison_roberts ‘s birthday!! 🥳😘 

I couldn’t let the year end without narrowing down a few favorite captures from such a special weekend earlier in December (which overlaps with our elopement anniversary now, but anniversary photos wouldn’t fit here too ha!) celebrating the love of my life. 

Thankful for such sweet friends to laugh and celebrate with. Thankful for keeping our birthday tradition of cake + wine in a cave, come rain or shine. Thankful to get to celebrate my favorite adventure partner for another year! Thanks for picking me to host your parties for the rest of your life. It’s a grande honor, and you’re the easiest to want to celebrate. I love you!

PS: if you’re traveling to Hot Springs, you absolutely need to check out @thewoodlawntudorandcottage and @thepaddockhotsprings - love these properties by @kaligoldenharris !! We didn’t want to leave and can’t wait to go back! 🏡
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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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