As many of you already know, Metropolitan Home’s final issue is out and just like that, another inspired magazine is a memory. 

In a message to the Metropolitan Home staff and Editor-in-Chief, Donna Warner, Hachette President & CEO, Alain Lemarchand said: “Metropolitan Home has been the premier publication for modern design. Over the past 26 years, Donna Warner has led the editorial team with a vision focused on the highest standards, which has produced this respected modern luxury publication. On behalf of the company, I want to thank Donna and her team for serving with such dedication.”

You’ll be missed.

I know that Thanksgiving was just a few days ago, but have you started decorating for the Holidays yet?  In case you haven’t, here are a few ideas that I wanted to share-

1. Remember those interlocking garlands you made in school?  What a great project to do with your kids.  All you need is some construction paper, old comics, magazines…almost any paper will do.  Cut them in equal links and glue together interlocking.

2. I thought this was a clever idea.  Wrap holiday lights around an old chair.  You could use it indoors or out. 

3. The ultimate in a green Christmas.  A tree that can be planted after the holidays.  It doesn’t have to always be huge.  I like the idea of this one that can also serve as a centerpiece on the table.

4. This is a GREAT idea!  Draw the outline of a tree using washable/nontoxic chalk on your wall.  Decorate with garland, a string of holiday lights, ornaments or even holiday cards.  After the holidays you can just wash it off.

In the Fall 2009 issue of Angeleno Interiors, I shared “What’s Hot & What’s Not” for Fall.

“For Fall I’m mad for plaid-especially Clarence House’s Archibald Muschio.  It’s a Hot color combo, and its over-sized scale is modern and sexy.  I am over recessed lighting!  Give me chandeliers in every room!”

I shared a family recipe in the Holiday 2009 issue of Traditional Home:

“Surprise friends with the recipe only mom knows how to make (until now).  For Kenneth Brown, it’s an easy tea-and-spice mix his mom has concocted for years.  You’ll need 1 cup each of the following: Lipton instant tea with sugar and lemon, Lipton plain instant tea, sugar, and orange Tang; and 1 teaspoon each ground cloves and cinnamon.  Mix ingredients.  Stir 2-3 teaspoons of mix into 1 cup of hot water.”

I keep finding rooms with great wood details - Take a look at the walls.  I really like the monochromatic palette which allows the artwork to pop. 

Remember all budgets deserve great design and keeping it simple is always a great place to start.

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    I love the “Art Nouveau” sweeping curves of this window and door.        They remind me of one of the Metro signs in Paris.

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  I am getting there.

This image has so many great ideas I had to share—from the simplicity
of the leaves tied around the container with twine to the twigs, nuts and
old images filling the next.

It just goes to show, good design doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

As I was gathering my ideas for the holidays, I saw this and thought instant tablescape.
To get a similar look use mirrored tiles. Place them down the center of the table; add candles and a vase with branches. All that is missing is family friends and food.

I have been using lighter colored wood in my projects recently and just keep thinking and seeing ideas everywhere.

Here are a couple of projects that show some great ideas using recycled flooring.

Love this idea-From below your feet to above your head. 
The table is pretty cool too!

Love the way they created the doors out of old flooring planks.

Hello:

Over the next few weeks you will see some changes happening to the site.  I wanted to give it an update, add/change some new images and implement some new ideas.  The first thing you will notice is the Ask Kenneth videos and some images are being removed and updated.

Thank you for your continued support.  Please check back soon to see what changes have been made.

-Kenneth