A bit of history from Wikipedia, Father’s Day is a celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement Mother’s Day in celebrating fatherhood and male parenting. It is also celebrated to honor and commemorate our fathers and forefathers. Father’s Day is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide and typically involves gift-giving, special dinners to fathers, and family-oriented activities. The first observance of Father’s Day is believed to have been held on June 19, 1910 through the efforts of Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. After listening to a church sermon at Spokane’s Central Methodist Episcopal Church in 1909 about the newly recognized Mother’s Day, Dodd felt strongly that fatherhood needed recognition, as well.  She wanted a celebration that honored fathers like her own father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran who was left to raise his family alone when his wife died giving birth to their sixth child.

Here are a few gift ideas-

1.  Trunkit Golf Gear Case will allow dad to store golf gear neatly and conveniently in the trunk of his car. This way he is always ready to play a few rounds.

2.  This sleek iPad leather case helps protect is from bumps and scratches.  Neiman Marcus will even personalize it with a monogram.

3.  Update dad’s old recliner with Flight from DWR. It is a recliner that doesn’t look like one.

4.  Give dad a terrific one-of-a-kind handmade basketweave pillow from Tie 2 Pillow.

5.  From the backyard to the lake, this is portable relaxation in bright-stripes from Crate and Barrel.

6.  The Sanctuary Charging Station from Blue Lounge is a beautiful, simple solution to a real everyday problem. A place to put the multitude of personal items dad’s all carry around so they are easily located again when later needed and, always fully charged.

7.  For the Iron Chef dad this Barbecue Boss Grillin giftbaskets transforms any grilling session into a gourmet affair!

8.  Help dad tame his wallet, watch, keys and other everyday essentials with a beautifully styled Deluxe Valet. This one is from Red Envelope.

9.  Cooler,cocktail table and coffee table all in one! Available from Keter.

Lighting can determine the mood and feel of a room.  A great place to start is with a floor lamp.  Here are a few to get you started.

1. I love the natural flow of the lines.  These would be great for use with a sectional or over a bed. For more info. check out Cattelan Italia

2.  This faux bois (“false or fake wood”) brings a bit or nature in the room.  The silver makes it chic.  This lamp can be found out at Neiman Marcus

3. It might be hard to tell, but this is mother of pearl.  It is timeless and will go with almost any interior. Available from Horchow

4. I like lamps that allow you to adjust them for use.  This one has a clean lines and an easy adjustment. Can be purchased through Restoration Hardware

5. Simply Glamorous! Check out Artemide

6. Recycle. This was made from a radiator. Fun stuff from Bobo

7. Faux bamboo is a classic.  I love the way they changed the shade to match the chair!  How fun. Good site- Shades of Light

8. Great used of wood and metal. Innovative design from Y lighting

9. Over-sized and dramatic. Modern looks can be seen on Frandsen Projekt

10. Classic tripod base with a colorful shade.  This makes it easy to update the look- just add a new shade to freshen up the look.  For more cool stuff- Y lighting

1. Each of these ceramic cups displays multiple layers of glazing-in one of four unique patterns. The have a slim design that fits perfectly into mom hands.

2. Displayed in three chic white pots and a matching water tray.  Mom can grow chamomile, lavender and lemon balm, their aromas combine into a natural mood lifter.

3. These unique bookends will help mom keep her favorite book collections perfectly upright between these two clear vases. She can even fill them with flowers, marbles, seashells and more.

4. As warm as they are comfortable, these soft felted slippers bring on the bling too-or at least add a touch of it in the form of sparkles that refuse to toe the line of boring bedroom footwear.

5. This votive samplers are a great way to experience the diversity of the Timothy Jay fragrance range.  Mom will think of you ever time she lights one.

6. Any bag can accommodate Mom’s favorite things; this one makes room for her favorite people, too.

7. Let mom get some shut-eye in this uproarious sleep mask reminiscent of Miss Holly Golightly herself!

If during these times you can’t afford to buy mom in your life anything, give her a call and tell her you love her.  That is priceless!

Here is where they came from:

1. Fine Home Products
2. Design Within Reach
3. Velocity Art and Design
4. Etsy
5. Restoration Hardware
6. Etsy
7. West Elm
8. Chiasso
9. Jonathan Adler
10. Restoration Hardware

PAINT- it is the easiest and most cost effective way to transform any room.  You can even create a great focal wall by just painting it and leaving the rest alone.

Give your home some Spring curb appeal by painting the front door and maybe even the shutters. 

Here are all kind of things.  One or two will give your home an updated look.

Sources:
1. Christina Table Lamp by Bungalow 5 from Clayton Gray Home
2. Blue Beaded Globe from Pieces
3. Vintage French Glass chandelier from Revival Home & Garden
4. Mira sofa from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
5. Vince and Vincent Lamp from Stray Dog Designs
6. Zebra Waste Basket and Tissue Set from Clayton Gray Home
7. Lacquer Umbrella Stand from Jonathan Adler
8. iittala mug from AllModern
9. Turquoise Glass Jars from Grace Home Furnishings

Sources:
1. Lush square pillow by Unison from AllModern.com
2. Turquoise Vases from Jayson Home & Garden
3. Large lucite frame from Dabney Lee at Home
4. Azure pillow from John Robshaw
5. Writing Desk from Russell and McKenna
6. Amanda Blue quilt by Roberta Roller Rabbit
7. Turquoise Pill Carafe from Jonathan Adler
8. Cyan pillow from John Robshaw
9. Ginny Shower Curtain from India Rose
10. Turquoise Moroccan pouf from John Derian
11. Turquoise Art Deco lamp from Target

If you are worried about being too trendy rest assured that this color has been around as long as this door.

Each room should have at least one unique piece that has a special meaning to you (even if it doesn’t match the decor of the room).

If the pillows made for your sofa look better on your bed, switch them.

When you can’t find the right coffee table, switch your search to dining tables and cut the legs.

Wallpaper the ceiling – it’s the largest visible surface in the room.

Buying green is great, but working with what you already have is even better.

Setting the table with mis-matched vintage china patterns is more glamorous than a table that looks like a store display.

 
Did you know that the peacock became the official national bird of India in 1963 and is protected by law in its native habitat?

   
   
     
 
In folk art, peacocks are often painted looking backwards at their tails. Because these feathers are renewed each year, this is considered a symbol for renewal.
Cultures around the world often pair parrots, peacocks, and doves as focal points in Tree of Life designs.

 

Although I feel that peafowl in general are often overlooked and under appreciate, especially in design, you can find them in modern to ancient cultures. 
They have even made to network TV, NBC-the “peacock network”.

Its time to start adding punches of color to your interior. Invite Spring in!

1. Switch out dark pillows with lighter softer colors.

2. Replace heavy window treatments with a lighter linen fabric or natural woven bamboo shade.  It is about using natural, lighter, outdoor materials and getting rid of those heavy fabrics.

3. Rethink your heavy wool rugs and replace with them with seagrass ones.

4. Change out heavy winter bedding with lighter bedding. Linen, gingham, toile and seersucker fabrics evoke the Spring mood in the bedroom.

5. Switch out the heavy lamp shades to lighter, linen shades.

6. Introduce wicker or rattan occasional furniture pieces.  A room with all heavy bulky furniture does not really allow for a room to breathe. 

Candy and Flowers
Ever wonder what to do with the candy box after all the chocolate magically disappears?  Just add some floral foam and flowers.

Food and Flowers To Go
Stop by and pick-up some of your favorite take-out, make sure to ask for an empty container.  Grab some flowers and floral foam from the super market.  Place the foam in the extra container and insert the flowers.

Are you wishing that Spring would hurry up and arrive?  If so, here are a few ideas that you can start incorporating in the midst of winter.

1.  Change your bedding.  Places like Mod Decor are carrying bedspreads.  The simple cool design comes from the actual stitching.  So, think solid and stitching.

2.  Update your bedside table.  When selecting a bedside table keep it in proportion with the bed.  If you have a tall bed use a tall table.  If you have a low bed use a low one.  Places like Room Service- LA have unique pieces.

3.  Lighten Up.  Often overlooked, lighting can dramatically change a room.  Having a bedside lamp is functional and allows another place to add texture and color.  This lamp has very clean line and doesn’t distract from the design.  The color ties back to the upholstered headboard and bedding.  So, your eyes go from the bedding, to the headboard, to the lamp to the wall covering.  This lamp came from Circa Lighting.

4.  Cover It Up!  Consider adding a wall covering.  It adds that finishing designer touch. 

While walking through the LA Mart I found some very clever products using recycled materials.  They would make great weekend projects.

This light is made from cleaning product containers. 

Hello!

I hope you are enjoying the holidays.

I wanted to let you know about an online design event that I am excited to be participating in. It starts next Monday, January 4th!

2010 is the beginning of a new year, a new decade, and new ideas for design solutions.
Over the course of ten days, January 4-8 and January 11-15, ten will bring you design ideas from the experts that will help us stick to New Year’s Resolutions in style.

ten is a collaboration between two popular design bloggers:
• Benjamin Moore’s Sonu Mathew of Living In Color with Sonu and
• Kathy Barlow of HomeWorkshop.com

Each day of ten, you’ll learn from one of 10 top design experts, about a fun New Year’s Resolution that relates to home design, decorating and color.
I will be covering the resolution “Improve Your Relationship” on Thursday, January 7th!
Each day, you’ll even have a chance to win a cool prize, relating to the resolution.

Check out the list of experts and learn more at tendesigndays.com;
tell your friends, and I’ll see you there next week!

Thank you and Happy New Year!!
Kenneth

FURNITURE PLACEMENT
Before your guests arrive, walk through the entire party space, taking note of the placement of furniture. There should be at least 18” of clearance for pathways between furniture.
Don’t forget to create conversational groupings, (seating for 2 or 3 in fairly close proximity to one another), to allow for your guests to talk.

CLUTTER PATROL
When you are reviewing your furniture placement, it’s a good opportunity to assess your “clutter.” View your décor as a newcomer would see it.
Does the décor (I’m talking about the smaller items in a room—pillows, pictures, collectibles) project the image that you want? Is there the potential for a party mishap based on the clutter (i.e. a grouping a tabletop pictures that could fall or break with the slightest jostle)?

BEVERAGE CENTER
I suggest setting the beverage center in between the entrance and the main party space.
Stock the beverage center: in addition to the beverages, include glasses, a bucket of ice, tongs, whatever implements you need for your service (corkscrew, bottle opener, can opener, straws), any accompaniments you desire (cherries, lime twists, olives, lemon wedges), and a couple of bar towels to take care of spills.

FOOD CENTER
Set out your food in one larger area, and perhaps scatter bowls of snack foods (chips, nuts, candies) throughout the party space.

TRASH CONTAINERS
Use one can per room, and make sure that the can is lined with a plastic bag. I usually store additional plastic liners in the bottom of each can to eliminate any frantic searches for fresh

JUST IN CASE
Inevitably, every party has some sort of minor disaster. The best defense is a strong offense—in other words, accept that there may be a spill or similar, and prepare for it.

FINISHING TOUCHES
• Make an eye-catching door decoration by tying a length of festive ribbon onto a wreath and hanging a selection of baubles from it.

• Inexpensive cameras placed around in trays are sure to capture some of the evening’s events.

• Candles and tea lights make a room feel festive.

• Everyone has a hard time keeping tabs on his or her drink at a party. Take some card stock, cut into small pieces, punch a hole and place a piece of ribbon through the hole and tie to the glass. Number them or leave blank and let the guests write their names.

Happy New Year!  Thank you for making 2009 so memorable and here’s to 2010.

After opening all our presents, we are left with piles of wrapping paper. Each year it takes several garbage bags to clean up the mess and you haven’t done much in the area of recycling.

1. Use a piece of wrapping paper to cover a cork board and hang it on the wall. Now you have a festive board to leave messages and your to-do lists.

2. Cut the paper into small pieces and leave them by the phone. Use the white side of the paper to write down messages.

3. Stuff the crumpled up wrapping paper in shoes, purses, hats.. to keep the form.

4. Use the paper around the base of a bouquet of flowers you are taking to someone special.

5. Measure your drawers or cabinets. Cut the paper to fit and insert.

 

]]> 2009-12-25T03:58:55+00:00 http://kennethbrowndesign.com/kbd_main/journal/please_vote/ http://kennethbrowndesign.com/kbd_main/journal/please_vote/#When:01:04:50Z YOUR VOTE COUNTS

If you enjoy the blog, please vote for Kenneth Brown Design in the “Home Design” category for Apartment Theapy’s 2009 Homies—Thank you!!!

 

]]> 2009-12-23T01:04:50+00:00 http://kennethbrowndesign.com/kbd_main/journal/happy_holidays/ http://kennethbrowndesign.com/kbd_main/journal/happy_holidays/#When:17:00:14Z

Happy Holiday to you!

I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you for your continued support and well wishes. I wish you and yours a happy healthy holiday. Sometimes the best gifts are those that are free like; a smile (thanks for bringing one to me), a thank you, a child eyes when they awake on Christmas morning to see what Santa left under the tree. I hope you find what you’re looking for underneath the tree too and this holiday finds you in the warmth of your home with family and friends.

2010 has many new and exciting plans for us and I am thankful for you to allow me to do what I do best- creating rooms and products for all budgets, because everyone deserves to live a beautiful life.

-KB

THE FOUNDATION

Color is the language of design, if you have no color, you have no voice. In this kitchen, which has a very muted palette with white walls and cabinets and stainless steel appliances, I incorporated color by choosing bright chairs.

ENLARGE A SMALL ROOM

When it comes to making a small room appear bigger, believe it or not I suggest filling it with furniture. The catch? Use fewer pieces of larger scale furniture. In addition, I love big, canvas paintings. They act as additional windows and work to extend the eye beyond the room.

LIGHTEN IT UP

For rooms that get little natural light, start with the plane on which everything sits. It’s all about flooring materials. Brighten up the floor by using a light-colored area rug. It adds an instant lightness to a room.

UNCONVENTIONAL UPDATE

Perhaps the most dramatic way to change the look and feel of a room is with the lighting. I am a huge fan of chandeliers and often includes them in rooms where you wouldn’t normally find them. They bring a certain character to a space. I’m so tired of recessed lighting; it can make a room like a football field.

BALANCE

I prefer a rich color palette. I love mossy greens, terra cotta and browns, all very romantic colors.  But be careful not to overdo it. With this room, the rug and throw provide the pop of color, which highlights the speckled brightness of the wallpaper. To balance the color and avoid busyness, the bed, lamp and side table are monochromatic with simpler lines.

1. Secondhand Shops: used goods are great buys! Visit flea Markets, eBay, garage sales and moving sales. People that are moving are more willing to negotiate on pieces, which will save you money.

2. Use Color: be bold, layer and contrast. Don’t be afraid of your walls! Paint is the biggest bang for your buck. Think about keeping ceiling and moldings white so the wall color bounces excitement into the room. When looking from one room to the next, remember to layer your colors so they work well together. Additionally, accent colors add personality to the room.

3. Area Rugs: guaranteed to warm up any space. To make a living room more comfortable, bring in a large area rug so friends can feel comfy lying on the floor. Check out carpet remnant stores to save money on store-bought area rugs.

4. Buy Practical Furniture: when picking a sofa, choose something neutral and basic. Use pillows for punch. This piece will be the biggest part of any budget so you want it to be timeless. Ottomans make great flexible seating pieces that are easy to move around for a party.

5. Ohhh Factor: mirrors add sparkle, space & light. For a super glam look, place loads of votive candles on the mirror to add that extra sparkle.

6. Spray Paint: used for an instant face lift. Accent pieces that look dingy or too “grandma’s place” are instantly updated with white spray paint. It’s a $2.00 quick fix!

7. Accesorize: find inexpensive, everyday items at the grocery and book store. Combine a basic white mixing bowl and a bag of fresh limes. Together they add instant punch to your coffee table – they’re also good to mix into your margarita or diet coke! Look for used books at garage sales and stores. Select larger hardback books with colors on the cover that tie into your room’s décor.

8. Plants: keep life in your living room. Orchids add a sense of natural beauty.

9. Take Your Time: leave a fast makeover to the designers. By going slow, you will save money and not feel the need to buy everything you see right away. This allows you to make smart decisions, thus creating smart design.

When taking on a project, remember my motto…all budgets deserve good design!

Color Flair: Don’t be afraid to add in unique, bold colors that stray from the traditional red and green. Work in unusual color schemes such as purple, pink, and gold. The colors blend well and really brighten up a room.

Festive Furnishings: Make an impact by switching out everyday pillows and throws with ones in holiday hues. Throw in a few bright pillows with embellishments or bedazzled jewels for a cutting-edge look. Also make your furniture festive with decorative slipcovers in rich fabrics like velvet.

Seasonal Centerpieces: Create a super, simple centerpiece from the grocery store—purchase fresh produce (apples and pears) and place them in a bowl or on a plate. Finish off the look by adding garnishes of berries, leaves, and nuts.

Topiaries Galore: Purchase Styrofoam cones from a local craft shop and hot-glue candy onto it, creating a holiday topiary. Candy that works well: sugar-covered spice drops, red-and-white peppermint drops, gummy bears, jelly beans, etc. The same principle can work for making a wreath for your door using circular-shaped Styrofoam.

Light the Way: Take down curtains in the living room (or room of your choice) and create drapes using grapevine lights over a curtain rod. Add snowflake lights, crystal icicles, and glass balls for more flair.

Basket of Presents: Tidy up the area under the tree by putting the presents in straw baskets and placing those around the tree for a cozy, finished look.

Apple of Your Eye: Decorate using faux fruit from a crafts store. Red and green apples can be pierced and strung with wire to create garland around doorframes and entryways. Smaller fruit can be used as garland on the tree.

Wishing Wall: Bring back the memories year after year by creating a holiday collage with photographs, cards, and more that hangs on the wall each season. Secure all these items on a framed cork board and decorate with ribbon and garland. Continue to add/update memories each and every year.

Happy Holiday Decorating!!

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.

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.

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.

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