Smitten | Apparatus Studio

I'm back and sending big hugs to everyone who continued to check in over the past week, your kind comments and emails mean more to me than you can imagine! Today is literally the first time I've logged into my blog in a week so please bare with me as I attempt to get back into the swing of things. 

It only felt right that my first post back be related to my last. I received a ton of emails about the lighting in Emily Mughannam SF Showcase room so I did a little digging and found the source.  First things first, I have a major crush on Emily. Not only is she a talented designer, she's a generous one too!  Emily was kind enough to share the inspiration behind her design as well as some of the sources on her blog, Lucite and Lavender.  The lighting was loaned to Emily by Gabriel Hendifar and Jeremy Anderson of APPARATUS Studio.  The company began out of necessity, as the two looked for fixtures for their home and found themselves disappointed with the options. Taking matters into his own hands, fashion designer/interior designer (I'm sure you've seen this room), Hendifar began experimenting with vintage lighting components. His tinkering yielded some incredibly beautiful results. A chic track light?  Who would have thought! And there is no doubt in my mind that if I had the Cloud fixture hanging over my dining table I would be on cloud nine! Don't you wish you had one? I can't wait to see what this dynamic duo comes up with next!

(Images: APPARATUS Studio)

You Only Live Once

I usually try not to dive too deep into my personal life here on the blog but today is different. You see, my beloved grandmother, Maureen (posted about here) passed away this week and I'm having a hard time concentrating on anything but my family.  My posts have been and may continue to be a little sporadic over the next few days as I sort through my feelings and spend time with my loved ones so please bear with me...and remember, you only live once!

I doubt designer Emily Mughannam had a post like this in mind when she custom designed this neon light for the San Francisco Decorator's Showcase but as I reflect on my grandmother's life I honestly feel like this motto is shining in the back of my mind.  During my last visit to the hospital my grandmother introduced me to her nurse as her granddaughter the "designer"...in that moment I felt an extreme sense of pride -- it's a moment that I will always remember as try to live every day to the fullest and forge my career path and future.

You may be shocked to find out but Kerr is not my last name, it's my middle name and my grandmother's maiden name.  Growing up all I wanted was a "normal" middle name but over time I learned to love it. For blogging/business purposes, I've pretty much dropped my last name (Luber) all together so now, more than ever, I feel fortunate to have a part of Maureen with me every day.

(Images: Helynn Ospina for Emily Mughannam Design)

A Corky Bedroom

Finally, after years of dreaming about covering a wall in cork, I've found a client who is ready and willing! My client is moving into a duplex down and her son's bedroom is on the lower level.  The space doesn't get a lot of sunlight so we are going to paint the walls white then cover one wall with cork.  Covering just one wall will add a layer of architectural detail and prevent the space from feeling like a cocoon.  The decorative and functional cork wall will serve as the backdrop for a slim metal desk, vintage blue lamp and worn leather chair.  The carpet is staying so we're going to layer a striped rug on top then replace the hideous, white sconces with a pair of sleek, black lights. The icing on the cake?  High gloss black/blue doors!  It's a space that will grow well, actually, I kind of wish it was mine!

(Images 1-3: Miles Redd)

Alex Katz

I hope your weekend is as chic as this painting of model/actress Ulla van Zeller in a Black Hat by Alex Katz!  Black and yellow just go so well together!  Architectural Digest recently published photos of Mr. Katz' SoHo studio/home and the images are absolutely inspiring so be sure to check them out. See you Monday!


(Image Photography by Todd Eberle for AD)

Design Hunter | Footed Egg Cup

I love a good design hunt. This weeks mission? A vintage, footed, silver egg cup. I about died when I saw this photo on the lovely Ms. Erica Cook's blog, Moth Design...you know I can't pass up a good paw! The cup is the perfect size for matches but I plan to use it to store Q-Tip.  Who said bathroom storage can't be beautiful? 

(Image via Tracey Ayton)

Amourouse!

I Amour Amourouse! I know I just posted one of designer Eva Elz's fabulous swimsuits on Friday but these bikinis are so good they deserve their own post! These suits are by far the most stylish (and affordable) I've seen this season...that big bow had me at hello! I already have quite a few weekend trips in the works for this summer so new beachwear is at the top of my wish list. Would you go for the sailor stripes, preppy seersucker, classic black, wholesome polka dots, or nineties floral? Oh man, I kind of want one of each…

My Weekend in Pictures

 Good Morning and happy Monday to you!  I hope you had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Before I start my weekend recap I just wanted to take a moment to discuss this stunning beach shot of my grandmother, Maureen, that I found at my parent's house over the weekend (she’s going to kill me for sharing it!). I can't wait to find a vintage silver frame for it –I plan on hanging it next to this beach shot of my father's parents. I love you Nanny and I wish I could have spent Mother's Day with you!

It's been a while since my last "Weekend in Pictures" post so it feels good to get back in the swing of things. On Saturday I stopped in the Jonathan Adler store to check out their crazy, beautiful selection of needlepoint pillows.  This tan, ivory and gray grouping was my favorite.

Since I posted about my love of black and blue last week I was pleasantly surprised to see this lovely vignette in the corner of the store.

It's too bad my dog, Pinkie, doesn't have a bank account because if she did I would have asked her to buy me this charade square studded box for Mother's Day.

I ended up bringing home these pillows to show a client.  You like? 

Proof that I dress the way I decorate.  I went to a friend's going away party on Saturday night (love you Becky!) and decided to dress up my Current Elliot boyfriend jeans by wearing them with my new favorite Zara heels.

On Sunday I headed to the burbs to helped my parent's pick a paint color for my dad's tv room.  We decided on the paint in bottom right corner, Slipper Satin by Farrow & Ball.  My parent's house is very traditional so I'm happy that I finally convinced my dad to step out of his comfort zone and go with a color that has a bit of gray in it (he's a tan man).

I can't wait to share the room once it's complete!  My dad is a very talented woodworker and built this low storage bench for under the window.  I'll have to share all his other projects someday soon.

On my way back to the city I stopped by Blick where I found the perfect (inexpensive) "art" for a client's living room.  I can't wait for her to see it!

How was your weekend?  Any big plans for the week ahead?

(photos via Instagram, follow me: kristinkerr)

Currently Coveting | Etsy Finds

It felt like the rain and clouds were never going to leave Chicago but the sun is finally out just in time for the weekend!  Although summer is technically still over a month away, today's sunshine is making me dream of beached and bikinis.  I've got the summer itch so today I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite warm weather finds from Etsy.  To me nothing says summer like nautical stripes, white porcelain, sea creatures and a pop of pink.  Happy weekend!

life is beautiful linocut print // sweetgum porcelain bowl // seahorse tea set // large purple barnacle // green cube from the colour store // knot your momma's earring // navy and white striped bow bandeau bikini //

Mad About Hue | Black + Blue

Whoever said that black and blue clash was clearly mistaken! This killer combination has been the top topic of my pinning lately.  It's bold and dramatic and looks great both in fashion and interiors.  Navy and black is a classic combination that works well with cognac brown and crisp white whereas cobalt and black is a trendier option that feels vibrant enough for summer.  Above are a few of the cobalt accessories I've got my eye on for the hot summer months ahead...

chalcanthite mineral / oil painting / givenchy antigona tote / charles by matthew zink bikini / python frame / madeline weinrib blue clair simon pillow / stripe pillow / yves klein book

(Images 1, 2, 3, 4,  5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)

Office Envy | Aerin Lauder

Last spring Aerin Lauder announced the creation of her new home-furnishings-and-fashion company, AERIN. The brand will include tableware, fabric, housewares, and jewelry much of which will be inspired by pieces owned and collected by Aerin's grandmother, Estée Lauder.  Though the collection is not set to launch until this fall, if the Jacques Grange-designed AERIN headquarters are any indication of what's to come then I know it's going to be great!

The space, featured in this month's issue of Architectural Digest, packs a colorful punch.  "Estée always loved color--living with it, wearing it, entertaining with it--so I've never been afraid of it.  I've always embraced it," says Aerin in the AD feature.  Jacques layered the former art gallery with colors and textures to make it look very personal and inviting.  The main room, anchored in neutral sea-grass carpeting and filled with a mix of modern and classic furniture, feels more like a private residence than an office.  For me, the moss-green velvet back-to-back sofas steal the show--well, those and the vintage brass vitrine filled with prototypes...time to pull out the magnifying glass!  If I had this office, going into the office would be better than working at home.

(Photography by Pieter Estersohn for Architectural Digest + Aerin)

Happy Weekend!

Hello, weekend!  My boyfriend is visiting from D.C.  We haven't seen each other is two month so this weekend could not have come faster.  No real plans, which is just the way I like it!   Happy Cinco de Derby!