Kristin Drohan ~ One Kings Lane

Some of you may think I'm a bit obsessed with the Kristin Drohan Collection. You wouldn't exactly be incorrect. Here's the thing... I know something. You may know it too if you study the calendar at One Kings Lane. That's right! Kristin's furniture line is going to be featured there on Saturday, March 3rd. I still know something you don't know... ok, ok, I'll tell you... Kristin is featuring even more pieces on One Kings Lane than she has on her website! So if you've been looking at her Collection on her website, you've seen just how fantastic her line is. Now on March 3rd, you can see even more AND purchase at will. This is something you don't want to miss especially if you demand true eco-friendly, gorgeous furniture that does not make the pocket book cry. Still haven't visited her site? Here's a few more pieces to entice you...

The Francis Chair
The Jack Chair
The Lois Sectional

Don't forget... there will be even more to choose from on One Kings Lane March 3rd!

Kristin Drohan Collection ~ Chip Chesterfield

I love this sofa! Kristin took a classic and turned it into a fantastic look for today. That's what I mean, she has a traditional start and then adds just the right spin to add interest. Each piece as eco-friendly as the next. No compromises. What's happening?! Why have I been featuring Kristin all these days? You'll find out in the next couple of days I promise!

Kristin Drohan Collection ~ Lois Chaise

Ok, so here we have the Lois Chaise. One of the most comfortable chaise I have ever sat in. It supports my back and has real arms! You know what I mean about chaises with wanna-be arms for appearance that aren't comfortable or functional. Kristin had this one in her master bedroom when she lived my way. Throw a lovely pillow on it and its a show stopper. Can you tell I'm leading up to something?

Kristin Drohan Collection ~ Anthony Ottoman

C'mon! It doesn't get any better when we are talking about sophisticated ottomans. Did you know that Kristin's furniture is completely customizable? It is. She can even have renderings produced for you designers out there with your fabric on it to show your clients. Not tacky renderings either. Something that really coveys what it will look like. That's a nice feature don't you think?

Kristin Drohan Collection ~ Erin Sofa

How about this sophisticated little number? The Erin Sofa. Clean and classic. Did you know that Kristin names her one of her pieces after a person? An actual person close to her. That's how personal her creations are to her.

Kristin Drohan Collection ~ Grace Bed

Isn't this bed amazing? The Grace Bed. Kristin designed this with her daughter! I design with my daughter too so this really warms my heart. Can't believe it is eco-friendly? It is my friend. High style and green?! Yes!

Kristin Drohan Collection

Have you heard about the eco-friendly, high style Kristin Drohan Collection? If yes, you're in the know. If no, you will. Kristin is actually a friend of mine but that's not why I writing this post. Kristin's furniture fills a niche ~ the eco-friendly, durable, and stylish niche. Kristin, after having done many homes with children and pets who also wanted to be eco-friendly, noticed a lack of product in the marketplace. Sure there is eco-friendly not so much in a transitional ~ traditional realm. And not in a price conscious manner. Kristin got to work. She researched, sourced, researched some more, designed, designed, designed and viola ~ the Kristin Drohan Collection was born. Kristin continually researches, sources, and designs. Her work is never done. I believe her product line is about to explode. Is it widely known yet? No... but it will be in the next couple of weeks. So, I wanted to share my favorite pieces with you and the care and pride she takes with her line. It is really amazing. For the next few days I'll be featuring her creations. Do you like the one featured up top? I used these bar stools in a design and they just gorgeous. I'll get that project photographed soon and show you what I mean. Today I'm featuring a video of Kristin speaking about some very wonderful and interesting features of her furniture.



Intriqued?

Fun Friday ~ Design Divas + One

My dear friend, Kristin, is in town meeting with interior design clients and customers for her eco-friendly line of furniture, the Kristin Drohan Collection. Naturally, we stole an evening to get the gang together. We call ourselves the Design Divas ~ why?? Because we can. Seriously, we are all in design or related artistic fields. It's a lovely group of women. Back row left to right ~ Paula, Karen, Andie, and Beverly. Front row ~ me, Kristin, and the plus one, Cindy. We had a fabulous time talking, laughing, eating, and drinking. Cindy was the designated driver for Kristin and I as she is with child (and had a foot or two sticking out every now and then during dinner). We were quite a show for the other patrons but the waiters sure seemed entertained. So Fun Friday actually happened on Thursday night. Who knew Thursday could be such a happenin' night?! In complete seriousness ~ where would we be without out girlfriends? So this weekend give a girlfriend a call and have a chat or better yet spend some time together. You'll be glad you did.

Enjoy your weekend!

What Chaises Do I Like?

Today instead of telling you what's new, I thought I'd show you some pieces that I like. I am still doing Monday's Methods for those who would like a little design advice but nothing is burning on the stove for that right now. Usually I'll show you new products if no one writes in but not today. Today I am in a chaise mood. Folks often wonder what the correct pronunciation for chaise is. Is it 'chase' as in 'the cat will chase the mouse'? No. Is it 'chez.' No. The correct pronunciation is shez. So there you have it. Now when someone asks you to see their new 'chase,' you can say, "I love your new shez" and smile. Ok, here we go... Here are some of my favorite chaise lounges. The one at the top is designed by Alexa Hampton for Hickory Chair. Here is another Hickory Chair one that I love...
This is the Leigh Chaise.

Here are a few from Christopher Guy...





He doesn't name his pieces ~ only numbers them. You cannot deny their elegance and grace. Here is the unfortunate thing about them ~ they are not very comfortable. They look amazingly beautiful so if you would like a piece to look at but not use regularly, this line is for you. However, if you would like to actually lounge in your chaise lounge, I prefer the Hickory Chair ones or this next one...

This is the Lois Chaise from the Kristin Drohan Collection. Now this chaise is comfortable! It envelopes your back wonderfully.

I hope you enjoyed reading about the chaise lounges I like. Do you have a favorite one from above??

If you do have a design question, please feel free to leave it in a comment. If you have questions about a particular space in your home, send me a couple of pictures along with your dilemma to paula@paulagracedesigns.com.

I'll see you tomorrow for Timeless Tuesday.

Krisitn Drohan ~

I have written about Kristin Drohan previously. She is a dear friend of mine but that's not why I write about her. You see Kristin is an up and coming star. She is an extraordinary interior and product designer. I'm sure she will be gracing the cover of Traditional Home or Elle Decor in the near future.

Kristin recently launched her furniture line. It can be seen in its entirety at Decorati. You can also see her portfolio. It's lovely. Let's look at some of her pieces and interior designs.

When designing furniture for her clients and developing her line, she took great care to ensure the highest quality, timeless beauty, and that it be eco-friendly.


Kristin is Green Accredited Professional with the Sustainable Furnishings Council ~ one of the first 100 professionals to be so.


She has studied at the Les Arts Decoratifs in Paris. Tres chic!


I adore her Madison Sectional ~ I have it in my home.


Her beds are focal dream boats for any master suite.


Functional splendor with her storage bench. I have used it as a bench and as an ottoman.


I love the graceful fluidity of the arms on this chair.
Here is the daybed that sparked the genesis of Kristin's furniture line. Stunning don't you think?!


I'll leave you with one of her bath designs... just add a martini and I'd be in heaven!

Bold Wallcovering

Elle Decor recently did a story on the bold wallcovering trend. They selected some nice examples and ones that I could not fully appreciate. The one above is delightful. It's fresh, lively, and quite happy. I could live with it for a while. For me, the last statement is key ~ with this much pattern and color throughout the room, can I live with it for a long while or will I tire from it too quickly to make it worth the expense? Here are some others from Elle decor...

At first glance, I liked this wallpaper. Second glance, I liked it less. Third, even less. I doubt I could live with it for the long haul.

I wish I could say I could live with this one. It is relatively neutral but is appears busy to me. Love the chandelier though.

I could not live with this one. It is striking but for me, it is imposing.

I like this one very much. I could live with this wallcovering for a long time. It is soothing ~ tranquil ~ simple.

This one is from my gal, Kristin Drohan. She used a cork with orange metallic from Phillp Jeffries. I could definitely live with this one.

For me it's all about how congested the motif is. My eye needs to rest. Why then do I like the first one? Its the curves of the vines. I find them relaxing. While I love geometrics, the second one has a congested geometric type motif that would likely irritate me over time. The third one feels like the walls are closing in. The tree ~ ahhhh ~ a breath of fresh air. The metallic cork has the appearance of texture with sparkle versus a busy motif. Wallcovering is in the eye of the beholder. What I find busy, another may find divine. What I find soothing, another may find boring. The point is when choosing wallcovering (paper or paint), one needs to ask themselves ~ Can I live with this in the long run?

I have nothing against wallcoverings. The wallpapers coming out today are spectacular. My favorite application is to place it in shadow boxes when the room lends itself to shadow boxes.

Here's a room I did that is all about femininity and sparkle. The wallpaper in the shadow boxes has a large motif and has metallic features. It gives the room just a bit more luxury. However, I could not live with that wallpaper either if it covered the entire room. A little goes a long way (and it is a bit easier on the pocketbook when using high end product).

What's your take on wallcover? The more the merrier ~ love it in moderation ~ no way jose to wallpaper ~ __________ (fill in the blank)????

Don't forget to enter the art glass ornament giveaway! Winners announced Friday ~

Ode to Kristin ~ With an 'i' not an 'e'

No, this is not another pillow craze blog. This pillow is an association. I associate this pillow with my dear friend and colleague, Kristin Drohan. Never heard of her? You will. She has her own line of furniture coming out ~ a green line of furniture at that. You may have seen her on her own website and blog, Boulevard Interior Design...

Why do I associate this pillow with Kristin? For starters, she loves black, cream, and red ~ red is her favorite color. She also loves blue but her blue is a different tint than on this pillow. Then there is "Paris." She loves Paris. She has studied design there and recently visited again...

This is one of Kristin's rooms.... before
After....
The room and pillows are fabulous... but I can see the one at the top fitting in nicely.

Maybe you saw this picture....

I had to smile the first time I saw this picture. I have been in Kristin's studio many, many times. Usually, there are swatches of beautiful fabrics laid out in lovely combinations. She does it for fun ~ just to see them together. There are some on her bulletin board if you look carefully.

Why am I writing an "Ode to Kristin?" Because my dear friend is moving away next week and I am going to miss her terribly. Kristin is the type of friend I can call when I need to ask a silly question or to get an opinion. She does the same with me. I guess that is trust; a very important factor is any relationship. The thing is, we may call each other for a quick question and end the conversation and hour later off on some tangent that was interesting and relevant. Maybe not relevant to the original question but to life in some manner. It was Kristin that I called late one night to say, "I have made a horrible mistake... my house is half painted and I hate the color... HELP!" I didn't follow any of the cardinal rules I always follow with my client's homes ~ UGH! She came over first thing the next morning and gave the ok on one palette I selected after my phone call to her ~ I was calmer then ~ and I actually know how to do it ~ but she selected my blues. I did not have enough energy to select blues the night before. There we were running around my house with my painter (and his crew) watching us trying not to pull out his hair ~ or mine for that matter....

I know I will see Kristin because we'll visit and we go to Markets together.....
I stole this off her site... Kristin took a picture of the interesting Show Building in High Point. That is me in the red, white, and blue outfit looking at Show standing with our friend Karen Dunlap ~ another wonderful designer.

Fun things always happen when Kristin and I go to Market. I will never forget the day we went into a certain new showroom (new to us) to preview some items for clients. Kristin is very attractive, and, well I am no slouch. We were also with our friend Lori ~ also quite a looker. The reps in the showroom were very happy to see us. A bit too happy perhaps. More and more reps came to help us ~ all men. I have never received service with a smile quite like that before. You would have thought that they had never seen attractive women. I am quite sure it was Kristin that was the ringer though. When I called my rep, who I had met that visit, a few weeks later to place an order, I explained that I met him at Market ~ he did not recall me by name. "What products did I show you?" he asked. I told him. He still couldn't place me... finally I said, "I was one of the three rockin' babes." Seriously, I said that. Ding, ding, ding... "Awwwwwwww, yes.... how may I help you?" ~ once again, service with a smile... to this day!

And then there are the martinis. Her 'famous' grapefruit martini recipe is on her blog... she has actually published a recipe book on martinis. Ok, so it was a thing she did for a party favor ~ a fantastic party at her home ~ but never the less ~ it is my new favorite martini handbook. I had a going away party for her ~ the Design Divas. You may have read previouly on my blog about a particular group of my friends ~ The Design Divas ~ Kristin is part of that group. I served her favorite foods and grapefruit martinis. Lovely evening.

Yes, she's the type of friend I'll rearrange my precious schedule for when I think she needs me ~ even if she doesn't ask. That's what people do for the ones they love.

I'll miss her.

Now she's going to have to get her own wallpaper books and I'm going to have to get my own broadloom samples... carpeting will never be the same again.......