Summer Trends And A New Giveaway!!!

So The truth is...I hate Summer. It's hot and sweaty and everything and everywhere is stuffy and dry. Girls get way too risque with their clothing and they push the limits of what is appropriate a little more each year. The sun beats down on us, and even in the pool...the one place there is to almost cool off...you need sunscreen and sunglasses.

Although I hate summer fashion trends, there are some good things to be said for design trends...especially when it comes to window coverings! It's interesting to see the crossover in fashion and design trends. We hit the summer season and bring out all our lightweight cotton, linen, and sheer clothing and our homes follow suit! The photos in this blog are one way our homes reflect the style of the season: Using light, natural colors and sheers on our windows to block the sun or welcome the sunlight as we please.

Our window coverings focus brings us to our new giveaway! Follow the below steps to enter and you could WIN these Hunter Douglas window decor books!!!

THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO ENTER: 

1. Follow My Board "Things For The Home" On Pinterest http://pinterest.com/marykateboice/things-for-the-home/ Repin The Contest Entry Photo (The Photo Of These Books) To Your Existing Home Themed Board, Or Create A New Board For This Contest. Add Up To 10 Unique Window Covering Photos And All #KBInteriorDesign To The Description. Post The Link To Your Board In A Comment On The Contest Photo On My Board. Do All This By Midnight PST 9/14/12 And You're Entered!

2. "Like" KB Interior Design Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/KBInteriorDesign And Add Up To 10 Unique Window Covering Photos To KB Interior Design's Timeline. Do All This By Midnight PST 9/14/12 And You're Entered!

The Entry With The Most Combined Likes, Repins, And Comments By 12:00NOON PST 9/15/12 Regardless Of Method Of Entry (Facebook Or Pinterest)Will WIN!!! Winner Will Be Announced In A Comment On Both The Pinterest Photo And KB Interior Design's Facebook Page On Or About 9/15/12

We Are Now On Pinterest!!!

It took quite a long time for me to jump on the Pinterest band wagon. It wasn't that I didn't want a Pinterest account, I just didn't think I had the time to manage one...as evidenced by the fact that I have not been on here in quite a while either!


I finally had a reason to get an account, and that was to WIN! First Z Gallerie was hosting a contest, and I ADORE Z so I simply HAD to enter...and then I quickly became addicted to the entire site. It's such a simple way to keep all your inspiration in one place! 


I now have boards for the home, style, things for the kids (when I have them a LONG time from now), and my most recent is a travel board. Granted that one is for a contest through Expedia so it does have a theme. But if at some point in my life I actually get to visit the places on my board, I will consider life complete!


Go Ahead...if you're not on pinterest, JOIN, follow my boards, and you won't be disappointed. Personally I think there's some pretty quality stuff on there!


Have a blessed week!

Everyone Loves A Freebie!

Anyone who has been following this blog or knows me very well at all knows that right now I'm really trying to integrate my social media platforms in a new strategy for job hunting. I suppose I figure if enough people see this blog or my facebook and take a look at my portfolio someone is BOUND to see the potential for greatness and contact me, right? Wishful thinking? Eh...probably...but at this point I think it's worth a shot!
So, without further ado...that idea that brought you to this post in the first place...the FREEBIE!!!
Concept is pretty simple; when I get to 100 "likes" on my portfolio facebook page I will draw a name from those first 100 fans and one lucky person will win a set of striped throw pillows (shown below)! There you have it...now get to sharing and I'll post the winner's name when the contest ends!
The Fine Print: 
First 100 fans determined by the administrator's list available to Kate through facebook account settings.
Contest ends when KB Interior Design reaches 100 fans or on 5/1/2012, whichever comes first

Innovations 2012!

Because design encompasses so many diverse professions, here's a photo celebration of the innovations of the year to come.

The full article and image descriptions can be found here.

To Be "Shabby Chic", Or Not To Be "Shabby Chic"?

I'm obsessed...

...I think...

...with Design Star

But I was a bit confused by a room on this week's episode.

The contestants were commissioned to remodel guest rooms at a Jersey Shore B&B. One of the teams' concepts was confusing and got me thinking about what "shabby chic" means according to my interpretation.

Here are some photos that I found on HGTV's website:

The contestants making a plan for "shabby chic"

The before:

The after:

And this is more what I was expecting from "shabby chic":

So what do you think? While the room was good, it just wasn't what I was expecting. My interpretation is different. I'd love to hear comments and see photos of your interpretation of "shabby chic"!

Portfolio Musings...

I finally have my portfolio up on this blog! This was quite a process, as the portfolio first needed to be complete. If I've learned one thing during the last four years, however, it's that your portfolio is NEVER "complete". Just as my life goes through different phases, so will my career and design philosophy. My portfolio will display each of these phases and because it will never be complete, it will be constantly developing and adapting to the situation in which I find myself.

This fact can be rather overwhelming at times because I am such a goal-oriented person. The knowledge that my portfolio will never be complete is a wonderful thought because it means that as I grow as a designer, artist, and person, my portfolio can grow along with me. Conversely, this fact scares me to death because I will never be able to cross off my portfolio on my list of many things to do. Already, I know that I need to update a couple of pages and change wording to be more appropriate for a professional environment.

As my life undergoes major transitions right now, I just hope I can keep up with the portfolio updates!

I'M DONE!!!

I don't really have much to say right now except I'M DONE!!!

We had senior presentations last Friday and everything went as smoothly as could be expected. My display table was beautiful, and my flythrough got wonderful feedback.

I was very nervous about the judges and what they would think of my portfolio. Especially because my portfolio is exactly what I had always envisioned, but it is very different from my personal style, which I would define as classic...clean lines and timeless pieces. I guess that just shows I can be successful even when out of my comfort zone! Anyway, I was absolutely ecstatic when I was able to look at my review sheets and saw that I had received a PERFECT SCORE on both my portfolio AND my presentation!!! It was simply confirmation that even though I may still be on the job hunt, I am good at this and this is definitely the field that I was meant to be in.

Vern Yip

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting HGTV Designer Vern Yip!
Last week I got a text from a classmate saying Vern would be visiting the local I.O. Metro store. Vern has partnered with the furniture and decor retailer and is touring the stores, I suppose as a spokesperson. I was SO excited at the thought of meeting such a renowned designer, I simply couldn't miss the opportunity. So...yesterday was quite a full day!
First, my husband had class and a meeting on campus, then I had to finish homework. When Joe got home, I left for the super cute coffee shop near I.O metro, since I didn't know how long my homework was going to take. I got done with my work a couple hours earlier than I thought I would so I headed back home to see my man.
On my way out of the parking lot I thought I'd drive by I.O. Metro and just see if there was a line and whether I should jump in line or not. There wasn't so I continued on home. BUT...there are two extremely important things you should know before reading the next part of this post!

1. The store is on a corner in the parking lot
2. I look at other drivers as I pass them going the opposite direction

As I was pulling around the corner, I noticed the driver of the champagne colored sedan was none other than the exact person I was hoping to see in just a couple hours! It's safe to say, as a result of my stupid starstruckedness...and there I go making up words...my turn was not as sharp as it could have been. I didn't hit him, but I was definitely MUCH closer than I would have liked, or even should have been if concentrating on my driving AT ALL. I just keep telling myself that it really wasn't that close and that Vern had something else on his mind and didn't notice. *Crosses fingers* Vern, If you're reading this, I apologize profusely. WAY TO LEAVE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION, KATE!!!
Anyway, when the time was right and my girls were ready to go, we finally made our trip to the store. We stood in the rather short line and got to ask Vern a couple questions about our portfolios. He didn't seem to remember me as the dipstick who can't drive, so all is well.
It was a good meeting, and I feel I left a good enough impression that I won't be completely skipped over in a couple of years when I have experience and projects under my belt and am auditioning for Design Star. *Crosses fingers*...again!

Nurseries

I got an e-mail the other day from Crate and Barrel advertising a contest sponsored by their sister company, The Land of Nod. The basic concept is that between certain dates anyone can create a wish list on the website and automatically be entered to win that wish list up to $1500. I was stoked about this because I'm all about winning things!

I innocently got on to the site, thinking it would be kids furniture, beds, dressers, etc and I would make a wish list with a twin sized bed or something to furnish a guest room. I quickly discovered this site also has cribs and baby items. So...my wish list consists of a crib and mattress, an adorable organic bassinet with bedding, a car seat, stroller, high chair, some clothing, and a few random items.

NO...we are not expecting!!! But...wouldn't it be nice to have these things free of charge??? Anyway, I got on a nursery kick and just had to post these!

This one I loved because it's a really fresh green, and the lines are A-MAAAAAZ-ING! I adore the light fixture. Also, at first glance, the window looks like wall panels like the ones I have in my living room.

This one is sweet. It's very neutral and could work for boy or girl. I'm a HUGE fan of updating vintage pieces like that chair!

This one is very chic! I think the piece that makes this one stand out is that oversized mirror. Again, this updates a vintage look, from the lace curtains to the crystal chandelier and everything in between. Don't know how safe the space planning is though...look at how close that crib is to the window treatments and changing table/dresser...hmmmmmm...

This one is quite a fairy tale suite! The little one who gets this room is sure to be a little princess. I LOVE the bows on the crib and that all the large furniture pieces have been distressed and finished with a metallic paint.

And finally...perfection. THIS is what my girls' nursery will look like. Doesn't it remind you of Disney's Lady and the Tramp???