Design inspiration from Kate Spade

I was all done pushing stripes until yesterday.

I got an email from Kate Spade that just screamed STRIPES! How could I not show you more? It was meant to be. The universe wants me to show you stripes. So here is part II of why you shouldn't be afraid of stripes.

You should embrace them.

Kate Spade in New York knows how to do stripes.

Wow. I wish I still lived on the East Coast.

All this color makes me want to shop.

Or eat a packet of Skittles candies.

Kate Spade Umbrella, $75

Rain or shine. They have you covered.

Folie Square Sophie, $275

The perfect tote for shopping in NYC.

Ribbon Mirabelle Dress, $595

Striped Lillith Skirt, $295

The perfect little black and white dress, or skirt,  for that summer wedding or cocktail party.

Note Cards: Live Colorfully Gift Set, $30

And the perfect little note cards to thank your hostess.

And that is today's fashion inspiration.

Thank you, Kate.

** All photos courtesy of www.katespade.com **

Last spring we participated in the Marin Showcase House with Kimberly Rider. It was a great experience. A lot of hard work for Kimberly. We got the easy part - making beautiful pieces for her room.

We (okay, not really "we") Kris volunteered to man the room on several weekends. It was a great opportunity to meet people as they came through and sell our design and and services.

Cathleen Prisco Gouveia

The room we had was the game room. It was on the third floor of the showcase house. Two other rooms were also up there. One was a really cool room for teenagers and the other was a guest suite.

The guest suite was designed by Cathleen Prisco Gouvei. Her room drews oohs and aaaahs from people all day long. I heard her repeat her schpiel dozens of times. So when people came up I told her story about the paint on the walls, the floor installation, the bathroom, and the Nana Wall system.

When I heard that she was participating in the SF Decorator Showcase house I was expecting something over the top just like in Marin. And I do believe she has delivered again.

This time she has a king size bed suspended from the ceiling.

Bedroom by Cathleen Prisco Gouveia

Looks like we're going to have to make a little visit to San Francisco to see this house.

Anyone want to tag along?

SF Decorator Showcase House, open through May 30th

SF Decorator Showcase House
2950 Vallejo Street
Between Lyon and Baker

**All proceeds benefit the financial aid program at San Francisco University High School

Nature inspires design

I often wonder how someone comes up with an idea.

I know the beauty of our world is often what inspires someone. I look at fabric all day. And I also get to see the beautiful countryside in Napa and Sonoma everyday. So much of what I see is in the fabrics that we use.

I thought I would show you what I mean.

Custom silk headboard

Throw pillows made from Pollack fabric.

Sonoma County vineyard

Leather Donghia fabric

Knotty vine