Kate Klein Design

Room Makeover

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth!!  We are well underway in the Juice/Kate Klein Design Room Makeover contest!!  I can't reveal the winner or the before/after shots for a few more weeks!!  Sorry!!

I selected a fun paint color for the contest winner and coincidently she shared that she has carried almost the identical shade in her purse for years because she loved the color.  I think we are off to a good start!

On another note, check out piperlime.com this week.  (I have referenced shoes from the website in some of my previous posts).  Right now, the company is holding a contest called "Be a Designer."  Tell Piperlime why you should win an all-expense paid trip to NYC and have the opportunity to design a pair of shoes to be sold exclusively on Piperlime.com.  Yes, I have already entered!!  The contest runs until August 14 so check it out!

Photo on Flickr by AmberLu

Insight On My Interview

Thank you to Michael Libbie of Insight Marketing, Advertising & Communications, for the invitation to be his guest on his Sunday morning radio show, Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country, on 98.3 WOW-FM.  I met Michael at an executive speed networking event this past June. Michael and I caught up and chatted this morning.  It was my first radio interview so I wasn't quite sure what to expect.  Michael made it easy to converse that I think I had relaxed a bit by the first commercial!  Michael has a great radio presence.  I highly recommend to listen each Sunday morning as well as read his blog.

Michael was so kind to promote the Juice/Kate Klein Design $1,000 Room Makeover contest that runs thru this Wednesday.  I do know entries have been submitted to Juice but you still have a few more days to submit your photo and tell us why your room deserves to win the makeover!!  I can't wait to select a winner!

Thanks again Michael! I had fun and apologize for being directionally challenged, but relieved I found the studio in the nick of time!

Room Makeover Contest

I am extremely excited to partner with the wonderful people at Juice (Des Moines Register weekly publication) for our Room Makeover Contest.  Go to dmjuice.com and tell Juice and Kate Klein Design why a room in your home should be selected!  The winner receives a design consultation from Kate Klein Design and $1,000 towards new furnishings from Juice and Kate Klein Design.  That's right!  Juice and KKD will award one lucky winner $1,000 to use towards new furnishings and accessories for their "new" room!!  Entries will be accepted thru July 25th and the winning entry will be selected by July 27th.  The winner will be highlighted in an upcoming August edition of Juice.  I can't wait to select a winner.  A $1,000 can go a long way!

A HUGE thank you to Olivia Howe, Arturo Fernandez and Chris Snider at Juice.  I am so excited and fortunate for this opportunity.  Thank you!! You are all awesome!  A big thank you to Fab'rik for allowing Arturo and me to visit last week.

Many of you have asked what kind of room would qualify.  My answer...anything goes!  The room can be anything from plain with white walls and great potential to a dark basement with green shaggy carpet, wood paneling and a Miller High Life ceiling fixture.  If you think your room deserves to win, then by all means, submit your entry to Juice already!!

Picture by Littlepea2 on Flickr

Color Your World

I love color.  It must stem from the days I lived with stark white walls in my numerous apartment rentals.  I recall my first home purchase.  I walked inside to view the property and I couldn't believe my eyes. The walls were peach...or maybe orange sherbert...the jury is still out on that one.  (For the record, I am not putting down peach...it was sort of a decorating challenge for me at the time!!)  The color didn't dissuade me...it was my first home...and my first opportunity to PAINT!!  Every room was transformed into a different color.  I used navy in the kitchen, taupe in the great room, barn red in the guest bathroom, butter yellow in one bedroom and Wedgewood blue in the other bedroom.

I remember when the time came to sell. A few of the potential buyers were suprised by the array of colors that adorned my walls. The property sold and it sold quickly.  That is the beauty of paint.  Paint can completely transform the look of a room.  Your individual paint selections can change as your style evolves and paint can express you and your personality! I found a fun color tool from HGTV.com called Color Code.  Choose a shade on the color wheel and it will reveal your personality. 

Photo from Flickr by SFSteve

Pillow Talk

Pillows are a great way to enhance the look of a room or add a splash of color  to a sofa, chair or bed.  They provide an inexpensive way to alter your current style in a living room or bedroom without spending a lot of money! I found these pillows on bluefly.com by Thomas Paul.  Throw pillows are fun to mix and match different patterns and different colors on a solid color sofa or chair. 

Bargain Hunter

Some of the closest people to me will vouch for the fact that I love to  decorate.  But...I have more fun finding great bargains and creating a fabulous look for less!!  Check out this beautiful distressed table and black chairs.  Throw in the black hutch and buffet and you have a complete look for a little over $1,400!!  If you like to accessorize, see the rooster chandlier with black lampshades.  Don't forget the toparies!  Find the complete look at JCPenney...all for  under$1,500.                   Now...isn't this fun??