SLK Design Studio

02/08/2017

I love this chair...LOVE! http://www.cb2.com/kaishi-chair/s249291

Shop kaishi chair. High-end design for a modest price lies at heart of our collaboration with Los Angeles-based designer Ross Cassidy.

09/07/2016

I posted a site visit video on my Instagram Story! If you want to see some of what I'm working on you can find me on under slkdesignstudio.

07/07/2016

It's been far too long since I've updated this page - my apologies! Between traveling to Indiana to visit family for my nephew's graduation and the new project I'm working on, I've been keeping pretty busy!

So this new project...it's in Los Olivos, CA and I'm pretty excited and our demo date is coming up next week! The project is a 3 bedroom ranch style house built in the early 70's and we are doing a complete remodel. There is also a 1 bedroom unit attached on the other side of the garage that is going to get a facelift to compliment the main house too!

If you are unfamiliar with the area, Los Olivos is well known for it's vineyards and tasting rooms. The property was formerly utilized as a horse farm and has a huge amazing red barn on it too! I feel right at home in this environment and have been really enjoying the time I spend up there.

There are many plans we have for this property that I will share as I can! Meanwhile, you can check out my Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/slkdesignstudio/) to see more images from project as it unfolds!

interior designer : vintage curator

05/18/2016

Working on reflected ceiling plans today! I can't wait to share the project I'm working on!

03/25/2016

Here are a couple of pictures from another project that I completed recently. My clients just had their first baby when we met! They had also just purchased a sweet little cabin in Lake Arrowhead to serve as their own special nature sanctuary and sanity restorer! I absolutely loved working with them and now consider them dear friends. We had a great time creating a vision for the space and personally, I especially enjoyed our visits up the mountain to check on the progress.

Lake Arrowhead is about a 2 hour drive from Los Angeles but feels like a completely different planet! On our first drive back down into the city, Sarah and I saw a mountain lion cross in front of us on the road. Fortunately we were going slow and the whole thing happened in slow motion. We were absolutely stunned silent for a second so we could process what we had just seen! NATURE!

The project is going to be done in different phases and the first phase was to renovate the kitchen, bathroom, and redo all the flooring. In the coming phases we will be switching out the doors and windows, remove the 70's wood paneling and ceiling tiles, add new lighting, a new fireplace, and of course...furnishings and accessories.

Until they are ready to proceed, we went ahead and got them equipped w/the necessities that allow them to enjoy their time up there and entertain company. It's such a special space with gorgeous views and it's own built in gym (about 70 stairs to get up there).

03/12/2016

Ahhhhh Saturday! I just love days like today! One of my favorite things to do is get my domestic on by cleaning the house within an inch of its life. I just love when things are in order and freshly cleaned! It brings me a great sense of accomplishment and actually helps me relax. I'll be honest...if I had the time I would be one of those people who would spritz lavender water on my sheets before I ironed them and put them away wrapped in twine with a pouch with dried lavender in it. If that isn't Martha Stewart I don't know what is!
I am a huge fan of making my own natural cleaning supplies too. There is very little you can't do with some simple vinegar and water. In fact, one of the best things you can use to clean hard wood floors is a 50/50 blend of vinegar and water. Don't get me wrong, I always keep a container of nice toxic bleach on hand for those times when something stronger is called for but in general if I can do the job and not kill the planet, I will.
I enjoy collecting domestic recipes, tips, and ideas and often pass them along to clients. There are so many creative and simple ways to get your sparkle motion on. I also love using essential oils to create a pleasant smell instead of chemicals that often just give me a headache. You can even use citrus peels or other things you might find in your garden to do the job.
Here is a link to some great things to help in the domestic bliss department! Do you have any favorites that you would like to share?
https://www.pinterest.com/slkdesignstudio/domestic-bliss/

Pinterest is a visual discovery tool that you can use to find ideas for all your projects and interests.

03/05/2016

Who is going to be watching the last episode of Downton Abbey tomorrow night? I joined the party a little bit late but I have to admit...I'm going to miss it...I forecast some tears! I think they could have made the last episode into 2 though because there was just too much going on! I'm sorry...Mary should not be able to be such a horrible person AND get married in the same episode am I right?

I digress...this post isn't about Mary, this post is about the kitchen! The fashion and set design were my favorite things about the show and I just can't let go of this pot rack that is in the kitchen (pictured below). I would LOVE to have a project where I could use this to display/store my clients amazing collection of pots (that I hope are copper). Not only could this pot rack be a great space saver, but it could also serve as a focal point in the right kitchen with the right pots (which I hope are copper).

PS - what was your favorite part about the show? Remember the season where all the women wore purple? Gorgeous!

03/03/2016

As promised...here are some BEFORE and AFTER shots that my client sent me from one of the projects I just recently finished in Benedict Canyon. The back story is that my client originally rented this house and when it became available to purchase, she snatched it up! The canyon is an oasis in the city and her house is almost as gorgeous as she and her rescue pug, Rory are. That said, storage is at a premium and the kitchen? The kitchen was TINY and did I mention TINY?

I have to give credit where credit is due though - my client made the best of the situation for a long time but it was seriously cramping her style (which she has plenty of). The entire depth of her kitchen was the size of her stove! Forget having more than one person in there or any kind of larger social gathering. We gutted the whole thing and pulled the kitchen out for a more functional space that also created more of connected feeling with the rest of her space.

I had the pleasure of meeting back up with my client after the holidays to catch up and enjoy a meal in her new space. It was absolutely amazing and I was thrilled to see her so happy with her new kitchen! You can never underestimate the power of changing your space! We are going to start working on her new home office next week and I look forward to seeing what is in store for her in the months to come.

Photography by Toby Chi of the Defy Agency

03/01/2016

I was out for a walk the other day and fell in LOVE with this house! It makes me very curious about what is going on inside those walls! The symmetry! Those windows! THAT DOOR! I envision furnishings w/clean lines that have the perfect balance in materials. Some fabric, some wood, some glass - maybe even some lucite (but only one piece). I have a feeling there is a swanky bar cart ready to entertain on a moments notice. I imagine the art to be beautiful collection of sketches, abstract oil paintings, and some photography. I bet there is a fantastic view from the entry to the back yard (which is no doubt gorgeous) too.

**Sigh**

I wish I had the nerve to walk up to their door and ask for a peek inside but that wouldn't be creepy at all would it? Actually, yes...yes it would be.

02/18/2016

When I am purchasing a product or looking for a service for a client (or myself), I always try to look for reviews to see what others have experienced. I am so grateful for on-line reviews because it helps me navigate through a sea of options more efficiently. I have found some incredibly talented people out there that I otherwise would have never been exposed to. Additionally, I have also avoided some disappointing situations as well.

Here is a perfect example...I was looking at this Kate Spade Rose Gold Flatware set. Look at them! I think we can all agree that they are insanely gorgeous, no? I'm a HUGE fan of everything Kate Spade but I thought these utensils were especially beautiful. My finger was twitching to press "BUY" but then there it was...THE SINGLE STAR. A single star? "No way!" I thought to myself. Further research turned up the same results, which was that the rose gold peeled off after the first use every. single. time.

I can't have that.

More on reviews soon...

https://www.katespade.com/products/malmo-rose-gold-five-piece-place-setting/847833.html?cgid=ks-home-flatware&dwvar_847833_color=000 =6&cgid=ks-home-flatware

fact: using proper place settings and serving sets just make meals taste better (whether it's beautifully homemade or around-the-corner takeout). the sleek malmo set should do nicely.

01/26/2016

Where have the past few months gone??? My apologies for being MIA! I had a very busy fall working on a couple of wonderful projects and before I knew it, the holidays were upon me and over in a flash!

I'm finally coming up for a little bit of air and will be posting pictures of the new completed projects very soon! Meanwhile, I came across this fantastic vendor on Etsy and wanted to share! I absolutely love the precious illustrated products offered and am making my shopping list. I wonder if there is a bulk discount LOL?!?

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gingiber

**As seen in Country Living Magazine** Gingiber is an illustrative paper goods & homewares store based in the Arkansas. Filled with prints, pillows, &