Designing TV

As the stereo is always on in a bachelor's house, the TV is always on in mine. Once the dinner is made, the beverage glass full and the mail skimmed through, I plop down to do my usual multi-tasking with the computer on my lap and the remote control at arms length. The DVR is always programmed to record my favorite shows and once I look that over, I am usually scanning through for whatever favorite movie might be on.

Years ago I was an HGTV fan. That was when Mary Emmerling did her country show every morning and right after that Joe Ruggiano would walk us through some amazing interiors from around the globe. On Sunday nights they also had a show called The Good Life where they interviewed people who left their routine corporate lives to follow their artistic dreams. That show usually left me in tears as I was fantasizing for the day I wanted to open my own store. Ah, to dream... But then somewhere between Trading Spaces and Design on a Dime, something went awry. Suddenly TV hosts became anyone next door and the "You can do it!" mantra ran amuck (and the results even more tragic!). From American Idol to Design Star I know you are with me when you stare at the TV and say, "How did that person get on this show?" Such is not the case of my favorite must-see-TV, Sarah's House.


I discovered Canadian designer Sarah Richardson years ago hosting her first show on the Fine Living channel called Room Service. The show was good enough with Sarah starring solo showing small room makeovers and a few how-to projects. Her style was clean and fresh and she had a pleasant ease on camera. Then a few years later she and her design team launched a new show called Design, Inc. where you could see the work of an interior design company handling larger makeovers and some serious remodeling projects. This year I stumbled upon Sarah's House and it blew everything else she had done out with the bathwater.

The after picture of her 60's style split ranch complete with new windows and landscaping.

The side entrance from the car port!

The Canadian HGTV seems to have it going on with hosts like Sarah, Candice Olson and also my new favorite Mike Holmes of Holmes on Homes. Who wouldn't want this guy to build your dream home? The production value is so much better than our U.S. versions and the talent seems to be, well, real TALENT! Professionals with good, polished skills and education in their craft. What a concept!

What I learned: A soft pink accent color looks fresh and modern
when mixed with tan, not white.

Sarah's House (season# 2) starts with Sarah searching for a house to buy and renovate. Each episode walks us through a stage of the process one area at a time. First we see her finding the right property and hiring the contractor. Then, each episode tells the story of the design concept, construction and decor of that room; whether landscaping or backyard pool, living room or kitchen, laundry room or car port. From tear down to rebuild we watch her deal with unforeseen construction problems and quick solutions. But the real fun begins when Sarah and her design partner Tommy start the pretty side of interior design as they find fabrics for inspiration, hunt for antiques for furnishings and gather the usual cool objects to complete her trademark style. Unlike Candice Olson who uses all new materials, Sarah and Tommy love to dig for antiques and unusual lighting fixtures and their comic banter while shopping is also fun to watch. I am also jealous as hell as how they have such a plethora of facilities to choose from: the perfect upholsterer to not only recover but spray paint any piece, the cabinet maker to transform that vanity into a sink and someone else who can make any object into a lamp. But, she is an interior designer and you must have an arsenal of craftsmen at your fingertips if you want to serve your customer.

What I learned: Using a lighter color cabinet on top and a darker color on the bottom
helps warm up the kitchen and make it seems less utilitarian.

Although she uses a lot of vintage objects her aesthetic is clean and modern and more importantly: finished. She (like Candice) polishes her work to the nth degree. There is no crafty shtick going on here: no ridiculous paint colors or using glue guns instead of sewing machines. She's a pro and it shows and these are the how-to lessons the viewing public need to learn. She's a supporter of using the best quality where it counts (windows, floors, plumbing, tile) and cutting costs on some cosmetics (pre-fab cabinets, inexpensive fabrics). She is constantly concerned with the budget and openly talks about it on camera (in Canadian dollars) and for the last episode of each series she brings back the real estate agent to reprice the property to see if she could list it for more than she put into it. All in all, entertaining, stylish and so educational.

What I loved: A nursery with adult colors!

What I learned: Use the more expensive tile on one wall.

What I learned: Good design should be everywhere.
Don't overlook any room you use a lot.

What I learned: Resell value can be added everywhere.

BUT THEN! In her 3rd series she redoes a country house on 50 acres and another version of Sarah's style shines. The before and afters are amazing and watching how she and Tommy design the space honoring the country style but with her modern spin is really wonderful to see.

What I learned: Pay more to replace any original exterior design. (New windows).

What I learned: Unmatched chandeliers make a boring space fabulous.

What I learned: Build out a wall to add needed closet space.

What I learned: The salvaged barn wood ceiling adds texture and
wood strips help break up the wall height.

What I learned: Antique dark rugs look great with fresh white furniture
and the washed wood ceiling helps to keep it modern.

What I learned: Use the color grey somewhere if you have stainless appliances.

What I learned: The right fabric can create the right emotion.

The shot above from a restaurant design Sarah did.
What I learned: Home Depot chandeliers!

Now as I was gathering pictures for this post it looks like series #4 has been shot and will air soon: Sarah's Cottage! Set the DVR as I think you'll love it.

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...But Not Forgotten

From the home of Wendy and Fred Testu, former owners of Interieurs Perdu
in San Francisco. I know some of you remember this clock!

I had an unexpected personal micro-burst this week when I found myself cleaning out every drawer, file cabinet and tub of scrap paper in my office. Actually, this came out of necessity as I am knee deep in redesigning my website and also preparing for a Curious Sofa online shopping cart. (Yes, I am announcing it finally. I guess that means it has to happen now!) It was inevitable to add this part to being a retailer. Many of you have asked for it, so now I can sell items to our many fans across the globe as well as have the actual brick & mortar store for the locals. I have spent every hour of every day for the past month, searching, planning, designing and scanning all the graphics to finalize for my technical Jethro. Now I am ready to buy, shoot and write about all the items we will offer.


Five pages of the new website are devoted to all the press we have had over the last 10 years. Wow, am I ever lucky. I knew it was plentiful but when I had to finally sit and scan every single magazine, newspaper and misc. clipping- I was humbled. This task is what lead me to going through my office with a fine tooth comb because what had started as a simple manila folder of our occasional press had turned into a magazine shoved in here and a postcard tucked away there and some articles I still could not find. Now, I am organized down to the first printed sample of our business card from ten years ago.

Shown above, Great Jones Home in Seattle from many years ago.

Sarah Kaplan, the original owner sold this business and moved on
to Westport, Connecticut and changed her look completely with Dovecote.

I've written before how we are all missing our magazines and as I was digging through my boxes of tear sheets, I found some favorite stories from shops of long ago. If you are as old and diligent as I, you will remember some of these. Most shown here I never had the pleasure of visiting but oh how I wanted to!

Stacy Sindlinger's tiny New York apartment dressed for Christmas.

Stacy's Sindlinger's store was Rhubarb in New York City. I was only able to press my nose to the glass because I arrived after-hours some eight years ago. It has since closed but I remember Stacy at the New York Gift Show selling her own designs and also appearing on HGTV a few times.

When I first saw this ad in Elle Decor it stopped me in my tracks. A store called Sister Agnes? How cool was that? But also, the graphics of the ad were clean, edited and cool. It made me want to throw out all my layered, scrappy, shabbiness and tighten up my act. Later I learned one of the designers and creators of this shop moved to Kansas City and partnered with a local merchant to create Lula Mac, one of Kansas City's best high-end European antique shops down the street from me in the Crossroads. It has since closed along with Sister Agnes.

Can any tear sheet file be complete without a reference to ABC Carpet in NYC? When I first saw this ad I hadn't been to the store yet, but this also changed everything for me when I saw it. And when I finally entered the store in real life, nothing has been the same since.

Hope & Wilder, NYC

Long before I was a retailer I stumbled upon a store called Hope & Wilder in Soho. Later I saw their story in Country Home magazine and was so glad I had seen it in person. I still have a small chipped ironstone jar from them that I love. This store was clean, simple and countrified with very carefully selected pieces in the midst of NYC and such a welcome aesthetic to what was going on outside their front door.

Although all but one of these shops is still open, having these references still takes me there for a visit. Also, coming sometime this year, my tribute to Carol Bolton and her original Homestead shops.

ALSO!, local fans... PLEASE VOTE FOR US as your one of your favorites. We've been nominated as Kansas City's BEST HOME DECOR STORE!! Register here and see all the great local businesses you can support!

Ready For The Crowd

I am in love with these new giant vases with lacy motif. $65.95

This will be our sixth year of welcoming the crowds during the Prairie Village Art Show. We have gained a lot of experience doing these; what to prepare for and what items customers seem to gravitate towards. I always love this time of year when I can bring out the flags and seashells as there is just something so fresh and Americana about it. Customers seem to love it too.

Antique Painted Hutch SOLD

This chalky flamingo struts among the seashells. $155

Capiz shell windchimes, Large $48, Small $12

The seashells and beach objects are always a crowd pleaser (being in the Midwest) as these are not standard accoutrements around Kansas City. Inevitably someone picks one up and sighs as it reminds them of a wonderful seaside vacation they took in their past. We love them for their shape, chalky texture and perfect accessory for the bath or to brighten up your summer decor.

Abby Chair $2,200

Kate Sofa $3,600

This week we also received a new linen sofa and chair (always with washable slipcovers). We chose colors of sand and sea foam because we knew our pearlized shells would mix perfectly with the combination. A new antique hutch came out as well which has a wonderful crackling to the front doors. This is also painted in a lovely grey/green which compliments our summer room.

Giant natural sea fans $9.95

This giant non-working fan makes a great bulletin board SOLD

Old school maps of the British Isles SOLD

This great new canvas shoulder bag just in $85

Heavy dog tag key rings $12

Vintage rose paintings, most oil on canvas. $70 - $185

We are also adding our own spin on the Art Show by revealing our collection of vintage rose paintings. Shabby chic style may have come and gone but rose paintings are eternal! I especially love them next to an American flag or above a headboard near a lovely blue and white quilt. If you prefer a more traditional setting they can also be layered up a wall with transfer plates and framed prints as the English seem to do so perfectly.

This bamboo frame is especially rare.

Turquoise bracelets with random pearls $16.95

And finally, turquoise, turquoise and more turquoise. This is our second round this season. If you know me and how I buy jewelry, I never have much color going on in the store but opt for the classics of silver, gold, pearls and dusty beads- except for turquoise! Who doesn't love it? This is the only accessory you need with a soft white t-shirt or linen blouse.

Turquoise stone necklaces $22 - $28

Earrings $8.95 - $18.95

Leather cord and turquoise collar $88

Rings $10 - $28

Here comes summer. Make a splash!

Remember you can call the shop
for anything you are interested in:
913-432-8969