Kerrie Kelly

Guest Blogger Jill Williams Takes a Dip!

2011-10-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

Jill Williams is one of our amazing interior designer at Kerrie Kelly Design Lab. She resides in Chico, but works with us in the heart of Northern California. One of her favorite spots is at the 'ole watering hole in her hometown. See what she has to say about it!

Bidwell Park in Chico, CA is the home of picturesque One-Mile Recreation Area. An amazing swimming hole, Sycamore Pool, has been created here and is truly a unique experience for sunbathers and swimmers. This part of Big Chico Creek has a dam at one end allowing the creek to form a huge swimming pool. The bottom has been poured with concrete so swimmers can enjoy the clean, crisp water while still feeling some of the natural current carrying them downriver. Sunbathers are able to lounge on the grass under the large trees that line each side of the pool. Originally built in the 1920’s, visitors are enjoying this lovely part of Chico as much now as I am sure they did when it was originally built!

Jill Williams Tours Chico's Bidwell Mansion

2011-10-02T05:59:00.000-07:00

Guest Blogger and Kerrie Kelly Design Lab Designer, Jill Williams, is inspired by her hometown of Chico, California. Recently she toured Bidwell Mansion to understand architectural history in her own backyard—see what she found!

We are fortunate to have a wonderful example of Italianate-style Victorian architecture here in Chico. The Bidwell Mansion is a 3-story, 26-room home now turned into a State Historic Park. The home was completed in 1868 costing $60,000, an enormous amount at that time. It was well-known in the Sacramento Valley as a technologically advanced home. Some of the cutting edge features include modern gas lights, an air-cooling system, interior plumbing and salmon colored exterior plaster.

The Bidwell’s lived in the mansion until 1900 and entertained a long list of dignitaries in this understated and elegant home. Visitors included President Rutherford B. Hayes, General William T. Sherman, Susan B. Anthony and John Muir. The Bidwell Mansion later became a dormitory for students of the Chico State Teacher College and then the location for the Chico State Art and Home Economics departments. This home is open for tours so you can experience its grandeur as well as view many of the original pieces of furniture.

Take Flight: Sacramento's New Terminal B

2011-09-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

A new level of travel bliss is about to take flight at Sacramento International Airport. Having recently previewed SMF’s new Terminal B, I can say it is one of the most beautiful airports in the country. Airport officials revealed the opening date for the new Central Terminal B at Sacramento International Airport—the first flight from the new terminal will depart on October 6, 2011.

Nationally recognized aviation design firm Corgan Associates, Inc., in association with Fentress Architects, lead the design team for Central Terminal B. The collaborative design process included stakeholders, community members, passengers, and airport tenants who provided valuable input. The team is supported by over a dozen local architectural and engineering firms assisting with design of the various program elements. Those firms include Lionakis Design Group, Dreyfuss and Blackford, Kennedy/Jenks, Capital Engineering, TEE, Hatch Mott MacDonald, Enovity, and Lea+Elliott.

Central Terminal B will be the new centerpiece of the airport, reflecting the sense of identity that is the Sacramento Region. The complex will feature our local restaurants favorites including Jack's Urban Eats, Burgers and Brew, Esquire Grill and Cafeteria 15L, Davis-based Dos Coyotes and coffee from Old Soul Co. A 56-foot leaping red rabbit sculpture by Denver artist Lawrence Argent is located in the baggage claim area as part of an $8 million public art program.

The new complex uses sustainable building practices such as natural lighting, drought-resistant landscaping, storm-water management, recycled materials, low-energy lights and low-flow plumbing fixtures. Old-growth redwood posts that were once part of the Franklin-Thornton Bridge over the Mokelumne River have been used in the terminal's ceiling.

The terminal positions Sacramento International Airport for projected long term growth, with future expansion incorporating additional gates and converting the existing Terminal A to an airside concourse linked to the central terminal. The plan provides accommodation of growth well beyond the year 2050 through development of additional airside concourses.

Ralph Lauren's Gold Standard: One Fifth Collection

2011-09-24T05:42:00.000-07:00

Ralph Lauren's new One Fifth home collection was inspired by one of New York City's swankiest addresses, and its Art-Deco style pieces are very Marlene Dietrich and film-noir-ish. With a dramatic black-and-gold palette and rich textures such as gold leaf on shagreen and beaded chevron, the line is a departure from Mr. Lauren's All-American, equestrian designs. Likewise, Lauren's Deco state of mind was in full force on the runway of his fall womenswear show. The collection ranges from $40 for a glass to $14, 250 for a mahogany server and is available at ralphlaurenhome.com.

Jill Williams Adds Arches to a Gracefully Modern Chico Home

2011-09-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

Arches, whether naturally occurring, as they are in Moab, UT or manmade as dramatically exemplified by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, are structures of beauty. Our very own designer from Kerrie Kelly Design Lab, Jill Williams, recognized the visual benefits of arches and incorporated them extensively throughout the design of a new home recently completed.

The arches gracefully soften rooms and create a drama in this warm modern project. The added architectural interest compels visitors to not only look at the floor and what is in front of them, but to look up. Arches seem to welcome people into spaces and provide a lovely back drop for artwork and furnishings. As an additional bonus in this Chico home, Jill added an arched Palladium mirror to further emphasize this lovely architectural detail.

Marimekko NYC: Sets Up Shop in New York

2011-09-20T05:33:00.000-07:00

When Jacqueline Kennedy appeared on the December 26, 1960 cover of Sports Illustrated with her husband, America’s newly elected president, she was wearing a pinkish-red sleeveless, scoop-neck shift. The dress—a flawlessly simple cotton ensemble she found in a Cape Cod shop—and its designer, the small Finnish textile company Marimekko, became overnight sensations. Founded only nine years earlier by husband-and-wife team Armi and Viljo Ratia, Marimekko went on to define the high style of the swinging ’60s with vibrant fabric patterns and daring geometric designs that managed to be well-priced, well-made and chic, all at the same time. The look translated easily to the home, and soon the iconic prints were found on everything from chairs to curtains to coffee mugs.

In the past few years, both ’60s mod and Marimekko have seen a resurgence stateside, the latter thanks in part to the popular stores-within-stores at numerous Crate & Barrels. Now, in celebration of its 60th anniversary, Marimekko will finally establish a U.S. flagship: a 3,700-square-foot store in Manhattan’s Flatiron District. Opening this month in the famous Toy Building (also home to Mario Batali’s megamarket Eataly), the shop will offer classic Marimekko designs and products, but the main focus will be on new collections in progressive patterns and contemporary shapes.

Some of the most gorgeous fall offerings come from Belgian-born, Sweden-based artist Astrid Sylwan, one of the newest members of Marimekko’s design team. Sylwan created a series of three stunning abstract paintings inspired by elements of nature (harsh desert wind, flowing water and the ghost-like light that flutters over a marsh) that have been transferred onto textiles, tableware and bed linens. The painterly quality of the soft blues and blushing pinks seems to harken back to the famous magazine cover that started it all.

Guest Blogger Tracy Bowman: Heath on the Move

2011-09-18T05:40:00.000-07:00

By next year, Heath Ceramics will be in their newly acquired facility in San Francisco, “ We’ve got a big old factory we’re going to spend the rest of the year fixing up that will house our new Tile Manufacturing facility in the NE Mission. We’ll also have a tile showroom, and a Heath store, the space is big so we’ll be able to continue to expand and realize many of our ideas that we were never able to in our tight quarters in Sausalito”.

Heath Ceramics has been producing handcrafted tableware and ceramic tile since the late 1940’s. Some of the most prominent spaces, such as the award-winning Pasadena Art Museum’s exterior, is clad in Heath tiles. Because of the extensive offerings in their ceramic lines, including multiple shapes, sizes and colors, it’s virtually limitless what interior projects can be created with Heath Ceramics. You can even take it outside, for starters, replace your house numbers for a retro or classic look. If you can’t wait for the new Heath Ceramics facility to open, take a day trip to their mid-century Factory in Sausalito or to the historic San Francisco Ferry Building where Heath Marketplace opened up shop in March 2010. Continuing to share the magic of Heath Ceramics, Kerrie Kelly has conducted educational videos with Pearson Education via My Interior Design Lab. This multi-media downloadable interview will be available for viewing early next year. In the meantime, for more information, or inspiration visit their website at Heath Ceramics.

A Taste of Chico

2011-09-16T05:52:00.000-07:00

Once a year, downtown Chico, California hosts a fun-filled afternoon for all of the senses to enjoy, known as the Taste of Chico. One of our Kerrie Kelly Design Lab designers, Jill Williams experienced this event first hand last weekend! On September 11^thfrom 12:00-4:00, visitors were able to stroll along the streets in downtown Chico on Broadway and Main and enjoy small food and drink samples from local restaurants while listening to live music and viewing artwork by local artists. Restaurants, including well known favorites, such as Tres Hombres, Mom’s Restaurant and Smokin’ Mo’s joined in the fun with samples of their popular menu items. This year, over 175 restaurants, vendors, musicians and artists participated.

It is a great way to discover an upcoming local band or find out that you absolutely love that new Thai restaurant downtown. What a fantastic way to spend an afternoon and all of the proceeds from the tickets, which start at $19, benefit the Downtown Chico Business Association to enhance the town culturally. Cheers to Chico!

Brizo, Jason Wu and New York Fashion Week!

2011-09-14T05:52:00.000-07:00

After spending three design-inspired days with the Brizo marketing and design crew in product review sessions, it is clear, plumbing can be sexy. While others may think this is an industry of simple fittings, fixtures and finishes, Brizo has taken every inspiration and effort to make bathing, cooking and cleaning an experience. I now know they produce the most interesting and innovative products for kitchen and bathrooms out there. And no, I don’t just feel this way because Brizo brought me to New York to spend time with them and help them with their product research. I was among 19 other bloggers and designers who feel exactly the same way.

Brizo is design based. Their design team travels throughout the year to gain inspiration for their cutting edge styles and finishes—they are doing things with color, functionality and shape that no other plumbing company is even considering. Brizo opens all avenues for creativity to flow and seeing what they’ve produced for their upcoming 2012 lines, it’s certainly looks to be an exciting future for them.

Since Brizo believes that all forms of high-style can be achieved in the home, they understand that fashion contributes to an interior aesthetic. So why not promote the relationship that they have built with fashion designer, Jason Wu while inspiring designers from around the country? Brizo did just that by merging each of their worlds together while exposing us to their product line and fashion week. I was truly honored to have been whisked away to Brizo/Jason Wu’s Spring Summer 2012 fashion show during New York Fashion Week! Not mention, thoroughly inspired!

So many amazing new friends were made while we experienced the Brizo royal treatment! For example, Ashlina Kaposta, Barbara Segal, Brandon Smith, Cassandra Lavalle, Christian May, Emily Anderson, Emily Henderson, Julia Edelmann, Julieann Covino, Kathy Sandler, Katie Rosenfeld, Meredith Heron, Michelle Cortizo, Mindy Miles Greenberg, Patti Johnson, Raina Kattelson, Rebekah Zaveloff and Tyler Wisler.

I couldn’t have asked for a better trip! We were even put to the designer test with an Apprentice-like challenge which, winning the 2nd place out of 5 teams, was just the icing on the Brizo cake.

Thank you again Crystal Petersen for allowing me the chance to experience this due to your nomination. Thank you to the Brizo team and Jason Wu for inspiring me to look beyond the medium and push the limits of design and thank you to the MSL Group for helping orchestrate this unforgettable design event!

I Heart NYC and Utique!

2011-09-12T05:19:00.000-07:00

We already know NYC has everything, but sometime once you get to terminal 5 at JFK for the trek home, you want something more than a Dunkin Donuts coffee. And at first thought a vending machine isn’t gonna cut it—or is it? You can get just about anything out of a vending machine these days. There are iPods, selections of DVDs, and even hot dogs. I've seen my fair share of beauty vending machines throughout the past few years, but a new type of automated shopping is about to make me go coo-coo for some luxe travel goods from the U*tique Shop, the a luxury beauty product machine that recently hit the market.

While the company has plans to launch the upscale shopping device worldwide, they've just unveiled the first one at Fred Segal in Santa Monica and now one in JFK’s JetBlue terminal. Playing up the interactive factor of a touch-screen surface sans salesperson, this luxe-o-matic colorful machine uses a lighted display to appeal to your inner geek girl. Among some of the 50 frequently changing curated spots in the machine's cubby holes are Bliss, Lancome, Chantecaille, C.O. Bigelow, Lancaster, ZIRH, Lipstick Queen, and Zelens. How does a gal choose?

Happy Labor Day 2011

2011-09-05T06:02:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder why we get Labor Day off? What are we celebrating? Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September.

The first big Labor Day in the United States was observed on September 5, 1882, by the Central Labor Union of New York. It became a federal holiday in 1894, when, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland reconciled with the labor movement. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. The September date originally chosen by the CLU of New York and observed by many of the nation's trade unions for the past several years was selected rather than the more widespread International Workers' Day because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair, which it had been observed to commemorate. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the territories have made it a statutory holiday.

The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement. The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parties. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess. Similarly, some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school, although school starting times now vary. Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable for women to wear white.

In U.S. sports, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day. The Southern 500 NASCAR auto race was held that day from 1950 to 1983 in Darlington, South Carolina. At Indianapolis, the National Hot Rod Association hold their finals to the U.S. Nationals drag race.

Our Latest Venture: My Interior Design Lab

2011-09-03T05:57:00.000-07:00

I started a multi-media project over a year and a half ago with my dear friend and filmmaker, John Mounier, and the support of Pearson Publishing. Some of our interior design icons filmed in June of 2010 and many later, but we are finally coming to the end of the project called “My Interior Design Lab”. A companion book is coming out at the end of the year supporting the interviews all of our designers participated in. These designers include Joe Ruggiero, the Eames Family, Michael Graves and many others. The final package will be launched in Q1 2012 and offered to college level interior design students around the US to help them learn from these wonderful people.

Our video production team has put together the following snippet of many of the interviews. Please take a few minutes to enjoy it as we feel it will inspire anyone interested in the world of design.

http://www.youtube.com/user/kerriekelly100#p/a/u/0/VXIHkRSYbRY