Art is one of the best ways to infuse color into a space. Great, affordable art can be found at Garden Ridge, Kirklands, Burlington and Target just to name a few. Check out these abstract pieces from Z Gallerie (www.zgallerie.com), each for under $100:

In addition to my tile fetish, I also love lighting.   There are three different types of lighting used in design:  general, task and accent.  The right lighting can give a space a very soft look and create a nice mood for the home.  Recessed lighting on the ceiling provides more even light distribution than a single ceiling light (fluorescent…uhg)!  Undercabinet lights in the kitchen area are great for illuminating the counter space when reading a cookbook.  Pendant lighting and chandeliers are accent lights which bring alot of color and style to your space.  Which lights catch your eye?

Sources:  www.ylighting.com, www.louispoulsen.com

My name is Kim and I am a tile fanatic!  I frequently visit tile showrooms and marvel at the variety of patterns and techniques.  From simple and understated to bold and busy, I love it all.  If you want to give your bathroom or kitchen some color and interest, consider upgrading your backsplash, shower surround or tub area.  Entire walls can be tiled as well, bringing an ultra-clean, modern look to the space.  Harlequin patterns, cushion-cut stone, glass tile, stainless steel tiles and tumbled stone are some of the hottest trends these days.  These looks are especially nice on fireplace surrounds.  Which ones are your favorite?

Sources:  www.daltile.com, www.marazzitile.com, www.arizonatile.com, www.interceramic.com, www.americantile.com, www.americanolean.com, www.modwalls.com  (Modwalls is on FB)

My breakfast room was in need of a serious style boost.  I realized that we rarely used it because it just wasn’t comfortable.  4 chairs around a table=boring!  I had been seeing so many banquettes used in dining areas that I thought it would be a perfect addition to cozy up the space and make me want to sit at the table again.   I found this one on sale at Pier One Imports. Now this is my favorite spot to sit and read a story to Drew, surf the net, have a hot cup of tea or a great dinner with family.  The lamps(Hobby Lobby) create balance and ambiance against the over-sized mirror (The Great Indoors) and the banquette seems to anchor the space.  If you have a room that you walk by more than you experience, consider bringing in some non-traditional, cozy furniture to create a unique look.  Design a room that invites you in to enjoy it.

It seems fitting that on this inaugural post that I give you some background on why I created this blog.  As an architectural designer for 14 years, I have seen alot of amazing architectural structures.  When I was a teenager visiting major cities with my family, there would be more buildings in my pictures than faces.  My mom recognized that I was interested in architecture and encouraged me to pursue it as a career (thanks mom).  The goal for this blog is to dialogue about architecture, design and what inspires YOU.

One of my favorite buildings is the Flatiron Building in New York designed by Daniel Burnham.   Considered one of the first skyscrapers, the flatiron building was also the first to use a steel skeleton as the primary structural element to create a Beaux Arts style.  Wrapped in limestone and glazed terracotta, it’s triangular, iron shape is the reason behind it’s name.  If you’re ever in New York at the 25th St./Broadway/5th Ave intersection, check it out.

So what’s your favorite building?