Last month kaarskoker graced the hors d’oeuvres table during the trunkshow to showcase the latest jewelry collection from LubeyLu Designs. My fave place for custom lampshades, LiT, provided the venue. Nestled among the baba ganoush, crudites and fresh flowers, kkCANDLESTICKS and sleeves provided the perfect accent for the colorful beaded designs.
Thanks to Emily of LubeyLu for including kaarskoker at your event and sharing the pics!
The wood floors beneath our kitchen table have been, unfortunately, worn by the constant moving in and out of chairs. We don’t just eat at our table, we live at our table. The kitchen has a view of Lake Washington and is flooded with light even when the Seattle sky is gray and threatening rain. I shouldn’t be shocked that the floors finally began to break under our many special hours in the space. I wanted a rug that was old and dirty because it would end up looking as such soon after we acquired it. I found a red, thin woven rug with repeating tribal motifs. The color means I must change the kaarskoker on my pewter chandelier from Fancy Feather. I also have to change the artwork in the space, which is fine because I will bring my favorite painting from the living room into the more-frequently populated kitchen. The kaarskoker candlesticks on the table get new sleeves as well. Pictured are kkYKNOT Sahara & Gold; kkMARBLE not -yet available on website; and a vintage Arts & Crafts sleeve I found.
With so many new light fixture on the market, I am partial to salvaging lighting gems where possible. Not everything in a new home should be shiny, right? Recently, I stumbled upon Rewire, a small company based in Los Angeles that focuses on mid-century and original pieces.
This pair would look fabulous flanking a front door or gate.
Anyone that knows me knows I have a very big THING for teal. What is not to love about these 1950s Italian wall lights?
In addition to mid-century European lighting, Rewire customizes lights with re-purposed parts. Sometimes these are completely imaginative designs and other products are meant to resemble an earlier piece such as the replica of an Austrian pendant below.
*images courtesy of Rewire
About 2 weeks ago, I had an epiphany. There are so many tricked out details I want to offer with the current kaarskoker candle sleeve collection: paint spotting kkSOLIDS, adding felt trim to kkCANE, overlay of lace on kkSOLIDS. Essentially, I am looking to get crafty and want to offer my creative wares on Etsy. Having already inquired about selling on Etsy this time last year, I know I must offer a handworked product and for all the love and care that go into kaarskoker they are, alas, mass-produced.
A little due diligence is I order before committing myself to a glue gun so I type ‘candle sleeve’ in the Etsy search field. As we all know imitation is the highest form of flattery but COME ON: same price, offered in candelabra diameter with 4” and 6” lengths, bundled in pairs, an oval label (kaarskoker are more eco-friendly as no plastic is used), in at least 1 case same paper genre (new marble papers vs. kaarskoker 19th century marble designs) and launched 2 months post-kaarskoker debut. Suspect in original creativity to say the least. I cannot even bear to type the product name because it is so silly. Trying to stay composed and gracious in Seattle but…seriously.
*images courtesy of Etsy
I am on the hunt for a good-looking LED bulb for my chandeliers and sconces. Sad to say that unless you have a shade or globe to cover the bulb, the options, while incredibly better than even 12 short months ago, they are still unattractive and will deter from the overall look of your decorative lighting. Recently, I came across a feature in Elle Decor for Phillp’s first line of indoor LED lights available at Home Depot. The reviews on the Home Depot website were not great simply because of how little light a Phillip’s 3-watt bulb emitted. One reviewer did not that if the bulbs were on a 5-arm chandelier collectively there was ample light. The Sylvania 2-watt accent had a decent review.
From the looks of these bulbs, I’d say kaarskoker needs to launch lampshades!
Summer is almost here, making this the prefect time to dedicate this reveal influences behind kaarskoker’s kkCORAL. Coral is a print I use as an alternative to a solid when designing a room. I call them a ‘do-nothing’ print because with a small repeating pattern they blend in and play with the eye but do not distract from the main motif in a room.
Coastal dwellers love coral to evoke the attitude inspired by the beach or islands.
A perfect nutmeg because the coral pattern is so organic, which lends itself to brown.
A classic nautical color contrast of blue and white with more sophistication in midnight.
Yes, yellow coral exists in nature. Isn’t this stunning? Plus, what is better than a sunny day by the water?
A bright turquoise is always tempered well by gray and look at this combination found in nature.
*images courtesy of kwid.
Paloma of La Dolce Vita was great to include kaarskoker Founder April Pride in her series of “10 Things I Can’t Live Without.” Below is the list in its entirety as an insight into the must-haves of her daily life!
As I write this, I am 4 short weeks from welcoming my second child- another son- to our crazy life. This has me hyper-aware of the imminent loss of all the guilty pleasures I lost and regained since the birth of my first son, James, 3 years ago. So this list is really all about me- meaning we should all assume the importance of family, friends, ice cream and laptop in my personal and professional life, which are very much blurred.
1) Kombucha is the true nectar of the gods. This tea created by a fermented mushroom is known for its liver detoxification qualities. Out here in Seattle, many people make their own rather than spend $3+ a bottle. I think the raw taste is ‘challenging’ so I go for the CK’s Citrus-flavored PREMADE. I have not been able to drink Kombucha during pregnancy and I can tell a difference in my skin, energy, etc. Yes, I miss champagne and loads of coffee but I REALLY miss (the results of) my daily Kombucha fix.
2) The color blue. I live in the land of taupe, mushroom, squirrel and olive. My house could be mistaken for an underwater cave compared to the Seattle palette starting with the blue front door (Ralph Lauren Polo Blue in stain). My kitchen cabinets and library built-in is Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green (paints out a dirty teal). In my living room, I have a teal sofa and in the kitchen a camelback sofa upholstered in navy leather. Turns out in a house of boys, a girl with a thing for blue works.
3) Hip hop (1993-present). If you’ve seen the movie The Wackness, the soundtrack (most of it) chronicles my first memories of hip hop (Notorious B.I.G., Tribe Called Quest – or simply Tribe) with the addition of Dr. Dre’s The Chronic (college tour 1993). Then I moved into Jay-Z (my son is not a fan) and I totally admit I now listen to Top 40, which is not as meaty but has its place. At nearly 34, I don’t see this guilty pleasure going anywhere even if I have to find time to listen out of the range of small ears.
4) Addiction TV. My husbands jokes that I am addicted to addiction. It started with Intervention years ago and my current time suck is Celebrity Rehab.
5) Skin products. This is my true addiction when in reality I should probably just drink more water. I love the brief moment when I buy a new lotion, serum or mask and I can virtually feel myself looking 26 again. I joke that this is the Year of the Needle but when the baby comes I can start back on topical Vitamin A so maybe I can delay another year. Did you see my skin get better for a second just at the thought of it?!?!?
6) Ketchum ID. This is being geographically precise as most folks know the area as Sun Valley. When at home in Seattle, I am not a weekend warrior always choosing to stay in the city but when we are in Ketchum it is all about hiking, (car) camping, skiing and the apres lifestyle. I feel most relaxed here.
7) Stumptown coffee is not my neighborhood and taking the time to drive, find parking and wait in line is what makes this a guilty pleasure although it is on the long way to my studio. Originally from Portland, OR, Stumptown opened its first Seattle locations less than 2 years ago and has moved into NYC most recently.
8) Google map application on iphone. I hate being late and I can plan my route before I leave the house. When I am in a new city I can check public transit routes or the best walking options. Would have solved many of Clark Griswald’s traveling mishaps…
9) The DREAMessentials sleep mask. This is my security blanket and I am not afraid to wear it on an airplane.
10) My network of other small business owners. I have somehow stumbled into a group of women who all own their own deal: day spa, online clothing boutique, bars/restaurants, clothing designer, jewelry designer, make-up manufacturer. As an entrepreneur who works alone, the challenges of managing your own IT, taxes, marketing and schlepping among many other very unglamorous tasks can be isolating and overwhelming. It just takes one phone call to any of these ladies to be reminded of the others while in various stages of business development are all passionately committed. Many of us like to joke, “What have we started?”
kkFRETWORK is a staple in the kaarskoker collection. Made popular as a print by David Hicks & Kelly Wearstler and employed by Chippendale as a defining detail, fretwork originates from painted Chinese porcelain and has become a ubiquitous geometric print. Like a never-ending puzzle with interlaced lines, the pattern is masculine.
My color choices weren’t difficult as I went with the traditional and chose a warm linen-colored background inspired by the tea-stained grounds of 18th-century textiles.
kkFRETWORK in BLUE is a toned down Robin’s Egg Blue and pairs beautifully with red, brown or navy interiors. My husband wore a similar blue check button-down on our wedding day.
kkFRETWORK in BROWN screams gentleman’s library!
kkFRETWORK in (Chinese) RED is an ode to its origins.
BoBo Intriguing Objects is certainly a “one of a kind” store. The authentic and original pieces found at this retailer takes my breath away. They have mastered the trend of taking recycled objects to create innovative and fresh furniture, accessories and lighting. The Atlanta-based company specializes in seeking abandoned objects, especially high-end designer pieces and using them to produce a new BoBo object.
BoBo uses an unconventional approach to designing and the result is simply inspiring. There is nothing better than decorating a space with pieces that are not only exquisite but genuine as well. You definitely will not be able to find these items at Pottery Barn or Crate-and-Barrel, yet BoBo’s lighting is just as affordable if not a better deal.
You may recognize some of these pieces as the company has been knocked-off for their best pieces.
The Ball Chandelier and Driftwood Baroque Chandelier
The Egg Branch Chandelier and Wine Barrel Planet Chandelier
The City Scone and Reflection Scone
*Images courtesy of bobointriguingobjects.com
This weeks kkCOLLECTION inspiration is in honor of Easter, which is just around the corner. With a 3-year-old boy and another one on its way (any day now), the kkDOT perfectly punches up my boys’ room. The polka dot has certainly made its way in and out of fashion must-haves and fashion faux pas but, luckily, polka dots are always fitting for little ones. The print made its debut in the 50s and 60s when we saw it almost everywhere and now it is considered classic. Big or small dots, the pattern seems to always be a favorite. How could this pattern not be a staple in the kaarskoker candle cover COLLECTION?
My initial inspiration for this print was most defiantly my love for little princes and princesses (green, pink with small white polka dots). Black, navy both speak to the patterns classic look.
kkDOT in Pink and Granny
