Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs, Inc.

Wallpaper on the Ceiling?

It sounds crazy, right?  Wallpaper has come back into the design world and in a big way!  We have put wallpaper in almost every project in 2016!

Not only did we put it on the walls, but here are some latest projects where we used it on the ceiling.

img_5391

This is a gorgeous home in the Ansley Park neighborhood of Atlanta.  This client loves neutrals, but it was essential to us to infuse some personality! We chose the feather pattern called “Birding” in Pearl by Thibaut Design. The interesting chat group includes chairs by Younger Furniture, round concrete table by Bernhardt, sunburst mirror by Global Views, custom plush carpet by Kane, and designer roller shades by Hunter Douglas.

img_5534-2

This formal dining room in the Buckhead area of Atlanta is home to a very fearless and adventurous client.  She trusted us every step of the way.  The navy blue walls, 100% pure New Zealand wool rug by Radici USA,  furnishings and mirror by Theodore Alexander, custom window treatments, a fiddle leaf fig tree, moss centerpieces by Botanica Unlimited and the belgian white chandelier from Visual Comfort complete this space!

screen-shot-2016-12-30-at-4-43-22-pm

This playful dining room infused with color made quite a statement upon entry of this home in Marietta, Georgia.  Another Thibaut Design called Gilon in Rasberry.  The client already owned the abstract art by Geschardt Art and Design.

Lastly, and not one of our designs, but a favorite one by Lisa Mende Design of Charlotte, NC.  This is the “Friends Entry and Mudroom” she designed for Atlanta Home and Lifestyle Magazine’s Southeastern Designer Show House last Spring.  Coincidentally, ANOTHER Thibaut Design wallcovering!

screen-shot-2016-12-30-at-5-24-19-pm

The grasscloth pattern in the ceiling is called East Gate in grey.

As you can see, it’s OK to be courageous.  Why have a boring ceiling? Take it from Marilyn….11515ba9d2a6c4c681af4253f260de85

Here’s to an ADVENTEROUS New Year!!

6d8a8fe174b0c2847d40c4b8ecf09405

Joann

Christmas Blessings from Guatemala

I traveled to Guatemala last week to visit my friends The Greene Family (our sponsors at Catalyst Resources International) and to play Santa to my special family in the village of Labor da Falla and the children at God Bless the Children Orphanage.

Of course it’s no surprise, that I was the one truly blessed during my visit.

I started out in the village visiting a family my team and I built a house for 3 years ago. We stay in touch via texts and my semi annual visit. This year they needed some cooking pots and food (beans, rice, sugar, oil, salt, nutritious milk, corn meal). I also gave them money for new shoes.

IMG_3516

IMG_3512

Oh my gosh – they were all decorated for Christmas and so proud. Be still my heart.

IMG_3513

Next on my Santa list was to visit the 18 orphans at God Bless the Children. I came armed with 7 wrapped baby dolls, 6 wrapped cars and 5 hand knitted baby hats that my niece Julie lovingly made for the babies.

Keeping still while I handed out presents was quite a challenge.

IMG_3617

All of a sudden I was attacked by a pile of happy, sweet children screaming “Gracias Kelly!”.  My heart swelled. There is no greater gift than to give.

IMG_3631

Oh the thrill of Christmas! Later the girls took their babies and put them back in the boxes they came in and made them into cribs. They took the wrapping paper and ripped it up into perfectly sized pieces and said the paper was now the babies blanket. The ingenuity of little ones who have nothing….

IMG_3639

YES! It WAS an awesome day!

IMG_3644

Not everybody thinks taking a selfie is fun. Oh well.

IMG_3607

This little one just wanted to be held tight. That was my gift to her.

IMG_3641

Hug your children close this holiday season and tell them how much you love them. Not every child has a loving parent…..

Of course Paula, Ally, Katy, Fontaine and I made sure to enjoy the city and explore places I hadn’t been in my 7 visits to Guatemala. The volcanoes always take my breath away.

IMG_3552

Yes there are beautiful golf resorts in Guatemala. Who knew?

IMG_3561

Of course I had to get my shopping in.

IMG_3579

We visited the outdoor shopping venue of Cayala for an amazing italian dinner.

IMG_3677

On my last night in Guatemala, we went to the National Theatre for a Christmas show of Handels Messiah. What a treat.

IMG_3683

The highs and lows, the beauty and the travesty, the friendships and love that abound make Guatemala a very special place for me.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to spread some Christmas cheer and to hug my friends. I can’t wait to see you in July!

God Bless and Happy Holidays!

Kelly

My 2014 Vision Board

It’s that time of year again!  Those of you who know me know that I LOVE a New Year’s vision board. There’s something very powerful about fearlessly announcing your grandest intentions and wildest dreams to the universe. I firmly believe that the universe embraces my visions and helps me make them happen!

To see my vision boards from past years click HERE.

Now for this year’s board:

vision board

Each cutting on the board represents a thought, a dream or a goal that I have for 2014 or for the future. This years board is focused more on my authentic self and world travel than in years past.

86dc813d32fd15db9b5c0c9f5837fbda

What do some of these images represent? Well let me share a few with you:

1.  The Cathedral in Milan represents my intense desire to travel on a Blogtour to Milan in April with Joann and Veronika Miller with Modenus. I want to start traveling abroad like a crazy maniac actually. I’m gettin’ kinda bored around here….

2. Me with the camera represents my goal to take photography lessons or at least learn the ins and outs of my fancy camera (this is a carry over from 2013).

3. The green living room designed my Miles Redd represents my desire to create authentic designs that might not make sense to the average viewer, but make A LOT or sense to my client and myself.

4. The Brizo faucet represents my fear and excitement about helping to create a new marketing campaign for Brizo and my intention of knocking it out of the park.

5. The paying it forward stick figures represent Kandrac & Kole’s intention to start a new charity campaign in 2014.

6. The horses represent me wanting to start horseback riding again (not just follow the leader – but free riding in open fields with a horse I love). This is a carryover from 2013 which just means this goal is gaining momentum!

7. The tree inside the heart represents a healthy family in 2014.

2e92b266adb8fd8be9bda87a3a8d4675

Hey, you only have one life. Step out and announce to the world what you want to experience. As my friend Paula says, “life on earth is merely a vapor”.  Well then, I better make the best of it!

seth godin

I highly recommend everybody make a vision board in 2014. I just use a foam core board, spray adhesive and a stack of magazines to build mine (sometimes I print images off my laptop).  Keep it in a visual place so you are constantly reminded of your intentions and to hold yourself accountable.

This board becomes my good luck charm – I swear every year I’ve accomplished at least half of the dreams on my board. That’s pretty good if you ask me!

Happy New Year!

Kelly

Best Blog Posts of 2012

Our blog has been a way for us to share our thoughts, inspirations and approach to design.  We appreciate those of you who read our posts and offer words of support.  It means so much to us!!

Here are a few of our favorite posts:

1.  We were thrilled to be selected by House Beautiful for our “Aha Moments” – Read post

4648703

2.  Kelly’s great graduation party tips  – Read post

tables2

3.  Joann’s step by step gallery of family photos in silver trays – Read post

photo12

4.  The power of vision boards – Read Post

vision

5. Lucy and Ethel on business partnerships – Read post

lucyandethelwithornaments-1

As we look back on 2012 we are extremely grateful for our wonderful clients who allow us into their homes to create beautiful and functional spaces.  We are also grateful for the meaningful relationships we’ve built with vendors, tradespeople and fellow designers along with the personal rewards we’ve felt by the charities we’ve supported this year. United Methodist Children’s Home through Room Service Atlanta, Kiva, and Catalyst Resource International in Guatemala.

Happy New Year!!

505388389403685832_QvKzt28g_c

How To Make Your Dreams Come True

If you’ve been reading our blog for any length of time, you know that I am a big believer in the power of the VISION BOARD. If you haven’t, read about it here and here.

My vision board is a physical illustration of my loftiest dreams, goals and aspirations for my life for the current year (yes this is an annual practice). Cultivating these aspirations and then announcing these intentions to myself and to the world creates a very positive power. I swear it’s true. I’m not a weirdo. It’s like this positive karma starts whirling around my life steering these things to happen. Seriously!

I’m horrified to say that I am two months late getting my 2012 board completed. So VOILA!

What do these images represent? They are a visual reminder to me of the things I want to happen in my life this year or in the years to come. Some are reasonable, some are repeats from last year I’m still working on, some scare the crap out of me. So here goes for 2012 and beyond:

1. Continue lending my heart and hands to humanitarian efforts. This year is Guatemala. In my future – Africa (talk about stepping outside my comfort zone!)

2. Continue producing beautiful work by Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs that is published in Southern Living, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles and House Beautiful.

3. Support my daughter Riley to get in to the college of her choice in 2014 (current choice:  College of Charleston).  Note: I barely survived the college admission process for Emory so I need lots of positive karma for round #2.

4. Practice yoga 3 times a week instead of just once. Yoga has really taught me how to quiet my brain and has made me physically strong – I love it!

5. Save enough money to be able to commission a 36″x36″ Kim Schuessler painting which will be the inspiration for my master bedroom re-design.  After first seeing Kim’s work five years ago, her work still makes my heart skip a beat.

6. Find a bra that really fits, is comfortable and makes my boobs look small (this might take a miracle).

7. Drink more water and continue to pray for fresh water sources in desperate 3rd world countries.

8. Find a way to start horse back riding again. I seriously don’t know where this came from but it’s been on my brain for 2 years.

9. Encourage Emory and Riley to use the right side of their brains in college and be open to the arts in some way. (After reading Daniel Pink’s A Whole New Mind, I’m hot on this subject).

10. Celebrate my 50th birthday (ok earlier if possible) in Tahiti with Mike, Emory and Riley . I want a villa I have to swim to!

11. Drive my Sequoia into the ground and then purchase a Lexus GX470 (or a vehicle with better gas mileage -I’ve been drooling over this car for 3 years).

12. Say goodbye to my muffin top (i.e. slow down and don’t stress eat). Namaste.

13. Redesign my master bathroom without killing the bank. I can’t stand the white tile, brass fixtures and crappy cabinets for another second.

14. Make the investment to rebrand Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs logo and reface the website.

15. Continue on my spiritual journey.

Hey, Dream Big or Go Home Baby!