{Designer Spotlight: Kathy Kuo} + a giveaway

Well hello there, 2015! If you are like me, you have packed up the holiday decor (or soon will) and are ready to get your home back in order!  The house feels so empty once the seasonal decor is gone, but it is a great time to switch things up, add a few new pieces and create a fresh, new look!  

I am ringing in the new year with one of my favorite online retailers, Kathy Kuo Home and we have a special treat for one of you!  I cannot tell you how excited I was when Kathy Kuo Home contacted me and asked me to team up with them for an amazing giveaway! 

If you follow me on Instagram, then you will notice some familiar items from my home that are available on their website:

Our Coffee Table:
Link: Urban Mercantile Coffee Table

 

Our Foyer Chandelier:
Link: Bonfire Chandelier

And the newest addition to my breakfast nook:
Link: Metal Cafe Bench

Before we get to the giveaway, I want to introduce you to the fabulous Kathy Kuo, designer and owner of Kathy Kuo Home.

 

"When really good design happens, you just don't notice it." - Kathy Kuo

Born with a passion for travel and a flair for design, Kathy's experience in fashion, media and all facets of the design informs her work for clients around the globe, as well as her namesake online boutique.  Encompassing everything from designing celebrity homes to appearing in FYI network's Rowhouse Showdown, Kathy's signature approach fuses the language of international style with technical and design virtuosity.

A standout talent in interiors - not only as an expert stylist but also as someone who understands first hand the countless materials, crafts, traditions, and techniques of the trade - Kathy has worked with stars like Robert Redford and Halle Berry and has had her designs featured in AD, ELLE decor and other lifestyle publications

When she's not traveling around the world sourcing inspiration and items, Kathy and her team can be found in NYC, sharing their favorite finds with clients and the world at large through www.kathykuohome.com. 

I had the pleasure of asking Kathy a few questions and gained some insight into her lifestyle and her brand!  I know you will enjoy her answers and seeing some of her amazing design work as much as I did!

Q and A with Kathy Kuo:

Lindsay:  As a successful business woman and interior designer, what is one piece of advice you would share with someone just starting out?

Kathy: Figure out what you're good at, find your little niche.  You'd be surprised that that "little" niche is not so little after all.  Stay true to who you are, don't worry about what your competitors are doing, just continue to define your voice and brand because at the end of the day, that is the one thing that sets you apart from everyone else.  
(Great answer and I couldn't agree more!)

Lindsay:  If you had to describe Kathy Kuo Home in just 4 words, what would they be?

Kathy: Elegant, sophisticated, eclectic, and classic (phew! Not an easy one!) 

 

Lindsay:  How would you describe your personal style? 
 

Kathy: The above four words.  As my style continues to evolve, so does my brand.   

 

Lindsay:  Where do you turn to for design inspiration?

Kathy: Everywhere!  I am obsessed with Pinterest.  I read a lot of blogs from travel, fashion, food to mommy blogs (I have a 2 year old), and try to meld that all together in something that's meaningful for our clients.  Now that I have a daughter, practicality, and things that would weather through toddler years became more important to me, though I love white (cringe!).  And light neutrals,
Sigh.  Scotchguard and a good upholstery cleaner are my saving grace! 

 

Lindsay: What room in your home is your favorite and why? 

Kathy: I love my daughters room. I did an animal parchment paper in her reading nook:  {LINK to wallpaper} with coordinating pillows and Matouk's Paisley bedding that just washes so well.  But my favorite part of her nook is the Circa Lighting sconces we wired in, so at night, when all the lights are out - we pretend to be reading 'in a jungle' together, and we go through all the animals (and animal sounds) on her wall, and talk about them.  
 

Her room was designed for a girl that could grow into her tween and possibly teenage years (gasp!), with a built in desk and ample storage. She's not a girly girl...wait, she's 2.  I'm not a girly girl stylistically, hence the neutral and warm palette that also reads "kid" but not "pink princess." 

 

 

(Seriously, I would never leave this space!)

Lindsay:  What current design trends do you see sticking around for a long time?  What trends do you predict we will see in 2015?

Kathy: Nature inspired - quartz, stone, branch, petrified wood, birch are all wonderful materials that we think will stand the test of time in 2015.  Metallic are another classic- seeing more gold and brass especially in kitchen/ bath hardware and decorative accessories.  
 

We love the neutral and natural pallet that Whimsy Girl Design embodies, and we think that the rustic elegant trend will also continue to be strong.  

 

 

Lindsay: Is there anything else you would like us to know about Kathy Kuo Home?

 

Kathy: We're a tight knit group of design obsessed girls here in NYC.  All of us really love what we do, and we truly have a lot of fun through the day.  Our days start with an espresso in the morning, and Prosecco at happy hour and that's a bad day.  

Some will be surprised that I take some customer service phone calls.  It's always fun to hear people shocked on the other end when they ask: "THE Kathy, like Kathy, Kathy?"  Yes, I love answering the phone and answering your design questions!  So call me!

 

Kathy, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.  I loved reading your answers and getting to know more about you and your brand!  I am ready to up and move to NYC and work for Kathy Kuo Home....oh, and I am totally calling you for design advice! For more design inspiration from Kathy Kuo, check out The Kuotes Blog!

As mentioned above, Kathy generously offered up a $200 gift card to Kathy Kuo Home to one of my lucky readers!  What I really love about Kathy Kuo Home is that they have a variety of merchandise in several different styles.  Like all retailers, you can shop by item but the great thing is you can also shop by a specific collection/style.  Here is a peek at some of their amazing merchandise...

Click below to see more from each collection:
Coastal Beach  // French Country // Industrial Loft // Rustic Lodge // Hollywood Regency // Global Bazaar  OR Shop by Trend: Trend Shop

I could shop this website all day....so many gorgeous items to choose from!

So...who wants to win a $200 gift card to Kathy Kuo Home?  Now is your chance to enter...see the Rafflecopter entry form below!  Winner will be announced Monday, Jan. 12th!  Good luck!

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway