Monday, January 5, 2015

{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

131 comments:

  1. I am obsessing over all the French Country pieces. Love!

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  2. Love them all but really like the industrial and Hollywood.

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  3. Loving the french country and industrial pieces!

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  4. Wow so hard to choose, I really love her French country, but with some Hollywood regency mixed in!

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  5. Loving the french country and industrial elements!

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  6. I love her style and I'm so glad you introduced her because now I will be able to follow her and be even more inspired! Thanks!!! Fingers crossed 😊

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    1. She is very inspirational! Good luck with the giveaway!!

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  7. I would love to win! My new house is looking a bit bare!

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  8. Love the nature inspired elements!

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  9. I'm torn between Coastal Beach and Industrial Loft! Thanks for giving us this opportunity Lindsay & Kathy!! Xo Kathy@The Daily Nest

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    1. I hear you! Too many great products to decide between! Good luck!

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  10. I like mid century, also some modern, traditional... I'm pretty eclectic. If I see a piece and it speaks to me I find a place for it... That's the fun part for me!!

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  11. Love everything, but especially her Industrial loft and French country collections.

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  12. I love the different design elements available!

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  13. Love the industrial loft and French collections! So elegant and goegeous!

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  14. Love french country and industrial elements!! So pretty! 😍

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  15. Thanks for introducing to such beautiful furniture! Excited about this giveaway!

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  16. Love everything!!! I would love a new piece of furniture!

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  17. I love the Rustic Lodge and Industrial Loft Styles!!! Awesome giveaway!!

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  18. I love the French Country and Industrial Loft!

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  19. Everything is exquisite and exactly what I love rustic country, however a coffee table like that one would be so nice! Only piece I'm missing in my new apt.

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  20. I would love I add one of her pieces to my home!

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  21. I love the industrial loft collection (although it's hard to choose just one style :)

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  22. I really love the French Country and Industrial Loft pieces. All are really nice and would add something special to anyone's home.

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  23. Thank you Lindsay and Kathy for this opportunity to enter the giveaway! I just love the Hollywood Regency look! You both have exceptional taste!!!👏👏☺️

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  24. Oh how much fun. I find docrating so stressful, I think because I like a lot of different styles. I love reading your blog and getting inspirations.

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  25. Global Bazaar is stunning ... thank you Lindsay for this fun opportunity to have some of Kathys beautiful pieces in our home. I really enjoy following you on instagram and reading your blog ... seeing your creative mind in pictures is such inspiration. Good luck everyone!

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  26. Has to be a cross between French Country and Hollywood!!

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  27. Love the interview... great inspiration for the new year!!

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  28. Love her stuff!! I lean towards farmhouse industrial mixed with some vintage French country:)

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  29. Love everything! Especially the rustic lodge collection!

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  30. Wow, I am in awe of these beautiful pictures and love her website! I am loving the coastal beach collection!

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  31. My style is most reflected in French Country. I love that it's elegant & classic but also welcoming & peaceful. I live by the beach so Coastal Beach elements are definitely around the house. I decorated my husband's office/reading room like Industrial loft. I love that collection! Thank you!

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  32. I love french country! Our home is pretty bare, still trying to find our "style"!

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  33. Usually I would say beach coastal but I love some of the pieces from the Hollywood regency collection as well!

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  34. I love love that reading area! Would love to wi. This! Thanks for the giveaway! Brianne Hunter

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  35. So excited to see this!! I am IN. LOVE. with Kathy Kuo!!! The French Country tab is worn out on my laptop 😁

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  36. Love everything! Love the French country!!

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  37. French Country but I am also drawn to Coastal. I adore Kathy Kuo! Thank you for the opportunity to win : )

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  38. French country if I have to pick one.

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  39. Coastal beach or rustic lodge lol

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  40. Each theme is great but the Indistrial Loft is right up my alley, love it!!

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  41. Would be a great way to start 2015!!!

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  42. Industrial/Farmhouse style with mixes of French Country and Traditional

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  43. Love the French country! Everything is so beautiful! In the process of trying to redo our home and would love to have a piece of Kathy in it!

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  44. I'd really like to have that Bonfire Chandelier for my future dining room!

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  45. Love the Coastal Beach collection!

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  46. Absolutely love the french country!

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  47. The French Country Style. Love, love, love!

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  48. My style is most the coastal beach!

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  49. Wow...it is all gorgeous, but lean towards mix of French country with bit of traditional.

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  50. Her stuff is gorgeous! Can't choose one collection! I would say my style would fit in the French country and coastal beach. All so beautiful!

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  51. I think I need some of her items from the Coastal Beach collection! Love her style!

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  52. Fabulous giveaway!!! I love the French Country style!

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  53. I have always enjoyed visiting her website. She has some great t hinge available. My style leans towards french farmhouse with a little french country mixed in.

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  54. Yes, her stuff is so beautiful! I Love following her and seeing all the beauty she creates!

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  55. I would have say My personal style is a mix of Hollywood Regency, meets Industrial Loft with adrop of French country.

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  56. Love the French country with a pinch of industrial!!

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  57. Rustic or industrial are my picks. Thanks for the chance at this lovely giveaway.

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  58. love your blog and love this post! I think my style is more like french country style!

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  59. Oh my goodness that chandelier is so beautiful...love it!!

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  60. I love your style and love love love her line!!!

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  61. Just started following you and love your style! Excited for the opportunity to enter this giveaway!!

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  62. A mix of industrial and coastal

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  63. I love how she described her style and Classic yet elegant but also nature inspired and eclectic. She has beautiful things and seems very down to earth.

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  64. My style would be the Industrial Loft syle.

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  65. Thank you for the fun giveaway!

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  66. Love, love industrial!! Wonderful giveaway!

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  67. Definitely the Industrial Loft style. Thanks!!

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  68. I love the bench!

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  69. Could definitely put this to good use!! 😊

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  70. I love the French country pieces!

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  71. I love them all, but I think Industrial Loft fits our home the best :)

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  72. I love several pieces in French Country and Hollywood Regency & Industrial Loft...So many beautiful things & such a great mix! Your bench is fantastic! TY for this giveaway opportunity!

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  73. "Industrial Loft" I love the soft seating, so comfy and great for cuddling

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  74. French Country Style I think... She is just the cutest!

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  75. The Hollywood Regency is my favorite. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  76. Kind of obsessed with French Country and Industrial Loft! Hoping for a lucky Monday!☺️

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  77. I think French Country is my favorite!

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  78. Loving the French Country Collection! So many beautiful items it would be hard to choose. :)

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  79. Love love love! I want one of everything.

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  80. I'm in love with the Hollywood Regency style!

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  81. Industrial Loft Style!!! How I wish my room looked that way.

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  82. We are getting ready to build a house, so I'm trying to soak in as many ideas as possible. I'm in love with your home and design style!

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  83. It's all so beautiful - how can I choose?! Love the French Country and Industrial Loft...

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  84. I'm loving the French country and industrial loft

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  85. Head over hills over the French Country Style - Swoon!

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  86. Love the French country collection!! :)

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  87. I would say french country with a little coastal beach. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  88. A mix of French country and industrial!!!

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  89. Total mix of French Country and Industrial! Can't wait to dig into her site!

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  90. Definitely the Global Bazaar Style -love the beautiful color - shaunie

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  91. Could definitely use this to finish out our home! p.s. I took all the ornaments, etc. off our Christmas tree, but the barebones evergreen and lights are still up everywhere! I cant let go of the ambience!

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  92. I think I'm a combination of French Country and the Industrial Loft styles. I love her entire collection though.

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  93. I love the HOLLYWOOD REGENCY STYLE because i like the up to date pieces!!!(:

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  94. I would loooooove to win this giveaway! The industrial style is gorgeous. Trying to find ways to update my home and evolve my current items into an eclectic but structured style.

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  95. I would call my style casual traditional. There are several collections that have elements the fit my style.

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  96. Cute! I love the industrial stuff!

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  97. Love ❤ a blend of coastal and industrial!!

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  98. In love with the Hollywood Regency Style!!!

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  99. L-O-V-E both the French Country & Industrial! Ooooh all the decor possibilities for our new home. What's a girl to do ;) Good luck to all!!!

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  100. I love the industrial style decor!

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