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We met the iconic designer Alexa Hampton last year at Blogfest in NYC. We found her to be uber talented (duh), super smart and quite sassy! So when her PR folks contacted us to tell us about her latest licensing deal with HSN for a new bedding line, we were thrilled for her! We are already big fans of the products she has designed for Visual Comfort, Kravet and Hickory Chair.

Here’s how our chat went: 

Kandrac & Kole:  It seems that many high end, well known designers are using their name to promote products for the home. How did you choose bedding and HSN to partner with?

 Alexa: I like HSN. I like the ease of HSN. I like that they bring products to me and that I don’t have to go to a store. In the past few years, I feel they have become cooler and better and I thought that I would be flattered to work alongside them. I also understand who shops HSN because she’s a version of me.

Kandrac & Kole: The headboard cover is a great concept!  What is the height?

 Alexa: Thank you! The height fits a Queen – 61″L x 51″H x 4″ Deep. The headboard’s slipcover was my Eureka moment because it meant that the customer could have choices going forward. They could change and not have to throw out their bedroom. That seemed like a really valuable asset to me.

Kandrac & Kole:  Of all the gorgeous colors and hues we are used to working with as designers, how did you come up with your overall color palette?

Alexa: My palette is always changing. It’s just based on what I am dreaming of at any given moment. These collections are beautiful and show some range, I hope.

Kandrac & Kole:  Is this collection a limited offer on HSN?

Alexa: I am launching my collection on HSN on May 2 and will return with new assortments in August and October. I am exciting this is an ongoing partnership.

Kandrac & Kole:  We meet you at Blogfest NYC last year and you shared with us that you are quite the wordsmith. Got any new good ones?

Alexa: I am loving “Fulcrum” these days. It’s very descriptive and useful word. I am hoping that I will be the fulcrum connecting the HSN customer to the world of interior design in an easy, digestible, and time saving way.

Kandrac & Kole (Kelly):  On a personal note, my parents live across the street from the Inn at Quogue which I hear you are involved with. This is great news! Will I see you around the block this summer?

Alexa: You better believe it!!! I haunt my own mother’s house in the Hamptons. I am her proverbial bad penny.

Kandrac & Kole (Kelly):  At Highpoint last week, I style spotted your Suzannah side table at Hickory Chair. It currently has 56 likes and 128 repins on Pinterest. It’s HOT!  Will you continue to design for Hickory Chair? (Shameless plug to readers:  http://pinterest.com/stylespotspr13/kelly-kole/)

 Alexa: Of course, I will continue to design for Hickory Chair. What can I say: I love the creative process. I’m addicted to it.

Kandrac & Kole: We wish you good luck on your big day! See you in Quogue this summer!

Watch for Alexa to launch Alexa Hampton Home, her first-ever textile collection on May 2 on HSN/HSN.com!

This exclusive line of quality home décor elements reflects Alexa’s distinctive, sophisticated style and a design aesthetic that is clean, elegant and smart. Alexa Hampton Home features:

·         Bedding sets, headboard covers, sheets, throws, bath, and window treatments

·         Alexa’s collection is elegant and luxurious décor that is warm, fun, but accessible to everyone

·         The entire collection is priced under $200, including the seven-piece bedding sets

·         While the styles are tailored, the collection features neutral and blue animal print bedding; luxurious jacquard weave bedding collections; and foundational textile pieces in a range of colors including yellow, sage and wine

Thank you Alexa!

I received this email a couple of weeks ago along with a donation to our Room Service Atlanta project for the Girl’s Cottage at the United Methodist Children’s Home.

“Hi ladies,

It’s a wonderful thing to do for the girls that live there.  Who knows, it could change their lives and get them interested in interior design as a career.  Also, just to feel loved and cared for, will be something many of them have never experienced.

It’s hard to put into words the emotion I felt after reading that.  More than anything it made me feel “grateful”.  Grateful that there are people who care, and grateful that I am in a position to help and be a part of Room Service Atlanta.  Interior design is not just about making a home “beautiful”, it’s about creating surroundings that make a house a “home”.

If you don’t already know about this project you can read our last couple of blogs HERE!

Heartfelt thank you’s to:

 Currey & Company for their beautiful lighting and home furnishings.

Steve Penley for his amazing artwork.

Elaine Smith Pillows for their durability and beauty.

Lewis and Sheron Fabrics for their beautiful fabrics and amazing customer service.

Wendover Art for their large selection of art that works with so many of our projects.

FLOR for their unique carpet squares and quick deliveries.

MK Coastal who creates pillows, placemats and home decor items from old sails.  You need to check out their website to read how they “give back” with every sale.

Verge Painting & Siding for their work ethic and excellent attention to detail.

Leather Creations Furniture  for making a beautiful product.

Helser Brothers Hardware for their distinct designs and technical knowledge.

Kemp Hickey Designs for his ability to turn something old into something beautiful.

SJC Window Designs for fabricating all of our gorgeous window treatments and soft furnishings.

Glidden Paint for donating the paint for the rooms at the girl’s cottage.

Joan Borawski for her artistic talent in faux painting and hand rendering.

A big thank you also to the monetary donations received by the families below:

The Harper Family

The Prochaska Family

Sharon Hindson of  Von Der Ahe Interiors

Amanda Kinney of The Antique and Design Center in High Point, NC

If you are interested in supporting us, we could use some monetary donations for finishing touches on the space.  Click here to donate via paypal or send a check to Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs, Inc. 4430 Wade Green Road, Suite 180, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

On another note, the contest for the Style Spotter with the most wins ends on Friday, May 3rd.  Please click HERE to repin and like our Highpoint Market picks!!

Have a great week!

Joann

I was honored to be chosen as one of the 9 Style Spotters for the Highpoint Market last week. If you haven’t seen my top 20 picks, click HERE asap and start repinning and liking!  The voting ends this Friday and I’m in the lead!

The sad part is, there were  SO many items that I loved that had to hit the cutting room floor! So to give them fair props, here are a few more goodies that I would have loved to have “spotted”.

There were a dozen products at the C.R. Laine showroom that I could have pinned but one of my faves was the Copley Slipcovered Swivel Chair in the 100% cotton fabric Gateway Shamrock. (Extra props: that luscious green wall is Benjamin Moore Kiwi, the floral pillow is from Design Legacy, the lamp from Currey & Company and the end table from Woodbridge).

Stanley Furniture not only had a new showroom (TO DIE FOR) but the new Charleston Regency collection was one of my favorite new introductions at market. This dining room table was elegant and sophisticated but casual all at the same time.

While I’m singing Stanley’s praises, let me just say that the Young America furniture line is bar none the best kids furniture line out there AND their merchandising was one of the most creative we saw! Check out those paint splattered floors.

Turquoise is still HOT. This table from Century Furniture was fun but sophisticated. (Pssst – check out the wallpaper in the background. Yes, it will be gracing our new office. From Seabrook Wallcoverings).

Eastern Accents is definitely the go to brand for colorful, hip bedding ensembles.

Bernhardt Interiors had a lot of Moroccan influences in their new introductions. Look at the inlays in their new dining table!

 Joann and I are always on the hunt for new and undiscovered vendors. Our find this year was Taylor Burke Home. We love a women-owed company with a big heart!

The greatest thing about the Highpoint Market is the hoards of great people who make it happen – all the traffic controllers, the security personal, the Highpoint Market authority staff, the showrooms that put on endless meals, parties, snacks, etc.  THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!

Now go to my Style Spotter board on Pinterest, and please REPIN AND LIKE.

HERE!!

My duties as one of the coveted Highpoint Style Spotters are finished and it was quite a thrill! The Highpoint Market put on a brilliant show for it’s Spring Market. As a Style Spotter, I was only allowed to “spot” 20 items but there was so much more that I thought was HOT so stay tuned for more parts to this series!

Here are a few teasers from my

Style Spotter Pinterest Board:

Iconic shapes like the quatrefoil and greek key were everywhere like in this emerald green table from World’s Away:

The classic chevron pattern was repeated in many ways like in this Bradstreet Spool Chair from one of my favorite showrooms – C.R. Laine. 

Bold, bright colors and geometric shapes were the name of the game all over market.  I’m in love with these “pouf” footstools from Surya.

Want to see more?

Go to my Style Spotter Pinterest Board and please LIKE AND REPIN.

It’s a contest after all and I’d really love to WIN!! 

For years and years, Joann and I have plotted and planned our route – navigating the maze of showrooms at the semi-annual Highpoint Furniture Market visiting the showrooms we love and always hunting for a hidden gem of a new vendor.  As a designer, it’s a crucial time to tap into trends and new products first hand!

For years our talented designer friends (Tobi Fairley, Shay Geyer, Traci Zeller, Jennifer Mehditash, Stacy Naquin, Lisa Mende, Jennifer Brouwer, Wanda Horton and others) graced the stage before Kandrac & Kole as Highpoint Stylespotters. HUH? What about us? We want to join the party too!!

So now is that time! Woohoooo! Thank you to the powers that be for recognizing Kandrac Kole as a power spotter for what’s HOT at Highpoint!

We are very honored to be in the same category as the following designers and bloggers:

So what exactly is a Style Spotter? 

Style Spotters are trendsetters that see ahead of the curve in home fashion trends. We will walk the show, capturing images of our favorite looks and on-trend products. The Style Spotters will pin those photos to our  Pinterest board and will list the exhibitor’s name and showroom number. We will also present the exhibitor with a sign that highlights the Style Spotter’s name with a QR code and URL for the Pinterest board.

Now here’s the key -

We need your support! We are counting on all of our readers, friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances and strangers off the street to go to Pinterest and LIKE and REPIN the images on the Kelly Kole Highpoint Pinterest Board. Why? Cuz we want to WIN!!

Starting Friday, April 19th at noon, click HERE to see Kelly’s Pins and “LIKE” them! She will be pinning her choices until Monday.