The New Cedar & Rush Series! The Guest List
Happy Monday ladies! So remember my interview series, Work Smarter Not Harder? I’m bringing it back but with a TWIST. It’s called The Guest List. I believe we can learn so much from others – especially stylish, successful, positive people. Insight to how they do things gives us confidence and courage to make changes in our own lives.
We’ll get the best advice from people allllll over, from all different industries. There will be entertaining, style, professional and home tips. There are some INCREDIBLE people lined up and I’m doing everything in my power not to spill the guest list NOW. I do share the next guest at the end today!
Meet Our First Guest!
First up is interior designer extraordinaire, Kelly, of Bungalow Blue! I found her through Instagram {follow her!} after I noticed some of my favorite people follow her too! {Look Linger Love, Luxe Report Designs and Mark and Graham to name a few}. Naturally I needed to know what was up. Turns out Kelly is the sweetest thing ever and I’m OBSESSED with her style. It’s classic, fresh and oh so fun. I especially adore her love for tortoise and rattan. My faves! Below, she gives away juicy tips to make your home look right out of a magazine. So bust out your pen and paper and let’s get to it.
Take it away Kelly!
Meet Interior Designer, Kelly From Bungalow Blue
Kelly I’m SO happy you’re here! Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do! I am a former financial analyst-turned-interior decorator/stylist, living in the Carolinas with my husband and two littles. Before I had my children, I worked full-time, designing and then styling new, custom built homes from the ground up but now I specialize strictly in e-design so I can be home with my daughter and son.
What time do you typically get up and go to bed? I get up whenever my 18 month old deems I am ready, hahaha! Typically, I am in bed by 10 and up between 6 and 7 am.
How do you take your coffee? I SO wish I could drink coffee!! I start every morning with hot water and fresh lemon juice, but I wish there was some zing I could add to it to kickstart the day!
Name 3 things every woman should have in her closet: Add a statement necklace, a chic clutch and some Ray Bans to these and I’m set!
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- A great pair of jeans
- A fitted black blazer
- A pair of nude heels
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What’s your favorite adult beverage to serve guests when entertaining at home? I set up a bar on a rattan tray and encourage guests to help themselves. I plan with two drinks – typically, scotch (Basil Haydens) or whiskey (Jack) for the fellas and for the ladies, margaritas (Tito’s, fresh lime juice, oj and a splash of agave) or vodka tonic with extra lime. I include my favorite tortoise ice bucket, glasses, lime wedges in a small silver Revere bowl and cocktail napkins. In the summer, I switch out my tortoise bucket for a silver one with a rope handle and an anchor on the side! I always, always keep an eye on cocktails and ask if anyone is ready for another when they begin to get low.
What’s one thing everyone can do to make their home more stylish? Soft lighting from table, floor lamps, sconces or a beautiful chandelier or pendant is LIFE!!!! It TOTALLY sets the mood for a cozy atmosphere and makes your guests instantly feel calm. And it’s also much more flattering than overhead can lights.
What’s your favorite thing to bring to a party? I am OBSESSED with Colle Stefano Verdicchio wine; it’s from a tiny little vineyard in Italy and is the best white I’ve ever had (and I lived in Spain where it’s pretty much religion to drink wine every single day!). You can’t get it all year long, so I always stock up and like to take one to a special occasion. It’s SO amazing. If someone asks us to bring a side, I make my grandmother’s panzanella recipe or salted caramel brownies, if I have time!
How do you format your emails? I am short, sweet and to the point. I appreciate when someone gets right to it and so I like to reciprocate. It also leaves less room for confusion or interpretation, which, for e-design is pretty important.
What’s the most recent thing someone did that impressed you? Most recently, being asked to be a guest on Cedar and Rush! I love handwritten notes and always send thank you’s, birthday and just-because cards. So whenever one shows up for me in my mailbox, I am thrilled!
What mistake do you see people constantly make that they should be aware of? I don’t think any room is complete without window treatments; it’s like leaving the house for an evening out without any jewelry. And many people hang their curtain rod too low and/or hang window treatments that don’t reach the floor. I hang the rod at least six inches above the window and always, always, always make sure the curtains touch the floor. I have white Merete curtains from Ikea all over my house; they come in packs of two that are 118 inches long for something ridiculous like $40. You can hang them as-is or have the grommets removed and rings sewn on for a more custom look. You cannot get that length fabric for that price, it’s insane good!
What other pieces of advice/tips can you share? When in doubt, go BIG – lighting, art, a gallery wall, plants, mirrors. It makes a statement and adds so much drama! And you can never have too many baskets!
Favorites:
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- Favorite Apps: Instagram, hands down! {you can follow Kelly here!}
- Favorite Resources: Pinterest, Photoshop Elements, One Kings Lane
- Favorite Books: Design books : Time and Place by Steven Gambrel ; Gil Schafer The Great American Home.
- Favorite Websites: When I have time, I love to visit my favorite blogs : Sara Mueller Designs, Mark D. Sikes, Habitually Chic and Most Lovely Things
- Favorite Gadget: Can’t live without my citrus reamer – boring, I know!
- Favorite Podcasts: I can’t remember the last time I had an uninterrupted five minutes, so a podcast is, unfortunately, a luxury for now, haha!
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Kelly, THANK YOU so much for being here today! You are the best. Follow Kelly on Instagram for more interior design advice, entertaining tips and major inspiration!
Sneak Peek For Next Week
Next up is the California vintage queen, Annette of A Vintage Splendor. First off, vintage ANYTHING is trending SO HARD right now. She’s so well known in the industry, she gives vintage tours in LA. And once you see her, you’ll want to book a flight there JUST so you can partake in one. She rounds up the COOLEST vintage finds on Ebay & Etsy and she’s dominating the blogger world with huge brand collaborations and features. Her style is insane. And this goes for her home too. I can’t even handle her midcentury decor (which is vintage too!). She looks like a walking magazine. CAN’T. WAIT.
P.S. Check out my interviews with Gray Malin and Cynthia Rowley too!
Such a fun series!