by Karen Trubner-Kent
May 18, 2012
A few months ago, an acquaintance of mine mentioned that her two-year old grandson had been quite sick over the past few months.
The poor little guy had been in and out of our local Children’s Hospital, subjected to one test after another.
After all that, there was still no clear diagnosis. 
However, doctors were beginning to question whether the real culprit might be the new carpet recently installed in the family’s home.
It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?
I was shocked when I heard this, but I wasn’t surprised.
The truth is, fumes from fresh paint, new furniture, new carpet and fabrics, and that new car smell – those fumes are what’s referred to as “off-gassing” and it’s all highly toxic.
The toxicity comes from the VOC’s, or Volatile Organic Compounds, that are present in any of these products.
You might be wondering, is it even possible to avoid them?
Well, you’ll be happy to know there is a way, and you can do that by considering healthier alternatives such as zero VOC Paints, organic fabrics and water based finishes.
You can read all about this and more in my new guide “LIVING GREEN” - available either as a downloadable file, or a printed booklet that will be shipped to your front door.
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Categories: Health & Wellness, Living Green | 
Tags: Designer in a Box, interior design, Living Green, off-gassing, toxic, VOC's, volatile organic compounds | 
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by Karen Trubner-Kent
May 11, 2012
On December 29, 2011, Seattleites found themselves with a new Toll Bridge. 
While the bridge itself wasn’t new, the toll was.
For those not familiar with the Seattle area, we have two bridges that span Lake Washington – connecting the city, itself, with the suburbs and outlying areas.
I think it’s safe to say that hundreds of thousands of commuters rely on these bridges every single day.
So, enacting a toll was a really big deal.
Here’s what has happened since. Many commuters have simply refused to pay the toll. Instead, they are driving well out of their way and finding alternate routes.
They either travel across the second bridge – whether or not it is convenient to where they live or work – or they circumnavigate the lake completely.
What surprises me most about this, is that the folks who have chosen to drive around the lake or find alternate routes, don’t seem to be concerned about the extra distances they’re driving, or the additional expense for gas.
Meanwhile, for those who opt to pay the toll, the route into the City is straight sailing all the way – a huge improvement over snarled traffic jams that used to be the norm.
Of course, whether to pay the toll or not, that’s up to the individual and their unique circumstances.
In the end it’s all about choices.
The analogy here, is that we often make similar decisions when it comes to buying new furniture – whether to go all out and invest in superior quality and a better experience – the equivalent of paying the toll – or settling on something more affordable that fits our budget here and now.
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Categories: Balance & Harmony, Health & Wellness, Home Design | Tags: choices, Designer in a Box, furnishings, furniture, Inspried Spaces Magazine, interior design, life-cycle costing, paying the toll | No Comments »
by Karen Trubner-Kent
May 4, 2012
In my FREE Offer “7 Ways to Create Harmony in Your Home”, I discuss the need to honor the architectural style of your home.
I also emphasize the need to keep in mind the century in which you live! 
What do I mean by this?
This past weekend, I realized I had the perfect example to share with you, sitting right in my own back yard, so to speak.
You see, my family owns a log cabin nestled in the woods.
This log cabin gives the impression of being straight out of “Little House in the Big Woods” – the acclaimed series of books by Laura Ingalls Wilder – although, unlike the cabin in the book, we do have electricity and running water.
Even so, it’s quaint and rustic, and cozy all in one package.
So, how does one decorate a log cabin?
How does one honor the unique style of architecture in such a home?
To my mind, the name alone evokes images of a quaint and rustic lifestyle, and that is a good place to start.
The location of the cabin also figures in and is always an important consideration. In this case, it’s in the woods – as I mentioned – with a river outside the front door.
In the off-season, the heat and water are turned off, and even though the climate is generally mild it can still get very cold and damp inside.
(These are always things to think about, regardless of where you live).
All of this would suggest nothing too fancy.
With that in mind, one could easily focus on the rustic style and invoke a traditional lodge look with lots of wood furnishings and chintz, and maybe a set of deer antlers above the stone fireplace.
I think you get the picture.
The interior is dark, by the way, due to all the logs that make up the frame of the cabin.
At times, adequate lighting is a challenge, especially at night.
One trick I’ve used to lighten things up, is to offset the darkness with creamy white, and other light colors – in the sofa cushions, towels and linens, and colorful throw pillows.
Another approach is to furnish the place with cast-offs from a previous residence.
You know, those things that many of us tend to have around the house that still have some life in them, but no longer serve a purpose?
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Categories: Balance & Harmony, Historical Tidbits, Home Design | Tags: 7 Ways to Create Harmony in Your Home, comfort, Designer in a Box, honor the architecture of your home, how to decorate a log cabin, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House in the Big Woods, log cabin, rustic, your design style | No Comments »
by Karen Trubner-Kent
April 27, 2012
“They are architects of furniture who designed comfortable, livable pieces that define space in a dynamic way….They built temples for your body.”
David Jameson, Architect 
The above quote was in reference to Hans Wegner and Poul Kjaerholm, two remarkable furniture designers of the early twentieth century.
Think about it.
Imagine having a “temple for your body”.
I don’t know about you, but I think that sounds heavenly.
As I write this, I’m on a quest. I’m looking for comfortable furniture, specifically a perfect chair – one that will envelope my body and fit me like a glove.
I dream of a chair that will allow me to sit comfortably for hours on end, without having to constantly re-position my posterior for greater comfort.
Or squirm in my seat to keep from sliding off, because my feet don’t quite touch the floor.
Being ‘height challenged’ – seating of any kind is usually too deep. (Plus most countertops and upper cabinets are too high, but I digress).
In a typical day, we put our bodies through a lot of stress, from physical exercise, hours sitting at a computer, poor posture in general, and – oh,yes – carrying around excess weight.
Any one of these places extra stress on our muscles and joints.
It’s no wonder, then, that at the end of the day our tired, sore bodies are craving a comfortable place to rest.
A temple, so to speak.
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Categories: Designer Recommends, Health & Wellness | Tags: body, comfort, furniture design, Hans Wegner, Poul Kjaerholm, temple, temple for your body | No Comments »
by Karen Trubner-Kent
April 20, 2012
Are you familiar with the term trompe l’oeil, French for ‘fool the eye’? 
At some point, you’ve probably seen a painting, or wall finish, which looks so realistic you’d swear it was the real thing.
Except that it isn’t.
Paintings can be especially deceiving. You might find yourself looking at a still-life arrangement of books, or writing implements that are so convincingly 3-dimensional you feel you could reach into the painting and pick them up.
It literally fools the eye.
When it comes to countertop finishes, the eye can also be fooled, especially in the presence of a highly qualified artisan who specializes in faux.
I met such an artisan recently, and was intrigued by the possibilities. I browsed through all the samples, realizing there wasn’t an ounce of actual stone in the entire lot, even though everything appeared to be granite or marble.
That’s right. Everything I saw was a painted finish, yet it looked and even felt like the real thing.
Now, you might be wondering, why would you choose to go faux?
Is it less expensive than natural stone? Not necessarily. You wouldn’t choose a faux finish in the hopes of reducing costs, because anytime you hire an artist who excels at his craft, you are paying for his expertise and creativity.
That is the lure. As it says on their business card: “…distinctive finishes for the discriminating client”.
That said, the cost of a faux finish might be comparable to natural stone, depending on your selection. Plus, there may be savings in other areas.
As with anything in the world of interior design, custom work means custom pricing.
The benefit to you? You get exactly what you want.
Listed below are 5 reasons for ‘Going Faux’, instead of choosing something more traditional.
You’ll Save on Demolition
When it comes to countertops, a faux finish can typically be applied directly over the existing surface. How great is that?
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Categories: Art, General, Home Design, Living Green | Tags: countertops, faux finishes, granite, marble, paint, trompe l'oeil | No Comments »
by Karen Trubner-Kent
April 13, 2012
As many of you know, April 15 marks the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s legendary sinking.
It’s almost hard to believe.
Visions of this world famous disaster seem fresh in our minds – made all the more tragic by an award-winning film that brought it so vividly to life.
In commemoration of the Titanic’s epic tale, this month’s National Geographic magazine features a fascinating article, complete with poignant images that describe in detail its tragic demise.
I was particularly struck by the seemingly mundane, such as a gilded clock in seemingly perfect condition, sitting – luminously – in its final resting place atop a rusted old fireplace, deep in a watery grave.
Of course, that fireplace wasn’t always rusted, or old.
In its prime, this was a fireplace of stunning elegance, specifically designed to adorn a first class suite aboard the world’s most famous ship.
Imagine, if you will, hand carved mahogany paneling on the walls and columns, cut crystal chandeliers and tall, leaded glass windows – and everywhere, eerie signs of human life and a bygone era.
A microcosm of society was aboard that ship, represented by different classes and cultures. We’ve heard the stories, of course, of both heroes and the not so brave, and they continue to haunt us a century later.
What other treasures lie so deep in the ocean, lost to all eternity?
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Categories: Historical Tidbits, Home Design | Tags: bygone era, carved mahogony, decor, first-class, Titanic | No Comments »
by Karen Trubner-Kent
April 6, 2012
Ikat is all the rage these days. 
It seems that every furniture catalogue I pick up, boasts ikat fabric in one form or another – either on the upholstery, throw pillows, or other decorative accessories for the home.
What is this fascination with ikat?
Well, I’m not sure I know the answer.
However, as a museum docent, I can share with you that the Seattle Asian Art Museum is now hosting an exhibit titled “Colors of the Oasis” that features – you guessed it – a collection of ikat robes from Central Asia.
The title is apt, because this commonly worn outerwear is colorful beyond belief.
The patterns are intricate, and the process of creating them even more so.
Ikat textiles are characterized by their distinct, abstract patterns – with a tell-tale flame-like, or blazing, edge.
The technique - known as a warp-faced weave – is part tie-dye, part resist-dying and extremely complex.
It boggles the mind to even try and understand how these stunningly beautiful fabrics are made.
At least, that’s what it does to my mind.
Yet in Central Asia, where this particular style of dress has long been the norm, the tying, dying, and weaving of this fabric was also the norm during the 19th century and up until recent times.
The term ikat (pronounced e-kat) is derived from a Malay word that means “to tie” or “to bind”.
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Categories: Art, General, Home Design | Tags: blazing edge, Central Asia, ikat, Seattle Art Museum, tie-dye, Uzbekistan, warp-faced weave | No Comments »
by Karen Trubner-Kent
March 30, 2012
Interior designers and therapists have a lot in common. Of course, in the case of a designer, the ‘patient’ is someone’s home.
Did you know that homes, just like people, can have a story to tell?
If we’re lucky, it will be a very good story, especially if the home is relatively new. Older homes, on the other hand, might come with a bit of baggage – what we sometimes refer to as a colorful history.
It’s all part of the package, right?
As an interior designer, it’s my job to sort through it all, and highlight the home’s true character while downplaying the flaws.
Where to begin?
Sometimes I need to be a sleuth, and coax out the story, but other times the story is told more easily.
For example, if you’ve ever seen a house with peeling paint on the exterior, and broken blinds hanging at the windows, you know right away that particular house is in need of a bit of love.
I’m reminded of one client project in particular – a condo with an intriguing layout. It was intriguing in the sense that the two wings on either side of the main living/dining space seemed to be almost mirror images of each other.
It wasn’t immediately obvious, but when I learned the background story, it all made sense.
The home I found myself in had originally been two separate condos; the previous owners had joined them together into one combined unit.
This explained the mirror-image layout.
It also explained the problem that had emerged as a result of the remodeling: a large center support column – smack in the middle of the living room.
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Categories: Balance & Harmony, Home Design | Tags: design challenges, interior design, interior therapy, mirror-image, sleuth, surprise element, Therapy | No Comments »
by Karen Trubner-Kent
March 23, 2012
Earlier this week, many of us observed the arrival of the Spring Equinox.
Yes, Spring is here!
And while the temperatures in my area are still hovering in the low to mid 40’s, other parts of the country have experienced a heat wave.
If that’s the case where you live, you’ve probably tossed aside your winter clothing for something lightweight and cool.
We do this routinely, the re-organizing of our closets according to the seasons.
And yet, how often do we think about our homes?
Do you celebrate the beginning of Spring, trading out wintry-themed throw pillows with something fresh and summery?
Or do you rarely give it a moment’s thought?
Aside from holiday decorations at varying times of the year, our homes don’t necessarily reflect the seasons the way our wardrobes do.
And yet, our local stores our flaunting luscious Spring colors and bursting with new ideas, many of them easy to implement.
So why not take a cue from your favorite retailer and spruce things up a bit in your home?
Keep Things Fresh
Our homes can always benefit from a fresh look here and there.
Keep in mind, this doesn’t need to be expensive!
If you’ve been thinking for months about a new couch, then maybe it’s time to finally go shopping.
However, there are many fun, less costly things you can do to give your home a whole new look, just in time for Spring.
You can:
- Re-arrange the furniture
- Paint a wall or two, in a bright cheery color
- Add colorful throw pillows
- Slipcover the sofa
- Decorate with flowers
None of these suggestions is overly elaborate or difficult to pull off.
As always, you want to keep in mind your personal color preferences – as opposed to trends, springtime or not.
Lighten Up
As you ‘lighten up’ during these warmer months, why not literally shed some weight with a little spring cleaning?
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Categories: Balance & Harmony, Home Design, Organization | Tags: fresh ideas, lighten up, nature, seasons, sesonal decor, Spring, Spring Equinox, springtime | No Comments »
by Karen Trubner-Kent
March 16, 2012
As any well-seasoned traveler can attest, navigating airports these days is often a challenge. We may encounter any number of 
inconveniences from long wait times to erupting volcanoes.
Have you ever noticed, while traveling, what your level of comfort might be at any given point during your trip?
In fact, depending on your hotel accommodations, or your in-flight experience, you may actually be more aware of a lack of Comfort, than anything else.
Of course, on an airplane, being seated in First Class is the way to go if you’re looking for comfort and some in-flight pampering.
Yet, for those of us sitting in Coach, it is often a very different experience.
On a recent flight, I found myself seated next to a mother and her young baby. The woman had not booked a seat for her child, and was hoping I might not show up.
The baby was perfectly happy until she had to give up her seat and be held firmly on her mothers’ lap. At that point, she let out a blood-curdling scream of protest.
Comfortable I was not.
The baby clearly needed a seat of her own, and I needed some peace and quiet. Much to my relief, the stewardess ushered me to a new seat in one of the exit rows.
I now had plenty of leg-room, the baby had a seat several rows behind me and well out of earshot, and all was well with the world.
I was very comfortable.
On any given day, our comforts levels are frequently tested, and for each of us, that definition is unique.
And when it comes to our homes – well, there is almost no end to the number of ways consumers can pamper themselves with what seems comfortable to them.
Whether selecting furniture, linens, paint colors, fabrics or household appliances – and that’s just naming a few – you will be faced with many decisions.
However, before you choose, why not step back and ask yourself the following very important question.
What does Comfort mean to you?
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Categories: Balance & Harmony, Health & Wellness, Home Design | Tags: comfort, comfort zone, decisions, Home Design, travel, What does comfort mean to you? | 1 Comment »
