Designer Spotlight - Kate + Amanda
Continuing our series in which we spotlight some of our favorite interior designer customers, today we are featuring Kate and Amanda, a Toronto-based duo. The women are long time friends with a shared passion for design, who decided to become business partners. Read on for a Q&A with them and a look at some of the stylish interiors that have resulted from their collaborative efforts.
Q: How would you describe your design sense/style/aesthetic?
A: Warm, clean, neutral and family oriented.
Q: How did you get into design?
A: We loved design and both had done several renovations of our own. We fell into it after that.
Q: What’s a typical day like for you?
A: I pick Kate up and we debrief on all things personal and business related while we drink our protein shake. We tackle emails, source online or in store, we generally have a client meeting at some point in the day. Followed by a salad somewhere close by. We are fueled by coffee and sour candy (we know this isn't good but can't seem to give it up) until we have to pick up our kids from school. We generally talk or text about work thereafter.
Q: What's on your nightstand?
A: Kate - books and a diffuser.
Amanda - Aesop hand cream and a remote.
Q: What helps you stay organized?
A: Tomiko our Project Manager. She is the best thing that ever happened to us and we would be a mess without her!
Q: What's a color you never tire of?
A: Is white a color?
Q: No home is complete without...
A: A great sofa.
Q: What are your go-to pillow sizes?
A: 20 x 20 and a lumbar.
Q: What keeps you sane?
A: Each other. A huge part of our success is our partnership and how much we rely on one another to make the best decisions possible for our clients.
Q: What are some of your dream home must-haves?
A: Lots of windows, natural light and a view of the water.
1. Flower: peony, tulip, hydrangea, & ranunculus
2. No-regrets home splurge: an amazing kitchen or the Restoration Hardware Cloud Sofa
3. Artist: Amy Judd
4. Go-to paint color: Oxford White Benjamin Moore
5. Favorite Arianna Belle pillows: Beatrice Bouquet Indigo, Channels Ebony and Ivory, Solid White with Grosgrain Ribbon Border
6. Luxury Candle: Coqui Coqui Coco
7. Guilty pleasure: Sour Jujubes & wine
8. Artist: Cy Twombly
9. Everyday outfit: boots, sweater, & jeans
10. Favorite Design tip: less is more
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To learn more about Kate + Amanda, visit their website and Instagram profile:
Website: kateandamandadesign.com
Social Media: @kateandamandadesign
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Click here for previous installments of the Designer Spotlight series
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Behind the Scenes: A Peek Inside Our Studio
Here's where the magic happens!
Designer Spotlight - Lindsay Pennington
Continuing our series in which we spotlight some of our favorite interior designers, today we are featuring Lindsay Pennington, a Kentucky native with a background in law, who now serves residential clients in Los Angeles and New York. Read on for a Q&A with her and a look at some of the elegantly eclectic spaces she has created.
Q: What’s your design philosophy?
A: I seek to create highly personal, layered, and inviting rooms for my clients to live and work in. While there are some touchstones to many of my designs--liberal use of color and pattern, and an emphasis on the expressiveness of artwork, books, and accessories--because none of my clients are the same, I strive to take their personalities and think about how they are going to use their homes, and translate that into a material space that reflects them, makes them comfortable, and facilitates their ease of use at the end of a busy day. What's most important to me is delivering to them a home that feels and looks like them, not me.
Q: What’s a typical day like for you?
A: I'm sure most designers can relate--although I try to plan my days, something always comes up, and it's this unexpectedness and spontaneity in my career that keeps things exciting.
I always start with lots of Peet's French Roast coffee (made at home), help my sons get ready for school, drop them off, and then take my three dogs to the park for some exercise and zen time.
Because Los Angeles is such a big city, geographically, I have my office at home where I keep all of my sample libraries and client files.
At least three days a week, I'm driving to clients' homes for in-person meetings, because it's so important to maintain face-to-face contact and keep the lines of communication open. There are so many things that we can learn about each other just by spending time together, and this helps me put myself in their shoes when sourcing items or making decisions with builders, architects, and sub-contractors.
When I'm not driving, much of my time is spent doing the necessary follow-up on purchase orders and deliveries--the back office paperwork we all would like to avoid but simply have to do.
Finally, for installations and photo shoots, I run around like a crazy person for days, sourcing those last minute accessories to make everything come together and feel richer and more lived-in.
Q: Are you a morning or night person?
A: Morning! I'm still astonished when people text or call me after 9 pm, as though they might be able to reach me.
Q: What do you do when you have a creative block?
A: I have a massive collection of interior design, architecture, and gardening books, and I love to sit down with them in a quiet place when I feel I need some inspiration. Each time I look at photos of rooms or buildings I admire, I take in something different, and usually the solution to a creative problem will arise. Creativity is not something that can be forced, so I also allow myself to take a walk, or talk to my children about their days at school, and giving myself that break can free up mental space for inspiration to appear.
Q: What keeps you sane?
A: Coffee, SoulCycle, a hot bath, and a good book.
Q: What helps you stay organized?
A: If there were a magic wand for organization, I'd love to use it. In the meantime, I take a lot of notes and photos, and try to document most decisions in emails between me and the clients and other principals involved. Texting is easy but it can get out of control very quickly!
Q: Whats apps can you not live without?
A: Instagram, Waze, and FlyDelta.
Q: No home is complete without...
A: A bed with clean sheets, artwork, books, colorful rugs, textiles, and dogs.
Q: What are your go-to pillow sizes?
A: For sofas, 20 inch squares and 18 inch squares with a lumbar in the center, depending on the size of the sofa. For beds, I love 26 inch Euro shams.
Q: What are some of your dream home must-haves?
A: A white picket fence. (Doesn't everyone?)
Q: What's a color you never tire of?
A: Black, red, and green.
Q: What’s your favorite part about being a designer?
A: My absolute favorite part about being a designer is working with clients. It's such a pleasure to help them bring their dreams and ideas for their homes to life, to make them warm, comfortable and welcoming for them and their families. I also learn so much from them: how to be a better listener, how to be a better communicator, and how to have more patience.
Q: What's on your nightstand?
A: A Ralph Lauren lamp, four books, a glass of water, and Carmex.
1. Go-to Paint Color: Benjamin Moore White Dove
2. No-regrets home splurge: A custom, green velvet St. Thomas-style sofa
3. Design Book(s): ALL of Jeffrey Bilhuber's books
4. Guilty Pleasure: Ruffles potato chips
5. Favorite Arianna Belle pillows: Le Zebre Black, La Fiorentina Wine & Magenta, and Les Touches Black
6. Flower: Tulips and anemones
7. Artist: Cecily Brown
8. Restaurant: Cafe Mauro at Fred Segal
9. Luxury Candle: Diptyque Santal
10. Style Icon: Mary-Kate Olsen (even though I don't get to dress like this in real life)
11. Everyday Outfit: Jeans, a silk blouse, and either boots or sneakers
12. Set Design: Call Me By Your Name
13. Travel Destination: Rome!
14. Favorite Design Tip: Keep it clean!
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To learn more about Lindsay, visit her website and social media profiles:
Website: lindsaypenningtoninc.com
Social Media: @lindsaypennington
Designer Spotlight: Jess Weeth
Continuing our series in which we spotlight some of our favorite interior designers, today we are featuring Jess Weeth, a former NCAA tennis player and fashion buyer who decided to pursue her passion for all things home. She currently runs Rehoboth Beach based Weeth Home Co which serves residential clients in the Mid-Atlantic coast. Read on for a fun Q&A with her and a look at some of the beautiful interiors she has designed.
Q: How would you describe your aesthetic?
A: I would describe my aesthetic as fresh, soulful and collected, inspired by life on the Mid-Atlantic coast.
Q: How did you get into design?
A: From a very young age, I've always had a love of color and interiors. I used to cut out furniture from my parents' Horchow and Frontgate catalogues and rearrange the pieces to create my dream home - my little sister hated that I made her play it with me, haha!
I started my career after college in the fashion industry as a buyer; traveling the world from Hong Kong to Turkey to Paris shopping the market and working with factories to make beautiful products.
When I moved back to my small beach hometown in Delaware, my husband and I designed and renovated a fixer upper that caught the attention of friends who began to ask me to design their homes as well. After helping to transform a few spaces for others in our area, I decided to take classes and really pursue my passion.
Q: What’s your favorite part about being a designer?
A: The beginning and the end! I love building out the initial concept boards and I still lose sleep the night before an install/reveal because I love the feeling of seeing a client fall in love with their space.
pillows on white chairs: Leopard Linen
Q: What do you do when you have a creative block?
A: I am a very tactile person, so I go back to my fabrics and materials library. I play around with the colors and patterns and textures and see if it leads me somewhere new.
Q: What's on your nightstand?
A: Lavender hand lotion and a full glass of ice water that I usually only drink one sip of.
Q: What are some of your dream home must-haves?
A: Huge french doors that lead outside
Q: Are you a morning or night person?
A: Morning
Q: What's your go-to pillow size?
A: 22" x 22: and 12" x 21"
1. Artist: Kevin Fitzgerald, an artist who paints impressionist landscapes of the Eastern shore
2. Travel destination: Saint-Tropez, France (photo in collage by: Rory Wylie via French Wedding Style)
3. Favorite Arianna Belle pillows: Navy Linen with Greek Key Border - classic and bold, Leopard Linen -such a classic that brings a pop of fun to any space, and Java Java in Navy - a staple for adding textural pattern to coastal palettes.
4. Restaurant: Little Owl, NYC
5. No-regrets home splurge: Our vintage double horse lamp
6. Style Icon: Jane Birkin
7. Flower: Protea
8. Design tip: Invest in good rugs that fit your space. It will be a purchase you never regret!
9. Luxury candle: Capri Blue Volcano
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To learn more about Jess, visit her website and social media profiles:
Website: weethhomeco.com
Instagram: @jessweethinteriors
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Designer Spotlight: Maddie Hughes
Continuing our series in which we spotlight some of our favorite interior designers, today we are featuring Maddie Hughes of Maddie Hughes Designs who serves residential and commercial interior design clients in the Dallas Fort-Worth area.
Q: How would you describe your design sense/style/aesthetic?
A: Neo-traditional. I love combining old and new; placing unique antique pieces in a space with modern and transitional furnishings and decor adds balance and gives a more collected feel to a space. I love to use bold and fun colors, beautiful textiles, and a variation of textures and finishes.
Q: How did you get into design?
A: Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to be in a creative field of work and decided to study Interior Design and Architecture in college. My college coursework gave me a great technical foundation, but was so intense that I almost decided against going into the interior design field. However, once I graduated from school, I was lucky enough to land a position working for renowned Houston-based Interior Designer and Owner of Biscuit Home, Bailey McCarthy, which sparked a renewed interest and passion in me for interior design all over again. I loved her unique design approach of mixing bold and whimsical textiles and learned that there was so much more freedom creatively in the Interior Design field than what I had been taught in school. In 2014, I relocated from Houston to Dallas for personal reasons and decided to start my own Interior Design firm.
Q: What’s your favorite part about being a designer?
A: I love that every day is different. I'm constantly seeing new spaces and meeting new people. It keeps me on the edge of my seat and I can't imagine ever being bored as an interior designer.
Q: What do you do when you have a creative block?
A: I try to find one design element, whether that's a textile, piece of art, or an accessory that really inspires me and design around that.
Q: What keeps you sane?
A: My Design Associate, Alexandra Lutz. I'm not sure how I ever managed without her!
Q: What are some of your dream home must-haves?
A: Architectural millwork
Q: What's a color you never tire of?
A: Green and blue, separate or together, always and forever
Q: What's your go-to pillow size?
A: 22"
Q: Are you a morning or night person?
A: What time is brunch?
Q: What's on your nightstand?
A: A picture of Steve, my pomeranian, and a LAFCO candle
Q: No home is complete without...
A: Fresh flowers and greenery
1. No-regrets home splurge: custom window treatments
2. Go-to paint color: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
3. Style Icon: Aerin Lauder
4. Favorite Arianna Belle pillows: Townline Road Blue, Hummingbirds Cream, Pale Pink Linen with Greek Key Trim
5. Guilty pleasure: taking a bath every night - favorite bath product is Barr Co. Honeysuckle Bath Soak
6. Restaurant: Carbone in NYC
7. Luxury candle: LAFCO - Feu De Bois during the winter and Chamomile Lavender the rest of the year
8. Flower: peonies
9. Artist: Marcy Cook
10. Travel destination: NYC never gets old
11. Set design: Wes Anderson
12. Design tip: No room is complete without high quality lighting, rugs and window treatments
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To learn more about Maddie, visit her website and Instagram profile:
Website: maddiehughesdesigns.com
Instagram: @maddiehughesdesigns
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Click here for previous installments of the Designer Spotlight Series
Pillow Inserts 101
The right insert or filler is essential to a great looking decorative pillow. In short, we recommend feather down inserts that are 2" larger than the cover and have a ratio of 90% feathers and 10% down. Read on to learn more.
What size insert should I get for my pillow cover?
- We generally recommend using inserts that are 2" larger all around than your finished pillow size. For example if you have an 18x18 pillow cover, you'll want to use a 20x20 insert. This will ensure that your pillow looks plump and luxurious. If the insert is too small, the pillow cover will look saggy. The exceptions to this rule:
- pillows smaller than 18x18 and most lumbars- these work best with inserts that are 1" larger (instead of 2" larger)
- extra large pillows (24x24 and larger)- these will also work well with inserts that are 3" to 4" larger than the cover
- extra dense inserts - this is rare - they're usually not dense enough, however sometimes small rectangular inserts (such as 10x18) are full enough to use with covers of the same size (for example a 10x18 insert for a 10x18 cover)
- see our Insert Size Guide for size specific recommendations
What fill type should I get?
We recommend going with feather down inserts. Feathers provide firmness, weight, body and support, while down provides softness and comfort.
What feather/down ratio should I choose?
A higher percentage of down tends to be considered more luxurious, however depending on the use of the pillow, you'll want to be careful not to go too high on the down percentage as it will make it too soft and unsupportive. The ideal ratio for decorative pillows is 10%-25% down and 90%-75% feathers - not too firm and not too soft.
Below is a summary of the pros and cons of the various ratios:
- 95% feather / 5% down (95/5)
- lowest priced feather down blend option
- firm density
- due to the small percentage of down, some people may find it to be too stiff
- due to the majority of the fill being feathers, can sometimes be too prickly since the quills are more likely to poke out
- good if the pillow is just for looks and/or you like firm pillows
- 90% feather / 10% down (90/10)
- an ideal feather down ratio for decorative throw pillows
- not too soft and not too firm - provides support and flexibility
- softer than 95/5 inserts, firmer than 75/25 inserts
- 75% feather / 25% down (75/25)
- another ideal ratio for decorative throw pillows
- softer than the 90/10 pillows and usually higher priced due to higher percentage of down
- 50% feather / 50% down (50/50)
- soft-density and lightweight
- comfortable, however doesn't provide as much support as inserts with a higher percentage of feathers
- if used for decorative pillows, will require constant fluffing to keep it from looking flat
- better suited for pillows that are used for sleeping
What kind of insert should I get if I want to "karate chop" my pillows?
- Feather down pillow fillers will hold a chop.
Why are some inserts pricier than others?
- The majority of inserts you'll see available for sale are 95% feather and 5% down and these will be lower priced because the cost of feathers is lower than the cost of down. As the percentage of down increases, so will the price of the insert.
What if I'm allergic to down or feathers?
- If allergies are a concern, good quality alternative down inserts that mimic the softness of down are the next best thing.
We have 90/10 feather down inserts available in standard sizes and in custom sizes. Contact us for a quote on 75/25 feather down inserts. We also offer alternative down inserts.
For a quick tutorial on how to easily get your insert into your pillow cover, watch our Instagram story
If link doesn't work on your mobile device, go to our Instagram profile @arianna_belle and tap on Quick Tips.
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This post is part of our Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing Pillows.
Get the full guide sent to you, plus our handy cheat sheets, by clicking below:
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Designer Spotlight: Justine Sterling
Continuing our series in which we spotlight some of our favorite interior designers (click here for previous installments), today we are featuring Justine Sterling of Justine Sterling Design. A South Africa native and former hospitality designer, Justine now serves residential clients in the greater Boston area. Her work has been featured in various publications including Design New England Magazine, The Boston Globe, and Boston Home Magazine. She is based out of Melrose, Massachusetts where she lives with her husband, two children and feline friend.
Q: How did you get into design?
A: My journey began over twenty-five years ago in Cape Town, South Africa. I found a home in interiors due to my love of art, organization and the inherent nature of finding structure in chaos. I got my start in innovative commercial firms (a highlight being a 30-chalet game lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa.) When I moved to the Boston area and especially after I became a mom, my need for effective space planning went into overdrive. My passion for structure now finds its way into residential design.
Q: What’s your design philosophy?
A: I believe the key to a well-designed (and loved) home starts with guiding my clients on a journey of self-discovery. This method isn't for the faint of heart: I'm asking clients to bring our working relationship into a collaborative place of vulnerability and trust. But this unique approach allows me to intimately understand the design elements that will bring surprise and delight to their space.
For some, that means functionality and efficient space planning to ease their frustration with a lack of flow or storage needs. For others, it means finding a piece of art or furniture that reflects their life journey, heritage or favorite memories. Being able to combine both function and aesthetic is the holy grail of all designers. For me, a job well done is when I can create a balance of form, function, and feeling.
Q: What’s your favorite part about being a designer?
A: Being able to explore ideas and see them come to life.
Q: What do you do when you have a creative block?
A: Stop what I am doing and read my online “pile” of design magazines. Essentially going down the rabbit hole of the design world will always spark new ideas.
Q: What helps you stay organized?
A: Evernote! I switched from using an old school moleskin notebook to using Evernote from my iPhone, iPad and desktop, and it has literally changed the way that I organize my thoughts for home and work. Did I say that I absolutely love it and couldn't live without it now?
Q: No home is complete without...
A: ...an overriding story. Yes the spaces can be gorgeous and well curated, but people, and their stories found in art, new and old objects and colors define how they will live in their home.
Q: What's a color you never tire of?
A: White. I know, it’s not technically a color, but it allows me the opportunity to layer on a blank canvas. I have an uncluttered sensibility and white was the color that I chose for my own office to create some calm in an often chaotic scene of fabrics, paint chips and blueprints!
Q: What's your go-to pillow size?
A: 20”x20” with top stitch detailing
Q: What's one of your dream home must-haves?
A: A very long loose stone driveway
Q: Are you a morning or night person?
A: Neither really anymore since having kids. Lets just say I am my best once I have a cup of tea.
1. No-regrets home splurge: commissioned art by a favorite local Melrose artist Ellen Rolli
2. Luxury Candle: Maison Blanche Nectarine and Mint
3. Style Icon: India Hicks
4. Flower: Protea Pin Cushion (Proteas are the national flower in South Africa where I am from)
5. Favorite Arianna Belle pillows: Moncorvo Le Mirage, Channels Ebony & Ivory, Kubus Argent
6. Guilty pleasure: Tea (Authentic South African Rooibos Tea, or Taylors English Breakfast Tea), cookies and Netflix
7. Design books: Elements of Style by Erin Gates; Black and White by Celerie Kemble; Habitat by Lauren Liess
8. Travel destination: Cape Town, South Africa
9. Everyday outfit: In the Summer, anything white
10. Design tip: Measure twice
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To learn more about Justine, visit her website and social media profiles:
Website: https://www.justinesterling.com
Social Media: Instagram / Houzz / Pinterest
As Seen In: Style at Home Magazine May issue
I'm considering that incredible floral decal for the Arianna Belle studio!
Shop the Look
Designer Spotlight: Stephanie Jean Design
Continuing our series in which we spotlight some of our favorite interior designers, today we are featuring Stephanie Giesbrecht of Stephanie Jean Design who is known for creating fresh, clean, bright interiors. Stephanie works with residential clients in Vancouver and surrounding cities, but also offers e-design services. Read on for a Q&A with her and a look at some of the beautiful inviting spaces she has created.
Q: How would you describe your design aesthetic?
A: Classic with a fresh take. My favourite spaces are clean, bright and inviting.
Q: How did you get into design?
A: I grew up with an appreciation for quality workmanship and good design. I was fortunate to get to work on the homes of family and friends as well as work with and learn from amazing local designers. My business has grown out of these opportunities.
Q: What’s your favorite part about being a designer?
A: Working with my clients to create a beautiful space they love to call home.
Q: What do you do when you have a creative block?
A: I know everyone says it but there really is no end to the inspiration you can find on Pinterest and Instagram. I also go through photos of things that have inspired me along the way whether it be from somewhere local or a previous trip.
Q: What keeps you sane?
A: Time with family and friends
Q: What helps you stay organized?
A: Lists, I write absolutely everything down. It's satisfying to cross off completed tasks throughout the day and helps to clear my mind before finishing up for the night.
grey pillow: Poetical Grey
Q: No home is complete without...
A: Textiles - adding decorative pillows and draperies really finish off a room and make it cozy and personal.
Q: What's a color you never tire of?
A: Blue
Q: What's your go-to pillow size?
A: 22x22
pillows on bed: Pyne Hollyhock Charcoal
Q: Are you a morning or night person?
A: I've always been a night person; as a mom it's been helpful to be able to get more accomplished once the house is quiet for the evening
1. No-regrets home splurge: Lighting - the right scale and design is worth the higher cost (shown: Jacqueline Two-Tier Chandelier)
2. Guilty pleasure: Miss Vickie's salt and vinegar chips
3. Travel destination: Right now I'm dreaming of sunshine, warmth and the beach so Hawaii sounds like the perfect getaway.
4. Flower: Lilacs - they not only look pretty but smell heavenly.
5. Favorite Arianna Belle pillows: Pyne Hollyhock Indigo - one of my favourite patterns; Citysquare Mistymorn -soft, neutral tones; Navy Velvet - works with almost any pillow combination
6. Luxury candle: A local company, Vancouver Candle Co, has great scents - my favourite right now is "Atlantic"
7. Set Design: Nancy Meyers films - The Holiday, The Intern, It's Complicated...what's not to love!
4. Go-to paint color: White Dove - Benjamin Moore; the perfect warm white that isn't too cream or yellow
8. Design book: Nancy Braithwaite: Simplicity - I have this one on my own coffee table.
9. Everyday outfit: We get a lot of rain in Vancouver so jeans, boots and an oversized sweater
10. Design tip: Choose classic styles in neutral colours for your main furniture pieces and you will always be able to update them by switching out your accessories
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To learn more about Stephanie, visit her website and Instagram profile:
Website: http://stephaniejeandesign.com/
Instagram: @stephaniejeandesign
photography by: Tracey Ayton
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>>>In case you missed them, click here for previous installments of our Designer Spotlight Series.
---How to Mix and Match Pillows
How do you create a pillow combination that works? Below is a simple and easy-to-remember formula we like to use to effortlessly mix and match pillows plus some examples of it in action. Make it even easier by starting with a multi-color pillow to guide your color palette.
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