Going Inside... 65th and Abercorn

I was extremely lucky to tour one of Savannah's mid-century modern gems.  With the power of my iPhone camera and the generous permission of the owner, I snapped some shots to share with you.

The owner has performed marvelous restorations to this unique, low-slung residence. The experience was like walking onto the set of  James Bond movie... complete with foyer koi-pond, skylights filtering golden sunlight into all corners of the home, and a bohemian sense of communal living around the arching spurts of the pool's fountain.

I love the gleaming teal of the front doors.... and the way the slab steps seem to hover over the Asian inspired pebble path.  Inside, the home is like a doughnut built around this courtyard.  Talk about the perfect place for a late summer party!

The cherry wood lattice work in the windows are filled with colored glass. This creates a quality of light that is truly enchanting. All the screens and built in pieces are original to the house.

The owner said again and again... "I'm going to invest in the perfect furniture soon! The money went to restoration first."  The pieces that he currently displays were charming and in harmony with the surroundings... he found them on Ebay! Way to go!

Now we've made it to my favorite room... the dining room!  Tucked behind this gorgeous lacquered screen.  The rug over the terrazzo floors was the perfect blend of subtle and strong.  The chairs are to die for!  We have to admire the owner's fidelity to "period" in keeping the louvered blinds... for me, they would have to go.

The whole color scheme seems inspired by the portrait displayed by the window.  A Frank Lloyd Wright influenced 1960s vibe that makes you feel like sipping a Gin Tonic in a hot pink bikini.

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

xoxo,
Blair Kawa

Welcome Back Music - & New Projects

The colors and warmth and lushness of this video clip montague from Le Mepris captures the lushness and feeling of summer.... besides the somewhat tragic and awful bit at the end. 



Welcome Back.... Welcome back to your desks... with the warmth of sun on your skin... the freshness of the breeze on your cheeks!  Now you're back for more spots of glamor and luxury to put the sparkle in your busy days at work, at school, or while the pasta boils for supper.

This year I am also working on an additional blog project....titled: Contemporary Milk.

In that blog I will specifically follow design for children, babies, mothers, and fathers. If that's up you're alley... then that's the place to be!  Comment and let me know how you like it if you check it out.

Best wishes as we leave summer behind and join the fray once again.

xoxo,
Blair Kawa

My Little Summer Hiatus

The summer has arrived! I've decided to take a page from the Italians and give myself a little time off... My hope is that I can spent a little more creative time churning out physical inspiration instead of the digital brand.

Consider this a very brief hiatus, and I'll see you back soon in a couple of weeks!

P.S. I start the internship tomorrow! (My experiences there may launch me back into blogging, but until I know what to expect, I want to devote my full attention to it.)

xoxo,
I'll miss you,

Blair Kawa
(via Box-Of-Style)

Inspiration Images

I'm churning out process books and presentations for our recent project. I'm planning to show you the project soon.... but for now.... aren't these beautiful inspiration images?

These were inspiration images for a furniture design and interior design project for an Urgent Care Center. I don't know about you... but if my doctor's office was this fabulous, I'd be delighted to pop in for a visit... well, almost. =)

xoxo,

Blair Kawa



Monochromatic Monday

Flagging inspiration happens to the best of us... I find  myself in a bit of a lull. I chalk it up to the end of the quarter drain. Yet I find that even when you're coming up empty, you can find something brilliant to inspire you if you go back to your first loves and the basics. For me, of course, that means... Orange!

Look at the beautiful white detailing on the pale tan wall. This is a beautiful and inexpensive way to make a room very dramatic. Just find a local art student with attention to detail, pay them fairly, and get a very unique and sumptuous end result.

Cheers to favorite colors on this Monochromatic Monday.

xoxo,
Blair Kawa

(1. 2.)

SCAD Fashion Show... Special Guest

As promised, some of my snap shots from the SCAD fashion show.

I thought I'd start it off with the persona significa of the evening... the special guest and Andre-Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award winner... the King of Soles... Manolo Blahnik.

As the man himself waltzed by, surrounded by a veritable bevy of grouchy security personnel, I was fortunate enough to snap a few shots. The artistically blurred shot was grabbed while the man himself reached out to grab one of my friends and whisper, "Darling, you really have something wonderful going on with your style." As you may well suppose, the gaggle of girlies that I was with were all a'flutter over this... and secretly pea green with envy. hehe.

The second shot (featured first) was of the man's gorgeous fuscia suede slippers. (Can we really call them SHOES... they are too fine for that blase word.) Notice that they are the perfect accent for his lavender suit, and are finished off with immaculate taste by a pair of creme and hot pink striped socks.

That's all for the Famous Visitor Paparazzi for today...

Cheers!

xoxo,
Blair Kawa
(original photography)

Vacation is Calling

I promised fashion show pictures, and they are on their way... but since time is a little tight these days, I'm leaving the photo editing for another day. Instead, I'm serving up a taste of where my heart really is... on vacation!

This charming hotel (La Banane) on St. Barts has all the soft light and crisp colors of an enchanting (and well designed) vacation retreat. I'm crazy for the attention to detail, and the bold use of color in a way that doesn't feel heavy.
 

I'm crazy for these flamestitch chairs and striped bar.

Pair that with the pop of... what is that color?... coral? hot pink? red? Yes! for a little sizzle. And add a parrot in the background for a spice of the eccentric.

The coolness of the reading room is so soothing.
The guest rooms are also like a splash of refreshment... but there is still such a bold twist of style in the brightly colored clay tiles. A lovely balance.

Are we there yet?

xoxo,
Blair Kawa

(Hotel LaBanane via HDInspiration & Nicole Bentley Photography via FashionCopious)