MKR’s taught me a few things (to say the least), and a love for wallpaper is one of them.  I’m not talking about safe, traditional wallpaper.  I’m talking about bold wallpaper that really makes a room pop.  Some of you may be saying “yes, yes!” to your computer screen right now, and others are shaking your head and pursing your lips. 

Well I don’t know why wallpaper always gets such a bad rap…I think maybe it was the 70’s generation  with its tired greens and muted mustards that scarred my mother (who then taught me to fear all papered walls).  But our wildly popular list of wallpaper opened my world to bold options that truly transform a space, and I 100% became a believer in bold wallpaper the second I stepped into MKR’s powder room covered in Thibaut’s orange cheetah print (and I can’t forget the Thibaut Tanzania in the WOM offices). 

If you’re hesitant to wallpaper, I don’t blame you, but you’ll be so happy you did.  From what I’ve learned, it’s safest to stick to smaller spaces such as entryways, hallways, stairwells and powder rooms and let the paper’s personality run wild.  As you can see in the slideshow above, bold wallpaper can really make the room.  As you saw in yesterday’s post, Lindsay Cowles’ gorgeous paper definitely made MKR’s space at the ADAC Rathbuns’ Event!  Cheers, Kat

A few weeks ago during Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, I had the immense honor and pleasure of being included in a list that two years ago would have been crazy to think I would appear in; Rathbun’s Watch List.  The brain child of Chefs Kent and Kevin Rathbun, Rathbuns’ Watch List was created to introduce food and beverage lovers to Southern chefs and beverage professionals who are making their mark on the Southern culinary industry. Through a partnership with ADAC, the Rathbun brothers expanded the event to also showcase the rising stars of Southern design professionals creating an evening that is as beautiful as it is delicious.

Designers are paired with a Chef and invited to create a space that completely encompasses who they are as a designer, while allowing the Chef to represent and share his or her culinary talent.  I was thrilled when I found out I’d be paired with Chef Dylan Fultineer of Rappahonnack Oyster, Virginia.  Immediately when I heard the word Oyster I started dreaming of the water, but I didn’t want to play it safe.  So instead of designing a space inspired by say the coastal waters in Nantucket, I chose to do an East-Coast-meets-West-Coast vibe.  

A more traditional table from Holly Hunt, drapery using Lacefield’s Sahara Midnight fabric, and accents such as ginger jars (lovingly borrowed from Parker Kennedy Living) represented the tried-and-true traditions largely found on the East, while the boldly designed wallpaper from Lindsay Cowles, the Morrocan rug, brassy modern chairs and console table represented the eclectic vibe of—say, Venice Beach.  Together they made a crazy, mixed, in-your-face, go-big-or-go-home explosion I couldn’t have loved more.  

Being tapped as one of the rising stars of design was humbling and overwhelming all at the same time.  It was definitely a new chapter for my career as a designer, and has led me to really sit down and ask myself the important question: do I want to take on more design clients?  That’s a question I’m not quite ready to answer, but it was pretty amazing to be surrounded by the talent of the design community and be recognized as Southern designer.  Truly, MKR