We’re just getting over a city-wide blackout over here in San Diego – what a crazy day yesterday! Most of the county is still without power, but I’m happy to say that my computer is back and buzzing. We celebrated the night off with friends and it was a welcome pull away from the traditional evening of tv, computer, iphone, etc. that usually distracts from good conversation.
My Friday Guest Blog Interview Series is back with guest Kyle Murphy from The Foundary. Kyle shares with us his favorite decorating trends and inspiration, plus a little more about a daily deals site that offers unique and eye-catching products for the home at a fantastic price (up to 70% off).
Haven’t heard of The Foundary? It’s one of those awesome daily email sites that you can subscribe to. The catch? Each special (from emerging and established designers, shops and artists) is available for just a few days.
Kyle, a lead buyer for the site, answers PDB’s four design questions as it relates to his personal aesthetic and the site’s hand-picked daily features.
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{PDB Interview with Kyle of The Foundary}
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What inspires your design style?
Above all, quality. We’re more receptive to decorative surprises when quality has been assured. Quality materializes in one-of-a-kind handmade Himalayan wool rugs, reclaimed pine media chests and hand-finished midcentury modern reproductions.
What do you love most about what you do?
Taking the stylistic path less traveled and building a brand on it. We feel there’s the life we live and the life we want to live. We look for items with a story and the real thrill comes from sharing our discovery with others (for example, reproduced botany charts based on designs from 1891).
What are your favorite design trends?
Stripes. Luckily, they’re making a return for the fall season in rugs, window coverings and serving ware (the zigzag chevron stripe leads the way). Bronze finishes are back and they’ve ushered in 70s-inspired accents and rekindled an appreciation for vintage. Red may be on the way out, but an overall willingness to experiment with color is very much in.
What are three design suggestions that you would like to offer our readers?
{1} Don’t stop at furniture in the pursuit of quality. Phase out disposable place settings and commit to flatware, screen-printed tea towels and handcrafted glassware. Your efforts will suggest each meal is special.
{2} Use color to your advantage. A blue candleholder on the coffee table will pair with a blue picture frame on a side table for a tailored finish. The effect is effortless and masks the choices involved.
{3} If traditions and trends aren’t you, ignore them. Decorating also entails defining what your home is not.
Thank you, Kyle!
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If you loved this interview, check out more great spotlights {and tips & tricks!} from fantastic blogger
Thank you for this – I’m particularly taken by that last sentence: “Decorating also entails defining what your home is not.” How very true.
I’m going to remember that as we slowly do up the new home; I’ve been following your blog for several months now and it’s given me, an extremely inexperienced layman, a good feel for what will and won’t work in a space (and I adored your homemade wedding posts).
I don’t know what I’ll do once your home is all done! Apart from admire it, of course… ;-)
Sacha, Thank you so much for your kind comment! I absolutely agree on Kyle’s last sentence – that struck me as well since often times decorating choices (especially the learning ones) can inevitably aid in determining what is not right for our house and our taste (tends to be the some of the extra-trendy choices!). I’ve had a few of these ‘learning experiences’ :). Best of luck with your space!
~Morgan