We are so excited to finally unveil one of our most special NYC interior design projects: my own home! Of course, this is a very personal and intimate space for me. I can't wait to show you the transformation. A huge shout out to our sponsor, Pratt and Lambert Paints, for partnering with us to find the perfect paint color for my home bedroom. As with most NYC apartments, we started off with a white box overlooking the Hudson river and the city skyline. It was important to me to have a bedroom that felt inviting and relaxing, but still full of color. When looking through Pratt and Lambert's wide selection of paint colors, it was difficult to narrow it down to just one shade for this space! Eventually, we landed on a beautiful neutral teal shade, Moon Tide PL 260 in the Eggshell finish. It's such a stunning shade of teal that almost changes color with the natural light. This shade is part of Pratt and Lambert's Accolade collection. The paint applies flawlessly and wears impeccably and is among the best in the ultra-premium category. It offers superb hide, excellent stain blocking and one-coat coverage in more than 100 colors from the extensive Pratt & Lambert color system. When it came to furnishing the space, a blend of globally inspired pieces from around the world was only fitting. Over the years, I have found such unique pieces, so it...

One of the most common questions we get as an NYC Interior Design Firm is "what is the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator?" These names may seem interchangeable, but they are in fact completely different jobs. While both roles have to do with interiors, the job functions are very different. Today we wanted to break down the difference between the two so that you can decide which is a better fit for your project. Take a look! Interior Designers   An interior designer studies the needs and behaviors of the client to create the most functional space for the interior of a home, including designing the shapes of the walls and floors. They work directly  with the architectural team to develop a floor plan while keeping things like fire safety, accessibility, functionality, and sound control top of mind. Designers work on both commercial and residential projects. An interior designer typically goes to school specifically for design and will be certified with the state. It's important that any interior designer you work with is in fact licensed and registered to ensure they have the knowledge required to safely design your home. Interior Decorators   An interior decorator uses fabrics, paints, furniture, and accessories to develop the visual aesthetic of the space. They will measure the space and work with the architect to come up with a design concept. They use elements such as furniture, lighting, accessories, paint,...

As NYC interior designers, we know a thing or two about designing small spaces. Many people feel that there is little you can do to make an apartment feel designed. But they are so wrong! Today we wanted to share some of our favorite tips for designing apartments, and combat some popular myths about apartment interior design. Take a look! Apartment Interior Design Tip 1: Dark Colors Do NOT Make a Room Look Smaller   This is one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to apartment interior design. So often we have clients who want to add in color, but are scared that anything other than pastels and neutrals will make the room smaller. This is not the case! In fact, dark colors can draw attention to features of the room. Tall ceilings, wall height windows, and even accent lighting can all be accentuated when they are against dark colors. In our clients' Tribeca penthouse, they wanted a contemporary, moody feeling throughout, and we used a variety of textures and colors to do this.   Apartment Interior Design Tip 2: Take Advantage of Vertical Space   The next biggest tip I have for designing apartments is to utilize your vertical space! When working with a small apartment, the walls are your friend. Include some beautiful built in cabinets and shelves to accommodate for extra storage. Try to keep as much off the floor as possible when it comes...

One of the most common questions we get as an NYC interior design firm is "where did you get that?" Now, we can't divulge ALL our secrets, but we can share with you some of our favorite spots to find accessories and art for your home. Our sourcing process is very tedious, and we only shop with the highest quality vendors for our clients, so you can rest easy in knowing these are the top destinations. Take a look at where these interior designers shop! Tamam We personally love to shop at Tamam located here in New York for some of the most beautiful vintage pieces. With colorful pieces from all over the world, Tamam has something for every design style and will last you a lifetime. We use Tamam for unique accessories, textiles, pillows, and more. The team at Tamam is so informative and knowledgeable, and we can guarantee you won't find anything like these pieces anywhere else. St Frank Textiles St Frank Textiles is another great place where interior designers shop for accessories. Not only do they have beautiful, high quality products, but they also give back to the community and their artisans with every purchase. Some of our favorite things to get from St Frank include their framed vintage textile art, pillows, and tabletop accessories. They source their products from vintage dealers and artisans around the world, so you are sure to find something unique. John Derian...

As an NYC interior designer, I'm constantly on the lookout for inspiration and ways to expand my skillset. It's so important as a designer to keep your mind fresh and stimulated. This week we wanted to share some of our favorite interior design books with you. We hope you can find inspiration throughout these pages! Take a look.     On Style: Inspiration and Advice from the New Generation of Interior Design   "On Style brings together today's top up-and-coming interior designers who together reflect the future of decorating, illustrated with never-before-published photos of each designer's work. The world is changing, and interior design is changing along with it. Today's designers are presenting a fresh take on decorating, and they are connecting directly with their audience over social media. In his follow-up to Interior Design Master Class, editor Carl Dellatore turns his curatorial eye toward this next generation of decorators, culling fifty of the top designers working in America today. On Style provides an intimate view into the personalities, inspirations, and aesthetics of these members of the new guard. Each profile spotlights a never-before-seen project, as well as each designer's story and influences, and of course, their advice for achieving great style." As you peruse this interior design book, you may even see some familiar faces on page 50! The Interiors and Architecture of Renzo Mongiardino: A Painterly Vision Hardcover   "A fresh look at the interiors of Renzo Mongiardino—considered one...

With so many working from home these days, you may be thinking "It's time to rethink my home office interior design". We don't blame you! You spend so much time in your office, and it should be a space that is not only functional, but beautiful. Today, we are sharing some of our top tips for making your home office feel like an inspiring workspace. From color palette to finishes, every detail matters. Take a look! Warm Color Schemes   A typical home office interior design usually gravitates towards white and stale colors, but why not make your space warm and inviting? For our client's Central Park West home office, she wanted a space that was warm and bright, and we delivered. The red grasscloth wallpaper is warm without being overstimulating, and the rich wood furniture makes the space feel more welcoming and cozy. To balance out all the warmth, we added in bright blue accents to give contrast. Most importantly, we positioned the desk right by the window for lots of natural light and beautiful views of the park.   Luxe Finishes   Our clients' Tribeca apartment was full of rich color and luxurious finishes. It was only natural to continue this palette into the home office! We believe that your workspace affects your headspace, so we brought in beautiful brass and gold accents to promote prosperity and mindfulness. The cabinet doors have a luxurious rich blue overlay, which...

After the year we've all had, we're seeing more and more of our clients ask for extra color in their homes. Of course, we are more than happy to oblige. Bold color statements are a great way to brighten up your home and perk up your spirits on even the darkest of days. Here at KCD, we are no strangers to color, so today, we're sharing our secrets to mastering bold color. Take a look below for colorful interior design inspiration! Monochromatic Color Inspiration   One of the most obvious ways to make a bold color statement in your interior design is to use a monochromatic color palette. In our client's Central Park West apartment, she insisted on a "red" bedroom. Of course we wanted to honor her wishes, but we needed to figure out a way to make it feel natural and not overwhelming. Red has a tendency to be overstimulating when used too much, so it's all about balance. We started with a red grasscloth wallpaper, which was the star of the show. With such a bold color, it's important to keep it simple. The grasscloth texture gave that bit of visual interest without feeling too busy. We then moved to the bed, which featured a red blockprint fabric upholstery, and was complimented by the antique red ikat at the foot of the bed.   Complimentary Colors   Next, we have complimentary color schemes. Complimentary colors are on...

After the year we've all had, I think it's safe to say a trip to the Hamptons sounds like the perfect escape. The clean breeze, soothing waves, and tranquility all are so appealing, no wonder the Hamptons are such a popular destination! Many of our clients have stunning beach houses in the Hamptons, and we've come to find that bringing a little bit of that refined, yet relaxed Hamptons energy into our NYC interior design can be a great choice. Today, we wanted to share a bit of our philosophy into channeling that Hamptons interior design style no matter where you live. Take a look! It's All in the Mix   If you've been following us for a while, you know that style mixing is a big part of how we create our magic. And designing with the Hamptons Interior Design style in mind is no different! As you can see above, we mixed a multitude of styles, patterns, and textures to attain this relaxed look. We mixed materials like the raw wood table and the exposed brick fireplace with crisp, clean lines in the furniture. We added abstract art above the fireplace to balance the very contemporary lines of the millwork and windows. To tie it all together, we added in subtle, yet intricate patterns in the wool rug and the throw pillows to add some more interest and culture to the space.   Contrast is Everything   Next,...

While it may be hard to believe with all the recent snow storms, spring is just around the corner! Today we wanted to go over some of our favorite ways to brighten up your home for spring. Here are a few of our favorite spring interior design ideas. Muted Pastels:   In our clients' Chelsea Penthouse, they wanted to have lots of color (and we were happy to oblige!). We chose this gorgeous bright bedding, but needed to find a way to keep the color moving without being overwhelming. The paint color we chose is a beautiful muted pink, toned down with a gray undertone. This color is perfect to bring in those warm spring feelings without it being too much. Now, we don't mean Easter egg pastels. Look for colors that have a gray or taupe undertone to keep them feeling warm yet livable.   Chinoiserie   Chinoiserie is one of our favorite spring interior design ideas. By definition, Chinosierie is the European interpretation of Chinese decorations and art. We love using Chinoiserie prints throughout many of our designs. In this Central Park West interior design, we added this stunning wallpaper in the main bedroom. While we may be surrounded by the concrete jungle, this whimsical wallpaper created our own magical indoor garden that lasts all year. You can pick a more subtle print, like this one, or go bold with bright colors and larger scale prints.   Floral...

Instagram is such a great place to find interior design inspiration. Whether you're in the process of renovating your home, looking for a designer or architect or just like to be inspired, there is something for everyone! Therefore, we've compiled a list of the top interior designer Instagram accounts to follow for the best inspiration and interior design tips. Take a look! NYC Interior Designer: @katicurtisdesign   Step into the colorful, magical world of Kati Curtis Design. On our page you can find colorful, layered interiors, along with behind the scenes access, daily inspiration, and our latest series "Like That, But Not That" which launched this week! In this series, we will be going over the latest trends that are just "not that" and giving you the perfect substitutes to keep you in style. Follow us to see weekly episodes along with daily interior designer Instagram inspiration!   Los Angeles Interior Designer: @kevinisbell   Secondly, over on Kevin Isbell's Instagram you're sure to find beautiful, timeless interiors from all over the country. Based in LA, Kevin Isbell works with clients from all parts of the country but always keeps his timeless aesthetic consistent. Kevin keeps it real with (what some may consider to be) controversial tips and tricks, but just one look at his work and you'll see he knows what he's talking about. Make sure to give him a follow!   NYC Interior Designer: @robertpassal   If you're looking...