I was catching up on some much-needed blog reading today and came across a post that my friend Anh-Minh Lee wrote just yesterday about California-based interior designer Kimberly Ayres. Not knowing who she was, I clicked on her link and found a most delicious portfolio that I thought I’d highlight for a little eye candy inspiration. Kimberly’s design style is classic meets bohemian with a feminine, elegance in her well-edited rooms. There’s nothing like drooling over the work of a talented interior designer to spark an idea or to light the fire under your butt to work on that idle project in your home, right!?
After reading her bio, I learned that she didn’t start out as a designer — she actually practiced law before tapping into her creative side. Leaving her profession behind, she went to school to study painting, antiques and interior architecture. The more I looked at her work I realized that her name rang a bell for a reason…she was mentioned in Domino magazine as one of the Top Ten Young Designers to Watch in 2009. Do you remember that article?
Anyway… before launching her own practice, Kimberly worked for Kelly Wearstler and then, Michael Lee. In 2000, she launched her own practice and now, nearly 10 years later, she is a successful designer with not only her own practice but also owns a furnishings and accessories store in San Francisco called Kimberly Ayres Home.
And hello yellow! Don’t you love all of that warm goldenrod in her home shown in the photos above? That color is super fab, beautiful in the summer, gorgeous in the autumn… and truly a great hue for California living. I also adore {drool drool drool} that turquoise bedside lamp — so much! It’s very Domino-esque — something we we would have seen in Domino mag, are you with me on this? The nightstand is pretty too, looks a bit Asian but I cannot see the legs to truly tell. The fish cup/jug/creamer/vase/whatevertheheckitis is also great with those bold fuchsia blooms — it’s truly the ice breaker in that vignette, it keeps all those blue and yellow patterns looking perky and modern. Don’t believe me? Place your index finger over the floral arrangement. See the difference in that photo now? The colors aren’t as snappy, are they? Almost a bit dizzying. That pink really creates healthy tension and I love it. And so if you ever look through magazines and don’t notice the flower arrangements at work already, start paying attention to them and how stylists use cut flowers to often add a lift. They’re the push up bra of decoration. :)
I say this a million times on decor8, but again… another example of a career changer who turned out to be a successful small business owner. So if you’re considering a career change, don’t lose sight of your dream! Imagine if Kimberly didn’t go for it?
(photos: Eric Cahan)
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Oh, that headboard is just perfect! I love it!
.-= CherryTreeLane´s last blog ..psssssst. =-.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
LOVE that ginkgo wallpaper with the robins egg blue lamp. Swoon!
.-= jen o´s last blog ..Two more months =-.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:02 pm
The side table is…I’m pretty sure…this one:
http://bungalow5.com/products-jacqui-3-drawer-side-white-5-JAC-30-09.php
And the headboard is quite Jonathan Adler-esque. I’m loving her style – I can’t say I’ve ever seen her stuff before, but it’s definitely along the same lines as my personal style. Loooooove!
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Hi there Holly! I would love to be featured on your Etsy Take Five Tuesday! I have been following you for quite some time now. Thank you so much!!
Love,
Michelle
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Am0rDesigns
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:00 pm
I love the black tree silhouettes in the hallway–gorgeous!
.-= blue bicicletta´s last blog ..The Last Letter of my Alphabet =-.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Great post and such an inspiration!! Plus I love the “push up” comment! Fresh flowers are a must – they can turn around any room!
.-= Julieann´s last blog ..A cozy Jan Shower Library =-.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:37 pm
oooo! that yellow room is to die for!!!! my favorite and it looks so yummy – be still my heart. I love, love, love yellow – what an inspirational post and designer – thank you!
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:38 pm
there is a lamp sold at target.com that is very similar to this one. I’ve been eyeing it for months but it’s still pretty spendy for Target…will post a link as soon as I can find it again!
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Here’s the aforementioned lamps at Target: http://tinyurl.com/yhg6264
Unfortunately, they’ve been that same price for at least a year. I think I once saw them on sale for $199, and apparently should have jumped. But I just keep thinking that maybe they’ll clearance out. This is pretty funny b/c I commented earlier today on your wreath post about finding the lamp in your photos, and now hopefully I’ve helped point someone else to an equally fabulous lamp! Comment karma!
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:55 pm
I love those strong contrasts, love her style! Delightful!
Remember Domino too….
.-= Victoria Zlotkowski´s last blog ..Monday’s work =-.
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:55 pm
The gingko wallpaper is amazing I wonder where it comes from. Such a confident use of colour and pattern, really lovely.
.-= Jane´s last blog ..To Russia with love =-.
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I love the tree wallpaper! What gorgeous rooms.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Save The Thread =-.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:01 pm
love those wallpapers!!
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Kimberly’s design styles are gorgeous! Her story is such an inspiration! It is alright to persuit a dream that is not in line with your studies. This i wish my dad could read. :) Have a lovely merry happy day and love to yoU!
.-= Jacqueline´s last blog .."Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue =-.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:27 am
love the yellow! the cushions on the bed are a lovely fabric – anyone know where the fabric/cushions are from?
.-= julie´s last blog ..vintage lace =-.
November 4th, 2009 at 2:02 am
Gorgeous!! I loved yellow before but now I love it even more!! xx
.-= simplygrove´s last blog ..Its coming…. =-.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:23 am
Wow, some great ideas there! Very impressed with how well she uses yellow in her rooms too.
.-= Fresh Design Blog´s last blog ..Now Panic and Freak Out tea towel =-.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:26 am
really enjoyed your post and the gorgeous items :)
.-= 7ART Jewelry´s last blog ..CHIARO di LUNA (moonlight), silver wire crochet hoop earrings with crystals =-.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:54 am
That’s a really great story. I am thinking for weeks about a career change… My job isn’t anymore what I want to do for the rest of my live, because my chefs do not know to appreciate my work. And last weekend I had a long discussion with my mom about my future. She made me the proposal to try it next to my work as an interior designer. And now I am thinking of her words since last weekend and don’t know what to do. But it feels good to share my thoughts with you. And it feels good to hear about such a carrer-change-story. Thank you Holly.
.-= caro´s last blog ..Amigurumi =-.
November 4th, 2009 at 4:48 am
what a refreshing ideas! love those black trees wallpapers
.-= eve´s last blog ..Europe’s Christmas Markets =-.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Amazing!!! Thank you so much for this post! I’m in the midst of going through career changes– focusing more on my passion and working for myself. You are truly and inspiration!! xoxoxo
.-= Deb´s last blog ..Fireplace Roundup =-.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:33 am
What an inspirational post! I love hearing her story and her designs are amazing! I totally see what you are saying about the use of flowers in a room too. They seem to make bland color schemes come to life.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Thank you for this inspiring post. I am also working towards a career change from law to textile and surface pattern designer. It is so encouraging to read about people who have taken that risk and all for the better.
.-= Rosy Lady´s last blog ..Spooky =-.
November 4th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Wow, i LOVE the gingko wallpaper! And I always love that Kelly Wearstler trellis fabric… love that colorway!! Also, in case anyone is interested, that side table with the beautiful blue lamp is the Jacqui Side by Bungalow5 :)
November 4th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
The fish cup/jug/creamer/vase/whatevertheheckitis is called a Gurgling Cod. The link below has a little history on them:
http://www.shrevecrumpandlow.com/history/gurgling_cod.aspx?gclid=CM2Tq-mq8p0CFchn5QodBmSyxg
November 4th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
WOW! What a beautiful design you’ve got in here. You made this a wonderful, but very simple design. I really really love it. It reminds me one of my friends because her favorite color is yellow.
Deirdre G
November 5th, 2009 at 4:04 am
Ellen – Thank you for researching that and posting a link!
November 5th, 2009 at 9:33 am
I worship yellow in rooms, especially when it is the only spot of color.
http://thefancier.blogspot.com/
.-= The FAncier´s last blog ..KNICKERY =-.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Love people who are bold in their color choices. This girl is not afraid of anything!
November 6th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
The gingko wallpaper is from twenty2. Thanks for your comments! My husband and I designed this pattern several years ago and are always thrilled when we see it in use. Kimberly has such a great sense of style and we love what she does with our wallpapers. There are many more twenty2 wallpapers, but here is the link to the gingko print: http://www.twenty2.net/wallpaper/pages/montague_page.html.
November 10th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
That golden hue in the bedroom is amazing. I also love the Moroccan lantern. A gorgeous combination. Thanks for sharing her work. I do remember her from Domino. Just fabulous!