I’ve heard a faint buzz over the past few months that Kate Spade will soon launch a new lifestyle brand called Kate Spade Saturday – have you heard this too? Then recently the rumors were confirmed in Elle magazine and it’s true –Ohhhh, exciting!

According to Elle, “Kate Spade is bringing a bit of weekend fun to your wardrobe and home decor with its new lifestyle brand, Kate Spade Saturday. The line will first debut in Tokyo in February and then in the U.S. for Spring 2013.” This looks like Kate’s hip little sister, doesn’t it? Very fresh and energetic and BRIGHT! I’ve read in other spots around the web that the line will priced a bit lower, too. Sounds good to me.

In addition to fashion, they’re also planning a home and tabletop collection. I’m really looking forward to seeing it. From the photos I’ve seen online, the collection is very bold, graphic and mostly primary colors like yellow, red and blue but also tons of monochromatic love mixing crisp white with bold black.

I can’t wait to find out more about this collection and to finally SEE with my own eyes what all the fuss is about… What do you think based on what you’ve seen and heard so far? 

Speaking of Kate Spade, have you seen the shoes for Keds they are doing? Super cute and available in February. Also, do you own a copy of their new book, “Things We Love“? It just arrived from Amazon today, I’m in love with it! Check out my Instagram stream to see picks from inside.

(images: kate spade saturday)

Make it work! Are you a Project Runway fan? Who isn’t, right? Okay so maybe you know by now that the winner from last season was fashion designer Gretchen Jones (also a blogger!). Her rocker chic bohemian-ness is so cool I think but it goes wayyyy beyond her fashion sense – this lady lives how she feels and dresses – effortless style is just her way of life. I love her Brooklyn apartment, there is a massive spread on Refinery 29 today all about it with 24 photos so this is only a peeky peek. Her moody blue-gray walls make her artwork really stand out. I also like how she uses some of her canvas pieces as mini-ledges to display collected elements.

All of the art and pattern in her apartment is quite cool – very eclectic and anything goes. To see more photos, including her closet and bedroom, click here. These gorgeous photos were shot by Maia Harms.

(images: refinery29 & maia harms)

One of my favorite American interior designers is Betsy Burnham. I’m consistently lured in by her unique work and how personal her touch is – it is so very Betsy. I loved watching a video recently showing her in action (see below) as she dressed a window at a shop in LA called Fuller + Roberts for the most recent Legends of La Cienega event. When I taught a moodboard workshop at Anthropologie in LA last summer, Betsy joined me to share her tips and tricks and was a real crowd pleaser and I was honored big time, a memory I’ll cherish for years!

Everyone loves Betsy, I know I’m a big fan. One look at her happy pattern-filled portfolio and really, how can you not?

(images: burnham design)

This company hasn’t been blogged yet, in fact they just released their line 3 days ago! I was so pleasantly surprised to come across this fabulous new brand because they are not only beautiful and on trend but these talented Icelandic designers live in nearby Berlin! Small world! Tinna and her partner Ingvir head up Dottir & Sonur, a multidisciplinary design firm specializing in products for the home. This is very hot off the press so enjoy this premiere peek!

Ingvi and Tinna met nearly 8 years ago and have collaborated on lots of projects, experimenting with everything from corporate identity to web design and now product design. Ingvi is a web developer and designer and Tinna has a masters in packaging design and they live in Berlin with their little ones, Hjalmar and Solveig. I am in love with the lightlace shown above, it’s amazing!

I also like that they’ve got a little origami-inspiration action going on as this is a growing trend in design motifs and I find origami just lovely and so fresh used in this way. Currently, their products are only available on their website or by contacting Tinna directly at: order AT dottirandsonur.com but they are looking for retailers to take them on so contact them if you have a shop and you’re interested!

Spread the word about Dottir & Sonur, I’d love to see more of their work because I think they’re very talented!

(images: dottir & sonur)

Did I tell you that I was able to see the highly regarded collection of designer Louise Body after my lecture at Decorex last month? Oh I did… And it was simply fantastic to be a part of it all. Here are some photos so you can see what her recent work looks like. I’ve been a fan for a long time and love seeing how she evolves. The shots of pink and yellow in these cushions below make me smile. It all looks very English, doesn’t it?

What about you? Spot anything you like?

When I blog of these beautiful things designed by talented people I think of how I could have the most interesting interiors shop if I ever decided to open one with the bevy of contacts that I have. I truly love design and it would warm my heart to see my favorite things living together in one shared space – a decor8 shop! I’m returning to a dream I had for many years… to become a shop owner. I saw a few vacant places recently in my neighborhood and felt a chill of excitement as I peeked inside. I thought of the potential, my ideas, the events I could host… I once held the dream of shop ownership so closely to my chest but then decided to write a book and the dream was tucked into my back pocket. Though I plan to write more books, I’m reconsidering this idea of being a shop girl and well… perhaps in a few years… We shall see.

(images: louise body)