 Past Students at Ann Sacks Tile Showroom event. The next generation of designers inspire me every time I teach. Teaching this early in my career was never something I thought would be possible. My life lesson was to not let my own perceived blocks limit my dreams. For me there came a time that something inside me just craved to teach and give back. My Father was a teacher as well so it must be in the genes. Seeing their eyes light up with understanding and a'ah moments fills my soul beyond what I ever expected. "I do believe the more we teach, the more we learn. The act of teaching takes us into a whole different level of learning. If you want to learn your craft like an expert, teach it.” Group of students, volunteers, and professionals at the SDC Student Career Day. These students inspire me to go beyond my own limitations in so many ways. They see the world through different eyes. It's up to us to help guide and educate them to take their visions and I am so honored to be a featured Educator with NKBA's Education Appreciation Week. Read the full article here. “At my core, I love connecting with and inspiring people, and if I can do that, there’s nothing greater than inspiring someone else to go beyond their limitations,”
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 After two and a half decades of attending industry trade shows, I've become somewhat of a connoisseur of the highs and lows these events bring. As someone who identifies strongly as an introvert—albeit a social and confident one—I've had to navigate the energizing yet draining rollercoaster of these gatherings. My journey has taught me not just to survive but to thrive, both during and after these intense experiences.
Let's talk recovery first. It's an art form in itself, beginning the moment I touch back down at home. Here's my distilled wisdom for bouncing back: 1. Sleep is Sacred: It's the foundation of my recovery. 2. Stay Hydrated: Water is my elixir. 3. Gentle Movement: Whether it's a soothing spin class, yoga, or a leisurely walk, movement rejuvenates me. 4. Embrace Silence: Meditation and quiet moments allow my mind to reset. 5. Detoxify: Through sauna visits, mindful nutrition, and the right supplements, I cleanse my system. 6. Connect with Nature: It's a balm for my soul. 7. Reconnect Socially: A phone call to a friend can do wonders. 8. Set Boundaries: My "Out of Office" stays on until I'm truly ready to return. During the event, maintaining some semblance of self-care amidst the whirlwind of activities is crucial. Here's how I manage: 1. Embrace Realism: Accepting I can't do everything frees me to focus on what truly matters. 2. Plan and Prepare: Preparing in advance helps me navigate overwhelming moments. 3. Conserve Energy: Knowing when to step back is key to staying engaged without burning out. 4. Stick to Supplements: Maintaining my usual health regime keeps me grounded. 5. Mindful Nutrition: Packing healthy snacks and staying true to my dietary needs fuels me through the day. 6. Prioritize Hydration: Avoiding dehydration is non-negotiable, regardless of the climate. 7. Mental Wellness: Fresh air and micro-breaks, even if it's just stepping outside or finding solace in a quiet corner, keep me sane. 8. Physical Care: Regular stretching, hot showers, and avoiding triggers that could inflame my system help me stay physically well. 9. Plan for Recovery: Trusting in my post-event recovery plan allows me to enjoy the present. 10. Have Fun and Connect: Embracing the temporary nature of the event, connecting deeply with others, and finding joy in the moment make all the difference. These strategies have been my lifeline, transforming potentially overwhelming experiences into opportunities for growth, connection, and renewal. Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, we all can navigate these dynamic events with a little foresight and a lot of self-care. Take care of yourselves! Paula  Happy 2024!
As we start a new year I'm thinking about my own health and well-being and how I can THRIVE this year. I've heard from medical experts that have gone as far as saying that the Interior Design industry is the front line in preventative care! This research supports my mission of creating spaces that support quality lives.
 I used to use the steam room all the time at the gym, pre pandemic. I missed it terribly during the pandemic. I don’t have to convince you of the health benefits of Steam Therapy, I hope, but that could be another article. I work with a lot of clients who are overwhelmed at the idea, the costs and added installation details it takes, but really if you’re working with great professionals, it’s not that hard. On average, buying and installing a steam shower only costs 20% to 35% more than buying and installing a regular shower. Considering that a steam shower can raise the resale price of a home by up to 30.7%, steam showers are worth the added investment. Here are some things you need to know to create a steam shower in your home:
I've recently been introduced to Mr. Steam and their products are fantastic! Happy Valentine's Week! I thought this would be an appropriate post this week. I’m late to the party in writing about Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year but was prompted by an editor who was writing an article and was seeking my input for it. This was fun! Got my creative colorful right brain engaged! I focus on the fine details of kitchen and bath which is a lot of left-brain work. I even had fun creating a Pinterest board as I was thinking through all this. https://www.pinterest.com/paulakennedyckd/2023-viva-magenta/ I have been adding my version of Viva Magenta (fuchsia) to my wardrobe and even pops of color in my own apartment with dark pink hydrangea! I love pink to begin with which many of you already know, it's my happy color and the darker shade is a power color for me like red is. I've always looked good in primary colors, and I love bringing this back into my wardrobe and home. I would describe this color, Viva Magenta, as VIVACIOUS! exciting, full of energy, happy, yet the depth of the color is grounding and gender neutral. It has a bold power to it. From a color psychology perspective, we have all the benefits of red and blue in this color, blending a power color with a stable grounding color making it appeal to many. Tips for homeowners.
Remember, Pantone is not focused on home interiors. We don't always have to take the color of the year so literally. Have fun with it, make it your own, maybe more intense, or more muted, lighter or darker. You are free to interpret it in a way that works for you and your space. Work with a professional who can help you expertly implement this element in your space.
Happy Thoughts! -Paula Certified Architectural Color Consultant  2022 was quite the rollercoaster year! Earlier this year I was still scrambling to keep up with the enormous rush of business from 2021. I was admittedly overcommitted earlier this year, but loved every minute of working with clients, teaching and industry outreach. Then everything seemed to come to a halt this summer. As a self-employed professional slowdowns in our industry always make me nervous, but this year I embraced the time to slow down, take care of myself, recover from a bit of burnout and reconnect with myself and others.
This was a big year of stretching in my business, preparing for what’s next. I will celebrate 25 years in 2023 and am gearing up for a few shifts, or rather expansions, in my business. I’ll be opening to support more cabinet orders within the industry and begin offering consulting services to interior designers. At the end of the year I often journal about all the amazing experiences and accomplishments from the year that I am grateful for and proud of myself for. Starting in 2023 I’m going to start a new practice of filling an empty jar weekly of those things and then on New Year's Eve pull them out to read all the wonderful things that 2023 brought. Thank you to all my clients this year and many many industry friends. Cheers! Welcome 2023 Paula  November 2022
The Seattle Design Center is a touch stone for our industry in the Pacific Northwest. For the Trade it’s a place of community and connection. For our clients it’s a place for quality furnishings, fabrics, finishes, most of which you can’t purchase retail or get anywhere else, and above all concierge service. For years the SDC has hosted Student Career Days. I’ve participated with these events from very early on in my career. From the day I graduated I had a heart for mentoring and encouraging the next generation of designer. I’m an Adjunct Professor these days as well at a couple local colleges so it is a natural connection for me as a volunteer opportunity. As a student at the Seattle Art Institute 25 years ago, my first time at this impressive facility was so daunting and intimidating. I didn’t feel like I belonged. My hope today is to help other students get past this feeling and to help them feel welcome. This is their resource just as much as it is to a designer with many years of experience. This year our theme was “Hitting the Ground Running”. It was our goal to help empower them with skills as they graduate and enter the design industry. It was an honor to moderate an incredible panel of professionals. What a beautiful experience when so many with a heart for the next generation come together with a common purpose to give to others in such a selfless way. Paula #designteacher #designmentor So excited to hear the news! My webinar in 2022 for “Transitional Design Style” was listed as a TOP 5 NKBA Webinar of 2022. You’ve likely gathered by now that my primary trade association is the National Kitchen & Bath Association which is a nationwide organization dedicated to residential kitchen and bath professionals. I first started speaking with NKBA roughly 10 years ago with a topic near and dear to my heart . . . creativity. Nervous and imperfectly I’ve been growing and practicing and today I have accomplished 15 seminars. I’ve also contracted with 4 manufacturers to create curriculum to engage specifiers in the industry. From radio, writing, webinars, and podcasts, it’s all just a story of what I’ve learned that I want to share with others. This is my second year with a webinar in the top 5 with the NKBA organization. Grateful for the organization, the opportunity and to all my peers who keep showing up to get a peak into what I’m passionate about and what I’m learning about. Cheers, Paula #speaking #curriculumdevelopment #specifierengagement
 I just finished a live recording of one of my newest seminars about identifying and defining design styles. Most of my clients can’t articulate their style, or even that their style has evolved and no longer suits them, but they don’t know how to execute that in their homes. Like most of you, my own style has evolved. From French Country to Transitional. Did you know that there are 3 main macro styles . . . Contemporary, Transitional and Traditional? What is Transitional Design Style? It is the most misunderstood, illusive, middle child! Transitional design has one foot planted in traditional design and the other in contemporary. I like to put it simply; You take Traditional design elements, and you simplify them, a little less fussy, then we take Contemporary design, and we warm it up and soften it, with, color, lines and textures. It’s really a blending of traditional and modern elements, combing classic and contemporary architecture . . . the best of both worlds! This image perfectly portrays what I’m talking about. There are many micro-styles that fall under this middle category, and it’s a very broad category, and the lines between each are a little blurry. If you ask 10 designers, you might get 10 different answers. My goal in researching this and teaching it to designers and students (and homeowners) is to help lesson that disparity and get more of us on the same page and to give you the language to help identify your own style. I love the faces that light up when a client realizes their style has a name! How do we execute this in kitchen and bath design? Here is a grouping of cabinet door styles. From left to right, contemporary, transitional and traditional.  These faucets below are a fantastic example of a process I take my clients through. We’ve determined that they are transitional style but when we get to the plumbing showroom they keep being drawn to the contemporary faucet. Here we start to see just how wide the middle bucket is. Within transitional design you can lean towards contemporary or towards traditional. These two middle faucets are both transitional, but you can see the distinct differences in detail.  I hope this helps you in your quest to define your style. Transitional has surpassed Contemporary design this year. Everyone is drawn towards “A little of this and a little of that.”, we CAN have the best of both worlds. And best part is that when expertly executed, your new space will be a long-lasting aesthetic, truly TIMELESS.
Cheers! Paula #transitionaldesign #timelessdesign   I spent the first part of my life not being an outdoorsy girl, it wasn’t until I started focusing on my health and wellbeing that I started to become aware of my desire and joy of the outdoors. There was a specific moment when I was trail running that I broke down crying in the middle of the forest, overwhelmed with a grief that it took me till I was 50 to find the immense joy of being physically active in the middle of nature! I felt truly alive for the first time.
Biophilia makes us happier and healthier by increasing our connection with the natural world. We’re all talking more about Wellness Design in the built environment and Biophilia is an important part of that. There are MANY health benefits!
Air Water Earth Metal Wood Fire, and I added Rhythm and Organic Shapes
NASA’s Clean Air Study states the Snake Plant is so effective in producing oxygen that if you were locked in a sealed room with no airflow, you could survive with only 6-8 plants in it! I’ll post more in the coming weeks with specific examples of spaces and products that will allow you to bring that health and well-being inside your own homes. Happy Fall! Paula |
