The Leo Cottage: Kitchen Reveal

We are thrilled to finally be able to share The Leo Cottage with all of you! Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing behind-the-scenes blog posts of each room, documenting the transformation that has taken place from our April purchase of the property to final installation in early July!

A lake cottage has long been a dream for Kate and her family, and this property - with it’s lush gardens, adorable potting shed, and stenciled wood flooring - was a true gem! Our April purchase of the property kicked off a tight turnaround schedule that concluded over 4th of July weekend, and included hunting antiques in Round Top, TX, selecting furnishings in High Point, NC, curating accessories and rugs from our KMI showroom, and overseeing the day-to-day remodel of removing walls, adding a bathtub, building custom bunks, and more!

Our first feature will be the funky little kitchen where so many meals and memories are to yet to be made. The idea for this space, and the cottage as a whole, was to have fun with the design while maintaining the integrity of the cottage charms - with stylish yet budget-friendly updates!

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BEFORE

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Before The Leo Cottage kitchen really came to life, it was closed off with an existing wall where the vintage wood island now sits. With careful thought, and a handy demo team, we removed the wall and created an open and airy space to fill with brand new cabinets, color-saturated appliances like our eye-catching Big Chill salmon-colored refrigerator, and many other thoughtful details.

AFTER

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The galley kitchen was transformed to a wide open space and a rustic vintage island was sourced to keep a balance of old and new. You can see that there was never a wall for the range in the “before” images; we built a new one, shiplapped and all, in order to create a perfect spot for cooking with the family!

AFTER

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BEFORE

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One thing that has remained from the beginning phases is the charming green floor pattern. This was one of our favorite aspects of The Leo Cottage when we first walked through, and we knew it had to stay. We were so committed to it that we had a craftsman extend the detailing throughout the main living area! We then brought in this stunning green leather banquet from Chaddock Home to tie everything together! The fringe accent adds such an unexpected twist!

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There are so many great surprises around every corner in The Leo Cottage, and one of our favorites is this breakfast bar adjacent to the kitchen. The interior window bridges the fun between the rooms and is a perfect spot to pull up for a little chat to discuss the day!

AFTER

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Shop The Leo Cottage Kitchen looks using the links below!

01 bamboo bowl 02 pot holder 03 art light 04 berry basket 05 smeg drip coffee maker 06 salt and pepper 07 pitcher 08 refrigerator 09 pendant 10 wood bowl 11 wall sconce 12 stool 13 oven mit 14 colander 15 oil and vinegar

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Nothing beats spending time with the family! Book your Leo Cottage vacation here today to create your own memories!

THINKING S-P-R-I-N-G

Since today is March 1st we feel like it’s officially ok to start Thinking Spring — and oh we are ready! We have warm destinations on our minds and can’t help but think about what we want to wear when we get there! Check out some of our favorites below

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01 sarong 02 bronzer  03 earrings 04 slide  05 tote  06 clog sandal  07 purse  08 hat  09 earrings  10 bag  11 sunglasses  12 jeans  13 linen pants  14 top  15 swim top  16 swim bottom   17 sandal  18 bag 

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01 sarong Make a splash with bold stripes on the pool scene with this cute wrap

02 bronzer Wake up sun-kissed with this overnight bronzer

03 earrings Bold and playful – pair these fun earrings with jeans and a simple tee

04 slide Day or night, these woven mules will keep your feet looking fine

05 tote Boost your boho look with this casual tote

06 clog sandal Update your clog game with these statement-making sandals

07 purse “Just the right size” leather handbag that is the perfect complement to your look for sunnier days

08 hat Cover up in style with this wide-brimmed straw hat

09 earrings Even your ears want to get in on the woven trend so dress them up with these cuties!

10 bag We love this purse for it’s wood material and unique silhouette

11 sunglasses Try something new with these cool sunglasses

12 jeans The cuff detail and high waist add the perfect dose of style to wear these on the regular

13 linen pants Tortoise shell button detail and earthy linen material are a match made in heaven

14 top This pretty saffron shade and ruffle trim is a must-have at a great price

15 swim top  16 swim bottom  Channel some retro style with this cute floral two-piece

17 sandal We spot-ted these slides and fell in love

18 bag Fan-girling over this latest Clare V bag

Fa-la-la-la-la...! Our wishlist is here!

Well, winter hit early this year in Chicago so without even trying our wishlist took on a bit of a theme: comfort and warmth!

1// makeup This pretty finishing powder will ensure you walk into that holiday party with confidence! 2// earrings Rose gold and diamonds for a little added sparkle, everyday! 3// perfume Good things come in small packages and this scent is just as pretty as the bottle it comes in! 4// boots Soft shearling peeking out from suede will wrap your feet in coziness wherever you go! 5// blazer This feminine blazer comprised of soft lines and even softer velvet will be your favorite piece of the season! 6// kettle Now that you are hooked on your Chemex, refine your coffee routine further by enhancing the precision of volume and delivery that this well designed wood-handled kettle provides. 7// oxfords Boyfriend jeans are a fave, so why not borrow their shoes too? The slip-on style of these Oxfords make them just different enough for us women; we love the little details in the leather too. 8// art Abstract neutrals with just enough definition, we are all swooning over this piece! 9// slippers Leopard print shines in all seasons; these will certainly be the most eye-catching slippers you will own! 10// sweater turtlenecks are having their moment, so when it's paired with a nubby ivory knit, it's your new seasonal go-to. 11// beanie Chunky knit with some serious pom is the perfect topper to an outing in the cold! 12// gloves An excuse to get a manicure!  These stylish smokey pink gloves are a beautiful one-size-fits-all gift! 13// leggings We've discovered chenille is at it's best when it is in the form of chenille leggings!  These feel beyond luxe, without the luxe price tag!  14// tote Suede with a crisp black and white accent is a complete design win in this perfectly-sized tote!

1// makeup 2// earrings 3// perfume 4// boots 5// blazer 6// kettle 7// oxfords 8// art 9// slippers 10// sweater 11// beanie 12// gloves 13// leggings 14// tote

KMI Fall Favorites: Style

With the cooler temps we’ve had in the past week here in the Chicago area we’re already finding ourselves contemplating a few new Fall purchases and we thought we’d share our favorites with you.

Jumpsuit - Jumpsuits are IT!  This navy one is on-trend and makes it look easy. // Navy Bomber -Small ribbons at the waistline add a feminine touch to this sporty bomber jacket. // Satchel - Cognac leather and a rich strap adds up to perforated perfection from Clare V! // Jeans - Daytime, nighttime, all the time...plan on wearing these black jeans on the regular. // Blush suede loafers - Suede neutral loafers are a pretty indulgence for your feet. // White sneakers are casual - but not understated - cool // Leather boots - Put the pep in your step with these chunky heeled leather booties // Fisherman sweater - This cabled cardigan will pair perfectly with a pretty cami, a good book, or both! // Black eyelet blouse - This ruffled blouse is what you'll reach for over and over this season // Earrings  - Add a drop of drama with these tassely-chic earrings // Blush cashmere sweater - Blush is still our crush and this cozy sweater has us dreaming of fall bonfire attire! // Black slides - Black leather slides are perfect for coffee to cocktails // Suede clutch - A clutch is so good...a suede clutch in mossy green is even better!

Design Collaboration Announcement!

We are so excited to unveil a series of hand-picked textiles for our first-ever Kate Marker Interiors + SparkModern Pillow Collection partnership! KMI has long been a fan of the quality craftsmanship and extensive textile choices that the lovely mother-daughter duo of Lauren and Amy over at SparkModern create into gorgeous pillows! 

We always bring loads of pillows to clients' homes and are constantly transforming our own studio with new pillow finds so of course we were thrilled when SparkModern agreed to do several curated collections of fabric combinations selected by us! We love how the looks came together and think there is a collection for everyone - from "Classic" to "Collegiate Cool", "Distinguished Eclectic," "Modern Romantic," and "Navy Pattern Play." Pillows can be purchased as a set or individually if you just need a little pop here or there. We hope this also brings the opportunity to mix in a few colors outside of your comfort zone.

NAVY PATTERN PLAY

We love the balance of this relaxed floral with two more structured patterns.

COLLEGIATE COOL

Classic navy and white -- with a dash of on-trend saffron for warmth and style.

MODERN ROMANTIC

The washed out pink hues of the Modern Romantic are feminine but the Ellisha Alexina-designed striped pattern keeps it fresh and not fussy.

DISTINGUISHED ECLECTIC

The detailed floral in Distinguished Eclectic is even prettier in person and brings a richness and sophistication to any space!

CLASSIC

And of course, any inky-navy-indigo pattern is a win-win in our design notebook!

These are limited editions so order yours today at SparkModern. Pillow inserts can also be purchased on the site. If you are local, stop by our studio to check out the collection in person!

Design tip: to achieve the over-stuffed, never-saggy, can't-wait-to-sink-in-to-it : Order 2" larger on each dimension for the non-lumbar pillows....e.g. 22"x22" pillow covers should have a 24"x24" insert while a 20"x20" cover should go with a 22"x22"

Modern Romantic Collection

Collegiate Cool Collection

Photos by Margaret Rajic

GET THE LOOK: THE SUGAR PALM HOUSE

We are really excited about the The Sugar Palm House and the warm reception it has received, and because we've had so many inquiries about sourcing, we wanted to share a few of the products that we used to style it in our first GET THE LOOK blog post! Take a look at the products we've chosen and then scroll down to see how we styled them! Head over to The Sugar Palm House page on our website for more inspiration and information, or view the entire collection in our Shop!

01 Macrame pillow / So on-trend, this fringed pillow makes a textured style statement in a neutral color.

02 Art set of 3 / Organic shapes and shades of blue make this trio an instant gallery wall at a great price - pair all together or separately.

03 Lamp / Stripes are always a nice touch and this 23"H lamp is perfect for a night stand or end table! The finish is a white crackle charcoal wash for a weathered look.

04 Artificial succulent / Adding worry-free pops of green, this succulent can be clustered with others on a table or perched on its own to add to the perfect "shelfie".

05 Pendant / Classic and clean with an antique brass interior and chain, this Goodman pendant is a KMI fave! 

06 Artificial succulent / A cute container holds this basic but brilliant faux succulent to brighten a little spot - or give as a gift!

07 Bone beads / A must-have accent, these bone beads add the perfect worldly touch to a cocktail table vignette or draped over a table lamp.  Various sizes/colors available!

08 Artificial cactus / Sculptural and no-maintenance, this faux cactus is a no-brainer to complement a warm weather vibe.

09 Brass Lucite mirror / Combining brass with lucite, this simple and elegant 38" diameter mirror will complement any coastal color palette!

10 Macrame pillow / Layer on the macrame with a couple boho throw pillows!  This is one of our fave with its diamond pattern and nubby texture!

11 Basket / The perfect pop of neutral texture and a great place to stash throws. Win-win!

12 Lamp / A subtle grooved surface and hand applied blue wash glaze on this classic silhouette is a balance of structure and organic. Lamp measures 27.5"H.

13  Art & 14 Art / A crowd favorite! We love these abstract prints that make a sizable yet soft and pretty statement!  Each piece measures 40.25"W x 50.25"H.

15 Woven stools / Relaxed and fun, these woven stools are as comfortable as they are cute! Dimensions are 23.5W x 22D x 40.5H

MOTHER'S DAY HINTS YOU JUST MAY WANT TO PASS ALONG (SUBTLY OF COURSE)

Just in case you have a little shopping (or hinting) to do for Mother's Day, we thought we'd do a little wishlist of our own and share it with you. We may or may not be sending this to our husbands as we hit "publish".

01/ Feeling soft and pretty in the morning doesn’t come easily while getting members of your household out the door on any given (chaotic) weekday morning, but this little number will up your style ante as you hand out those lunchboxes and waterbottles

02/ Nubuck + Fringe = Stylish storage-on-the-go with this chic little backpack as you go about your day conquering the world, or at least corralling your phone, keys, and lip gloss while watching soccer practice.

03/ This hydrating gloss with just the right amount of shine is in a fab color that complements each of us here in the KMI showroom! 

04/ We tried it for the scent but now we are hooked for the versatility!  This magic little oil is such a pick-me-up for hair and skin, the perfect way to treat yourself as you emerge after a dreary winter!

05/ These sassy sunnies are a great way to treat yourself. We love them for the “Blue Stone” color of the frame and the original design.

06/ Oh, how we love our fiddle leafs.  Oh how depressed we get when they get fickle and start dropping their gorgeous leaves!  Avoid all that and grab one of these that will look picture-perfect every day!

07/ Tassels are having their moment…so layer on a few of these preppy little pillows for a feminine touch!

08/ Organic with a touch of gold, this bracelet is both eye-catching and easily mixed in with other baubles.

09/ One of our favorite interior design trends - all things cane, rattan, wicker, and woven - suddenly wanted to check out the fashion world and these beauties are amazing!  Coupled with the warm leather tones, these are a must-have for warm weather.

10/ We have such a crush on blush – this sweet print has us dreaming of getaways and sunsets and summer cocktails.  Add it to a gallery wall or bring interest to a small little corner of your home!

11/ This subtly shaded rug of pretty blues can hold it’s own in both high and low traffic areas and is a great foundation for so many furnishing and accessory color palettes.

12/ Apricot & Basil is an unconventional pair, but therein lies the balance of sweet & herb-y to enjoy while seeking the other unusual pair, Peace & Quiet.

KMI RUG ROUNDUP 2018

It's no secret that a good rug can make a room and one of the most common inquiries we receive is about sourcing rugs, so we thought we'd do a round-up of some of our favorites. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly rug or an antique, a neutral natural fiber or a bold pattern, keep scrolling for inspiration as well as sources.

This rug from master bedroom of our #bestfriendclient project has been a long-time favorite and it's on sale!

A large natural fiber rug adds warmth and texture to any room like in the family room at our #yesifitswhiteclient project

A patterned rug makes a statement as seen in our #puppyloveclient study.

Love how this rug brings a pop of color to a girls' bedroom at our #bestfriendclient project and we get so many emails about this rug. Keep scrolling to see a few rugs in our round up that will help you get this look!

1//  2//  3//  4//  5//  6//  7//  8//  9// 

KMI has a thing for vintage rugs and we searched high & low to find another rug like this one!

An antique entry rug makes a statement from the moment you walk in as seen at our #whitefarmhouserenoclient project

Love the look of an antique rug in a bathroom.

Layering a natural fiber rug with a vintage rug is a great way to add color and texture to a room while giving it a relaxed but styled feel.

And finally, one of our favorite looks is vintage runner in the kitchen like at #sweetrepeatclient !

1// Carson  2// Clementine  3// Simone  4// Valerie 
5// Morgan  6// Maura  7// Suzanna  8// Katrina  9// Stella

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS!!

AND OF COURSE WE COULDN'T FORGET THE LITTLE GUYS IN OUR LIFE SO LAST BUT NOT LEAST HERE IS OUR GIFT GUIDE FOR THE BOYS! XO

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1// THSIRT  2// POCKET COMB  3// SUNNIES  4// BOW & ARROW SET  5// HAT
6// CASSETTE ART  7// BOW & ARROW ART  8// CHAIR  9// RED SUEDE BOOTS 
10// OTTOMAN  11// HEADPHONES  12// BASKETS  13// DRONE  14// SNEAKERS

HEY GIRL!!!

THERE'S STILL TIME TO GRAB SOMETHING CUTE FOR THE LITTLE LADY IN YOUR LIFE! WE'VE GOT YA COVERED FROM BABY TO MILENNIAL IN OUR LITTLE GALENTINE'S ROUND UP BELOW! XO

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1// ART  2// WATER BOTTLE  3// SNEAKERS  4// JOURNAL  5// ONESIE  6// JEWELRY BOX
7// OTTOMAN  8// BASKETS  9// XO NECKLACE  10// LAMP  11// HEADPHONES  12// DRESS
13// PURSE  14// SNEAKERS  15// BACKPACK  16// RUG

THE MONTH OF LOVE...

IT IS THE MONTH OF LOVE & WE ARE GOING TO KEEP SHARING THE LOVE — THIS TIME "FOR HIM" — WE ALL KNOW GUYS CAN BE HARD TO SHOP FOR SO HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS TO INSPIRE YOU! XO

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1// LAPTOP CASE  2// COLOGNE  3// TURN TABLE  4// TIE  5// FACE LOTION 
6// SUNGLASSES  7// COLLAR STAY CASE  8// COLLAR STAYS   9// MANLY DESK CHAIR  10// BACKPACK  11// SWISS ARMY KNIFE  12// COCKTAIL SHAKER  13// JACKET   
14// BEANIE  15// TABLE

HAPPY FEBRUARY!

With Valentine's Day just two weeks away, we thought we'd share a few items that we are not-so-secretly hoping for! And yes, they just so happen to be pink...

1// The perfect shade to bring pink into your home! This art pops but also plays so well with all decor styles! See it in our #whitefarmhouserenoclient

2// Light up the room with personality by mixing in this favorite lamp from style icon Kelly Wearstler!

3// Treat yourself to smooth skin with simple ingredients that smell divine! Coco Rose body scrub will get you Valentine’s Day ready!

4// Rose Gold has a lot more staying power than just 15 minutes of fame...own your busy schedule with this gorgeous watch.

5// Not too big, not too small, but all around cute! Madewell, one of our go-to clothing and accessory brands, hit the perfect pairing of style and function with this everyday tote.

6// Any little touch of gold catches our eye and these Suite One Studios candles are perfect for gifting - or keeping!

7// Cozy and plush, these pillows justify a night in during February’s cold! Snuggle up with your fave sweethearts!

8// Classy in style, whimsical in color, these mules will add a little joy to your feet!

9// Chanel Gabrielle - tried and true, this floral scent will subtlety coax those close to you to come closer.

10// New on our radar, this lip gloss from Fenty Beauty will give the most kissable lips in the prettiest shades!

11// A twist on their classic plaid, Burberry’s soft pink blanket is the ultimate in luxe

12// For a touch of glimmer and light, dust on this Becca highlighter and let the compliments roll in!

13// If you are looking for a “wow” factor, this delicate but eye-catching necklace pairs worst day and evening looks from sought-after designer Dana Rebecca.

14// Glam up your work area with a cute rolling desk chair in gold and white!

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1// ART  2// LAMP  3// BODY SCRUB  4// WATCH  5// TOTE  6// CANDLE   
7// PILLOW  8// SHOES  9// PERFUME  10// LIP GLOSS  11// BLANKET   
12// BLUSH  13// NECKLACE  14// CHAIR