Years ago, my mom introduced me to Florence Broadhurst prints and specifically, wallpaper. I was tempted to use it in my Los Angeles house, but another wallpaper from Osbrone & Little won out. It would have been right at home in my former mid century abode.

Having said that, I am a big fan of foil and metallic retro-looking wall coverings in the right environment. You must be after that retro 1960′s through 1980′s vibe. Think “A Simple Man” through “Scarface”… It can be really very cool in a powder room and even more so in a main space like a dining room, but you need to be risk adverse and really go for it. Paired with Danish Modern or Mid Century pieces is an obvious winner, but what about with more mixed furnishings, they must be well curated and spare– too much happening amongst this paper would be a headache– but it CAN work with many different genres, really!

I can see lacquered pieces, Roccoco here and there, even uber contemporary pieces like spare Donghia chunky upholstery could work. As my idol, Tim Gunn would say you need to “make it work” by pairing down to the most essential and letting the wallpaper be the star.

1. Ninfa 2. Cockatoos 3. Peacock Feathers 4. Palais Chinois 5. Birds of Paradise 6. Banswara

In case you were skeptical, take a peek below. Use a solid foil paper in gold or silver to give the ceiling a soft shimmer. Notice the office vignette, it gives off the vibe of a grasscloth but has a soft metallic glow—very Tom Ford, “A Simple Man” look. What about the formal dining room, very fancy-glam. If you are scared to commit, then don’t go for the turquoise picture below, but perhaps settle for an application in your closet like the silver nautical-patterned paper. Make it work!

1. Mark Lund Photography via Decorpad 2. Jan Showers 3. Pinterest 4. Pinterest 5. Pinterest 6. Pinterest

Mother’s day is usually a sweet and low key affair here at the house– it’s not like I get showered with gifts and breakfast in bed, more like I get awakened by sweet kisses from the girls and Doug. Sometimes a small gift, sometimes a bit bigger, but it’s a generally chill day.

All the blogs are posting Mother’s Day gift guides. What the hell do I know about what other people want? I thought I would post my personal wish list, with the hopes that Dougie is reading. Doug, are you there….?

Service for 8?

Embarrasing cliche, but I don’t care, I want it!

Dream on, Kate:

Two of these would look awful nice on our nightstands, D. One for you, one for me:

I met this artist years ago in New York and have wanted a piece ever since:

The best gift:

Do you have a fireplace that never gets used? Is it ugly inside, chipping or smoke-stained and you can’t stand to look at it anymore? Stick a plant inside it.

Better yet, stick a lush plant like a Fern inside a rustic basket inside the fireplace. Or a succulent planted inside a cement statuary inside the opening. Why the hell not? Sound a bit crazy? Not so! It can instantly add a pop of lush green to the empty cavern and create a cozy, visual element. As long as it gets indirect light and is watered it will survive and thrive. Don’t knock it until you try it:

1. Migonis Home 2. Southern Living 3. The Lettered Cottage 4. Southern Living 5. Real Simple 6. Southern Living 7. Lynn Morgan Design 8. Lynn Morgan Design 9. Yahoo

One of my daughters’ favorite places to visit in Wellesley is a darling little store called K-Girl, owned by the lovely and stylish Estelle Colgan. Why do we love it so much?

Well, first and foremost, unlike almost any other tween-focused retail store I know of– K-Girl has the best, most well curated group of on-trend, fashionable, but NOT cheesy or inappropriate selection of clothing and accessories for young girls. Everything in there is cool, of-the-moment and appealing to both me and the girls. THAT is the real challenge. I don’t want them walking around bedazzled looking like Toddlers and Tiaras, and there are too many opportunities to stray in this day and age. You won’t find that here. Trust me…

But a major plus is the shopping experience itself. The vibe inside is so relaxed and welcoming– because of the people who work there, but also because of the visual atmosphere. Don’t discount the design impact inside of a store: it has a huge effect on the customer experience. I have never designed a retail space, but if I could, I would hope to do it like Estelle did.

Utilizing classic elements with funky touches and unusual finishes. Not loud but noticeable. Cool but understated. I asked Estelle how she designed the store. I was so curious about some of the elements I had never seen before. Where did she get that wallpaper? Surely I had missed it at the Boston Design Center. And the floor material, I could envision it in several residential spaces. Kids’ playrooms, basements, laundry and more…

I am sure certain elements inside were splurges, notice the whimsical pearly wallpaper and moreover the pink and orange damask one… Others made super creative use of ordinary materials: a great example is the floors. VCT tiles are coated with pearlized metallic coating create a super durable but subtly sparkly undertone. How did she do it? Well, for starters she used a professional, commercial designer Dusty Rhodes.

Together they flew to the International Trade Show for Store Design in Chicago with a mission to get the store outfitted. As Estelle recalled, the tangerine and pink damask wallpaper set the tone and the rest was history. Such is the way good design happens all around; you get inspired by a single element, and then things begin to take shape, and off you go. Estelle attended to the details–her light fixtures echo the whimsy, with custom made paper shades trimmed out in ribbon. The paper on the walls echoes the swirls in the chandeliers.

Not your run of the mill tween clothing store, a cozy, girly, almost lounge-like experience, complete with vinyl upholstered kidney shaped couches and spaces that encourage guests to linger and chat (and chat we definitely do!) If you have a chance and a reason, please visit the gals at Kenzie Kids and K-Girl and tell them how adorable the store is. Chances are you won’t walk out empty handed, but you will be happy you went.