Interior Design with Kandrac and Kole

Latest Episodes:

Guest Lauren Clement May 21, 2021

Show notes

The Spring High Point Market is almost upon us, and we are organizing our famous must-see list of manufacturers, speakers, and functions to attend in June. We thought it would be a perfect time to share with you our guest today, Lauren Clement, an award-winning, Charlotte-based Interior Designer who has a lot going on with the Market this year. Tune in as Lauren reveals the details behind the LN Shop; plus, she tells us the ins and outs of her business and talks about her collaborations with Benjamin Moore Paints, Charleston Forge and more.

In this episode:

Learn about Lauren's new website and how she expanded her brand to include design AND on-line shopping with curated rooms to choose from.
How COVID positively influenced the growth of her company.
What life long loves inspired Lauren's new collection for Charleston Forge debuting at the Spring High Point Market.
Lauren's experience developing 24 paint colors for Benjamin Moore and what her favorite color is.

https://www.kandrac-kole.com/our-podcast

Our Favorite Catalog and Online Items May 07, 2021

Show notes

We've been in business for 16 years and are fortunate to have acquired many wholesale furniture accounts, as well as having an arsenal of talented artisans that we purchase for both our residential and commercial projects. There are times though that we turn to online sources and catalogs for certain items. Our wholesale sources may be out of stock, a client has specifically requested something or the products are very unique and not available through our sources.

In This Episode:

[04:18] Pottery Barn
[12:05] Ballard Designs
[18:44] Etsy
[24:09] Crate and Barrel

Key Takeaways:

Etsy packages often come with hand written thank you notes and the products are packaged well.
To avoid shipping damages, communicate with the seller for the best solutions.
Over 50 inch width benches are perfect for the front of a king or queen-sized bed.
Pottery barn has an entire home office collection

Sponsored by Wexel Art:

Wexel Art is a female-owned company by Morgan Doherty and Natasha McCray. They built the company on the principle that showcasing life's little pleasures should be simple and rewarding. The word Wexel means "Change" in German. It started the concept of a floating acrylic panel that works with pairs of magnets to hold your art in place, allowing you to seamlessly change out what is in the frame and seconds. It provides you a contemporary way to showcase your art, photos, and memorabilia without the hassle of custom framing.

https://www.kandrac-kole.com/our-podcast

How to Choose Finishes for Your Home Apr 23, 2021

Show notes

As we discussed in our last episode about renovating vs. buying, Joann and I have spent the better part of the previous ten years making selections for renovations and new builds. Finishing touches are a daunting task when you aren't in the business, so we thought we'd share some of our wisdom by chatting with Stacy Wray, our rep extraordinaire at ProSource Wholesale Marietta, Ga. Stacy talks about being brave when it comes to your flooring, adding tiles to the walls, and the challenges that manufacturers face during the pandemic.

In This Episode:

[02:00] Introducing Stacy Wray with Kandrac & Kole
[04:20] How she landed on a job in the renovation.niche
[10:00] The three talk about safe and convenient flooring
[18:00] For the love of colorful cabinets up for sale
[28:00] What you should know from a designer showroom.

Key Takeaways:

We can keep tiles all one color, but we can add shapes and textures. And then we've created a lot of dimensions on the floor.
If you want to do all flooring, go in the laundry room, bathrooms--it can go anywhere.
People are gravitating more than they used to for the ones that don't take all that downtime, allergies, and sensitivities.
It's really fun to see people think outside the box.
It's just fun to see people taking chances and realize you really can't go wrong. You love it. Just go for it.

Meet Stacy Ray

Stacy Ray, who is our rep extraordinary and showroom manager at Pro source wholesale in Marietta, Georgia

Links Mentioned:

Website: https://www.highpointmarket.org/

Should You Renovate or Move? Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

Stay at home orders have left Kandrac and Kole swamped with an incredible amount of work this year designing remodels and new construction. We all know that many homeowners now place a high value on making their homes more beautiful and functional. However, for some homeowners, selling can be a much better option – tune into this episode to figure out which one is right for you.

In This Episode:

[02:05] How much does it cost to sell a house?
[05:50] What to ask yourself before deciding to renovate your home.
[10:30] Why the world is your oyster when it comes to remodeling your home.
[14:25] The costs involved with remodeling your home.
[19:35] Other things to consider when deciding between moving or remodeling.

Key Takeaways:

Selling your house? There's a good chance you'll have to do some painting, cleaning, landscaping, and staging.
For a kitchen budget, you need to budget for anywhere from 10-25% of your home's value.
Take your time and hire professionals to help get your renovation done correctly.
Talk to your financial planner, real estate agent, and bank before making a decision about renovating or selling.

Links Mentioned:

ProSource of Mariettahttps://www.prosourcewholesale.com/showrooms/ga-prosource-of-marietta

Guest Katerina Rothman, Linen Expert Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

We are happy to introduce Katerina Rothman to our show today. She is the founder of Beflax Linen which offers 100% pure linen bedding and home décor products for bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. Katerina talks about the importance and benefits of linen, how to choose a suitable fabric for your home, and styling tips using linen.

In This Episode:

[02:10] Katerina speaks about the inspiration behind her company, Beflax.
[09:00] Why linen is a woman's best friend.
[14:31] Linen is so breathable; great for women going through menopause and night sweats.
[18:20] About the other products you can enjoy from Beflax.
[25:55] Linen is exceptionally durable; linen bedding is going to last at least a decade.

Key Takeaways:

Linen is a luxury fabric; if you are buying high-quality linen, it will never be cheap.
Linen is a truly versatile fabric; it can come in many different weights and is excellent in a variety of settings.
The best quality linen is actually coming from Europe, specifically Belgium.
Linen resists moisture – the fabric will both absorb the moisture and wick it away from your skin, making it great for people suffering from hot flashes.

Links Mentioned:

Beflaxhttps://beflaxlinen.com/

Linen Bathrobehttps://beflaxlinen.com/products/decorated-linen-bathrobe-from-everyday-linen-collection

Home Goodshttps://www.homegoods.com

2021 Kitchen and Bath Trends from KBIS Virtual Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is North America's largest trade show dedicated to all aspects of kitchen and bath design. It's how we see the latest products and innovations, as well as hearing from industry leaders. Since we could not attend, we reached out to our design colleagues to fill us in on trends and new introductions. Due to the technical problems this year's virtual event had, many of the items they are sharing were from Signature Kitchen Suites and Kohler, with a few others mixed in.

In This Episode:

[01:00] About The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS)
[08:56] Susie Feia talks about Kohler faucets.
[10:45] Why touchless faucets should be the next big thing
[11:10] Elizabeth Shruggs talking about LG home products
[14:52] Arianne Bellizaire and her lucky find of an under-counter refrigerator
[17:24] Chelsea Butler talks about benefits of Rev-A-Shelf products
[20:53] Debbe sharing about a Kohler voice-controlled kitchen faucet
[22:50] Jessica Duce and dishwasher recommendations

Key Takeaways:

Since our homes have become our restaurants and our hotels, you can add in small luxury elements
Touchless faucets are starting to be added in standard designs
Signature Kitchen Suites has an under-counter refrigerator or freezer. These are great for an extra small space and you customize to be a freezer, fridge, or both.
The Maxx Drawer system from Rev-A-Shelf is the perfect solution for people who want everything in its place and zero clutter
Moen Smart Water Shut-Off - This valuable tool will detect if there's a leak in your home and will notify you right away.

Links Mentioned:

The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show https://kbis.com/

Moen Whole-Home Plumbing Monitoring with Shut-Off https://meetflo.com/products/smart-water-shutoff

Max Drawer System from Rev-A-Shelf https://rev-a-shelf.com/27476?

Signature Kitchen Suite https://www.signaturekitchensuite.com/us

Kohler Faucets https://www.us.kohler.com/us/kitchen-faucets/article/CNT125900008.htm

Guest Marlo Thomas Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

We are celebrating our 100th Episode with a very special guest that we are honored to have on the show - award-winning actress, author, activist, and consummate hostess, Marlo Thomas. Marlo serves as the National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and is launching a collaboration with Williams Sonoma - Pottery Barn for an exquisite new tabletop and barware line.

Design Questions Answered Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

After reviewing our podcast analytics to see which episodes are the biggest hits with our listeners, one of our top requests is to open our hearts and minds to all design-related questions and dilemmas you all have. In this episode, we are answering questions on floor plans, brands, lighting, making mistakes, and more. Tune in as we answer our listener's questions.

Guest Robert Rufino Of House Beautiful Magazine Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

The infamous Robert Rufino, Style Director of House Beautiful Magazine, joins us for an exceptional episode of Inside Design. Robert opens the show explaining how Covid inspired him to reach out to designers and do something extraordinary for them. So, Robert started doing thirty-minute portfolio sessions; he gives designers the gift of time. Then, Robert speaks about why professional photography is so important. After shooting, the film needs to have a certain mystique. Plus, Robert explains why hiring a stylist is absolutely necessary and the importance of collaboration on any shoot.

In This Episode:

[00:40] About Robert Rufino and his thirty-minute portfolio sessions.
[09:00] When Robert is looking at a project, he is looking for a message.
[15:50] Professional photography is so important; the film has to have mystery, surprise, and it needs to look unique.
[25:00] Robert reveals one of the most unique and memorable shoots that he did.
[28:20] What Robert wanted to be when he grew up.
[36:40] Collaboration is critical on a shoot; Robert tells a story of collaboration when shooting Tiffany's in 1996.
[38:50] What Robert has up his sleeve as we enter this new age of 2021.

Key Takeaways:

Portfolios should have a surprise element that the reader is going to learn something from - the reader should want to be in that room.
A portfolio should inspire you to rip out a page, put it in your folder, or pin it up on your bulletin board.
Hire a stylist; your photos will be 100 times better if you match a good photographer with a stylist.
You never know where a good idea is going to come from when you're on a shoot; collaboration is critical.

Bio:

Robert is a native New Yorker. His career began at Henri Bendel where he was in charge of window presentation and store design. From there, he ventured into the world of magazines. He has worked for Elle magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Taxi and the New York Times. Robert was also the Vice President of creative services worldwide at Tiffany & Co. For thirteen years. After that, he worked for House Beautiful, Town & Country, Architectural Digest, and Elle Décor. For the last two years, Robert has been the Style Director at House Beautiful Magazine.

Links Mentioned:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therobertrufino/

Portfolio Review: styledirector@housebeautiful.com

10 Tips On How To Set Business Goals and Achieve Them Jan 13, 2021

Show notes

Today we give you ten tips on how to set business goals and achieve them. We are so glad that 2020 is over, and we have big aspirations for 2021. Hopefully, the vaccine will turn things around, and we can get back to normal. Because our 2020 goals were sidetracked, our 2021 goals are more critical than ever. One way to ensure you have a great chance of accomplishing your goals is by making them SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound). Also, be sure to reevaluate what's working and what's not working throughout the year. Of course, don't be afraid to change something! Please tune in for the rest of our goal-setting tips.

In This Episode:

[04:45] How to set SMART goals
[13:50] Why you need to stay aware of your goal progress
[15:30] Always give yourself grace when it comes to achieving goals
[20:35] Start small and don't forget to write your goals down

Key Takeaways:

It's okay to dream big; just make sure you know how you're going to get there.
To successfully set a goal, ensure there is some sort of accountability; Facebook is one of the best places for support.
Constantly evaluate your goal process, and don't be afraid to adjust your goals throughout the year.
Remember, it's okay to pause, breathe, and start over when it comes to reaching your goals.

Resources:

Listen to our interview with Jay Helser on Episode 71

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