The new Domino sat in our mailbox for a while. We were in NY, soaking in the city for four days and got home late last night. We haven't had a chance to really check out the mag yet, but one of our favorite Chicago designers is featured in the Domino 10, their lineup of 30-something (and one 24 year old) "decorators on the verge".
Page 68: Kara Mann is lucky number 7 on the list, described as "the dramatist" by Domino.
Mann and all of the decorators on the list include the information on their fees, something we are not accustomed to seeing in magazines. It looks like the days of mystery and inaccessibility to info surrounding how interior design works really are numbered. The listing of average prices per home and room, the hourly fee, as well as the markup percentages, are quite varied among the designers and pretty interesting...
Our favorite room in the 2006 Dream Home at the Merchandise Mart, the bedroom, was designed by Mann. It was just edgy enough to be really interesting, while remaining ultimately luxurious. The room stood out but still fit in with the rest of the high end Mart-goods filled rooms. We had the same feeling with the Kara Mann designed table for the last Dining by Design - it was dark and gothic (ravens were part of the decor); the super dramatic take on the the one-night only dining experience seemed over-the-top, fun but still pretty...
From the Domino mention:She also puts a premium on spareness, which she says gives objects space to breathe and is adamant about the value of gorgeous objects. "Having quality and beauty in your everyday life - that's true luxury".
For more info on the Domino 10, see the April issue of Domino. For more on Kara Mann, see karamann.com.
I'm noticing the drapes in the picture, and I have some too-short drapes to lengthen by adding on, though what's the proper proportion? 1/5? 1/4? 1/3? Those are beautiful and it looks like it could be embroidery on one solid length of drape, to perhaps 1/3 of the overall length, but I'll be adding on which leaves me thinking... what would be the ideal proportion because the catalogs these days sure are showing a great variety. Any thoughts?
Also my bottom addition to the drapes, whatever the length, has to be removable for regular laundering (pets who like to sleep behind the curtains... but I love the look long curtains bring to the windows here so just having blinds isn't the answer).
view Rucy's profile
Rucy, I don't know if there is a hard and fast guideline. A small band at the bottom of a curtain looks great, and a wide swath can look good, too. It sounds like you're constrained by the length of your existing drapes, anyway, so just do what you have to do.
I don't know what your existing drapes look like, but if possible, how about adding at least some of the length in the middle of the drapes? (i.e., cut the existing drapes in half and join the two pieces with a panel of the new fabric.) Or add some length to the very top of the drape, if that's an option. I think it looks more deliberate this way, more like a real design element than a solution to the too-short problem. You can still add your removable piece at the bottom (I'd suggest attaching this with buttons).
view Anne in Chicago's profile
Go Kara Mann! Her bedroom was my favorite room at Dream Home. It totally stood out as a unique, edgy with cool gothic tones but super luxurious!
It was interesting to read the designers fees and mark ups.
view katie's profile
Thanks for the ideas Anne!
view Rucy's profile
Looks great, but where's the dresser? Where's the hamper? Where's a nightstand with drawers?
view Lisa Hunter's profile