Kerrie Kelly is an interior designer based in Northern California whose designs caught my eye while surfing the internet. Kerrie and her team of designers at Kerrie Kelly Design Lab have got what it takes – with various design styles in their portfolio they’re pretty great at just about anything – from a bit traditional to more modern/contemporary. Kerrie and some of her projects may look familiar as she’s been a featured designer and has consulted with several DIY and HGTV Network’s “Crashers” shows. The garage conversion below (after the jump) is an amazing transformation – and it had me laughing. You NEVER see garage conversions up here in Canada. The garages of Canadians are precious and sacred spaces that save us from having to scrape ice and snow off our cars (which on bad days can take a half hour). 

Some of you may remember Belma’s home in Sarajevo I blogged almost a year ago. She contacted me recently to share an exhibition called Bela Vida Gallery in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bela Vida Gallery represents a space which offers a dream home concept to its visitors. It does not just look alike, it can be felt, touched and perceived. Oasis or a perfect home, completely different from similar interior exhibits in the region, is placed in Importanne Center in Sarajevo, since 16th of February. Nowadays, when there is a lot of uncertainty and everyday changes, it is challenging to look for enough energy and to say out loud: Life is beautiful!!! Therefore, slogan of Bela Vida is celebrating everything beautiful, inspirational and qualitative in lives of all of us. By entering the gallery space, whose interior will be completely rearranged monthly, visitors will be able to experience all rooms of one stylish apartment. In that space, they can walk, sit, feel the scent, taste delicacies, get a free advice and simply enjoy the different interior cultures. It is a great honor for me to present you our May exhibition – Veni, vidi, viking. May is the month of Scandinavian design – with furniture and decorations from around the country. What a cool concept – I’d totally check out an exhibition like this here in Ottawa each month to see what designs they came up with.

Check out this swanky pad by Toronto’s Prototype Design Lab: Miami Loft was designed for a celebrity client. This residence has incredible spanning views of the local beach front on two sides and has a bespoke quality to its interior design. Juxtaposition between the more traditional design features and the more modern and sleek components such as the bedroom media unit and master bathroom vanity come together elegantly in this project.  This characteristic also renders the space dreamlike as well as a perfect entertainment space. Every element has been custom designed to the smallest detail to fit the particular needs of our client and his desires and habits. SWEET!!!

(Photos by Ben Rahn/A-Frame)

I’m so glad I stumbled upon the portfolio of Dallas-based Nest Interior Design (I was informed by Beth Dotolo that she is now operating as Pulp Design Studios with her partner Carolina Gentry) in my recent internet travels. Their style rocks – it’s a bit modern, with a healthy dose of colour and pattern to keep you interested, creating dramatic spaces that wow but don’t overwhelm. I want that yellow desk and chair, and the artwork over the fireplace. Photos by Kevin Dotolo.

If you’d like to send me photos to include in next week’s “pets on furniture” post, please ensure your photos follow my basic rules: First, the pet must be on a piece of furniture. And said piece of furniture must be clearly visible in the photo, so it takes center stage rather than your pet. Think of it more of a photo of a great piece of furniture that you want to show off…and your pet happens to be sitting on it. And second, the photo must be of decent quality. If it’s dark or fuzzy (from a camera phone) then it may not make the cut. Thanks! (Photos, your name, location and a brief description can be sent to desiretoinspirekim@hotmail.comand PLEASE don’t send closeups of your pet!)

This is Ella. She choses the best places at home to spend her day. Sometimes on the chair, sometimes over my bed. (Photos by Carin Mandelli)
– Carol (Porto Alegre, Brasil)

Demure
– Whitney (Dallas TX)

This is Dagny on our new Finn Juhl-like chair, minutes after it arrived…
– Kim

Lyman enjoying a rare sunny Spring afternoon in the Pacific Northwest.
– Meg (Vancouver, Washington)

This is Checheta in my new duvet cover.
– Hebe (Longbeach)

This is my 2-year-old pug Norah! She absolutely loves modeling on furniture around the house. 
– Jordan (Houston)

Mini and Cooper are like peas and carrots. As seen on the porch, with the Lane wicker sofa and Breuer Cesca chair.
– Heather (Atlanta, GA)

After two years of saying “OFF” I’ve admitted defeat, and don’t even try to keep Jack off the sofa. You win, Jack, damn your cute eyes.
– Priscilla

This is two year old Squirrel who was rescued as a baby. He now lives a life as good as the Queens’. If he is not playing with his favorite squeeky toy, he is lounging on the sofa, head rested on pillows that he believes were made especially for him.
– Tamsyn

Bentley has lived with us for a little over a month now.  He has a very sad past, but as you can see, he also has a very bright future!  He LOVES to sit on our couch and take in all the love we can give him!
– Laura