TW December 2011 - Holly Gregor

TW

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20 Inspirations Interior Design Journalist Holly R. Gregor looks back at Louisville designers who she has been inspired by during her writings for Today’s Woman.

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oward Wagner and his daughter Lucie Stansbury, Century Shop

Together Howard and Lucie own The Century Shop…one of my all-time favorite antique shops. I find inspiration that a father and daughter can work together. When I interviewed them, I decided the way to bring out the best in them was to ask each one what they admired in the other.

I witnessed several lovely father-daughter moments…in between Lucie rolling her eyes and Howard crossing his arms.

See…it can be done.

by Holly R. Gregor

D

avid Arnold of Gryphon Interiors

David displays classic beauty and sophistication in the house he shares with his partner, David McDaniel. This is a clue into his “proper” personality. David has inspired (entertained) me through our discussions about using correct language in design. For instance, curtains are something you hang in a window. Drapes are not hung in windows. Drape means to cover or dress. Another favorite is sofa vs. couch. David explains, “A couch is an article on which one reclines…designed to be lain upon.

A sofa is something on which one sits.” He follows this statement with, “Drives me nuts!” I howl with laughter, since I make these mistakes all the time. Ignorance is bliss…wish he hadn’t told me.

C

atherine Doll of Kathrine Doll, Inc.

Katherine is a general contractor specializing in residential remodeling and has to make many design decisions. She has a lot of her friends as clients and friends that are interior designers that work for those clients. That could be considered in the same vein as working for family…I think. Well, if she isn’t inspirational, I don’t know who is. I really don’t know how she does it and still has friends.

I understand she has quite a few, too.

T

ess Krebs of McKree Properties, LLC.

Tess isn’t a designer per se, either, but as she buys, renovates, and sells houses, she makes a million design decisions that include choosing faucets, countertops, vanities, doors, and on, and on, down to staging them to sell. Tess has been one of my biggest inspirations. Her creative process is driven by her feelings. She feels her way through the house asking it what it wants to become, and then she personally does a lot of the work herself so she can put the love back into it. By the way…her houses sell pretty darn quick, even in this market.

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r an Jaspar of Francis Lee Jasper Oriental Rugs

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ori Finke of Jayne Thompson Antiques

Lori inspires me to pay attention and something good will come of it.

Her migraine headaches, which she started getting as a child due to her sensitivity to poor lighting, led her down a path to a career in residential and commercial lighting, an element in design that often gets overlooked.

Now, in addition to working with her mother, interior designer and antique dealer Jayne Thompson, she enhances the beauty and comfort of their clients’ houses even more with her expertise in lighting. Light is a small addition to a room, with big results.

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Fran is not a designer, but she has a great eye for design. Her house is filled with inspiration. She introduced me to the beauty of custom work.

From custom painting on the walls, custom iron work, custom upholstery, to custom mill work. It’s all fabulous.

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lair Williams

The first line in the article I wrote on Blair was, “Blair Williams is passionate about architecture and interior design…and she is serious about getting a good education.”

Since she was just graduating with a degree in architecture, it was foremost on her mind — however, she was the first person that really talked to me about her commitment to getting a good education. Since then, I have become more grateful for my own education and inspired to continue to learn about the newest ideas and products out there.

race Mayer of Trace Mayer Antiques

As much as I like Trace, I have never written a story on him. I do, however, find inspiration in him every time I look at the painting he did that hangs in my sun room.

I am really inspired by his free, whimsical style and I aspire to paint with that freedom.

S

teve Tipton of Steve Tipton Antiques

Steve is hysterically honest. He will tell you everything he knows about the antique item…and then some. I always walk away informed and laughing.

S

ue Baughman

Sue is the Queen of Christmas. I had so much fun writing about Sue decorating her house for Christmas that I took friends over to see her house and tree…it was so beautiful! She also taught me how to decorate a Christmas tree. I mean really decorate it. She will forever be my Christmas inspiration.