Design Expert: Andrika King

I’m the kind of person who teaches my child to stop and smell the roses, literally. My son loves smelling flowers and blowing dandelions while we walk through our neighborhood.

As a designer, you need to be very aware of your surroundings and see how elements in nature naturally complement one another.  When looking for color combinations in rooms for example, why not start with your favorite flowers and bugs such as butterflies and beetles. Do what you are naturally drawn to.

The best design advice that I can give someone is to paint your room last. There are thousands of paint colors available, and you can always mix your own if need be. Also, find a piece that inspires you first and start from there. This could be a rug, artwork, a piece of fabric or even a picture of a room that you admire. Lastly, make your home as inviting as possible. Don’t over clutter but instead create small vignettes to make your space more interesting and personal.

As for my own personal style, I’m drawn to a casual sophisticated look using a soothing palette with a punch of color and pattern in accessories. I love all things blue, especially turquoise, perhaps because I’m happiest when I’m close to water. The color is so calm and peaceful, yet it can also be vibrant and full of energy when used as an accent color.

- Andrika

Nursery Notations & Andrika King Design

Andrika Loves…

1. Seaside vacations. If I had my choice they would be in Italy or Mexico (because of the food). 2. I cook dinner in about five nights a week so it would be hard for me to get by without a great set of chef’s knives. The Shun Classic 10″ knife is definitely worth the investment. 3. I’m a yoga enthusiast and swear that practicing while pregnant helped me avoid any back pain and aided in my quick recovery. I practice at least four times a week. 4. Casual summer dresses—easy to slip on for a trip to the park, beach or out for dinner. 5. I take my Nikon D90 with me everywhere and the VR lense is a must. You can never have too many photos of your family. 6. I have about ten comfy throws floating around my house! They look great at the end of a bed or thrown over a glider. 7. Jonathan Adler’s monogram pillows add a sophisticated yet playful touch to any room. Bonus: It’s reversible so you can customize a completely different design on the other side. 8. With my California lifestyle, I always find myself entertaining outdoors. Simple flowers from the garden can dress up a casual dinner with friends in the backyard or at the beach.

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