As her nearly 57 thousand Instagram followers can attest, design maven Kris Jarrett of Driven by Décor knows how to transform a room. Whether it’s a sophisticated living room in soothing neutrals punctuated with glimmers of gold and touches of fresh green plant life or a playful children’s room with vibrant colors and patterns abound, all of the spaces she lends her talents to are beautiful and livable.

Here at The Local Vault, finding new ways to make our space luxurious and practical is something we think about on a daily basis, which is why we are so excited to feature a hand picked curated collection by Kris this August. In the meantime, we sat down with the talented multitasker (designer, blogger, mother, DIY aficionado) to find out about her approach to decorating, her dream shopping destinations and her favorite room design from a film!
Photo Via: Kris Jarrett

TLV: You share photos of your home design on your website and social media accounts with the world. What is the best piece of design advice you have gotten from one of your readers?

KJ: That’s a tough one because my readers share their helpful input with design decisions all the time. It’s why I love blogging so much – it’s a two-way street for inspiration and advice. One design dilemma that my readers really came to the rescue on was whether or not I should remodel our living room fireplace. Our fireplace had quaint blue and white tile that was original to our 60+ year old home and while it was lovely, it just wasn’t my style. I asked my readers for their thoughts and they gave me the push I needed to go with what I love without feeling guilty over demoing something original to our house. Our remodeled fireplace is now one of my all-time favorite design projects!

Photo Via: Driven by Décor

 

TLV: Your home has a very cohesive aesthetic from room to room. Do you have a favorite room to decorate?

KJ: Definitely our dining room – I love decorating it seasonally and for special occasions. We’re lucky enough to have something blooming in our yard most of the year and I love being able to clip flowers and branches to create fresh centerpieces for our dining room table. The rest of the tablescape is pretty easy from there – I take cues from the colors of the flowers in choosing my napkins, add some texture with woven chargers, finish it if off with some classic dinnerware, and I’m ready to entertain. The whole process of creating a tablescape is something I really enjoy.

Photo Via: Driven by Décor

 

TLV: What do you find to be the biggest design challenge when putting together a room from scratch?

KJ: Figuring out where to start! Through blogging I’m exposed to so many different decorating ideas and design styles that my head starts spinning with all of the different directions I could go when I’m starting with a blank slate. Instead of committing to a firm design plan from the start, I keep my options open and start a room by shopping for a piece or two that I’m absolutely in love with. Once I find that can’t-live-without-it piece, I use it as my jumping off point to guide the direction I’ll take with the room. Finding that perfect starter piece can be a challenge but from that point on, the rest is easy!

 

TLV: Is there a home besides your own that you find particularly inspiring?

KJ: Actually there are hundreds of them – I’m addicted to Instagram and love being able to peek inside of homes that before I would have only been able to see in magazines. I find so much inspiration in seeing how a home evolves over time with changing design influences and lifestyles.

 

TLV: What TV or movie home do you find to be super stylish?

KJ: The kitchen from the movie It’s Complicated is one of my all-time favorites – such a classic beauty! I also got hooked on the series Revenge as much for the design (I love Emily’s house and the Grayson’s guest house) as for the story line.

Photo Via: Hookedonhouses.net

 

TLV: What is a new trend you are into now?

KJ: Acrylic furniture and accessories are definitely trending and I’ve found myself jumping on board. In the recent remodel of our master bedroom I used the coolest acrylic frame with brass standoffs to hang a large print on the wall and I gave our closet a much needed upgrade that included acrylic clothing rods with brass accents. I love how acrylics add a fresh, modern touch but still play nice when used with more traditional design elements.

Photo Via: Driven by Décor

 

TLV: What is your dream shopping destination?

KJ: I love antique kilim rugs and dream of getting to shop The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul one day. My dream trip would definitely also include bringing a friend along with me who’s a good haggler because I’m terrible at it!

 

TLV: What place have you traveled to or would like to travel to do you find to be most inspiring?

KJ: One of my favorite vacation spots is Rosemary Beach, Florida where the gorgeous architecture and beautiful interiors are such an inspiration. I’d love to have a waterfront home someday in a similar coastal community where it’s an easy stroll through gaslit streets to shops, restaurants, and the beach.

TLV: Thanks Kris! To see more of Kris’s fabulous designs click HERE!