Inspiration: Kara Paslay Designs

I am so excited for today's post: I am linking to Kara Paslay Designs--My first link "party" ever!

Here is a little background: Before I embarked upon this blog, I followed a handful of interior design blogs. This was mostly for reading and personal project inspiration sake. Among my list of daily reading was Kara's blog, which goes along with the design firm that she runs with her husband, Tim. Until about September, Kara was one of the lead store designers for Anthropologie. In a word, her work at Anthro was AMAZING.

Despite her wild talent and successful career (in my opinion!), Kara and I have something in common--neither of us have any formal training in design. After reading Kara's story about breaking in to the field of design without the fancy diploma and educational endorsements--and after reading this particular post on her blog about racking up the courage to take the plunge--I took a deep breath and leaped off of the couch and into the blog abyss to put together and launch the very blog that you are reading this very moment.

Two months later, I still follow Kara's blog, I am still blogging myself, and now I am hosting my first link party with the help/permission/blessings of Kara herself! (I can hear The Lion King's "The Circle of Life" echoing in the back of my mind...). Here it goes;

On October 13th, Kara introduced her readers to this awesome, one-of-a-kind console table that she and her husband, Tim, made after a visit to the friendly neighborhood flea market:

Gathering up cast-aside drawers from dressers, file cabinets and card catalogues, Tim and Kara created the console table within a large wooden box, complete with a metal frame base to give some needed lift and separation from the floor.


Close up shot

I think this piece is so neat looking. I love the colors and the varied shades of wood stain. The white MDF ("medium-density fiberboard") drawer-slots provide a great contrast to the aged look of many of the drawers. To me, the border created by the white boxes really highlight the unique-ness of each drawer, making each drawer almost a work of art as well as a storage space! I also like Tim and Kara's decision to leave some space between the drawers for open storage and display area. Again, this helps draw out the great detail that is in each drawer face.

Now, let me show you what really made me go "WOW!!" at this console construction. If you take a look at the first picture of the console, you'll notice that the table finds its place in the entertainment room of Tim and Kara's abode (see the shelf unit and light in that pic? Yeah, the Paslays made those too. As I said, mad skillz these people have!). So, what makes this regular console table into an entertainment console table? Let me introduce you to the surprise feature....

A little flick of the wrist and flip of the otherwise-random-mirror, and there you have the DVD player!

Did you miss it? Check it again:

 Now isn't that one of the coolest things you have ever seen? Yes, I am jealous (but in a totally okay way.).


Check out more about this project and others at Kara Paslay Designs. Let her know that I sent 'ya there, too!