OK we’re all aware of the classic Father’s Day gifts: power tools, shirts, golf balls and - heaven forbid - ties. Certainly, he’ll love the new duds that Mom picks out for him, but don’t you want to surprise him with something really different this year? Here are a couple of ideas.
WHY HE’S A STYLEMAKER: The interior designer, owner of Space Planning and Design in the Crossroads Arts District, used floating mirrors in the master bath of his downtown condo.
WHY SHE’S A STYLEMAKER: Instead of glass, Nutter chose an unexpected material for cabinet door inserts for her newly remodeled master bathroom.
THE BACKSTORY: Nutter discovered the polyester-resin material at Straw, Sticks & Bricks, a Kansas City store in the Crossroads Arts District that sells eco-friendly building products. The resin, made by 3form of Salt Lake City, comes in dozens of colors and includes 40 percent post-industrial content. It’s commonly used commercially, often as restaurant partitions, but it’s catching on for residential projects.
Got cello?
No problem. It’ll fit right in a new king-sized 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman, says Andrew Cutler, Mini’s communications manager.
WHY SHE’S A STYLEMAKER: The interior designer wears clothing that mimics her home décor. This means McCallister doesn’t only talk the talk, she walks the walk.
Jennifer Liu has come up with a solution to those passionate pet-lovers who do as the celebs did (a few seasons ago!) and use their dogs as accessories.
Now instead of carrying the real deal, they can tote around one of Liu’s pet-inspired handbags and save themselves the looks of annoyance in the drugstore — not to mention the fashion “faux paws.”
Everybody wants to be a rock star, so of course our kids do too. Designers have jumped on this idea, offering retro punk rock T-shirts, skull-and-crossbone accessories and tattoo print sleeves in trendy children’s wear.
This is not your 1980s punk rock or 1990s grunge rock — it’s a new polished rock ’n’ roll look with a dose of glamour.
A few elements from rock and heavy metal have found their way into current trends. Skull-and-crossbone patterns, shiny studs and zippers are some of the details that dotted spring runway shows.
Why he's a Stylemaker: Beige isn’t boring in this design.
The Room: Wells used a neutral palette for his living room — putty walls, brown Barcelona chairs, a caramel sofa, a sisal rug and wooden cocktail table. The color scheme creates a clean background that makes the orange painting by local artist Robert Wilson pop.
Want to get noticed without screaming? Consider the color orange...
So says about.com writer Jacci Howard Bear. You know, it worked for Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser, who selected orange for his campaign color as a reference to the Orange Revolution in Ukraine — and as a symbol that he was a candidate who was down with change. One of television’s top meal mavens even selected Rachael Ray Orange for her line of enamel nonstick cookware. You get the picture.
