KARA MANN
Chicago
What can't you live without?
The new Christian Liaigre book, LIAIGRE.
My team-they make it fun to come to work everyday!
B. Kamins Maple Night Cream-with the long days (and sometimes nights!) running two businesses, a girl needs a good face cream to keep her looking young!
Kings of Leon-they rock my world at the moment.
The Mercer.
What is your favorite room in your house or apartment?
My kitchen overlooks a gorgeous private courtyard. I designed it to feel very European, and very cozy, with rich wood countertops and dark painted cabinetry. I love sitting around the table with girlfriends, a bottle of wine (and by wine I mean Miller Lite), and something cooking in my black Aga stove (and by cooking I mean take-out).
Does fashion influence your design work?
Absolutely! I actually look to fashion magazines first. Fashion moves so much faster than interiors, so finding inspiration from color and fabric trends from the fashion world always pushes me to think outside the box.
Did you decorate your childhood room?
Redecorating your room when you graduated from 8th grade was a rite of passage in my home. I rebelled against the pink floral bedroom of my youth by going all white which was pretty outrageous at the time! I mixed two different white-on-white wallpapers, one stripe one check, I chose a white metal bed from Crate and Barrel, and even had my very own Nagel poster (hey, it was the '80s!).
.Do you have a defining moment as a designer?
Opening my own practice. I have always been very entrepreneurial but there was something absolutely magical about seeing my name on the door.
Kara Mann Design
Chicago
312/893-7550
showroom@karamann.com
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