Kim Gordon Designs

Some people call it resort vacation. I call it research. But I almost always come home with ideas of how to make our homes transport us to an always-on-vacation state of mind. For this Venice Beach home, we put an espresso/wet bar on the second floor. Early morning coffee? Late night snack and drink? Skip the downstairs commute!

Skylight envy! Loving the way Khosla Associates sculpted this ceiling into a series of angular shapes. They took the profile of the nearby mountains as inspiration for the design, then positioned the skylights to capture soft, north light. Photo via: @archdaily

La vida estate sale. Julia taking a breather from the hunt.

Why did we make stovetops so complicated? Loving this time-capsule kitchen in Nantes, France. Photo via: @thesocialitefamily @annabelgueret

Room goals: Calming and energizing at the same time. Photo via: Pinterest

Plants are like teenagers: They want to be left alone until it's time for food, water and light.

Oldie but still a goodie, 905 Nowita Repost from @zoo.lay.lee.in

When you hear the term "functional art" a lot of us think of an amazing chair or a striking tea kettle. In this Venice Beach home, I created a staircase enveloped within a glass tower. Yes, it's definitely functional: It gets you from the ground floor to the second floor bedrooms on up to the rooftop desk. But when the sun arcs across the south-facing glass while trees sway to the sea breeze, it can transport you in a totally different way as well.

Relaxing doesn't come second nature to me. I have to fight my natural tendencies to sit, pause, breathe, smell, be. The more I do it, the better I feel.

I like to introduce different materials, textures and styles within a single space. This can lead some people to worry, "What if these elements won't strike up a conversation with one another?" Here's a tip: The best ice breaker for furniture, lighting and art is to select pieces in slightly differing shades of a similar color. Suddenly they all have something to talk about.

Plush and fluffy floor rugs absorb sounds and drafts, creating a spacious yet cozy living room.

The power of a good entry table via: @saltbythecazaproject

A spring green melody embraced by citrus walls freshens this narrow sitting space. Design by: @hugotoro_ via @elledecorationfr

Farmhouse cottage meets modern minimalism in Yaizu, Japan at this thoughtfully designed guest home. Hopelessly waiting for the day we can travel safely again ceramics by: @johnson_tsang_artist via @masksmagazine

Setting the table tonight? Here are a few of my pro tips: 1. Fresh, colorful, and bright flowers! Try to find colors that pop: yellow, reds, and greens. 2. A subtle and not overly distracting table cloth; White or neutral tones so your main courses are not lost.... 3. The serveware! Always play with scale - in this image we have our main course on a large, wide serving plate that is slightly elevated. As for the sides, try a cake stand or 2 so your pairings can shine through. Photography: @martinlinssphotography #home #design #interiordesign #foodie #foodporn #californiacasual #styling #interiors #interior #handmade #lighting #kgdhomesanctuary #dinnertime #customhome #tablescapes #finditstyleit #homedecor #interior123

It's a new day in Georgia #sunrise #newday #johnlewis

Who wants to go to Brazil? photo: @fernandogguerra house design: @fernandamarquesarquiteta location: Sao Paulo, Brazil ... #interiorinspo #homestyle #homedecor #interiordesign #purposeinstyle #interiorstyling #architecture #currentdesignsituation #midcenturymodern #californiacasual #ad #ad100 #brazil #interiorplants #steelwindows #hangingout #love #stairway #indooroutdoor

Milwood 1... We miss you #architecture #archidaily #home #design #interiordesign #building #renovation #reno #californiacasual #styling #interiors #interior #bath #bathroom #bathroomreno #bathroomdesign #bathroominspo #bathroomdecor #lighting #kgdhomesanctuary #steelwindows #customhome