 Kenneth Brown is the host and interior designer for the hit TV show reDesign on HGTV. Brown shares his design inspirations and offers insightful advice for homeowners on creating a space that is both well designed and speaks to your personality and lifestyle. Brown is one of the most acclaimed designers in the industry today. Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Brown obtained a Design Degree from Louisiana State University. Brown then fine tuned his trade at the Manchester Metropolitan University in England, where he studied industrial and interior design. Brown is known in the industry as a trend setter and for his unique ability to blend Southern hospitality with clean Southern California lines. Q: Where do you find your design inspiration? A: I visually soak up everything I see like a sponge and often find inspiration from the oddest things. I recently did a project where the inspiration was a pair of old leather boots and a MAC laptop. When I have "designer's inspiration block" I'll go to a plant nursery. Colors and textures from nature have an amazing effect on me. I can pull an entire color palette from plants. Q: How can homeowners be creative with their décor, yet obtain a look that is timeless and practical? A: In a mass produced market, I believe homeowners must be creative to achieve unique décor. Allow yourself to step outside your boundaries and explore things that aren't timeless and practical. Go shopping for home accessories and buy things you would never consider your style. You'd be surprised how a jolt of a different style can bring a breath of fresh air to your décor. Q: How does detail in a room impact the overall ambiance of the space? A: Small details in a room are just as important as the icing on a cake. Details complete the design. Q: How can homeowners add interest to a space without creating a cluttered or overwhelming look? 
A: Interest in a space often comes from subtraction rather than addition. I've seen so many overdone rooms over the years. By removing half of the "stuff" from the room, you allow your room to breathe. Interest in a space doesn't have to be a visual experience; it can also be an emotional one. The less clutter your eye is overwhelmed with, the calmer the space will be. Q: What resources do you recommend homeowners use to determine which design themes will work best in their home? A: Images in magazines hold a lot of design vocabulary. Tear out images that reflect the feeling you are trying to achieve. Avoid themes and work toward a feeling. For example, instead of an island theme, consider a relaxing, casual, breezy feeling. Before making a purchase, ask yourself, "Does this piece give me that feeling?" Don't ask yourself, "Does this piece make me think of an island?" Q: What recommendations would you make to homeowners as they make flooring choices, regardless of their home's décor? A: Consider comfort, durability and color. For common living areas, ask yourself three questions: Will I be comfortable lying on the floor watching a movie? Am I okay if my guests show up with dirt on their shoes? Will the color of my floor work as a great backdrop for my décor? If you answered yes to all three questions, you've got the right flooring choice. Q: How do you stay in touch with the latest design trends? A: Step outside your box and experiment. You'll be surprised what trends you create on your own! Q: What is your goal when you design a space? A: Happy and comfortable homeowners are my goal! Photos of room scenes courtesy of Brian Jones Photo of Kenneth Brown courtesy of John Russo | DESIGNER ADVICEHOLIDAY DECORATINGTHROUGHOUT THE HOUSE |
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