Kat Nelson & Co., Inc.
Interior Design . Renovations . Construction.  
Furniture . Lighting . Art . Window Coverings . Floor Coverings .

In This Issue
Inspirations
Just Saying
It's Personal
What's Hot
What's Not
Need to know
 Inspirations

Great weather is upon us...make sure your outdoor furniture and outdoor entertaining areas are ready!

 

(Kat Nelson carries several lines of outdoor furniture for all budgets)

 

 
Just Saying!

 
 

It's Personal

Summer Inspired Pasta Salad
... 

 


  1. 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  2. 2 large garlic clove finely chopped
  3. 1 pound gemelli pasta
  4. 6 tbls extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  5. 3 tbls freshly squeezed lemon juice
  6. 11/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
  7. 1 tbls tomato paste
  8. 1 large shallot thinly sliced  and separated into rings
  9. 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped thyme
  10. Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  11. Grilled sausage
  12. chopped vegetables such as peppers, cucumber and carrots
  13. 1/4 pound smoked mozzarella, cut into thin strips
  14. 1 cup chopped basil 

 

  1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and toss to coat. Let cool to room temperature.
  2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir the lemon juice with the lemon zest, tomato paste, garlic, shallot and thyme. Stir in the 6 tablespoons of olive oil and the reserved pasta cooking water. Season the dressing with salt and pepper.
  3. Add 1/4 cup of the dressing to the pasta and toss. Add the sausages, cut up
     vegetables,mozzarella and the remaining dressing and toss well. Season the pasta salad with salt and pepper, sprinkle with the basil and serve.

 












 

Life is better at the beach or at the lake or at a mountain home....well, you get the idea.  

 

With life pulling us all in so many directions it is not only important for us to take the time to relax but imperative for better health.  What better way to relax then to take a vacation?  But have you ever considered the idea that purchasing a second home can make financial sense?

Kat Nelson knows a thing or two about dream vacation homes.  Combined with her experience as a designer and having owned rental property's herself, Kat is the perfect source to help you manage the ins and outs of purchasing a second home.

If you are considering purchasing a second home, please contact us for more information.  Take a peak at this Summers second home projects.

 
  

Forever Grateful,

 

Kat Nelson and team 

 

What's Hot?
Gorgeous outdoor living spaces
 
What's Not??
Tired and outdated outdoor furniture
  
    
Need to know...


What to consider when thinking about purchasing a second home.
 
 

When someone buys a vacation home their primary goal should be to create a well-planned place to regularly escape the everyday stresses of life.  It should be filled with opportunity for fun, adventure, comfort and relaxation. 

 

If you are considering purchasing a second home,  start by evaluating the bones of the home.  What can stay and what has to go?  Before you discard a piece, ask yourself, can it be re-purposed with a fresh coat of paint and used in another room?  For instance, an ugly mirror may be repainted a great lacquer color and be a focal point in a bathroom or bedroom. 

 

Usually a new coat of paint is the least expensive but most impactful way to brighten and freshen up a home. When considering decor needs think about your location.  Is it a beach, lake, mountains or desert home?  Consider colors of the terrain and incorporate them in your decor.  Remove the clutter.  No one wants to dust a bunch of nick-knacks while on a relaxing getaway. 

 

Assess the overhead lighting.  We love chandeliers at Kat Nelson Designs.  It provides a big bang at eye level.  A common "decorating error" is only addressing areas below eye level .  Consider the space at and above eye-level.  It will pay off!

 

 

Next, scour your primary home for duplicates of items you may have in storage.  But don't use your 2nd home as a dumping ground for old and tired belongings.  Again, keeping the primary goal of creating a space that will be used as an instant retreat for a relaxing getaway.

 

Living Room- When considering how to decorate a living room make sure your furniture is well constructed.  It doesn't have to be expensive but it needs to sit well and have durable fabrics.  I usually convince my clients with rental property or well-loved homes to purchase upholstery that comes with Sunbrella slipcovers.  These can be washed or replaced if ever damaged, without having to dump the entire piece.   Provide ottomans to put your feet up....isn't that what it's all about...putting your feet up?  Make sure you have at least one well-lit reading nook.

Provide storage for books, videos and games for those rainy afternoons.

 

Ensure there is at least one piece of original art as a focal point.  We love  incorporating local artists or local scenery.  Too many things on the walls add to the clutter of the overall room.  Allow your eye to have resting spaces.

 

Dining Rooms- Buy the largest table you can fit.  Provide a bench and side chairs (arm chairs take up too much space) to supply the perfect  meeting place for all to crowd in for games and dinners.  Remember outdoor spaces are so important and unfortunately one of the most overlooked areas.  Grungy, old furniture sets a negative tone for the house.  Your outdoor space should be an extension of the indoor living.  Furniture should be stylish and comfortable.  Yes, it may need to be replaced every few years if its rental, but you and your guests will appreciate being able to extend their time outdoors during their get-a-way.  

 

Bedrooms/Baths- Buy the best mattresses you can afford. Everyone wants a good night sleep while away on Holiday, including you.  White linens and towels are best.  Install hooks everywhere and lots of them!   Remove towel bars and replace with hooks.  Add hooks in side walls of closets.  Bathing suits, beach towels, hats. Etc. all need a place to go to keep clutter free. Don't make any room too "childish" for the flexibility of guests both old and young. 

 

Personalizing- make it your own.   Make sure you have what personal luxuries you love in the home.  Is it a favorite blanket, pillow, or sheets?  Candle?  I love incorporating a "wall of fame"  My good friend, Jessica, did this best at her beach home.  Take pictures of your family and friends over the years and print them (yes, print them!) and frame them in similar frames over a large visible wall.  The wall tells a beautiful story over years in the home.

 

Please contact Kat Nelson Designs for your next second home project.  We are able to manage everything from construction/renovation, furnishings, to sheets and towels.  Of course, if you are interested in info on some of our featured properties, please let us know.  We'd be happy to provide the owner contact info. ( Please see Featured Projects for examples of some of the suggestions in Need To Know.)


Featured 2nd Home Projects this Summer
 
Water Color, Fl.
 

"Working with Katrina on redecorating our Water Color home was a true pleasure.  She made great recommendations and was respectful of our budget and our tastes.  Within a couple of weeks of putting our home on the rental market in mid-April, it was rented for the entire Summer.  Thanks to Katrina for creating a place that we love and so do our guests."

 

  
  



All Kat Nelson Design professional photographs are taken by Lisa Konz photography. 

  

 

 

Hilton Head, S.C.
Below are a few glimpses of before and after photos.  New Exterior Facelift, New Kitchen, Taby Fireplace, All updated bathrooms, and Focus on Fabulous Textures and Textiles throughout.  Phase 2 Construction begins in October.
 
"Kat, We want to thank  you so much for helping us wi our beach home and renovation.  You listened to our taste and needs for our 2nd home.  You met with our builder and elped us make the right decisions throughout the entire remodel....for every detail....Youresources for furniture, personalized art and one-of-a-kind pieces are very special o us.  Our beach home has turned out better than ever dreamed..."





Scottsdale, AZ.
This project almost complete!  Finishing touches in process.  Don't miss the fully upholstered outdoor furniture. 
 
"Working with Kat Nelson Designs has been one of the very best decisions we have made.  Without Kat, we simply would not have been able  to accomplish everything  we wanted to get done.  We are so happy with the work she has done in our Alpharetta home and Scottsdale condo to make them unique, beautiful, yet very livable.  Her vast experience and creativity, along with the extensive resources available to her has saved us countless hours and thousands of dollars.  She is knowledgeable, professional, creative and collaborative....."  
           

 
  
 

Business Spotlight



Accessorizing is not just for the home. 

 

Stella and Dot just released their new Fall Line!  

 

Everyone knows Kat loves her jewelry! Jeans, a t-shirt and a great piece of jewelry makes an outfit. Kat has remained a loyal Stella and Dot distributor because she believes in this company's product and management team.

 

Click on link below to  see what is new for this fall www.stelladot.com/sites/katdesigns

  

  
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Katnelson@bellsouth.net