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The Sweet Spot

3rd Level Bedroom - ESSENCE Showhouse Design: KT Design Solutions Photo: Edgar Scott Photography

Ever walk into a room and feel shocked by its presence? You're overwhelmed by the harmony of the contents and décor. You just can't believe, "you are here." That's when you're in the sweet spot. In our hectic lives and particularly in New York City where space is a premium, so many people take their physical environment for granted. In your list of contacts, you have a primary care physician, gynecologist, dentist and hairstylist - why not add an interior designer? A comforting, organized, optimized space can do wonders for your well-being. Beauty is supplemented by what you take in, including your surroundings. COCOACHiC is pleased to refer Keita Turner, President & Creative Director of her own interior design firm KT Design Solutions, who knows how to work a room - literally - having transformed residential and commercial retail spaces since 2000.

In the House

The on-the-up designer was selected to be a guest interior designer providing her expertise in redecorating a bedroom for the ESSENCE SHOWHOUSE Homecoming 35th Birthday celebration in historic Harlem October 5 - November 20. Her foray into design work for model homes as contracted by real estate developers over the past 2 years has been a welcomed challenge. She is given a profile of the potential dweller and then she has to apply psychology to represent their tastes. "Although I am not meeting someone beforehand, I visualize a character and then select and create an appropriate environment so that when the prospect walks in, their immediate reaction is, 'This is me, I can see myself living here'", Keita explains.

Boudoir CHiC

Boudoir Accessories courtesy COCOACHiC Design: KT Design Solutions Photo: Edgar Scott Photography

For the ESSENCE SHOWHOUSE, Keita conceptualized the boudoir of a young, entrepreneur with a home office. She selected a color scheme of modern yet feminine azure blue, fuchsia pink and chocolate brown carried throughout the room in the bedding, décor and home accessories. She applied textured fabric treatments to the closet doors and outfitted the window sills with sitting pillows. COCOACHiC products adorned the top of a mirrored commode.

"I chose to have the beauty accessories as a complement to the bedroom space because COCOACHiC matches how I visualized her profile - confident, self-made, and determined because she's an entrepreneur," Keita describes. "Besides, the pink and brown colors and name alone exemplify her. She takes proud care in pampering herself and home and I believe she's the type of woman that would support other entrepreneurs so featuring COCOACHiC was so suitable."

The Real Beauty & Investment in Your Estate

"How you live and the arrangement of your home is reflective of the beauty you possess and your spirit," says Keita. According to Keita, interior space is revealing of your inner self and is even more telling of who you are than clothes you wear. "Take pride in your home. Fill it with what reflects you," she advises. "Organizing your home is a form of pampering like a facial or massage in that a well-designed and colored space uplifts and stimulates you visually, emotionally and spiritually." Cut clutter; the presentation of a home is an investment in you.

Home Hints & Accents

Keita recommends Home Goods and Tuesday Morning discount retailers, the Neiman Marcus catalog and Bergdorf Goodman among her favorite consumer stores as sources of affordable and high-end home treasures. From there, use the imagination.

When asked what's hot now and what every woman should have in her home, Keita shared:

• Brown is hot and has taken over black and navy as the neutral shade. It's great because it compliments many other colors and especially grounds cool tones.
• A cashmere throw on the couch is a must-have, or at the least a micro fiber or cable knit, luxury item for draping, wrapping and warmth.
• Framed mirrors are essential. Consider customizing the frame to your own style. Full-length for sure: "Every woman should appreciate her beauty and be in touch with viewing herself from head to toe. A mirror is a good investment," Keita stresses.

Keita Turner creates beautiful spaces that have no room for boundaries.

~Bernie

Contact Keita for consultation on your home or retail space.

KT Design Solutions
46 West 126th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10027
Tel: 212.348.9784   Fax: 212. 348.8604
www.ktdsny.com

Keita Turner Photo courtesy: KT Design Solutions

Keita's design clients and credits include:

• Essence Magazine Designer Showhouse, "The Boudoir" in historic Harlem (model home)
• Pitcairn Properties, "The Ellington" in downtown Philadelphia (model home)
• Full Spectrum, "1400 On 5th" (model home)
• Harlem Vintage, a wine boutique in Harlem (retail)
• Abyssinian Development Corporation & Citibank-sponsored Showhouse, "Astor Row, Then and Now" (model home)
• "Vivian", production designer for award-winning dramatic comedy (film)
• "Revolving Door", production designer (film)
• Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, member and feature in African American Design Archive (industry recognition)

Keita Turner's work has been profiled in Heart & Soul and NV Magazine; on WGNU radio and Essence.com; as well as seen on CBS, ABC, FOX, and UPN news programs.

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