You may recognize Shannon Kaye as the host of DIY’s Fresh Coat and author of the book by the same name. These days this Bay Area Artist, TV Host and Author is gearing up to publish a new book, Making Room For More and launch her collection of whimsical, hand painted home accessories, a colorful fix for interior design junkies like us.

How do you describe your work? “I would say really my work is about color and it’s about creating spaces that help people feel good about themselves, and where they live and where they are in their lives right now.”

What three adjectives best describe you? “I would say thoughtful, creative and caring.”

Cats, dogs, birds … describe your pets?“I have no pets, never had any pets, but I was introduced to a beautiful rottweiler once. It was with my ex and he was the most beautiful creature. I fell madly in love in with him and hung out with him before he had to leave us. It probably made me a dog person.”

Favorite season? “Autumn. I love the change in weather. I love when the crisp mornings and knowing the rain is on its way. I just love the cleansing quality of rain.”

Name a city you’d love to visit. Why? “Of course Paris. I’ve always wanted to see Paris. Why? I mean why not?”

Shannon's Apartment was recently featured in Apartment Therapy. How gorgeous is this bedroom?

What’s the best thing about being single?“I’d say the best thing about being single is really having the freedom to learn and the freedom to care for yourself and get to know yourself.”

Describe your ideal “Girls’ Night Out.” “I’m not really a girl’s night out kind of gal but you know, I would say dinner in a lovely home with an incredible group of people. I just can’t think of a better way to spend my time.”

What’s the nicest thing a friend (or friends) have done for you? “Well a friend of mine, she’s a restaurant designer and she asked me to do some painting for Carlos Santana‘s restaurant Maria Maria. I had known his music for so many years and I had an article in my file cabinet that I kept for 8 or 9 years because I follow him. When she called me, I pulled out the article I’d saved. I know she trusts me in a personal way but the fact that she thought highly enough of me and my work, that she trusted me in that professional way. It meant so much.”

What do you do for “Shannon” time?“Wow. Being single and working for myself, I have a lot of Shannon time. I probably have more Shannon time then I would like to admit. I really enjoy being out in my carport painting. I have a little studio space out there. I get to be outdoors and put everything aside and just paint and create. It’s very meditative and it makes me feel free an playful and I love that time.”

Treat yourself or a friend to a pillow from Shannon's whimsical, hand painted collection. Wordy girls will love the collection painted with fortune cookie advice.

What’s the best advice you ever received?“I had someone say, you can’t manage anyone’s money but your own. In other words, ask for the price that you want for your work. Value yourself. Value what you have to offer. You can worry about whether it’s too much for someone else. You can only worry about what you’re creating and what the value of that is to you.”

What quality do you admire most in a man? “I would say self-confidence, somebody who is comfortable with themselves, who they are, what they’ve achieved and where they’re going. Someone who is comfortable in their skin but who is willing to learn more, that’s really attractive to me.”

What quality do you admire most in a woman? “I’d say the same thing. Confidence. It’s just lovely to be around confident people.”

Who are your real life heroes? “The first person that comes to mind is my friend Matt. He is an incredible artist and he just moves through the world with a really creative, colorful perspective. When I did decorative painting, he was part of my crew. He never seemed frustrated or indignant, he just always had his eye on his fine art prize. He owns two galleries now in Berlin Germany. I just find him to be inspiring.”

What is your guilty pleasure? “Probably watching Dancing With The Stars. (laughs). It’s so silly, it’s gotten so big and ridiculous but I just love these people who are out in front of millions, who put themselves in a place that is so foreign and uncomfortable. It always surprises me the people I end up rooting for. Rob Kardashian is cracking me up. He’s just going for it and I just find that really impressive. He doesn’t have those skills that help people win, but he is determined and he’s really putting himself outside of his comfort zone. I said that out loud?”

Shannon tapes the ceiling before she starts painting.

What is your biggest fear?“Well maybe I’m not supposed to say it but it is of being alone. Will people think I’m so complete that I wouldn’t fit into their lives or I won’t need them. But I’m so independent that the longer I’m alone — I don’t get used to it — I get better and better at taking care of myself.”

If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be? “I’ve had people all through my life say, you’re so powerful and you don’t even know it and I wished I understood what that meant. If someone said you matter, maybe I would have understood that sooner.”

Other than your own talents, what talent would you most like to have? “Oh I would love to be a powerhouse singer that could just knock it out of the park and sing a beautiful song because music is the most powerful thing I know.”

What is your motto? Or what words do you live by? “Always do your best comes to mind and lately I’ve heard myself saying, wherever I’m going or whatever I’m about to do, just be love.”

Check out Shannon’s blog at www.shannonkaye.com or follow her on twitter (she just signed up!) @SKMakingRoom.

You may remember Joslyn Pennywell as one of the Top 7 in Cycle 11 of America’s Next Top Model, but did you know that the southern beauty auditioned for the series 33 times before she got her big break?  That’s right, this determined Louisiana native hit open calls in city after city proving that when it comes to your dreams, no is never an option.

How do you describe your work? “Exciting.  Spontaenous.  I love what I do.  It’s really interesting.  You never know the people you’re going to encounter — the personalities.  I love being in front of the camera.”

What three adjectives best describe you? “I would definitely say persistent, devoted — because I’m very loving and loyal – and I would also say, bubbly.”

Cats, dogs, birds … describe your pets? “I have such a sweet little Miniature Pinscher.  Her name is Diamond Jewel Pennywell.  She has a first, middle and last name like a human being.  I really love animals and my dog is like my little buddy.  When I moved to Claifornia, she was really the only thing that came with me.  My family is back in Louisiana.”

Favorite season? “I would probably have to say summer, although winter is cozy if you have a loved one. It’s very bright.  It’s the greenest time of year and it’s a better fit for my personality.”

Name a city you’d love to visit.  Why? “You know what I really want to go overseas to Itay, probably Venice, because it’s a beautiful place from what I’ve seen and it seems like it’s also a romantic place.  My friends say that Italian guys are quite nice (laughs).”

What’s the best thing about being single? “I have learned so much about who I am and what it is that I want in a mate, in a friend, in a boyfriend.  It’s around me to grow and know so when I see it,  it will be quite clear that that’s who needs to be there with me.”

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Describe your ideal “Girls’ Night Out.” “I’m not really too big on the club scene.  I’m pretty much laid back.  So I guess I would say dinner for me is the best because we get to chat about what’s on our minds.  I like to go to nice restaurants where we can talk and dress up and then go to a nice lounge and just have wine or something and continue talking.  I’m a talker.”

What’s the nicest thing a friend (or friends) have done for you? “You know what, when I first came to California, the house I was originally supposed to be renting went into foreclosure.  I had just met a girl at an agency and we had been talking and she invited me to come and stay with her until I found an apartment.  I was kind of blindsided and I stayed with her for two weeks until I found a place.  It meant so much to me.”

What do you do for “Joslyn” time? “I love to just chill in my room, in my bed, maybe watch a good movie, just sleep.  My mother has told me before that I could sleep a day away.  My room is like my get-a-way.  A girl should always have a very comfortable bed, a bed that she loves.  For me it’s where I spend a lot of my time.”

What’s the best advice you ever received? “I’m a Christian so I would have to definitely say to never lose my faith in God and definitely in myself.”

What quality do you admire most in a man? “I’d have to say dependability — hard working. My father is such a hard worker and he’s so respectful and responsible.  He knows how to be a true man and he takes care of my family.  He takes care of my mother and me, my sister and step siblings.  I have a great role model.”

What quality do you admire most in a woman? “Oh my god, definitely strength. We are tough, tough, tough.  We could endure anything in life and we always still can prevail.  I just love that.”

Who are your real life heroes? “I would have to say, my parents and my sister and the reason I say that is more or less because they’re my rock.  They’re truly a great support system.  I feel truly blessed.  They keep encouraging me to keep trying and never give up.  I love ‘em.”

What is your guilty pleasure? “You know what I am such a sweet freak.  I love desserts.  I love desserts.  My favorite are like chocolate chip cookies and brownies and cheesecakes and these are things definitely frowned upon for models.  I love it.  I love it.  I love it.  I’m thinking about sweets now.”

What is your biggest fear? “I would have to say it’s being alone, going through life without having anyone there with me.  I’m loving and I rely so much on the support and love that I have from my family.  Now that I moved to California, it’s tough being alone here and knowing who you can trust.  For the rest of the my life, not being fulfilled and have family and love ones there, that scares me.”

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If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be? “The first thing that came to mind was my father.  He got laid off and that affected my family tremendously.  I would deifintely have to say my father getting laid off.  He worked at his job for 30 years and he was a year or two from retirement and they shut his department down and that took effect on our family.  Most companies won’t hire him because he’s older.  To me it’s like there’s no loyalty there.  My father was running his department.  It was sickening to me.”

Other than your own talents, what talent would you most like to have? “You know what.  I’ve always wanted to learn how to play piano.  I have long fingers and when I was in Louisiana I would be in a few pageants — I mean what else is there to do in Louisiana but play sports and enter pageants.  And I didn’t really have a talent so I would definitely like to play a musical instrument.  I would also like to speak different languages, to be able to communiate with different kinds of people.  French is the first one I want to learn, it’s such a romantic language.”

What is your motto? Or what words do you live by? “Oh girl. Let’s see.  Definitely, all things are possible through Christ who strengthens me. I’m also big on a person’s attitude.  I also say life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it.  I feel like your attitude is priceless.  Never get up and hard work will be rewarded.  My mother always told me that.”

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As Executive Director of the national women’s network Step Up, Jenni Luke has spent just over a year bridging communities.  Simply put, she’ll help you connect with the professional women you need for networking and career advancement.  Then she’ll connect underserved teen girls who need mentors to encourage them to graduate from high school and go to college, with you.

How do you describe your work? “My work is really about leading this organization of incredible women, and the girls we serve, and keeping them in mind with everything we do.  To let women have a positive place to come and meet, that is about collaboration rather than competition. I have my hands in everything from the finances, to being a spokesperson for the organization, to our curriculum with the girls, so it’s a really exciting job for me.”

What three adjectives best describe you? “My sister described me as professional, fashionable and articulate.  My staff tells me that I’m decisive and could also be described as an optimistic realist.”

Cats, dogs, birds … describe your pets? “I don’t have any pets but I love dogs.  My sister’s dog Jack is one of my nephews; he’s my first nephew. He’s a 15-pound mini Dachshund with lots of  personality and I love him.”

Jenni Luke mentors Step Up teens at the annual College Connections Conference.

Favorite season? “It’s really a tie between Spring – because that feels about anticipation and I honestly feel like my year begins in April, and then the Fall.  I love the focused energy of the Fall, so it’s kind of a tie.”

Name a city you’d love to visit.  Why? “I have always wanted to visit Scandinavia.  The whole region because the physical beauty is incredible but I’m also intrigued by their sense of society.  I would want to observe the culture because I think that there are some lessons to be learned in terms of how they take care of each other.”

What’s the best thing about being single? “I have enjoyed being single so that I could take the time to really get to know myself.  I think it’s the responsible thing to do if you’re going to involve a significant other, like a child or a spouse, in your life. You owe it to yourself, and to them, to figure out what motivates you and I love being single for giving myself that opportunity.”

Describe your ideal “Girl’s Night Out.” “Girl’s Night Out would definitely involve cocktails, dancing and good conversation. I’ve been trying to rally the girls around the dancing but it’s just not happening.”

What’s the nicest thing a friend (or friends) have done for you? “It’s difficult to pinpoint one thing.  My best friend Elena has been my best friend for 20 years. We met the first day of college in the laundry room because we had the same t-shirt (laughs).  We became best friends and the fact that we’ve seen each other through so much – it’s really the longest term relationship I’ve ever had.  Just the value of that in itself is the nicest thing anyone’s ever done.”

Jenni Luke (right) and Step Up Women’s Network celebrity volunteers Vanessa Minnillo and Kelly Rutherford break from designer shoe shopping for a cause at Step Up & Step Out in New York City. Photo: Marc Hall

What do you do for “Jenni” time? “It depends. I’m kind of schizophrenic with it. Sometimes I like to be active, to go for a hike or to the beach.  Other times, I’m glued to the sofa watching football and flipping through a magazine, having a glass of wine.  It depends on the mood.”

What’s the best advice you ever received? “I’m fortunate in my position to come across so many incredible women who are leaders in their field or incredible entrepreneurs and the one piece of advice that jumps out is to be yourself.  Sometimes you fake it ’till you make it or you wear someone else’s identity but you’ve got to check in with yourself.  Not only what does this position require, but what do I bring to it? Who am I in it?”

What quality do you admire most in a man? “I have to say that I’m very fortunate to have an amazing man in my life and he really understands what it’s like to be a teammate.  Some days he’ll need more support from me and some days I’ll need more support from him.  But whatever either of us is going through, we can talk about it and that’s huge.  I love that.”

What quality do you admire most in a woman? “I really admire strong women who have a sense of self-confidence that they bring throughout every thing they do.  The women and teens I’ve met through Step Up, when their self-confidence is shining, it’s just amazing to see.”

Who are your real life heroes? “I’m impressed every day by the teens. The fact that they are committed to graduating from high school, getting themselves through college, even though they may not have support from their families.  They’re really pioneers for themselves, brave, and it’s inspiring to be around.”

What is your guilty pleasure? “I don’t know how guilty it is.  I love to watch sports.  I’m a football fan.  I’m easily 6 hours of football a week during the season, so if that’s a guilty pleasure, then that’s it.”

What is your biggest fear? “I definitely fear that I’m not going to be able to accomplish everything I want to accomplish.  I have confidence I can do big things, but the opposite is what if I’m not able to leave the mark I want to make on the world, and that freaks me out.”

If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be? “This question makes me think of one of our teens, who I had lunch with at the beginning of the year in Chicago and she said, what would you tell your 17-year-old self if you could?  I think it made all of us think about the time we wasted thinking and sweating the small things, like the size of your waist line, not giving yourself a break.  I really was hard on myself when I was younger and I wanted to do everything the right way.  Just being easier on myself is definitely something I would change.”

Other than your own talents, what talent would you most like to have? “I would really like to be able to cook a meal that people would actually like to eat.  Because I can cook, but it’s not stuff that I would actually feed to other people if they were guests in my home.”

What is your motto? Or what words do you live by? “I’m not really a fan of mottos.  I feel like they can be limiting because you can get stuck in it.  You need to be able to check in with yourself and where you’re feeling, but if I had to say one it would be just do it or just get it done.”

Step Up is a contender for October’s Pepsi Refresh Project.  To help them win $250,000 for teen girls vote daily, via text (103315 to 73774) or visit facebook or the contest website!

Lead photo by: maya | myers photography