Accessories

A Splash Of Black

November 15, 2019

For many DIY designers, the color black is daunting. While it works easily in very modern designs, it can be trickier to implement in a traditional or transitional interior designs when the homeowner is one that prefers color. I find, however, that adding a splash of black here and there adds contrast, depth and sophistication in just about any room.

Adding Black to Your Interior Living Spaces

Here are some ideas on how you can add black in a way that makes a statement, but doesn’t steal the show or detract from lighter and brighter colors, or from a softer and more delicate style:

A Table. How about adding a black table to the room. A black dining room table provides a blank slate for table runners, centerpieces and striking table settings. However, the dining room chairs will prevent it from being overwhelming. Black is also a good choice for coffee tables or end tables. In many cases, rather than standing out, black tables actually fade into the background because of black’s ability to minimize a profile.

The Kitchen Island. I love the way it looks when homeowners decide choose black or another dark color for their kitchen island. Not only does it provide contrast in a space where walls of monochromatic cabinetry can be boring, it can help small kitchens to feel a bit larger because the black cabinet base almost disappears, leaving the illusion of a floating island countertop.

Coffered Ceiling Recesses. Coffered ceilings are a gorgeous addition to almost any room. Not only do they add interest and draw the eye upwards, they also help to make small room seem larger and short rooms to feel taller. Painting the recessed panels black will dramatize this effect.

Paint the Trim. Do you have a picture window – or a series of windows – that frame a desirable landscape scene? Painting the window trim black will showcase the outdoor scenery. If you like the effect, consider painting the baseboards, door trim and crown molding black as well – talk about defining a space. Plus, although black is a dramatic color – it’s a neutral color – and should blend with just about any color scheme in the room.

Paint the Back of Your Bookcases. Do you use your bookcases for more than just a book house? Book cases and shelving offer a space to display collections and collectibles. Painting the back of the bookcase black is like dropping a black velvet curtain behind your belongings, which will make them stand out even more.

Use Black Flooring. Just as a black dining room table, or black bookcase backs, highlight the items displayed against them, black floors do the same. For example, I enjoy the contrast created when a traditional, white farmhouse kitchen design lives on a black slate floor. Live in an older, bay area home with beat up floors? Consider painting them black and watch as your furnishings gain new life and definition.

Invest in Art. There are two ways you can use black when it comes to art. The first, like the bookcase and flooring ideas above, is to paint an accent wall black and then show off your favorite canvases. That’s what we did in this metropolitan condo and you can see how black highlights, rather than detracts, from the art on the walls. Or, you can invest in a piece of art that features black, like the striking this San Francisco living room design.

Don’t be afraid of black. Instead, learn how to embrace the sophisticated ways it can dress up and enhance your interior design.

Getting That Kitchen Organized

November 13, 2019

Last month, we did a piece in homage of the generations’ old spring cleaning and organizing tradition. For most of us, the kitchen is one of the most cluttered area of the home. Even if things look suspiciously neat and tidy from on the surface, opening just a cabinet or two will be enough to reveal the monstrous pile of “stuff” that has collected over the years.

Kitchen Design Organization Tips

The following tips will help you to organize your kitchen, whether you want to work with what you have or you’re in the process of designing a kitchen remodel or renovation.

De-Clutter. Today’s kitchen design websites are all about maximizing storage space, and this can certainly be helpful. However, after a thorough kitchen de-cluttering session, you may find you don’t need as much storage as you thought. In the latter case, this provides the opportunity to eliminate space-hogging cabinets to free up kitchen square footage and/or to make room for some open shelving. On the flip side, once you’ve inventoried kitchen items, you’ll provide your kitchen designer with a more comprehensive idea of what your storage needs really are, which will yield to a more customized kitchen design.
Re-Organize. I work with retired homeowners on a regular basis. As age increases, the desire to crawl around on the floor to access lower cabinets, or to spend time on stepping stools decreases. For this reason, I’ve always recommend that older clients re-organize kitchen cabinets, placing frequently-used items in the most accessible spots. Now, I advise all of my clients – regardless of age – to do the same. It’s a smart move that makes kitchens more functional for people of all ages, sizes and abilities.
Go Custom. Wherever you can, opt for custom-designed storage spaces. When you do this, you will have a much more efficient storage system, eliminating wasted dead space created by standard cabinet shelving spaces. Think about customized spice racks, pot/pan drawers, appliance storage, etc., to make every square-inch count. Again, focusing on optimizing your storage spaces may allow you to remove enough cabinetry to add a kitchen peninsula, dine-in area or small home office (more on that in #4). The more you can eliminate, the more spacious the kitchen will feel.
Slide it Out. Wherever you can, switch out fixed cabinet drawers for slide-out options. Once you do, you’ll wish you would have done it long ago. Slide-out shelving features mean no more crawling around on hands-and-knees to access lower cabinets. They are more accessible and you can design custom slide-out features for corner-cabinets and/or those with awkward dimensions or access.
Add a Message Center. The contemporary kitchen is the resting place and charging ground for a range of electronic gadgets. Not only that, but with the trend toward open floor plans, and kitchens that are as much living rooms as they are food prep areas, countertops and islands are a default dumping ground for everyone’s stuff. One great solution for all of the above? Incorporate a small home office in the kitchen area. This provides shelving, room for a charging station (hide those electrical outlets and gadget in a drawer or two!) and a comfortable space where you and/or kids/grandkids can work in an organized space. If you don’t have room for a small home office space, find a corner or end-cabinet that can be transitioned into a message .
Fall in Love Again…With lazy Susans. Rotating lazy Susans work great great for corner cabinets but why stop there? Use smaller, countertop versions in the corner of your cabinets in order to house those same, random items that are forever cluttering things up: honey bottles, sugar for coffee, the salt shaker and pepper grinder, a few of your go-to spices and pantry items, etc. No muss, no fuss and very convenient.

You’ll be amazed at the space you’ll gain – both storage and otherwise – when you reorganize your kitchen space.

How to Use Dark Colors

October 30, 2019

Interior design is like any other field: there are rules, and these rules are meant to be broken. Some of the strictest “Rules of Interior Design” revolve around color – how to choose it, how to use it, and what not to do. In the latter categories, dark, strong, and bold colors are often treated like a lit fuse (Use Caution!). In fact, dark, rich and bold colors are often the key to a striking interior design, but they must be used well. By their very nature, there is no way for them to fade into the background if they are a little “off” or the color isn’t quite right.

The following tips can help you explore how and when to use dark colors in your design. From full dark interiors to the barest of accents, darker colors are often the means of adding depth and contrast in your living spaces.

Monochromatic dark with a light upper border. If you like the idea of a charcoal room, but worry the effect may be too cave-like, I recommend choosing a white that you like and cutting that into the ceiling, continuing the white paint down into the vertical wall space. If your ceilings are higher, this lighter upper-border can go as much as 2-feet down. If you have lower ceilings, you may only want to dip down 6-inches to a foot. The point is that the extra lip of white around the wall and to the ceiling lightens up the space and will prevent a claustrophobic effect. What a great way to enjoy some of those rich velvety blacks, grays and chocolate browns. Or, it will have a similarly muting effect for a bright and crazy color scheme.

Add moulding or wall details in a lighter color. In this living room, both the walls and ceilings are painted Ralph Lauren’s Artist Grey UL31. In a different version of the technique I wrote about above, these homeowners opted to use extensive moulding and trim work on the walls and ceiling, painted in a light Rivera Terrace. The overall affect is that you are in a cozy, private space but nothing about it is gloomy or shadowy – quite the opposite.

Accent Walls, plural! Accent walls are said to be out of style and then back in style – – the bottom line is they have been used and will always be used in interior design. If you enjoy a room with rich jewel tones, I say use more than one to layer the rich color effect. This may sound crazy, but when done well, this technique can create a More is Less impact. Check out how these contrasting burgundy and blue accent walls work together. Somehow, by having both, it softens the effect, don’t you think?

Dark and bold details. Here is where interior design gets really fun – the details. Dark and bold colors can have an equally appealing and dramatic effect when they’re used in the details. For example, choosing a dark and colorful trim color makes your room details pop. Your furnishings and accents can be your mode of going bold as well. This can keep a room very light and bright while still delivering the dramatic impact you’re going for. Also, this route is ideal for renters. Who wants to have to repaint a place back to white when you’re dealing with the moving process? Your dark and bold furnishings can go with you wherever you live.

Are you still feeling apprehensive about when, where and how to use dark or bold colors in your interior design?

House Plants For Any Home

September 20, 2019

Silk plants have come a long way, and even the brownest thumb can “grow” them, but they pale in comparison to live, lush indoor house plants. There are so many reasons growing real indoor plants enhance interior living spaces. They add vibrant energy, are oxygenators and air purifiers, and many require only minimal care.

Plus, I’ll tell you a little secret: when you grow indoor house plants, you start to become attached. They wind up feeling like the world’s lowest maintenance pets.

10 House Plants That Enhance Interior Living Spaces (no green thumb required!)

Plants add style and visual interest in corners, underneath windows, ascending a stairway or while as center pieces on dining, coffee and end tables. The following 10 plants are easy to maintain, and many will allow you to take cuttings so you can add to your own collection or give them away as gifts to family and friends.

Snake Plant. The erect, variegated green and yellow leaves in this plant look fabulous in modern home designs where lines and angles are the norm. They aren’t too picky about light, but do love water so keep their soil moist.
Succulents. The only warning I have regarding these plants is, “Watch out! They are addictive.” Succulent nurseries have a myriad of choices, all with their own unique shapes, colors and personalities. Once you start a succulent garden (in a tea cup, a planter, a pot, an antique serving bowl, almost anything…) you’ll be a fan.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree. These get fairly good size, up to 8 feet or more, and are fast growers. You can prune them to keep them in check. They make great corner fillers. They like their soil to dry out between waterings – so once every couple weeks is often enough.
Cacti. Like succulents, cacti require very little water but there are so many different sizes and shapes to choose from. Obviously, location matters – especially if you have pets or small children.
Rubber Tree. Large, oblong leaves with a thick rubber-like texture characterize the popular rubber tree, which likes bright but indirect sunlight. It also likes dry soil between waterings.
Aloe Vera. Every home should have an Aloe Vera plant. If not for its cool aesthetic, the Aloe Vera will be valued for it’s medicinal properties. Cut a leaf and use the clear, oozing Aloe Vera gel to soothe sunburns, skin abrasions and other dermal upsets.
Fiji Palm. The miniature version of the Fiji Palm will add a youthful and fun energy to any room. The broad palm leaves will also serve as a medium for your beach getaway fantasies. They do fine with moderate sunlight or downright shady locations and don’t need to be watered often.
Shamrock Plant. This is such a sweet, gentle and cheerful little plant. Like it’s name suggests, it is comprised of shamrock-shaped leaves and kids will delight in trying to find the very rare and illusive four-leaf clover. It can handle shade, only needs water once a week and its low-profile makes it ideal for window sills and table tops.
Calathea. Here’s another plant with bold and beautiful leaves. The Calathea’s leaves have striking green and white markings on the front with a rich eggplant purple underside. It likes moist soil and prefers hidden corners or areas without much direct light.
English Ivy. Like the ever-popular Pothos plant, English Ivy is a robust and hardy cascading plant that can take a beating and always comes back. It’s also one of the best air purifiers, and is excellent at removing mold spores from the environment!

Using Textiles To Dress Up Your Interior Design

September 5, 2019

If you’re exploring the idea of redecorating or remodeling your home, odds are you’ve seen the word textile crop up a time or ten in your reading and website explorations. Unless you live in a concrete home, with concrete finishes, and you live your life as a committed nudist – textiles are woven (pun intended) into virtually every aspect of your life.

Simply put, a textile is anything made from fibers, yarn, or fabric. Your rugs and carpets are textiles, your drapes and valances are textiles. The covers on your accent pillows are textiles, as are your sheets, towels, throws, blankets and duvet covers. Without textiles, the world would be a stark, cold and visually boring place.

Here are some of the most common ways you can use textiles to create more attractive, interesting and comfortable living spaces:

Just Add Color

Unlike coats of paint or more permanent infrastructure selections (like cabinet colors and countertops), most textiles are able to move with you when you go. Or, they can be easily traded, sold, or donated to make way for a whole new look. As such, textiles are a smart way to add color to your home, especially bolder colors, or louder prints, which may be your cup of tea now – but that are more transient in trend nature.

Explore the World of Patterns

Patterns are so fun to work with, but they can also be challenging. How much is too much, and how do you transition different patterns so they don’t become too busy? Working with textiles is a smart way to introduce patterns that you like, or that are trending, without worrying about a permanent effect.

Plus, since textiles are portable, you can play around and see what goes best where. I invite you to read, How Many Patterns Can Fit Into One Space, to learn more about decorating with patterned textiles. When in doubt, work with textiles that have variations in pattern within the same color or similar tones and then branch out from there.

Interior Design Hint: When you’re ready to repaint a room, or are looking to freshen up a room’s color palette, start paying attention to colorful patterns that draw your eye. Look at how the colors work together, and then use those colors to inspire your own interior design color choices.

Enjoy a Textured Design

Have you ever entered a home that seems “picture perfect” and yet, somehow, it still falls a little flat? Odds are, the homeowner or their designer didn’t include enough variations in texture. The world of textiles is your texture oyster, so have fun.

Take stock of each room in your house and notice if it needs a little texture and, if so, what kind? Does it need some softening? Look for textiles in soft fabrics – think curvy, billowy and fluffy. Or, perhaps you need something with depth, in which case a rich, shag area rug may be the ticket, or some throw pillows with large, 3-D adornments. If you need to rough it up a bit, look for blankets or window coverings with a chunkier, loose and/or raw-type weave. Check out, Texture and Interior Design, for more about the importance of using texture in your home.

Dress it Up or Down

What do you think of when you hear the words silk or velvet? What about muslin or plain cotton? The first two have associations with luxury, while the latter two are considered more natural and earthy. Just as their names are associated with a particular energy, the textiles you select can dress a room up or down.

Choose fabrics that make sense with the energy or feeling you want to create in a room. A luxury fabric like silk or velvet are ideal for a formal living room, dining room or the boudoir. Your muslin or plain cotton fabrics will work well in a casual family room or your shabby-chic décor.

Use Textiles as a Focal Point

Your textiles can also be used as works of art, serving as a focal point in the room. Investors pay tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for antique oriental rugs or Navajo blankets. A textile with a stunning design can become an impressive wall hanging, for example. You can cover an entryway bench with an eye-catching table runner or highlight it by featuring an assemblage of throw pillows.