decorating

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!

Kitchen Countertops 101

September 9, 2019

The success of your interior design is based largely on your ability to choose materials, finishes and textiles that satisfy both short and long-term design goals. If you do that, you’ll enjoy the updated home design year after year, and decade after decade.

Making the wrong material selection for a particular application can be a costly mistake. This is why I spend so much time making sure my clients’ kitchen and bathroom countertop choices are absolute – and not just a favorite flavor of the moment. Yes, countertops can be replaced – but it is both labor and budget intensive, and it’s not the most eco-friendly choice.

Which Countertop Selection(s) Make the Most Sense For Your Remodel?

Here is a quick rundown through some of the most common and popular countertop choices, as well as my two-cents about where they work best – and where you may not want them at all.

Quartz

You’ll read all over the place that, “quartz is the new granite…” and it is. In my opinion, quartz is the new and improved granite. Quartz countertops straddle the line between the natural and the fabricated. Using quartz (one of the planet’s most prolific minerals), pre- and post-consumer recycled products that are all held together with resin and polymers.

The result is a non-porous, extremely durable countertop surface that is virtually impervious to scratching, staining, cracking, dents or divots. You can find quartz that mimics natural stone, as well as those that come in funky or crazy colors and patterns.

It is more expensive than the average quartz slab but not as expensive as the highest-tier granite and marble options. It works well in both kitchens and bathrooms. Because it’s non-porous, it is considered ultra-hygienic and there is no sealing required. Quartz is easy to clean and maintain.

Granite

While I appreciate the beauty inherent in a natural stone slab – quarry practices are not always honorable, which makes it a tougher sell in these eco-conscious times. Also, I’ve seen clients purchase amazing slabs – with amazing price tags – only to have an invisible internal fissure manifest into a full-blown crack during installation.

That being said, granite is still a durable and high-end finish, and it works well in just about every application – from kitchens and bathrooms to walls and floors. It’s one of the most expensive countertop options, but pricing varies according to availability and pattern rarity – so the final price depends more on your taste than anything else. Because it’s porous, granite counters should be sealed annually to ensure the pores don’t absorb moisture or acids – which lead to staining, etching, mold growth and/or the expansion of the stone’s natural fissures.

Wood

Wood countertops are becoming increasingly popular – especially in modern kitchen designs, where wood adds a warm texture. While butcher block countertop surfaces have long been popular on islands or on a section of perimeter countertop, I’m installing more and more solid wood countertops in my clients’ homes.

If you’re interested in going the wood route, know right up front that they are more labor intensive. They need to be sealed on a regular basis because wood is very porous and it soaks everything up like a sponge. Best practices require that you seal a wood countertop with a food-grade wood oil or special butcher block treatment once a day for the first week, once a week for the next month and then about once every month for a few years. After that, you can experiment. Once wood pores have absorbed their fill, you may rarely need to seal them at all.

Your dedicated maintenance result will be a wood countertop that looks gorgeous and lasts – potentially for a lifetime.

Corian

Corian is as durable and maintenance-free as quartz. It is also available in a range of colors and patterns and is heat-resistant to boot. Since Corian sinks are also an option, this is a popular choice for transitional and modern kitchen designs where a streamlined look is desired.

The only downside to Corian is that it rarely resembles natural stone – so if you prefer a more natural stone look – quartz is a better non-porous option. Many of my clients enjoy the best of both worlds by selecting a Corian countertop and then using natural stone options for the backsplash.

It is priced in the higher tiers, but since it will last a lifetime, you can consider it a one-time-only expense.

Laminate

It may shock you, but laminate countertops are back – and with a vengeance. I’m a huge fan, especially for those on a smaller kitchen budget. The digital advancements of the modern era mean homeowners have access to laminate colors and patterns that seriously rival other natural and manufactured options –even patterns resembling real wood (you have to feel it, to believe it’s not real!). They are incredibly durable and – like quartz or Corian – they require no sealing.

Even high-end clients are using top-tier laminate countertop options because of the smooth and sleek finish laminate surfaces provide.

The good and bad news is that there are plenty of countertop surfaces out there – these just barely scratch the – well – surface. Work with an experienced kitchen designer to select a kitchen countertop material and finish that makes the most sense for your home design, taste and lifestyle.

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.

The Art Of Flower Display

August 31, 2019

With the return of spring comes the return of flowers – and flowering branches – which can make a tremendous addition to your interior design. While vases are lovely, sometimes it’s fun to think outside the vase, finding unique containers in which to show off your garden’s bounty.

What Impact Does Oversized Art Have on Flower Displays?

Oversized artwork can have a profound impact on flower displays. By incorporating large-scale pieces into the arrangement, it creates a captivating focal point that beautifully complements the flowers. The grandiose presence of the artwork adds drama and a sense of visual balance, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the display. The juxtaposition of delicate blooms and bold artwork creates a stunning contrast, making the entire arrangement more visually intriguing.

10 New Ways to Display Your Flower Arrangements

While you’re in the process of spring cleaning and organizing, start thinking in terms of reduce-reuse-recycle to find eclectic ways to use a variety of containers and vessels.

Teacups in saucers. In addition to being a sweet way to show off individual blooms or small clusters, this is also a good method for getting that collection of antique teacups and saucers out on display. They look sweet on shelves or small end tables or you can line them up as a centerpiece for the dining room table.
Children’s rain boots. Kids grow in and out of their galoshes so quickly, but you can put them to use year after year as a watertight floral vase. It’s a fun way to add color and interest and a little something different to the mix. They’ll work indoors but will also serve as a clever springtime addition to porches or hanging from the front window ledges.
Recycled bottles. Use colorful or beautifully shaped bottles solo or in groups. Rinsed out bottles make a lovely home for a tall, stalk-like blooms. You may want to anchor them on the bottom with tacky putty in case they’re top-heavy to protect glass from toppling over and breaking in a strong breeze.
Watering cans. Have a watering can that has rusted through? Turn it into a flower container with a florist’s frog in the middle to retain moisture and hold flowers in place.
Colorful pots. Rather than planting a pot, insert a frog and use the pot as a display for groups of stalk-like flowers or tall cut grasses.
Conch shells. Are you a fan of beach house décor? Put those conch shells to use by flipping them open-side-up and sticking a bloom or two inside. With a little arranging, you can come up with some gorgeous looks, including cascading blooms or sweet succulent gardens. These are a fun surprise on book shelves or window sills.
Jars, jars and jars. Even if you are a serial-recycler, it can be tough to throw away all those jars left over from foodstuffs. Once the labels are soaked off, however, those empty jars make a perfect vessel for displaying flower arrangements or a single, stunning blossom. You can also use them to starting new plants from houseplant cuttings – kids will enjoy watching the roots begin to sprout and grow. You can tie a ribbon or colored raffia around the necks for color and a little traditional flair.
Printed tin boxes. Prop open the lid of an old tin box and you have the perfect container for flowers. Tin boxes come in all shapes and sizes and are a fun theme as you coordinate the right tins for the right locations and rooms.
Pitchers. I have found stunning pitchers for a song at local thrift stores and flea markets. You can store them easily in a box in between times and use different sizes, shapes, patterns and colors to suit your seasonal needs or the whimsy of your moods.
Coffee Cans. A coffee can will serve as the foundation for a myriad of external decorating motifs. From asparagus spears, upright and tied with a bow, to twigs of various shapes and sizes, seashells, glass beads and more. Get creative and enjoy transforming old coffee cans into shabby-chic delights.

Creating A Warm And Inviting Dining Room

August 28, 2019

It’s time to do a bit of fall cleaning, change the linens on the guest room bed, and get your house in company order.

Holiday season is entertaining season, and that means your dining room will be seeing a lot more action over the course of the next few months. Let’s look at ways to create a warm and inviting dining room – or dining room area – to welcome your family and friends.

Tips for making your dining room more warm and inviting

Some of the following tips are larger projects (in which case you’ll want to take action sooner rather than later), others can be done within a matter of hours or minutes.

Open it up. Do you live in a smaller or older bay area home? Open floor plans have only become popular in the last couple of decades. Older homes are often much more compartmentalized, and this can make it harder to entertain the way you’d like. If you have a formal dining room that is rarely used, consider opening it up to the larger living space. In some cases, this may kick-start you into a full remodel, in order to transform your layout into an open floor plan. In others, you may simply decide to expand the dining room entrance so it’s larger and provides better flow for sight lines and available light. If you have a galley or small kitchen, expanding the entrance to the adjacent dining room might improve the feel of your kitchen design as well.

Get rid of the clutter. If you don’t use your formal dining room all that often, there’s a good chance that the area has become cluttered with art projects, scrapbooking materials, this year’s pertinent financial and tax documents, upcoming holiday gifts, and so on. If there’s one thing that doesn’t make a guest feel warm and welcome it’s a big pile of clutter. Get the whole household on board and start tackling the clutter ASAP so your dining room will be ready to welcome guests with feelings of calm, comforting joy. Feeling stuck in your de-cluttering process? Read, my Guide to What Stays and What Goes.

Re-think your area rug. If you have hard surface flooring, consider adding an area rug that warms up the space a bit more. Look for a rug that will enhance the room’s textural appeal – perhaps a little shaggier or a natural, woven rug would balance things better. Or, look at the colors present in your current design and choose a rug that reflects and echoes the warmer hues.

Re-paint with a darker shade. Yes! That darker brown you’ve coveted, that rich just-right scarlet you’ve always wondered about, that delightfully autumnal apricot that makes an appearance in the art hung over the sideboard – now is the time to embrace those hues and paint your dining room walls. The dining room is one space where a cozier, closer atmosphere is welcome – so you don’t have to worry so much about creating that “open and spacious” feeling we prefer in kitchens or living rooms.

Be thoughtful about accommodations. I’m a big fan of designing a home for multiple generations. This benefits all age groups, and all levels of physical ability. There’s nothing that makes a wheelchair- or walker-bound guest feel less warm and welcome than not being able to maneuver to their seat, or feeling bumpy and clunky as they move through the space. Think about your dining room from the perspective of guests that span a range of ages, sizes, shapes and abilities – and see where changes might be in order.