design

What Is Eco-Friendly Interior Design?

October 17, 2018

The words “green” and organic are flying hither and yon these days and it can be hard to tell what it really means if it means anything at all, and how authentic the term really is. In this part of the 21^st century, there are eco-friendly things happening all the time that hardly pass notice anymore. For example, I rarely come across a new construction or renovation project that doesn’t have recycling bins or contractors who aren’t conscientious about their general footprint.

That being said, I also see my fair share of brand new furnishings, perfectly good cabinets that are ripped out, and sent to the landfill for something more “up-to-date,” and mainstream paints, finishes, and textiles off-gas fumes that are truly toxic and compromise interior air quality.

For that reason, it’s important to figure out what Eco-Friendly Design really means, and which level of a green design you’re interested in participating in.

Tenets of an Eco-Friendly Interior Design

In a true, eco-friendly design – certain tenets are in place:

Focus on Indoor Air Quality

For all that we are encouraged to be outside and enjoy Mother Nature, the reality is that the average American spends about 90% of his or her time indoors. This is according to the Environmental Protection Agency, which also cites, “…a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.”

Prioritizing indoor air quality by purchasing paints and furnishings that have zero- to low-VOC content is one of the best things you can do to promote an eco-friendly design. Purchasing products with a Green Guard certification not only make your home more eco-friendly, it increases the demand for more eco-friendly products, and diminishes the market demands for toxic products.

Repurpose and Reuse Wherever You Can

Whether this means repurposing and reusing your current furniture, furnishings, textiles, etc., to create a new look, or whether it means focusing on using repurposed or recycled goods – this tenet remains the same. The goal is to use what is already available, reducing the need for manufacturing more stuff. This is easier to do than you think.

If you prioritize the purchase of high-quality furniture and furnishings from the get-go, it is easy to reupholster, refinish or repaint in order to create a whole new look. You’d be amazed at how dazzling a new design can be when all you do is add some interesting architectural details, fresh coats of paint, and reorganized furniture that has been upgraded with a facelift.

Prioritize Local Manufacturers, Artists and Fabricators

The further products and goods have to travel, the worse it is for the environment in terms of fossil fuel consumption and emissions concerns. Plus, it just feels good to support the local community. Here in the Bay Area we are so fortunate to live within close proximity to some of the world’s best artists, collaborators, fabricators, and producers – the large majority of whom make sustainability a center point of their work or business.

When you do want to invest in brand-new goods, do what you can to source them from local suppliers and producers. This is great for your local economy as well as planet earth.

Know Where They’re From and How They’re Made

Pay attention to how something is made and where it’s from. Renewable resources are always a better option than those that are finite. What are the working conditions for those who produce the materials you covet? What effect do they have on the environment post-production?

After a little homework, you may find that the granite slab you love is easy to pass over for a quartz countertop that offers the same natural stone look but is fabricated using pre- and post-consumer recycled products – without questionable mining and employer practices at its foundation.

Look for stamps of approval from third-party agencies such as:

Energy Star
EPEAT
Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)
Global Organic Textile Standard
Good Housekeeping GREEN
GreenGuard Environmental Institute
Green Seal Certified
Rainforest Alliance Certified
WaterSense

Work with your interior designer to isolate your design choices by the impact they have on the environment. There are so many wonderful products out there, you’ll never feel like you’ve sacrificed taste for values.

How To Use Mirrors

October 12, 2018

As an interior designer, mirrors are more than a reflective surface or decorative bonus – mirrors are problem solvers. They can become just about anything a design needs such as open, brighten, sparkle, redirection or focus. It’s all in how you use them.

Can Mirrors Be Incorporated into Milk Glass Decorations?

Can mirrors be incorporated into decorating with milk glass? Absolutely! Mirror accents can add a touch of elegance and depth to your milk glass decorations. By strategically placing mirrors behind or underneath milk glass pieces, you can create stunning visual reflections and amplify the overall beauty of your decor. So, next time you’re sprucing up your display, consider adding mirrors to take your milk glass decorations to the next level.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Here are some of my favorite ways to use mirrors as tools, even when they’re acting as a feature.

To make a small room look a little larger

When I was a child, I was amazed at the effect certain mirrors had in a room. When placed just right, a mirror became an optical illusion, and I could swear it was possible to walk right through into that mirrored world – through the looking glass, so to speak. This is the case when a well-placed mirror reflects just the right opening or angle of a room. The effect will make a smaller living room or sitting area feel much larger than it actually is and it adds visual interest to boot. The mirror in this quaint, San Francisco bungalow does just that, and it does double duty, acting like an extra window.

Add a window where there isn’t one

In the case above, the room is already nicely lit, but the window echoes the adjacent window’s lines so beautifully that it acts almost like a match. I also like to use mirrors in rooms where there isn’t a window – or only a single window – to be had. They trick your eye into believing there’s more of a view than there actually is. Mirrors also reflect light, mimicking a window’s effect. This works in any room, and is also a smart consideration along the sides of an interior hallway, especially in combination with well-placed sconces or suspended light fixtures.

At the end of a long hallway

As long as we’re speaking of hallways, a mirror is a welcome addition at the end of a narrow hallway because it bounces an image back at you, shrinking the length a bit. It also harnesses any available light and becomes a focal point for the eye. Similarly, mirrors are a smart installation in most entryways. Since entryways are often narrow or abrupt, the mirror makes it feel less cramped. Additionally, guests enjoy the ability to check their appearance upon arrival and before departure.

To capitalize on something beautiful

Be thoughtful when hanging a mirror to ensure it reflects something beautiful. Ideas include a work of art, a beautiful suspended light fixture (you benefit from improved lighting here), a picture window or some greenery. The mirror will become a “scene” in the space, so to speak, so you want to make that scene as desirable as possible.

In furniture

Mirrored furniture is a great way to leverage all the benefits of mirrors with the added benefit of functionality. Not only does mirrored furniture add a little sparkle and glimmer to a space, it can also create “see-through” effects – which open up small spaces, funky corners or difficult design areas.

Add color and square footage

Rental or no, you can add both color and square footage with mirrors. They are portable, so there’s no need to worry about anything more than a dab of spackle when you leave, but they’ll reflect your design back to you. This can be a good way to get a color boost without using paint. I like using extra-large mirrors, propped up against that was, rather than hung, to provide a powerful design pop. It reflects almost the whole space back to you, literally echoing your colors, patterns, and accents.

As a focal point

While frameless mirrors are popular in modern design, there’s something to be said about a beautiful mirror frame. Often, the right frame makes the mirror look like a work of art itself. Then, when hung opposite something beautiful, the effect is multiplied. Do you have mirrors hung for “no reason?” Try looking at the room with an objective eye and see how things could be rearranged so you capitalize on the mirror’s effect.

Trick of the trade: Of course, the key to enjoying your mirrored effects is to keep mirrors free of dust, fingerprints and pet smudges. I recommend purchasing an eco-friendly mirror cleaning product and some lint-free cloths. Spray the cloths – not the mirror – to protect the lifespan of its frame.

Adding Color Without Adding Paint

September 30, 2018

The walls, ceiling and floors are often the first palette considered when choosing a room’s color scheme. However, there are situations where this simply isn’t possible. Renting is one the first that comes to mind; sure, you can paint your walls but who wants to repaint them back to their original color when moving out? Or, sometimes budget is an issue. Repainting your living spaces isn’t cheap and it’s a laborious process to tackle on your own if DIY home improvement really isn’t your thing.

Time to Add a Little Color to Your Space? Here Are Easy No-Paint Options

In these cases, you have to use other tricks of the designer trade to keep your interior design both stylish and color-rich. Here are some ways to add a little color without the fuss and muss of paint.

Temporary Wall Paper. Believe it or not, there is a temporary wall paper product made just for people like you. The sticky residue on the back is sort of like the stuff they use for post-its so it peels away easily. It comes in a range of colors and patterns, just like regular wallpaper and you can buy it at a local home improvement store. Temporary wallpaper is on the pricier side but can be the ideal thing to add a single colorful accent wall from which you can build the rest of your design.

Go Big and Buy Art! Here in the Bay Area we have access to both ultra-high end art as well as a wealth of more affordable pieces that are equally as attractive for a fraction of the price. If you’re foregoing paint on the walls, I recommend looking for some larger canvases, prints, photos or 3-D art that will add color and interest to larger wall spaces, as well as a mix of other sizes that can be arranged creatively to fill in gaps around other furnishings.

Peel-and-Stick Backsplash Tiles. Here’s another excellent temporary option for enhancing the color and style of a typically drab space – the kitchen or bathroom backsplash. The average apartment or rental home has zero to offer in this department. You can find these peel-and-stick options at a home improvement stores and cut them to size. Like the temporary wallpaper mentioned above, the tiles are designed to peel away without leaving a residue – or at least nothing that can’t be removed with warm water and mild soap. You can take them with you when you go to use for another project your the next living space.

Tantalizing Textiles. Now that we’ve covered the walls, let’s move on to textiles, which include upholstery on your furniture, window treatments, accent pillow shams and so on. These are all things that can be taken with you when you go and – outside of upholstery – are relatively easy to switch out periodically to keep things interesting from season to season. For example, the walls in this industrial living room were intentionally left white. Therefore, we added a woven textured coffee table, a rich cabernet-upholstered chair and throw pillows with complementary geometric patterns for splashes of color.

Don’t Neglect Your Reflections. Finally, don’t forget the importance of mirrors and/or mirrored furniture. When hung and placed smartly, your mirrors and reflective furnishings will amplify and multiply the color in your space.

How Many Throw Pillows Is Too Many?

September 30, 2018

Yes, in fact, there IS such a thing as too many throw pillows. Some signs that your couch or bed suffers from grandusthrowpillowitis include:

You can’t sit or lay down without a full pillow removal process.
Guests often stand, rather than sit, because they are afraid of ruining your pillow arrangement.
You have a designated cabinet where the pillows live after you remove them…and there’s overflow.

Throw pillows are one of the most versatile accents around, but there is a point where ?? throw pillows is too many.

What Should I Consider When Choosing Throw Pillows for My Home?

When selecting perfect throw pillows for your home, consider the overall color scheme and style of the room. Opt for pillows that complement the existing furniture and decor. Additionally, think about the size and shape that will work best for your space. Don’t forget to consider the level of comfort and the quality of materials used in the pillows.

Do You Suffer From Too Many Throw Pillows? Tips For Reigning it In

Notice I didn’t site a specific number? That’s because there isn’t one. The number of pillows that’s right for your couch or bed is completely determined the size of the furniture, its use and even the set-up of the room it’s in. In some cases, the bed may not have too many pillows, but the pillows may be too many for the room – creating a cluttered look. Here are some guidelines to keep your accent pillow population under control: Be practical. Believe it or not, Houzz actually polled followers and readers regarding how many throw pillows were too many. Of course, the answers varied from none, to as many as you want. But most people seem to think that more than three to six pillows becomes excessive – mainly, because the pillows become impractical at that point. So, rather than choosing a number, think in terms of practicality and furnishing function. If the pillows obstruct a guest’s ability to sit or lay down without a rigmarole, it’s probably time to ix-nay some illow-pays. Can they serve a second purpose? In some cases, a couple of extra throw pillows on a bed make for excellent bolstering if you are a bed reader, TV watcher, journaler or crafter. So, if you’re going to use the pillows on a fairly regular basis, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have an extra one or two looking pretty and at the ready. Consider using 3. There is something about the number three. It’s everywhere in nature and is also visible in art. It’s sort of like a “magic design number.” This is why you often see throw pillows or couch accent pillows in sets of three. On a bed, you may have two that sit side-by-side with the third, extra smaller pillow that sits right in front – centered along the crack made by the first two. On a couch or love seat, this translates to one on each side and a complementary one in the middle. If you are a lover of throw pillows, this may be the perfect arrangement for you – enough to make a visual impact and boost a room’s style, but not so many that they become an inconvenience. What overall impression do they make? Take an objective look at your accent pillow arrangement(s), or have a style-savvy friend come over to lend a constructively critical eye. You may find that eliminating one or too, especially if you’ve gone a little too bold or heavy with colors and patterns, may be just the type of downsizing you need. When staging a home… If you are staging a home for sale or for rent, the accent pillow limits can be thrown out of the window, especially in the bedroom. A nicely proportioned arrangement of throw pillows – even if they are layered – can make a positive impression. Perhaps this is why designers were typically the fan of larger accent pillow limits in the aforementioned Houzz survey; they know what clients like to see. Could your home design benefit from a positively critical eye? Consider consulting with a professional interior designer. A one-hour consultation can provide an amazing array of tips and tricks using what you’ve got to make your home look its very best.

Shelves 101

September 23, 2018

When I first sit down to consult with new clients, I rarely hear, “We just can’t wait to show you what we have planned for the shelving…” Shelves are one of those items that fade into the background of renovating, selecting paint colors or wallpaper, re-designing layouts, flooring, and all the other “big ticket” items. However, shelving is an integral part of most home designs. On one hand, as is the case with open shelves in the kitchen or bookcases in the living room, they are completely functional. On the other hand, their design has a big impact on how all the other parts of your remodel look as a whole. Here are some of the questions you can ask yourself as you consider which type of shelving makes the most sense for each space in your home.

How Can I Make My Shelves Stand Out and be the Focal Point in a Room?

When it comes to making your shelves stand out and become the focal point in a room, there are several tips you can consider. First, choose unique shelving designs that catch the eye, such as floating shelves or asymmetrical arrangements. Second, opt for bold and contrasting colors to create visual interest. Lastly, strategically place decorative items and personal mementos on the shelves to add personality and make them truly shine. With these ideas, your shelving will undoubtedly steal the spotlight in any room.

What Kind of Shelving Are You Looking For?

There are shelves that are required to hold hundreds of pounds worth of items, and there are shelves that are simply decorative in their own right and may only hold a picture or two. Therefore, the shelves’ function will drive the materials and support you need.

Shelves with a job to do. If you are designing shelves that have a job to do, we’ll want to make sure they are sturdy enough to do the job. For example, bookshelves should be anchored via studs and internal structural support elements so they don’t rip out of the sheetrock. If they will house a collection, you’ll want to make sure they include an outer-edge lip, mid-shelf grooves, or other features that make the collection more secure.
Shelves to continue or accent your home’s style. Then, there are shelves that are designed for decorative purposes. Perhaps you want some open shelving in the kitchen to open things up and add a bit of color via displayed dishware. If that’s the case, your shelves will be styled in a way that complements the kitchen cabinetry. You may want to install a shelf in a bathroom, bedroom, or living space to break up an expanse of empty wall. In these scenarios, your shelves may appear similar to the wood trim or other decorative elements in the space.
Shelves add texture and contrast. On the flip side, you may want to use shelves in order to add a bit of texture or contrast. For example, a sleek, modern design might benefit from some rustic, reclaimed lumber shelves that add a little bit of rough-hewn texture and wood grain pattern. Look how these metal and wood shelving units add grounding, earthy elements to an expansive entryway. Maybe you are looking for an easy way to add color to a monochromatic design. Painted shelves are a great way to do this, with the added benefit that you can always change their color or integrate them back into a monochromatic palette with a fresh paint job.
Shelves made from repurposed materials. In this era of eclectic design, even the highest of high-end home renovations are enhanced with repurposed shelving materials. I’ve seen many unexpected materials or gadget converted into clever and eclectic shelves including old wooden ladders, produce crates, or even the body of an old, dysfunctional piano box.
Shelves that help you save space. Finally, you may find yourself in a bind if you live in a smaller home or apartment that doesn’t have much square footage to spare. If this is the case, consider recessing your shelving into the walls. Most interior walls have a good 12-inches of usable space in them. Work with a designer or contractor to determine which areas of the interior wall space could be used for this purpose. It’s a smart way to gain much-needed storage space without using the room’s existing air space.

Don’t just hang, purchase, or build shelves for shelving’s sake. Make sure you do it with a purpose and such that it enhances both the function and form of your design.