Kristina Wolf's House of Design

Interior Design, Accessorizing, and DIY Tips

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Getting That Kitchen Organized

getting-that-kitchen-organized

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 .
  6. 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.

Decorating with Love

decorating-with-loveAh, Valentine’s Day. February is the month that makes hearts pitter-patter and you can take advantage of it by adding a little Valentine “love” into your modern interior design. Perhaps one of the best things about Valentine’s Day (from an interior designer’s perspective) is that it is the last of the full winter months and a time when a little burst from warm reds and pinks is most welcome.

6 Modern Decorating Tips for Valentine’s Day

While you don’t have to go crazy with hearts and flowers, there are plenty of ways to add Valentine warmth to your living spaces. Here are 6 simple ideas for your home.

  1. Decorate the mantel. Use your mantel as a focal point and shower it with attention. You can do something as simple as an arrangement of pillar candles in red, pink and/or white or you can go all out with heart motifs as well. Here is an example of a Valentine mantle from BHG. The heart wreath is fun, the heart garland was made by hand using cardstock hearts and tissue paper. Perhaps my favorite element is the family photo. Odds are that was taken for the holidays but the red shirts and fashion accents work equally well for Valentine’s Day, allowing the family to show it off again.
  2. Frame the word L-O-V-E. You can do this anyway you want. You can type it in a script you like from left to write and print it out. You can arrange the letters in a square, with “L” in the top left and concluding with “E” in the bottom right corners. You can print each letter individually and hang all four in an arrangement of your choosing. These can be done in color or black and white. Once framed, this one little word becomes a conservative but apropos accent for the season.
  3. Simple centerpiece. Create a simple centerpiece for a table by using a glass vase filled with red hots or a Valentine-themed candy. Use this for the foundation of your flower arrangement. You can also use this idea with candles. Larger and smaller vessels (filled with Valentine candy of your choice) can be used in a cluster or set around end tables too. Now, you just have to keep your hands out of the candy jars!
  4. Hang a Berry Wreath. Wreaths are a wonderful front door welcome for any season, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. This X and O wreath is made from dried berry stalk and is a more natural and minimal expression of the typical “floral explosion” version. I found this one on Etsy and the artist makes other beautiful versions as well. Etsy, by the way, is a fabulous place to find handmade Valentine’s decor if you aren’t the crafty type yourself.
  5. Trade roses for tulips. Roses are traditional, but if you’re a modernist, you may want something a little different. How about trading the roses for tulips this year? Once Valentine’s day is over, you can round out the red/pink/white motif with additional fresh spring colors.
  6. Create a unique shadow box. Here’s a fun and easy project you can do with little ones and still end up with an adult-worthy decoration. Purchase a shadow box and cut a series of red hearts from high-quality construction paper. You can use any color you like. Glue some of the hearts whole and others only by  half so you can fold them a bit. It creates a fun and fluttery Valentine’s Day shadow box.

How to Use Dark Colors

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.

how-to-use-dark-colors

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?

Modern Nursery Color Combos

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Tired of the same girlie pinks and little boy blues that dominate the nursery scene? It’s not easy to escape those tried-and-true gender traditions but with a little work and an eye on the future, you can introduce modern nursery color combinations that will still yield a soothing and nurturing ambiance for your little darling’s bedroom space.

Check Out These Modern Baby Room Color Combos & Design Ideas

Perhaps the single most poignant piece of design advice I can give to soon-to-be parents is: take the “long view” approach when decorating the baby’s room. What do I mean by “long view?” I mean that the time you have to put into decorating now will be virtually non-existent once you become parents, and that sweet little baby transitions into a busy toddler faster than you can blink your sleep-deprived eyes. The more you can do to create a room your child can grow into without the need for another re-design, the better.

For this reason, using a modern color palette makes very good sense. Modern colors can be easily added to via big kid furniture and accessories to serve as more mature rooms down the road, and they can also be transitioned into guest bedrooms as needed.

Here are some of my favorite modern color combos for baby rooms:

Turquoise and Tangerine. Together, turquoise and tangerine form a vibrant and energetic combination without being too busy. My recommendation: leave the walls a warm neutral color and then bring in the turquoise and tangerine via area rugs, rocking chair cushions, a painted dresser-slash-changing table (again, thinking ahead to the future), window coverings, and bedding. This is also a gender-neutral combination, which can be nice for parents who opt to let their baby’s gender remain a surprise. If it’s a boy, throw in some brown accents; if it’s a girl, you can add splashes of pink or purple.

Yellow and Gray. The pairing of yellow and gray forms a balance; yellow is vibrant and gray is calming. The brighter the shade of yellow you select, the more energetic the effect will be. Again, this makes for a fabulous gender-neutral color scheme or a fair selection for fraternal boy/girl twins. Greens and blues can be added to this combination to good effect as well for a little more diversity.

Primary Colors. Did you know babies are the ablest to perceive black and white to start, and then vibrant primary colors after that? They also like geometric shapes and patterns. For those reasons, I’m a fan of this bedroom with a big map of the world on the wall – full of happy colors and plenty of shapes to keep curious eyes occupied. Pick your favorite colors – or theirs as they get older – to build the rest of the bedroom’s design.

No Color At All. This modern nursery in Los Angeles shows how beautiful and cozy a nursery can be without any particular or intentional color combination at all. The warm hardwood floors, rustic rocker frame, and dresser add a sense of traditional homeyness. You can use area rugs of all shapes and sizes, accent pillows, art, and other accessories to add splashes of color as they pertain to your child’s gender, interests, and personality. This is definitely a room a child can grow into, a guest will feel comfortable sleeping in and prospective buyers will see as just another bedroom without any need for repainting or redecorating.

Interior Design For Multi-Generational Households

interior-design-for-multi-generational-householdsWith the rising costs of living – not to mention senior communities – multi-generational households are coming back in style. According to Pew Research, the number of people living in multi-generational houses has doubled over the past three decades, and that trend isn’t expected to change anytime soon.

Multi-Generational Households Require Livable Home Designs

A while back, I read a design article that referenced the phrase “livable designs.” The idea was that accessible or universal design tenets weren’t just for the old or handicapped; rather, they were design features that made a living space more livable for everyone – be they young, old, small, tall, using a walker or not.

I love this idea and feel like the best interior designers work to create livable designs in every home they meet. Here are some of the livable design features that make the most sense for families, retirees, those who plan to age in place and/or those who plan to live with extended family members.

Design a private suite or two

When I was a child, I was so envious of my friends who had bedrooms with attached bathrooms. These master suites felt so luxurious – and they are. If you plan to live with parents or in-laws, or your kids plan to move in with you when you are in your golden years, it makes sense to design a private suite or two so everyone has their own space.

These master suites can be quite simple – large enough to accommodate a bedroom and sitting area, as well as a bathroom. Or, they can be more complex, including the addition of a small living area, kitchenette, and/or patio space. The more independent the suite is, while still being accessible to those with mobility aids, the more functional it will be. These living spaces are also convenient should you ever need to hire an in-home caregiver.

Make it easy to get around

Increasing the number of residents in a household makes navigation more of a concern. Leave ample space in hallways and along walkways, so it’s easy for people to pass each other, walk two-by-two or manipulate a walker or wheelchair. Install ADA accessible doorways from the get-go. Leave plenty of room around tables and chairs, as well as other seating areas, so the walking and functional flow aren’t obstructed when family and friends are gathered in eating and communal areas. Think about transitions between different flooring materials as well as entrance/exit thresholds so they are smooth and trip-resistant.

Flooring materials should be anti-slip and low-profile so they’re easier to get around on in a wheelchair or walker. The benefit of all of this is that you and your kids will be so appreciative when a sprained ankle or unanticipated surgery requires that you use crutches, canes or other mobility aids.

Think about safety

After the “getting around” pointers, I recommend taking a good look at your lighting plan. Focus on ample daylighting by way of expanded windows, skylights and solar tubes. This makes electric lighting superfluous until just before sunset. You will also want to include more task lighting since older eyes have a harder time seeing. By setting everything on dimmers, each space can be illuminated to suit the current occupant’s needs.

Under cabinet lighting in both the kitchen and the bathroom is a welcome addition during the nighttime hours and can keep falling and post-sunset accidents to a minimum. Gentle night-lighting will also prevent little ones and elders from being disoriented or fearful in the dark.

Balance an open floor plan with private space

Open floor plans are certainly accessible. However, in a household with multiple generations in residence, it can also feel like there’s no place to call your own. Be thoughtful about creating different zones within the central area so there is room for those watching TV as well as those who want to curl up and read a book or focus on their homework. Your interior designer can assist you in using area rugs, pony walls, furniture arrangements and other tricks of the trade so there are plenty of areas for your family members to feel at home.

Not only will your home benefit from livable design features, it will also be more appealing for future homebuyers.