design

Creating A Pet Friendly Home

August 1, 2019

Now that pets are more a part of the American family than ever, home designs need to catch up. The large majority of magazine-worthy interior designs aren’t all that realistic if you’re the proud owner of a couch-happy dog or occasionally chair-clawing cat.

The sheer fact that most pets shed is enough to dictate some pet-oriented features that make cleaning and maintenance a little easier.

5 Pet Friendly Design Tips You’ll Never Regret

So, if you’re ready to remodel or renovate your house – and you’re a family that allows your pets to be more “inside” than “out” – the following tips will help you to complete your upscale remodel with materials and features that accommodate pets in a no-fuss manner.

Hard surface or low-profile flooring. If you own pets, and you’ve only ever had carpet – you’ll be in for a big surprise when you switch to hardwood flooring. Holy moly, you won’t believe all of the pet-stuff (hair, fur, dust, feathers, dander and other unmentionables) that are camouflaged and hiding out in your carpet pile and pad. “Yuck!” is an understatement…Do yourself a favor and switch to hard-surface flooring. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to clean and maintain – and how free your home is of all that nasty stuff that causes allergies and respiratory issues. If you want to have carpet in a few rooms, consider making the rooms pet-free or using very low-profile options, like Berber, so pet byproducts have nowhere to run or hide.
Consider using indoor/outdoor fabric. The trend towards an indoor/outdoor lifestyle has major advantages for pet owners. Namely, fabric manufacturers responded by expanding their colors and pattern options exponentially so clients’ outdoor spaces could mimic upscale interior designs. As a result, I highly recommend checking out the array of indoor/outdoor fabrics for your most-used couches and chairs, especially the ones your pets have singled out as favorites. These ultra-stain resistant fabrics are so easy to keep clean, can take more than their fare share of wear-and-tear (even from paws and claws), and you’ll also appreciate it when you encounter the occasional red wine spill or sick child scenario.
Consider your laundry room the “animal room”. The same can be true for a section of your garage or a recess near the entryway. Laundry rooms are the ideal because they are plumbed, have tile flooring and are a perfect place to set up pet crates, bedding, paw washing stations and even feeding stations when you want to keep pets out of the main living areas.
Take advantage of nooks and crannies. We typically recommend using nooks and crannies for more storage, but these funky spaces can also make the best places for pets. Have a corner of hard to access kitchen cabinet space? Consider using a slide-out or tilt-bin that can house pet food. Add a window seat in the living room and then put pet beds underneath – sectioned by finished pieces of wood if necessary. Both cats and dogs often enjoy having a “hideaway” to retreat to. If you always have a cat or two in the home, consider adding cat wall climbing systems to the upper areas of your walls, eliminating the need for cat posts and climbing trees that take up valuable human square footage. Your cats will love the elevated vantage points and indoor cats get more exercise that way.
Use slip-proof area rugs. This should be done in any home design that includes area rugs, really, as moving area rugs are dangerous and are a nuisance to continually put back in place. However, pets make the no-slip feature a must-have. One exuberant dash down the hall will have your favorite runner all rumpled up against the wall at the end of the hallway. Non-slip rugs and/or backings put an end to that.

Creating A Closet In A Closet-Less Space

July 28, 2019

Whether you find yourself in a historical Bay Area home, where clothes were often stored hanging from hooks on a wall, live in a smaller home, where space is of the essence and closet-space is scarce, or you’re interested in converting a den into an additional bedroom – you may need to be a little creative when it comes to closet space.

The following ideas can help you create a closet where there isn’t one. Some work well for renters, who will want to take their solutions with them, others involve more permanent changes. In any case, these tips will expand hidden storage options for you and your guests.

Build a Real Closet. An after-market closet addition is your best move if you have the room for it and you own your home. If you rent, and you feel there is enough living space post-closet, your landlord may be willing to spring for it – especially if you do all the legwork to plan and design it. A bedroom closet add-on is a fairly inexpensive construction project in the big picture, especially because it will significantly increase the value of the home. In the state of CA, rooms can only be called “bedrooms” if there is a permanent closet. Thus, your current 2-bedroom home will instantly become a 3-bedroom home, which is pretty significant when it’s time to put the home on the market.
Purchase a Gorgeous Armoire. You can never regret the purchase of a gorgeous armoire. For now, it can be the closet you wish you had. Down the road – in another home – it may become the entertainment center that elegantly houses that ugly TV screen when it’s not in use, or it could become your next favorite linen closet in a master bathroom renovation. The point is, armoires are versatile. And, they hold their resale value – so there’s that.
Create an Exposed Closet Rung. Next time you’re out on a hike, look for a sturdy branch, about three-feet or more in length and bring it home. Trim it to its core, paint it any color you like, and suspend it horizontally from the ceiling using chains, rope, ribbon, or whatever material makes sense with the existing décor. If you combine that, with an attractive dresser beneath it, you gain clothing storage for both folded and hanger-worthy wardrobe options. Don’t want to spring for a new dresser? Cheap and attractive versions abound on Craigslist and a quick coat of paint will fix them right up.
Get Yourself Some Bed Risers. You can purchase bed risers for a song and in a range of heights. Once your bed is elevated, you have just given yourself the gift of significant storage space. Now, you can free other closets of the seasonal and lesser-worn items, storing them in storage bins in your new, under-bed closet.
Invest In a Loft Bed. Loft beds are pretty genius, especially if you have a room that is both small and tall. Once the bed is elevated to those lofty heights (pun intended) you can create a walk-in-closet of sorts underneath. If you have a more modern design, an exposed closet might work just fine. If you’re more of a traditionalist or the exposed space winds up looking cluttered, hang a beautiful expanse of fabric around the perimeter of the loft. The underneath space can also create room for a small home office. If this is a kid’s bedroom, divide the under-loft space in two, using one for their clothes and shoes and the other for their own personal hideout and quiet space.
Use a Pre-Fab Closet Organizing System. You can also use a pre-fab closet organizing system. These will give you the hanging, shelved and/or drawer space you’re looking for. For stability, mount the system to the wall. If you feel inclined, a builder or certified handyman will have no problem installing “walls” on the sides for a real closet look. Then, using a curtain rod system, you’ll be able to enclose the space tastefully.
Create a Closet Nook Just Outside the Door. Depending on the shape of your hallway and room entrances, you may be able to enclose a small nook and then install shelving and a small section of rod to hang nicer clothes. Again, you can choose to hide or expose the space using a rod and a curtain or piece of fabric.

Accessorizing Your Home

July 22, 2019

Accessories are an important part of interior design; they add color, character and – perhaps best of all – they are more temporary design elements. Unlike cabinets or countertops, kitchen layout or furniture – accessories are easy to move around, sell, donate or move on when you’re ready to refresh your look.

What House Plants Can I Use to Enhance the Decor of My Home?

House plants are an excellent way to enhance your home decor. With their natural beauty, they effortlessly bring life and freshness to any space. Some popular house plants include the elegant Monstera, the vibrant Pothos, and the charming Snake plant. These green companions not only add visual appeal but also purify the air, promoting a healthier indoor environment. Let house plants transform your home into an inviting and aesthetically pleasing sanctuary.

Questions to Ask Before Purchasing An Accessory For Your Interior Design

Here are some of the questions or considerations to ponder before deciding yes or no on a specific accessory or piece of art.

Is the foundation of my design complete?

First, it’s important that you and your interior designer have narrowed down the foundation of your design. An accessory you love now might not actually work when the bare bones of your interior design is in place. So, make sure the larger ideas like layout, colors, style, furniture placement, and so on are all finalized before you begin shopping for items to fill the empty spaces.

Am I clear on how much is too much?

The last thing you want is to purchase and display a bunch of accessories that wind up cluttering up your beautiful brand new remodel or renovation. Do work with your designer to establish how much is too much so you don’t over accessorize. Remember that “white space” is important to a design – giving the eyes a place to rest. If you fill all those valuable white spaces with accessories, your design will feel too busy and guests will be hard-pressed to relax.

Is this design timeless?

This isn’t a necessity, but it certainly helps. I find the happiest clients are those who prioritize timeless accessories and art works. While the pieces may move from one room, wall or corner to another, they never really go out of style. Not only does this help you as your own designs evolve and change over the years, it will make those accessories much more desirable if you choose to sell them or move them on to a new-to-them owner down the road.

Are you balancing functionality with looks?

Selecting accessories for accessories’ sake can be a recipe for disaster because you end up with rooms full of looks without any substance. One way to incorporate the timeless consideration is to make sure you are balancing functional accessories along with those that were made with the sole intention of looking pretty. Rather than a plant stand that is too flimsy to hold any plants, look for a functional version that actually does what it was designed to do. The more your items have a purpose, the less superfluous they will be. Alternately, you can seek out re-purposed furnishings and accessories that have a unique new role to provide, like a refinished wood ladder that can be used as shelving whether it’s propped against a wall or suspended horizontally.

Can it live somewhere else in your home?

There are cases where a particular art installation seems to be made specifically for one spot in your home (odds are that’s a timeless accessory and you’re already good to go). However, I recommend choosing accessories that could potentially live elsewhere. That way, if you want a fresh new look in a few years – a little rearranging and an updated color palate are all you need to enjoy an updated interior design without reinventing the wheel.

Is this adding a new texture into the mix?

Texture is one of the most overlooked areas in design because people focus so much on colors, matching, style and their own innate preferences. In a modern home, for example, a homeowner may wind up with a home that is sleek, sleek and more sleek – but that winds up being a bit boring because everything is so smooth and shiny without anything different or interesting that breaks it up. Take a look at your interior design and analyze it in terms of texture – is there a texture that is underrepresented? Overrepresented? If so, keep this in mind when shopping for accessories and try to choose textural components that fill in the gaps as much as possible.

A Family Room Perfect For Family

July 12, 2019

Family rooms are a place to gather, socialize, play, relax, snuggle or hunker down for movie nights. The bulk of these activities require a comfortable and casual atmosphere but that doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish.

Tips For Designing a Family Room Space That is Stylish & Comfortable

The following tips will help you create family room that is usable and can take a beating but maintains the look of a well-designed space.

Don’t wait. Is your family room a conglomeration of old college apartment furniture and/or horrid family hand-me-downs? This is such a common mistake families make with the idea, “we don’t want to design a nice family room until the kids are grown…” While the sentiment is understandable, it’s based in the false concept that children will destroy everything. The key is to design a room with furniture and furnishings that are attractive and completely durable. Ditch the tattered furniture and start anew. It’s good for children to learn a healthy respect for their surroundings, so you’re helping yourselves and them when you provide a beautifully designed space for them to play in.
Think about your lifestyle. Don’t design your family room around a magazine spread you liked. That living space was designed for that household. DO start creating idea books that include the colors and styles you like. In the meantime, sit down and list your family’s lifestyle. What’s the family room used for? Who does what where? What types of food are or aren’t allowed there? This will help your designer select furnishings and textiles that complement your lifestyle and allow the kids to be themselves.
Choose some fun colors. If you are more of a neutral designer, that’s great. A neutral base is a good idea for family room spaces since they evolve over time. Plus, neutral fabrics work well with the natural wood and durable furniture materials you’ll want to select so they can handle day-to-day use. However, it’s a good idea to pick a few fun or brighter colors to liven up the space. Try taking a color or two from your favorite art piece in the room and building your palette from there.
Put durability and comfort high on the list. Always put durability and comfort-ability high on the list. Aesthetics will fall into place. Save more delicate, expensive or less-comfortable furnishings for the lesser-used formal living room. Make sure the key players in the family have a chance to sit on, drape/lie down on any couches or chairs you buy so you know the pieces will be comfortable when they’re delivered.
Look for multi-use pieces. Family rooms require storage for books, toys, movies, blankets, eating trays, etc. Therefore, keep an eye out for furniture that has more than one function: ottomans with storage, cabinets that can serve as end tables, couches with reclining sections and so on.
Check out indoor/outdoor fabrics. You’d be amazed at how far indoor/outdoor fabrics have become. Now that outdoor living spaces get almost as much attention as their indoor counterparts, manufacturer’s are designing upholstery fabric that can be used in either location. You can have design-worthy prints and patterns that clean up easy, can handle a pet paw or four, and won’t fall apart with a single kick from an errant shoe-bedecked foot.
Create different zones. If you have little ones of all ages, try to create different zones. Find an attractive trunk/toy box so a play area can exist alongside the movie/gaming zone. Arrange furniture for good conversation flow. Find a way to hide the TV whenever possible so play and socialization trump screen time.

Ready to manifest a family room or home design that looks amazing and can stand the test of kids…er, um…time?

Area Rug Do’s And Don’ts

July 10, 2019

The area rug is a helpful design tool. They soften hardwood floors, warm a room up, add color or pattern and they anchor whole living areas in open floor plans. Shopping for area rugs, however, can be a bigger challenge than you think. Questions like, “what size rug should I get?” or “is this pattern too bold?” can send you walking quickly in the other direction, putting area rug purchases on hold indefinitely.

What’s an Area Rug For, Anyway?

There’s no need to panic. A simple review of what area rugs are for, and how to implement them in your living spaces, will be enough to get you back online – or out to the stores – to buy rugs that enhance your interiors.

Let’s review the main purposes of an area rug:

To protect your flooring. In addition to providing a softer, warmer floor surface (so much nicer to get out of bed and have bare feet meet a nice, plush rug!), area rugs are often used to protect the floor surfaces below. This is especially true for high-traffic areas, like hallways, entryways, and stairs. In these cases, you will want to look for more durable rug materials, and rugs that can be easily cleaned, so you aren’t having to replace them on a regular basis.

The trend towards indoor/outdoor living has caused many rug designers to expand their indoor/outdoor rug lines. It’s hard to tell the difference these days and indoor/outdoor rugs make great area rugs for families with small children, pets, or for those aforementioned high-traffic areas.

To anchor a living space. In the world of design, area rugs are used most often to anchor a living room space. This can be your living room, a conversation area, or your dining area. It might even be the anchor for the play space in your home’s family room. It tells guests, “this area has a designated purpose” and keeps the furniture from “floating” in the space.

To enhance your decor. Finally, your area rugs should enhance the decor. They provide a finishing touch and, in a mostly monochromatic design, they may be the only pop of color or pattern. Area rugs also offer a wonderful way for conservative designers to add a wild pattern without overpowering the space.

Do’s and Don’ts of Using Area Rugs

The wrong area rug can have a negative effect on your overall design, and you certainly don’t want that. Hence, here are a few Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind when you’re purchasing your rug(s).

DO splurge on high-quality rugs. There is a visible difference between high-quality rugs and their cheaper counterparts. Spend extra for a well-made product and you’ll have an area rug that lasts a lifetime, or until you’re tired of it.

DON’T buy a rug that’s too small. Referred to as postage-stamp rugs, these rugs look disproportional to space. Instead, buy rugs that fit all of your furniture, or at least the front legs of the furniture. If it’s in a dining room, make sure all of the chairs fit on the rug when they are pushed up to the table. In a master bedroom, it’s better to have one large area rug spanning two-thirds of the bed, perpendicular to the foot, than two smaller area rugs that look like bath mats on either side.

DO mix patterns. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns. Just keep the color wheel in mind and choose patterns that are in different proportions to one another to keep things balanced.