home design

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.

Making Spirits Bright With A Beautiful Tree

September 14, 2018

Even if I wasn’t a huge fan of the holiday season, I still think I’d put a Christmas tree in my home and decorate it. In this season where we spend more hours in the dark than the light, there is something so peaceful and inspiring about spending the end of each evening, snuggled up on the couch or in a favorite chair, in front of a beautifully decorated and illuminated tree.

Christmas Tree Decorating 101

Whether this is your first holiday season on your own or you’re simply interested in new tips for designing a Christmas tree that will do your photos justice, the following is a little Christmas (or holiday…) Tree 101 Tutorial that will keep you on track.

Provide a firm foundation

The last thing you want is to put the shining star on top, only to have the entire tree come crashing down…believe me, it happens pretty often. If the tree will be placed on carpet, I recommend getting a large, firm plastic mat or a piece of plywood that is as wide as the widest branches of the tree. This will provide firmer footing for the tree stand.

If you have an artificial tree, do spend time walking all around the edges and adjust branches so they are evenly spaced and positioned. This will help to balance the weight. If you go the live tree route (don’t you love that fresh, pine scent in your home?), then invest in a high-quality stand. The cheap ones are flimsy and they don’t often do a very good job of supporting a medium-large to larger tree.

Make sure you get the tree snug, all the way down to the bottom of the stand. Tighten the clamps enough to securely hold the tree in position. Once the tree is rotated to show off its best branches forward, fill the base with water. After that, I recommend putting in a couple handfuls of ice cubes every other day – or as needed – so you don’t have to crouch uncomfortably and mind the decorations when it’s time to re-water.

Light’s first, then action

If you have a pre-lit, artificial tree, you can skip this step. Otherwise, always put your lights on the tree first, before you add any other decorations. It will drive the kids nuts having to wait patiently as you finish, but the final results will be worth the wait.

The best way to do it is to start at the bottom and work your way out, moving from the inside of the tree to the outside. Make sure each of the major branches is sufficiently lighted. I like to have the lights on while I perform this task so I can keep stepping back and readjusting the lights’ position as necessary. When they’re off, it’s more difficult to tell what the overall effect is. After the lights are in their final position, I turn them off so our household can enjoy our official “Christmas Tree Lighting” arter the last of the decorations is added.

If you haven’t done so already, make this the year that you trade in your old holiday lights for LED versions. Yes, they are pricier but the energy you save and the extra years of shining lights you’ll gain are well worth it.

Unroll the garland

Is your family a garland family? I’ve noticed that some people are and some aren’t. If you are, now’s the time to apply it. If you aren’t, and you have young children, I highly recommend going the old fashioned, plain popcorn and cranberry stringing route. It’s fun, it gets the whole family involved and it looks lovely when added to the tree. The key to keeping your cranberry-popcorn garland from looking too cheesy is to add more cran than pop. You can also add cinnamon sticks, pinecones and other natural fodder to round out the look.

Hang the ornaments

Once it’s time to hang the ornaments, I recommend the following system.

First, hand your very favorite ornaments so they are all guaranteed to have a prime, visible spot on the tree. Balance them out accordingly.
Next, hand the larger ornaments. These ornaments need more space. By hanging them next, you can find all the right “big space” locations so the ornaments fit well. Otherwise, there is quite a bit of ornament re-juggling to be done later in order to make it all look proportional.
Finally, fill in the remaining spaces with your medium and smaller size ornaments.

I can’t tell you how many years I (a professional designer, no less) used to hang ornaments willy-nilly by eye – – and then spent small portions of each day thereafter amending or adjusting. Now that I use the above system, I am typically finished when the last ornament is hung – give or take a few trades here and there.