home interior

Shopping For Patio Furniture

November 11, 2018

April showers bring May flowers, right? That’s what we’re hoping for here in the Kristina Wolf Design studio anyway. While we’re thrilled about all the rain our state has absorbed this year, we’re ready to turn our sites on sunshiny weather – and that means more time spent in backyards and patios.

If you haven’t shopped for patio furniture lately, you might experience a bit of sticker shock; it’s an investment. Even lower-end products sold in big box gardening shops have whopping price tags. For this reason, I recommend saving up until you’re able to splurge on higher-quality products made by well-established brands. The right choice will yield furniture that lasts decades, and that beats spending money every year to replace cheaper, worn out versions.

7 Tips for Purchasing Patio Furniture

Here are 7 tips to help you make the right investment for your outdoor lifestyle.

Get your priorities straight

What are you purchasing the furniture for? This will dictate which pieces you buy. Do you dine outdoors on a regular basis? If so, a larger dining table and chairs makes sense. If not, a smaller café table with chairs will suffice and the rest of your furniture can be mix-and-match chairs and a couple of ottomans that also serve as tables or additional seating as needed.

Are you a lounger and/or is your backyard the go-to space for cocktail hour or morning coffee? In that case, a couch (which can always be pulled up to a table) and a chaise lounge or two are essential.

Make a list of which furniture gets priority so those pieces make the cut first.

Think about size

You’ll want to think about the square footage of your outdoor area and then make sure your furniture is sized according to the space.

Squeezing too much in, or placing oversized pieces in smaller spaces, yields a crowded and less relaxed energy – and that’s not the idea. Larger patios have room for furniture-style pieces while a smaller patio should feature perimeter benches and lower profile tables and chairs.

Try them on for comfort

Never purchase patio furniture you haven’t tried out on your own. Like bar stools or dining room chairs, you should be able to sit down and remain in place for at least a minute or two, so you’re absolutely sure you’re making a comfortable choice. The last thing you want is a chair that pinches thighs, tables that are too high or too low for eating or project comfort, or chair arms that are too skinny to actually support a real life arm. Don’t forget to check out adjustable chaise lounge positions to make sure the angles are all comfortable – and that you can access a completely prone position for lounging on your tummy.

Consider all-weather and storage options

Materials definitely matter for a few reasons. First, you don’t want to purchase a sturdy and heavy wrought-iron set if you’re planning to rearrange furniture on a regular basis, or if you’re going to be storing them seasonally as they are cumbersome to lift and maneuver. Similarly, you shouldn’t purchase weather-vulnerable wood furniture unless you’re committed to sealing them each year before the wet weather kicks into gear. Look for patio pieces that are inherently weather resistant and/or that are coated with high-quality protective coatings to extend their lifetime.

Really think about your outdoor lifestyle, weather you’re going to be storing furniture or not, how often it will be moved around, and the climate where you live. If you are planning to store it, have you narrowed selections to those that fold, stack or come apart easily for space efficiency? Answers to these questions will narrow your options in regards to materials and maintenance requirements.

Figure out which material makes the most sense for you

Those brand new plastic or acrylic pieces look amazing in the store, and the price may feel right, but you’re guaranteed to need new furniture within five years. Rule of thumb: always purchase from established brands to make sure you’re fully satisfied.

So, that leads to an analysis of higher-quality materials.

Wrought-iron. Beautiful and long lasting. Also very heavy and can be ruthless when it comes to stubbed toes and shins. Look for powder-coated, UV-resistant finishes, rust-proof hardware, and seamless welds.
Aluminum. Yields a high-quality look but is much lighter-weight. Again, you’re looking for powder-coated, UV-resistant finishes, rust-proof hardware, and seamless welds.
Recycled plastics or polymers. Unlike the cheaper plastic options, these are thick, heavy and durable. Consumers also like the rounded and more sculpted (mid-century modern) style available from these moldable materials. Look for UV-stabilizing pigments to prevent fading.
Wood. Only purchase patio furniture made from denser wood such as eucalyptus, teak or Shorea wood (looks like teak but is much cheaper). Almost all other wood products need to be sealed every year – and the reality is that most homeowners don’t do it. Look for wood furniture that isn’t glued together.

Purchase covers or a stylish storage shed

Even the most weather-resistant patio furniture materials last longer when it’s protected. If you aren’t planning on storing furniture, purchase heavy-duty covers from the manufacture so they fit well.

Pay attention to warranty information

Do pay attention to warranty information, particularly information pertaining to the furniture’s structural integrity. While paint and coatings are relatively easy to replace, your furniture’s structure should come with respectable warranty protection so you can rest easy – physically, mentally and financially.

Comfortable, high-quality patio furniture is the foundation for years of outdoor memory making with family and friends. Designing an outdoor living space that suits your interests and lifestyles – optimizes your outdoor space.

Making Your Shelves The Most Interesting Piece In The Room

November 9, 2018

Shelves are made to be utilitarian, which is fine. But, with the right eye and a little creativity, they can become utilitarian works of art – or, at the very least – utilitarian accents that enhance an interior design.

How Can I Make My Dorm Room Shelves Stand out and Look Interesting?

When it comes to making your dorm room shelves stand out and look interesting, it’s all about getting creative with your dorm room resign. Consider adding colorful storage boxes or decorative baskets to bring a pop of style. Showcase unique knick-knacks or personal mementos along with your books and essentials. Incorporate fairy lights or statement artwork to add personality and make your shelves visually captivating.

9 Ways to Make Shelves Stand Out

Here are 9 Ideas for replacing existing shelves, or updating the ones you want to keep, so shelves do more than just “hold stuff.” Give them something to brag about while they’re at it…

Make them disappear. Here’s an idea for the modernist as well as the decorator who appreciates a little whimsy. Purchase metal L-Brackets at the hardware store. Then mount them about 10-inches to 12-inches apart- or as far apart as some of your largest, hardly-read books. Then, stack the large book on the bottom (forming the shelf) with smaller books stacked on top. The effect is a floating stack of books on the wall.
Put an old ladder to work. Have a loft or industrial-style space? Find an old antique ladder and paint it any color you like. Then, open it up against a wall and run planks of wood, metal or whatever hard material appeals to you (thick glass with dulled edges would be awesome too) through both sides of the ladder.
Don’t forget the white space. One of the biggest mistakes most of us make is overcrowding shelves so they become a boring, non-stop run of books and/or cluttered with curios. Don’t forget the white space. From books to collectibles, shelves will always look cleaner and more interesting if you leave some gaps in between things.
Wallpaper them. Budget designers can turn ugly, old wooden shelves into works of art by wallpapering them top and bottom. You can often find old scraps of wallpaper for cheap, but even purchasing it new will cost less than $50, depending on how many shelves you have. This is idea is especially attractive for shelves that are higher up, because the undersides of the shelves add unobtrusive color and interest.
Old crates or boxes. Sand, finish or repaint old wooden boxes or crates. Even old dresser drawers or file drawers will work. They can be mounted on the wall like a curio cabinet individually or in unique arrangements.
Display collections. We posted an entire piece on how to display your collections. Interspersing a collection amidst books or designating “display” shelves is a smart way to add interest to various rooms in your house.
Use rough planks. I love the look of thick, natural wooden planks that keep the edges of the tree in their natural curvature. They work wonderfully for mantel tops and also as shelves. Have a small entryway? Use a thick wooden plank or two, hung above the height where it would knock ahead, to display some curios.
Stack antique benches. Most plain, wood benches are about the same depth as substantial shelving, which makes this a smart way to convert antique benches into shelves. You can stack them, bracing them for safety to make a bolder statement. A distressed look is always appreciated and it’s just fine to mix-and-match colors.
Use art. Shelves are a great place to display some of your art, especially smaller pieces that can get lost on a wall by themselve. Instead, you can show them off – and create a little of that aforementioned shelf space – by using a shelf to prop them up against the wall. Even larger works of art will look stunning this way if the shelf and space accommodate them.

A Guide To What Stays And What Goes

November 6, 2018

As the seasons change from dark to light – it makes sense that spring-cleaning is a human tradition. Windows can be thrown open, insulating drapes taken down – and the home receives a burst of life and light that is unavailable during the winter months.

In addition to cleaning carpets, sprucing up outdoor spaces and deep cleaning neglected nooks and crannies – make it a point this year to really cleanse your home of unwanted and unneeded clutter. The more you eliminate items you don’t use, need or love – the more clear and spacious your home (and your life!) will feel.

The following questions are designed to help you decide what can stay – and what needs to go – as you move room-to-room and closet-to-closet:

Do I love it? If you absolutely love it, keep it. End of story. If you end up keeping everything, it might be a sign you’re a hoarder at heart, in which case I recommend enlisting the help of a friend, or a professional interior designer, to give you a more objective view point.

When was the last time I used it? If the answer is more than one year ago, it’s time to toss it out. Anything that can be lived without for a year can be lived without forever. If it’s a clothing item, odds are it is outdated and/or doesn’t fit you well anyway – so make room for something that is more stylish and flattering.

How often do I use it? If it’s a big ticket item that takes up quite a bit of space, and you find you don’t use it often, it probably be worth donating or selling. In most cases, you’ll be able to borrow it or rent it if you need it in the future.

Does it have sentimental value? This is one of the biggest reasons people hang on to items they don’t love. Either someone you love made it or gave it to you, or it reminds you of a different time in your life (i.e. a past version of yourself). If it’s a family heirloom, consider giving it to another member in the family who will love it. If you have more than one family heirloom that nobody wants, keep your favorite to pass on and give yourself permission to donate or sell it to someone who will love and use it.

In other cases, consider making a digital scrapbook – take a picture, archive it, and then pass the item on to the right recipient, be it someone you know or a local non-profit.

Do I have more than one of these? How many of any one thing do you really need? In most cases, one is enough of anything. If you have more that one, and you aren’t using them, get rid of the extra(s). If they are worthy of becoming a collection, work on displaying them to their best advantage.

Is it replaceable? If you are hedging on an item and it’s replaceable, eliminate it. You can always buy, rent or find an affordable used version if you decide you made a mistake. If it isn’t replaceable, and you don’t love it, hang on a bit longer and see if you use it in the next calendar year. If possible, tape a post-it or some identifiable tag that can be removed when you use it. Then next year, you can confidently get rid of any item that still bears the “I wasn’t used in a year” tag. Otherwise, make a calendar note to check on specific items next year. If you realized you still haven’t used it in that time, it can safely exit your home.

By the time you’ve run through this list, your home will be noticeably lighter. When all is said and done, your home will start the spring and summer seasons feeling more clear, vibrant and functional.

Adding Greenery

October 22, 2018

Humans have always brought a little bit of Mother Nature indoors – from fresh cut flowers as a kitchen table centerpiece to bundles of dried herbs hanging from the rafters; the reality is that our species derives a sense of peace and connection when we integrate nature in our living spaces.

One way to do this is to have potted plants and trees in every room of the house. However, there are other, more creative and unique ways to integrate greenery into an interior design.

Unique Ways to Integrate Greenery into Your Home Design

Here are some of my favorite ways to use unusual greenery into your home.

Arrange Willow Branches in a Vase

This time of year, willow trees are just beginning to bud. Have you ever noticed how precious those tiny buds are? They sit like rounded-cones, in proportional distances, along the graceful, winter-bare branches – and each bud is covered with a soft, velvety fuzz.

Here’s the great thing about willows – they contain a plant hormone that promotes rooting. You can stick a cut willow branch into water or soil and roots will begin to sprout within a matter of weeks. Thus, if you make a clean cut, you can pop your beautiful willow branches into a large vase with water – and enjoy them for weeks and weeks – and then they’ll begin to grow roots.

In large, clear vases, your willows will stand tall and proud – looking beautiful on an entryway table, standing in a corner of a dining room or living room, or you can set them in your home’s nature corner. Once you – or they – are ready, transplant each one into gallon pots and keep the soil moist. Voila! You have a willow tree to plant in your own yard and you can give some away as gifts.

Surprise yourself and your guests with air plants

Air plants are pretty trendy these days, but no wonder! It’s like magic to see a plant, thriving in nothing but – seemingly – air. In the “real world,” these adaptable, alien-esque plant forms make themselves at home just about anywhere in and around rain forest canopies. Using just the barest amount of organic material and ample atmospheric moisture – they thrive.

In your home, you can place air plants in an old piece of driftwood on a shelf, in those air plant-specific glass containers – or just about anywhere you think one will look good. Give it a generous mist from a spray bottle once a week or so, and your air plant will thrive. If you’re able – a little peat moss at the base helps to anchor them and give them something to sink their mini-root hairs into.

Plant a bulb and watch it grow

Remember when you were a kid, and the teacher passed out clear plastic cups, soaked paper towels, and a few beans? You lodged the beans between the wet towel and the cup sides, put the cup in the window and watched the bean sprout.

Old or young, it’s pretty neat to watch something go from seed, to sprout, to plant and then flower. You can do the same thing – in a very adult way – with a single plant bulb and a cup or jar of water. Bulbs that work best include daffodils, crocus, tulips, grape hyacinth, snow drop, iris, and hyacinth. The key is to grow it in a vase or glass that is as tall below as the flower will grow upwards since this is the amount of space its developing root system will need.

Be Re-purposeful and revel in succulents

Succulent gardens can be propagated just about anywhere, old teacups, ceramics, terrariums, dangling from other potted planters and so on. To step it up a notch, I recommend making succulent wall panels. These can be built easily using old picture frames, knick-knack shelves or a weathered window frame. All you need is backing, hardware cloth, and some moss. Once it’s rooted (takes about a week or two) the entire thing can be hung on the wall. These make a beautiful greenscape and they’re a fantastic option for rooms that lack a nice view – they serve as a substitute window. The panels can be as small or as large as you want so don’t be afraid to be bold.

Here’s a tutorial on how to Make a Living Succulent Picture, and here’s another fun DIY project for a ladder/hanging succulent garden.

Potted plants are great, but I recommend getting fresh inspiration this spring – using greenery in a whole new way. You’ll appreciate the overall effects. Happy greening!

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.