Kristina Wolf's House of Design

Interior Design, Accessorizing, and DIY Tips

interior decorating

How Many Patterns Can Fit Into One Space?

how-many-patterns-can-fit-into-one-spaceMixing patterns can be an incredibly daunting proposition if you’ve never done it before. We’ve all seen the hideous fashion faux pas that happen when the wrong stripe rubs up against an equally wrong plaid. As a result, many people shy away from mixing patterns or believe mixing patterns is a no-no altogether.

In fact, mixing – or layering – patterns is a sophisticated interior design technique and will do much to liven up your living spaces. If you’re ready to take that plunge, you’re probably wondering, “how much is too much?” There is no concrete answer to that; if you used three different patterns and they look terrible, it’s too much. If you use 15 different patterns and they look incredible, it’s just right.

Therefore, I’m not going to tell you whether or not there is a specific limit to how many patterns one room can handle. What I will let you in on, however, are a few tips and tricks on how to layer patterns for living spaces that come alive and look amazing.

Tips and Tricks for Mixing Patterns

Stick with odd numbers. You’ll see this “rule” often in the world of interior design. Of course, it doesn’t mean two or four different patterns will look terrible. It’s simply a fact that there is something harmonious about sets of three. So, when it comes to layering patterns, try to choose 3 or 5 that will look good together. My advice is to start with three. If you nail that, enjoy it for a while before throwing another pattern into the mix.

Use similar color families. Often, it’s the colors – not the patterns – that do the bulk of the clashing. One of the easiest ways to get your feet wet with pattern layering is to start with simple color patterns, like black and white or a particular shade of blue and white, etc. This will help you see the relationship between prints and patterns more clearly. Once you get that down, it will be easier for you to “sense” if multi-colored patterns complement one another or not. For example, in the eclectic dining area of this English Tudor, I mixed a white and black geometric pattern on the window drapes with the black and white zebra print area rug. Both are considered “bold” or “busy” patterns and yet the consistent color themes allow them to blend peacefully with the rest of the room’s decor.

Understand the difference in fabric textures. Other times, the mix of fabrics is the problem, not the patterns. When mixing patterns, try to keep within similar fabric families so your formal damask doesn’t clash with a casual gingham. Certain materials, such as linen, have a foot in each world and can work to transition different fabric families into a more functional set.

Start with the star of the show. Don’t decide to mix patterns for patterns’ sake. Instead, begin with a pattern you really love. Is it a piece of art? A handmade quilt on your bed? A gorgeous Persian area rug? Find the star of the show and make that your feature, then choose a few patterned furnishings or accents that will pay homage accordingly. In this contemporary living room in San Francisco, the shining star was definitely the area rug. Thus, we let her shine and chose boldly patterned throw pillows in complementary colors. The wall hanging and table ornaments have more subtle patterns in colors pulled from the rug as well.

Making The Most Of Your Open Floor Plan

making-the-most-of-your-open-floor-planI’ll be honest; I’m particularly fond of the open floor plan trend that just keeps on trending. To be sure, there are advantages to compartmentalization – especially when it comes to privacy and/or hiding the mess from guests. However, in my experience, the pros of open floor plans far outweigh the cons.

Ideas For Getting the Most Out of Your Open Floor Plan

Open floor plans offer several advantages: they are spacious or can provide the idea of space in smaller homes, they are great for families – allowing parents to keep their eyes and ears on children of all ages – and open floor plans are the best idea for serial entertainers.

With all of those benefits in mind, the following ideas will help you to enjoy an open floor plan design to its fullest and will make future redecorating easier.

  1. Be proactive and practical. Before you get started choosing colors, furniture and fixtures, you need think about the practical realities of the space you have to work with. What areas do you need to have (food prep, dining, toys, living room, pet areas, etc.). How many people will be using these spaces on a regular basis? What’s the square footage of the available space? Which dimensions need to be respected in terms of moving around the kitchen comfortably, scooting chairs back to eat while leaving enough room for others to pass by, the general walking flow of the space? The more practical you are at the outset, the better use of space, function and flow you will enjoy when the design is complete.
  2. What are you living with now? Changing major structural components like load bearing walls or posts, windows, exterior doors, etc., can be quite costly. Unless you have an unlimited budget, it’s best to identify structural limitations now so you can design an open floor plan that integrates with existing features. An experienced interior designer can be a lifesaver if you are struggling to “make it work,” because she has the ability to picture various configurations in her mind and, odds are the designer has created an open floor plan with similar features or limitations in the past. Even if you don’t plan to hire an interior designer for the long-term, paying for a consultation or two is well-worth the investment.
  3. What are your priorities for the future? Now that you’ve listed your practical reality, it’s time to live in the dream world. What are your priorities for these spaces in the current moment? How will your household change in the next five years? What about the next 10 or 20 years? What type of energy, space, or functional/playful aspects would you like the home’s living spaces to facilitate? Your open floor plan will evolve more fluidly if you design flexibly and in a way that minimizes any modifications or transitions that may arise in the future.
  4. Unified but segregated. Here’s where things get really fun. In an open floor plan, everything is visible and sort of layered against everything else. This means there needs to be a certain level of continuity or agreement between the colors, patterns, textiles and furnishings in the individual spaces. At the same time, clearly defining each area from the rest helps to set the tone and mood. A monochromatic paint scheme is one way to accomplish this, using textiles and furnishings to add a different tone or subtle energy differences to each space. Or, you can choose complementary colors that look great together but set color boundaries between the kitchen and family room, and between the living area and formal dining room.
  5. Focus on transitions. How will the spaces transition from one to the next? One of my favorite ways to do this is to have a unified hard surface flooring material for the entire space. Then, area rugs and even layered area rugs can be used to anchor specific seating areas, to define spaces and to create different moods or tones – soft, warm, cool, contemporary, traditional, cozy, formal, etc.
  6. Layouts and arrangements. Most rooms are laid out or organized along either linear or axial arrangements. Linear arrangements will create zones or living areas that are arranged along a straight line. These are quite flexible and the key is to keep it all in alignment with that invisible guideline so things remain balanced and proportional. Axial organization means arrangements that use two or more differing center-points. For example, the kitchen and dining room are arranged around one line while the family, reading or toy areas are arranged in alignment with another. Axial arrangements can be a bit trickier but work well in larg spaces. The path and access ways between the two become a focal point on their own.

How To Make Choosing The Perfect Wallpaper A Non-Issue

how-to-make-choosing-the-perfect-wallpaper-a-non-issueDon’t neglect the idea of wallpaper when you’re looking for a way to add color, pattern or visual interest to a living space. Unlike paint, which is typically applied in a single color – or requires significantly accurate measuring and taping to create a perfect pattern – wallpaper is available in a seemingly infinite array of colors, patterns, styles – and even textures.

Tips for Choosing Just-Right Wallpaper For Your Space

Here are tips for selecting the right paper for your walls.

  1. Identify your goal. What is your goal for the space? There are so many stunning prints out there these days, that it’s easy to get swept away by all the possibilities when you’re standing amidst the selections. Instead, identify your main goals so you can focus on the right possibilities when you get there. Are you trying to add texture? Depth? Reflective value? Want to set a tone or tell a story? Would you like to add some wow factor? Bring these goals with you as you shop for wallpaper and cull through the samples.
  2. Did we say paper? Yes, it’s called wallpaper, but we should really use the term wall covering because there are so many different materials out there. Today’s wall coverings are made from a range of materials, like Japanese silk, sisal, cork or grass cloth. They are printed to look like a mural or the finest artistic renderings. You can select wall coverings that are perfectly illustrated and textured to mimic natural stone or wood. Make sure you’ve looked at, felt and imagined all of the above before making your choice.
  3. Sample, sample, sample. Just like carpet, cabinet doors or tiles, you can get wallpaper samples to try out in your home. I highly recommend you do so, putting the samples in place and living with them for a while so you can see how they feel, whether you love them consistently, and how they are affected by changes in light or by the view from other rooms. That brings us to the next tip…
  4. Imagine it from other surroundings. Do you have an open floor plan or is a section of your prospective wall-papered space visible from another room or area? If so, consider all of the surroundings. You may find that the wallpaper you’re planning as an accent wall in your dining or living room doesn’t look so hot when viewed from an adjacent room with a different color or pattern scheme. It might clash, appear over-busy or be visually jarring.
  5. Don’t limit yourself. If you love a busy pattern or a bold color but feel it will be overwhelming, consider creative alternatives. For example, it might make more sense to use the wallpaper on only one wall, as a half wall, or in panels with beautiful wood trim around them. That way you get to have the pattern or color you want, while retaining the ability to tone the effect down a bit using the blank space(s) around it.
  6. Go professional all the way. One of the reasons wallpaper can feel so daunting is that it isn’t as easy to “do-over” when compared to paint. Yes, you can do it on your own, and if you’ve successfully applied wallpaper in the past, then go for it. I, on the other hand, feel that it’s worth every penny to work with a professional wallpaper installer. First, the installer will know exactly how much paper you’ll need, saving you from wasting money on paper you won’t use, or being just a few inches shy of completing the job. Also, the finished job will be done right – patterns properly aligned, no gaps, wrinkles or crooked spots, and the paper will stay put as it’s meant to.

Choosing The Perfect Kitchen Cabinet Color

choosing-the-perfect-kitchen-cabinet-colorKitchen cabinets comprise the largest area of visual square footage in your kitchen. The right design style and color choices have a huge impact on your completed kitchen design. The wrong choice – well, it’s enough to make you wish you could start the design process all over again.

Tips for Choosing the Right Kitchen Cabinet Finish the First Time Around

Here are tips for selecting a cabinet finish that you’ll be happy with for longer than typical design trends hang around.

Think about your future kitchen

A handful of years back, kitchen design magazines and websites, like Houzz.com, were all about “pops” of color. Vibrant colors were very trendy then, so we saw lots of green and tangerine – even on kitchen cabinets. Beware attaching color trends to cabinets. The minute the trend has evaporated, you’re stuck with dozens of square feet of outdated cabinets that cost a chunk of change to repaint, reface or replace.

Instead, think about installing more timeless door styles and neutral colors that will weather changes in the trends a bit better. Save more transient kitchen accents to get those “pops” when you want them.

Choose a color that complements your open floor plan

If you have a galley kitchen, this is less relevant. However, most homeowners have some version of an open floor plan these days. In that case, it’s important to choose a cabinet door finish that works with other, visible living spaces. A prime example is this Suburban Oasis in San Francisco. See how the cabinetry is white, forming a nice but subtle contrast between the living and kitchen area? Smartly, the owners selected a gray finish for the kitchen island base, which echoes the effect of the gray walls in the family room- check and check!

Look around and see what colors or wood finishes make the most sense for uniting or complimenting visually adjacent living spaces. For example, if you have a built-in entertainment center or library in one room, it might make sense to have a block of kitchen cabinets in a similar finish to tie it together. Take a peek into this Palo Alto Family Home to see what I mean. Notice how the natural wood finish on the kitchen island plays homage to the wood accents in the living room.

On the flip side, if your living room or family room accents are more colorful, you may simply choose to go with white or very pale, neutral cabinet colors so the kitchen cabinets blend in, rather than stand out.

Work with existing countertop colors

Which comes first? The cabinet or the countertops? Good question. The answer is whichever one is most important to you. Where countertops were once primarily functional, they now serve as showpieces too. If you have your heart set on a particular countertop surface, I recommend choosing the countertops first.

From there, if the countertop is natural stone – or a surface such as quartz or Corian that mimics natural stone – we can begin to look at the accent colors inherent in the countertop and pull potential cabinet colors from there. Then, you can choose to design a backsplash that provides contrast or one that forms a harmonious transition between both surfaces, depending on the effect you want.

Remember you can choose more than one

Perhaps the biggest mistake homeowners make is settling on one cabinet color when they’re stuck between two, or waffling between the idea of subtle or more dramatic effects. Your kitchen can always boast more than one cabinet finish – as long as it does it well. And, I’ll be honest, the idea that “you can have both!” has helped save more partnerships than I care to count!

The most common way to go about multiple cabinet colors in the same space is to choose a separate color for upper and lower cabinets or to choose a color for one and a wood finish for the other. You can choose one color for one side of a kitchen and another color for the opposite side. For those of you who understand the reason behind avoiding bold colors – but who are dying to add that “pop” – I recommend using your bold color for the kitchen island cabinets. It will look great while you love it and is cheaper to paint when you’re ready for a change.

Not sure what the best move is for your kitchen cabinets? Enlist the help of an experienced interior designer. While working with an interior designer for the duration of the project will help it move more smoothly, a single consultation or two can be integral to making the right choices when it comes to the biggest budget – and most important – selections.

House Plants For Any Home

house-plants-for-any-home

Silk plants have come a long way, and even the brownest thumb can “grow” them, but they pale in comparison to live, lush indoor house plants. There are so many reasons growing real indoor plants enhance interior living spaces. They add vibrant energy, are oxygenators and air purifiers, and many require only minimal care.

Plus, I’ll tell you a little secret: when you grow indoor house plants, you start to become attached. They wind up feeling like the world’s lowest maintenance pets.

10 House Plants That Enhance Interior Living Spaces (no green thumb required!)

Plants add style and visual interest in corners, underneath windows, ascending a stairway or while as center pieces on dining, coffee and end tables. The following 10 plants are easy to maintain, and many will allow you to take cuttings so you can add to your own collection or give them away as gifts to family and friends.

  1. Snake Plant. The erect, variegated green and yellow leaves in this plant look fabulous in modern home designs where lines and angles are the norm. They aren’t too picky about light, but do love water so keep their soil moist.
  2. Succulents. The only warning I have regarding these plants is, “Watch out! They are addictive.” Succulent nurseries have a myriad of choices, all with their own unique shapes, colors and personalities. Once you start a succulent garden (in a tea cup, a planter, a pot, an antique serving bowl, almost anything…) you’ll be a fan.
  3. Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree. These get fairly good size, up to 8 feet or more, and are fast growers. You can prune them to keep them in check. They make great corner fillers. They like their soil to dry out between waterings – so once every couple weeks is often enough.
  4. Cacti. Like succulents, cacti require very little water but there are so many different sizes and shapes to choose from. Obviously, location matters – especially if you have pets or small children.
  5. Rubber Tree. Large, oblong leaves with a thick rubber-like texture characterize the popular rubber tree, which likes bright but indirect sunlight. It also likes dry soil between waterings.
  6. Aloe Vera. Every home should have an Aloe Vera plant. If not for its cool aesthetic, the Aloe Vera will be valued for it’s medicinal properties. Cut a leaf and use the clear, oozing Aloe Vera gel to soothe sunburns, skin abrasions and other dermal upsets.
  7. Fiji Palm. The miniature version of the Fiji Palm will add a youthful and fun energy to any room. The broad palm leaves will also serve as a medium for your beach getaway fantasies. They do fine with moderate sunlight or downright shady locations and don’t need to be watered often.
  8. Shamrock Plant. This is such a sweet, gentle and cheerful little plant. Like it’s name suggests, it is comprised of shamrock-shaped leaves and kids will delight in trying to find the very rare and illusive four-leaf clover. It can handle shade, only needs water once a week and its low-profile makes it ideal for window sills and table tops.
  9. Calathea. Here’s another plant with bold and beautiful leaves. The Calathea’s leaves have striking green and white markings on the front with a rich eggplant purple underside. It likes moist soil and prefers hidden corners or areas without much direct light.
  10. English Ivy. Like the ever-popular Pothos plant, English Ivy is a robust and hardy cascading plant that can take a beating and always comes back. It’s also one of the best air purifiers, and is excellent at removing mold spores from the environment!