interior decorating

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.

12 Ways To Pretty Up Your Patio

June 27, 2019

In the past, a bistro table and chair set with a few hanging plants was enough to call your patio complete. Now, patios are being designed as social centers, extra living space and retreat spaces where residents and guests can make the most of the outdoors.

12 Ways to Make Your Patio a Perfect Oasis

This trend was partially started when the economy crashed, gas prices went up and “staycations” became more popular. Now, everyone realizes what a treat it is to have an outdoor space that is inviting, comfortable and attractive. The following are 12 ideas for creating the perfect patio.

Get comfortable furniture. If you’re on a budget, blow the bulk of it on comfortable patio furniture. Everything else can be pulled together on a dime. However, if your furniture isn’t comfortable, the patio will sit unoccupied and there is no point in that.
Invest in at least one space heater. Spend the money on at least one outdoor space heater so your patio – or an area of it – can be used year-round.
Learn to be a container gardener. Container gardening is a simple way to adorn your patio with life and color. Visit your local nursery and discuss which plants do well in containers, which season they bloom (so you can divvy them up to gain year-round interest) and which ones attract bees, birds and other pollinators that will make your patio come alive and provide hours of contemplative entertainment.
Think about privacy. As long as you’re at the nursery, talk to them about the hedges, plants, trees and shrubs that will help you create privacy from the neighbors. Even a simple lattice screen can suffice.
Get in indoor/outdoor area rug. Area rugs help to anchor a seating area or designate a certain area for a specific task. They also add color and style. Placing an area rug or two on your patio will give it a more homey feel.
Consider your theme. Approach the outdoor realm with similar consideration to the way you think about your interior spaces. Think of a theme, vibe or color scheme you want to create and then build on that.
Think about lighting. Just as your heater(s) will allow your patio to be used year-round, the right lighting plan will make your patio as inviting in the evening hours as it is during the day. Include task lighting as well as ambient lights – dimmers are always a bonus – so you can control the mood.
Add a water feature. The sound of running water is soothing but it also helps to mitigate ambient sounds like the neighbor’s music or traffic on a busy street. There are water features of all sizes and types or you can easily build your own.
Hang some art. I love when clients have art hanging outside. It’s unexpected but so appreciated. It helps to provide that indoor-outdoor feeling in addition to adding style and color.
Create different seating areas. If your patio is large enough, I recommend creating different areas – one for dining, one for lounging or napping, a conversation corner, etc. Create focal points for each one.
Include an outdoor bed. There are many different versions of outdoor beds. If you don’t have space for the full-size version, look for porch swings that have outdoor mattresses as the seat so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Let there be shade. Provide shade coverage of some sort so you and your guests will have a reprieve on hot summer days.

Picking The Perfect Throw Pillows

June 21, 2019

How many times have you read, “throw pillows are a simple and easy way to add color/pattern/texture to any design…” While this is entirely true, shopping for throw pillows isn’t as easy as it sounds. There is an amazing range of quality, shapes, colors and sizes to choose from. Ultimately, I always advise “taking the long view,” whereby the largest percentage of your selections can be used in versatile ways for years to come, while keeping more stylized choices to a minimum.

Tips For Choosing Throw Pillows For Any Room in the House

Here are some of the tips I use when selecting throw pillows – also called accent pillows – for my clients’ designs.

Invest in quality. By saying you should invest in quality, I’m not saying you should never buy your accent pillows at bargain stores. However, there is a distinct difference between a high-quality and low-quality pillow. The upscale versions are filled with durable filler materials that don’t lump up, bump up or scatter to the perimeters within a year or so. Higher-quality options will also be covered with higher-thread count covers that can hold up to wear and tear. While you might cringe a little at a higher-priced pillow, keep in mind that it will last for multiple years and can be recovered over and over again. So you will wind up with multiple pillows for the price of one. If you opt for cheapies, you’ll be replacing the throw pillows much more frequently.
Opt for pillows with removable covers. I recommend investing in pillows that have removable covers. This makes them much more versatile. Standard square pillow sizes are about 18-inches, larger pillows will be closer to 24-inches. You will be able to purchase pillow covers online or a local seamstress can make custom covers for you using fabric of your choosing. So, for one set of pillows and a little extra for customized covers, you have limitless aesthetic options.
Pay attention to your fill options. Throw pillows always have feather and/or down fills or synthetic fill versions. The former are pricier than the latter but are also softer and squishier to sit or lay on. Thus, pay careful attention to the pillow’s use. If it’s for looks only, save yourself a little money by selecting pillows with synthetic fill. If you plan on resting your head on it, you like to mold your pillows to your back or you use them to prop your arms as you read/work on the couch, pay a little extra for feather- or down-filled versions. If the pillow will be used to prop you up in a reclined position or will be used as a back rest for kids or adults who prefer to sit on the floor, a firmer synthetic-filled option will be preferred.
Think about color, pattern and texture. If you are at all shy about using bold colors or patterns in more permanent interior design features, accent pillows are a worthy tool. They offer a chance to try out bright colors you’ve been afraid to utilize via wall colors or larger furniture pieces. Pay attention to color and pattern – and let the pillows be practice for pattern layering! Also, think about texture. A little fur, embroidery, sequins, beads, tassels or shaggy texture on the pillows will help to round out your design.
Be odd. While there isn’t a rule about this, odd numbers of pillows are usually preferable to even numbers. The two-and-two or three-and-three balance can look a little boring and dimension-less.