interior designer

Decorating with Love

November 2, 2019

Ah, Valentine’s Day. February is the month that makes hearts pitter-patter and you can take advantage of it by adding a little Valentine “love” into your modern interior design. Perhaps one of the best things about Valentine’s Day (from an interior designer’s perspective) is that it is the last of the full winter months and a time when a little burst from warm reds and pinks is most welcome.

6 Modern Decorating Tips for Valentine’s Day

While you don’t have to go crazy with hearts and flowers, there are plenty of ways to add Valentine warmth to your living spaces. Here are 6 simple ideas for your home.

Decorate the mantel. Use your mantel as a focal point and shower it with attention. You can do something as simple as an arrangement of pillar candles in red, pink and/or white or you can go all out with heart motifs as well. Here is an example of a Valentine mantle from BHG. The heart wreath is fun, the heart garland was made by hand using cardstock hearts and tissue paper. Perhaps my favorite element is the family photo. Odds are that was taken for the holidays but the red shirts and fashion accents work equally well for Valentine’s Day, allowing the family to show it off again.
Frame the word L-O-V-E. You can do this anyway you want. You can type it in a script you like from left to write and print it out. You can arrange the letters in a square, with “L” in the top left and concluding with “E” in the bottom right corners. You can print each letter individually and hang all four in an arrangement of your choosing. These can be done in color or black and white. Once framed, this one little word becomes a conservative but apropos accent for the season.
Simple centerpiece. Create a simple centerpiece for a table by using a glass vase filled with red hots or a Valentine-themed candy. Use this for the foundation of your flower arrangement. You can also use this idea with candles. Larger and smaller vessels (filled with Valentine candy of your choice) can be used in a cluster or set around end tables too. Now, you just have to keep your hands out of the candy jars!
Hang a Berry Wreath. Wreaths are a wonderful front door welcome for any season, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. This X and O wreath is made from dried berry stalk and is a more natural and minimal expression of the typical “floral explosion” version. I found this one on Etsy and the artist makes other beautiful versions as well. Etsy, by the way, is a fabulous place to find handmade Valentine’s decor if you aren’t the crafty type yourself.
Trade roses for tulips. Roses are traditional, but if you’re a modernist, you may want something a little different. How about trading the roses for tulips this year? Once Valentine’s day is over, you can round out the red/pink/white motif with additional fresh spring colors.
Create a unique shadow box. Here’s a fun and easy project you can do with little ones and still end up with an adult-worthy decoration. Purchase a shadow box and cut a series of red hearts from high-quality construction paper. You can use any color you like. Glue some of the hearts whole and others only by half so you can fold them a bit. It creates a fun and fluttery Valentine’s Day shadow box.

How to Use Dark Colors

October 30, 2019

Interior design is like any other field: there are rules, and these rules are meant to be broken. Some of the strictest “Rules of Interior Design” revolve around color – how to choose it, how to use it, and what not to do. In the latter categories, dark, strong, and bold colors are often treated like a lit fuse (Use Caution!). In fact, dark, rich and bold colors are often the key to a striking interior design, but they must be used well. By their very nature, there is no way for them to fade into the background if they are a little “off” or the color isn’t quite right.

The following tips can help you explore how and when to use dark colors in your design. From full dark interiors to the barest of accents, darker colors are often the means of adding depth and contrast in your living spaces.

Monochromatic dark with a light upper border. If you like the idea of a charcoal room, but worry the effect may be too cave-like, I recommend choosing a white that you like and cutting that into the ceiling, continuing the white paint down into the vertical wall space. If your ceilings are higher, this lighter upper-border can go as much as 2-feet down. If you have lower ceilings, you may only want to dip down 6-inches to a foot. The point is that the extra lip of white around the wall and to the ceiling lightens up the space and will prevent a claustrophobic effect. What a great way to enjoy some of those rich velvety blacks, grays and chocolate browns. Or, it will have a similarly muting effect for a bright and crazy color scheme.

Add moulding or wall details in a lighter color. In this living room, both the walls and ceilings are painted Ralph Lauren’s Artist Grey UL31. In a different version of the technique I wrote about above, these homeowners opted to use extensive moulding and trim work on the walls and ceiling, painted in a light Rivera Terrace. The overall affect is that you are in a cozy, private space but nothing about it is gloomy or shadowy – quite the opposite.

Accent Walls, plural! Accent walls are said to be out of style and then back in style – – the bottom line is they have been used and will always be used in interior design. If you enjoy a room with rich jewel tones, I say use more than one to layer the rich color effect. This may sound crazy, but when done well, this technique can create a More is Less impact. Check out how these contrasting burgundy and blue accent walls work together. Somehow, by having both, it softens the effect, don’t you think?

Dark and bold details. Here is where interior design gets really fun – the details. Dark and bold colors can have an equally appealing and dramatic effect when they’re used in the details. For example, choosing a dark and colorful trim color makes your room details pop. Your furnishings and accents can be your mode of going bold as well. This can keep a room very light and bright while still delivering the dramatic impact you’re going for. Also, this route is ideal for renters. Who wants to have to repaint a place back to white when you’re dealing with the moving process? Your dark and bold furnishings can go with you wherever you live.

Are you still feeling apprehensive about when, where and how to use dark or bold colors in your interior design?

Modern Nursery Color Combos

October 24, 2019

Tired of the same girlie pinks and little boy blues that dominate the nursery scene? It’s not easy to escape those tried-and-true gender traditions but with a little work and an eye on the future, you can introduce modern nursery color combinations that will still yield a soothing and nurturing ambiance for your little darling’s bedroom space.

Check Out These Modern Baby Room Color Combos & Design Ideas

Perhaps the single most poignant piece of design advice I can give to soon-to-be parents is: take the “long view” approach when decorating the baby’s room. What do I mean by “long view?” I mean that the time you have to put into decorating now will be virtually non-existent once you become parents, and that sweet little baby transitions into a busy toddler faster than you can blink your sleep-deprived eyes. The more you can do to create a room your child can grow into without the need for another re-design, the better.

For this reason, using a modern color palette makes very good sense. Modern colors can be easily added to via big kid furniture and accessories to serve as more mature rooms down the road, and they can also be transitioned into guest bedrooms as needed.

Here are some of my favorite modern color combos for baby rooms:

Turquoise and Tangerine. Together, turquoise and tangerine form a vibrant and energetic combination without being too busy. My recommendation: leave the walls a warm neutral color and then bring in the turquoise and tangerine via area rugs, rocking chair cushions, a painted dresser-slash-changing table (again, thinking ahead to the future), window coverings, and bedding. This is also a gender-neutral combination, which can be nice for parents who opt to let their baby’s gender remain a surprise. If it’s a boy, throw in some brown accents; if it’s a girl, you can add splashes of pink or purple.

Yellow and Gray. The pairing of yellow and gray forms a balance; yellow is vibrant and gray is calming. The brighter the shade of yellow you select, the more energetic the effect will be. Again, this makes for a fabulous gender-neutral color scheme or a fair selection for fraternal boy/girl twins. Greens and blues can be added to this combination to good effect as well for a little more diversity.

Primary Colors. Did you know babies are the ablest to perceive black and white to start, and then vibrant primary colors after that? They also like geometric shapes and patterns. For those reasons, I’m a fan of this bedroom with a big map of the world on the wall – full of happy colors and plenty of shapes to keep curious eyes occupied. Pick your favorite colors – or theirs as they get older – to build the rest of the bedroom’s design.

No Color At All. This modern nursery in Los Angeles shows how beautiful and cozy a nursery can be without any particular or intentional color combination at all. The warm hardwood floors, rustic rocker frame, and dresser add a sense of traditional homeyness. You can use area rugs of all shapes and sizes, accent pillows, art, and other accessories to add splashes of color as they pertain to your child’s gender, interests, and personality. This is definitely a room a child can grow into, a guest will feel comfortable sleeping in and prospective buyers will see as just another bedroom without any need for repainting or redecorating.

Interior Design For Multi-Generational Households

October 14, 2019

With the rising costs of living – not to mention senior communities – multi-generational households are coming back in style. According to Pew Research, the number of people living in multi-generational houses has doubled over the past three decades, and that trend isn’t expected to change anytime soon.

Multi-Generational Households Require Livable Home Designs

A while back, I read a design article that referenced the phrase “livable designs.” The idea was that accessible or universal design tenets weren’t just for the old or handicapped; rather, they were design features that made a living space more livable for everyone – be they young, old, small, tall, using a walker or not.

I love this idea and feel like the best interior designers work to create livable designs in every home they meet. Here are some of the livable design features that make the most sense for families, retirees, those who plan to age in place and/or those who plan to live with extended family members.

Design a private suite or two

When I was a child, I was so envious of my friends who had bedrooms with attached bathrooms. These master suites felt so luxurious – and they are. If you plan to live with parents or in-laws, or your kids plan to move in with you when you are in your golden years, it makes sense to design a private suite or two so everyone has their own space.

These master suites can be quite simple – large enough to accommodate a bedroom and sitting area, as well as a bathroom. Or, they can be more complex, including the addition of a small living area, kitchenette, and/or patio space. The more independent the suite is, while still being accessible to those with mobility aids, the more functional it will be. These living spaces are also convenient should you ever need to hire an in-home caregiver.

Make it easy to get around

Increasing the number of residents in a household makes navigation more of a concern. Leave ample space in hallways and along walkways, so it’s easy for people to pass each other, walk two-by-two or manipulate a walker or wheelchair. Install ADA accessible doorways from the get-go. Leave plenty of room around tables and chairs, as well as other seating areas, so the walking and functional flow aren’t obstructed when family and friends are gathered in eating and communal areas. Think about transitions between different flooring materials as well as entrance/exit thresholds so they are smooth and trip-resistant.

Flooring materials should be anti-slip and low-profile so they’re easier to get around on in a wheelchair or walker. The benefit of all of this is that you and your kids will be so appreciative when a sprained ankle or unanticipated surgery requires that you use crutches, canes or other mobility aids.

Think about safety

After the “getting around” pointers, I recommend taking a good look at your lighting plan. Focus on ample daylighting by way of expanded windows, skylights and solar tubes. This makes electric lighting superfluous until just before sunset. You will also want to include more task lighting since older eyes have a harder time seeing. By setting everything on dimmers, each space can be illuminated to suit the current occupant’s needs.

Under cabinet lighting in both the kitchen and the bathroom is a welcome addition during the nighttime hours and can keep falling and post-sunset accidents to a minimum. Gentle night-lighting will also prevent little ones and elders from being disoriented or fearful in the dark.

Balance an open floor plan with private space

Open floor plans are certainly accessible. However, in a household with multiple generations in residence, it can also feel like there’s no place to call your own. Be thoughtful about creating different zones within the central area so there is room for those watching TV as well as those who want to curl up and read a book or focus on their homework. Your interior designer can assist you in using area rugs, pony walls, furniture arrangements and other tricks of the trade so there are plenty of areas for your family members to feel at home.

Not only will your home benefit from livable design features, it will also be more appealing for future homebuyers.

Egg Dying: Food Coloring And BEYOND

October 12, 2019

Easter egg dying is a spring time given in our home. Like pumpkin carving or gingerbread houses, it’s a tradition that has passed down through the generations. Growing up – and then when my kids were younger – dying eggs meant purchasing a PAAS kit and getting down to business.

As time progressed, and kids got older, we itched to do something different and new. That urge spawned all kinds of experimentation and research so we could create eggs that went beyond the water, vinegar and food coloring.

Beyond Food Coloring and Into the Eggs-Traodrinary

Here are some of our favorite techniques for creating dyed eggs that can become serious works of art.

Blown or hardboiled?

For years and years, I followed in the footsteps of my mother, hard-boiling dozens of eggs for egg dying day. This yields dozens of hardboiled eggs that are eventually eaten as snacks, in salads, and as egg salad sandwiches.

Then, I wised up. Blowing eggs yields permanent fixtures that can be boxed up carefully and displayed year after year. So, I highly recommend blowing a good third or half of your eggs (using the blown contents for scrambled eggs, frittatas and quiches. If sealed well, they will remain fresh in the fridge for up to a week or more) and then hard-boiling the others.

Use Colorful Permanent Markers

If you want to keep things simple, but different, start with permanent markers. Our favorites are Sharpie because you can get lots of them for a reasonable price (don’t forget the gold and silver) and they come in both medium, fine and ultra-fine points so artists can get as intricate as they want to.

We also have a tradition of personalizing dyed eggs for each member of the family, and the extended family if we’re going to see them for Easter brunch or a household egg hunt, and this is much easier with Sharpies than with clear wax crayons! To make it more artistic, we’ll cleverly weave their names into our artwork.

Glue and glitter or confetti

Some kids (and adults) are crazy for glitter and eggs are a perfect medium for it. While you can dye eggs first if you want, this is also a simple way to skip all that and use your white (or brown, or Arcana green) eggs au naturel. With a little glue stick or glue tape (traditional craft glue can be too messy if you’re trying to glitter designs, rather than the entire egg), and baggies of different colored glitter (confetti creates a fun effect too), you can make beautiful eggs with all kinds of different looks.

Temporary Tattoos

Have tweens? Purchase sheets of temporary tattoos and let them go to town (plan on having a temporary tattooed child after this one since it’s hard to resist). The eggs look fantastic and the motifs can vary from princess to hardcore rocker, which lends itself to all kinds of personal expression. If the tattoos don’t adhere perfectly, that’s just fine – it adds a retro, distressed look.

Twine or colored string

You can use hemp or natural fiber twine for a country or rustic look, or you can purchase baker’s twine in all kinds of colors or striped patterns. Use craft glue on a third of the egg at a time (I have found it best to move from the wide end to the narrow end of the egg), and carefully wind the twine around the egg. If you want to switch colors, simply cut the end of the twine you’re using and press it down into the glue, then start the new color by overlapping the end just a bit over the finished one. When you get to the top of the egg, dab another dot of glue at the tip of the string end and press gently to prevent the string from fraying or unraveling.

Washi tape

You can use colored or patterned washi tape by the strip, or you can cut them into geometric pieces to create a mosaic. You can even cut out hearts, stars, flowers and other shapes and mix washi tape décor with the marker, dye or other decorating methods for a mixed-media effect.

Modge Podge and anything

Modge Podge and anything (rhinestones, glitter, magazine cutouts, pressed flowers, etc.) will result in awesome eggs. If you’re going to go through all the trouble, use this idea on your blown eggs so the results are permanent and you can put them on display in your home next year, and the next.

Egg decorating is a wonderful bonding ritual and a fun way to get the creative juices flowing no matter what age you are. Have you and your family come up with eggs-traordinary designs?