Archive for Design Notebook
Color Inspiration….
Posted by: | CommentsJust stopping by with some design inspiration for you today… I am working on a client’s home that is being infused with color right now. Color is one of the biggest changes you can make to your home and color speaks deep to us, so the changes are very inspirational. The change from dark to light or warm to cool is very transformative. 
Here are some colorful transformations that might just inspire you to make a colorful move….
So….
What room in your home is begging for a color update?
(Images from House Beautiful, House of Turquoise and HGTV)
Decor Wishes…
Posted by: | CommentsIf you could re-do one room in your home…. what would it be? We all seem to have that room that needs the most attention, so in your home, what is that space? 
Why do you desire the change?
What is your vision for it’s makeover?
If you desire this change, what is holding you back?
In my home, it is my combined kitchen/dining area. Yes the heart of my home. The place where daily life happens. Meals prepared and cooked, homework done, temporary work station, creative zone, and yes, we actually eat here as well.
So, a complete makeover would be ideal, tearing down walls, opening up the space to allow for optimum functionality and design. I see a classic design with modern and vintage elements. A mix of light and dark, as I love contrast.
What is holding me back? Like many of you, the funding for the project is one that is the most difficult. It seems every time we consider starting, the money needs to be re-allocated to another spot. I also envision my hubby and I doing most of the work. We love to work on our home and having the time to makeover a major part of our living space does seem a bit daunting. Finding the right time to make the changes is almost impossible.
So, tell me about your home and what you’d like to see happen there. I would love to hear your thoughts and wishes for your challenging space.
(photos from My Home Ideas and Southern Living)
Stylish Rooms for the In-Between Season
Posted by: | CommentsThis time of year more than any other I start day-dreaming of the decorating and home project possibilities. There’s something about the in-between season of a frosty-white-winter and a blooming-spring here in the Midwest that isn’t really a season after all…it’s gray, gloomy, and brown. Minimal inspiration. Very little beauty.
So, in this season of nature’s lull…
I create the color, inspiration and beauty lacking in nature by creating spaces for clients, starting projects for the studio and day-dreaming about home projects of my own. As I was browsing online for resources needed for a project, I came across a few delightful rooms that deemed worthy of sharing with you.
Soon, I was looking for more…
So, here are some stylish rooms, starting with a bathroom- a sunny place to start out the day in and moving through the home to a cozy evening retreat.
Let me know what sparks ideas for you!!
I love the warm yellow color of the cabinets, tempered by the calmer gray-green on the walls. The large window over the tub lets in beautiful amounts of daylight. I would love to start my day in this room…
A nice twist on a traditional dining room with a mix of vintage decor, neutral color palette and elegant details.
This calm living area is actually filled with color- a black hutch stands out boldly against pale lavender-gray walls, the citron/yellow pillows and fabrics add fresh color, all complimented by mirrored accents. Oh, I also love the punch of red in the dining area beyond!
This entry way is subtle in color, with the gray-blue walls but the detailed paneling and wood trim add loads of character. The wood floors and antique rugs bring contrast to the light-filled space.
Finally, this bedroom looks like an elegant hotel suite in Paris or Milan. The traditional shapes are modernized with the contrast of colors and the unbelievably beautiful lacquered green walls. I don’t think I’d need to leave that room for days… room service please?
Be inspired to take elements of your favorite spaces to update a few nooks in your own home. Add an updated paint color, a fantastic new pillow fabric or some new artwork.
Enjoy this in-between time to plan for your mini-makeover!
(Photo Inspiration from My Home Ideas, Better Homes and Gardens, Cottage Living, House Beautiful)
Design inspiration for dreary days…
Posted by: | Comments
Okay- it’s that time of year when all of the Christmas decor has come down, the sparkles and lights are packed away and our outside world is a wintery gray.
It makes our homes feel so ‘life-less’.
So… I want to share with you some beautiful inspiration photos to spark some ideas on how you can re-arrange, add a-bit-of-this, or a touch of that, to make your spaces seem fresh and inviting again. It can 
be as simple as adding a touch of red to your family room, re-arranging your entryway, bringing in some fresh greens to the bedroom, or new towels to the bath.
Simple changes often give us the energy we were looking for. If you’ve waited a while to redo some things, maybe a bigger makeover is required. Either way, these ideas might be just what you were looking for.
Enjoy these lovely rooms as you visually wander through them…
An organized office….
Some wallpaper in the den….
Some fresh fabrics in the living area,
Some beautiful new artwork….
Enjoy and let me know what changes you are making in your home….
Painting with Color: Part 4 Psychology of Color
Posted by: | Comments
This is the last post in the Painting with Color Series. If you missed the first three posts: Terminology of Color, the Basic Color Schemes, or Considerations, please check those posts out.
Today we are going over the basics of Color Psychology. One of the most compelling things about paint color is its power to dramatically effect how people think and feel. Certain hues can instill feelings of anxiety, calm, warmth, cold or even anger. Color can also stir the appetite, one’s overall spirit or even one’s sexual desires.
Color is immensely powerful, so use it to your painting advantage! Thankfully, most people are effected by various colors in the same ways. Generally, warmer colors, such as red, yellows and oranges, are perceived as just that- warmer, active, youthful, energized, and invigorating. Cooler colors like blues, purples, and greens are seen as relaxing, calming, passive schemes.
Each color has it’s own particular signature effects, so let’s check them out…
REDS: Stimulating. Red is a good choice for a dining room, as it is known for stimulating the appetite and is a color of energy and passion. Best used in smaller doses, such as accent walls or in upholstery. It also works nicely in kitchens where there is limited wall space.
YELLOW: Attention. Yellow can make us think better, increase our memorization skills and grab our attention. Use it thoughtfully, especially when using a more vibrant hue, as it intensifies in most rooms and can change tones dramatically with the natural light. Especially good for offices, creative spaces, and hallways.
GREEN: Relaxing. A more versatile color than blue, a nice transition for may other colors. It can be calming, yet has a cheerfulness with certain hues. Certain hues blend well with almost any color. Great color for kitchens, living areas and schools.
PURPLE: Royally Tricky. This is one of the trickiest colors to use. Many adults dislike shades of purple, yet most children like them. It can be a regal color hinting of royalty, but hard to live with long term. Nice mixed with whites or neutrals. A good choice for children’s rooms or bathrooms.
BLUE: Calming. An ideal color for bedrooms and sitting rooms, but best not used in dining rooms. Those who like blue are often drawn to the blue and white color scheme, but certain shades of blue, like green, work well with almost any color.
ORANGE: Welcoming. A happy color, yet most people either love it or hate it. It can be toned down with natural neutrals or accentuated with other colors, such as blue or turquoise. Best for family rooms, living areas, or entryways.
Oh, how fun color can be! Just think of the possibilities! 
So, now that you have learned some inside tips and suggestions for working with color in and around your home, maybe your next paint project won’t be so intimidating. There are many resources for color, using color, and paint online. If you are interested, check out some of these sites to add more knowledge to your arsenal.
Have fun and don’t forget to drop me a note updating me on your latest paint project!
‘Till next time…
