Archive for Design
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…
A Few Charming Rooms…
Posted by: | CommentsI am preparing for a series of posts for you…
So in the meantime… I wanted to share a few photos of charming rooms that I found over at Better Homes and Gardens.
Let me share them with you….
LOVE the fabric on these pieces. Especially the pale red one. I also like the mix of styles, the simple white color on the walls, and the lack of draperies on the windows. (I know… I always love drapery panels… but here it works without them!)
Love the stone on this fireplace. It adds a hefty texture to the space without overpowering it. I also love the pale color palette and subtle fabric prints.
Love the color palette in this small bath, especially the tile work. I love the muted toile print fabric and the mix of patterned pillows on the bench.
Love this formal looking living area, even though I am not a formal gal. I think it’s lack of pretension, it’s mix of styles, and soft color palette are what draw me. The mirrored transoms make the windows seem taller as well.
So, while you are looking for what you love in these rooms…(or what you don’t love?)
Can you share your thoughts with me?
Peek into these Rooms!
Posted by: | Comments
Just wanted to share a few photos of rooms that I adore and that make my decorating juices flow…we get just a glimpse, just a peek, but for me that’s enough to fall in love.
It’s often just one or two elements that really sell a room anyway- the way the fabrics play off each other, the way the art has been combined, the juxtaposition of styles. Every piece can’t be the star in the room, just a few elements and the rest of the room supports that inspiration.
So, what do you like about these rooms? Is there anything that makes you think- “oh wow, love that!”? If not, what do you love, what makes your heart pitter-patter?
It’s the corner chair we can see ourselves reading in, it’s the fireplace nook we can feel the heat from, th
e stack of pillows on the bed we want to dive into, or the gorgeous kitchen windows that bring in all of that natural light.
We connect ourselves to the elements of a home that bring us into our world. We actually see ourselves living our routines in these spaces. That’s why we connect to them.
When I design spaces, I start by picking one or two elements as my inspiration pieces, and everything flows from that. It could be a color combo, some fabrics, a rug, a fab piece of art. But it’s that inspiration, that spark, that vision that makes a great room. That’s how I decorate my own home as well. A found piece of art, a fabric that I can’t live without, the accessory that just has to have a place.
That’s why we fall in love with our homes, it’s those pieces that have pulled on our memories, our hearts or our passions. It’s what design is all about. Falling in love with something beautiful or meaningful. Do you have that in your own home? If you don’t, it’s time you do. Start looking for that one piece that’s so great, you want to design an entire space around it.
We all deserve to be connected to our homes. 
They are part of us and they tell our story. Start telling yours today….
