Color and Design Trends

Many clients want to know how important it is to stay current with design and color trends. While it’s exciting to update a home with what’s popular right now, keep a few key factors in mind when designing a home that stands the test of time.

I like to ask my clients questions that help me to understand their personal style and needs before we begin designing. This ensures that at the end of our design time together, we have created a room that feels like home specifically to them. That may not be what’s currently popular, but it will feel comfortable to them.

One thing to keep in mind when building or renovating is how permanent a feature is. Tile or flooring isn’t typically replaced very often, so it’s important to consider if what you are adding is something you will want to live with for a while. It might be that a colorful tile has been your dream forever; then by all means use it! But if you tend to like to swap things out, then you may want to go neutral on the tile and add changes with less expensive items like paint or accessories.

There are many ways to add a fresh look to a tired room without breaking the bank or tearing down walls. It’s incredible what adding a new window treatment or pillows and a throw can do to update a space. Or one of my favorite things to do is to gather all the decor items from a room and start over from scratch with the same pieces. Sometimes just rearranging items in a new way is all that’s needed, and it’s totally free! You can also “shop” from other areas in your home to give a room a new look for no cost. Thrift stores are also a treasure when looking to add additional furnishings at a lower cost.

We all love to keep our homes feeling current and fresh, and by keeping a few points in mind, it can be done in a thoughtful and not always costly way.

Happy designing!!

First Day of Autumn!

As the days get cooler and we enjoy the beauty of fall, many of us also turn towards the indoors and warming up our homes. Accessories can play a big role in adding a cozy layer to our living space without costing a lot of money.

1. Throw blankets: These textiles add great texture and a welcoming appeal. Try mixing in chunky knits with plaids or other fall patterns.

2. Candles: The warm glow of a candle or fireplace can really help to add a homey warm look to a room. Multi-wick candles make a big impact on coffee tables while taper candles bring a glow to the table and make both everyday meals and entertaining special.

3. Books: A few stacked books on a side table, bookshelf, or coffee table bring an inviting “curl up with a good read” look.

4. Dried florals and branches: Now that the garden is waning you can still bring some of the outdoors in with the use of branches or dried florals. Hydrangeas make a gorgeous arrangement while dogwood branches can bring height and texture to a space. I also like to grow fuss-free strawflowers in the garden for a colorful arrangement all winter long.

5. Throw pillows: Pillows can easily be swapped out for the seasons and bring a totally different look to a room. By using pillow covers and pillow inserts you can easily switch out aesthetics and the covers take up hardly any room for storage.

   With a few easy accessories, you can transform your space for the coming fall season.

   Happy designing!

How high should I hang art?

This is a question I hear all the time. Hanging art at the right height is an important element in a room and can be unsettling if done wrong. When hung correctly it brings a sense of balance and harmony to a room.

What is the correct height?

A general rule of thumb when hanging a piece of art is 57” -60” from the floor to the center of the art piece. This allows for good viewing for the average person. There are exceptions to this rule though.

1. Above a sofa: Hang the art 6”-12” above the back of the sofa.

2. Over a console table: You will want the art to feel connected to the furniture piece and not “floating” above it, so a good height is 6”-9” above.

3. In a hallway: If you will mostly be standing in a room such as a hallway hanging the piece a bit higher like 60”-62” from floor to center works well, especially if you have tall ceilings.

4. Gallery walls: When working with a grouping hung on a wall, think of the grouping as one large picture and make sure it feels connected to the furniture underneath it.

Of course, rules are made to be broken so there are always exceptions! Be creative in your design. Maybe you want to fill an entire wall and create a full gallery. This really brings an interesting focal point to the room and brings the wow factor that every good design needs. 

Happy designing!