Archive for category: Design 101

Windows not only bring in plenty of natural light that can be used to brighten and elevate your interiors but window treatments can also stand on their own as a design piece for enhancement as well. There are numerous treatment options that can bring a touch of flair to the rest of your space. We’re outlining 3 of our favorite window treatments to help you select which ones are best for your home.

1. Drapes

Drapes are the most commonly used window treatment and styling of this significant fabric piece has evolved over centuries. There are numerous ways to style drapes that can add just the right touch to create a beautiful aesthetic to frame your environment. The way the fabric is pleated creates a distinct shape and style that you might want to consider when making your selection. Ripple fold standard is a sleek and popular option that has a consistent S-curve patterned shape. Pinch pleat is more classical and just as the name sounds, the pleat “pinches” a few inches below the top and this effect flows down to the rest of the drape. This pinch pleat style is one of our favorites and can be seen in the image above. Other styles that you might come across are:

• Inverted pleat
• Goblet
• Cubicle
• Tie top
• Grommet

Fabric material and thread count is also something you should consider when making selections. Quality drapes will last and maintain their style and functionality. Certain styles of fabric may offer you different options like blocking out light or keeping in heat. Layering with sheer drapes or combining different colors give you flexibility with styling. Other things you can do to enhance your drapes include choosing complementary pieces like matching rods and drapery rings. With multiple things to consider and an abundance of possibilities, you can tailor your drapes the way you’d like to make a custom piece impeccable for your home.

2. Window Cornices

Window cornices are a unique addition to drapery design. They can bring a pop of color to create an overall cohesive window treatment appearance. Window cornices serve in both style and function. They can hide any hardware or anything that is out of place from your drapes or simply frame windows, so they look more finished. Like custom drapes, window cornices are usually custom made to match the needs of your windows.

When making your selections, you want to focus your attention on the material of the window cornice. Cornices can be painted wood, fabric wrapped wood or other materials such as metal. Stand-alone cornices can be used without drapes and be found over blinds near kitchen spaces. Without drapery underneath, the cornice can bring personality to a space using shape and color. With window cornices, there is plenty of flexibility in styling, with or without drapes, that can bring a luxurious touch to your windows.

3. Shades

Shades are a great alternative to drapes and offer a different contemporary style that can change the feel of the interior, if styled correctly. The great thing about shades is you have a little more control over how much light is let in without altering much of the window treatment appearance.

For more customization, focus on the color, texture, and functionality of the shades which can be seen in residential homes near kitchen and bath spaces and are fitting for most commercial interiors as well. Roman shades are an easy go-to, that we have personally used in some of our clients’ projects. To avoid an outdated appearance, look for styles that have been modernized. For example, in recent years, shades have been redesigned to exclude cords or can be motorized. Solar shades are a uniquely modern option that can block out UV rays. These are a few of the advanced features you might like to incorporate in your home. Other types of shades that you can find in the market are roller shades, pleated shades, and layered shades. Each are unique in style and may bring a different touch.

We hope this guide gave you insight and inspiration to enhance your windows with beautiful styling options. Though we’ve only highlighted 3 major categories, there are so many styling options and techniques within each to make your window treatment completely tailored to you and your interiors.

Other customary window treatment options not listed that you might want to consider for your project include, blinds, panels, and shutters. Between drapery selections for one area of your home to perhaps shades in another, you have unlimited options to stylishly cater to your window needs. Until we meet again in the New Year, we hope you stay warm and rested this holiday.

When some think of a home remodel, they quickly dream up scenes from a home remodel television show where a new project is introduced, renovated, and finished with a big reveal, all under an hour. If only that were the case in real life. When it comes to any remodel within your home, you are taking a big step toward improving your and your family’s lives. That step comes with not only the investment but with dedication and disruption in your day-to-day. These are some of the reasons why many homeowners procrastinate remodels.

There are some remodels we recommend acting on, sooner rather than later, like your kitchen. Your kitchen serves as the heart of your home where people can come to gather, interact, and bond. If you also like to entertain, there is no question that your kitchen must support you and your guests from multiple angles. Which raises the question, when do you know when it is time for a kitchen remodel, and what can you expect during the process? We hope these tips will enlighten and inspire you to take the next step in your kitchen renovation experience.

When is it the right time?

It is important to remember that while a remodel will require a lot on your part, at the end of the day, you will add value to your home, improve its overall function, and allow more appreciation for the space. If you’re struggling with whether now is an ideal time to renovate, here are some key indicators that the time may be now.

1. Staying Put – A kitchen renovation is a major investment and not one to be taken lightly. If you and your family plan on moving in a few years, it would not be the best choice financially for you to invest in a renovation. For those who do plan on staying in their current residence for the foreseeable future, a renovation will be well worth it in the long run.
2. Hard to Function – There are many factors to consider when it comes to the overall flow of a space. When it comes to the flow of your kitchen, your work triangle is the primary focus for efficient use of the square footage and the different touchpoints. When you work with an interior designer, we will help you identify your kitchen work triangle or give clarity as to why your current layout is being hindered and how a rework of the floor plan can improve the flow and function.
3. Time to Upgrade – The reality of appliances is that they are an investment in themselves, and they can sometimes be a hassle to replace. It may seem easier to wait for appliances to break before purchasing new ones. While this sounds like the right thing to do, it is not the best practice long term. If your appliances are hanging on by a thread, utilizing them as if they were brand new can be a dangerous game to play, especially when it comes to your larger appliances like a gas stove, which can leak, or a dated dishwasher which can flood. This is why it is crucial to keep your kitchen appliances working properly to keep everything and everyone safe.
4. The Struggle Is Real – With the holidays just around the corner, your kitchen will become the destination for entertaining even more than usual. An essential part of any get-together entails some sort of food and drink and more bodies in the kitchen at one time. Do you feel crowded already? A lack of storage can be a huge pain point, especially when adding dishes, appliances, and preparation items for plates and beverages. Things can become cluttered and feel overwhelming very quickly. With the help of custom cabinetry and extended counter space, we can help you alleviate any tight situation.
5. Look and Feel Refreshed – Refreshed interiors will improve the way you interact with your surroundings. Stepping into a room that is stylish and beautiful, and functionally sound will not only enhance its visual appeal but will highlight its overall custom design to create a living experience unique to you and your family.

Does any of this sound familiar? Whether you are thinking or actively planning for a kitchen renovation, here are things to expect once you decide to commit to the remodeling process. By sharing these with you, we hope that we can alleviate any apprehensions you may be feeling and prepare you for the journey ahead.

What to Expect

1. Dust and Noise – As hard as we might, dust will happen. During any demolition work or breakdown of cabinetry or tile removal, sheets of dust will fall. We do our best to alleviate this reality and have some ways to prepare. First, we suggest removing as much as you can from the kitchen. For items that can’t be removed, cover them to prevent dust from settling into crevasses that could cause damage or health concerns later.Noise is another guarantee that comes with a kitchen remodel. From saws, sanders, nail guns, and air compressors, the number of noises will depend on the day, but you should always expect some sort of noise no matter where you are in the process. If you have an important phone call, or you need some headspace to concentrate, we recommend planning for an offsite location to be your safe haven in the meantime.
2. Time – Any form of remodeling will take time. With a redesign that requires structures to be demolished and new ones to be installed, it is essential to note that your time will be required. This is another reason why it is important to decide what you need during your project’s planning and design phase and why it is beneficial to work with a designer. We can help you by addressing the right questions upfront and being your liaison during the process to check and double-check that items are being executed appropriately and within budget.Your patience will be tested. There are phases of your project that cannot proceed before the completion of another. This is especially true when it comes to the measurements of countertops, which can’t be executed until the cabinets are installed to ensure everything fits perfectly.Just remember, this process is a significant investment for your home, so it is okay to slow down and take your time to ensure everything is done right the first time. To alleviate any disturbances, it helps outline a new routine and prepare a secondary area for cooking for everyone in the household. Having these in place ahead of time will make the transition seamless so you all can carry on with your day.
3. Delays – We have said it once, and we will say it again, life happens, and so do delays. There is only one way to prepare for delays, and that is to expect the unexpected. If you know, something will happen, and it is just a matter of when you can be better prepared to pivot your plan and your schedule to accommodate for any mishaps. As your design steward, we take great care to make any delays as painless as possible, and when we look back to what started as delays will turn into a creative solution that works out for the better.

Well, you’ve made it. You’ve put in the time, the care, and attention to your kitchen remodel, and now it is time to enjoy with your friends and family! A kitchen remodel can sometimes feel like a roller coaster of emotions, but don’t let that stop you from making the commitment. We can help you navigate the process with confidence and preparation to a beautiful space complete with everything you’ve ever imagined.

Maintaining a holistic approach for mindful designs comes with beauty and balance that is key to almost everything in our lives. Well thought out interiors have a different degree of harmony that makes them timeless and adaptable to support us and our families. With these five design elements, you’ll be able to dictate the energy and balance to help your home flow naturally.

1. Stability/Usability

Stability provides us with a certain level of confidence you get when we feel accomplished and prepared for the day. This can be in reference to your career or the stability of your personal life, where you feel like everything is in order and functioning as it should. You can achieve stability within your home by using warm colors similar to those found in nature, like warm browns, vibrant yellows, and a mix of reds or oranges. Incorporating secure shapes is another way to reinforce stability in your interiors with shapes that mimic a square like tiles, bricks, or cabinetry.

Great storage solutions in the form of custom cabinetry are a fantastic way to bring stability and ease of use to your everyday activities. This type of organization aligns each compartment with excellent storage and functionality with little to no effort from you. Tasks like wrapping gifts can be fun and efficient with long drawers for wrapping paper storage, while drawers with plugs can be handy for charging all your hair care tools. Keeping everything orderly and sound will instantly bring balance to any room of your home.

2. Art

Incorporating art in your interiors can serve as fuel for your spirit and bridge the gap between you and the industriousness of our forever-changing world. A room without art can feel dull or bare, affecting the way you interact within the space. Art can also help drive creativity and make us feel inspired to do things differently, like cooking a fantastic meal or tucking away for an afternoon to read your favorite book. Bring your style and personality to your home with some of your favorite works of art that are meaningful to you.

3. Window Treatments

Most of the time, we ask our windows to do contradictory things. We want to be able to see the beautiful views outside, but we also want to maintain our privacy. An excellent way to have the best of both worlds is to utilize window treatments. They help us regulate the amount of light and exposure allowed in a space, but they also help soften the aesthetics of a room and complete the overall look. Depending on the rest of the interiors in your home and your style of windows, you may be interested in using curtains and a valance or something more modern like a roman shade. Treating your windows as the frames of your pictures will make sure that they protect what is inside but also allow you to enjoy the view.

4. Texture

Textural elements bring this idea of optimism or renewal. If an entire room is designed with manufactured, perfectly smooth, or shiny objects, it can feel cold or not livable. As human beings, we naturally feel how our surroundings make us feel. By incorporating pieces with texture like a cozy throw, a natural wood table, or better yet, a plant, you can help support your positive energy and give the room a little more warmth and depth. This support can nurture you and your family to live a more balanced and enriched life.

5. Find the Right Lighting

Lighting can make a significant difference in the way we go about our day in our homes. Having the right light in the suitable space is what keeps us moving or makes us slow down. When bright task lighting is used you can feel an energy that is bread on productivity and that sense of accomplishment. While spaces that have dimmed, minimal lighting can help you ease your mind for the evening hours where your to-do list stops and your thoughts turn off. The effect of illumination significantly impacts our overall psyche and can help change our overall outlook on life.

Thoughtful interiors go beyond what is beautiful and serve us differently. By implementing these design elements in every room, you will be able to bring you and your family a well-balanced environment that flows and functions effortlessly. If you or someone you know needs a mid-year refresh, give us a call. We would love to bring balance to your life and your home.