texture matters
Typically, I am invited to decorate homes that like a Mediterranean feel. Many of the homes in Santa Clarita are designed with a Mediterranean architectural style, so naturally, the inside reflects that style as well. Many clients now are going the opposite direction, and requesting a quiet, peaceful, simply decorated home. I tell my clients, “the more simple your interior is the more attention you need to give to the variety of texture and a balanced combination of color”. To avoid a boring, predictable look to a contemporary room, I provide a mixture of different textures to introduce an unexpected twist and an inviting design. In your home, try to pair rough and smooth, coarse and fine, fuzzy and silky to delight the eye. The trick is to mix...
decorating secrets
Springtime is a great time to spruce up some of your home decor. I wanted to share a few tips with you to help make your home more cozy and inviting this spring. Remember, I am always here to help! Tuck in your throws – Keep throws under control. Fold them lengthwise, then in half, then tuck them into cushions. Leather Lasts – The most indestructible fabric for dining chairs is leather or vinyl. Especially if you want white. Use a Real Rug in the Bathroom – Use a rug instead of a bath mat. It was made to withstand a lot more wear than the occasional wet foot. Pile On the Pillows – One pair of pillows always looks skimpy. Use two pairs, in contrasting patterns, colors, and textures. It’s Okay to Skip the Sofa – Small-scale...
create a flow
Many of the homes I visit in California have an open floor plan. The appeal is that one room flows to the next, creating an inviting feel from the moment a guest enters the front door. To maximize that appeal, it is important to follow some design guidelines to compliment that flow throughout the home. Wall Color: Create a unifying look by repeating similar colors and textures in adjoined rooms. Keep in mind that it is more pleasing and exciting to repeat a base color in one room as an accent color in another. This technique will make a seamless flow from one room to another, yet it will still create an attractive distinction in each room. In addition, it will make space appear larger visually, which is most of the time beneficial for small...
designer tips and tricks
As a designer, I have a bag of tricks to help make any space more appealing. For a small room, a great trick to fool the eye and visually expand the space is to place a large mirror in the room. Of course, looking at your image is an added benefit, but a mirror does so much more. It reflects light around the room, which creates the illusion of more space. A mirror in a room with small windows and little light is the perfect remedy every time. There are plenty of mirrors available in catalogues such as Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware, but my design trick is to pick the framing to match the decor and have a custom mirror made for my client’s room. It enhances the decor, and I have control over the exact size mirror required for the space. My...
add bedroom romance
Happy Valentine’s Day. Are you planning something romantic with your beloved? Well, now is the time to survey your current bedroom set-up and take some of the necessary steps below to create a boudoir with some sex appeal. Depending on your budget, you can change a little or a lot, and reap the rewards with raised temperatures between your crisp new sheets! Read more in today’s article “6 Steps To A Sexy Bedroom”. 1. Can The Can Lights Overheard lighting is notoriously unflattering. There’s nothing sexy about a well-lit room. You want shadows, highlights and the soft glow of filtered light. Place a pair of lamps with ivory shades on each side of your bed, and make sure the bulbs are no more than 60 watts. For even more...
create a patio retreat
I can transform just about any outdoor space into a patio retreat. In fact, it is quickly becoming one of my most asked for design services! What is the big deal with outdoor rooms anyway? If you enjoy living in a mild climate as we do in Southern California, you can literally increase the usable square footage of your home. However, if your patio consists of a concrete slab, there is nothing to beckon your outside. That is where I step in! With the addition of properly designed elements, I inspire you to cross over the threshold from indoors to outdoor. Turning your patio into a destination, is what transforms a concrete slab into a backyard escape.To add visual harmony; create a “flow” from the interior design to the outdoor spaces. Using...
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