Sunday, July 31, 2016
30 Things to be Grateful for - 13
My inner strength... or stubbornness. Whatever you want you want to call it.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
30 Things to be Grateful for - 12
The journey.
Sometimes it is hard to let go of control and allow things to fall into place but, once you let go of the idea of how it should be and accept how it is, you free yourself.
Sometimes it is hard to let go of control and allow things to fall into place but, once you let go of the idea of how it should be and accept how it is, you free yourself.
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Friday, July 29, 2016
Thursday, July 28, 2016
30 Things to be Grateful for - 10
Rest.
This is something I struggle with. If I am not working, cleaning or working towards a goal I feel am I slacking but, I am always grateful when I allow myself to truly rest without guilt.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Color Experiments
Want to add color but, not sure how or where?
1. Repeat a color.
Want a room to feel more cohesive? Repeat a color throughout a space at least three times. Use your pillows and accessories to help.
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If you have large neutral pieces use your pops of color in your accessories. Colorful walls or big pieces? Keep everything else neutral. The space below does an amazing job of keeping it simple but, stills make a bold statement with only white, tan and blue.
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2. Paint your ceiling.
Have a small space? Paint your ceiling the same color as your walls. It will make the whole room feel bigger.
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Want a fun contrast? Make your ceiling a bright color.
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3. Want drama?
Choose a dark or saturated color for your walls.
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4. Try temporary wallpaper.
It's quick, relatively easy and if you hate it you can just peal it off.
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30 Things to be Grateful for - 9
Being able to escape into nature. It's where I recharge my batteries.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
30 Things to be Grateful for - 8
Change. This can be a hard one for some people but, I love when a routine is broken and a new adventure begins.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Friday, July 22, 2016
Thursday, July 21, 2016
30 Things to be Grateful for - 3
I'm thankful for yoga.
I'm not perfect and I've been on quite a journey to become comfortable with myself. Not to mention, I still have a ways to go as far as total acceptance and happiness but, I will say this, yoga is a great
way to get there.
This is my favorite website for free classes.
I'm not perfect and I've been on quite a journey to become comfortable with myself. Not to mention, I still have a ways to go as far as total acceptance and happiness but, I will say this, yoga is a great
way to get there.
This is my favorite website for free classes.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
How do you want your space to feel? - A Lesson in Color
There is nothing I see people more afraid of than color. Unless we are going to start talking about accent pillows but, we will save that beast for another time.
Color is simple. Although it seems to cause a lot of heartache so many people shy away from it. If you like a color use it. If you like a lot of colors use them. If you love neutrals use neutrals. Color is so much more than just color. Color is how you create atmosphere in your space. It is a vibe someone gets when they walk into your home.
Instead of focusing on just color theory I want to discuss how to create the space you want through color. Usually when you walk into a space you want a feeling. The two most basic atmospheres we create in our home are either Energetic or Subdued.
So when a client asks me what color should I paint my room I usually respond with. "How do you want it to feel?"
Subdued
When I speak with clients this is the most sought after atmosphere. Think words like serenity, relaxing and mellow.
You can create a subdued environment by using monochromatic color schemes. Monochromatic means using variations of the same color. You can also achieve this feeling by using the same undertones when working with neutrals. All neutrals like browns, blacks, grays and whites are composed of several colors put together. An undertone is a dominant color in that composition that makes the neutral either warm (think reds and oranges) or cool ( think blues and purples). This is why there are so many variations for neutrals.
Creating tone on tone rooms means there is very little contrast. Since there is very little contrast this is what makes the room feel subdued and evokes serenity.
Energetic
Energetic rooms live off of contrast, or colors opposite of each other on the color wheel. Variations of red vs. green, orange vs. blue, purple vs. yellow, black vs. white. If you want to use neutrals but, want to create a contrast skip matching your undertones. Instead use a cool gray with a warm brown, etc.
Usually when you want an energetic room I listen for key words like fun or exciting.
Color is simple. Although it seems to cause a lot of heartache so many people shy away from it. If you like a color use it. If you like a lot of colors use them. If you love neutrals use neutrals. Color is so much more than just color. Color is how you create atmosphere in your space. It is a vibe someone gets when they walk into your home.
Instead of focusing on just color theory I want to discuss how to create the space you want through color. Usually when you walk into a space you want a feeling. The two most basic atmospheres we create in our home are either Energetic or Subdued.
So when a client asks me what color should I paint my room I usually respond with. "How do you want it to feel?"
Subdued
When I speak with clients this is the most sought after atmosphere. Think words like serenity, relaxing and mellow.
You can create a subdued environment by using monochromatic color schemes. Monochromatic means using variations of the same color. You can also achieve this feeling by using the same undertones when working with neutrals. All neutrals like browns, blacks, grays and whites are composed of several colors put together. An undertone is a dominant color in that composition that makes the neutral either warm (think reds and oranges) or cool ( think blues and purples). This is why there are so many variations for neutrals.
Creating tone on tone rooms means there is very little contrast. Since there is very little contrast this is what makes the room feel subdued and evokes serenity.
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Energetic
Energetic rooms live off of contrast, or colors opposite of each other on the color wheel. Variations of red vs. green, orange vs. blue, purple vs. yellow, black vs. white. If you want to use neutrals but, want to create a contrast skip matching your undertones. Instead use a cool gray with a warm brown, etc.
Usually when you want an energetic room I listen for key words like fun or exciting.
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Tuesday, July 19, 2016
30 Things to be Grateful for - 1
It is proven that gratitude has it benefits so I wanted to find 30 things that I am grateful for. Try it for yourself if you need a boost.
I am thankful for my family.
I am thankful for my family.
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Your Home is Your's so Break all the Rules
Working in Interior Design I have learned that many people get caught up in rules. As in, for every room there are all these little rules you must follow to create the perfect space.
Questions I have been asked.
1. What is the rule for having a end table next to the sofa? How should the height of the table compare to the arm height?
2. What are the rules for combining colors?
3. I have a small space so I have to have a small sofa, right?
Questions like this can go on for hours. Truthfully, there are rules about balance and portion, color theory and more but, honestly you won't see many breakout designers playing it by the books. Design has rules but, they are, for the most part, meant to be guidelines, loose guidelines. Design is rebellious in nature and maybe that's why it can seem so overwhelming to those in need of concrete answers. I'm sure it would surprise you the number of times I received a shocked look when I say there isn't a rule for one of the questions above. Plus, even if there was a rule for something I usually don't tell a client because not all rules apply to all situations.
Let's dive into the above questions.
Can't decide the height for your sofa side table? Ask yourself functional questions before you ask yourself design questions.
For example, if the table height and the arm height are the same will you always be knocking over your drink? Yes. Then the table height should be lower or higher then the arm height. BUT wait! You love a table that is the same height as the arm. Great! Get that table and understand you might knock over your drink. Maybe you have a super low modern sofa. This would be a great opportunity to play with heights taller then the arm. Another fun option is nesting tables.
For each situation, the function of the space plays as much as of role if not more so then the design itself. Trust me I have seen amazing ideas thrown out the window because the design is great in theory but, doesn't function well. The most important part is to assess your needs and move forward from there.
Now apply this concept to color. What is a functional color for you space that you enjoy? I have seriously seen people have meltdowns over color (and pillows) and honestly they are the two easiest things to change. It is cheaper to repaint your room then it is to buy a new quality sofa. Plus you can test paint a large area for next to nothing. So why all the stress?
Color theory is simple. I grew up that navy and black shouldn't go together. That brown and black didn't match. These are silly notions. If you want black and navy together go for it. Just choose a black with a cool (blue) undertone. If you want brown and black together just choose a black with a warm (brown) undertone. Gray and brown? Use a gray with a warm (brown) undertone.
Contrasting colors create high energy while complimenting undertones will subdue a space.
Need help learning about undertones? I will write a color theory post soon.
What about space planning? "I have a small space so I need small furniture." I have heard this statement before too and it not necessarily true. Let's say you have a small condo. You get a small couch but, afterwards you realize there isn't enough seating. You decide to add a love seat or a couple of chairs but, you still need end tables and a coffee table. Now your small space is packed. Sometimes it is better to place a small sectional in a room instead of several small pieces. The sectional will take up more visual weight but, feel less cluttered. In a large space, smaller pieces are great for separating the space into a game area or a TV area instead of using one large sectional to eat up all the space. Again it will be circumstantial based on your needs for your space.
So what is my point?
Perception and function shape design. When you come to the table with your ideas you have a perceived concept and a specific function. There are rules in play but, really they are the rules that YOU have created. Your home is personal. It should be about what you need and love. If that means you are breaking design rules, good, go for it!
Questions I have been asked.
1. What is the rule for having a end table next to the sofa? How should the height of the table compare to the arm height?
2. What are the rules for combining colors?
3. I have a small space so I have to have a small sofa, right?
Questions like this can go on for hours. Truthfully, there are rules about balance and portion, color theory and more but, honestly you won't see many breakout designers playing it by the books. Design has rules but, they are, for the most part, meant to be guidelines, loose guidelines. Design is rebellious in nature and maybe that's why it can seem so overwhelming to those in need of concrete answers. I'm sure it would surprise you the number of times I received a shocked look when I say there isn't a rule for one of the questions above. Plus, even if there was a rule for something I usually don't tell a client because not all rules apply to all situations.
Let's dive into the above questions.
Can't decide the height for your sofa side table? Ask yourself functional questions before you ask yourself design questions.
For example, if the table height and the arm height are the same will you always be knocking over your drink? Yes. Then the table height should be lower or higher then the arm height. BUT wait! You love a table that is the same height as the arm. Great! Get that table and understand you might knock over your drink. Maybe you have a super low modern sofa. This would be a great opportunity to play with heights taller then the arm. Another fun option is nesting tables.
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| Lower than arm. source - http://www.shelterness.com/25-simple-living-room-storage-ideas |
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| Same height as arm. source - http://www.chiclittlehouse.com/blog/iclittlehouse.com/2015/04/artful-addition.html |
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| Taller than arm. source - http://inmyownstyle.com/2015/12/tour-of-the-hgtv-dream-home-2016.html |
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| Nesting tables. source - http://www.architectureartdesigns.com/helpful-tips-for-creating-bright-living-space/ |
For each situation, the function of the space plays as much as of role if not more so then the design itself. Trust me I have seen amazing ideas thrown out the window because the design is great in theory but, doesn't function well. The most important part is to assess your needs and move forward from there.
Now apply this concept to color. What is a functional color for you space that you enjoy? I have seriously seen people have meltdowns over color (and pillows) and honestly they are the two easiest things to change. It is cheaper to repaint your room then it is to buy a new quality sofa. Plus you can test paint a large area for next to nothing. So why all the stress?
Color theory is simple. I grew up that navy and black shouldn't go together. That brown and black didn't match. These are silly notions. If you want black and navy together go for it. Just choose a black with a cool (blue) undertone. If you want brown and black together just choose a black with a warm (brown) undertone. Gray and brown? Use a gray with a warm (brown) undertone.
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| Warm grays with browns creates a calm atmosphere. source - http://www.linenandlavender.net/2014/01/source-sharing-i-gigi-general-store-uk.html |
Contrasting colors create high energy while complimenting undertones will subdue a space.
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| Contrasting colors, can you feel the energy? source - http://colorpalettes.net/category/contrasting-color/page/5/ |
What about space planning? "I have a small space so I need small furniture." I have heard this statement before too and it not necessarily true. Let's say you have a small condo. You get a small couch but, afterwards you realize there isn't enough seating. You decide to add a love seat or a couple of chairs but, you still need end tables and a coffee table. Now your small space is packed. Sometimes it is better to place a small sectional in a room instead of several small pieces. The sectional will take up more visual weight but, feel less cluttered. In a large space, smaller pieces are great for separating the space into a game area or a TV area instead of using one large sectional to eat up all the space. Again it will be circumstantial based on your needs for your space.
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| One simple piece in a small space. source - https://www.article.com/product/1547/sven-grass-green-left-sectional-sofa |
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| Small space with more pieces. source - https://www.flickr.com/photos/38110489@N08/6161194711/ |
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| Several seating areas in one large room. source - http://homedesignlover.com/living-room-designs/20-gorgeous-living-room-furniture-arrangements/ |
So what is my point?
Perception and function shape design. When you come to the table with your ideas you have a perceived concept and a specific function. There are rules in play but, really they are the rules that YOU have created. Your home is personal. It should be about what you need and love. If that means you are breaking design rules, good, go for it!
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| source - http://www.surya.com/rugs/zahra/zha-4001/ |
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