Bedroom Ideas for the Modern Bedroom

We all know how important a good night’s sleep is and set up an environment that’s conducive to sleeping well and awakening refreshed can help attain that goal. When we’re looking for bedroom ideas, it’s important to consider what type of rooms we’re drawn to. For those who thrive in sleek, uncluttered interior spaces, the stylish look of a modern bedroom may work well. 

Window Treatments

In a modern bedroom, window treatments that work best are those that feel like part of the room’s background such as shades, blinds, drapery panels, or sheers that are all functional but look great.

Furniture

 Keep furniture simple and to a minimum so as not to crowd the space. Modern means plenty of room to move around. Choose a bed that features straight lines and simple features. Even a padded headboard can be gorgeous but not overdone.

 When it comes to bedroom ideas, nightstands should be considered an essential not an extra, though here again stick to a design that has uncluttered lines. You’ll also need a storage piece with drawers (that storage may find a home in the closet if bedroom space is limited.) Comfortable seating with a side table nearby for drinks, and such are also “must-haves.

Area Rugs

 If your room allows, the ideal spot for an area rug is at the foot of the bed with the footboard or legs of the bed frame resting atop the rug. An area rug is another way to infuse color into a modern bedroom. The rug can be a single color or a mix of beautiful bold hues. Geometric patterns and straight lines look great in a modern, uncluttered space

Lighting

A modern bedroom (any bedroom really) needs a chandelier with a simple design or a ceiling fan if the room needs more airflow. Bedside lamps are also a necessity if you read in bed and for finding things in the dark.

Artwork

 Large scale wall art can be an excellent choice for modern bedrooms. A single large piece or two can give you that clean, uncluttered look you’re aiming for. A collection of smaller framed art may seem too busy. Wall art can also be used to infuse color into the space.

Bedding

For that clean, simple appearance, bedding is best when it’s more tailored. It can be luxurious without the frills and fluff. Comfort is the goal, but with an awesome stylish look. If you want to add toss pillows or shams, choose plain rectangles or squares without excess trim. Add color with a throw in a lightweight knit or soft fabric. That should give you the s handsome look you wish for.

Extras

Decorative accessories can be kept to a minimum while adding finishing touches to your modern bedroom’s decor and at the same time satisfying your need for order. Extras can also include necessities like a tray with beautiful water carafe with simple lines, along with drinking glasses. Sure, such a tray may look good, but it also serves a very functional purpose.

We hope these tips will help you create your ideal bedroom, one that offers both beautiful form and great functionality with a nod to your love of an orderly life. Have fun exploring modern style bedroom ideas.

 We would love to help you create a beautiful, functional, and comfortable home. Find out more about our services on our website by contacting us today!

Talk to you soon,

Paula

Pure Bliss: Bathroom Decor for Your Modern Bath

 Once you’ve laid a spectacular foundation for your modern spa-like bath with flooring, fixtures and faucets, bathtub or shower surround, and of course lighting and much more. Then it’s time to add the finishing touches with amazing bathroom décor.

To give you inspiration for this final chapter in your redesign or new bathroom design, we’ve curated blissful ideas to get you started below. 

Fresh Flowers

An arrangement of fresh flowers and greenery can add to the serenity of the bath as well as add an infusion of color. Whether large or small (as best suits the size of your space) living plants enhance a room’s natural environment. 

Wall Art

Today’s modern bathrooms offer the perfect opportunity to showcase large colorful art, but there are lots of spots for smaller paintings or groupings. Choose carefully--only install artwork that can live happily in a sometimes-steamy environment.

Countertop Accessories

In the modern bath, less is indeed more. Choose wisely here. Don’t clutter the countertop. It’s valuable real estate you don’t want to waste. A good rule to go by is each piece should serve a useful purpose or contribute to a visually interesting space.

Guest Towels

Hand or guest towels are one of those functional items that can add both color and texture to your bathroom décor. Other towels should either be at the ready behind vanity doors or find a place on a bathroom shelf. For a spa inspired bathroom we’ll always be partial to pure white fluffy towels.

Soaps

Another of those functional items that can add color and texture to the bath is something that might be considered mundane. Liquid hand soap is available in an array of appealing colors and containers that range from simple glass bottles to spectacular crystal ones. Bar soap has reached a whole new level. You’ll find bars in endless colors and textures, many hand-poured and wrapped in gorgeous papers. One bar or several, wrapped or unwrapped, scented or unscented; these soaps can add that special touch to your bath.

 Accent Rugs

To bring a touch of color and pop of pattern to the bathroom, choose an accent rug in a design that makes your heart beat just a bit faster. We especially love the look of antique motif hand-knotted rugs in vibrant colors of blue, pink, orange, green and yellow. 

These are just a few of the many bathroom décor ideas that can ultimately help turn a beautiful modern, sleek space into an inviting getaway--a space the melds form and function to create one perfect whole.

 We can help make your dream bath a reality. We would love to help you create a beautiful, functional, and comfortable home. Find out more about our services on our website by contacting us today!

Talk to you soon,

Paula

Interior Designer Insider: Small Living Room Decorating Ideas

Whether a micro-apartment in the city or a tiny home in the mountains, small space living has never been more popular. While you may not opt for the least amount of square feet possible like those mentioned above, you may, however, be faced with decorating a smallish space of your own. 

Small living rooms offer a myriad of opportunities to exercise a lot of creativity and individualism. You can transform less than optimal size spaces into beautiful, comfortable, and functional rooms for everyday living and entertaining family and friends. Ideally, small living room design will incorporate decorating ideas that include:

Multi-Functional Furniture

In small living rooms, furniture that meets multiple needs is essential. Examples include ottomans and coffee tables that have built-in storage and nesting tables that can be used as end tables and trays for buffet dining.

Seamless Functionality

A smooth flow of traffic, proper lighting, and comfortable seating placed within easy reach of tabletops for resting food and drinks make for an inviting gathering place. Great function and comfort are just as important as beauty when designing your living space.

Big Beautiful Wall Art

Large paintings and galleries of framed art add visual interest and when done right can make a small space appear larger.

Portable Furniture

Pieces that can be moved about your living room with ease is essential to its function. Armless upholstered chairs on castors and small ottomans that can be moved into the living room for extra seating are great examples of easy moveable furniture.

Area rugs

Whether you choose antique, contemporary, or eclectic, these versatile floor coverings can bring expressive life to small living rooms with hard flooring.

Strategic Furniture Placement

Configuration of seating to encourage conversation, as well as to emphasize the room's focal point, perhaps a fireplace, are ways to enhance a small living room's design with thoughtful furniture placement.

While a small living room or square-foot challenged house doesn't seem like a large enough project to retain the services of a designer, we beg to differ. We would love to help you create a beautiful, functional, and comfortable home. Find out more about our services on our website by contacting us today!

Talk to you soon,

Paula

Do I Need an Interior Designer? 7 Reasons Why You Do

When faced with designing a new home or redecorating an existing space, many people consider hiring an interior designer is a luxury, not a necessity. However, there are so many reasons why hiring a professional designer should not be considered an extravagance, but rather, a wise investment that saves money.  

The financial aspect aside, an interior designer, with your desires and requirements in mind, will help you achieve a home you will love living and entertaining in. Not only will high aesthetics be yours, but a welcoming interior with all the creature comforts and details you never knew you needed or were even possible!

Still not convinced you need to hire an interior designer? You'll find a myriad of reasons and benefits of why you need an interior designer to create the inviting, well-appointed spaces you deserve.

1.    Get the look you want the first time

When you hire a professional, the collaborative design process creates an environment reflecting each client's style.  Many homeowners who tackle do-it-yourself design projects fail to achieve the results they hoped for.  An interior designerwith years of education and experience can help you attain the look you've dreamed of. You will get it right the first time when engaging the services of a designer. 

2.    Work with Existing Furnishings

A designer can access your room and come up with pieces to fit with many of the items you already have. Have a few heirloom pieces and favorite found objects? No problem, an inventive interior designer can create a whole room around them to make them a focal point. Interior designersare often faced with clients who have lived for decades and collected many items they wish to keep, but simply want to freshen the look and feel or a room or require new furniture as existing pieces have aged or gone out of style. 

Of course, they will also let you know if something you already have isn’t in your best interest to keep whether it is not in keeping with the style you want to achieve, or it inhibits the functionality of your space. 

3. Avoid dangerous mistakes

Without expertise, many mistakes can be made, and some may even lead to hazardous living situations. For example, installing a high-polished marble tile in your bathroom creates such a slippery surface when wet a terrible fall may occur. Sometimes we don't have the experience required to understand the outcome of some of our initial choices. It may look fabulous but be dangerous. A professional designer could have offered creative solutions for obtaining that high-polished look without the danger.

4.   Skip costly mistakes

Often, we meet with new clients where the entire contents of their home make them unhappy. For example, they may have bought living room furniture that isn't what they wanted or needed to suit their space and uses. So, then they by decorative accessories to cover up the aesthetic or provide comfort the living suite doesn't. When it doesn't quite do the job, they might buy a piece of art or other pieces of furniture in hopes of making the room work without success. 

They are not pleased with the outcome and regret having invested so much in furnishings that do not speak to their style. They don't want to spend more money, so they must live in a home that doesn't make them happy or spend even more to get the look they were trying to achieve in the first place. Hiring a designer could have avoided this unfortunate situation. 

5.    Access latest trends and technology

Designers make it their job to stay on top of the latest trends and technology. Smart home technology, high-end kitchen/bath trends, and sustainable design are but a few of the many trends on designer's radar right now.  There are intensive and simple advances that can make a big difference in people's day-to-day lives. A professional would know about these things, but often the average person would not.

6.  Obtain exclusive goods and services

Interior designershave tons of resources and libraries of goods they have access to that the retail customer often do not. From the finest fabrics to high-end case goods at sometimes discounted prices, designers know where to find the best products at the most cost-effective price points. The have developed extensive networks for each phase and room of a project and will choose those that lasting and efficient. Retaining a designer will give you insider superpowers when furnishing your home. 

7.   Have a Stress-Free Enjoyable Experience

Attempting a do-it-yourself design project can be very time consuming and stressful. Not only does it require a lot of time and effort, but it can also cause conflicts with family members who have different styles or ideas of how things should function. 

Hiring a professional designer allows you to continue to live your life while getting a design that you love. Designers are also equipped to work through conflicts among family members to find solutions that make everyone happy. These solutions could also include planning for an aging parent that might live in the home or finding creative ways to help ease some stress for a family with young children and several pets.

A designer acts as a project manager, taking the everyday details of a new home build or redesign on so you can relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor. From coordinating a tile install to purchasing wallpaper, an interior designerbecomes your partner in handling all the to-dos you would have had to handle on your own otherwise. 

Most people would never try to build a house on their own – they would hire an architect and a builder. The same goes for hiring electricians and plumbers – experts in their fields. Hiring a professional designer should be no different. We would love to help you create a beautiful, functional, and comfortable home. Find out more about our services on our website by contacting us today!

Elements for an Eye-Catching Nursery Decor

Move over gender-neutral yellows, pastel pinks, and soft-hued blues, today’s contemporary nurseries are all about eye-catching color, bold pattern, and magical metallics! When decorating baby’s first room, you’ll find exciting new possibilities beyond past trends and typical furnishings to spark your little one’s (and yours) imagination and creativity. 

Based on our latest nursery design shown in the images below, we’ve curated a collection of essential elements to make your baby’s nursery visually stimulating and fun.

Go Bold Palettes

Beyond the typical toddler room canvas of bright primary colors, bold palettes can be achieved using warm secondary and intermediate colors such as yellow, orange, fuchsia with touches of cool blue, green, and grey. 

Opting for walls painted in white or eggshell can leave many possibilities for pops of color and pattern to be introduced on bedding, upholstery, floor coverings, and even a wallpapered feature wall.  

Big Beautiful Botanicals 

Go ahead, introduce those big blooms and fanciful flora you love in the rest of the home into baby’s space. Whether you choose a dynamic wallpaper background for behind the crib as shown in our nursery design or a floral motif bursting with blooms on the bedding or rug, you and your little one will adore the beauty of oversize botanical prints.

Plenty of Pattern

Despite what you may think as a hard rule of thumb, don’t be afraid to mix two or three patterns for a layered look. Our nursery boasts an all-over circle pattern on the rug, and blooming vine patterned wallpaper. But you can alternately add patterns in smaller amounts on toss pillows, bedding, or drapes.

However, when mixing pattern, be sure to include broad swaths of solid neutral elements such as window treatments and upholstery. Too much pattern can be chaotic and busy, creating a sense of confusion and overstimulation. 

Magical Metallics

Contemporary and modern nurseries beg for gleaming touches of brass, gold or silver. Metallic finishes on lighting, accessories, and furniture hardware will provide just the right amount of sparkle for a bit of magic. 

Metallic touches in our nursery design are introduced through modern brass floor lamp, light fixture, accent table, and the objets d’art perched on the dresser shown here. 

Wondrous Wall Art

Inspire baby’s creativity with adventurous artwork such as those we hung above the nursery chair here. From magical unicorns to preening peacocks, there is a wondrous world of art just waiting to enchant your child. Modern abstracts and lively landscapes can also add captivating color and unusual shapes to enhance your baby’s play and learning time. 

If you are inspired with the nursery ideas shared here but feeling a bit overwhelmed and not sure where to get started. Look no further for an interior designer in Chicago to help design a beautiful nursery for your little one. Enchanting and eye-catching nurseries like the one featured here are one of our favorite projects. We can help design, furnish, and decorate your baby’s space beautifully. Click here to book a consultation today.

Talk to you soon,

Paula

Art at the center of interior decor

The picture of a Victorian-era sitting room shows almost every horizontal surface covered with tiny photos, knickknacks or a variety of other pieces. The walls host an abundance of hanging art, tapestries and intricate needlework samplers. Art is at the center of the finest of rooms.

This technique, called "display technique" is a hallmark of Victorian design and is a wonderful example of the "form follows function" concept. These pieces were conversation-starters, almost there for entertainment; making for more personalized living spaces.

Today, our design aesthetic suggests fewer things; knick-knacks are considered passé, and for many, too much "stuff" is undesirable as it creates a sense of turmoil that reduces the sense of calm that we seek to enjoy in our home.

But we still crave visual stimulation; we still enjoy the memories that a photo can bring or the sense of tranquility that a piece of art may invoke. A piece of art, or photography may become the inspiration for a certain color scheme in a room or even the whole house.

In the current era as in the past, interior decor requires a thorough evaluation of every piece in each room of a home. Items picked have a special meaning for us, they can even cause an emotional reaction in us. We cherish authentic decor that will make our homes stand out.  Like the Victorians, we want the objects in our homes to stimulate conversation and become the "anchor element" in the room. 

 So, what are the advantages of buying original art? Owning an original piece of art, particularly if the artist has become better known since the purchase, can provide a sense of status, and an increase in the value of the piece is an attractive benefit, too. But, as with other types of investments, there is no guarantee that the value will increase in the future. 

 Original art means that the artist controlled the production process of the one-of-a-kind piece. It no longer means the artist actually made the piece, for example when you buy giclée’s or photography. It means that the piece is signed and numbered by the artist even when there might be other similar pieces available for purchase.

Consider buying art as a personal expression that can reflect your personality, style and taste. Art can inspire you to look at the world in a different way, lift your mood, and in some cases make you feel like you've been taken "away" to another time and place.  Buying art also supports artists, allowing them to expand their craft and further their vision, which in turn can help improve the quality and esthetic of our surroundings. 

 We want our homes to be unique and art is the final expression that will take us there.

 Here's to incorporating more art in our homes. Giver me a call so we can find the best piece for you and your home.

Talk to you soon,


Paula R

Paula Interiors Project

Paula Interiors Project

Take your room from good to spectacular!

OSBORNE & LITTLE

If we agree that the touchstone word for the year is 'comfort,' you may wonder how wallpaper -- which is undergoing a BIG renaissance -- fits into this. It's a perfect pairing because the new wallpapers are beautiful to look at, some so textured you just have to touch, and some so life-like in their botanical representations you think you are sitting in a sunroom.

This isn't your Grannie's wallpaper, Dorothy. These papers are thick of substance and just full to bursting with vibrant color in some, and subtle mood enhancing colors in others. And sometimes large repeats -- so there is no skimping on yardage, here, or you could be in trouble as big as the repeat itself. ( 35-40 inches isn't unusual.)

Who doesn't remember the iconic hallways of the Beverly Hills Hotel? That big, marvelous, blousy palm print  ( called Martinique)  which was designed for the hotel in 1949 is still on the walls.
"Now after nearly 80 years with nary an update, the paper's manufacturer, CW Stockwell, is releasing an entirely new collection based on the iconic print, bringing the pattern into the modern day while paying homage to its roots."

And who hasn't marveled at the subtle finesse of the Morris prints  "Bird and Pomegranate", "Compton", or "Acanthus" which originate from the 1870's?
These classic papers are still available, some with new tweaks. CW Stockwell, for example, is adjusting backgrounds and refining colors to suit today's design aesthetic better.

MARTINIQUE - BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL

MORRIS & CO

CW STOCKWELL

PAULA INTERIORS PROJECT

But the new papers are also full of textures. Grasscloth works across most design styles. Working with a designer to find the perfect backdrop for your room's style will ensure that the look and feel of your room matches your vision.

We all remember, too, the trays of sticky, murky water, the "discussions" between the people actually doing the work and all prefaced by the hours of steaming and scraping the old paper off the walls. New papers go up easily, come down easily, and some are reusable --  all of which means that homeownership doesn't limit where these papers can contribute to a design style. 

And contribute, they do. In fact, they can be the boss of the design style;  Martinique, for example, sets the tone for a room and anything in that room better measure up.   We said "comfort" is the word for the year. Let's add to that if you step outside your comfort level, just a bit, and do even one wall in 'spectacular.'

Talk to you soon,

Paula R  

Why You Should Consider Custom Furniture

The furniture you choose can have a huge impact on any room design. Whether you live in a tiny condo or a large home, a custom piece of furniture is an excellent way to personalize your space. It’s also sometimes the only way to get exactly what you want.

CENTURY FURNITURE

Custom Furniture Fits

Designing for smaller or oddly-shaped spaces is difficult, especially if you are relying on traditional mass-produced furniture pieces. When you buy a custom piece, you can have it made to fit the space that you live in. While traditional furniture can be modified, it’s often less expensive to have the piece made for your space from the beginning - something that many homeowners find quite surprising.

And it’s not just size. It’s often hard to find a mass-produced piece that exactly fits your vision of a space. Usually something is always just a bit off; whether it’s the materials, the color, or the size, it can be hard to find a traditional piece that is just right for what you want.

Versatility

Custom furniture is very versatile. Need some extra storage? Have a custom bench, ottoman, or even sofa made. Extra storage can be incorporated right into the piece. Need a bookshelf that features a few adjustable vertical shelves? A custom furniture maker can do that for you. It’s a great way to ensure you get exactly what you need.

BAKER

Quality

Custom furniture is often much higher quality than mass-produced features. Because your piece isn’t being made on an assembly line, the maker can create your piece out of whatever materials you choose - including higher quality materials than you’d normally find in a furniture factory. Of course, higher quality materials also means that your custom furniture will last much longer than a piece that’s been mass-produced in a factory - which brings us to our next point.

Value

One thing that trips many people up when they’re shopping for custom furniture is the cost. While the initial price can sometimes cause a bit of sticker shock, this can always be lowered based on the materials you choose. It’s also very important to remember the value that you’re getting. When you order a custom-made piece of furniture, you’re getting exactly what you want and expect. You’ll get to choose the dimensions, shape, features, and even materials that your piece is made from. So, yes - it may initially be more expensive than a mass-produced piece of furniture, but it will also carry more value. It will be made exactly for you and the space you’re creating.

So the next time that you’re looking for the perfect piece to fit your newly-designed living room or bedroom, consider ordering some custom furniture instead. Not only will you be pleasantly surprise at the many options available to you, you’ll be happy with the quality and value that you’ll get as well. A custom-made piece is something you can keep for years - and there’s nothing quite like seeing something that was made especially for you and your space every day.

Talk to you soon,

Paula R

6 Easy Kitchen Updates That Make a Huge Difference

After

Before

Tell someone you’re updating your kitchen, and you’ll likely be met with shocked stares. Many people are intimidated by the idea of a kitchen renovation. It tends to conjure up images of endless construction, constant mess, and weeks or months of take-out dinners. But making a change in your kitchen doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process. In fact, you might be surprised at how much of a difference some small, easy changes can make.

1.Install a Backsplash: One of the easiest changes you can make in your kitchen can also make the biggest difference. Installing a backsplash not only creates a great focal point; it lets you express your unique style and personality as well. Whether you choose subway tile for a clean, modern look, or a colorful mosaic of tile, a custom backsplash can change the entire feel of your kitchen.

2.Remove Your Cabinet Doors: Removing your cabinet doors to create open shelving is an excellent way to lighten a heavy-feeling kitchen. In a smaller space, remove only one or two cabinet doors, and use the space to showcase eclectic, attractive, and colorful pieces that you love. Dishes, attractive glassware, and even dry goods stored in attractive glass jars all make excellent displays for open cabinets.

3.Replace Your Countertops: This change is easier and less expensive than you think. Swapping older stone countertops for new marble or quartz countertops are an excellent way to update your kitchen. For a few hundred dollars, this one small change can completely transform your kitchen - making even the most ordinary kitchen space into something you’ll want to show off.

4.Swap Out Your Hardware: Sometimes all it takes to change the look of your kitchen is a hardware update. Swap out outdated drawer pulls and cabinet knobs to give your kitchen a fresher look. Not quite enough? Consider painting your cabinets to really change the feel of your space.

5.Accessorize With Small Appliances: Toasters, stand mixers, and many other small kitchen appliances aren’t just functional must-haves. Many of these gadgets come in bright colors or with fun designs. Swapping out your old, dull pieces for newer, more fun gadgets can be a great way to show off your personality and sense of style.

6.Update your fabrics: This can be one of the best ways to change the feel of your kitchen. Hanging new window treatments, a rug in front of the sink, and swapping out your tablecloth or placemats can really change the look of your kitchen. The best part? It’s easy to rotate through various looks as often as you like!

For many families, the kitchen is the heart of the home. If it’s out of sync with your style, the whole house can feel off. Luckily, changing the feel of your kitchen doesn’t have to be difficult. With just a few small changes, you can update your space and create a kitchen that you’ll love to cook in.

Lets start creating,

Paula R