Why is it essential to space plan a room?

Photo Credit: Sabine’s New House

Space planning is an integral part of your interior designer’s process, and you’ll also be involved in that process. You will be asked questions, and your answers will help inform that plan. It is essential to space plan a room so your furniture will fit, you’ll be able to use the room for the activities you envision in the space, traffic patterns will work so you, your family and guests will be able to move about freely. Space planning is all about how to effectively use the space available in a room to make sure rooms work for you while at the same time making the decor seem effortless and beautiful.

The need for space planning bathrooms and kitchens is easily understood, perhaps more so than any other rooms in the home. After all, there are water pipes and drainpipes to be run with little flexibility, so plumbers and other contractors need to know precisely where sinks, dishwashers, and bathroom fixtures should be located. But space planning is essential for every room in the house.

Photo Credit:  RUM magazine and Oliver Gustav.

If your furniture includes large pieces like a sectional sofa, space planning will be even more important in your living room. You don’t want to discover on moving day that your sectional simply will not fit into the space. Space planning will help you avoid disappointments like that.

If your space is meant to contain multiple “rooms,” that’s an ample open space intended to be used as a dining room and living room adjacent to the kitchen. Space planning will help determine where each “room” will fit best.

If you hope to use a room for multiple activities, space planning will help you see where each activity can take place. Traffic patterns are crucial in such spaces. 

Even large wide-open spaces that seem to have more than enough room benefit from space planning or perhaps because they’re so large, space planning is even more critical so a balanced space can be achieved.

Space planning a room is vital for all the reasons above and many more. Without a plan, it’s challenging to reach your interior design goals for a room. That brings us to the importance of defining how you want a room to feel as you begin to space plan. How you want a space to feel, light and airy, warm and cozy, minimalist or calm and retreat-like, will impact space planning.  Don’t forget lighting because it’s important in space planning and color also affects our perception of space. To learn more about color and space, see our take on “How Colors Change the Perception of Interior Spaces.” 

 If we can help you with your new interior design project, from space planning to final installation,  let us know by telephone or email at Paula Interiors. We hope to hear from you soon!

How Colors Change the Perception of Interior Spaces

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Color can work magic inside homes of all styles. The psychology of color in interior design is a wide-ranging subject, covering topics from how color affects mood and emotions to how color affects home safety. 

 Today, we’ll focus on how color can change the perception of interior spaces as to ceiling height, room width, depth, and size. In general, lighter colors can make interiors feel larger, more spacious, while darker hues can make spaces feel smaller, cozier, and more intimate. 

The perception of color depends on the surface where it’s used. Let’s look at specific ways paint and texture (a texture that makes a ceiling or wall appear darker or lighter by contrast with other surfaces) can be used to achieve a specific look:

Lower the Ceiling

Bringing darker paint on the ceiling down onto the walls a few inches can magnify the perception of an even lower ceiling. In effect, blurring the line between the ceiling and wall. 

Raise the Ceiling

Open up the ceiling with a white or light color on the ceiling. For even more contrast, paint the walls in darker hues. Walls that are only slightly darker, just a shade or two, can make a big difference, so that ceiling feels even higher.

Not Super Dark

 The image below shows that the contrast between walls and ceiling does not have to be exaggerated. This deeper shade of pink is not super dark, but adjacent to a white ceiling, you can get the look of a higher ceiling without a dark, moody color on the walls.

Shorten Walls to Avoid the Dreaded Tunnel Effect

In almost any space, a soaring ceiling is a plus, adding lots of atmospheres and a light and airy feel. An exception to that is a narrow hallway or kitchen. Painting a tall wall in a darker color on the lower half can negate that unappealing tunnel effect, giving the narrow space the look of more desirable proportions.

 Visual Interest

In addition to shortening walls, darker color at the bottom of the walls can simply elevate a space with much needed visual interest.

Texture as Color

 In the modern space below, color on the ceiling and walls is developed with wood and brick, showing the added and appealing element of texture. This creates a warm and cozy space with tons of natural light--an excellent use of color.

That’s a Wrap

Going forward, as you consider ways to make your interiors better, we hope you’re inspired to learn how to use color to improve the proportions of your rooms, whether to make them feel more spacious with taller ceilings, cozier, wider, longer, it’s your choice. With color, anything is possible.

For more cutting-edge tips and dashing designs, stay tuned to this blog and follow us on Instagram here!

Talk to you soon,

Paula 

7 Signs You Should Invest in an Interior Designer

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Have you decided it’s time to stop thinking about that much-needed interior design project and just do it? The question immediately arises, “Do I need to invest in an interior designer?” Here are seven signs you need to do just that, rather than going it alone:

Paula Interiors

Paula Interiors

Paula Interiors

1. You don’t know where to start. If you have identified a project, perhaps a total kitchen redo, you want to start immediately, but now you realize you don’t even know where to begin, then it’s time to invest in an interior designer.

2. You don’t have time. If you know your home is in need of one or more upgrades or room refreshes, then it’s time to call in a professional who has the training and experience to work with you while freeing up your time.

3. You’re in over your head and you know it. Your project requires professional help beyond your ability. You are smart to realize you excel at what you do, but you are not an expert when it comes to interior design and decor. So, collaborate with a designer who has the expertise to help you achieve the end result you’re going for.

4.  You need someone to complete your interior design project from start to finish. Working with contractors and trusted resources from project planning to installation of the last finishing touch is what an interior designer does,

5. You have clutter everywhere and limited storage.Let’s be realistic, over time we all accumulate “stuff” and have to find a way to organize and store those items in a way that gives us easy access to things we use every day or once a month. An interior designer can show you the storage options you can choose from, both practical and beautiful.

6. Your lifestyle has changed through choice or necessity. Whether you’re suddenly single, a new empty nester, welcoming a new baby, retiring soon and need to downsize or perhaps looking forward to becoming a multi-generational household, a design professional can help you upgrade your home to meet the needs of your new lifestyle in a way that is both functional and stylishly beautiful.

7. You’re just craving a fresh new look in your interior spaces. A professional can pinpoint the refreshes that will give you the most impact, source and buy furniture and accessories that will help you reach your goals.

If you’re facing any of these seven challenges or a myriad of others, you are in need of an interior designer to help you turn a stressful situation into an adventure to make your home even better than it currently is. Take this opportunity to elevate the look and functionality of a single room or the whole house. An interior designer can make any project less stressful at a surprisingly low cost when compared to tackling a project on your own.  

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

Talk to you soon,

Paula

Tips for Organizing and Beautifying Your Workspace

Interior Design + ART CURATION by Paula interiors

Is it time for a few changes to your home office? Perhaps your workspace is feeling a little tired and worn around the edges. Maybe you’ve just spent much too much time working from home over the last few weeks or months and are ready for a refresh of your surroundings. Whatever the reason, organizing and beautifying a personal workspace can be a labor of love and a great adventure, too. Have fun! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Photo Credit: City Homes

Think color, pattern, and texture. Of course, these elements are essential to a room’s decor but should be considered when choosing organizational items for your workspace. Whether you have an entire closet for office storage, or everything can be seen in the room itself, you can strive to elevate the look of your storage. How satisfying would it be to open the closet and see a space that’s not only organized for easy access but beautifully laid out in living color?

Shelves. Shelves. Shelves.

Image Credit: Pinterest

 When organizing a home office, shelves, in the form of open bookcases or hidden behind closed doors, should be close to the top of your list of requirements.

A combination of open bookcases with storage boxes and decorative objects can work exceptionally well, giving you the best of functionality and beauty. A simple gallery wall adds a touch of personality.

Decorative and Practical Boxes

Yes, storage comes in many forms. You’ll find file boxes in a variety of sizes, decorative patterns, and colors to meet your needs and add more touches of beauty to your home office.

Image Credit: Pinterest

Pale Pink Can Give Your Office a Beautiful Warm Glow.

Just a few touches of color, can make in a predominantly white office. Pink upholstery on the office chair, a single pillow, and the palest of pink backgrounds imbue this feminine home office with an appealing glow. A shaggy area rug adds welcome texture to this sleek modern room.

As you can likely tell, we think organization is beautiful in and of itself. So, if you’ve grown weary of your home office as it currently looks, getting it organized is the best way to start beautifying your space. With so many different styles and configurations of open shelving and storage pieces with doors, the sky’s the limit when choosing elements for office organization; you can quickly turn your home office into a perfectly organized and stylish place to inspire your workday.

Need some help to get your home office organized and gorgeous, too? 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  

PHOTO DISCLAIMER

I try to credit the source of the photos I use, but if you notice I have made a mistake or you are not happy with me using your photo feel free to let me know. Photos taken by me or collages created by me are protected - I'm happy if you like to share these, but please link back to Paula Interiors.  

Tips to Refresh My Living Space for Spring & Summer

For many of us, it’s been a long hard winter. So, when we see the first signs of warm weather, we think it’s time to refresh our living spaces for spring and a wonderful much-anticipated summer to follow. The question is, where do we start.

Today, we’ve pulled together a few simple tips to get you started. You’ll think of other ideas as you go along. In the meantime, consider these suggestions as a summary of what you’ll want to do to bring your living space into warm-weather mode immediately. 

Some of these you’ll think are readily apparent, and some may be new to you, but all will make your spring-refresh easier, whether you’re doing it yourself or bringing in an interior designer to do the project.

Deep Clean

Whether you’re a big fan of spring cleaning, the starting point for refreshing a room for spring is to give the space a deep cleaning from ceiling to floor. After all, nothing is more refreshing than sparkling clean?

Fresh Flowers

Our all-time favorite way to refresh a room for spring is with fresh flowers and blooming branches like dogwood or forsythia. Springtime brings readily available bouquets of daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and much more.

Fresh Flowers

Our all-time favorite way to refresh a room for spring is with fresh flowers and blooming branches like dogwood or forsythia. Springtime brings readily available bouquets of daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and much more.

Window Coverings

Take down, clean, and store heavy draperies that make rooms cozy for the wintertime and bring out sheers and lightweight window treatments to let the light shine in.

On the floor

Spring is the time to think about laying area rugs made of natural fibers like sisal, jute, and cotton. These rugs will make rooms feel light and airy--just the look for spring and summer

Pillows & Throws

 A super easy change to bring spring to living rooms or family rooms is with the quick change out of throw pillows and throws. Color, pattern, and fabric are key with these soft accessories. Bring spring to life in your decor with pale tones or bright, exuberant hues, lightweight fabrics, and cheerful patterns.

Paint 

In addition to cleaning, consider whether your room needs a fresh coat of paint. This would be a great time to try one of the pale new neutrals that are trending right now

Tabletop Accessories

Here again, infuse rooms for spring with a change of accessories (color, materials like clear glass or wire that take up little visual space, so you’ll get a light airier look

Wall Art

Colorful, oversized art for the wall can infuse a room with modern style, brilliant color, and a happy vibe. Also, consider unframed pieces or those with invisible frames.

If you’re inspired to do a total refresh for one or more of your winter-weary living spaces, 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  

Will Remodeling or Decorating my Home be a Wise Investment?

Paula Interiors

Paula Interiors

Paula Interiors

Should I add a room on to my home, do a single room remodel, or a whole house renovation? If you’re feeling a bit cramped in your house, which was at one time your dream home, you may be asking yourself those questions. Or perhaps, your kitchen or bath is feeling old and tired, in need of that “special something” to bring the space back to life and you’re wondering if a renovation would be a smart thing to do. 

So, is remodeling or redecorating your home a wise investment. There should be two parts to that question:

1. Is it wise financially? If you sell your home, will you get back the money you’ve invested in an addition, renovation or if you redecorate?

2. Is the happiness or satisfaction factor enough return on your investment?

To answer those questions, here are some points to consider:

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It’s highly unlikely you will ever be able to recoup the entire cost of a major renovation when selling your home. The return on your investment for home renovations when you sell your home, depending upon the year, on average range from a low of approximately 72% to a high of perhaps 92%. So, only in rare circumstances can you expect to recover the cost of the project completely. However, that may be offset by how much you and your family will enjoy the results of that renovation every day, year after year.

The more personalized a renovation project is, the riskier it is for a high return on investment. Conversely, the more personalized it is, the more satisfied the family will be.

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Each remodeling project is different in resale value and return on investment, so consult experts to learn what you might expect of your proposed project. Your interior designer can help you estimate the cost, while a real estate firm or a trusted builder can help you approximate the added resale value of the project. 

 When it comes to decorating or redecorating your home, these projects will likely not add to the resale value or return on investment. The best news about decorating is that for the most part, should you sell your home, you’ll be able to take almost all your furniture and accessories with you to your new place. Of course, paint, wall coverings, and carpeting will stay. Therefore, if you love the elements you’ve chosen to redecorate with, you’ll be able to live with them for a very long time, and that’s a significant return on your investment.

The bottom line is you can do a renovation with an eye to a financial return on investment, the enjoyment factor, or a combination of both. However, always go into any room addition or major remodel with the knowledge that no matter how wisely you manage your budget or how carefully you select each element of the project, your major return will usually not be financial, but in the added beauty and comfort that will be the result. That alone can make remodeling or redecorating a wise investment you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come. 

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

Tips for Making Your Guest Bedroom the Best It Can Be

Photo Credit: Richard powers

Do you see a stunning guest room in your future? We’re here to help. Whether you’re starting from scratch or giving your guest room a refresh, below you’ll find a few tips to get you started:

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Paula Interiors

Plan a layout that will make wise use of all available space

 Your interior designer can help you choose a layout for your guest room that will take advantage of all the space in the bedroom and the bath.

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Infuse the room with your style

You can create a guest room that is exceptionally suited to your style and your visitors’ comfort and enjoyment.

Choose a color palette that’s soothing, but works well with the colors you’ve chosen for the other rooms in your home

 The most successfully executed guest rooms are done in a soft and soothing color palette, one in which the stress of travel and everyday worries can slip away and be replaced with a sense of peace and calm for weary guests.

Add as many luxe elements as possible

 If you’re going to splurge, be sure it’s on high-end elements like a top of the line mattress, pillows, bedding and, luxuriously soft towels.

Make your guests feel pampered

Add lots of extra touches that will make visitors feel pampered and welcome in your home. Those elements might include a food and beverage cart or bar, travel-size personal care items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, and such. A temporary charging station for cell phones, fitness watches, or e-readers should please. You’ll know your guests and what special touches they’ll appreciate.

Be sure every single accessory or piece of furniture has a purpose, whether functional or decorative

Too often, a guest room can become a storage space for things that no longer fit into other rooms but are just too good to discard or have so much sentimental value they’re hard to part with. To avoid this, a guest room will be at its best if you only select  furniture that adds beauty or functionally to that particular space and decorative accessories that merge seamlessly into the room

Create at least one WOW factor in your guest space

Does your guest room include access to the outdoors? Then create a tiny oasis with outdoor chairs, tables, and a chaise lounge or two. Is the bathroom extra roomy? Turn into a spa-like experience. If space will allow, create a comfortable sitting area. Even a comfy chair and side table will work in a small room. Any of those things and lots of others can bring unexpected luxury that those special guests will long remember.

 Think COMFORT at every turn

 Above all, never forget the primary purpose of a guest room is to give visitors a safe, comfortable space to relax and get a good night’s sleep. Consider temperature, light, mattress, pillows and bedding.

 These are just a few tips to help you on your way to the guest room the best that it can be. Once you begin to think about surrounding your visitors with luxury and comfort, you’ll have more and more ideas about turning your guest room into a personalized getaway retreat. We would love to help you bring your vision to life. See you soon!

Color Trends for 2020

2020 is a very good year for color. If you’re inspired by color or intrigued by color or perhaps color is what makes you happy, then you’ll want to explore the top color trends for 2020. Here, in no particular order, are colors we are seeing across the Internet and in brick and mortar stores. Take a look and see what makes your day:

Sophisticated Neutrals

Speaking of new neutrals, today’s trending colors include a wide range of gorgeous neutral hues to impress.

Eider White is a gorgeous, sophisticated neutral, a paint made by sherwin-williams. It’s a calming color you’ll love day after day throughout 2020 and beyond.

Rooms with neutral color palettes can be spiced up with a splash of color and pattern. The space can be elevated with a bold area rug.

First Light

Sometimes you can fall in love with a color even before you see it for the first time. That is true in the case of First Light. Its name says it all, and First Light lives up to that beautiful name. In naming First Light its 2020 color of the year, Benjamin Moore calls this pale hue “a refreshing wash of pink.” Acting as a new neutral, First Light creates a delightful environment that light, airy and, so welcoming.

Sophisticated Neutrals

Speaking of new neutrals, today’s trending colors include a wide range of gorgeous neutral hues to impress.

Eider White is a gorgeous, sophisticated neutral, a paint made by sherwin-williams. It’s a calming color you’ll love day after day throughout 2020 and beyond.

Rooms with neutral color palettes can be spiced up with a splash of color and pattern. The space can be elevated with a bold area rug.

Moody Hues

Dark and moody hues on the wall can create an elegant room with lots of atmosphere. Moody greens (and other green tones) seem to be one of the big color trends of 2020.

If you are fascinated with the fabulous combination of green and other colors, 2020 may be your year. Deep purple and moss green create a gorgeous combo while grey and moss green is a tranquil mix.

Blue Beautiful Blue

We love blues of every sort. Take your pick from beachy hues to bold cobalt or a classic deep blue. Pantone named Classic Blue as its 2020 Color of the Year.

 As you explore the world of color that is 2020, you’ll discover many more fantastic hues plus the colors that can be used to complement them. These trending colors offer an optimistic view of the new year and the new decade. We hope you’ll take advantage of the chance to surround yourself with color to make your life better and your interior spaces more beautiful.

Which room shall we tackle first? 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!

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Sherwin williams - Eider White

Benjamin Moore First Light 2102-70

Jonathan Adler

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7 Signs Your Room is in Need of a Makeover

Paula Interiors Projects

How do you know when a room is ready for a makeover, when it’s time to call on professional help to bring a tired room back to life? Though, there are many, many reasons to update a space, here are seven sure signs your room needs a makeover:

1. No one wants to use the family room (or media room) anymore. Your family used to have so much fun there, watching movies or playing games. Now the space just looks sad and tired, hardly ever used. That’s a sure sign it’s time to bring that space back to life. A total makeover with everything new from floor to ceiling or just a refresh with new slipcovers for the furniture and lots of decorative accessories to make the room warm and welcoming, which will it be? 

2. Clutter has overtaken your entryway and has spilled into the living room. It’s become a habit of dropping whatever is in hand as soon as you walk through the door, and sometimes there it remains until someone’s frustrated and looking for lost sneakers or a book they want to finish. It’s time to make the foyer into a space to proudly greet guests again. Ready to tackle that project, get organized, and create some convenient storage, too?

3. You’re about to welcome a new family member into your life, your home, and that calls for repurposing a room into a room for a newborn that’s safe and comfortable and also a happy place where you’ll enjoy caring for that little person.

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4. Your toddler has outgrown his room and needs a big room in which to grow and thrive. When it’s time for a bigger bed and some play-space too, some expert help may be in order, don’t you think?

5. You just realized how dark and gloomy the den really is. Maybe it’s time to turn it into a handsome dark and moody space to enjoy.

6. Your teen daughter is suddenly captivated by interior design and is begging for a more sophisticated space. Is it time to help her learn a bit about decorating while creating a room she’ll enjoy until she’s off to college. 

7. The dining room is rarely used. We can work with you on that project and turn a neglected dining room into a space you’ll enjoy morning, noon, and night--serving everyday family meals and entertaining friends and extended family.

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Now that you know a few of the signs that one (or more) of your rooms is in need of a makeover, can you spot any of those in your home? Or perhaps, you have other reasons for redoing a space. We can help you give any room a new look you’ll love, whether it’s a big project or a small one. Our entire reason for being here is to help you bring your design visions to life, to make your home more beautiful and more functional, too. Which room shall we tackle first? 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!

Awesome and Appealing Winter Decor

Warm and cozy for winter spans all interior styles, from modern farmhouse to ultra-contemporary and everything in between. Luxe layers, knit blankets, warm woolen rugs, lots of winter white and accent tones, pine and evergreen, winter scents, fireplace decor are all appealing elements of decor for the winter season. Let’s explore that winter world:

Among the most fascinating ideas to elevate winter decorating is greenery in all its evergreen forms. It is exceptionally beautiful in stark contrast to winter white. This fireplace mantel is magnificently decked out in a luxuriously heavy garland. Not all mantels could hand this massive amount of greenery, but it’s just right for this fireplace. Different amounts of greenery would work well depending upon the size of the  fireplace or mantel.

Photo Credit: Amy E Peters

Even in an all-white room with winter raging outside, a chunky knitted blankets or throws can bring warmth and beauty to the space. Big knits can bring a luxe look to any style decor, even rustic rooms such as the one below.

Winter decor is on full display in the bedroom below. Winter white mixes beautifully with darker hues. This handsome bedroom shows how a masculine room can be elevated for winter, again a great mix of light and dark. 

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Photo Credit: Decordots.com

We’ve seen that any style room can be made warm and cozy with winter decor. One more element that can significantly enhance winter decor is scent. The scents of winter from crisp evergreen to the warm spicy scent of hot apple cider, can evoke pleasant memories of winters past. Glowing candles or a beautiful bowl of natural potpourri can bring winter scents to life.

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!

P.S: I try to credit the source of the photos I use, but if you notice I have made a mistake or you are not happy with me using your photo feel free to let me know.

Why Should We Take Interior Design Seriously?

Photo: stephenkentjohnson Produced by: therobertrufino

We think that is the best possible answer to the question at hand. Why should we take interior design seriously? Let’s break that broad, beautiful statement down into more specific reasons to give serious consideration to interior design:

Quality that Lasts

Interior designers are trained to help you choose high-quality furnishings that will last, giving you a good return for the money you spend.

Interior Design Saves Tons of Time and Money

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You can trust your interior designer to save you time and money. He/she knows what they are doing and thus doesn’t have to waste time wandering around looking for the right furniture and accessories for you or the best contractors to bring your project to life.

Well-Being in the Beautifully Designed Home

Also, interior designers learn how our living environment can affect us, both physically and emotionally. A design professional can help you create rooms that promote health and well-being. Here are three prime examples to consider: 

●      Bedroom - When thinking of our interiors can have a positive effect on our well-being, the bedroom is the first room that comes to mind. It has been proven that a good night’s sleep can have an immediate effect on how we feel, our health, and how we function during the day. An interior designer can help you design a serene, peaceful sleeping space, with a mattress that’s just right for you, bedding that’s beautiful and comfortable, plus window coverings that block the light, so your sleep is not disturbed.

●      Home Office - An office at home is much more than a desk and chair. It’s all about freedom—freedom to do a job from home or to do routine household tasks and interact with the outside world from the comfort of your home. A designer can help you create an environment that’s conducive to productive work and one that makes you happy and fulfilled. 

 ●      Color Counts - No matter the room, color, and lighting are vital elements in the space. Interior designers study color and lighting so they can help us create the best possible living spaces for each of us.

So, you see, interior design isn’t just about pretty rooms, though creating beautiful living spaces is a big part of what designers do. It’s about much more than that. Designers are taught about all the elements that make a room, a home a healthy, happy place to live.

Also, today, many interior designers get additional education and practical, real-world experience in fields that are important to potential clients. That includes sustainable living environments, multi-generational living (homes where men and women raise their children and care for aging parents at the same time, creating beautiful homes for those with disabilities, and the list goes on.

Those who take interior design seriously and work with interior designers can benefit from all that knowledge and experience to create their very best homes. 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

6 Clever Christmas Decor Tips

Photo Credit: Elle Decor

Be Adaptable

 The back yard Christmas decor shown above could very easily be used on a sheltered balcony off the master bedroom in a two-story home. When you discover a great idea, think about how it could be adapted for your own spaces.

Decorate the Staircase

If there’s any interior space that seems “made to showcase Christmas decor,” it’s the staircase, especially the banister. Garlands of greenery, strings of holiday lights, and even tree ornaments and other baubles can look stunning when draped down the staircase banister.

Add Small Touches of Christmas

A single decorative accessory can have a big impact. A splash of red in a neutral setting can shout, “Happy Holidays.”

Hang Wreaths in Unexpected Places

We love wreaths of all sorts hung on the front door. You might consider other more surprising places to hang Christmas wreaths. In the kitchen shown above, small green wreaths are hung on the backs of counter stools with jaunty red and white striped ribbon. A matching wreath hangs on the hood above the range. 

Photo Credit: Elle Decor

Say Merry Christmas in Your Bedrooms

Many of us advocate for the idea that Christmas decorations belong in every room. And that includes the master bedroom, children’s rooms, and the guest room. All it takes is a garland to bring the look of Christmas cheer. For some, a small holiday touch is not enough, in that case, more is more, so bring on the tartan blankets, toss pillows with Christmas themes and all sorts of holiday accessories.

Add Holiday Touches in the Most Unexpected Place

 Even the bath can be made brighter during the holidays with green and white touches. This vintage bath caught our eye.

We hope we’ve inspired you with exciting and sometimes small ways to take your Christmas decorating to a new level. Have fun! Happy holidays!

What You Should Know: Local Interior Designer vs Online Design Service

Photography by @douglasfriedman; Styling by @amykchin

There comes a moment when you know you need help. When you realize it’s time to ask for professional assistance to bring your decorating project to life, you most likely will ask yourself, “What are the differences and/or benefits between hiring a local interior designer and hiring an online services like Modsy, Decorist or Havenly?” That’s a fair question, and an essential one since the world of interior design continues to be impacted by our ever-expanding dependence upon the Internet. E-design, as it is often called, has made interior designers more accessible to many more people than we would have ever thought possible.

In General 

Local interior designers, as a general rule, do not have the resources to tackle multiple smaller projects and instead focus on their clients’ larger design projects. Most online design services, on the other hand, can offer small budget-friendly packages that include a quiz or questionnaire to help determine decor preferences, a printed room layout or 3D model for one room, design ideas, furniture layout and suggestions for color palettes, along with options to order furniture, lighting and decorative accessories from their preferred sources.

Three ways online design services are different from local designers:

1. Length of time for the project--local designers offer start to finish services, and that usually includes custom made decor elements which take longer to deliver. E-design services often source retail furnishings that are ready to be ordered online and delivered immediately. Please note, some e-designers may be new to the industry, or because they make so little on the backend, the client may not get full focus as with an in-person designer.

2. Cost--the personalized services of local designers who manage a project from taking measurements to hiring contractors and supervising the work and installation of all furniture and decor items. All that time and custom work costs more.

3. Amount of work done by the client--With online design services, the client does the actual ordering, unboxing, and installation of furniture, draperies, and decorative accessories.

 Crossover Between the Two 

Local interior designers offer very personal design help and have tried and true contacts with whom they have experience, although some online services now offer local interior designers and contractors that can come to a client’s home to begin the design project and monitor the process. Also, as online design services have become popular, some local interior designers are offering limited e-design services, as well.

Online design services can help put all the pieces together to make sure your room is coherent and has that appealing appealing finished look.

Local interior designers specialize in big projects like the living room above. Custom seating, draperies, lighting are what local designers do exceptionally well. 

Whether a local interior designer or an online design service is chosen for a big whole-house design project or a small “finishing touches” project for one room, we understand clients are seeking design professionals who are knowledgeable and passionate about home interiors and care deeply about every project. We strive every day to respect the needs and expectations of our clients.

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

Decorating for Fall: Color

Decorating for fall is all about color. Is there anything more appealing than mountainsides awash in the vivid hues of fall foliage? Brilliant gold, deep orange, dark red--all can be translated beautifully into lush interior color palettes.

This year decorating for fall is even more fun. With colors boasting evocative names like Autumn Leaf, Dark Cheddar, Red Pear, Baked Apple, Butterscotch, Sugar Almond and Roasted Pecan, who can resist?

Today, let’s focus on that deep Red Pear and other complementary dark tones. Of course, any hues that mimic fall foliage work wonderfully together. 

Image Source: Pinterest

Photo Credit: Bombay Velvet Restaurant

Full-Color Makeover?

While not likely, this color option can create stunning results. If you’re ready for a total change and have the time and the budget, a room in colors like the one shown below will give you the change you’re craving and much more. Gorgeous hues, don’t you think?

Image Source: Pinterest

Photo Credit: Interior Marketing Group

Change Small Touches

 This is the same color palette as seen above, but this room only required a quick change of color for the season. Toss pillows, a throw, and a rug--just change them out, and you can immediately go from light and airy summer to the warm and cozy look of fall. No-fuss, no muss. Just quick and easy in a few minutes.

Get Creative with Fall Color

Who knew a long-legged bird could bring fall color to all-white spaces? The dark hues of the feathered creature can be picked up in decorative accessories like the vase seen in the adjacent room or with pillows, throws, or tabletop accessories. The colorful wall is one of those removable murals that are readily available right now. They’re easy to put up and take down. More importantly, the wall murals come in a variety of sizes and designs if unexpected birds are not your thing.

Photo Credit: Art by Andrea Ehrhardt

Image Source: Pinterest

So, you see fall decorating doesn’t have to be traditional. It doesn’t have to scream “fall foliage’ to create that wonder autumn feel. Time to light a fire in the fireplace, fill the house with scents of spiced apple cider or frothy hot chocolate and sit back and enjoy the great results of your mission to decorate for fall.

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

What Questions Should I Ask My Interior Designer in Our First Meeting?

So, you’ve hired an interior designer, and now you’re anticipating your first meeting. Whether you feel full of excitement or sense of anxiety or a little of both, your designer will help alleviate any worry you might have.  

They will come prepared with questions of their own to help them determine how they may best serve you and help you realize the vision you have for the final result. Once you prepare for your meeting by creating a list of questions to ask, you’ll show up confident knowing you will be able to work from a place of proactiveness when partnering with your designer.

In addition to a list of questions, we suggest you also create a profile of your home and family to share with your interior designer. This may take a bit of time to do up front but will cut down on the time you have to spend answering these same questions below your designer will ask.  

Get to Know Your Designer 

·       Visit their website and review their portfolio. 

·       Review the designer’s “about” page. 

·       Read any media spotlights or magazine features they provide. 

·       Browse their blog to get an idea of their approach. 

·       Visit their Houzz and social media profiles. 

 Questions to Ask Your Designer 

·       What is your process? 

·       Is my vision for my room/home realistic? 

·       How long will the project take? 

·       Will you manage the whole project? 

·       How much will I be involved and in what ways? 

·       Will my wants/needs fit within my budget to provide good quality and value in every aspect? 

·       How and when will you communicate project progress, status, and any over-budget costs? 

·       Do you see any potential issues or problematic elements for the project? 

·       Will I need to be present when contractors are scheduled, or will you accommodate? 

·       How will I need to prepare for the start of the project at home? 

·       Will you arrange for furniture to be moved out or will I need to? 

·       What do you require of me to get started? 

Questions to Ask Yourself 

·       How do I and my family use the proposed space? 

·       Will pets be allowed in the space? 

·       Will kids be playing in it? 

·       What does the project include? 

·       What would I like my designer to do? 

·       What pieces in the room or home are non-negotiable keepers? 

·       What is the general color palette I’m drawn towards? 

·       What style do I most like? 

·       Any special must-have features for my space? 

·       What is my budget for the project? 

·       What timeline would I like to follow? 

So, as mentioned, while it might take some time and effort to dig in and get your portion of the questions answered, it will ultimately be valuable to the success of the project and your designer's ability to complete it satisfactorily.  

Talk to you soon,

Paula R 

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