COVID19: The Remote Designer

During this time we all are trying to have some normality in this weird time and designers are just like every other professional trying to keep projects going. This particular project was done completely remotely. It took a team of people to make this happen but the finish product turned out just the way I designed it!

The beginning started with construction drawings from the builder, for me that gave me a sense of how much of each material was going to be throughout the home. So when I began sourcing materials this was a key point in making sure nothing was overkill or too subtle for each space.

This particular builder had a some options for countertops and cabinet finishes and these were my building blocks for the rest of the selections. I helped my client decide what direction they wanted to go and what overall look they were trying to achieve.

Also this being a semi custom home we wanted to make sure each space had slightly different selections but all coordinated throughout the entire home.

The kitchen selections turned out great together with the warm natural wood floor, soft gray cabinets and a white quartz with a little grey speckle throughout, finished off with a stone looking skinny rectangular back splash tile.

In the master bathroom we wanted a relaxing but sophisticated look. A wall like that looks like concrete and a hexagon shape floor tile to coordinate with so different pattern and texture for all the other surfaces in the bathroom. So drama with the darker grey wood stained vanity and added lightness with the white quartz counters for a high contrast look.

For the guest bath we went with a matte finish wall tile, which looks so clean and minimal just something other than a white subway tile. This tile did the trick! contracting with all the chrome fixtures these two finishes really complement each other well.

This was a home built in Philadelphia and I work in Houston. I share this info because I have had potential clients in the past say "Oh I don't live in Houston, but I really love your work and want to work together!" This is a possibility and a great finished product came out of it! This is one of a handful of remote projects I have successfully completed and so happy to have people who enjoy my work and want me to be a part of their new home.

If you have a project in mind but just don't know where to start, we can help! Contact us! 

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Designing Smart and Healthy Spaces: COVID19

All of us have been affected by COVID19 and before this pandemic time design requirements looked a little bit different.  Hospitals and medical settings were on the forefront of sanitizing and preventing spread of germs in interior design. That importance is spreading into everyday design for residential, office and restaurant/hospitality design. A majority of my design work is residential but occasionally a small office or hair salon make it into my design work.

Keeping surfaces clean is making its way to being top priority for everything aspect of life. This can start with interior designers doing their part when sourcing materials for projects. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) has been doing it's part in recognizing designs that take it's impact on the world seriously and making better design choices for the greater good. I am happy to see that I see more LEED residential projects each year and this is what we need as a society. Better materials, smarter design and overall less negative impact on us.

To touch on a few key points, clean-ability, durability and sourcing local have always been important in my design selections for clients. Now these will still remain important but now we add another up and coming important element in material selections, killing bacteria! There are materials out there that have anti-microbial elements to help kill and keep surfaces cleaner and less likely to spread diseases. Some materials commonly in hour home that could have a healthier option to a traditional material. Countertops, tile and paint are all good places to start when designing a kitchen or bathroom in your home.  Silestone is one of those manufacturers who design their material to help keep bacteria away and not penetrate into the surface.

Another company that takes killing germs seriously is Sherwin Williams, they have formulated a paint called paint shield that is seen mostly in hospitals for it's ability to kill surface bacteria quickly. I think we will see that product in homes more often since COVID19.

Tile is also one of those materials that can be formatted to be easier to clean and resist bacteria to grow on it's surface. Natural stone tiles isn't always the best choice as something like a porcelain might be better suited for a certain application. Interceramic is another manufacturer who is taking "green" design seriously in not only commercial spaces but applying that into residential spaces. Having safer, smarter and cleaning materials will improve our quality of life and reduce our chances of spreading germs.

Sometimes these materials might be more costly than it's less health conscious option nut in the long run your health is important and these materials with these technologies can last you longer therefore remodeling as often might not be needed. When thinking of your next design project, remember there are healthier material optinos and you should ask your designer for these if this is an important thing for you.

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Urban Residence: The Dwelling of a Homo Sapiens Urbano

At the turn of the twentieth century, a novel and peculiar species of man evolved: the homo sapiens urbano. Distinct from other species of man, the homo sapiens urbano tactfully merges elements of the outside concrete jungle with the sacred space inside their home. This urban residence transforms into a serene escape from city life while keeping consistent with the neutral palette and pops of color seen in any bustling cityscape. 

 

 As a functional city requires a straightforward, streamlined layout; so does a functional home. The homo sapiens urbano has a heightened awareness of this necessity, as evidenced in the minimalist philosophy that defines the style of this clean living space.

Additionally, this species proves to be quite territorial, marking its space with unique artifacts such as the custom paintings and artwork displayed throughout the home. These offer opportunity for abstract thought, profound reflection, or simply for aesthetic admiration for the artist.  

The dwelling place of the homo sapiens urbano achieves balance between dark and light by using slightly muted tones of orange and yellow that accent the stone and light sapphire painted walls. 

Just as blooming flora and bright fauna diversify an environment, the color, shape, and texture of pillows, rugs, throws, upholstery and other accent textiles simultaneously offer diversity and comfort to this urban abode.  

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Let the Inspiration Begin!

Hi There!  Glad you found my blog! I am Suzanne and I hope to inspire you with fresh, fun ideas for your dwelling.  Whether you are new to the wonderful world of design or you are an enthusiast like me, you will find something that inspires!

But first, I will share with you a little about me! I enjoy all kinds of design and anything creative. Sharing ideas and the creativity it sparks is what drove me to blogging.

I hope to highlight some new ideas and products that you would have maybe missed, if it wasn't for this design blog.  Giving you some inspiration and a place to connect with me and other design loving people.

Here are a few of my favorite things! Enjoy.

 This is the way to use a bold color in a room.  Just a little for the accent chair and in a few medium accessories and VOILA!  Also, notice the different wood tones. Perfect way to blend them without being matchy-matchy. It creates a more "collected" look that looks like you built your room piece by piece.

 Gore Design Co. makes these AH-mazing sinks out of concrete. I think they're beautiful and really durable. Definitely having one made for my next bathroom design!

The Eames Lounge Chair. 

Best chair all around (obviously my favorite)- it is comfortable and looks good in just about any space. Pair it with an ultra  modern living room or a relaxed cottage living room, pretty sure it will look great in both! 

  

 I did a similar photo arrangement in my first place.  Random frames, all painted to match and black and white pictures. Did this down the entire hall it had a cool effect- cohesive yet eclectic.

The santomer dining table has always been one of my favs! Its reclaimed wood from building tear downs.  You can get the base in various stains but I love the striking look of ebony stained mahogany. Pair this with any style of chair; I like the ghost chair from Kartell. 

 I LOVE exposed brick! I have yet to have some in any of my dwellings but someday I will have it! 

There is just something about old brick paired with new furniture.....so delish. 

Unique storage is always fun! What would have been a hollow blank wall 

can be transformed into a wall of bookshelves! Giving you plenty of storage for all you 

book lovers and an attractive wall of art!

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Welcome the sun with filtered light!

When sunlight peaks through tree branches to create rays of filtered light, I can't help but feel surrounded by absolutely mystifying beauty. However, as we approach midwinter, we don't get to see the sun as often as we'd like or witness streams of sunlight. But don't worry- the sun will come out... next season! So, when spring finally comes, welcome the sun into your home with warm, filtered light. Now is the perfect time for implementing an inundation of flowing streams of light into your home. Enjoy!

 Angled ceiling skylights allow for bright, beautiful light beams to burst in and brighten a bedroom.

 These 'floating' stairs slice the sunlight, creating streams that pour light into an otherwise dismal stair well.

 Filtered light doesn't always have to be fragmented light- the sunlight enters this home through textured, opaque windows.

All about the angles- the thick windowpanes set at drastic angles offers a a unique edge to this modern, earthy dwelling

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Amazing Indoor Pools!

I have yet to design an indoor pool but one day I will have that chance and I will have such great ideas! So of course I wanted to share some of these great designs with you! Enjoy.

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I'm on a boat!

I have seen more modern houseboats than ever before! History shows us that people migrate to where water is....so why not be surrounded by it?Having an unconventional house literally floating on the water isn't for everyone (especially if you get sea sick) but it makes for a unique home that you can move it virtually anywhere! These are some houseboats from around the world. Enjoy!

 

The Eames Lounge Chair.

 The first chair created by American design couple Charles and Ray Eames.  Over the last 6 decades this chair has evolved with the interiors it has been place so carefully in.  This is great design, something that is well-known for over half a century. One day I will own one myself, but for now I dream. I just wanted to share these wonderful interiors.  Enjoy!