Coastal Living at it's Finest!

Coastal living has always been sought after for relaxation or to get away from your everyday routine. Some people chose to live on the coast full time and I am sure they enjoy every minute of it. If you choose to build a waterfront home make sure the views are first priority! From every part of home you should see a stunning view, no acceptations. Now, here are some tips when you decide to make your dream retirement home or just have a love for water. Like I said before, the views are priority, why else would you live there, right? The main living areas, kitchen, bedrooms and even the bathrooms and laundry areas should have a view. even if you can't put a huge picture window, think of how you use that space and position your windows accordingly. Here are some rooms that take advantage of their amazing views without sacrificing functionality.  Enjoy!

 Ah the first view you have when you awake. Stunning right? For a bedroom you always want the view to be facing the bed so when you rise and shine you instantly feel refreshed. Also a great way to start your day. Adding a stone fireplace to blend with the natural rocks outside is a great way to blend the inside and out nicely. Also think about native materials when choosing them for the interior.

 Now you always want to have a water friendly area accessible from the outside, And this sitting room is just that. You can relax in a more casual space that you can sit in your wet swim suits. When the weather is nice this is a great feature to have a wall of doors that fully open to the deck. Then you can enjoy the view, be "outside"  and not get sunburned all from a comfortable seat.

  What a comfortable looking room. The picture window and door give you living art that changes with the seasons. Who wouldn't want that! People tend to steer away from light color fabircs but using indoor/ outdoor fabric, such as Sunbrella, can allow you to get the crisp, clean look you want and still be able to clean it if something happened.

  Who needs lighting when you have this much natural when putting your make up on in the morning! Most people like a mirror in the bathroom and this is great application so you don't obstruct the wonder beach view.  With plenty of storage this bathroom has all you need and much more!

Hope you enjoyed this week's inspiration! Get ready for summer and enjoy! 

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Storing Wine....Creatively!

Wine storage for those of us who lack a cellar or just don't have a large collection of bottles these are some great storage ideas for you! Some of these ideas are DIY which is always fun others are ideas for when you decide to finally renovate that kitchen you have always dreamed of! Wine storage is something people often look over and just simply buy a table top rack that holds few bottles.  That doesn't seem like a very creative idea for your precious wine collection, does it? You want your display to standout and house your wonderful collection for all to see. Here are a few ideas to get your thinking. Enjoy!

 

 Above the cabinets in the kitchen has always been a place to store bottles, but what if you could integrate your storage system? This kitchen shows the holes in the brick wall but this could easily be done on a typical wall or any material for that matter, just make sure to plan for it when designing your kitchen.

 

 Ah concrete, one of my favorite materials to use in design. Inexpensive, industrial looking and durable.

 Postal tubes are great for shipping drawings or anything that can be rolled up easily, but wine storage? Yes, please! Cut them down to your desired size, arrange your design and ta da! Easy on the wallet so you can buy more wine to store in your DIY storage system.

 This teardrop design is simple and sleek and a perfect piece for modern designed interior.

 Reclaimed wood is another one of my favorite materials to use in design. This can be a DIY project that is sure to hold your all of your bottles.

Oh the classic wine cellar look. If you can get your hands on one or two these would make great storage for a small collection. Can either be free standing or mounted on the wall!

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The Modern Bedroom

Ah....the bedroom. The place where you retire at night, read in bed, snuggle with your partner and of course sleep. Bedrooms should be a relaxing and clutter-free space, so when you wake up to start your day you feel refreshed and happy! Being an interior designer, I sometimes get asked to design a bedroom or two. This is always fun for me! Bedrooms usually consist of lots of textiles and soft materials which can make your room have that cozy, curl up feeling. A client of mine had seen a previous bedroom I designed on my website and was so happy to find a designer that didn't just add "stuff" to a room to fill voids. Empty space can be beautiful and should be in every room. It gives your eyes a resting place and can make a space look larger than it really is. Below are a few bedrooms I designed with a somewhat minimalist approach. Enjoy!

 

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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Clean it Up: Bathroom Edition

A Bathroom is usually where you start your morning once you get the energy to roll out of your comfy bed. Bathrooms are especially important because it gets used everyday. Functionality in this space is crucial and they best way to get the most of our your bathroom is to evaluate your routine. How many people are using it, what times and the order of tasks you go through each morning. These particular bathrooms below are all crisp and clean in white. This can be very relaxing in the morning and keep you calm, rather than stressed.  Some may think an all white bathroom is boring but with the right textures and some lacquer finishes you can create interest without having to introduce any other colors! Let the form of the bathroom fixtures make create the interest. Take a look and let us know what you think! Enjoy! 

Tiling the wall all the way to the ceiling is a great way to give your bathroom more height and with a hot shower your walls won't be sweating they moisture will just run right off. 

Windows at the ceiling line brings in lots of light without sacrificing privacy. Even in the shower you can have a window! 

White Shelves and white accessories make this white bathroom even whiter! Little hints of stainless steel break up the all white bathroom.

The flooring is amazing! Small flat stones give a much needed texture and natural pattern for a white bathroom. 

 Reflective surfaces like mirrors and glass let the light bounce around the space, making it appear as if there is more light than there really is.

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Design Details: 5 Tips for a Perfect Kitchen

When designing a kitchen there is a lot that goes into it. Things that you may have never thought about until your designer brought them to your attention. Things like what counter top edge or a handle or knob for your cabinets do you prefer. These are things that can bring your kitchen together and make it reflect you.  Whether you are doing a few small kitchen upgrades or gutting and starting over these are some good things to keep in mind. Enjoy!

Tile: Stone? Glass? Ceramic? Think about how you cook, do you splatter occasionally or are you as neat as can be? These make a difference when selecting a tile for your back splash and even your floor.  Stone is a natural product which many people like but if not sealed properly it can be prone to stains and if the stone tile is heavily textured it could get food particles stuck in the crevices. Glass is pretty easy to clean,  not usually a good idea for floors. Now it can show fingerprints and water spots but those disappear once you wipe it off. Ceramic tile is a good inexpensive option and durable.  Ceramic comes in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes so if you are looking for ceramic you will can easily find something you like.

Lighting: Overhead and Task Lighting is important in a working kitchen. Usually when doing a remodel recessed lights are a great choice but don't forget about task lighting. Under cabinet lighting is a great choice fr task lighting. Overhead light can be blocked by your shadow when doing tasks like cutting veggies. Make sure not to overlook this important detail that can make cooking in your kitchen more functional. 

Counter Tops: Granite? Concrete? Wood? Granite has reigned champion for many years now and yes it is durable, its a rock. But there are other options and regardless what material you choose think about the finished edge of your counter top. Bull nose is commonly used in more traditional designs or a rounded bevel edge but think beyond your neighbors kitchen. If you are going for a more modern look then maybe a 90 degree edge is best.  Granite is abundant but who knows how long we will be able to source it. Keep in mind granite does need to be sealed and every year or so you could reseal it to keep it looking great. Concrete, this versatile man-made material is making a splash in the residential interior design world.  Concrete counter top fabricators can make exactly what you want; you can get any color you want by staining it and you can also get additional materials set in the concrete. I have done a concrete with recycled glass set in it and it turned out great! So no it doesn't have to be just grey. Wood Counter tops are making a comeback! For people who do a lot of prep work (chopping) a wood counter could be your own built in butcher block! But some prefer only doing a certain section of their counters in wood. Also wood can be used as an interesting bar material. A slab of wood with a live edge can be a great accent in a kitchen and even a conversation piece. 

Cabinet Hardware: Handle or Knob? Think how you grab to open a drawer or cabinet. This will help you make a comfortable decision.  Some prefer knobs that are easy to grab others prefer pulls or a handle style. If you have a tendency to brush against the cabinets and snag your clothes then something with a smooth edge or doesn't stick out too far is probably what you want to keep in mind when looking for new cabinet hardware.  Also placement on the drawer or cabinet can make a difference in ease of use.

Cabinet Finish:Gloss or Matte Think about the other elements in your kitchen. Did you go with a glossy glass back splash or high gloss counters? You want some variety in your materials. Try to not make every surface the same gloss level. If you have high shine on back splash and/or counters then consider doing a more matte finish on cabinets. If you go with a natural stone that has a matte finish then high gloss cabinets can be a good choice to create more interest. 

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Working With an Interior Designer: What to Know

When most people are looking to hire an interior designer, they usually think of the finishes: what colors or textures they want and forget there is so much before that point to achieve the aesthetic a client is looking for. An interior designer goes beyond whats on the surface and begins focus on the space itself.  How a person uses, travels through, and envisions the space as whole unit.  Want to learn more? Then read on!

What an interior designer does:  For starters, an interior designer has an education and professional experience.  Interior designers consult with you to help determine project goals and objectives, generate ideas for the functional and aesthetic possibilities of the space, create illustrations and renderings, develop documents and specifications relative to interior spaces in compliance with, allocate, organize and arrange a space to suit its function, manage construction and installation of design, select and specify fixtures, furnishings, products, materials and colors, purchase products and fixtures.  When to hire one: When you are too busy to do it all yourself.  A designer will help you save time and money. If you spend vast amounts of time flipping through design magazines or websites looking for design ideas. When you are open to suggestions. An interior designer will do the work for you and get it right the first time.

What it will cost: Some designers work on hourly, flat, cost plus fees. In my experience my clients like to know what they are paying up front.  After our initial design consultation, I work up a flat fee for the project and provide you with details about the project. This ensures you truly will be happy with our design.

Be sure the designer is a good match for your style.  Look through their website, take a look at past projects and find reviews of them. These will give you a better idea of their work and if you think they would be a good fit for you.

Collect samples.  Have photos of interiors or products you like. These help the designer get a visual of what you like. There are great websites for ideas such as houzz and pinterest. 

Decide in advance which pieces must stay.  Sometimes you want to get rid of everything and start over, and that can be done, but think about what you like. You purchased items in your home because you liked them. So go through your home or room and pick out what you want to be re-worked into the design. If you truly want to start with a clean slate, that works too but keep in mind a realistic budget when doing so.

Involve the designer as early as possible in the building process. The earlier the better. This will prevent moving backwards or having to re-do something. If you are building a new home and have the option to select your flooring, cabinets, counter tops, fixtures and paint this is when a designer should be brought in.  They can make sure all of the selections work with each other and then move into the next design phase.

Try to have all household members present at the outset. Whoever is using the space it is best to have them present in the decision making. This ensures the proper design elements are present and happiness in the design will be achieved. Ask the designer to clarify billing procedures.  Make sure everyone is on the same page with billing. This is something to be discussed early in the project to ensure a smooth progress throughout the design process.

Keep an open mind.  An interior designer will have other ideas that you may have not considered. You want your home to reflect you and be unique. There might be things your designer shows you that you love but had never heard of before and that is what will make you truly happy with the finished space.

Look toward refreshing down the road. Interior design is always evolving which means your needs and/or taste may change over the years and that is ok. Let your interior change with you.  It is living art, embrace it.

If you are ready to make your house a dream home please contact us, we would love to help make that happen!

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Get Ready for Summer!

Spring is here which means it is almost Summer! For those of you who become pool rats once May hits, then this blog entry is for you! More and more people are relaxing at home for some of their time off during the Summer so to me it made sense to visit some of the best swim-up bars! They have increased in popularity when homeowners are designing their backyard paradise. Here is some design inspiration for your next backyard design! Enjoy!

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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Spring Cleaning Tips 2013

Its about that time! Flowers start to bloom and outdoor activities are planned. But what about the inside of your home? Does it need a little sprucing up? Organize that area you have been talking about for the past 3 months? You don't have to spend a lot (or if any) to make an impact on your organization around the home! Here are some tips that can help you get inspired or perhaps make it happen sooner than you expected! Enjoy!

The number one place that people usually start with in their spring cleaning journey is the closet! It is usually the most area in need since it gets used everyday! Go through and try on everything and decide if you still like it, looks good on your or if you need to pass it along to someone else who could put it to good use. Once the items you no longer want/need are gone organize the rest and hang clothes on the same type of hangers for a cohesive look.

Additional Tips Here

 Messy box of wrapping materials get you stressed? Well think about hanging your ribbon spools and other accessories on a multiple pan hanger and a jewelry pouch hanger. New uses for common items!

 Free storage containers!!! Made spaghetti last night? Use that jar for storing dry goods that usually come in a bag. This will keep them fresher and make better use of your pantry shelf space.

 Some pantries don't come with ample storage for spices or other small food items but making use of dead wall space is perfect for small spice racks attached to the wall! Inexpensive and easy to do-it-yourself! Hooray for having everything visible and easy to find! 

 For More Ideas

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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Home Edition: Workout at Home in YOUR Gym

Tired of going to the gym? Having to wait for a machine? Well there is an option! Create your very own home gym. Think about what you use the most at the gym, is it dumbbells? Treadmill? Cable Machine? Whatever it might be; be selective in your equipment. Get creative with exercises and working out at home gives you more flexibility that adjusting your workout schedule to the gym's. These are some home gyms that would make anyone want to workout! Also can save you money in the long term. So save time, money and hassle....get your pump on at home! Enjoy!

 Be creative! Don't just leave your walls bare, make it feel like the rest of your home, bring in colors and textures. When it feels pleasant you will want to spend more time in there.

 Like working out like you are in fight club? Make the space dark, paint the walls and ceiling dark. for some people this brings concentration to your workout and you can actually get better results.

 Ahh the sun! Natural light is key for some people. And what about those beautiful days you wish you could do your gym workout outside? There is a solution for that! Sliding window/door panels. The nice breeze feels great too!

 For some colors and textures are distracting...so eliminate those and go with a simple architecturally designed space. White walls, lots of natural light and a simple wood floor is the perfect backdrop for getting a clean workout in.

Don't have room for a whole gym? Use part of your home office, it can be a cable system like this one. You can do various exercises with a cable machine and this particular one looks great with the rest of the room so when you aren't working out the machine doesn't stick out like a sore thumb!

 

 

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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Color of 2013: Emerald Green

Green has always been a favorite color of mine. I have green eyes which I think was when I first fell in love with green! Although my eyes are emerald green....they are still green! :)

Rich, saturated colors are so bold and make such a statement in a space. Please are naturally drawn to eye-catching things(such as bright colors) and it stimulates the brain and makes people think! That is how I feel about interiors, in my designs I always have elements that standout on purpose! It creates more interest and keep people in that space longer usually. Well I have yet to use emerald this year in my designs but I am sure it will be used soon with all these beautiful examples of the hue! Enjoy!

 Oh my! These tiles are gorgeous! A stunning use of the color, but make sure you are going to still love it for years to come. They even used the tiles in a vertical and horizontal pattern which gives it more of a modern look!

Love the color but not sure where to bring it in to your space? Well a great way is in a small accent piece, such as a nightstand. Mix it with other patterns and colors for a mixed look! 

 

 Want a quick fix for a bland room? Pillows are a great inexpensive way to bring in color. Whether you change your pillows for the season or every year or so this is a great way to keep your home looking fresh!

   Paint, the other quick fix for adding color. Keeping your furniture neutral is a great way to add accents elsewhere in the room. Like the wall for instance, and a can of paint makes a statement and is easy on the wallet!  

   Bathrooms look great in white but sometimes white can be lonely, which is why a friend is nice to bring in.  Here the emerald is paired nicely with the crisp white on the walls and a few decorative accessories.

 

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

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