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5 FAST INTERIOR DESIGN TIPS

When taking on a home design project on your own there are many factors to keep in mind before moving forward with anything. These five decorating and design rules are worth checking out!

Let your seats communicate. Try laying out your seating so that every loveseat, armchair or couch has its own conversation partner. If the seating in your home doesn’t communicate, your friends and family won’t be able to either.

Float your furniture. Aligning every piece of furniture flat against the wall won’t make your room have more floor space. In actuality, “floating” the furniture, with space in between objects and walls, increases the appearance of space.

Find a focal point. Every room needs a statement piece to bring attention and create balance. This focal point should be the center of attention. Neutral colored furniture will make your space more open and inviting and draw attention to your centerpiece.

Cut the clutter. If you are having trouble funding your focal point then you probably have too much furniture already. Start evaluating every piece in each room and to see what fits and what does not fit. Time for spring-cleaning!

Take a photo. Snapping a picture can reveal a room’s hidden potential or weed out the bad decisions. A photo will help you appraise the room from an outsider’s perspective.

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR DESIGN BUDGET

The worst part about starting a new interior design project is managing your budget. Functional yet beautiful spaces are not easy to create. When self-designing your home here are a few tips to get you that stylish look with out breaking the bank!

Create a wish list. When budgeting for your home it’s always beneficial to create a list of your top priorities for home makeover. There are many places to find inspiration and start building your wish list! Once you have your list, start to narrow down your top interior items and then you can see what is most affordable for you.

Shop around and compare. Once you know what items or furniture you are getting it is best to look in multiple places to compare price, quality, and even delivery options. Select stores offer a buy online, shop in store option so you can shop for your items and choose a location to pick-up them up! This is a great option that will help you save on shipping!

Build a balance. Building a balance in your space is very important and determines what types of items you need. Sometimes all is takes is a statement piece to set the tone for a room. These investment pieces can qualify as a prominent cushion headboard in your bedroom or a rustic wood table in your living room. There are always the opportunities to hunt for pieces that will make your space unique and start a conversation. You can search within flea markets, antique shops, or even a neighborhood garage sale! Get these hidden gems for a fraction of the cost!

DECORATING CONCEPTS TO TRY THIS SPRING

Incorporating the changes of the season inside your home is always a fun way to change things up. Making your home warm and cozy for winter or bright and cheerful for the summer, there are always design ideas to match the season.

Today we are going to share with you some decorating concepts for springtime!

You can really bring your bathroom to life in the springtime with some bright towels. Ditch those plain old towels with new ones in vivacious hues or punchy patterns.

Upgrade any dull doors with bright colors are treatments to help them stand out. This will definitely make an entrance and bring character into your home.

Paint all the trim in your home! This will help bring out the intricate architectural features like floorboards, crown moldings and doorframes. For an ultra chic look try using black or charcoal grey as your accent color. Choosing a livelier hue will come off as very playful and exciting.

Chancing up the lay out of your home is a small design trick that can truly make a huge impact. Even the smallest of changes can re-energize the space and make it feel brand new!

5 FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN RENOVATING A SPACE

Home renovation can be very exciting and rewarding, however it can also be very overwhelming. Too help avoid a stressful experience we have sourced 5 tips to help you get through the process in one piece!

1. It’s all about the Benjamin’s!
When starting your renovation it is important to determine your initial budget. After you have fully mapped out and defined your budget you should add an extra 15% as a contingency. There are always problems that can arise when renovating, so the extra cash will definitely come in handy! Always check in with contractors to make sure you are on track financially to avoid any hiccups.

2. Staying or selling?
Before you start making any big changes it is important to decide whether or not you’re going to live in the property afterwards, renting it out, or selling it. Making this decision early on helps guide renovation choices such as choosing finishes, picking color and design schemes, as well as structural layouts.

3. #Goals
To help achieve your home goals and make your dreams a reality, start off with compiling your inspirational ideas. Pinning your ideas onto a Pinterest board is at least a starting place to get the creative juices flowing. Once your ideas are intact is it smart to renovate each plot in stages to keep on track with your budget.

4. What your design style?
After solidifying your goals and interior inspiration you can then carve out your very own design style. If the property is going to be your home, feel free to be bold about your paint swatches and furniture choices. If you decide that you are going to put the property on the market then you are better off opting for neutral finishes.

5. Work work work work work!
One question you must ask yourself is once your planning is set is what part of the renovation process are you actually going to do on your own.

If you enjoy the dirty work, you could roll up your sleeves and save some money. Try and be honest with yourself and what level of demand this renovation is. To save the agony and stress, have the interior design professionals step in and work with you. Professional advice will save you from future headaches of this project.

HIGH-END INTERIOR DECORATION INSPIRATION OF THE WEEK: ROYALTY

Today we are going to take you across the pond for some royal inspiration. We are going to show you the extravagance and elegance of the Queen’s palace. The best room in your home to add a regal touch in the bedroom!

In 1993, when Buckingham Palace first opened its doors to the public, it attracted crowds from across the world anxious to see where Her Majesty The Queen lives. Thousands of visitors line up year after year to gaze in astonishment at this masterwork of extravagance.

The palace’s ornate architectural history can be traced back to the early 17th century, but it was not until the reign of George IV that it began to transform into the opulent showpiece we know today. Regency architect John Nash was put in charge of designing the new property, adding the grand staircase with its dazzling gilt-bronze foliate balustrades. From the majestic, marble columns in the impressive entrance to the acres of green – emerald silk walls, porcelain and jade upholstery – in one of the drawing rooms, Nash transformed the palace into an archetype for luxury that continues to inspire designers the world over.

Although not everyone can afford these luxuries we can all borrow a bit of its glamour. You can try this by mixing and matching pieces that are old and new. You can always add a touch of gold to a room to glamorize it a bit.

You can add priceless art and antiques to up the lux-decor in your living room or try it in the dining room.

There is tremendous history in the Palace’s design and architecture and you will find amazing inspiration from the Queen!

MAISON&OBJET ANNOUNCES THIS YEARS TOP TALENT

Maison&Objet Americas has announced its picks for this year’s Rising Talents. The six up-and-coming designers representing North and South America were chosen by a committee based on their work as designers as well as their commitment to helping usher the design community into the future.

On April 5, two of the six Rising Talents, which include Samuel Amoia, a designer from the United States who uses natural materials in his work, and Javier Gomez, an artist and photographer from Panama who’s based in New York City, attended an event at the Carpenters Workshop Gallery in NYC, along with Maison&Object Americas director Gastón Isoldi, announcing their designation. The six designers will be showcasing some of their work at next month’s fair and there also will be an award ceremony held in their honor.

One of Maison&Objet’s goals is to promote design and give the Rising Talents a platform to expose their work to buyers and the international media. Isoldi stated that Javier Gomez has been selected because of the unique way he applies his photography of buildings to design and Samuel Amoia’s great talent to create furniture using innovative techniques.

This is the second year that the 20-year-old fair will be held in the United States. The next fair in Paris will be held September 2-6.

TOP 4 TIPS ON DECORATING WITH TEXTURE

Texture when designing a room can be overlooked, however it has the power to set the tone for the overall mood of a room. If you have every stepped into a room for the first time and felt it was warm and inviting, texture is the reason!

In interior design, textures are either visual or tactile. Visual textures appeal to the eyes and are usually noticed on first glance. In contrast, tactile textures require a closer look and need to be touched to be appreciated.

Here are some major tips when decorating with texture!

Accentuate Contrast
Usually texture is crafted by changing the surfaces of furnishings that provide either a visual or tactile appeal. The most obvious application of implementing texture is through the selection and use of textiles. All fabrics look and feel totally different. You can create a visual and tactile interest with fabric, which can accentuate or balance the other elements in the environment.

All About Balance
Texture in a room needs to balance out. An example of unbalanced texture is pairing a shag-type rug with a leather sofa. You typically wouldn’t want combine 2 high textured fabrics. If you go the monochromatic color scheme in your home design, texture helps create depth in the environment. Try adding soft texture with faux fur rugs.

From the Ground Up
Of course the best place to start playing with texture in your home is right under your feet! Floors can be worked with many typed if textures such as tile, stone, wood, carpet and concrete. These textures all create their own unique style to a home. Choosing a rug for you floors is a way to find balance in the room by pairing 2 different textures.

Layer Over Neutrals
When you start of your home in neutrals and are excited to make it more interesting texture is the way to do it. Try adding texture to your neutral landscape with animal hides, fur throws, and leather. These textured fabrics will add another layer to neutrals. Try adding dimension with wood grain, textured wallpaper, metal and tile. Combining these textures can create a truly delightful space.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR HOME FURNITURE AND DESIGN STYLE

Today I am going to share with you some tips about choosing the right furniture for your home. I will also be helping you find your unique design style. Shopping for big-ticket items like couches and dressers are truly an investment. Make sure you consider style, value, and color when building a room.

Break the rules and mix thing up!
When coming up with your own home design style it is all about breaking the rules! You can start by finding a print that you love. If the print has multiple colors this allows for more options of mixing and matching different types of furniture.

Doing too much of one thing can come off as basic. Vintage, modern and rustic can work together to create something distinctive and personal, yet chic. Match that 18th-century sofa with a modern rug and it’s a whole new look.

Embrace your differences
Most couples to have different tastes when it comes to home decorating. They each have a strong sense of what they do and don’t like. Since the best interior spaces are about combining looks and styles into one cool space, designing with a partner can lead to magic design moments. Don’t be afraid to take risks and try things in unconventional combinations. This is when the magic happens and you find your unique home style.

Go for quality
No matter what kind of home item it is, buy the best quality you can in your budget! Well-made furniture pieces can be more expensive but can actually last a lifetime! They can then be passed on from generation to generation. With the help of a professional interior designer you can find the perfect piece you are looking for!

ACCESSORY NECESSITIES FOR YOUR FIRST HOME

See these home take-a-ways from this great Vogue article, “20 Things Every 20-Something Needs in Their First Home”. When you are young and getting to decorate your own space for the first time finding your design style can be hard.

Take advantage of some advice from some of the most learned designers out there!

“A good Dutch oven from a brand like Le Creuset. You can cook everything in one of these—spaghetti sauces, risottos, stir-fry—or even a roasted chicken! It also looks great on the table when serving family style.”
—Kate Arends, Wit & Delight

“Good bedding, like Restoration Hardware’s linen sheets, and a butterfly chair—which is iconic and movable. Also, most rentals are a horrible shade of institutional beige. A fresh coat of white paint—and halogen light bulbs—are game-changers.”
—Patrick Mele, interior designer

“A wine glass set. Gone are the days where mismatched glasses are okay. Skip using the decanter for alcohol and fill it with your mixers instead. Nothing looks worse than juice cartons on your bar. Also, an amazing candle is one of the best affordable luxuries you can get for your home. Remember that good environments tap into each of the senses, and scent is always key.”
—Alex Reid, head designer of The Studio at One Kings Lane

“Get one good piece of furniture every year. My first decent purchase was a Barcelona coffee table—it made all my hand-me-downs look better.”
—Emily Summers, interior designer

REDESIGNING YOUR BATHROOM? CHECK OUT SOME NEW DESIGN IDEAS!

Every room in your home has an elemental purpose. Each room needs equal attention if you want to exude luxury in your interior design. The smallest room in your home needs just as much vigilance as the biggest. One of the rooms you spend plenty of time in, prepping for a party or every morning to brush your teeth, the bathroom one of the most important environments in the home. Keeping it spotless and topping it off with a fresh design is essential to a happy home.

Just because the bathroom is a the room in the house that serves a not so glamorous purpose doesn’t mean it has to look boring! With a few little changes you can turn it into a stylish room. Start your morning with a bright and warm room while it also calms you down for a good night sleep.

Check out some great interior design ideas to give your bathroom a facelift!

Bench and rain showerhead:
If you want to shower in pure bliss and peacefulness then why not take a seat and let the rain pour over you. No shower has ever felt so good with a rain showerhead. The Kohler round showerhead mixes technology and luxury to create a contemporary and elegant bathroom necessity. Getting to sit on a bench while you shower just tops off your showering experience.

Built in storage:
A sparkling and organized bathroom can be life changing. Why not have it all with storage components built into your wall! These modern storage features are not only bringing functionality to your bathroom but a bold style. Picture it now; your walls become your storage space, saving space while saving time to find what you need in hurry.

Freestanding bathtub:
A traditionally and classic look for your bathroom is the freestanding bathtub. Picture your new tub taking center stage in your bathroom creating a space that is uniquely yours. This look exudes luxury and can set you apart from other homeowners.

Vessel sink:
The vessel sink is a sink stripped down to its most basic elements: a spout and a washbasin. This unique look adds character and modern flair to you bathroom. You can see some great options and styles here.

Define you bathroom with tiles…
Go exotic with bold and beautiful Arabesque ceramic tile. This would give you bathroom confidence and refinement. Go modern with innovative geometric tiles. This will look sleek and futuristic in such a small space.

Add a splash of colors and patterns…
Especially when you have an all white and crisp bathroom color and pattern can really go a long way. You can add these bright colors and patterns within your bathroom accessories such as your towels for example! Test out the Chromatropic pattern trend here!

Accessorize with luxury…
You can find affordable Egyptian cotton towels that will give your bathroom that high-end flair with out breaking the bank.

Glam Lights
Make more of a statement in your bathroom and get rid of the industrial fluorescent overhead light! Look for a unique and artistic light fixture and add some LED bulbs and you are on your way! Now you can glam up your bathroom with a stand out piece.

Punchy Wallpaper
Making an easy and affordable change is simple with this trick. Pick out patterns that pops and you can completely transform your bathroom. You can base the whole style of the room with the wallpaper and wont need any additional artwork! Have you visitors be spellbound when stepping into the room.

Smarter Storage
If you are short on storage in your bathroom, and your linen cabinet is overflowing, try adding a bracketed shelf above the sink made of glass. This will add a ledge for toiletries. You can also install shelves with doors that sit above the back of your toilet. This is a discreet and quick storage fix.

As you can see there are various ways to rejuvenate this room and keep it high end and fresh. Make sure to look into every design element in your home.

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