Kid Friendly Interiors

My favorite rooms to design are for children, give me a bedroom or playroom any day.  You can be as bold as you dare with color, pattern, and scale.  I highly encourage wallpaper or stencils to provide a playful backdrop.  Take a look at these fun wall coverings.....

Ok so now you've found an awesome wallpaper, time to start building off it.  Pick an accent color out of the paper, and paint a piece of furniture this color.  I like to pick a bright color for the accent, navy doesn't have the impact that lime green can.  You can also use this step as a money saver.  Get an old piece from a second hand store and give it a fresh coat of pint.

Lighting can make a big impact in a child's bedroom or playroom.  I try not to get anything super "theme-y", but I typically go for something with color and a larger scale.  These are some of my favorites...

Lastly, add a bit of whimsy.  Anything to make your child's room more unique and show their personality will do just fine.

Photo Credits: http://www.bambinogoodies.co.uk/funky-walls-red-boats-wallpaper/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BambinoGoodies+%28Bambino+Goodies+-+Highlighting+coolness+for+under+5%27s+%26+their+discerning+parents%29&utm_content=Google+Reader, rosenberry rooms, marthastewart.com, http://honeyandfitz.com/2014/07/09/the-occupational-hazards-of-looking-for-wallpaper-falling-in-love-with-a-discontinued-pattern/, apartment therapy.com, better homes and garden, http://anextraordinaryday.net/its-all-about-yellow/, http://charmingincharlotte.blogspot.com/2013/11/one-room-challenge-big-reveal.html, land of nod, http://klarailoti.wix.com/ideas-y-tendencias?_escaped_fragment_=recicla/c1cj5, http://decorativebedroom.com/22-cool-toddler-girl-room-ideas/, http://www.designsponge.com/2013/09/a-home-filled-with-color-pattern-and-love.html, 

Accessorizing Your Home

As an interior designer, my biggest pet peeve is when a space is left unfinished.  I recently toured a fabulous home, literally jaw dropping!  But it wasn't complete.  The architecture and finishes were stunning, but there were probably 5 pictures hung on the walls! No candles, sculptures, anything!  And this was a multi million dollar home, but I felt they looked a little house poor ( which is not the case).  I don't know why the design was never finished, but in our much more humble homes, I'm sure many of us can relate.  It is difficult to polish off every last space, but you will be so happy once it's done.  Maybe you don't know how to finish off your home besides hanging a piece of art or a couple picture frames, and that's ok!   Here are a couple ways I think you can accessorize your space...

Gallery Walls are a great way to fill a wall, and it doesn't need to just be art.  You can place clocks, mirrors, or any interesting object.  The key is to keep the spacing uniform. 

So maybe you don't have a large wall to fill. Maybe the problem child is the awkward medium size wall, in which I would suggest stacking some art vertically like the pics below.

Next would be selecting a variety of accessories.  You want them to be related in some way, like the image below, most of the accessories are of the same color tone.  But they also need to different to have interest, and this is where you can play with things like scale and texture.  In the photo below, I feel that they are able to get away with so many objects because the artwork behind it is so simple.  Your eye has a rest with the neutral canvas that the accessories don't feel overwhelming.

Lastly, I think words or letters here and there can add interest, subway art is a great example of this.  With words I think you need to seriously restraint yourself from going nuts.  But I do like them in the right setting.  I will have another accessorizing post because this is a seemingly endless topic!

Photo Credits: apartment therapy, http://www.11magnolialane.com/2014/06/02/diy-photo-gallery-wall/, http://www.domainehome.com/simple-home-design/, http://www.preciouslyme.com/home-decor/angie-hranowskys-home-4688, http://www.bloodandchampagne.com/page/8/, http://www.veranda.com/designers-ideas/ralph-lauren-home-accessories, http://brabournefarm.blogspot.com/2012/02/little-tables.html, http://www.nellhillsblog.com/?p=2163, http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2011/05/large-address-subway-art-for-gallery.html, popsugar.com

Colored Quartz Countertops

I have begun designing an industrial cabin, that the client would like to feel like an old miner's cabin with a funky edge.  We have found some fabulous tile ( which I promise to blog about in the future), and the woods are reclaimed, but where we've added some modern flare is in the countertops.  Many, but not all, are colored quartz countertops.  Just to educate my readers, quartz is a great product.  Nearly as strong as granite, but because it is natural stone held together with an epoxy, it is sensitive to heat.  Not super sensitive, but you don't want to place a hot pan on it for fear of melting the epoxy.  Colored countertops may sound crazy, but really they can be just what the space needs. Take a look below at these quartz countertops.....

Photo Credits:  better homes and gardens blog, apartment therapy, http://www.enzyliving.blogspot.com/2013/02/in-honor-of-valentines-day.html, http://terrafirmasurfaces.com/residential/residential-portfolio/page/3, hgtv.com, http://www.cozypad.com/kitchen-design-styles/15270.html, http://www.dropddesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/contemporary-bathroom-with-blue-quartz-countertop-and-bathroom-tiles.jpg, 

Fall Decor

Fall is in the air, and I'm itching to change things up at my house.  Maybe bring out the cozy throw blankets or paint something paprika?  Yes please. Look at these autumn inspired interiors....

Photo credits: Latoga photography, http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/search/label/Fall, http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/fall-is-coming.html, http://aprilandmaystudio.blogspot.com/, indulgy.con

Wicked Wallcoverings

Wallpaper has made a comeback friends! Many now peel off in large pieces, so it isn't the nightmare to remove that it used to be.  And with the graphic design and digital art of today, there are some fabulous wallpaper choices out there.  I personally prefer these wall coverings in small spaces such as powder bathrooms or guest bedrooms.  Smaller spaces, as well as rooms you don't look at everyday can handle bolder prints.  And who wouldn't love a cool, patterned bed wall?  Take a peek at the pics below to get a feel for wallpaper today....

Photo credits: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-gallery-of-new-traditional-wallpaper-191484, remodelista.com, http://numberedstreetdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/03/adorable-baby-girl-nursery.html, http://www.thefancy.com/things/199972510698048287/Comic-Wallpaper, http://design-milk.com/metallic-marble-calico-wallpaper/

Orange and Grey Color Combo

I hate to buy into trends, but man grey is hot! Yellow and grey has been the big look, but I prefer orange and grey personally.  Below are some shots of great interiors featuring orange and grey color schemes.....

Photo credits: bloglovin.com, http://www.shelterness.com/20-dining-area-decorating-ideas/, http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/realliving/roombyroom/228981/quick-changes-cool-new-looks-for-your-bedroom.slideshow#3, 

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/jeffs-hot-trendsinterior-therapy-167201, http://www.homelife.com.au/home+ideas/galleries/throw+cushions,10310?pos=1#top, http://www.homelife.com.au/homes/galleries/renovated+dutch+farmhouse+,25013, bhg.com