Category: design

scouting : wallpaper in the kitchen

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Over on twitter, Kim and I briefly discussed the possibilities of wallpaper in the kitchen. She mentioned wallpapering the cabinets and I immediately said sure,  you can wallpaper just about anything with a smooth surface.  After a little research, I decided to revoke that statement. While you can wallpaper just about anything, kitchen cabinet doors may not be the best. Because they get so much wear and tear, are touched, opened, wiped clean, there’s a chance the wallpaper may degrade over time. Then you are left with peeling wallpaper. But, if you can’t give up the idea of using wallpaper. I think the interior of cabinets is perfect or even an accent wall to make the kitchen feel a little more glam. If you go for a backsplash, be sure to use glass or plexi to cover it at wet and cooking stations.

Photos: 1 and 2. 3, 4. and 5.

scouting : behind the sofa

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

gallery wall

One of my life long friends, Mindy, recently came to me with a decorating dilemma. What should happen on the wall behind the sofa? She mentioned wanting a more mature style but her playful side always shines through. I say, don’t try to hide something so charming and fun. Take that playful side and run with it. It’s what’s going to make your home feel like your own and not some catalog. I think homes should be an extension of your personality. That’s when they feel the best.

emmas designblogg

Big striped pillows and an even bigger piece of art the width of the sofa by Daniel Hertzell add a lot of interest to an otherwise plain white wall. If original artwork is out of the budget, enlarge a photo and have it mounted to foam core or search for up and coming artists via etsy.

Have a bunch of family photos you haven’t had time to put in the album? A gallery wall of black and white photos is a great way to display the family heirlooms. Even though the frames are different styles, sizes and proportions they are tied together because they are black. Add in two matching black lamps and you have an instant vignette. Black spray paint and masking tape are your friend here. You can use the spray paint to paint the lamps and frames you already own. Then use the masking tape to tape off your layout before you hang anything. This will take a little more time but you’ll be sure to get the montage right the first time. And not need to patch any holes.

Forgo the frames and pin photos directly to the wall with insect pins. This is a simple and inexpensive alternative for an ever growing collection of family memorabilia.

So you have a little cash and you own your home? Sometimes a patterned wallpaper with a bold sofa are the perfect fix.

Or maybe you have something to hide? Panels of fabric create texture to divide space or cover up an eye sore. Tip, make sure the fabric extends from floor to ceiling.

art work in living roomVintage furniture and thrift store artwork finds make an interesting and quirky combo. Get visual tips for hanging thrifted portraits from the Brick House, she’s really the best at this.

Photos: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. and 7.

beach huts

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

wells next to the sea

Loving these bright beach huts on the Norfolk Coast photographed by Anna Betts. Click here to see more.

Via Jokemijn.

tatiana bilbao : orozco beach house

Monday, June 7th, 2010

iwan baan photo orzocozo home

Long before I started blogging, I went to a Women In Design lecture where Tatiana Bilbao was speaking. She’s a Mexican architect with work in China, Spain, Italy, France and Mexico. Tatiana was commissioned by artist Gabriel Orozco to bring his beach house concept for his family to reality. I recently came across these images again and was reminded as to how peaceful this retreat would feel. Located in Roca Blanca, Mexico and nestled perfectly into the site, the retreat takes on a rather unassuming perspective, especially from the side. Small in scale, it is designed to take advantage of the outdoor spaces. Each room exits to the exterior, similar to camping. You must leave a room, walk outside to get to the bathroom, kitchen or another room. The interiors are small, minimal and outdoors focused. Just what you need for a beach retreat.

iwan baan photo Orozco House

iwan baan photo Orozco House

gabriel orozco home, universe home

iwan baan photo Orozco House

Photos by Iwan Baan. You can find more of Gabriel Orozco’s work here.

color story : girlie with an edge

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

I have a client in her 20′s who I’m helping turn her beige (and slightly masculine) condo into something a little less beige and masculine. This is her first place, she lives on her own and there’s no reason her home shouldn’t fit her personality. The starting point was an incredible upholstered chair that she already owns (see top left). I then found a few images to set the tone for the style, girlie with an edge. To balance the florals, and add in some sophistication I pulled in some gray/blues and a dark chocolate. This adds a little drama to the girlie-ness but still feels young and fresh. I’m also working to design a pattern for a stripe using all the colors above, I love a good contrast. Stay tuned for more.

Images: clockwise from top left 1. the K.I.D Collective. 2. Mandr 3. a page ripped from the J.Crew catalog. 4. a page heisted from the W Magazine at my dentist’s office.

dream away

Friday, May 28th, 2010

If I were to dream up a home just for myself, this is a pretty good idea of what it might look like. Equal parts modern and rustic. One could even go so far as to say understated. Without the tiniest bit sounding cliche. And that’s not an easy thing to pull off. I love just about everything the Dutch do, so it’s no surprise I’m completely smitten with design studio Ina & Matt out of the Netherlands.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend my friends. We’re road tripping to Crested Butte (where Jevan and I got married) with some friends for some fun in the great outdoors.

Found via Design to Inspire Photos: Ina & Matt

oh baby…

Friday, May 21st, 2010

I’m co-hosting a baby shower brunch in a few weeks for a good friend and the girls and I decided an evite just wouldn’t cut it. Isn’t it nice to get something in the mail other than junk? We also didn’t have the time to create totally custom letter press invites. Maybe it’s just me, but custom seems more appropriate for wedding invites and baby announcements? Anyway, I recently came across smudge ink. It’s truly the best of both worlds; a blank letter pressed card that is printable. All I needed to do was add details and print. Voila. Cute semi custom invites.

And, if you are in Denver you can find smudge ink at the Perfect Petal.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I have top secret plans this weekend that I can’t wait to share with you all next week! Until then, enjoy yours!

Photo: the K.I.D Collective

tres birds workshop

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

For the past 9 months I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside Tres Birds Workshop on the Quivas Street Residence. My time was spent on the interior lighting, bathes and cabinetry for the home. Details are coming together and the house is almost complete. So I thought I would give you a quick peek at one of my favorite exterior details, the brick. The bricks are mostly reclaimed and create an incredible pattern on the south side of the home. It’s so subtle not every passerby would notice. Part of the charm, I guess you could say.

Regardless of how much I think I know, design is always a humbling process. It teaches me patience, openness, and I’m constantly evolving. I love the process. Watching nothing turn into something. I love the creating of space. And hopefully it’s a space that can stand the test of time. More than anything, I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to work with such an incredible crew.

Photos: Tres Birds Workshop. To see more of the home, click here, then residential and finally the six squares at the top right.

in a nutshell

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Photos: clockwise from top left: Tile selection process. 1930′s street light from New Orleans before being cleaned up and given a new life. Color palette options. Getting an idea of how a dining room light will look.

I haven’t had much time to spend here the past few weeks. Or at least not as much time as I would like. As dorky as it sounds, I miss being here. I’ve found something I love and am pretty excited about that. I love it even more when you comment and email me stuff too. That really makes my day. My only issue, I’m not a fast blogger. It takes me time to do this. And I love every single aspect of it. I only wish I were faster.  So instead of trying to be faster, I’m going to post when I have the time. This will keep me from posting just any ol thing. It will also keep me from telling you all about Super Club, when what I really mean is Supper Club. That’s not to say that Supper Club isn’t super, because it is. But you get the picture, spell check doesn’t.

As much as I love being here, I also love being out there. I love working with people and I love interior design. It’s not as glamorous as one might think though. And I like it that way. I like the grittiness of it. I like the get ‘er done aspects. The deadlines, the ridiculous schedules and the compromises that turn out to be better than the original idea. I like to see the process from nothing turn into something. I meet with clients, architects and realtors. I meet with contractors, plumbers and electricians. I meet with the people who sell tile, sinks and hardware. I wear sneakers and old jeans some days and move dusty boxes. It’s never the same and I like it that way.

Photos: clockwise from top left: Wood and steel custom coffee table. Gallery Wall of cross stitched samplers. Siberian Elm re-purposed into a bathroom counter. View of a dining room.

The reason there has been so very little on here the past few weeks is because I’ve been out there. Since being booted from the nest eight months ago I’ve been busy. I’ve worked on the guts of a home for a hip snowboarding couple, I’ve remodeled a traditional home in Tennessee, paint, furniture, lighting, all along side my mom, I’ve styled a front entry from 1400 miles away, I’m in the process of taking the kitschy out of a kitchen in Boulder and am defining a style for a young working girl and her condo. As much as my projects range, my budgets range even more.

What I’m getting at with all this talk about me is, I want to work with you. I’ll come over to your place, your office, your restaurant, your back patio, whatevs and work with you. We can push furniture around, edit, discuss your style and where to source items that fit your budget. I’ll even pull together some inspiration for you. If you want drawings and sketches, I can do that. If you want to knock down walls or build things, I can arrange that to happen too. All the while, I’ll coach you through the process and select every last detail. I’m here to make your house feel like your home. And not your besties’ home. Your home. So when you get home, you feel really proud and happy to be there.

color story : april

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Earlier this week my gal, Katie, emailed to tell me about a new to me blog, A Thing For. The blog is all about inspiration, concept and color. I was immediately swooning over each and every color story. I may just have a new girl crush, definitely a new blog crush. This is complete eye candy, if you are into that sort of thing. Katie mentioned this palette was going to inspire her next painting venture. So Katie, I pulled together a paint palette just for you. And you are right, these colors are stunning!

And speaking of Monaco, friends Scott and Heather just took a little weekend visit there. Yes, they live in Switzerland so they can do that sort of thing. I know, I’m jealous too! You can check out their photos and travel blog here.

Photos: all images found on A Thing For 1. Fabio Bartelt 2. Monte Carlo and Cap Martin, Monaco 3. April abstract oil painting by Yangyang Pan 4. Postcards from Paris