BLUE ROCKS THIS MAN CAVE DESIGN

Blue is one of those colors that enjoys perennial popularity.  In 2012 it is an important part of the color story, so you can use it lavishly without fearing it will go out of style.  This is exactly what we did in the blue “man cave” you see here.

Poker Room

In this room, I used blue everywhere – on the walls and ceiling, on the chairs, and even at the windows!  It envelopes the whole space in a warm feeling while making a strong, dramatic, and masculine statement.  I call it “the beautiful blue, boys night out” room.  It worked perfectly as a personal space for my client, an LA Dodgers player whose favorite color was blue.  And, because we had the rich brown wood floors as contrast, all that blue is not overwhelming.

I created this room as my client’s special retreat, where he came to chill and also entertain friends for their weekly poker game.  The chairs for the poker table have an unusual design, which I selected because their height and depth fit big athletes comfortably, and because they are also cool looking.  I find that if you give men comfort and a style they’re proud to show their buddies, you can make them extremely happy, which creates a “win win” for everyone!

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Express Yourself With the Art on Your Walls

by Vicki Blakeman

Whatever your interests or passion, chances are there some great art pieces out there embodying that theme.  Unfortunately, much “themed” art is geared towards people who will buy strictly because of the theme without regard to the quality of the art itself.  So finding  artwork that is both beautifully done and also depicts  your special interests can be a challenge.

Because finding excellent art is one of my passions, I am always searching for art and artists that fulfill both objectives.  Expressing my personal interest in music has led me to  collect both paintings and sculpture with musical themes.

This painting of two horses by Sokol-Hohne is a wonderful example of  a piece that can please a lover of horses (and there are a great many of these) and also make a highly artistic statement.

You may want to enlist the aid of a knowledgeable art gallery or an interior designer with a keen interest in art to help you find these gems.

INSIDER TIPS ON CHOOSING A TABLE LAMP

With all the wonderful lamps out there to choose from, it helps to have some insider knowledge before you try to select just the right one for you.

One of the first things to consider is what you want the lamp to do – does it need to light up a whole area, or just shine down on the book you’re reading?  If you’re trying to light up a whole area, the lamp needs to be relatively tall, have a lampshade in a very light color so that the light will pass through, and have a good sized shade opening.  For example the dark, plant-shaped lamp would make a superb  sculptural accent and could provide  directed reading light, but it would not light up a room.  This is  because  its dark shade would prevent light from passing through its sides, and would only allow light to pass through the top and bottom openings.  Still another aspect affecting how much light a lamp offers is the wattage the lamp allows.  If you need a lot of light, you will probably want a 3-way bulb with at least a 150 watt capacity.

Another important characteristic to look for in your  lamp search is selecting one that complements both the table it sits on, and the furnishings and decor around it.  Are you choosing a lamp for a small table (say one that is smaller than 20 inches across)?  Then you need a lamp that is lightly scaled.  One that is too large or heavy will overwhelm the table and will tend to make it look as if it’s about to topple over. If needed, the lamp on the small table can be tall, as long as it’s slim and the lamp shade does not exceed the table in diameter.

Lightly scaled elegance best on smaller tables.

Bold size and sculptural style works well on large tables.

Conversely, if you’re seeking a lamp for a large or heavy table (such as a 30 x 30 table or for a substantial nightstand), you need one that has both the size and visual “presence” to balance nicely with its table, such as the Agave lamp referenced above. In contrast,  the silver lamp with the beige shade is lovely and graceful with its lightly scaled lamp base and shade.  And while it would be perfect on a small elegant table, it may look totally lost on a 36″ wide, chest-style nightstand.

Of all the poor lamp choices I tend too see, the most frequent situation involves lamps that are too weak for their locations.  Too often, pathetically skinny lamps, usually topped by small shades with low wattage bulbs, sit on grandly scaled nightstands or tables.  Like most other aspects of design,  understanding aesthetic proportions plus knowing the object’s intended function, gives you an excellent basis for making a great selection!

Lamps by ARTERIORS.

BRIGHTER NEUTRALS

When people think of neutral colors, they usually think ivory, beige, taupe, or gray.  And they often think safe but boring.

Well folks, it doesn’t have to be that way!

In the vignette shown here, a mustardy gold is the neutral glue that holds this room together.  The striking draperies, which go the full length of the 18 foot high wall, are done in a rich mustard fabric..  To add extra punch, we added a wonderful striped fabric, for the bottom three feet of the drapes.  We turned the fabric side-ways to yield seamless horizontal stripes.  The accent fabric visually reduces the height of the 18 foot drapes, introduces our mandarin accent color, and adds a sense of fun to the space.

For the paint color, we selected a paler form of gold.  This warmed the high walls, and served as an excellent neutral background for paintings as well as for the large multicolored area rug.

With dining chair fabric adding more gold, it was important to see more of our accent color.  The pair of modern candle-holders with red/orange glass globes was the perfect find to inject a jolt of red and set off the whole dining ensemble!

One last thought about neutrals - they work best when enlivened by interesting design twists.  Here, the unusual table, eye catching drapes and unexpected mandarin accents keep things fresh.

Instead of pairing gold with the expected wine and dark green or navy, try a more interesting and brighter combination of colors.  This can give you a traditional feeling that also says today!

THRIFTY DESIGN FIXES WITH DRYWALL

Today more than ever, consumers are looking for low cost home improvement options.   Of the many tools we have, drywall and paint are two of the least expensive and can result in some pretty dramatic changes.

What are some of the ills that drywall can cure?   Here’s one great  example of how we turned an ugly duckling into a swan with some imagination and just a small piece of drywall.

Click on image to enlarge.

This family room had difficult proportions to begin with (very very narrow) and very little wall space.   Adding insult to injury, the single side wall had a  major cut out , diminishing the already  meager wall space, as well as exposing a  large expanse of unattractive staircase.   Getting this room gorgeous would  have been seriously hampered by having to look at all those stairs!

So we added just enough drywall to give us a decent wall to work with for furnishings, while leaving a small number of steps exposed.  The resulting opening bares enough to be intriguing, without dominating or detracting from the whole room.

*** Look for future blogs that deal with creative uses of drywall.

CONTRAST – FRIEND or FOE?

Using highly contrasting color in a room can be wonderful or terrible depending on your design goals.  If its drama you’re after, sharp contrast can be a wonderful tool,  but if you seek a serene flow, minimal contrast is much better.

The size and shape of your space may also determine whether lots of contrast is helpful.  When you are trying to make a small room look larger, it helps to keep most large surfaces (floor, walls, and ceiling for example) highly related in color.  If you can picture wearing one color from head to toe, versus wearing light shoes, dark pants and light shirt, you will inevitably look taller in the monochromatic outfit.  The same principle works in rooms.  In a nutshell, using a lot of the same color makes a space feel bigger, while contrasting large surfaces (like  dark walls with a white ceiling) makes a room feel smaller. 

The top photo, a lovely grouping of Pearson furnishings, shows a room with muted contrasts and a calm understated appeal.  Here, all large surfaces (walls, floors, and sectional sofa) are covered in neutral hues.  The soft blue colors, appearing on the large painting and accent vases, offer enough contrast to add interest without disturbing the tranquility of the space.

The lower photo depicts a grouping of white porcelain plates mounted on a black wall.  The intense contrast provides instant drama to this simple ensemble.

So the answer to the friend or foe question is that contrast is neither or both — depending on how you look at it.  Its another tool to be used judiciously as you try to create a mood, set a tone, or solve a design problem.

Kitchen Design Trends Shift

Kitchen remodels remain a most popular home upgrade.  However, the style of these  remodels is changing significantly.

Previously, the majority of Southern California suburbanites, were opting for kitchens with an  Old World Italian influence.  Such details as tumbled stone backsplash tile, oil rubbed bronze plumbing fixtures, and floor tile with contrast keys were specified in home after home.

More recently, a sleeker, more Contemporary aesthetic has gained in popularity.  Even in homes where the over all architecture is Traditional, people are requesting Contemporary kitchens. I was speaking with my marble contractor recently who stated flatly, “no one wants anything but Contemporary kitchens anymore.”

This rendering shows a kitchen project of ours, which is currently under construction.   We specified a mix of modern and transitional elements, in keeping with our client’s preferences.  For example, all the appliances, range hood, and door handles are modern stainless steel designs.  But the use of rift oak cabinetry, curved center island, and dramatic light fixture, are more transitional in feeling.  Since the style pendulum is constantly swinging, this mixture of elements may be more likely to withstand the test of time.

What’s Your Style?

Do you have trouble describing your decor style?  Are you unsure about the difference between Modern and Contemporary?  What about Old World versus Tuscan?  If such queries make you uneasy, you’re not alone.

Actually, its less important that you be able to label your style category (i.e. Country French, Mission etc).  It is much more relevant that you think about the components of design (i.e. formal versus casual, colorful or understated etc.) instead of how to label these elements.

Begin by asking yourselves some questions like, “do I like rooms with lots of pattern or do I prefer mostly solid colors?”  If so, what colors?  How about furniture shapes–do you like them with mostly curved legs or straight ones–polished stained wood, or rustic distressed finishes, or maybe some stainless steel pieces?

What about mixtures of materials–are you comfortable with that or do you like things to match precisely?  If you are working with an experienced interior designer, he/she should be able to figure out your style from the answers you give to questions like these.  Your reactions to room photos can also prove  quite revealing.

The more you discover about how you respond to various design components, the likelier you are to achieve an interior design that suits you.

Major Impact on a Minor Budget

When you want big decorating impact on a modest budget,  color can be your best friend.  You also need to look critically at your space to find elements that are hurting more than helping.

The Before photo shows our client’s dated 2010 breakfast room with frilly painted flowers on the wall and a dark round “grandma” rug.

So we said good-bye to the rug, flowers and bulky shutters.  Instead, we perked up the room with a Spring Green paint on walls and ceiling, which enveloped the space with warm color.  Next we  revitalized the chairs with a sturdy fabric in a deep complementary green.

At  the windows, we replaced the shutters with lovely draperies in another attractive green hue.  These drapes frame the windows,  add softness to the setting, and permit an unobstructed view of the lush foliage outdoors.

Mixing a variety of green tones in a room takes a practiced eye, but doing so adds great depth and interest to a monochromatic color scheme.  For a dollop of visual spice, red flowers in a blue and green vase,  and a bright painting were added to this tasty mix.

Voila, a room where color is the star of a fresh new look,  achieved with only a minor dent in the budget!


Fabulous Family Room Makeover

Last Spring, Kathy, a local businesswoman, came to us for a family room remodel.   After working hard all her life, she was ready to treat herself to a complete makeover, including new furniture, new media center, and new fireplace design.  She was tired of the ordinary and ready to be swept off her feet (as long as it could be done within her budget!)

Our goal was to give her a space that was equal parts function, comfort, and “wow”. We found we could do much of that through the redesign of her fireplace wall, making it into a spot that truly deserved to be the room’s focus.  The main ingredient of change became the nine foot high, thick shelved cabinets that sit at each end of the wall.  With places  for electronics below, and lit display shelves above, these pieces supply both storage and much needed drama.

To make room for the cabinetry, the fireplace surround was modified in size and shape.  The sleek new configuration, covered in beautiful glass mosaic tiles, makes a great anchor for the new TV above (HINT: its good to have something visually substantial beneath something as large as a big screen TV).

The second part of “wow” is supplied by the spectacular lime and brown area rug.  Its grand size gives everyone a chance to enjoy its toe-pleasing softness, as well as the smile evoking pattern.  The rug also states the room’s color palette, which is echoed in various forms by all the other fabrics in the space.  Rust, orange and silver color accents in art pieces add sparkle and interest. (HINT: a two color palette can be quite effective, but it is also nice to spice it up with touches of other complementary colors – or even a small bit of a totally unexpected color.)

Our third task was to develop a furniture plan where conversation, TV viewing, reading, or computer use could all happen easily. We grouped comfortable upholstery so that the pieces gathered together for coziness and cohesiveness.  Several of these are multi-functional, such as the swivel chairs which can either turn to face the TV or towards one another for conversation, and the brown leather mini-ottomans which may be used as foot stools or seating for small people.

To complete the space, we added new tables, desk, overhead lighting and reading lamps, as well as window coverings, pictures, and art objects.  All were selected with our three goals in mind, and all made important contributions to the whole.  Too often the art, custom window dressing and good lamps are deemed unnecessary frills, leaving  the finished product short of realizing its potential.

This project was great fun for us, because Kathy allowed us to do both the basics and the extras to achieve a total transformation.  She is enjoying her room immensely, which is why she gave us permission to share this with you.  Kathy tells us it is equally comfortable when she’s alone, or when its filled with people, and she loves showing it off to her admiring friends!