Our ideas and inspirations
When considering which paint colors to use in a room, it’s helpful to be able to ask questions using the right terminology. As Steve Martin once said… ”Those French – they have a different word for everything.” (and so do designers). To describe a color with reasonable accuracy there are 3 important things that define its properties:
HUE = the primary name of the color (before any white or black has been added).
VALUE = the darkness or lightness of the color. You may also have heard words like ‘shade’, ‘tint’ or ‘tone’. We use the term ‘shaded’ when black has been added to darken the primary color. A ‘tinted’ color will have the addition of white, which lightens the primary color. ‘Tone’ is created by adding varying degrees of gray to the primary color. The gray scale of values can produce up to 100 gradations of a primary color! Most paint manufacturers will limit the choices to about 9. These 9 variations of a primary color are called its ‘achromatic scale’.
Whew…
CHROMA = the amount of pigment (or purity) a color exhibits. Sometimes referred to as its ‘saturation’ level. This term describes how vivid or intense the color appears. For example a deep purple color has a much higher chroma than lavender or lilac.
It’s also interesting to note that color choices can be generational:
Baby Boomers have been shown to prefer soothing colors that promote relaxation and create inspirational environments. Colors like sky blue azures, clean blues with purple tones, and intense blues with a touch of green. They also favor neutral palettes that fall somewhere between the hues of gray and beige, and colors with complex undertones of plum and/or yellow-green.
Generation X (born 1964-1980) has been much more exposed to global influences. This generation is much more experimental with colors and styles from around the world, preferring ethnic patterns and diverse color palettes in spice and/or jewel tones.
Generation Y (born 1981-1999) is the youngest ‘named’ generation to date. This age group tends to prefer rich, tropical hues and neon bright colors like yellow, green and purple. Bold ‘sports teams’ colors and trendy, sophisticated hues right out of the flower garden.
No matter what your tastes or preferences, paint is one of the least expensive ways to redecorate. So set your imagination free and have some fun!
We’ve abandoned stodgy suits for a “business casual” aesthetic. And in the world of start-ups and uber-cool workplaces, jeans and a t-shirt are now the norm. So why do standard office systems and cubicles still reign? With telecommuting on the rise, and our engagement with technology ever-increasing, and a newfound appreciation for the art of collaborative brainstorming — we’re desperately seeking new solutions. Cool, casual, and tech-savvy, these systems facilitate new ways of working – and go a step further to motivate and inspire!
As we ‘Baby Boomers’ age, there will need to be much more thought and effort put into the design of our everyday spaces. The simplest acts of adding more natural light to our interiors and lessening the clutter that surrounds us can have a huge physical and psychological effect.
A must-read for anyone with an aging parent, or transitioning to the place where they will grow old: Design Innovations for Aging and Alzheimer’s – Creating Caring Environments, by Elizabeth C. Brawley.
Please support my new cause and passion: The Alzheimer’s Association. Their tireless efforts to fund and support new research is going to make a huge difference in our future. I am so proud to be associated with this unbelievable organization.
This exhibition of Alice In Wonderland fashion is not related to interiors, but fabulous design just the same. Can’t wait to see this exhibit. FYI – all the colors and patterns on those fashion runways end up in our interiors the following year. It’s a fact! The exhibition is in Los Angeles, begins at the end of May, and runs through September, 2010.
Just found this super fun pendant fixture through Wisteria, a favorite catalog resource. The whimsical effect of the metal cage makes this a perfect fixture for a wine cellar, or hung in multiples over a large island in a beach house. It would also make a really ‘breezy’ statement in an outdoor living room scenario. Can’t beat the price either!
Organizing a home office can be as ‘daunting as a diet regime’ says designer Chris Plantan, co-founder of Russell+Hazel office supplies. Her quick and easy tips:
- Use trolleys and trays with handles to pile papers and keep things portable.
- Keep everyday files close at hand. File away papers you access less often.
- Color-code binders to help keep papers categorized and easily transportable.
- For easy access – store small items (like paper clips, push pins, pencils, etc.) in a jewelry box like Pottery Barn’s large ‘McKenna.’
Today’s blend of work and home life means we often need to work at off times and in different locations within our homes. Not everyone has the luxury of a dedicated home office space. It’s critical to look at different rooms within your home and ask yourself ‘Could I work in here?’ …
Flexibility and style are key. Dual-purpose furniture, lots of work surface and as much open space as you can spare will morph any space into a workstation. Dining room sideboards, coffee tables and trolleys can become instant work surfaces according to Plantan. Russell+Hazel, offers a wonderful selection of color-coded binders, acrylic trays and candy-colored bins to get the job done right.
Robin discovered this gorgeous handmade wallpaper in San Francisco, from Carolyn Ray. We are using it to jazz up the lobby of a downtown San Jose law office. It’s so wonderful to see that quality and craftsmanship are alive and thriving in the design industry. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the ’specialness’ that custom-made materials bring to a project… and having clients who appreciate the effort!
Local Event Alert:
This is a great opportunity to see and purchase the work of some rising local Bay Area artists.
The 16th Annual Monotype Marathon – a print exhibition and fundraising auction by the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, featuring more than 100 works on paper from the Bay Area’s best printmakers. Exhibition: March 6 – March 27 at the SJICA. Silent Auction of Prints: Sat. March 27, 5:30-7:30pm
Precious stones might not be in your budget this year, but there’s no reason you can’t have a little fun with some oversized gems in their faux form.
The chunky faceted jewels seen around those stylish necks on the runway are making their way into home interiors. Check out this sparkling Encased Gems sconce from Fine Art Lamps. Flicking this on at night will make you feel like you’re living in the lap of luxury. And why not?!!! After all… “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”
Using color is the most powerful, yet least expensive weapon in a designer’s arsenal. Paint colors affect a person’s emotions, energy level, and sense of order.
The skillful selection of color creates the difference between a formal vs. informal space… a cool and sophisticated room vs. a lively, family-friendly one.
Some of the important roles color can play:
- Creating ambience
- Focusing or diverting attention
- Making a room feel larger (or smaller)
- Breaking up and defining areas
- Unifying spaces
Muted colors and rich materials create a sense of restfulness and order. Pure colors advance and dominate for attention. It’s usually best to use the strongest, most dominant colors in the smallest amounts, otherwise they can overpower the room.
One final tip: A small color swatch always ends up being deceptive. It’s impossible to visualize the effect of the color. Always paint a test patch in the actual location it will be used. Since different surfaces in the room receive different amounts of light, ceiling colors should be tested on the ceiling, wall colors on the wall, etc. Remember to observe the color in the morning, afternoon, and evening… it will change depending on the quality of light throughout the day.
A great decorating tip from Nate Berkus, (Oprah’s go-to décor guru):
“You find something – a candle, a vase, a bowl, anything – you bring it home and put it out in your house. Five years later, that item is still sitting in the same spot! By just rearranging your tabletops, you give an entirely new look to your room. Start by taking everything off the surfaces and putting it all on one table. Then, start putting it back in new ways. When you group the items differently, the entire room takes on a new energy.”
A great decorating tip from Mentos?
Everything is more interesting when grouped in threes. Have a growing collection of knick-knacks? Group like items together in interesting ways with the tallest placed in the center. Limit your groupings to no more than 5 items in one spot… otherwise you risk crossing the line of decoration and your accessories become visual clutter.
Making it Work: Little Art paired with Large Art. Love this article at Apartment Therapy. It removes the mystery of hanging artwork.
2010.
Time to freshen up with a new attitude.
It’s as easy as 1-2-3. Here’s how:
Think Paint…
Nothing perks up a room like a fresh coat of paint. Get rid of those blah beiges, woeful whites, and gloomy greys. With so many yummy colors to choose from, the possibilities are endless.
Our favorites: Benjamin Moore ‘Urban Nature’ (AF-440) and ‘Flora’ (AF-470) – both shades are from the Affinity Colors Collection where every paint color is made to work with all the others in the palette. Foolproof decorating a la carte!
Snap a Shot…
We tend to stop ‘seeing’ what our spaces really look like after long-term relationships with furniture. Taking photographs helps to capture an impression of each room. It allows us to see familiar spaces through a ‘stranger’s eyes’. Try this… it works!
Trim the Fat…
Really look at your photographs. What is the first thing that pops out at you in every shot? Where does your eye go first and do you like what you see?
Very often clutter is the first impression. Evaluate what you actually need and what you actually love, then pare down or eliminate the rest. The cardinal rule of interior design… ’Less is More’. Always.
“Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.”
- Jamie Paolinetti
The light-emitting diode (LED) has been around since the 1960s, but is just now beginning to filter into the residential marketplace. Although individual LED’s are very small in size, they are usually grouped together to create a larger light source. An LED fixture requires a ‘driver’ similar to the ballast required for fluorescent lighting. Unlike fluorescent fixtures, frequent on-off cycling does not compromise LED lighting. There is also no mercury to deal with.
LED lamps are extremely efficient at converting electric power into visible light (currently up to 5x more efficient than standard light bulbs). They produce no infrared light that provides the warming effect experienced with normal filament bulbs. This high efficiency means lower energy consumption for lighting, and less secondary heat generation, leading to substantial savings in air conditioning costs. You can leave a fixture on indefinitely and it will always remain cool to the touch. LED lights are more rugged and damage-resistant than compact fluorescents and incandescent bulbs. Best of all, LED lights don’t flicker. Fully dimmable, LED strip lights can be installed under counters and in coved ceilings. Concentrated arrays can be used in place of halogen fixtures. Used for gardens, walkways, and outdoor fixtures LED’s become a very cost-efficient lighting solution. Outdoor fixtures will not attract bugs because LED lighting doesn’t produce UV rays.
The diodes also last considerably longer than incandescent or fluorescent lighting. LED’s don’t burn out like traditional lighting, but rather gradually decrease in light output. The lifespan of a typical residential LED is about 50,000 hours!
So what’s the down side here?
Although LED lighting is absolutely the ‘wave of the future’ in terms of a green lifestyle, manufacturers have not quite perfected the product lines for the residential market.
LED’s are currently much more expensive than conventional lighting, and can be difficult to locate. There is a much more limited selection in the types of fixtures being sold today. The initial investment could be several thousand dollars, and the cost savings will become evident in several years.
Care is needed when retrofitting LEDs into an existing room. Installing an inappropriate ‘driver’ or dimmer can dramatically reduce both light output and lifespan.
Bottom Line…
LED lighting is definitely coming to the forefront of residential interior design. More and more, sophisticated clients are requesting this type of lighting in their kitchens and bathrooms. Although a bit cost prohibitive today, LED lighting is poised to become the mainstream method of lighting for the green lifestyle. This is a lighting trend that’s well worth watching… LED lighting is here to stay!
Interesting how design keeps repeating itself. Nothing is ever really new. But I bet you didn’t know just how old this classic Quatrefoil design really was… or how often it has popped up in architecture, fashion, you name it!
Robin and I just got back from our latest foray to the San Francisco Design Center. This whimsical chandelier stopped us in our tracks. Talk about a creative, inspired, and completely unique fixture! Exposed wiring, dog-tag beaded chain, and flower shaped bowls that look like they came from an old 1920’s hotel… The most fun thing we’ve seen in years. Only what you’d expect from the genius mind of Jim Misner.
Painting a tired-looking room in a brave new way is the fastest, cheapest fix Robin and I can recommend. Just think of all the possibilities…
Painting one wall a different color from the rest and creates a quick focal point. Or… paint two walls one color, and two walls a complementary color for a jolt of pizzazz. In a small room, painting all the walls, trims and ceiling the same color instantly enlarges the space! So many tricks… so little time.
There are all kinds of eco-responsible, earth-friendly paints on the market these days. Want to get the rundown on which ones actually work? Read on… Click on the link to this article from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine: Living Green Paint Guide.
Happy Painting!!!
Tests show that people generally prefer the middle range of illumination from any standard light fixture. But did you know that “blandness” of light is as tiring to our eyes as excessive glare? We all have psychological responses to the quality and location of light in our everyday spaces:
Indirect lighting placed high in the room feels like the sun in the sky. This type of lighting makes us feel serene, but can also be glaring and efficient to the point of boredom.
Under-cabinet lighting (and other types of lighting that fall below eye-level) feels friendly, welcoming, and draws people together. Ever wonder why everyone always ends up in the kitchen?
Directional lighting from accent spots, up-lights, sconces, etc. leads our eyes in whatever direction the beam spread points. These create instant excitement by casting interesting shadows and highlights which seem to change as you move around the room.
Perimeter lighting can open up and expand a space. Coved lighting is often used to emphasize a vaulted ceiling, or create a sense of height and importance in a room.
Any good designer will tell you that creating the perfect environment involves the careful balance of several different types of lighting (in combination). Layering lighting is like adding accessories to your favorite outfit. It’s just more interesting. By linking every fixture to a dimmer switch you can also (directly) control the ambience and mood of every room in your home.
One final thought …
Light colors on ceilings, walls, floors and furnishings help maximize the effects of any type of light. However… light colors are not always very exciting!
Darker colors demand a bit more illumination, but will absolutely offer the most “bang for the buck” in creating dramatic results.
Design inspiration can be found in the most amazing places… Harry Potter? Who knew? Check one of our favorite sites: Casa Sugar.
Alder is the most popular wood being used in the kitchen these days (as seen in this kitchen). It’s got a very similar look and feel to Cherry at about 30% less cost. Alder holds a variety of stains quite well, and offers different looks depending on the grain pattern you select. Knotty Alder (with a little added distressing) is a really gorgeous look for a mountain home or Tuscan-style kitchen. However, alder is soft and will dent and ding over time – what we love to refer to as ‘patina’.
Robin and I have just discovered an emerging new wood called Lyptus… (yes, it’s from the Eucalyptus family). It’s much harder and denser than Alder and will hold up beautifully for a family-oriented lifestyle. Lyptus is a renewable resource (meaning it grows back really quickly)… so it’s the perfect choice if you’re trying to honor the earth and want a green alternative. The grain pattern is much tighter and compact and accepts lots of different stains. Lyptus can look quite high end with a base stain, distressing, and an overlay wash. Harder wood. Renewable. Green, and costs less… what could be better?
Matchey-match is so over. Whatever the focus of your spaces, add a surprise touch of whimsy. A unique piece of furniture is an easy choice and should always reflect your own personality. Here is a fun take on a classic style.
Source: William Switzer, The Palazzo Capponi Console
One of our favorite tricks to keep a room feeling singular and fresh is to include one surprise element. An unexpected color or a favorite collectible or art piece…
Our featured artist this month is David Skinner of Venice, California…
Working within the landscape tradition, David Skinner’s paintings are part of a long tradition of art work that celebrates the beautiful light and terrain of California. Being a native of California, David has traveled up and down the coast and into the deserts of California to find inspirational compositions for his paintings. His paintings employ loose brushwork and an interpretive palette of colors and can be seen as a blend of traditional and contemporary styles. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UC Santa Barbara, and has received numbers awards for his work since graduating in 1986. He currently resides in Venice, California with his wife Anna, and dog Cole.
Unlike a contractor or cabinet dealer, interior designers are impartial and have nothing to sell but advice. Our objective is to explore your home’s hidden potential. We are great observers. We can see the possibilities inside your home…
Here are some tips to make your first session with us the most productive it can be:
Prepare by thinking through the functions you want and need the most. Every room in your house serves its purpose. Figure out what’s most important, then sift through and prioritize your wish list. Don’t worry about dollar figures just yet.
Clip photos from magazines of styles and features you like best. Clip photos of things you don’t like too… this is a huge time-saver for all of us! Have these two files ready for us at the first meeting.
Think about colors you love and colors you hate. Don’t assign meaning or placement to any of them. Just let your inner emotions guide you.
Be prepared to discuss budget. This is the real deal. We need the actual numbers to serve as our guideposts. Budget drives every selection, every design feature, every layout. We can make it work… promise!
