Staying Home is the New Going Out To A Fancy Place

I saw an ad recently in Architectural Digest for Linge Roset furniture. The headline was “Staying Home is the New Going Out to a Fancy Place”. I thought what a great ad!  In these rough economic times, we are all modifying the way we spend and for a lot of us that means cutting back on how often we go out to a restaurant or club. We’re staying home and entertaining at home more than we have in recent times. It is reminiscent of Mid-Century America where cocktail parties and bridge clubs were a weekly occurrence. We are embracing the lifestyle, enjoying shows set in those times and even decorating our homes with the look of that era, 1950’s-1960’s America. So with that in mind, many of us are choosing to stay home and spend money on making our homes more comfortable and cozy. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Begin by deciding how much you want to spend on design changes. Look at your space and determine the function of the room and the mood you want for the space. Look at the furniture arrangement and determine if it is working for you. Determine what is working for you and what is not working. Do you have enough seating? Do you have adequate surfaces for food and drinks? Will you need extra tables when entertaining? How about lighting? You should have adequate task and ambient lighting in the room. How about style? Are you happy with the style or do you want a complete new look? Maybe you want to add or change wall colors. Paint can transform the mood of a room instantly. If your budget allows, add a new piece of furniture like a sofa for more seating and a style update. If you can’t afford new furnishings add new pillows in fun colors and patterns. Add carefully chosen unique accessories with a similar look or color to tie the room together. In place of greenery or plants try filling glass vases with real branches to add a pretty, natural look to a room. Add new area rugs to define your seating areas and add color and texture to the room. Speaking of Mid-Century design, a new fun idea is to add some vintage pieces to the room. How about a 50’s style bar you can pull out from the wall when entertaining and then put back along the wall as a console/sofa table to display some accessories, books or additional lighting.  Check out local antique and resale stores to find authentic pieces that will work for your space. Frames are a trendy way to decorate your walls. Use different styles and group them together with photos, artwork, mirrors, other interesting items or even display them empty. Interesting, pretty, unique or distressed frames become art in themselves when grouped together. Accessorize with care and thought.

Be careful to keep the space uncluttered and welcoming. You want to create a space that is comfortable for you and your family to enjoy as well as entertain in with your family and friends. Start with your plan, follow some simple design rules and be creative.  Don’t be afraid to add vintage touches to the space and not be all matchy-matchy. Your space will be more interesting and welcoming. As always if in doubt, call an Interior Designer for some advice before you begin your project. 

For In-Home consultation call 951-956-0661 or visit their website ranchointeriordesign.com

Affordable Mini-makeover Ideas for Bathrooms

Laurie from Temecula asked me how she could update her bathroom on a small budget. Here are some ideas I shared with her.

Bathroom remodels can be expensive. When you consider the cost of new vanities, fixtures, flooring, and contractor costs, projects can cost thousands of dollars, especially when the remodel involves changing the space plan or adding space to the existing room. You can, however, make changes to update your bathrooms and give them a new look on a small budget. 

The first thing you want to do is come up with a design plan. Decide the style for the room, colors you want to incorporate and any additional functions you may want for your space. If your space is small and your budget allows, consider changing the floor.  New flooring will make a big impact and can be done fairly inexpensively.  Tile is a good choice for bathroom floors and walls. There are hundreds of beautiful decorative tiles available including natural stone, glass, porcelain and recycled tile. Next consider how to treat your walls. Color is important in changing the look of a room. Paint your walls with colors that are pleasing and in keeping with your design style.  The colors should also flow from the adjacent rooms. Try painting an accent wall for more impact or instead of paint consider wallpaper.  Wallpaper can add color, design or texture to the room. Remember to always use a vinyl paper in bathrooms. Lighting is very important. Make sure you have adequate task lighting and ventilation. Replace your lighting fixtures with more updated and style appropriate ones. A lot of homes have one large mirror over the vanity. Instead of replacing it, try framing it for a custom look.  This is a great way to achieve a designer look for your bath. Do-it-yourself kits are available from online sites such as mirrormate.com.

 Do you have adequate storage? If not add some updated shelves or cabinets to keep everything concealed and out of sight.  Counter tops should appear uncluttered.  If your space has windows consider what types of window coverings you require-functional or decorative or both. Window treatments should match the style of the room and can range from simple cell shades to elaborate draperies. Do your research to plan the correct style and treatments that fit your needs.  Keep the shower curtain simple and solid unless you are doing a fun kids bath and try to find a longer than average length curtain for a more custom look.   Accessories should be well chosen and kept to a minimum. Try incorporating scented candles or potpourri to give the room a nice aroma. Replace your towel racks, TP holders and soap dishes and invest in new luxurious towels. Don’t forget the finishing touches on your walls. Hang interesting artwork that pulls together the style of the room and completes the new space. Have fun with your new room. Remember even if you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can always benefit from a Design Consultation before you begin your project.

My new Rancho Interior Design Blog

I've finally gotten time to start my blog. My fellow designer friend, Patricia Lockwood suggested I post my Neighbors Q & A articles on my blog which I will do. I'd also like to share design trends, ideas, news and welcome an interchange of ideas about lifestyles, trends, concerns, family and kids, etc.
http://www.ranchointeriordesign.com

News in wallaper

Wallpaper is making a comeback. Gone are the days of ugly, vinyl paper. In are exciting, patterns like damasks but updated with oversized designs and new colors. Murals are back as well. Set a mood with a large wall mural of Roman columns, birch trees or a Tuscan field. How fun!!