Jim Ames, President of Kitchens by Wedgewood, then took the Design Matters Home Team on a tour of the company's manufacturing facility. The Wedgewood team can build and finish cabinets of any kind--your imagination is the limit! They offer stock, semi-custom and custom options made with a range of woods and finishes.

Labels: cabinets, Interior Design, kitchen, Louisville Colorado

• Gray, purple and turquoise are important colors for the coming year. Gray is the choice neutral and a color that can be paired with either bold brights or soft pastels.
• Color themes focus on tribal color combinations that are rich and earthy, and aged or mellowed colors that evoke the past.
• Artisanal interiors that are timeless, personal and purposeful. Look for a movement away from cloned, mass design.
• Keeping it real by using materials with a natural patina, an imperfect finish or an aged texture.
• In the middle of timeless and artisanal design, add small doses of luxury or bits of embellishments, such as buttons, gilding, inlay or mosaic work. These add interest and a sense of luxury without high cost.
• Look for wallpaper in an unexpected place: the ceiling. (The wallpapered dumpsters were also a big hit!)
• Furniture is modular and multi-purpose. Curved lines add softness and comfort.
• Organic and curved shapes are also important in the kitchen, off-setting hard lines and angles.

Labels: 2010 Trends, Interior Design, Louisville Colorado, trends, Workshops

Labels: 2010 Trends, Interior Design, trends, Workshops

We were so inspired and thrilled to help out with the holiday décor of the homes featured on the 2009 Louisville Holiday Home Tour. It was exciting to meet all of the wonderful homeowners and to see and hear about Louisville family holiday traditions. We wanted to share our holiday decorating journey by showing some of the holiday decorating ideas that were incorporated this year into the homes. Many of these ideas are very simple and affordable, and we hope that you take away as much inspiration as we have to create wonderful holiday décor in your home.

Decorate without using floor space:

For many people, the holidays mean guests, entertaining and having a crowd in your house. Many of the homeowners have incorporated their decorations into their homes without taking up floor space. If you don’t have room for a tree, hang ornaments elsewhere, like is shown above. Consider using a tabletop tree on a side table or an over-sized mantle, or use wreaths and garlands to add greenery to the top of upper cabinets, armoires, or other large pieces of furniture instead of a large tree.

Bring out your favorite collections:

Display some of your collections together to add personality to your décor. Your favorite holiday-themed mugs in open-shelving in the kitchen or, as seen on the table below, an eclectic collection of dishes and hotel silver add sparkle and interest to a holiday table.


Work with a simple color palette:

Labels: holiday decorating, Interior Design, Louisville Colorado

Small changes that make a big difference:

The holiday season brings joy and festivity to the winter months, but also brings visual over-stimulation from the bright lights and vibrant colors of most holiday décor. To create a center of calm during the most hectic season of the year, consider slip-covering your couch in a crisp white or soft cream. A white or cream sofa will offer a fresh touch to your living area and neutralize the riot of color and lights that can rob your space of some of the peace of the season.

Another advantage to a slipcover is easy cleaning: you can serve the red wine and chocolate you and your guests love without fearing any permanent damage to your couch. Most slipcovers can be machine-washed, so the day after the party you can simply was away any stains.

Putting a slipcover on your couch is a small change, but it can make a big difference in your living space this holiday season.

Labels: Interior Design

The Design Matters Home Team hosted a fun, festive and informative workshop on Holiday Decorating at the Mountain High Appliance showroom this past week. This workshop was the second out of three holiday oriented workshops to get you inspired for the holidays.

When thinking about the winter holidays, resist the urge to over-do it. Less is more: you can have a festive home that is still a peaceful retreat for you and your family by editing your holiday décor. Pick a single theme and use it throughout your home; it can be a color (again, metallics are a fun trend), shape (think round Christmas balls) or item (repeating a winter icon, like the snowy tree).

By being selective with the items you display, you can keep your holiday collections fresh by packing some accessories away for a few seasons and revisiting them when you are ready for a change. Also, when you pick a theme it is easier to shop the overwhelming holiday displays at your favorite stores. You will know just the color, shape or item you want and being decisive will save time and money.

Below are the five themes we highlighted in the workshop. All will remain on display in the Mountain High Appliance showroom in Louisville Colorado through the holidays. Stop by and check them out!

Casual autumn decorations with a metallic shimmer:

Decorating with candy for the young and young at heart:

Highlighting blue and silver for an elegant and modern table:

• Vibrant colors, including pink, ice blue and any shade of green.


• Nostalgia: old is new!


• Metallics.


• Decorating with Boxwood.
  

We so enjoyed sharing our holiday vision with our guests at Mountain High Appliance! If you feel inspired by our choices, please call us at (303) 249-4661 for an appointment for our Holiday Styling Services. We would love to bring some holiday shimmer to your home!

Also, we will be hosting an encore presentation of the Holiday Eatertaining live cooking workshop that we held on October 27th. The second date will be on December 8th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm at Mountain High Appliance in Louisville. Seating is limited and they filled up quick for the first workshop so call (303)249-4661 today to reserve your spot!

Labels: holiday decorating, Interior Design, Workshops

We attended a very informative seminar last week in Boulder on Hiding Technology put on by Tyler Lantzy of Saavihome - the only national network of professional home electronic integrators in North America according to their website. Tyler presented what appeared to be a presentation from CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association). Topics included the value gained in working with an ESC (Electronics Systems Contractor), an overview of the different types of residential systems, the importance of including your home electronics wants/needs early in the home planning process, and some of the methods and strategies for hiding technology.

A key to hiding technology, especially for new homes, is to integrate technology with the design and décor rather than treating it as an afterthought. To achieve the goal of integrated technology it is recommended to engage the ESC in the planning process 2-3 months prior to the completion of the construction drawings.

Today's home entertainment systems are seeing more rooms with multiple televisions along with televisions in rooms that traditionally did not have them like kitchens and bathrooms. Done poorly, the increasing presence of technology in the home can detract from the décor. Done properly though technology will not even be noticed, that is being noticed in a bad way.

Subsystems in homes include home theater, distributed audio, distributed video, lighting control, climate control, custom motorization, security and fire, video surveillance, and voice/data networking. Many homes already include all of these subsystems but they are not integrated. Integrating them together is a good way to enhance the experience of the homeowners while significantly reducing the adverse visible impact to the homes décor.

While there are definitely high end options for integrating all these systems, options are becoming more available for middle class homes as well.

Tyler showed examples of the following methods of hiding technology - conceal, camouflage, consolidate, remotely locate, and eliminate. Since video and audio are designed to be seen and heard respectively it can be challenging to hide them but it can be done without compromising their functionality and quality. Examples of ways to hide video displays include: recess in wall, behind doors, behind two way mirrors, behind art, motorized lifts, and drop screens.

For sound, technology today is allowing concealment through total blend-in with sheet rock, faux painting, behind grills/heat registers, disguising with artwork and tapestries, and integration into light fixtures.

Another key part of hiding technology that was covered is the consolidation of controls. Instead of having multiple switches and remotes for your lights, sound, video, heat, etc. you can now integrate all the controls into single units that are more functional and do not deter from the décor.

When you integrate all the technologies of your home you can have enhanced experiences, reduced clutter, and possibly even more efficient power usage through smart homes. One concern I had was that with stand alone technology units the technology is not tied to the home and it is typically not a part of the selling process. When it is integrated though it becomes a part of the selling process and can most definitely enhance the value of the home but it can also detract if the technology has not been kept up to date. Remember all the homes that have antiquated intercoms that no longer work and are now eyesores? The key is making sure that the foundation is solid and the wiring is there. New technologies are able to run through more consolidated wiring so that even if the technologies change well designed solutions should still last a long time by allowing you to plug and play the respective end delivery technology (i.e. speakers, TV) without having to dig into your home's walls every time tech changes.

So if you are building a new home or retrofitting an existing home it makes sense to consult with an Electronic Systems Contractor before getting to far along in the project. Even if you don't think you can afford all these integrated systems talk to them first. Just like with Interior Designers their subjective and expert viewpoint will make sure you are getting the most for your budget and will be most satisfied with the end result.

Labels: entertainment, Interior Design, technology

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A full house, full bellies, full on fun! We had an amazing night at the kick-off of our new Design Inspiration Series this past Tuesday night (before the snow!) at Mountain High Appliance in Louisville.

Guests of Eatertainment were ushered in for beverages, including a yummy non-alcoholic Cranberry Sparkler, and featured appetizers before Mountain High Executive Chef, Keith Jones took the stage to show how to create his delectable, simple holiday treats.

Chef Keith gave us a lesson on wrapping Chinese Vegetable Egg Rolls and tips for easy, delicious egg roll fillings like broccoli slaw for example. A Moussaka Tart was next on the demonstration list with Keith sharing great tips on how to tackle challenging Phyllo dough. To finish off the night, Chef Keith baked Triple Chocolate Cinnamon Cookies, and pulled Pumpkin Walnut Pudding with Ginger Sabayon Cream out of a warming drawer! Total decadence!


The night was a smash hit thanks to Chef Keith, great food, and a great crowd. Thank you again to everyone who attended! Also, thank you to everyone who donated generously to the Flatirons Habitat for Humanity vase.

Now that you have your holiday food inspiration, it is time to focus on your holiday decorating inspiration! Join us next Tuesday, November 3rd, for our next workshop where we will be taking highlighting fresh schemes and themes that will give your home a cohesive, sophisticated, and unique style for the holidays. Visit our Workshops page to learn more and to RSVP.

If you missed the Eatertainment workshop on the 27th, don’t worry there will be an encore presentation on December 8th 2009, 5:30pm, at Mountain High Appliance. Seating is limited so call (303)249-4661 today to reserve your spot!

Labels: holiday decorating, Interior Design, Workshops

A new “twist” on holiday decorating:

The new on-line design magazine, Lonny, features a number of eclectic and inspiring house tours (check it out at http://www.lonnymag.com/). If you look closely, you’ll see that most of the houses feature one common element in the living or dining space: a dedicated bar cart. What better time of year to think about setting aside space in your living area to set up a bar (either alcoholic or non-alcoholic) than the upcoming holiday season?

To build your bar, pick a few favorite liquors and mixers and place on a side table (or even a folding table covered with a holiday tablecloth) along with some glasses, swizzle sticks and cocktail napkins. To find inexpensive holiday-themed glassware and accessories, check out the holiday décor sections of your favorite discount store. For a non-alcoholic bar, consider stocking a range of gourmet sodas in unusual flavors as well as sparkling water and ciders. A mix of cranberry juice and lemon-line soda is also a great non-alcoholic treat to have on hand during the holidays.

To add a unique twist to your bar, consider making citrus fruit the decorative element that makes your bar area come alive with color. If the palette of your holiday decorations is mainly metallic colors such as silver or gold, consider going crazy with lemons and oranges to add color. Take glass vases and fill with fruit and place in the center of your bar. If you decorate in traditional red and green colors, find a simple bowl and load it with limes and pomegranate to add a fruity and abundant touch to your bar.

Setting up a citrus-y bar cart brings together festive sophistication with the bright sunshine colors of a Colorado winter. Happy Holidays, indeed!

Get more ideas and a jump-start on your Holiday preparations by attending our Holiday Workshops on October 27th and November 3rd. To get more information and to RSVP (required) go to our Workshops page.

Labels: holiday decorating, Interior Design

We are kicking off a series of posts about small changes you can make in your home that have a big impact on how your home works and looks.

Labels: Interior Design

I was browsing the shelves at the Louisville Library the other day while my children were in the kids section and Wendy A. Jordan's book "Universal Design for the Home" caught my attention. Here is a quick review.

Wendy mentions in the introduction that she wrote this book to bridge a divide on the information gap around Universal Design. Wendy definitely accomplished this goal. I found this book to be a great resource to help show people the power of universal design concepts in designing their living spaces. Wendy put it best -

"At first, much of the focus in universal design was on public places. Some of the universal design options for homes seemed institutional, too 'different.' Many were ugly, off-putting. If homeowners had a choice, they steered clear of these early designs. Now the picture is far different. Public interest in universal design has caught fire, igniting an energetic effort by designers and manufacturers to provide fresh, attractive designs for residential use. They have had great success. Today, universal design features blend seamlessly into home designs, drawing little attention to themselves, yet making the designs much better. The importance of universal design is clear, and its value in home design is as fundamental as the ABCs. Well-planned universal design homes are accessible, or barrier-free. They're beautiful, and they are comfortable for all."

The book has great pictures, sample layouts, tips, and stories highlighting the various concepts around Universal Design and how they have been applied in kitchens, bathrooms, indoor/outdoor living, and whole house designs.

If you are looking to update the appliances in your home this book will show you examples of how appliance technology has improved considerably in the last few years to make everyday cooking, bathing, and living activities easier for everyone without compromising the aesthetic appeal that we all seek.

The following 7 objectives, established for Universal Design in the 1990s from experts at the Center for Universal Design, are highlighted in the book. When you look at them, and keep them in the back of your mind as you read through the pages, it is hard not to see the value of using these objectives in interior design for everyone.

1. Equitable Use (The design works for everyone equally, preferably without separate features for certain users. Nobody should be stigmatized, and all should have equal provisions for safety, security, and privacy.)

2. Flexibility in Use (The design suits a wide range of abilities and preferences, including a choice in methods of use. Flexible designs anticipate the needs of people who are right handed or left handed, for example, and people who may need more time to complete a task.)

3. Simple and Intuitive Use (The design is easy for all to understand. It should make sense and be easy to use, even for someone without experience, reading ability, or language skill.)

4. Perceptible Information (Information needed to distinguish or use a design or product is communicated clearly to all. That means good color contrast and multiple, easy-to-use ways of communicating, such as images, words, and textures.

5. Tolerance for Error (The design anticipates accidents and minimizes hazards, by shielding dangerous elements, providing warnings, and incorporating foolproof features.)

6. Low Physical Effort (The design can be used efficiently, comfortably, and with minimal effort. In other words, people should be able to use the design without a lot of bending, straining, exertion, or repetitive action.)

7. Size and Space for Approach and Use (The design incorporates the size and space needed for every user to function well, regardless of size, posture, or mobility. Tall or short, standing or seated, alone or with an assistant, everyone should be able to see, reach, and comfortably use the features in a design area.)

I recommend checking out Wendy's book. I found some design inspiration in a couple of the bathroom pictures for remodel work we are thinking about for our own master bathroom.

If you are in the Boulder, Broomfield, or Longmont Colorado area and want to implement Universal Design concepts in your home give us a call at (303)249-4661. We are experienced in implementing Universal Design concepts and would be more than happy to bring our expertise to your design matters so you get the results you want!

Labels: Interior Design, Universal Design

Members of the Design Matters Home team recently had the opportunity to view a webinar offered by the creative team at Benjamin Moore Paints, which forecasted the color trends for 2011. The theme for the 2011 Color Pulse forecast is Balance. According to Benjamin Moore -

"BALANCE is an attribute that we all strive to live. Sorting the Real from the Surreal defines priorities that drive the direction for 2011, as it gives us a chance to dream of the future. From the rural influences to urban application, BALANCE is supported by 4 themes for COLOR PULSE 2011: The Farm, Order, Escape, and Tribe."

Surprisingly for a trend forecast, the Benjamin Moore presentation offered a color palette that was primarily based in nostalgia for times past: natural and organic colors inspired by the landscape of the farm; classic, modern Puritanism based in geometrics and bold colors; feminine and soft cosmetic colors influenced by women’s fashion from the 1950’s (think Mad Men!) and vibrant patterns and indigenous colors inspired by tribal culture. Over the course of the presentation, the themes of simplicity, cocooning and nostalgia were woven through the many color palettes featured.

What does this mean for the designer and consumer? Many of these forecasts are starting to appear as accents and accessories in the home: the return of farm accents in the kitchen, bold colored seating for the dining table, soft pearlized and feminine home accessories, and richly patterned textiles offered with unusual animal prints like zebra and leopard. As these trends continue to develop, choices in wall covering and furnishings will, according to Benjamin Moore, reflect a desire to return to simpler times and color palettes that consumers intuitively understand from past experience and exposure. It was a forecast that offered us a chance to look back.

Check out the Benjamin Moore website to learn more about more Color Pulse 2011 webinars.

Give us a call at (303)249-4661 or send us an email at info@designmattershome.com with any questions you have on how this forecast or any other trend forecast can be applied to your home.

Labels: Interior Design, trends

We had another great workshop this past Tuesday, June 23, 2009. The dance studio of The Art Underground provided a nice setting for about 22 attendees to learn more about low cost design.








As advertised we had great refreshments and we gave away great prizes including a tea pack from Celestial Seasonings, two bottles of wine from Boulder Creek Winery, a copy of the "Use What You Have Decorating" book by Lauri Ward, a $25 gift certificate to Lafayette Flea Market, and a catered redesign party for 10 by the Design Matters Home team. Thank you much to all the companies that provided prizes. We also want to again thank The Art Underground for the room, chairs, and tables and thank you, Keith Bobo for taking pictures.

Our next workshop is on Outdoor Kitchens and it will not be one to miss. We are still working out the final plans so check back on our website for updated information.

Labels: Interior Design

Furniture:

Tables:

• Remnant slab granite for a table top with sale bar stools for legs or on top of an old beat up table or an inexpensive table
• Buy inexpensive glass table tops (AFW, Glass and Mirror Craft); place on top of any creative bases you can come up with (decorative pillars, 2 small side tables, bar stools, benches)
• Buy precut wood "rounds" at hardware store, throw on top of any base (even a folding card table), cover w/a pretty tablecloth, and you have an instant breakfast table, bedside table, foyer table, etc

Bookcases

• Alternative to expensive built-ins, buy inexpensive bookcases from the unpainted furniture store to fill the space, then tie together with paint-grade base & crown moldings. Paint (w/a sprayer) the whole thing one color and get an expensive custom look
• Paint the backs of your bookcases or cabinets an accent color, wallpaper remnants, or craft paper for a quick & easy custom look

Art

• Blank stretched canvas can be stretched with fabric and changed out, fabric circles traced from bowls can be glued on and sealed with Modge Podge - decoupage.
• Fabric abstracts with fabric scraps - framed
• Vintage wine labels, ticket stubs, foreign money put into a frame at angles, overlapping as a collage
• Collection of letters in different sizes and finishes to hang on the wall in a grouping
• Frame wall paper, wrapping paper and fabric samples
• Frame calendar pages or old coffee table books that you can tear pages from (e.g., a series of botanicals).

Accessories:

• Area Rugs: Carpet remnants & bind edge for an inexpensive alternative to area rug or wall-to-wall carpeting. Inexpensive sisal rug & paint a border stripe in your wall color to customize for your room

General:

• Add paint grade wood (e.g., when adding moldings) less expensive than staining higher grade wood for crown & chair rail moldings; molding kits that come with pre-made corner pieces so you don’t need to hire carpenter to match corner cuts
• Spray paint is your friend.
• Stove paint can cover dated brass on fireplace inserts and shower surrounds.
• White or black spray paint to transform inexpensive picture frames and decorative items at flea markets, garage sales, etc. for a unified, clean, contemporary look when displayed together.
• Spray paint an antique (or just old & ugly!) chandelier or light fixture white, black, or even a fun, dramatic color & add small shades, for a cool "custom" fixture.

Labels: Interior Design

Best time to buy:

• Furniture: Jan. and July
• Large Appliances: Oct. and Jan.
• Computers: Aug. and Dec.
• Electronics: April, May, Black Friday, Cyber Monday
• Gas Grills: Oct.
• Linens and Bedding: Jan.
• Matressess and Box Springs: May
• Office Furniture: Jan and End of April
• Patio Furniture: Sept.
• Small Appliances: Dec.
• TVs: April and Dec.
• Vacuum Cleaners: April and May
• Wine : Early Fall

Where to Shop:

• Lafayette Flea Market, Lafayette
• Home Goods, Westminster
• Big Lots, Louisville
• Consignment Shops
• The Amazing Garage Sale
• Feather Thy Nest
• No Place Like Home
• Hotel furniture liquidator for bargains on large furnishings & framed art
• CB2 (Crate and Barrel Modern) and EQ3 - modern affordable furniture

Floor samples - find out when displays will be changed and make an offer on the display – don’t pay full price!

Labels: Interior Design

Furniture:

Think about what you have and how it can better serve you in a different capacity or room. Flip pieces between rooms (e.g., mix up LR & family room pieces). Split up matched sets, i.e. sofa/loveseat, chair & ottoman, that look too "matchy-matchy" anyhow.

Empty the room and see it w/fresh eyes and moving things out of the places where "they’ve always been," can enliven a space

Switch outdated hardware on furniture (new drawer pulls on a DR hutch or dresser) for an instant update - Great Indoors has a wonderful selection! (Also switch out door handles & hinges throughout the house to modernize inexpensively.

Repurpose furniture:

A coffee table can become a TV console or a bench in a foyer w/some pillows added to top

An old-fashioned secretary can become a funky little wine/martini bar

A bureau can become a buffet in a DR

An upholstered ottoman can serve as a coffee table w/a tray on top

A bookcase can become a room divider

An outgrown wooden toy box can become seating - add some foam cut to size and add a simple slipcover

An antique wardrobe can become a media cabinet

Remember to consider the actual shapes of pieces rather than their "titles" when considering where/how they can be used.

Buy neutral large furnishings for flexibility - allows you to change look often as you like with color of candles, throws, pillows, art:
* Seasonally
* Style - modern or traditional or eclectic

Hold a furniture swap meet with your neighbors

Color:

Go bold with paint; an inexpensive way to get a bang for your buck.

Kitchens and bathrooms:

Add a frame around builder’ stock mirrors over bathroom vanities w/decorative moldings (if you bring dimensions, many hardware stores will cut the moldings to size for you).

Add hardware to plain cabinets - it’s like adding jewelry after you’ve dressed for a special evening - the finishing touch, bit of sparkle that makes all the difference

Buy small quantities of expensive materials
* Italian glass tile as accents mixed with less expensive materials 12 x 12s of less expensive travertine
* Luxury fabric pillows mixed w/less expensive store

Accessorizing:

Pair expensive items with less expensive items to blend; less expensive items will blend in. Do not put an expensive vase next to an inexpensive vase or the same exact thing - one expensive, one less expensive.

Buy a vase, bowl, pillar, etc. that you love, place it prominently, & occasionally switch out its contents (silk spring blooms, twigs or gourds in the fall, glass Xmas tree balls, etc.)

Decorate with nature - a simple bowl of artichokes, 3 perfect pears on candlestick holders centered on a table.

Don’t hide your good china, bring out it out! Display pieces mingled in bookcases/on shelves, hang a grouping of the plates on dining room wall, etc.

General:

Make it personal
* Create shadow boxes of mementos - foreign money
* Display your childhood/family items
* Apothecary jar of shells or stones you’ve collected
* Lovely bottle filled with sand from your favorite beach
* Frame & hang your children’s artwork - even the most humble watercolor can look significant if matted & framed (pre-made frames are fine & easy to switch artwork periodically).

Labels: Interior Design

To all the moms out there - Are you losing, or have already lost, the adult rooms in your house to the annexation of your kid’s rooms? I know this is a tough battle to wage. I two young children and go through this myself. You don't have to give up every room though! It is important and actually healthy to maintain a solid balance of adult living space and children living space in your home. Here is a quick story on how we helped one of our client's take back their living room.



The client's home has a nice living room space right off their foyer. As you can see in this before picture you could hardly tell it was a living room though. I can imagine what the SuperNanny would say about this scenario!








There were other spaces in the house for a kid's play room but over time the living room became yet another play area for children leaving the adults without a room of their own. The mom had enough though and called us in to help take it back.





One of her requests was to use these two pictures as inspiration for the colors of the room. They are family paintings of the area where she is from and she loves the colors.


Having something of value to you to share with an interior designer is a very important step to take early in the design process. This will ensure the designer brings ideas that mean the most to you and fit your styles.







With the inspiration of the pictures, an understanding of the desired feel for the room that we got from conversations with the clients, and some parameters of existing furniture, we created a variety of space plans to start looking at the options for the room before anything was purchased. Here are three examples.





The client liked the layout of the third design so with that we had a basis for what new pieces to add and how to use the existing pieces to achieve their desired goals.








Here are the after pictures of the room. The sofa and paint colors brought out the desired colors of the picture.










Notice the kid’s area is now on the raised part of their family room which is where the client wanted it, out of the way of the initial impression of visitors entering their home.



We also had a custom rot iron railing installed to replace the old wood one giving an updated and unique feel to the separation of the rooms.

Labels: Interior Design, living room

Last Tuesday night (3/31/2009) Design Matters Home and A Natural Bliss sponsored a presentation Beefy O’Brady’s restaurant in Louisville.

Labels: Boulder Colorado, Interior Design, Landscape Design

Labels: 2009 trends, color, Interior Design, trends

Why is the living room one of the main rooms to look at when you are assessing your comfort in your home? It is, along with the kitchen, the primary space for entertaining and gathering. It is a hard working room.

In many home layouts the living room is also the front line impression of your home. It creates the atmosphere of welcome that can define the attitudes of the occupants. That is why the interior design of this space is key to a home’s overall impact.

What is the proper title of this space for gathering? There must be more names for this room than any other in the home. The truth is Living Room, Family Room, TV Room, Great Room, or Den are each appropriate titles for this shared living space. Today’s interiors have changed. With the decrease of formality, closed spaces with separate functions have disappeared giving way to less formal, open, multifunctional spaces.

Modern homes in Colorado often have what we call a Great Room, as these spaces tend to open to other rooms, such as the kitchen, and serve as a multifunctional space. Living Room in the traditional sense is often kept as the name for a separate more formal shared space, usually without a TV.

Designing the living space takes careful planning so there is a balance between function and aesthetics. Function is the primary task to be tackled.

The experience and skill of an interior designer can be crucial to help you navigate these tasks and analyze how the parts relate to the whole. We see so many situations where clients have gone out and bought a piece of furniture that looked great in the store but turned out to not fit the space at all. Even if you are on a tight budget or simply a bona-fide “DIYer,” consulting an interior designer before you purchase any furniture or furnishings can help you avoid headaches, make sure you are set going in the right direction for your needs and desires, and actually save you money down the road.

· All the intended uses of the space need to be analyzed.
· How often do you entertain?
· How many people?
· What are the activities that will take place in this room, reading, watching TV, music, computer work, and game playing? What if all of these end up happening at the same time?
· Will there be children and or pets using this space?
· Do you have collections and books that need storage or display space?

The answers to these questions help to determine the furniture, lighting, and materials needed in this space. In addition, space planning and the scale of the items needed is critical.

Aesthetics are also important to the design but are usually considered after the function.

· What is the mood or feeling desired in this space?
· What colors are pleasing?
· How does this room fit with the rest of the home?
· What style themes appeal to you?

There are many choices of materials that come into play. These include fabrics, window coverings, floor coverings, lighting, accessories, and media components. A skilled designer can combine hard and soft materials to provide a balance of surfaces that is most pleasing to the eye.

If you have not changed anything in your living space in the last 8 to 15 years it is time to consider an update. This can be as simple as adding some accent pieces or an accent color.

Consider creating a theme to drive design choices. Time tested themes include Modern, Urban-Contemporary, Asian-Zen, Italian-Tuscan, Mountain Lodge, Arts & Crafts, Victorian, and French. Each of these design styles dictate certain color palettes, materials, and fabrics.

Green design, using eco-friendly materials can easily be incorporated to your living space as well. Natural materials such as sustainable woods, cotton, silk, wool, recycled materials, and bamboo are available in furniture, flooring, window coverings, fabrics, and accessories. These materials are becoming more affordable as they move into the mainstream. LED lighting is another addition to green design that has increasing options to incorporate into your interiors.

As we move more frequently today than in the past, consider the short term and long term commitment to your home. If you are planning on a potential of a move within the next 5 to 6 years, it is advisable to consider a style and materials that will appeal to the majority of people. Use a base of neutrals and layer with accent colors in your accessories. This does not mean go bland or boring. It does mean coordinate and balance your space in calming tones and your work will be done when you put your house on the market.

Labels: Interior Design, living room

Happy Friday!

I thought I would end the week with some of my thoughts on various home and interior design trends for 2009 I have recently seen on the web.

Remember with all trends, everyone is an expert at the time and there are opinions galore at the start of the year. You will find pros and cons to all of them. They are called trends because they come and go so take them with a grain of salt, even mine.

If you are working with a designer, make them part of your planning and discuss them at length to make sure they hold up for your goals (or design matters as we call them). Make changes to your home for the right reasons that work for you. Don't just do them because they are trendy...

Houses designed with both a master and second bedroom on the first floor are becoming more popular

Easy to agree with this one. This solution obviously gives massive flexibility for older people as well as younger families. Two bedroom masters are also more popular as well. With more people staying in their homes longer concepts like universal design and vistability can really extend the useful life of our homes well beyond what it used to be.

Completely separate office space, connected to the house by a hallway or a breezeway is growing in popularity

This makes sense. With more and more telecommuters working from home, people are realizing the importance of keeping the office separate from the living area as much as is feasible. This is to limit the embarrassment of a barking dog during a call and to mimic the separation that naturally occurs when you work at a separate location. Many of us cannot afford a totally separate office space so you have to get creative with your separation. Obviously a second bedroom or basement can be converted into an office. If that is also not applicable you can still create separation with screens, hanging panels of fabric, furniture lay-out, plants, etc.

Kitchens are getting smaller, but they are connected to much larger dining areas, often with a center island

I disagree with this one. With today's open floor plans, the kitchen is as large as adjoining rooms especially with large islands for dining. How can this room get smaller with more seating on a large island? Two work areas are more popular as ever with prep areas with two sinks. Guests are encouraged to get engaged in the cooking not stay out of the kitchen. Society is embracing the kitchen more than ever as a gathering spot. Pieces of furniture and art are brought in to make the kitchen appear more like a living space than a kitchen. Great examples - having furniture in place of cabinetry, cabinetry with legs, integrated appliances that go away like refrigerators, coffee makers, dishwashers, etc.

Oversized family rooms with high ceilings are giving way to smaller, cozier rooms with lower ceilings.

Amen! No doubt high windows in vaulted ceilings look really cool as do weird angled windows. The problem is that once you get past the cool factor you realize that they are highly impractical. The sun beats in relentlessly, privacy is more difficult as is cleaning. So for people buying new homes, it is great that there will be more options with cozier rooms. If you currently have rooms with high ceilings, do not fret there are solutions. Keep in mind though that they will be more expensive than other rooms due to their custom nature. Window treatments can be used to make a space feel much cozier and if placed correctly, lead the eye down to make the ceiling lower. The recent trend of painting ceilings the same as the wall color lends the room a smaller, cozier feeling. Wainscoting and crown moulding can also be used to bring the ceiling down visually.

Home theaters have lost much appeal because people don't want to watch television in a separate area of the home.

Define home theatre....if we are talking about a room solely for TV viewing with rows of seats that is truly isolated from other rooms, then it is true that there are not a lot of folks doing these rooms. There is appeal for a family room, where you can have guests or read, relax, etc. without a TV around. This is not to be confused with the formal living room. Again, this is a room to escape the constant barrage of cell phones, TV, computers, etc...this is a gathering place for family and friends to connect, feel comfortable, relax, and entertain. There is also the appeal for having another room dedicated to gathering the family or friends for TV - movies, football games, a game of Wii, etc. Home theaters are places that you go, sit down, and watch a movie...they don't encourage social interaction.

Increase in smaller renovations

I agree with this one. A few years back people had more capability, or more perceived capability, to major rennovations or just pick up and move when they grew tired of their home. A good side of the poor economy is that it forces people to take a deeper look at their current home. I think many find that with just some basic and pretty affordable "uplifts" they can achieve their comfort and functionality goals in their current home.

Loveseats. A pair or trio is gaining acceptance as the functional way to rearrange a living or family room. People are tired of sitting miles away from others on over-sized sectional sofas.

I agree, it is great to see people starting to get more comfortable creating more intimate areas of their rooms. Unfortunately I have seen, and still see people reluctant to create natural seating areas. They tend to put furniture along the perimeter of rooms which is awkward. I think it is more powerful to float appropriate furniture in the room, so you have more flexibility to create more seating areas.

Non-colors are hot. White on white. Cream on cream. White on cream. You get the idea. It’s almost a layering of the neutrals.

Yes, but I see it more as an ethereal/translucent look, rather than a layering of neutrals.

Blacks, whites, creams and grays are everywhere.

Not quite the only thing we are seeing but it is one color palette that is appealing to people now.

Splashes of colors. In the non-color look, it’s becoming popular to have an accent wall or accent piece that introduces the only splash of color in the room. The splash could be pillows, a piece of art of furniture.

Yes, I like this concept. A piece of furniture may be too expensive. You will get tired of the look so it is better to use something that is more interchangeable as your moods and tastes change like pillows, art, one accent wall, etc - w/o spending too much money.

Faux finishes are out

Maybe. Is this more lexicon and the colors used? People are still into the "washes" to get subtle depth which is essentially a faux finish but not too over the top. People still want to create interesting looks but in a more subtle way.

Kids study areas are in. Imagine a full wall mini-office or extended peninsula near the kitchen where the kids use their computers and do homework. This affords parental assistance with homework and supervision while they are using their computers.

Cool, fits again with the increasingly social goal of keeping the family together, and backs up my thought that kitchens are not getting smaller. Kitchens are a great place to put a very workable kids study area therefore you will need more room in your kitchen.

Chandeliers are popular again, but instead of gold or brass, they're being seen in polished black or something that reflects the light.

Love that chandeliers are back especially in fun, funky colors…these are awesome accent pieces in unexpected places….bathrooms, kids rooms, etc. The reflection of some of these new chandeliers is amazing and beautiful.

More durable, easier-to-clean fabrics are being used in households with kids and pets.

YES, YES…..more and more companies are making these so the options for more and more pattern and colors is expanding. These fabrics will last longer because they are thicker and more durable. They can be a tad more expensive, but if you can clean a sofa more easily, make your sofa last longer, and have more colors and patterns to choose from – WOW!

If you have questions on the trends or my thoughts send me an email (helly@designmattershome.com) or better yet attend our trends workshop on January 22 at our Louisville Colorado office. This workshop is the first of a monthly program we are starting for 2009. Visit http://www.designmattershome.com/ for the schedule which will be finalized in the next few days.

Thank you for reading. HAGW (Have a great weekend!)

Labels: 2009 trends, Interior Design

Want to know the latest trends in color for 2009? You might be in for some surprises. Pantone (international paint and color giant) has released their predictions for the color palettes of the next year. Color forecasters draw their inspiration from all forms of culture including fashion, the entertainment industry, art exhibits, even the economy. Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone forecaster, says today’s palettes parallel the sentiment of our nation with “with lively colors indicating hopeful attitudes paired with sophisticated, grounded hues that address the need for stability in times of economic uncertainty.”

There are eight palettes for 2009:

Wine Country inspired by the vineyards of Napa and beyond includes taupe, olive, grapevine green, lavender, sky blue, and burgundy.

Honesty inspired by natural, green design includes unbleached white, tender greens, coral, tan, cool grey, rose red.

Discerning Taste based on traditional interiors includes crystal, antique white, caviar black, metallics, champagnes, and orchid.

Reveries is a nod to the past with a touch of whimsy exhibited with mauves, lilac, lavender, dusty blue, purple, and rich browns.

Wanderings which is inspired by international travels, includes rose, Dijon yellow, taupe, Mediterranean blue, gold, and red.

Solar Energy is inspired by active vibrancy includes mandarin, flame orange, wine, fuchsia, electric blue, yellow-green, paired with ash grey.

Breath Easy is inspired by relaxation and contemplation includes cool blues, ocean, Provence blue, bright white, garden green, yellow green, and blue-purple.

Anime is inspired by the unusual color combinations seen in cartooning, includes red, vibrant blue, mint, apricot, green, and berry.

These color palettes provide something for everyone to draw inspiration. Coordinated, planned, updated interiors can bring a sense of stability, calm, and peacefulness. This can be achieved with a little paint and accents or a comprehensive remodel.

Boulder County tends to lean toward modern design, green design, and contemporary design and color palettes. As a comprehensive design firm, we have experience working with all design styles. Let Design Matters Home help you with your color forecasting. Call or email us today.

Kristin Bramer, Interior Designer with Design Matters Home, Kristin@designmattershome.com

Design Matters Home is wrapping up the final plans for a Trends Happy Hour to be held at our office in Louisville Colorado towards the end of January. Trends in color, furniture, rooms, and more will be covered. Check back on our website, http://www.DesignMattersHome.com, in the next few days for more information.

Labels: color, Interior Design, trends

I attended a presentation about the color trends as predicted by Sherwin Williams this past fall. It was an outstanding presentation that stirred a lot of excitement in the audience of interior designers. View the Sherwin Williams 2008 Color Forecast.

Two forecasted color groups were the most relevant to my inspiration and creativity for the New Year.

The first amazing color group was Around the World. This group of colors struck me because the colors are very earthy, yet there are wonderful pops of color that make the group really fun land unpredictable like Dynamo, SW 6841 and Tupelo Tree, SW 6417. This color group reflects the type of colors that are very user friendly in my geographic area of Boulder and Colorado. The reflection of the outdoors and connection with nature are amazing, and help bring the outdoors in, which is a very important concept to Coloradans.

I was also impressed with the No Place Like Home color group. The Sherwin Williams rep, who gave us the presentation a few months ago, told us that we would see more ethereal colors, and this color group nails ethereal. Who doesn't need a dose of ethereal in this busy world? Being delicate and light and intangible sounds like plan to me after an overbooked day of chaos. Spa is out. Ethereal is in! No more white towels, go with Evening Shadow SW7662 or Restful White SW 7563. There are a few pops of color in this group to keep you grounded so you don't float too far away from reality.

There you have a Colorful Colorado 2008 color forecast. Have fun with these fantastic colors.

Labels: Boulder Colorado, Interior Design

"Boutique Traditional", "Clean Transitional", "Modern Contemporary", "New Eclecticism", "Warm Modernism", "Tradition With A Twist", "Neo-Neo-Classicism"

What is going on here? Are we as an industry making this harder for consumers than it should be? My answer is yes. It does not have to be this complicated though. All the above terms were mentioned in an interesting recent article in the New York Times by Julie Scelfo called Marketing Décor for a Conflicted Era .

"American Leather is one of many manufacturers and retailers now contending with the problem of naming or describing furniture that is designed to defy categorization. In recent years, as decorators and indie furniture designers rebelled against the minimalism that held sway early in the decade, an individualistic, mix-and-match aesthetic has become fashionable, and is now becoming the norm. This look - contemporary spaces peppered with antiques and craftsy pieces, bespoke furnishings that tweak traditional forms with unusual materials - has filtered into the mainstream consciousness, thanks largely to TV makeover programs, magazines and blogs. Now companies aimed at the mass market consumer are having to figure out how to package it."

While there may be reasons for the manufacturers to struggle with these terms so they can refresh their brands to sell product don’t let it impact how you put it all together so it works in your home.

A name should not define what works for you in your home. When you are sitting in your living room on your new sofa, does it really matter if it is from the Arlington line that was worded to reflect the blend of traditional and contemporary? No. What matters is whether or not the sofa, and other pieces you purchased for your interior design, create an interior space that is comfortable to you in your home.

"It’s an eclectic mix of designs," said Mr. Plasman. "Naming it after a specific design period was harder than coming up with a name for your own child."

Merriam-Webster defines eclectic as "composed of elements drawn from various sources," and transitional as, "a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another." It sounds like both are a mix of different ideas that come together to form one concrete idea. So, call it what you want. It is simply a blend of styles, colors, and philosophies that marry together to form dynamic interiors.

If you like transitional interiors which blend traditional and contemporary styles, focus on neutral color palettes, and highlight clean lines with minimal accessories then I say COOL, especially if you live in a geographic area where casual is key to life like Colorado.

People in Colorado don't want fussy interiors; we need interiors that can stand up to muddy hiking boots, dusty running shoes, fishing poles, skis and ski boots. That does not mean that people in Colorado necessarily value function over aesthetics. People here want gorgeous interiors that can stand the test of the great outdoors indoors. This translates to casual, but nice interiors, that allow a fabulous blend of clean lines, fun pops of color, and unique yet appropriate accessories.

"One of the greatest paradoxes of this human condition we live in is people have these conflicting desires: first, to belong to a group, and second, to be unique. And these two things fight with each other and that happens with furnishings too."

Let the marketers stay in their world of names and descriptions to attempt to solve this paradox while you focus on design matters to build the best interior design solutions for your needs.

• Are the pieces aesthetically pleasing to your senses? I recommend asking this question on pieces individually and along with others you want to mix and match in your home.
• Do the pieces provide the functionality you need to make your life easier?
• Do the pieces match your goals of making the earth a better place to live?
• Do the pieces represent your goals of saving money or future investment?
• Do the pieces provide the health benefits to make your mind and body thrive?

If you use the above approach rather than focusing on names and descriptions then you will end up with an interior design that exceeds all your expectations no matter what category it falls into.

Labels: Boulder Colorado, Design Matters, Interior Design

posted by Helly  0 Comments

Welcome to the Design Matters @ Home Blog. Once we get in the groove of entering content into this blog you will see our thoughts on the application of design matters at home through interior design and home staging. You will also see from time to time our thoughts on the interior design and home staging market in Boulder County Colorado where we are based. We think it will be exciting content to read and hope you feel the same.

Labels: Design Matters, Home Staging, Interior Design