Hello My Dear Design Junkies!
This week I was invited to write a guest post at the very cool design blog called My Doma.
Click here to read the entire article
How to Have a Fabulous Front Door and Why It’s So Important
DO YOU NEED HELP DESIGNING YOUR FRONT DOOR AREA INSIDE AND OUT?
Register for my 5-Day Online Design Coaching Program for only $99 (price is going up To $197 on July 1st – Grab it while you can!)
Your front door is the “face of your house.”
Your front door is to your house what your expression is to your face. Is your house smiling or frowning? Does it make others feel welcome? And what does it say about you?
A shiny fresh coat of paint or stain is the quickest way to give your front entry a facelift. Door hardware, lighting and potted plants are all important too but….in this post we’ll focus on color.
The body color of your house – your door will look best when contrasting with the body color.
A neutral house can feature a bright color. Lush!
Nicole Galetta
Your interior color palette – in a perfect world your front door will RELATE or repeat a color from your interior design.
Lauren Leiss
Why is that so important? Because the CONTINUITY feels so-o-o- good. The transition to the inside will be graceful and fluid. A beautiful front door can actually change your mood.
Celerie Kembel
Dramatic custom made door – it blends seamlessly with the interior
Four Corners Construction
CREATE A FLOW FROM THE ENTIRE INTERIOR ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE FRONT DOOR.
CONTINUITY IS THE KEY!!!! GET HELP WITH MY 30-DAY DESIGN COACHING PROGRAM
YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE HOW IT CAN TRANSFORM YOUR HOUSE!
Consider the flowers – What colors do you feature in your garden? There is something so elegantly simple about this purple-blue theme.
Kathleen Schaeffer
Apricot with white trim is stunning on this old yellow-brick house
Beauti-Tone Paint
Granny apple green and lavender pops against this red brick siding
Yellow-green with extra wide periwinkle blue trim is unexpected and very cool
Wild neon purple tells me that these homeowners definitely have a sense of humor.
Jim Plumb
Contemporary houses are designed for some crazy color blocking
Tuthill Architects
Red on gray is a traditional color combo…but there’s nothing traditional about this front door.
Ana Williamson
Deep purple-blue double doors look fabulous. What do you think of the pinky red flagstones? I would replace them with light gray limestone pavers.
Dark wood stain is so rich against white trim. This may be my favorite of the bunch. The colors and finishes are fantastic, and I also love the quirky asymmetrical side window.
Rustic light wood door has an entirely different personality, knot holes and all.
Salvaged doors have enormous character. For sure they have stories to tell… and we FEEL that as we enter.
Susan Newell
For a secret designer visualizing trick watch this video How To Choose a Front Door Color
What is your favorite door? Leave a comment below
18 Ways to Decorate with Blue and Green – A Most Luscious Color Pairing
MANY DIFFERENT MOODS CAN BE CREATED WITH COLOR - GET SOME HELP CREATING MOOD IN YOUR HOUSE WITH ONE OF MY ONLINE DESIGN COACHING PROGRAMS
Start with a great fabric like this blue, green and white stripe. Keep most of the other fabrics solid. That bright green coverlet packs enough of a punch without adding a lot of pattern to the room.
Crisp Architects
Start with a piece of art. The whimsical dog painting establishes a color palette in this white kitchen. Blue and green details bring in a wonderful Continuity. I love the painted plank walls.
Start with favorite objects that you love. Here is a collection of many round objects, glass spheres, a globe, round baskets and more. Things I like about this arrangment are: repetition of color and shape, and the narrow color palette of only green, blue and brown. Things I don’t like are: too spotty with the random placement of the green spheres. What do you think?
via Design Rulz
Inspired by Nature. Do we love blue and green because it occurs naturally? Don’t forget, WE occur naturally too. Perhaps that strong connection with natural phenomena touches us at a very deep level.
Medium blue calms down the zing of the bright green dresser. A nice balance.
Source unknown
Create mood with color. Saturated jewel tones (saphire and emerald) create a sexy, intimate mood in the room below.
Serene and interesting….that’s what I would call this bathroom. I love the chippy painted vanity. Someone really scored at the flea market! Note how the designer has repeated the blue with the glass vase and repeated the green in the smallest way with the floral arrangment. Shall we add blue and green towels? We would have to stand in the room and FEEL INTO IT. What does your inner designer tell you?
Use blue and green as a focal point against a white modern…and very minimal….dining room
Joyful and childlike. Combine several blues and greens for a bright, fun vignette. I could look at this every day and smile.
Munger Interiors
Sophisticated when combined with black in a contemporary setting.
Feminine in soft pastels and floral fabrics
Digs Design Company
Blue walls with a green ceiling. This interior design is not my taste (that doesn’t make it wrong) but I just HAD to show you this very cool paint treatment.
Alan Mascord Design
Shop Online for blues and greens. This classic color combination is easy to come by out in the world. Make your shopping much easier with my Home Decor Online Shopper’s Guide currently selling for only $19.
Rondel: Blue by Casey Hyland at artfulhome.com $355
Trina Turk Embroidered Pillow at laylagrace.com $120
Cayman Outdoor Rug from Grandinroad $59-299
Burke Armless Slipper Chair at Target $112.49
Abstract #10 by Diana Ong at art.com $49.99
Grommet Top Curtain Panel at Home Decorators $55-59
I’m not bragging it’s just the truth. Writing the shopper’s guide has turned me into an expert online home decor shopper. As a design coaching client you will get a whole slew of specific decor ideas hand picked just for you from my favorite online sites.
The One Thing You MUST Do To Create A Beautiful Interior
The ONE THING you absolutley must have for a beautiful interior is Continuity. Without it you will feel out of balance and irritated. Without Continuity the transitions from room to room will be abrupt and jarring. No wonder your house doesn’t make you really happy!
Candice Olson, one of my favorite designers and star of HGTV’s Divine Design, says this about Continuity. “Basically, you want to pick one look for your entire house. ..the idea behind using color well is it should flow in your house, not be a patchwork of opposite looks.”
CASE STUDY – STYLISH SMALL APARTMENT
Whether or not you like black, white and red…I hope you get the bigger idea here. The idea is to make the rooms talk to each other. All of the background is painted white. Walls, ceiling and floors. Most of us don’t have the courage for white floors but it’s dramatic…is it not?
Alvehm Macklen Design
The color palette is limited to black & white with red accents and some warm wood tones.
In the view through to the kitchen, your eye takes in more black and red touches including a handsome black framed mirror.
What your eye takes in…in one glance…needs to look good together.
Continuity is carried into the smallest detail
Some designers (guilty) even buy books to go with the color palette. I know…it’s crazy.
The black lucite closet doors are a striking element in the mix, as is the cow hide area rug and the black and white throw on the bed.
In the view through to the balcony your eye takes in more black and white accessories.
The black bathroom tiles are subway shaped and set contemporary style in even stacks. Staggering oblong tiles is considered more traditional.
Wood tones bring warmth to the color palette.
So….what do you think?
Has this designer created a graceful transition from room to room?
Do we have continuity here?
Leave a comment below. If you can’t leave a comment for some reason, send me an email to let me know and I will fix it.
Do you have continuity in your own home? Are you wondering why you are feeling out-of-balance and a bit stressed? Your interior design has a profound affect on your mood and self esteem. If you are feeling out of wack, it could be because your home is not…yet…your sanctuary, as it should and could be.
I can help you create this most important thing (Continuity) in your home with my Online Design Coaching Program.
How To Create Drama With the Hot New Wallpaper Designs
Do you hate wallpaper as much as I do (or did)? Speaking for myself, I got tired of wallpaper in the 70′s and have never looked back. I wrote this post for ALL of us. We need to stretch our imaginations, right? As part of our spiritual/creative practice we need to WAKE UP and open our eyes to possibilities.
Yes, this IS wallpaper! Cole & Son” Circus” – Gruber Home remodeling
Your next stroke of genius
I am not recommending that you hang wallpaper in your house. All I’m encouraging you to do is to let your favorite images (below) make an impression on your magically spongelike mind. Who knows when one of them will trigger a FAB-ulous creative stroke of genius in your own home.
WA-A-AY oversized floral design is an entirely new look
In the past designers would never use large scale designs in a small bedroom but….not any more. I suggest breaking all those old rules and get a little wild with it
Whimsical papers look great in bathrooms, laundry rooms and other smallish spaces
Martha O’Hara
Diane Bergeron
A small triangular wall is a great opportunity for wallpaper
Notice the same delightful zebras as the photo above but in a different color way
Rikki Snyder
ONLINE DESIGN COACHING WILL JUMPSTART YOUR PROJECT WITH BEAUTIFUL IDEAS AND SAVE YOU FROM MAKING EXPENSIVE MISTAKES.
Light up a stairwell with an open widely spaced pattern
Boston Magazine
Leslie Goodwin
Is there any doubt that this is a 2013 design?
This dining niche looks dramatic with its stylized black and white wall
Amitzi Architects
Use stripes in an unexpected way…on a diagonal
Exagerrated oversized deer heads put a contemporary spin on the woodsy cabin
Res Design
Geometric designs are wildly popular now
Corea Sotropa
Fill an entire wall with a single map of your city
wallpapered.com
Not off a roll – Cover the wall with pages from an oversized map book
Notice how the color scheme of the maps is repeated in the tile and towels creating a beautiful balance and continuity
All kinds of metallics and textures are available
Lisa Rubenstein
Sophisticated charcoal gray grasscloth (much more interesting than charcoal gray paint)
Not just hearts and flowers anymore……
Spellbound Collection from Graham & Brown
There’s a wallpaper design for even the quirkiest taste
brennan-and-burch.co.uk
Favorite online sources for stunning wallpapers
Design Your Wall can take your art and make wallpaper for you.
How difficult is it to hang your own? Watch these videos
Choosing and Hanging Wallpaper
Design As A Spiritual Practice
I’M COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET
I’m coming clean, my dear Design Junkies. I’m going to tell you the real reason I love beautiful interior design. It’s not because I want to impress people. It’s not because I want to look like an expert. It’s not because I like to boss people around. It’s not because I like to collect “stuff.” The real reason is because it’s good medicine. Good design heals.
When I see white flowers I feel good
IT’S NOT ABOUT LOOKING GOOD…IT’S ABOUT FEELING GOOD
I learned early in life that when things look good it makes me feel good. I was less than 7 years old when I started rearranging things in my bedroom. When I was big enough to push furniture round I would slide my bed to the other side of the room. I remember clearly how renewed and refreshed I felt. When I hung a pretty picture on the wall I kept looking at it over and over with delight and pleasure. Little did I know that I was giving myself good juju.
Luxurious bedding makes me feel good.
LET YOUR FEELINGS BE YOUR GUIDE
One of my spiritual teachers (Abraham) has taught me that my feelings are my highest guidance. It’s called our “Emotional Guidance System” We humans were created with a barometer….our feelings. Our feelings guide us constantly….without ceasing. Some believe the feelings come from a Higher Power. I am one of those people. My announcing this I risk the loss of some of my readers…however, I have a hunch that most of you know that this idea exists between the lines of my teaching.
I love the crisp contrast of blue and white. It makes me feel good.
GOOD DESIGN RAISES OUR VIBRATION
Our environment….our house….our clothes…our surroundings….have the power to depress our elevate our spirits. It’s a powerful tool that we can use to reduce stress. It can take the edge off our worries and fill us with confidence and optimism.
I love a secret hideaway. It draws me like a magnet.
WALK IN BEAUTY…IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
I often sign off my blog with these words. It is the core of my belief. It is my message. My artist’s group has been encouraging me to make this statement more strongly in my writing and design coaching…to become more authentic about this spiritual side of my design work. This way I will attract people who resonate with this message.
I love a pretty and organized work space. It motivates me.
I DON’T YET KNOW WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU
but I’m certain I can lead you to it. Get in touch with your inner designer. And, by the way, your inner designer has great taste! Perhaps you haven’t met her (him) yet. I have guided hundreds of people to their “feel good place” through interior design. I encourage you to meet your inner designer and discover your unique type of beauty.
There’s no end to the delight that an artful gallery wall gives me.
THERE’S NO ONE RIGHT ANSWER
and don’t let anyone ever tell you there is. My years of design experience has installed a huge “design reference library” in my imagination. I am confident that somewhere in there are several solutions for you.
I adore draped fabric. It’s so romantic.
GOOD DESIGN IS BETTER THAN PROZAC
Yes I am a true Design Junkie. I love feeling good. Beauty is my drug of choice
Subtle lighting makes me feel peaceful.
WHAT’S RIGHT FOR ME MAY NOT BE RIGHT FOR YOU
I love my soft buttery leather jacket.
TAP INTO YOUR GOOD VIBRATION HAPPY PLACE
It’s necessary to live with the colors you love.
If you’re crazy about lime green, living with it will raise your vibration.
If black,white and red excites you, it will empower you to live with it.
If earthtones inspire you it is vital to have them in your world
GOOD DESIGN HEALS
Surround yourself with the things you love
GET SOME HELP FINDING YOUR OWN DESIGN SIGNATURE
I don’t mean to be simplistic about the process. Sometimes we do get stumped even if we already have some things in our house that make us feel good. Sometimes it’s hard to visualize what will go with it and what to do next. That’s when my Online Design Coaching program is your next best step.
5-Day One-on-One Design Coaching (focuses on one room) only $99
30-Day One-on-One Design Coaching (pulls your whole house together) only $497
Walk in beauty…it will change your life!
Images: via Centsational Girl, Craig Denis, JMA, Aanthony Antine,Myra Hoefer, Eileen Fisher
How to Decorate With Purple Without Looking Ridiculous
Many of us are absolutely wild about purple. But purple is tricky to use in interior design. The fabulous purple that you see on a color wheel does not translate well to walls, chairs and bedding. It’s way too bright and looks….well…ridiculous.
MUTED PURPLE IS EASIER TO LIVE WITH
Most of the purples in this bedroom below are soft, pale…almost dusty. Remember, there are a gozillion shades of purple that are a whole lot easier to live with than “color wheel purple.”
Caryn Grossman
Benjamin Moore Purple Hyacinth
COLOR WHEEL PURPLE IS TOO BRIGHT FOR MOST INTERIOR DESIGN SCHEMES
THIS BATHROOM COLOR WORKS FOR TWO REASONS
First, the purple used here is pale and has lots of blue in it….very serene. Secondly, the room is at least 75% white. This cools down the purple and makes it less important. I usually call this periwinkle blue, do you?
Benjamin Moore Enchanted
GRAY-PURPLE LOOKS SOPHISTICATED
Saturated purple benches provide a shot of energy…but most of the purple in this scene is grayed down.
Crate and Barrel
Benjamin Moore Hazy Lilac
MIX YOUR INTENSE PURPLES WITH SOME PALE
The light purple-blue chairs play well against the deeply saturated purple door.
Benjamin Moore Blue Pearl
COMBINE SATURATED PURPLES WITH LOTS OF NEUTRAL
Irene Turner
Benjamin Moore Gentle Violet
COMBINE SATURATED PURPLE WITH OTHER BRIGHT SATURATED COLOR
Kids rooms are great places for purple. The brightness is stimulating and playful. And the “weight” of the deep purple walls is balanced by the vibrant turquoise.
Benjamin Moore Dark Purple
AVOID MATCHY MATCHY….WITH ANY COLOR, NOT JUST PURPLE
I like the purple ottoman below. And the pale purple throw pillows create a repeat of sorts (although they are a bit too symmetrically arranged). But I would have stopped there. The lampshade, picture frame and other purple accessories go too far. That’s my taste. What do you think?
R U stuck ?
Saffronia’s Online Design Coaching is the antidote to design paralysis.
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A Design Shortcut That Can Really Pull Your Space Together
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR SPACE FEELS INCOMPLETE
Does your space feel random? Incomplete? Do you ever feel like your room “needs something” but you don’t know what? It needs more style….but you don’t now how to do that? It needs to look more thought out…but you’re fresh out of ideas?
SECRET DESIGN SHORTCUT: MAKE A SYMMETRICAL PAIR
It’s amazing how symmetry can instantly make a space feel complete. Let’s look at some examples…..
Kahn Design Group
A PAIR OF LAMPS IS THE EASIEST WAY TO ACHIEVE SYMMETRY
Why? Because lamps are relatively inexpensive, there is so much choice, and they don’t take up very much space.
Garrison Hullinger
TRIPLE UP ON SYMMETRY
A pair of lamps AND a pair of chairs AND a pair of pillows. Here are two rooms arranged like that…notice the different flavor each room has. Style has nothing to do with the important design principle of symmetry.
Tommy Smythe
THIS PAIR OF BEAUTIFUL MIRRORS ABOVE A PAIR OF SINKS IS SIMPLE AND ELEGANT
Kara Mann
ON THE OTHER HAND, ASYMMETRY CAN BE QUIRKY AND MEMORABLE
In other words, symmetry is not always the answer to your design woes but it will make your space feel more balanced and complete, if that’s what you’re looking for.
THERE IS SOMETHING STRONG AND COMFORTING ABOUT SYMMETRY.
I don’t know about you, but it makes me feel stable and safe somehow. Do you agree?
Gander Builders
A PAIR OF ETAGERES FRAMES THE DOORS TO OUTSIDE
SYMMETRICAL BUILT IN BOOKCASES FLANK A FIREPLACE AND FLATSCREEN TV
Jennifer Brower
SYMMETRY BALANCES ASYMMETRY
Symmetrically arranged artwork flanking the mirror…as well as a pair of stools tucked underneath…. gives stability to the asymmetrical arrangement of objects of the hall table. A beautiful mix!
A PAIR OF TABLES IN BETWEEN TWO MISMATCHED COUCHES FEELS JUST RIGHT
A PAIR OF MATCHING COUCHES LOOKING EYE TO EYE CREATES A GRACIOUS LIVING ROOM
Diane Bergeron
“NOT QUITE SYMMETRICAL” IS LESS FORMAL
Here are opposing couches….one is a loveseat with two cushions…the other is a long couch with three cushions. However, their upholstery is exactly the same and the throw pillows are in a similar color range. I like this look because it is looser and less formal than an exact match. I’m that kinda gal.
Earlmont House
Find out how to apply this fabulous design principle to your house!
Work with me, one on one, in one of my two Online Design coaching Programs.
5-Day Design Coaching (for one room)
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Surprise Results of the Favorite Living Room Contest
The results are in!
In my last post 15 Fabulous Living Rooms – Vote Your Favorite, we all got to look at and vote for living rooms that are beautiful each in their own way.
Who voted?
This particular post was announced to my LinkedIn professional groups. So…most of you work in and around the world of interior design. What I gleaned from the survey results is that you have an amazing range and an extraordinary ability to express many different styles. Every room received lots of votes. Here are the favorites.
First Place – Cozy Traditional
You all surprised me with this one. The favorite was a traditional room that is uber-comfortable. Those upholstered bergere chairs with ottomans are deep and ever-so inviting, aren’t they? You obviously appreciated the subtle lighting design and the neutral textures. Why am I surprised? Because I did not expect so many of you to choose a traditional design. It just proves to me that timeless beats trendy any day of the week!
Roma EcoSustainable Building
Second Place – Contemporary Metropolitan
This is a very retro room, you guys….and it came in second confirming that Mid-century modern is indeed hot in the design world right now. What makes this space dramatic is its mixture of oversized, abstract and ethnic art… and a stunning red leather chesterfield as a focal point.
Source unknown
Third Place – Textured Neutrals
The genius of this room is that it is serene and energetic at the same time. The neutral wood tones and linens are quiet. The black and white contrasts are punchy. It is full of unusual textures and vintage pieces which give it a timeless appeal. The upholstered linen couch/chaise is definitely contemporary and looks so comfortable with it’s generous sized down filled pillows. This result confirms that the comfort factor is very high on our list of priorities.
Daryl Carter
Fourth Place – Cottage and Then Some
Again you chose a traditional space. The upholstered pieces and lamps are shapes that have been around for years. What gives this space bright energy is the sharp contrasts of blue, white and black (softened with wheat color). What gives it drama is the narrow color palette. And isn’t that blue and white fabric terrific?!
Ann Hepfer
Which room received the fewest votes? Crisp Blue and White
I included this room in the survey because I am nutty crazy about stripes but…when I look at it now, there is something cold about it too. I crave more warm color or…something. What do you think?
Martyn Lawrence-Bullard
Thanks for joining us in this fun exploration, my dear Design Junkies. We have all enjoyed your comments and your highly professional opinions.
15 Fabulous Living Rooms – Vote for Your Favorite!
Hello Design Junkies! Here are 15 of the most delicious living rooms I have seen…ever. Take the fun little survey at the end of this post to cast your vote for your two favorites.
I will post the results next time and we’ll see which two living rooms are your most favorites…and why!
#1 Sophisticated with Gallery Wall I love this light spacious feel. The extremely large framed prints that practically cover the entire wall, and the pair of midcentury modern leather chairs.
Juin Ho
#2 Rough Luxe The combination of textured and comfortable upholstered and interesting ethnic objects intrigues and invites me.
Atelier AM
#3 Cozy Traditional The pair of bergere chairs with ottomans look so inviting. (Technically perhaps this is a den rather than a living room).
RomaEco Sustainable Building
#4 Fresh and Green
Melanie Turner
After you’ve seen them all, take 60 seconds to vote your 2 favorites…right here
#5 Luxurious Gray and Tangerine
Celerie Kemble
#6 Soft and Silver
#7 Contemporary Metropolitan
#8 Crisp Blue and White
Martyn Lawrence-Bullard
#9 Textured Neutrals
Daryl Carter
#10 Loft with Poster Collection
Amy Dragoo
#11 Magenta Stunner
Sabine de Gunzberg
#12 Contemporary Ranch
Jim Dow
#13 Red Suzani and White
Craig and Christina Gillespie
#14 Chocolate and White
Elaine Griffin
#15 Cottage and Then Some
Anne Hepfer
Here’s your chance to vote for your two favorite living rooms.
Just click this link
What two living rooms do you like best?
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