While I was in NOLA for the KBIS show last month, I had an opportunity with a few of my other designer friends to visit a local New Orleans artist: Amanda Stone Talley!  She is a huge talent so it was quite a thrill being invited for a tour of her spectacular carriage house/gallery/ home studio for a cocktail (or two) to see where she lives and works and to admire her incredible work!

A peek inside her studio where the magic happens.

Amanda creates vibrant abstract pieces with a lot of energy.  Using flowing, intertwined lines and harmonious colors, her pieces have distinct character.  The strength of her lines is reminiscent of Picasso’s work.  All of her pieces manage to feel carefully crafted while still encapsulating a highly kinetic sensation; your eyes flow along the twisting lines as you get drawn deeper into the piece.

Her work lends itself well to contemporary design, and I’m not the only one who thinks so.  Several of her pieces have been translated into fabric and wallpaper designs that are perfect for the home!  The paintings themselves provide quite an impact within any space it occupies. I recently introduced a client to Amanda’s work and they are now considering purchasing one as the finishing touch to their renovation in Palm Springs.

Amanda herself has the energy and engaging nature that you see and feel in her paintings.  She warmly welcomed us into her home, gallery, and studio and she was incredibly charismatic in her presentation of her new wallpapers.

Myself, Andie Day, Amanda Stone Talley, Meredith Heron, Carmen Christensen in the Studio

Amanda rocked this frock by tying a few yards of her fabric around her neck…instant sophistication.

If you like Amanda Stone Talley’s work as much as I do, I would love to help you redesign your home with her pieces.  Contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc. to learn more.

Stay Inspired!

Photo Credits:

1. Amanda Stone Talley

2,4,6. Lori Gilder

3. Decor Pad

5. Carmen Christensen

Good design is more than just a pretty face. Combining beauty and function into all your home’s decor and design schemes creates a more cozy and accessible environment for every member of your family. Innovative design features geared towards both comfort and convenience will also increase your home’s overall value. Here are a few tips to consider for your home renovations to ensure daily life more streamlined.

• Easy Reach: Bending, stooping, pulling and pushing — adding these needs to simple tasks like cooking is inefficient and not very ergonomic. Features like pull-out drawers, eye-level shelves and custom closets make things not only more functional, but less cluttered and more visually appealing. Easy accessibility is key.

• Motion-Sensitive Lights: Stumbling around for a light-switch is a pain, especially when your hands are full. Installing motion-sensitive switches will not only save time looking for a way to turn on the light, but save energy as the lights shut off automatically when the room is empty.

• Mood lighting: On the topic of lights, replacing traditional toggle switches with more effective mood lighting will also save time and energy. Dimmer switches are easier to control and offer more energy-efficient options when you need a small dose of light. Introducing overlapping pools of light will create the most beautiful atmosphere within a space – large or small.

• Bathtub and Shower: Many bathrooms come with standard features that may not be useful to you, like the bathtub and shower combination common in most homes. If you find that you never use your bathtub, consider upgrading to a shower with improved features and controls….from steam to multiple sprays and get the spa feel you’ve been dreaming of.

• Door Handles: Door handles are a nuisance when your hands are slippery and you need to get in a room. Remove old doorknobs in favor of more elegant handles that offer increased functionality and are more aesthetically pleasing.

Every home presents unique opportunities for streamlined and elegant design tailored to your lifestyle and needs. If you need some tips on how to add comfort and convenience to your home renovations, I’d love to help! Contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc. for more information.

Stay Inspired! 

Photo Credits:

1.+2.) Houzz

3.) Pinterest

In this week’s World Tour of Design, lets hop over the pond to the Emerald Isle to take a look at the beautiful design and architecture of Ireland.

Ireland bursts with loads of tradition and culture with an architectural interior design that encompasses many warm and expressive decors. From the quaint thatched roof cottages to the large churches, castles, forts, school houses and even converted lighthouses, Irish design is characterized by an almost whimsical connection to their rich history and a practical grounded connection to the land. With the Gaelic and Celtic cultures, homage is naturally extended to wholesome expressions and strains of Irish religion.

Traditional Celtic knotwork and Irish interlace stand as basic symbols of decor in many Irish homes. The designs are intricate and flow fully around picture frames with traditional pictures of history and family.

Irish linen consists of sophisticated, usually reversible patterns regarded world over for its fine weaves. The unique Jacquard and Damask weaves represent outstanding craftwork found in pillow cases, bed sheets and duvet covers.

Today’s modern country styles rest on rustic backgrounds of the lush, green “Emerald Island” concepts that have characterized rustic Irish life.

The Irish House and Home architectural interior design magazine promotes a look of feminine textures and layered neutrals augmented by emerald green – this year’s shade picked by Pantone. Calm color palettes include whites, neutral grays and soft lavenders with colorful stripes extended to accessories. Kitchen designs appear with urban retro looks that engage vintage furniture and ornate candelabras with attractive untreated wood surfaces.

Contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc. by calling 310-788-0990 for help designing your own home with Irish flair.

Stay Inspired!

Photo Credits:

1.) Realtor.com

2 + 3.) Irish House and Home

4.) Houzz

After returning from the exciting #BlogTourNYC event and The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show also known as KBIS, I was able to see some emerging trends and new products in the industry and enjoyed the opportunity to spend time and exchange ideas with the incredibly talented designers.  The National Kitchen and Bath Association, which was also a Sponsor of #BlogTourNYC, has outdone itself with KBIS 2013, and with good reason: this year marks the NKBA’s 50th anniversary - and they are celebrating in NOLA!

NKBA began as the American Institute of Kitchen Dealers in 1963, intended as an organization to help designers, builders, and other industry professionals communicate and learn from each other.  In the past 50 years, they have grown to an organization of nearly 60,000 members while still staying true to their original goal.

In fact, thanks to KBIS and the NKBA I was among eight designers invited to the show to design and present various spaces geared to a specific demographic using a new interactive and experiential platform called QueX Technology.  (More on that in my next post).

Consumer education is a major goal of the NKBA, and one of the points they have stressed through the BlogTour is that they want consumers to understand the true value of working with a design professional.  With the increasingly easy access to design resources like Houzz, HGTV, and even blogs like this one, the DIY trend has blossomed among homeowners who want to create a whole new look for the home.  If you have a strong grasp on color theory and psychology, small home upgrades like painting are pretty straightforward, but there are numerous small and subtle factors that affect what works and what doesn’t work within a space.

The trained design professional, especially one with extensive experience, has encountered these challenges and caveats and knows how to work within a space making it the best it can be.  A picture of your dream kitchen online or in a magazine is incredibly inspiring, but a trained designer will guide and execute all the elements of the project customizing that design – geared specifically for their client.  This ultimately creates a truly successful project -while saving you time-money-and stress!

Stay tuned for more information from the KBIS show and the Design Studio work I did there!

Photo Credits:

1.) KBIS

2.) NKBA

Since returning from New York from the most invigorating 5 days, I can’t help but replay each day’s events in my head all in an attempt to relive every nuance of my #BlogTourNYC adventure.  The most gracious host Veronika Miller of Modenus made certain we were wined, dined and inspired at every turn and aligned this tour with Sponsorships from major design Brands.

At our welcome dinner I had the opportunity to sit near one of #BlogTourNYC event sponsors, the most delightful Gina Lubin, CEO and creative director of Du Verre Hardware. During dinner, Gina passed a plate of her contemporary “jewelry” hardware around the tables, where we could see and feel these pieces of art first hand! Perfectly  weighted and intricately detailed these eco-conscious designs would integrate beautifully into both residential and commercial projects alike.

As designers, we are well aware that specifying the ideal hardware is an integral finish detail in the overall success of a design concept. The use of artisan-styled hardware in architectural shapes creates a surprising element that is sure to draw the eye. It’s just like an unique piece of jewelry; it completes the outfit and inspires dozens of compliments from everyone who sees it – and who doesn’t love that?

Du Verre is a leader in the industry of unique hardware, working with a variety of talented artisans to bring to life some truly stunning pieces of modern design.  Artisans like William Harvey, Erin Adams, Scot Laughton, and yes…. Gina Lubin play with texture and organic forms to create hardware that is as much art as it is a functional piece of design.

William Harvey specializes in simple, organically abstract pieces that play with shapes and defy expectations.  His ARROYO collection, named for a Spanish word that means a water-carved gully, is slender and geometric, evoking the sense of a gully with the use of negative space.

Erin Adams, an award-winning artist and designer, brings her love of mosaic into her OFFSET design.  These cabinet pulls play with varying levels, creating unique shapes in all dimensions.  They are a beautifully modern addition to a home.

Scot Laughlin is world-famous for his industrial designs.  He designed the Series 3 Collection, one of Du Verre’s most popular hardware styles, which is simple and incredibly elegant in design.  The pieces look delicate and sensual, and they could easily fit within a variety of designs.

Gina Lubin may be the CEO and Creative Director of Du Verre, but she too enjoys creating original hardware designs.  Her Rio collection plays with texture and line, and no two pieces are exactly alike.  Rio knobs and pulls remind me of rippling water or intricate rock gardens— gorgeous!

Which is your favorite piece of hardware from Du Verre?  I’d love to hear your opinions!

Stay Inspired!

Images:  Du Verre

Image: Modenus

Your home’s environment can be easily ruined by excess clutter and unattractive storage solutions. Incorporating clever design tips into your home can be as simple as choosing the right furniture or implementing modern organizing innovations…always with a creative touch. When redesigning a space, it really is best to provide multiple ways to keep the visual accumulation of clutter at bay. We all have “stuff” that needs to find a permanent home and the reality is –  not everyone lives in a show house that dons the cover of  House Beautiful.  However, with some storage-savvy solutions, your home can be on its way to becoming ”camera ready”.

Recessing niches or shelves within the walls of a living room or office provides excellent storage and display options and is ideal for your highlighting your favorite collections and books. Just keep these shelves neat and organized.

It’s easy to take advantage of any space beneath beds or couches by utilizing storage bins or other containers, but you can also hide your clutter in plain sight with good design. Custom built filing cabinets can have a lot of character and look like an integrated part of your home — a far cry from those shabby metal cabinets you see so often!  Furniture that pulls double duty, like a bench that can store spare blankets or a mirror with hooks for displaying your jewelry, can also go a long way.

In this increasingly technological world, the cords that power our varied electronic devices tend to pile up and look terribly disorganized. A desk, entertainment center, or kitchen space with a mess of tangled and crossing wires can be fixed in several ways. For one, many gadgets are going wireless, so consider investing in printers, keyboards, mice, gaming controllers, and cable boxes that require little to no external wiring. With the growing popularity of laptops and tablet computers that boast ever-superior batteries, going cordless is a great option.

I would love to integrate clever storage design in your home.  Share your own questions and ideas with me in the comments or on my Facebook page!

Stay Inspired!

Images via Elle Decor, Better Homes and Garden, House Beautiful

I’ll be on my way to New York City next week to start Modenus’s Blog Tour and I just can’t wait!  There are so many fabulous sponsors that help make this tour possible.  One in particular that I have  worked with several times in the past: Mr. Steam.  Mr. Steam is a luxurious steam shower and accessory manufacturer – always on the cutting edge of technology and offers the finest in spa-like products for the home.

Imagine having a shower system that plays music and releases relaxing scents and therapeutic colors with the warm, encompassing steam, and then stepping out to a warm, fresh towel from a towel warmer….Sound like heaven?  We all know the benefits of steam bathing – from clearing respiratory congestion to moisturizing and softening dry skin – Mr. Steam’s state-of -the-art technology and innovation creates a spa-like”experience”  that is second to none.  This is exactly why we’ve specified and installed many Mr. Steam products for our clients over the years in both new construction and Master Bath renovations – and our clients could not be happier!

Now, Mr. Steam is once again pushing the boundaries of luxury steam shower technology with the new iSteam, a touch panel control system that greatly enhances the experience of the steam shower.  The iSteam panel is simple in its design, recesses flush into the wall and is available in both black and white finishes. It  provides a user-friendly interface that allows you ultimate control over every aspect of your shower, from music to aromatherapy. As an extra option you could include the iGenie which will preheat your steam shower from up to 100 feet away!

This new technology is an incredible indicator of Mr. Steam’s ability to stay ahead of the game in the changing face of the world.  Our homes, phones, and lifestyles are becoming “smarter” and more automated and convenient as time passes, and by integrating both smart phone and home automation technology into one easy-to-use panel, Mr. Steam shows initiative in driving this trend.  There’s a reason they’ve been around for more than 50 years, after all.

Stay tuned for more updates from the #BlogTourNYC, and share your own thoughts about the Mr. Steam showers and the iSteam touch panel in the comments!

Stay Inspired!

It’s been a while since we last took a trip on our World Tour of Design where we last traveled to the beautiful country of Russia.  In this week’s World Tour, I’d like to head somewhere a little… warmer.  After all, spring is well on its way to the States, and with it comes fresh weather and the start of vacation season.  The warm, tropical island country of Cuba is full of refreshing design inspiration to welcome spring and summer into your home.  Let’s take a look at the common design features of Cuban architecture and interior design.

Prerevolutionary Cuba was known for a distinctive architecture heightened by the tastes and expenses of a rich entrepreneurial class. They maintained large sugar and tobacco plantations and mansions, and they sought interior design inspiration from the Art Deco and mid-century 1950s styles. These styles embraced luxury and comfort, integrated with a beautiful backdrop of tropical, earthy landscapes.

Many of the mansions in Cuba have been restored to their original architectural splendor, providing plenty of interior design inspiration for your home. Parisian-inspired accents like the matching torchères sculptures and blackamoor table of the marble hall of the Museo de Artes Decorativas, once a 1920′s mansion, can be easily incorporated in your own home.  The mid-50s mahogany spiral staircase at a Guatao chapel and the Cuban butacas and woven cane chairs gracing the original decor of Ernest Hemingway’s living room at Finca La Vigia are also elements that can easily be implemented into your home.

Beyond the historical influence, it goes without saying that tropical plants and palm trees are essential to Cuba’s island flavor. Open interior spaces evoke the spacious and relaxing experience of watching the sparkling ocean washing over sandy beaches.

Great colors to use in a Cuban-inspired design are lush shades of green, sunny yellows, orange, coral and expansive palettes of blue for tropical flavors. Light linens give expression to the easy flow of island winds, enhanced with light-colored floors and draperies.

Terra cotta also has a pronounced presence on the island. It is found not only in the architecture but also in the floor tiles and vases which helps promote an earthy feel that is natural to the island. Large, exposed windows are another important design element which connects the interior to the exterior environment that is another signature of Cuban interiors.

For more design inspiration, contact me at Interior Makeovers Inc. or by calling 310-788-0990.  I’d love to hear about your design visions for your home.

Stay Inspired!

Photo Credits:

1.) Architectural Digest

2.) Architectural Digest

3.) Houzz

Our last World Tour of Design took us to England, where we explored English Country and Victorian style for your home. Today I’d like to continue the world tour with what I’ve learned about Russian architecture, art, and interior design.

Most of the iconic architecture in Russia is church-based. For centuries, only churches could be constructed of stone, and those are the buildings that have survived the test of time. They also reflect the diversity of design during several eras in Russian History. Saint Basil’s Cathedral (circa 1560), for example, is representative of the Renaissance Era. The dramatically sloped roofs on the numerous domes of each structure make a powerful visual impact.

Today, Russian interior design is a cultural mix that reflects country’s commitment to art, education, and music. Heavy, rich fabrics are used for window treatments and thick, comfortable rugs adorn the floors. Remember, Russian winters can be brutal, so interior design tends toward warmth and comfort.

Interior décor in Russia has, for the most part, been conservative, with weighty furnishings of heavy wood. As their economy makes a comeback, modern home furnishings now have a more minimalist style, with a heavy emphasis on artistic accessory pieces.

For more interior design inspiration, contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc. by calling 310-788-0990. I’d love to hear about your design visions for your home or business. Visit me on Facebook, too!

Photo Credits:

1.) Wikimedia Commons

2.) Architectural Digest

3.) Houzz

Whether you are planning on wearing them or decorating with them, there is no doubt that stripes make a statement. Using stripes in your interiors presents some incredible opportunities to develop personality and a rich style to a room that would otherwise be viewed as …. mediocre. Stripes can be fun, bold, colorful, and create the illusion of volume and space.

Consider the following for some great interior design inspiration:

1. Use the direction of the stripes, whether horizontal or vertical, to bring attention to items in the room.
2. Stripes bring a feeling of order to a space, compliment this with with solid colors in a geometric method around the stripes.
3. Choosing the right direction of the stripes can make a room appear longer, shorter, taller or smaller.
4. The width of the stripes that you use will also make a big impact on the appearance of the room. Keep proportion in mind….introduce finer stripes in a quaint spaces and beefier lines in more spacious environments. The visual effect created by this pairing results in a bold texture that is stimulating.  
5. Blend stripes on stripes with solids and floral patterns to add more layering and interest to the room.
6. Be selective in the colors that you choose to place. Bright colors will often mute anything else they are near, while dilute colors will make a less bold and more elegant mood.
7. Stripes make an excellent accent to any room and any design style – whether classic, traditional or coastal interiors, consider adding a simple cushion on a bench, or chair slip cover.

If you love the playfulness that can be achieved with the use of stripes but are uncertain of how to make it work for you, I’d be happy to help you design your space.  Just contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc. for more information!

Photo Credits:

1.) House Beautiful

2.) Elle Decor

3.) Elle Decor

4.) Country Living