Thursday, July 25, 2013
Why I Like, and Hate, HGTV
Monday, January 7, 2013
Full Design Projects vs. Consultations: What’s the Difference?
Full Design Projects
- A kickoff meeting
- Floor plan development
- Aesthetic/style/vision exploration
- Design concept development including color palette creation
- Identification/specifications of all products for the space
- Product purchasing
- Oversight of trades specialists and contractors
- Final installation and finishing touches
Consultations
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sophisticated, Lounge-like Residential Bar + Media Room
At the start of this project, the area for this space was completely unfinished with concrete floors, no walls, and unfinished ceilings. My clients had explored some possible layout options and had identified an inspirational image of a curved bar featuring glass block and wood.
After getting to know my clients better, it quickly became apparent that they were excited by my suggestion that we create a modern, metropolitan, lounge-like feel for the space -- similar to what you might find in a swank urban lounge of a boutique hotel. To achieve this look, I proposed a very warm, earthy color palette of oranges, rusts, browns, and creams paired with dark chocolate furniture and a rich, dark wood Ipe floor.
The bar itself is unique in its curved shape, but also its use of a stunning, iridescent glass tile that picks up the oranges, rusts, and browns in the room. A dark brown quartz countertop, modern polished stainless steel fixtures, clean-lined yet comfortable bar stools, and a rust colored glass tile bar backsplash complete this area.

In the bar seating area, I proposed the use of rust colored floor to ceiling drapes along the entire wall—functioning as a backdrop for the cream colored lounge-like seating and maple pendant lamps that hang above small Parsons-style side tables. The adjacent wall features a candle filled, custom-designed cherry wood wall treatment that adds visual interest to the space.

In the media area, my clients wanted a TV and built-in speakers on one wall. Because the husband wanted the TV to be large enough for sports and movies, but the wife wanted the TV to not be obtrusive, I suggested that we minimize the TV’s visual impact by housing it in a dark wood, custom built-in cabinet that would extend across the entire wall. This solution accommodates the large TV size and multiple speakers by drawing your eye to the built-in’s open shelves which feature beautiful vases and other eye-catching accessories. Adjacent to the TV, I proposed a 12 by 24 cream colored, very modern porcelain tile as a full wall surround for the ribbon-style, vent-free fireplace that my clients selected. Seating in this area include two very comfortable yet modern style sofas and a soft, velvet-like recliner next to the fireplace. A thick pile cream shag rug anchors the space and provides a soft feel underfoot.

The adjacent power room features a wall of unique Asian-inspired 12x24 tiles. The wall serves as a visual backdrop for an eye-catching stainless steel vessel sink and modern faucet, a dark wood shadowbox-style mirror flanked on either side by two modern wall sconces, and a quartz countertop over a custom-designed dark wood vanity.

My client, who works full time in IT, was responsible for almost all of the custom cabinetry and a large portion of the overall construction in the space. His craftsmanship and attention to construction detail is seen in the cherry wood wall feature, the custom curved bar, the lighting installation, and the creation of the built-in cabinetry around the TV.
As a result of my work with this husband and wife team, the final outcome is a cozy, sophisticated, lounge-like space that works well for entertaining and that functions as a modern, stylish refuge where my clients can enjoy relaxing drinks at home or watch a movie. Who needs to go out when you have a space in your home as nice as this?
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Using Lighting to Set a Mood in Modern Interiors



Monday, July 6, 2009
Color in Modern + Contemporary Interiors - Part 3
This post focuses on using bold colors for maximum impact. Many of the colors used in these images are colors that clients might shy away from on a paint chip. But in context with the rest of the space, these bold color choices really work.
Note: the images below show work by other talented designers except where it specifically states that the work is my own.
Many clients might be afraid to select the dark chocolate brown used on the back wall of this photo, but you can see how it provides a wonderful backdrop for the art and a nice contrast to the sunnier golden color used on the opposite wall. The dark wall definitely draws your eye.
I love the use of orange in this dining room. It adds a warm and happy feeling to the space and contrasts nicely with the dark woods and the white trim and chair upholstery.
This is a loft-like condo space that I designed for a young couple. At the start of the project they had the light brown sofa and the dark wood coffee table and small cafe table, but their walls were white and they had no other color in the space. Since the space was essentially one large loft-like room with no differentiation from the eating area to the living room, I used the green and orange colors to help divide the space. Note that I pulled green elements into the living room space (using accessories such as candles and pillows) to tie the spaces together a bit.
In this bedroom that I designed, I wanted to use a lot of color, but still have the space feel calm and restful. The soft blue and chocolate brown - accented by bright white and some black/browns - achieve this.






Color in Modern + Contemporary Interiors - Part 2
The images below (of work by other talented designers) illustrate my comments.
Here's an example of a room with a lot of whites and creams and focused punches of color. The use of white walls and a white sofa allow the windows (and beautiful view) and the lovely artwork to stand out. The space is anchored by the dark chaise lounge and the black fireplace box.
This is another space that uses a core foundation of cream and beige and then balances it with punches of color (the orange pillows and chair). The white/cream sofas and fireplace also balance nicely against the light wood built-ins and flooring.


Color in Modern + Contemporary Interiors - Part 1
Many clients equate "adding color" with "adding bright colors". The reality though is that you can do a lot with earthy colors. They take you away from the world of white walls and bland beige to an environment that is warm and inviting.
Below are some images featuring earth-toned color palettes that I like. These images show work by other talented designers except where it specifically states that the work is my own.
Here the use of a warm but soft yellow balances out the gray wall. The end result: a calm yet cheerful space.
This waiting area balances two different wood colors (a light bamboo floor and a cherry wood desk front) with earthy walls in a creamy beige and two shades of green. The dark wood of the furniture provides a nice contrast against the light floor.

