DWELL On Design 2018 In Review

The yearly DWELL on Design show took place last week and in general was a disappointment. We in the studio would love to hear feedback from our readers who attended DWELL, especially those who disagree.

That being said, there were a few bright spots and we've gone ahead and shared them below.

Pandemic Design Studio - Started in 2015 by a Design and Architecture graduate, Pandemic creates industrial lighting, sculpture, furniture as well as ceramics. As wonderfully creative as all his products are, it was the Node collection that really stood out. Available in multiple sizes and colors they can be hung as individual art pieces or, more dramatically, to cover an entire wall. Suited for indoor and outdoor use.

www.pandemicdesignstudio.com

Living Vehicle - Tiny homes have become widely popular in the last few years and with that weekend campers, vans and getaway vehicles. Living Vehicle is a customizable mobile living space designed and built in Santa Barbara, CA. The style is clean and streamlined, bright and minimal with high end features such as, washer/dryer combo, full height closet, spa-style shower with wall to wall skylight, and radiant towel warmer. In the kitchen there is a full height pantry, convection microwave and oven with a trash and recycling chute, along with a central-vac system. 

There are numerous other features including an exterior outdoor shower, and solar panels. The company is highly innovative and it will be fascinating to follow them into the future.

www.livingvehicle.com

Ximena Rozo Design - This is a sustainably-sourced company whose products are made in "an ethical, efficient and responsible manner by artisan communities in Colombia."
The line encompasses rugs, pillows, throws, lamps and baskets made with wonderful colors and textures. The woman behind the magic, Ximena Rozo, is an industrial and textile designer whose work in aeronautical design includes 15 U.S. patents in aircraft design for her work on the Boeing 787. Look for her pillows on Anthropologie.

www.ximenarozo.com

Made Out Of What - This is a very exciting non-profit that focuses on artisans who make functional art out of trash. Artists from around the world take part in this sustainable innovation. Better yet, the pieces are available for purchase! They are making a difference and showing the world that everything can be useful and beautiful. You can check out their website below but their Instagram feed is where the magic is. @madeoutofwhat

www.madeoutofwhat.com

Moving?

Let's say you or your significant other were offered a job in a different city or state. You finally find a house, or apartment, but what do you take? Do you just pack everything you own and work it out when you arrive?
Most people do.
It takes quite a bit of time and effort to plan out where all your furniture will go and where to hang your art, but a bit of work beforehand can make a big difference when you are physically moving in.
How much less stress would you have if you knew exactly where your sectional and that big armoire you love but don't really need, were going? Or, maybe that big sectional just isn't going to fit unless you take a chainsaw to it. Wouldn't that have been nice to know before you moved it? How about knowing where each piece of art will hang, preventing you from putting numerous unnecessary holes in the walls?
How about rugs? Rugs are heavy. Dragging them from room to room is tiring. Lifting sofas or beds to try them out is exhausting. If you know where they will go, the movers can place them quickly and the room can then be set up more easily. This will save the movers and you time and money.

Included below is a basic floor plan drawn on graph paper. This is typically the easiest way for homeowners to accomplish this task.

Other things to consider are; are there any floor outlets and their location, wall outlets in general for plugging in lamps, how the closet doors open or if they slide (this is very helpful when placing furniture so as to know how much space you need to leave), where are the TV jacks, are they near the floor or up in the wall?

This should get you started in the right direction. Remember, it's better to have too much information and not use it, then to need more information and not have it.

Happy packing!

1940's Kitchen Remodel

A charming 1920's Mediterranean remodel in the Hollywood Hills. Used as a rental for years, this house was in desperate need of some TLC. Nine months later, it's looking brand new! The wall tile was salvaged from an old building in Seville, Spain and shipped to California on a slow boat. The two windows on either side of the hood were added during the construction phase to add more light into the dark space.

More photos of this incredible remodel to come, stay tuned!

Designed by Susan Deneau Interior Design   www.sdeneau-id.com
Photography by Jess Isaac   www.jessisaac.com

Mapping Out A Powder Room

Another sweet powder room design!
The world map wraps around the room and allows homeowners to put a "pin" in their travels.
The sleek pendants are an unexpected twist with the vintage mirror.

Designed by Susan Deneau Interior Design - www.sdeneau-id.com

An Editor's Note

While paging through piles of magazines, we came across this note from the Editor, Sophie Donelson, of House Beautiful. Well written and insightful, she explains why Interior Designers are still sought after, despite all the do-it-yourself TV shows, Pinterest, and Houzz websites.


   "Here's my trade secret: I have a designer. Of course I do! Far from inspiring me to take it on myself, editing these pages and chatting with designers every day only validates my decision to enlist help-and I'm so glad I did.
    It's funny to me that people who will readily hire a personal trainer, nutritionist, or hairstylist (not to mention a therapist, tutor, or caregiver) don't automatically also sign on a design professional. If you start your day in a home that functions flawlessly and brings you joy, then there's less need for the rest.
    Too many people think of designers as merely shoppers and stylists-and, yes, they are skilled at both. But a good designer can address a client's needs and get down to work with nary a purchase. Albert Hadley, once emptied a client's belongings onto the lawn only to edit, rearrange, and reorder crucial details into a most gracious home-and it's certainly not as a shopper that we recall Albert.
    ...My brief was that I needed guidance with renovation details (light-switch placement, doorknob finishes) but no help whatsoever with paint colors-I'm a longtime HB reader, so those I did feel confident choosing. But we ended up doing nearly everything in the apartment together. Why? Because I started to live better, thanks to Lys. She made shrewd decisions, as if she were spending her own money: getting her workroom to replicate pillows we'd seen in HB, adding special trim to store-bought curtain panels, hiring a carpenter to retrofit my old bookcase to the new dining room's proportions instead of starting from scratch.
   And she improves my taste. Having spent too many hours on Pinterest, I was hell-bent on a wildly tiled master bathroom. Lys steered me away from the zany, graphic cement tiles I'd nearly purchased and pointed me toward hand-molded, hand painted ones with more nuance. It was a big splurge that turned out to be terribly cost-effective-meaning I've long since tired of seeing those crazy tiles on my Pinterest board, yet I'm still besotted with the ones she directed me to. Sometimes a designer's most valuable service is saving you from expensive mistakes."

Great quote by John Wooden. Think about it.

A Pretty Little Powder Room

Little is the operative word here. This delicious powder room is only about 32 sq. ft!
The wallpaper is from Trove, who if you're not familiar with, makes stunning to-die-for papers.
Check out their collections here: Trove Wallpaper
A new sink, faucet, and mirror all add to the delightful charm of this small space.

Designed by Susan Deneau Interior Design

Conclusion: West Edge Design Fair

As promised, albeit late, the conclusion of the Design Fair!

One of the most interesting companies was Philomela www.philomelasWeb.com
They specialize in original, hand-drawn, painted and printed wallpaper and textiles.
There is a wide range of styles, from abstract and deconstructed, to modern and organic, offered in several colors.

Another exciting company we came across is Sorelle Fine Arts http://www.sorellefinearts.com

They create beautiful wallcoverings with gorgeous hand applied mother of pearl or gold and silver leaf. Delicious!

Well, there you have it. If you couldn't make it to the fair, we've passed along the companies that we found to be most unique and exciting. Remember, you can always contact us for additional info about anything you see on the blog, general design questions, or to share projects!

WestEdge Design Fair - 2015

It's always interesting to attend events that showcase new designs and ideas. There are some really creative people/companies that deserve a spotlight. This year was no exception. Today's post will highlight a handful of exhibits that really stood out. Most of these companies sell to the trade, so you'll want to contact your interior designer for pricing and installation.
The images here represent just a small portion of what these companies offer, so please click on the links and take a minute to appreciate all the gorgeous work they do. And if you end up using one, please email a photo to us here in the design studio and we'll share it with our readers!


Next Step Studio www.nextstepstudio.com  creates wall sculptures based on grids. Each cube, sphere or jack is individually and uniquely designed and placed into a grid. There are endless possibilities!

Next up, we have another three-dimensional artist, Thor Bueno of www.buenoglass.com He and his wife, Jennifer, create stone shaped figures through the art of glass blowing. One variation uses mercury glass and gives the illusion of the mercury "moving" inside each piece. Clearly inspired by nature, these deserve a space all their own.

Vita Nova www.vita-nova.com is a custom mosaic company that uses glass, ceramic and stone to create one-of-a-kind statements for your wall or floor. Inside, outside or even your pool, Vita Nova can help you bring to life your dream of your own permanent art piece. I encourage you to visit their site, as they have too many gorgeous photos to show here.

 

Stay tuned for the conclusion of the Design Fair!


If you want to check out all the vendors who participated in the show, you can go to:
http://westedgedesignfair.com/exhibitors/

Working Together

Happy fall everyone!

Here in the design studio, exciting things are happening. We have begun working with an amazing designer who owns Susan Deneau Interior Design. I encourage you to check out her website here; www.sdeneau-id.com
She is an amazing talent and we are happy to be part of her world.

I'd like to show you a photo of a project we are currently wrapping up. It has been an amazing experience and the transformation is unbelievable. This is why we do what we do.

A panoramic shot of the living room almost complete

with Susan Deneau Interior Design

     
The homeowner was fantastic to work with. She was open and trusting, exactly what you want in a client. We used a combination of new/custom and vintage pieces to give the room a warm, comfortable, welcoming feel with pops of interest. Fantastic!

Relaxing - Before & After

When the sun begins to set, where do you go? This family wanted to go to their backyard, but it was uninviting and bland. With a modest budget and reworking some of the pieces they already had, we were able to transform their space into a fun, welcoming space that will be the bell of the ball!

before

In this photo you can see the wall fountain to the right on the ground. It will be placed on the wall in the blank space between the plants for some added color and ambiance.

Color Trends 2014

Everyone in the design industry gets excited when they start hearing buzz words like "color trends." Usually those magical words are whispered from the general direction of Benjamin Moore. They have become a leading source for designers everywhere.

Just because there are new colors trending, doesn't mean that it's time to redo your house. Are there some people who do? Yes. Should you feel bad that you're not one of them? No. What if you really like some of the new colors? Buy a pillow. Or a throw. Or some towels. There are lots of simple, quick ways to update the look you already have.

Remember when you were shopping for a new sofa and your designer tried to talk you out of a mossy green fabric? They probably suggested something more neutral, with some mossy green fabric for the accent pillows. Their reasoning? Accent pillows are much less expensive to replace when you decide you don't like mossy green anymore. It makes sense. Unless you have unlimited resources, (cash), to buy a new sofa every time you fall in love with a new color, it makes financial sense to buy larger purchases in more neutral colors and then change the accessories.

Now that I've said that, there are instances where the blue ultramarine velvet is the way to go. Or the red leather sectional. Trust the advice of your designer. If they tell you  you're not the blue velvet sofa, believe them.

Now, on to the 2014 Color Trends. This year we are seeing colors a bit more grayed out, soft and earthy. There are of course, a few deep shades as well. The color groups with the most new colors are the blues and greens.

You may look at the following colors boards and think, "I've seen that shade of blue before!", trust me, you haven't. It is slightly different from anything else you've seen. That's what makes it so fun!

Enjoy your Color Trends of 2014! Happy accessorizing!!

To inspire...

This image was taken at Taliesin West, AZ
Keep on building your dreams!

Happy New Year!

Well, 2014 is upon us and here in the studio we are still busy as elves preparing year end taxes and cleaning up after holiday guests. Once the tree is put away and all the curling ribbon has been tossed out, it will be back to the blog posts for us!
We have a few resolutions for the upcoming year that we'd like to share,

1. More posts, more often. Last year we got a little lazy with posting and this year we resolve to make it up to you!

2. More guest bloggers. Brilliant idea. We know.

3. More questions answered. You let us know what you need help with, or want to know about, and we'll post it!

Take care and see you soon!

The Design Team

Upholstered Headboards

As of late, we have been frequently asked about upholstered headboards. Now, upholstered headboards (or U.H's in the future) are not a new trend. They have been around for several years and are a great alternative to solid wood beds. One of the reasons they are so popular is that a person with some basic craft skills can make one. The internet is full of step-by-step tutorials for all different types. Some are made with wood, some are made with cardboard. Some are tufted, use nailhead, and some are stenciled. Stenciling has become a huge trend, (if you remember the previous post). U.H's are also typically less expensive then a solid wood bed and take up less room. Now, if you go with an U.H. and select mohair, you may end up spending about the same as a wood bed. Also, many U.H's can be mounted to the wall which means they are up off the floor. Of course, you can always add feet for a personal touch. U.P's can be re-upholstered for a fraction of the cost (typically) of purchasing a new solid wood bed when it's time to freshen up your design.

U.P's are also popular with pillow haters. Despite photos of well dressed beds filled with euro shams, bolster pillows and accent toss pillows, many people prefer the cleaner, simpler look of just the sleeping pillows, and the U.H's gives the added look of a textured pillow without the fuss. Plus they are more comfortable to lean back into than solid wood.

Due to the popularity of U.H's you can find them at local furniture stores with a wide variety of textiles to choose from. If you don't find something to suit your taste, contact your interior designer for a custom made, one of a kind, knockout upholstered headboard. And don't forget to send us a photo!


All images were taken from pinterest.com

Stencils

When someone mentions stencils, do you cringe? Do you immediately think of cheesy floral patterns on cupboards or yellow ducks in a child's bedroom? For a long time, stenciling was as hip as wallpapering, it was something that you complained about when you bought a house, something you'd have to take the time to remove or paint over with several coats. But times have changed. Stencils have evolved right along with wallpaper.

A company called Cutting Edge Stencils has created an easy, affordable way to add interest to you walls. For those who are afraid of wallpaper or find it cost prohibitive, try a stencil.
If you have a concrete or old wood floor that you can't afford to cover, get some floor paint and a stencil.
Maybe you picked up a dresser from a yard sale or flea market that you're not quite sure what to do with, add a stencil.

This company has something for everyone. Moroccan, geometric, damask, flowers, trees, nursery, words, borders, stripes, birds and ceiling medallions! There are tons of photos for inspiration and how to tutorials and videos. Plus, they come is different sizes.

Another great thing about stencils is that you can pick your own colors. The combinations are endless! Try a monochromatic look in a bathroom or add some metallic paint to jazz up a kitchen. If you end up hating it, you're only out a stencil, some paint and time. Paint over it and start again. Remember, have fun with it.



Their website is www.cuttingedgestencils.com
Images courtesy of cuttingedgestencils