10 Design Tips For Interiors

You hear it all the time......"Follow these rules for a great look".  Well, in interior design there are no  hard and fast 'rules'.  How big or small, how many or how few, and all the rest of those solutions that "always work" are always up for grabs depending upon the architecture, scale, size and function of any space being designed.  Instead,  designers strive for the right balance.   These are my key starting tips...can you add more?

1) Less is more.  Fewer items in a large scale work best. I love to create focal points with collections of art or accessories  so the impact of the collection is greater.  Placing them unusually, like leaning a large painting or mirror, adds interest and looks balanced. With small collectibles, I find that grouping them also creates more of a statement than spreading them out.

2) Blend colors in seating pieces with the backdrop of a room.  This is a formula that works well for spaces that require lots of seating.  If the largest piece - typically a sofa - is the same neutral color as the walls, the furniture does not overwhelm the room. Here, light walls and light fabric on all of the sofas and chairs, don't make a small condo look crowded.  


3) Forgo standard tables. With rather large footprints, cocktail and coffee tables often take up more space than needed. I suggest smaller tables, those with dual function like an ottoman/tray-top, and nesting tables that you use as time.......needed. Even side tables that aren't used much can be used as extra time....seating like those in this small apartment.




4) Dark is NOT bad.  Small spaces don't have to be in light colors.  It all depends on the style, the furnishings and the overall effect. Here, a study with deep tones on the furnishings and walls, looks warm and inviting. Sparkle is added with lighting, art and mirrors and sheen on pillows and accessories.  




5) Throw out your bathmat. Get a wool area rug instead of a nylon bath mat.  Wool naturally repels water and rugs are typically well-constructed and durable. The overall appearance will be wonderful.


6) Layer lighting.  One of the best ways to change the character and mood of a space is through lighting.  Select the right light for general, enough for tasks, and add accents for special occasions. Use energy efficient LED and compact fluorescent. Putting dimmers on all overhead fixtures will save energy and allow you to change your lighting without changing fixtures.





7) Re-think your seating.  Consider changing your kitchen or dining seating from a  chairs to a combination of chairs and a bench. It adds a different look, saves space, and without as many legs...gives a clean line.

8) White is right.  So often we think that color is a must for walls. If you love to change your space, white may be the perfect color. With a neutral background - white walls, light flooring, white-to-off-white fabrics - your art and accessories will take center stage. What better base palette to change everything seasonally than a shade of white?




9) Plants change rooms.  Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can use plants to complete your decor. A potted orchid on a table our counter is elegant and architectural.( See post from 5/24)  Using taller plants in corners will make them less barren and give you a place for an up-light.

10) Don't buy a sofa.  In living rooms - whose use has declined significantly in most homes - consider how you use the room before buying a sofa. If your family room or great room is used more, select a settee or lounge chairs for the living room. Besides saving space, you'll get flexibility in seating and the opportunity to change style, color and fabric choices. 

The secret to a great interior!

Softly lit, rounded furnishings and favored art make this space fabulous.

You can read all of the studies on how the various elements that go into a design plan  affect your physical and psychological well-being. Or, you can talk to a designer and look at the spaces they design.  A great design brings everything together, client personality, the right mood, a style that looks and feels right, and result in  beautiful and functional spaces that positively affect your health and mental well-being.  These elements all add up to create the ideal space. Pick one or all and let me know what you think. 

1) Light. This is a well-known mood modulator. Darkness promotes fears but soft light is comforting. Use candles, artificial sources controlled with dimmers, and natural sunshine, muted so you're not in direct glare.  With all of the different types of  light bulbs, you can get any mood with unlimited style.  Lighting is a favorite design aspect for me. Fixtures say SO much about your personality and your space that you can almost always set the entire tone of a room with just the lighting. 

2) Decor. The type and style of furniture and accessories you select is key. You should  grounded when you look around your space and see the evidence of who you are and what you have collected in life. The elements of decorative arts will  come to life whether you love a sleek minimalist style or a richly embellished traditional space.  Identify what you like, understand why; put a name to the style so you find the right resources and create the perfect spaces for yourself. 

3) Kitchen as a hearth.  Since the 1900's we have heard that the hearth is considered the heart of the home. No surprise then, that British research proves that theory. Being in the kitchen links you to feelings of comfort.  Beyond getting food, there's a sense of protection, warmth, and sociability. Ideally, it should be a functional and a social space where friends and family can gather, do work, and relax. This space should surround you with personal style.  From the tile to the counters to appliances and colors, each element in your kitchen should work with your style of cooking as well as convey what you love. 

4) Outdoor element:  Windows are an architectural element that's considered critical. Understanding your environment - especially the "unknown" outside -  offers control and stability to your mind.  While a yard is nice, if you don't have one, single windows offer an emotional lift.  No windows? Add artwork with landscape images, sunshine and other outdoor scenery.

5) Create a "soft" space.  As you have likely observed, the use of curves instead of hard edges on counters, furniture, and cabinets does help nurture contentment and well-being. To the brain, softer edges imply safety. Not everything in your environment needs to be rounded. For example,  arranging objects and furnishings at angles to soften corners is one solution.

6) Uniqueness. Decorating with signed artwork, a  one-of-a-kind sculpture, and other unique pieces  not only puts your fingerprint on your place, it transmits a sense of authenticity and trust.

7) Solace. Certainly we can all identify with having some place to find solitude. Even if you can't have your own room, it's important to find ways to guarantee yourself privacy and private time.  Create a retreat, a corner space, or even use a deep closet to carve out a private niche for yourself.

It's not bright but it's perfect for spring. Black and white.

Black and white rooms are always interesting. The contrast allows for expression in every aspect of the rooms they're used in.  From a traditional and casual kitchen to an elegant and sophisticated dining room,  it's never wrong to combine black & white in finishes, fabrics and flooring. The beautiful checkerboard pattern of black and white marble is elegant and classic.  A black and white hexagonal floor and white subway tile is rich in history with a clean, still contemporary aesthetic.  Here are some inspiring ways!

Sanity for Spring?

My secret to sanity this Spring is to declutter and gain peace of mind.  This idea is huge for me, since I love to stay active and keep samples and items with character, then find time to refurbish.  I also keep things that I can transform into something else...DIY projects  are great.  My garage and office/guest room became cluttered to the point where I felt stressed. Can't have an extra guest room with containers of"keep it" stuff piled there.  So I embarked on a journey that not only gave me space, but peace of mind at having recycled, donated and provided useful materials that will help those in need.  Goodwill & Dell have a fabulous program for E-waste and I donated home improvement supplies to agencies that provide homes and apartments locally.  Even my clothes went to help someone who needs a work wardrobe. My top 5 tips that I hope help you:

1. Unworn clothes

If you’re like me, you're holding onto stuff in case it comes back in style one day.  Shoulder pad jackets that I loved for the fabric now begin to haunt me.  "I'll get them tailored" was my mantra.....for 5 years. If you haven’t worn something in the past 12 to 18 months, you likely never will. Donate or try selling it  online. Spring is a good time  to analyze your cold-weather wardrobe. If you haven't worn it during the last season chances are you won't wear it again.  There are women's shelters that need supplies and organizations that collect business attire to help women dress for success.

2. Office supplies

If your desk is filled with dried-out pens and White-Out bottles, you should acknowledge that those things are never ever coming back from the dead. For me, it was colored pencils and markers from design school.  Yep, they still work, but haven't used them in ten years,  Hook up with a local art teacher since they often buy supplies for their kids with their own funds.  The random boxes of paper clips, extra stationary and other goodies went to the animal shelter resale shop to raise money to save lives.

3. Expired kitchen items

This was a bit funny.  I divide and store pantry staples and things like pasta, rice and oatmeal since I buy in bulk and save, right?  Not if they go bad.  I found things in the pantry and even the freezer from 2008.  Not worth eating. Spices get clumpy and smell "off" and I actually found 2 of a few since they got 'lost' in the back cabinets and I bought duplicates.    I have a compost pile - albeit small - so quite a bit went there.  The rest I had to toss.  Lesson learned...don't buy too much or it's wasteful.  

4. Books

If you’ve made the swap and now do your reading on a Kindle or tablet, you may have tons of books you’d never even consider opening. Ironically my Kindle is now defunct since I use my iPad.   But even if you don't have a device, consider donating books you've already read. Sort through your favorite books then give the rest to your local library, charity or shelter.  I'll keep my Sue Grafton series for now, but the chance that I'll read those books again is slim.  All the others are likely to give someone else the pleasure of a good read. 

5. Garage clutter. 

From paints that I won't reuse to finish products that are older and toxic, to fertilizer or insect sprays that I've found safer alternatives for, my garage cabinets were purged for my health and the health if the environment.  There are safe ways to dispose of all of those things.  In San Diego - http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/miramar/hhwtransfac.shtml  I've watched neighbors pour that stuff in the sewer. Don't.  Local paint stores are now required to accept old paint. They also charge a recycling fee when you buy new paint so take advantage and purge what you won't use again. After a few years that paint won't even look good when you try to touch up. Unless you do a lot of faux finishing it's just going to take up space and get old. Tools and yard equipment that I either upgraded  or don't use - love my new Dewalt cordless nail gun -  went to shelter resale shops and Goodwill. Someone will love my Craftsman corded power tools and have a blast doing DIY projects! Open paints and wood scraps did go to Refurbish San Diego.  Habitat for Humanity is great for hardware, nails and screws and building supplies. 

Lynn Morris, IIDA, Allied ASID, NKBA, USGBC

Past Director of Communications ASID

Design Principal | Touch of Tradition- Home

7313 Carroll Road | Suite D

San Diego | CA | 92121

619-669-8871 mobile

760-633-4474 studio

www.tot-home.com

Tabletop water garden

Here’s what you will need for your very own table-top water garden:

Glass or ceramic container, bowl, wide-mouth vase etc.

Water plants such as taro, water lettuce, water hyacinth, duck weed, fairy moss etc.

 Plastic pots shorter than the height of your glass vessel-Assorted rocks

Potting soil 

Charcoal bits

Mosquito fish (optional)

Pure water

Place the taro in your plastic pot and add soil. Pack the soil down snugly and cover with rocks and pebbles. Rinse off any loose soil from the exterior of the plastic pot. Make sure your bowl/vase/container is clean and free of cracks. Take a handful of charcoal and line the base of the vessel to help against odors. Cover with aquarium pebbles. Fill the vessel with the most pure water you can get your hands on; rain water, reverse osmosis water, or distilled. Place the potted taro into the vessel. Some loose soil may escape the pot- just scoop it off the top of the water, and add more rocks to the potted plant if needed. Pull off any dead roots from the floating water plants, and give them a good rinse before adding to the bowl. If you plan on taking the water garden outside, and then bringing it back inside later, mosquito fish are a good idea. Nobody wants mosquitoes hatching in their living room!

Before taking on a water garden, I’d suggest perusing a few books. I find so much inspiration from gardening books in general, but this one from Better Homes and Gardens does a good job of telling you what level each garden is, and how long it will take to complete.

One last note on water gardens- many water plants can be extremely invasive and destructive when introduced to natural bodies of water, so if you find yourself needing to dispose of any extra plants, please throw them in your compost heap, or trash bin and do NOT put them in streams, rivers or lakes. 

Thanks for reading, and have fun making your own tabletop water gardens!

Wallpaper is always in style

Whether you want to cover a wall, a piece of furniture, your cabinets or even stair risers, wallpaper is always in style. From Renaissance time where decorative wood stamping was popular, through the reign of Queen Anne where wallpaper was so popular it was taxed, to the modern colors and surfaces of today, wall coverings are an easy and dramatic method of adding color, pattern and texture to interior walls. 

I often scour the paint shops and design showrooms for cast off wallpapers since there are so many great ways to use them. In a client's 100 year old home in NY, covering the stair risers was the perfect way to update and repair them without putting in a new staircase.














An old bookcase or shelves can get a fabulous facelift in hours by adding wallpaper to the back.  My first apartment in NYC had ugly painted plywood shelves, likely done by another tenant. A few hours of labor and I had a work of art. 


If you want to accent cabinets or a door, consider highlighting the panel with a pretty pattern.   You can even transform a flat no-panel door using architectural wallpaper.




Using wallpaper as wainscoting makes a great statement in an entry or stairway. You can add a rail molding if you like, and even add another pattern above it.











If you're using it on the walls, consider the following types and patterns:

Entryway: If cleaning is a challenge for kids and pets,  non-wovens (made of synthetic and paper fibers)  and vinyls (plastic laminated to fabric or paper backing) are good choices.  If not, grasscloth (Real grass woven onto paper or fabric) is elegant and beautiful.  Here a bold pattern and lots of architectural detail can be striking.  This space sets the tone for the rest of the house so you can be creative too.

Dining: Almost any type of paper (the original which can also come coated with this vinyl or acrylic film for durability) works unless you dine often with children and your chairs are close to the walls! I love using it above a chair rail since it creates a fabulous design element.  Traditional wallpapers work well in classic homes, and smaller scales work well so they don't overwhelm. Embossed papers add texture and pattern and are great for uneven wall surfaces.

Kitchen: Vinyl is more durable than paper and stands up to moisture and cleaning. Solids and neutrals are excellent choices so they add detail but don't detract from cabinetry and tile choices.

Bathrooms: Again, a vinyl or non-woven is a good choice for moist areas. Using a fan is still a great option. Bolder patterns are OK even in a small space since it won't seem overwhelming and can even make the space seem larger.

Bedroom: Subtle and neutral are best choices for a restful space. Grasscloth has nice options and flocked and embossed wallpaper is serene and soft.