Top 5 Interior Design Tips

There are so many design concepts and tips published, that it can be overwhelming to determine  what's right for your style and your space. Shelter magazines, bloggers, retailers, and advertisers offer guides on everything from light hanging, to color selection, to style choices, to what size your furniture should be.  They can all be beneficial, however with just a few quick tips, you can create a personal, aesthetically pleasing and inviting atmosphere. Can I offer you 10 tips? Of course, but I’ve  distilled down what I consider to be 5 key things to do.

1) The right light fixture can be essential to your overall style. Even if you opt for discount store furniture, when you install one fabulous chandelier, table lamp, or wall sconce, it sets the tone for your entire space.  Be sure to put it in a key space so it functions as beautifully as it looks. 

                                    

    

                            

       

2) Great style is all about the mix not the match.  Most people tend to have eclectic style; from inheriting furniture, collecting travel memorabilia, and purchasing pieces that appeal to them.  That mix truly helps create a curated home; incorporating personal or artistic pieces expresses "them".   The key is placement....finding the right space for everything to attain balance and interest and not clutter. In the space below, a modern cocktail table, traditional ginger jar lamp, grandma's overstuffed lounge chairs, some favorite antique pieces, and the transitional  sofa are all tied together with color, in a grouping that makes a pleasing to use and look at. 

                       

3) Consider the power of color in each room. Color sets mood in a very unique way.  I post often about color. For example, if the color "red" means fire to you, I wouldn't suggest using it in your home, while if you tell me it means passion I would use it in a space that requires energy. Using color does not just mean painting the walls but selecting fabrics, accessories, area rugs, and artwork to bring in tones you love. DO use colors you love but be sure they accomplish what you want. Need a serene space? Try a monochromatic color scheme; soft neutral colors work just as well as blues and greens to create serenity.  Need exciting and dramatic? Use bold color. Start with painting one wall. Get a fabulous chest or dresser in a bold color you love. Don't forget that lamps add color too! Worried about a long-term color commitment? Keep your walls & flooring neutral and add color with accessories and art.  

                                                                 

4) Create inviting areas. Whether you're gathering with family and friends or curling up to read a book, be sure to have places that you can feel comfortable.  Place sofas and chairs so people can converse intimately rather than lining them pagainst the walls. One area rug can often anchor a conversation area perfectly.  Have a window or stairwell niche? Add a seat. You'll create a retreat for yourself and a place to add soft pillows and throws.

                                         

5) Store or conceal everything you don't need daily. One of the main issues with living comfortably in your home, is where to put all of your "stuff".  Mail, magazines and newspapers, pet  equipment, and even children's backpacks and toys are necessary but can create clutter.  Creating the correct storage system for easy access that's attractive every day will make you feel relaxed and organized. 

                 

As you can see, some of the solutions are easy if you creatively use what you already have.

One of the most important design elements is lighting. Without  it, the spaces designed don't function well and focal points and accents are lost.  Here are some ideas for lighting specific rooms. 

1) Kitchen.  This is the most important space to light properly. Many builders use large, recessed can lights over-lighting the room throwing and shadows on work surfaces. The best lighting ( be sure to use fixtures and lamping that complies with your local code) is to place recessed fixtures slightly away from the cabinet faces, so the beam of light is thrown onto the counter and into the walkways.  LED under cabinet fixtures are a fantastic way to get task lighting, with low profiles that are nearly completely concealed.  Tucking puck lights into glass-fronted cabinets provides accent light and night lighting as well. LED strip lighting under toe kicks and in crown molding accents and provides mood lighting. Pendant for islands, peninsulas and tables are a great lighting solution that adds artistry to functionality.Be sure to use the right number and scale. 

2) Bathrooms. Whether it's a master bath suite or a shared hallway bathroom, the lighting needs to address the requirements of all users. I do trans-generational lighting whenever possible. What does that mean? Many couples buy a home, start a family and raise them there. Both they and their children age and have different lighting needs over time. Start with a good ambient light for the overall space.  Add task lighting for vanities, showers, toilet areas, soak tubs, and specialty areas for make-up and health related tasks. Recessed and flush mounted fixtures are practical and provide excellent ambient light. Wall sconces that shine light down and across the wall or mirror are better than 'bath bar' lighting, but can be challenging to wire in small spaces. Accent lighting can be incorporated into cabinetry.

3) Living and dining rooms.  Lighting should multi-functional, keeping in mind that reading and entertaining are likely done there. For living rooms, ambient light is easily provided with table and floor lamps, which serve dual function as task lighting. Since these rooms are often joined, a well-scaled pendant over the dining room table can also provide light for the living room.  Wall sconces are nice in either room, flanking a fireplace, a piece of art, a focal point piece or a mirror, and even lighting a dark corner.  Hanging a dramatic chandelier over and end-table is an updated look in lieu of lamps.  Accent lighting can take many forms, from a decorative fixture to lighting in moldings and cabinetry. 

4) Family and play rooms. With TV watching, reading, meeting, playing and relaxing all in one room, the lighting needs are very diverse. From dim lights for movies and TV to bright lights for playtime and homework, layered lighting is a must. Many family rooms have focal points of fireplaces, entertainment units, and even a combination of both. Place lighting first to light the general space, then where tasks are -  reading, eating, homework - and add decorative accent lighting as a final touch. Lamps deliver both ambient and task lighting with the ability to move light as needed. Clip on lights and small mounted lights can be used for bookcases, desk lights, piano lamps and even for artwork. If your room has a focal point, be sure to accent it - down-lights can be focused on a great fireplace, and shelf lights can highlight an entertainment center. Game tables generally require good task lights and pendants and chandeliers are a good choice.


5) Hallways and entries:  For safe and easy access, hallways should be well-lit. Recessed lighting is great for good floor coverage, so the width and length of a hall have adequate light. Wall sconces work well too, depending upon their placement. If your entry or hallway has the space, table lamps provide a decorative element when used on a console or hall table.  Dark hallways can benefit from solar tubes - depending upon the structure of your roof-line. Consider lighting for night if the hallway must be traveled for bathroom use.

In any lighting scenario use dimmers, low wattage bulbs (like compact fluorescent) and smart placement for the best results. Consulting a professional lighting designer is wise to maximize your lighting and conserve energy at the same time; not to mention having a beautiful aesthetic.

Fall touch ups!

If you live in San Diego, you can take advantage of TOT-Home and have us TOUCH UP your home for fall.  
Our E-ZIGN service is ideal for those of you who have time to do leg-work but not to conceptualize and design.  For all of you DIY'ers out there, here are some of our most popular updates for fall. Not only do you get a great new home for the long-term, you can show off your home to family and friends just in time for the holidays.

Plants, cladding stucco with stone, and adding
light creates a welcoming attractive exterior.

1) Freshen up your exterior. That can mean a quick power-wash, some new plants, or a simple front door color update. We love to change container plantings since they can be done at nearly every front door. No entry? A cool wreath will give you a new look.  

A new surround and accessories dress up
a 1980's fireplace. 

2) Update your fireplace. Clean, paint, or re-cover dated material. If you love what you have, add a mantle, a surround, or add some accessories.  A large-scale planter or urn filled with a real or dried arrangement is fresh and natural. Add lights during the holidays for a festive look.

Paint, a shelf and some colorful
accessories are practical and beautiful.

3) Dress up the entry.  Even if you have a small space, a welcoming entry is a must. We recommend narrow entry tables, small benches, area rugs (great for wet and muddy feet), mirrors and lighting.  Not much space? A fold down shelf works well. 

A corner with accent stripes is all that was
needed in this living room.

4) Paint.  Yes we know it's time consuming to do a whole room, but it's the ideal way to completely change the look and feel of a space.  Even one accent wall or the addition of stripes will create a new space.

Lighting added under cabinets, in architectural elements and
behind plants create an easy to do, layered lighting plan.

5)  Add light. As darkness comes earlier and seems to go on forever...add energy saving LED lighting.  We love string lights, hidden rope lights, picture lights, and wall sconces.  Put them on in-wall or plug in timers for a low-cost, no-work solution. 

Need a great plant as an interior element? Use orchids.

Orchids are one of the most architectural plants that look fabulous as an interior element.  With a cascade of flowers on each stem and deep green leaves, they are pure in form and light in appearance. Whether you have a traditional home and plant one in blue and white porcelain or a minimalist space and use a low slung matte black planter, orchids will add to your decor.  Even if you opt for only a flowering stem in a vase, the bloom can last for months.  

 
1) Use.  For elegance, I love to place orchids on a stack of books on a coffee table. I prefer that they 'float' in main rooms so they enhance the furnishings from every angle.  For dining rooms, I use them on sideboards and consoles where they are often reflected in mirrors and flanked by wall lighting; I frequently use them to enhance focal points. In a bathroom, they dress up the empty space in tub surrounds and love the humidity. Placed in front of a mirror, they 'double' in size and add drama to your counter. A potted orchid by the bedside is elegant and sensual. Placing an orchid on a kitchen island or peninsula provides a fabulous visual barrier, often between entertaining and dining spaces. On large bookshelves, small orchids nicely soften the linearity. Needless to say, they are wonderful as centerpieces, particularly large or grouped orchids. 

2) Care. Orchids require a special potting mix and not soil; the mix will differ with the type of orchid you select (dendrobium, phalaenopsis, cymbidium, etc...). Roots do not need to be covered fully by the mix and actually love extending out from the pot. An orchid will grow only a few leaves per year, but can bloom multiple times if cared for. Orchids don't like wet feet but love moderate humidity. Generally, they should be watered every 5-8 days, or when the mix is completely dry. Water from the top, allowing the water to flow through the pot. Do not leave soil saturated and never leave standing water at the bottom. When in doubt, it's best not to water. The best light is generally indirect and bright; even a low light orchid needs a period of bright West light and won't thrive in the center of a room. I re-pot my orchids once each year, and only increase the size of the pot - generally one with holes on the sides for best aeration - by one inch. Orchids allowed to acclimate to their pots will do better than those 'swimming' in mix in a too-large pot. With just a bit of attention, your orchid plant will bloom regularly for year-round enjoyment in many spaces in your home.