Natural Beauties

I can always tell when I’ve been behind the desk too much!  I’m not really complaining . . . I actually am one of those odd interior designers who happens to enjoy the planning and organizational process of projects; however, all work and no design play makes Wanda yearn for getting out and about to source lovely pieces.  I’m so thrilled that this week will be filled with seeing some favorite clients and that we also get to spend some time searching for the layers that make a room special.

As I was leafing through my client binders, I could see the profound influence nature has on some of my designs.  I certainly can do more stark interiors but being a gardener probably has me connected to the things of the earth.  I consider Mother Nature a ‘BFF’ and a partner in design.

I think she might approve of what’s on the schedule for this week:

 

Next . . . .

 

 

Of course, each client is different and has their own set of preferences.  Still, I do think designers attract people with similar interests or aspirations for a particular look and feel.  Words like:  pretty, timeless, collected, layered, classic, tailored, casually elegant, comfortable, and even “wow” are words which have resonated in my client’s vocabulary.  I’d like to think they have become the hallmarks of my work.

Time to get a few more pointers from my “design partner”.  She’s an expert colorist!

 

Update:

The plate rack is happily filled!

Flickr Tags: Interior Design Trends

Minimalist Home Design Paracaima

Located in Mexico City, Mexico, this is called Paracaima minimalist house design home. designer by dcpp Arquitectos:





That gave us a project that consists of two main volumes that intersect: The first volume consists of an arch, a large structural concrete 25 cm and 7.5 mts. high, which brings another volume. This book contains a major open area with an outdoor terrace, with a roof of a passing of 7.5 on one side. The other side holds the library. Timber used to pour the concrete used again in some of the wood in the house, like doors.

We use these restrictions to give shape to the house is always looking for the maximum amount of open area and a good orientation.

Building The Classic Bath

I just had a nice phone visit with one of my favorite clients!  As we’re moving along to other home design projects, we discussed completing an upper level family space, adjacent to a recently remodeled guest bathroom.  Bless her! This is the third bathroom in which we’ve interrupted some of the daily function – not counting a powder bath!  I think, with each settling of the dust clouds, she and her family members feel they’ve received a newly refreshed space for, well, refreshing!

The connected upper living level was not yet under consideration at the time of the bath remodel.  Also, next to this bath was a bedroom dedicated to hosting precious little granddaughters who frequently visit.  It had been designed in pink and green.  My design concept for the bath was to keep it classic, a little retro, and with open options for future colors and accents.  (As an aside . . . in the midst of the remodel, one of the granddaughters announced she was ready to give up her green and pink phase for blue!  I’m expecting purple won’t be too far down the road.)  A designer’s challenge, for certain!  :)

Here is the completed bath, sans a few accents.  It’s all clean, fresh, and ready for any color of the rainbow!

Retro tile, clean cabinet lines, and lots of crisp white surrounds.  I had my decorative painter add several bands of pearlized paint to prevent a sterile look and to add a dramatic backdrop without it becoming too static.

 

A little curve juxtaposed with soft angles.  Yin and Yang.  I just couldn’t picture an oval sink bowl in the counter.

The bath has a shower, only.  I’ll get better pics to share when we’re totally done with accents.  This is the close-up of the plumbing fixture style.

I can’t help but to think of a honeycomb with this tile design.  We used a charcoal-colored grout to make maintenance a breeze!

The shower wall received a brick lay, subway design.  We added an architectural style tile molding for depth.  It was also done in white.

Our inspiration for the cabinet base was a simple, Shaker design panel.  It’s a great transition between a modern and traditional design.

The vanity lights were also influenced by a marriage of angles and curves.  In a well-designed room, it’s important to pay attention to how shapes complement one another.  In a small bath, don’t go overboard with too many elements.  Your eye won’t know where to land as there will be too much visual information to process.  The idea is to create a flow and perception of space.

Moving right along . . .  I suspect we might have a little more dust in the future!  I like to call it “pixie dust”! 

Sprinkling designer magic your way! ~ Wanda

Child’s Play

Every now and then, when the design phone rings . . .

. . . I get asked to come out and play!  Less desk time and more fun!

Recently, I’ve had the great joy of working on not one, not two, but three rooms for children and all in the same household!  We’re in the process of flip-flopping spaces, updating a couple of bathrooms, repurposing existing furniture and adding new pieces as we bring each child into their next stage of growth. 

Oh, and just a side note:  Through my years of design experience, I’ve come to expect that the life of a design trend or the “freshness” of a room is about five to seven years.  After that, it’s time to revisit and renew the space.  A little design nip and tuck, as it were.

This room is being created for the cutest little four-year-old redhead.  If you’re familiar with the Eloise series, you know the main character is the bubbly and whip-smart little girl who lives in a "room on the tippy-top floor" of the Plaza Hotel in New York with her Nanny, her pug dog Weenie, and her turtle Skipperdee.  Take away the NYC residence and the pets, you still have a client who’s totally in character to keep you entertained!

I’ve also caught on that we’re not looking at a child who is going to be a frilly sort.  I think we tend to think four-year-olds should have ruffles and bows, but with a bit of tomboy added into the mix, I think there’s still a way to create a feminine balance.

Here is her current space.  As you can see, we’ve got some perfectly good starting points.  A cute clock, window treatments, and a furniture piece.  These are all going to be reworked into a different room and with some of the added pop I’ve presented in her color board, above.

Of course, I always begin with laying out the room to scale and then create a space plan according to function and balance.  I can have a better view of what’s needed to fill in or to enhance the area.  I can jot in reminder notes and develop the plan for more of the layered details.

We’re going for a bit more immediate gratification so it was important to begin with deciding on the main leading pattern.  This pattern might be a bit bolder than her mother imagined so she’s going to ponder over it a bit.  Whether my client is four or forty, I do like to incorporate their personalities.  It’s all about reflecting who they are so they’ll receive the spirit of “happy”, each time they enter.  I think this design fits a spunky little one, while adding a practical touch.  (Remember I mentioned a bit of a tomboy leaning?)

Even though we’ve selected some ‘off-of-the-rack’ product, I always like to add custom touches.  The shapes of these fabric blossoms are a perfect compliment to the design.  Jackie Von Tobel shared them in one of her latest posts, Diane Gilleland, Kanzashi In Bloom. 

Two copies are now on order.  One for me and one for the workroom!

My four-year-old client’s room won’t be a replica of a catalog, even though I’ll be pulling in a few pieces from one of those stores.  I’m honoring a request to consider working with a bit of ‘ready-to-wear’ while making it a more personal and unique statement.  My clients are planning a move, in a couple of short years, so we are also being practical about the idea that a new home will bring more space options.  A twin bed may become an accessory item to the room, rather than the major focus. 

Of course, we don’t have to be four to have fun with design.  Whimsy lives on at any stage!  Don’t you agree?

Playfully yours! ~ Wanda

Design Beach House in Punta Misterio by Longhi Architects

Design Beach House in Punta Misterio by Longhi Architects. This house has the architecture and design an attractive house, the which Followed the classical style of the house but modern Peru. This house is a very attractive location and the formation of this building. Like in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean this house floating in the sea. The building is conceived as a place where the desert meets the Pacific Ocean Dry Peru, this beach house located at 117 km Punta Misterio. south of Lima, is an intervention in the which the integration of architecture and landscapes Important concern. Sand roof garden acts as an extension of the desert, lap and recreational swimming to connect the sea with houses, while the glass box hanging from the structure symbolizes the architecture, the between sand and water.





Design cool beach house in Peru

Best of A Design Show – Part I

The registration reminder for the upcoming fall High Point Furniture Market just dusted my mailbox.  It’s not until October but it’s definitely worth putting on my calendar as a “must attend” event.  During the spring market, I took photos of bits and pieces of collections and I realized I had not shared many of them with you.  How forgetful of me!

It’s always fun to see how spot on my observations of what was trending then is still fast forwarding now.  It often takes six months, or until the next market, for new items to be available to ship.  For consumers, it’s brand new excitement.  For designers, it’s the excitement of finally being able to get our hands on what first enticed us.

So much affects home product design.  Most certainly, the current runway fashions play an important aspect and theater or film can make an impact, too.  There is also the consumer directive for function and for capturing lifestyle modes.  It’s a world where fantasy and the familiar collide into a choice for almost anything you could desire!

Here is Part I – Best of A Design Show:

Why care about trends?  It’s good to have an idea if you’re following a short-lived fluke or creating a course for many years of appreciation.  If you are able to re-do your home, year after year, it’s a fun form of design entertainment.  If you need to be more cautious with your investments, you’ll want to have an idea of the longevity of your selections.

If you noticed, most of the items in this post might be considered neutral.  Some are polished while others are loved by time. 

Coming next?  Color!

All my best! ~ Wanda

An Interior “Staycation”

Even though I’ve been on “vacation”, since before the weekend of July 4th, my mind never completely stops.  I’ve always got about fifty irons in the fire.  *smile*

Just in case you have a few minutes to share, here is a quick recap of my “staycation”.  Nothing like the French Riviera or a wilderness adventure, but it was just my cup of tea!

I did get a little writing in.  Hooker Furniture published my post:  “How to Vacation at Home”

I was inspired by one of my favorite nearby escapes, Kiawah Island, SC.  Time to think about heading back!

I took this photo, a couple of years ago.  Whenever I feel a bit stressed, I pull it up and imagine the salt-breezes.  Ahhh!  It always makes me feel refreshed!

I managed to pop in a post at my other blog, Villas and Bungalows.  Thinking of writing pillow workorders prompted my desire for “Pillow Gratification”.  Pop on over and you’ll see why!

I also took a little time to look for practical flooring solutions for the Union County Community Shelter Project.  Trying to find it at reasonable pricing and with a durable finish, while keeping it warm and inviting has been a good challenge for this designer.  (Have to be mindful of messy weather and lots of foot traffic, while being easy to maintain.)  The good news is that things are moving along and the shelter is getting great support from our community.  There has been a PayPal account set up so if you would like to make a donation, you can sidemark it for “shelter updating”.  Go to www.unionshelter.org  for more info.  Eventually, we’ll also need some strong helpers to move furniture, as well as some steady hands for painting.  More to come on that!

The garden got a little extra attention.  Magnum, one of our standard dachshunds, decided to monitor my progress!

Except for the heat, I could just lose myself in the garden.  Early mornings are my ‘sanctuary’ time.  Even then, textures and colors inspire me for design projects.

 

(My favorite toy?  My Canon G-12)

I tried to learn a bit more about using my camera.  Some pics were pretty good . . . others . . . well let’s just say my photographer, Whitney Gray, has nothing to worry about!

(After many tries with setting ISO, aperture, etc., etc.  Where’s that manual, again?)

I just love how Whitney captures images and settings.  In browsing through some of her shots, it made me realize how fast the seasons come and go.  Wistful moments.

Early summer on her family farm.  Magnificent!

Just a couple of more months and we’ll be hanging up the beach towels.

Football season - Coming soon to a hometown near you.

The holidays will be around the corner before we know it!

Why is it, when we’ve got temps in the ‘melting’ range, we dream of future days of the frosty stuff?

I agree with Whitney’s dog, Petey . . . Enough all ready!  There are still more summer days and naps ahead.

Hope you’re having a wonderful time! ~ Wanda