Nov 05

DOWNSIZING: Part One of Three

It’s a popular word in the recent vernacular. Increasingly pertinent whether it is your grandparents, parents or YOU, the trend to leave your large home, consolidate and either move to a smaller home or apartment/condo or to enter the realm of the organized social scene of a retirement community – downsizing is an increasingly popular move.

It might be a financial decision to better manage the money or a social move to connect with friends, cultivate new friends and activities, or make a physical move to facilitate independent or even assisted living. Whatever the reason, interior designers are finding this to be a very important niche.

Problem solving, creative lifestyle design, updating, or as my mother said “punching up” to refresh, designers find their challenges and satisfaction in helping make environments more accommodating, attractive, and appealing. Function in tandem with form – not necessarily preceding.

Helping to organize, make decisions, prioritizing, placing items on a floorplan to better understand size and scale – what to take with and what to leave behind. It can be exciting, but it can be emotionally stressful. Parting with things that have been collected over a lifetime is a huge chapter to turn.

Connecting with a interior design professional who can assist with the process of planning the move, placing the furnishings, selecting the finishes and colors of the new space, finding things to better fit the new rooms, while curating the things that mean the most or work the best is an invaluable decision-making process.

This bright senior – about to enter her nonagenarian years and still working on courtroom Zoom sessions 3 states away as an expert witness – found herself through a series of circumstances, physically challenged and displaced to New Mexico to be closer to family. Her multi-level home of 50 years was so familiar and unique that the move, while being practical for many reasons, became onerous and depressing. The despair with which she found herself was painful. Once the move was made, house sold along with all of it’s contents (yes, she was persuaded by family to leave everything behind) the clock could not be turned back. Her family had retained a decorator to bring in and arrange some rental furniture – sadly, it deepened her depression.

She, being a tenacious, previously independent individual, got on her computer and Googled interior designers and found us. Without any reference other than our on-line presence – she retained our services and I went to work.

Her 5-decade home was professionally designed in the 70s and was a testimonial to the talents of that person or team. Although dated in some ways, the interior was classic and of excellent quality. It stood the test of time, but now it was time for a change. This feisty gal declared that she wanted this new space to be purple. Not lavender – purple. She wanted it done fairly quickly as every day she spent in this confined space (two bedrooms – one was her office and two baths with a small kitchen and adjacent living room), with the undesirable rental furniture, her despondency worsened.

Quite a task, but up to the challenge, I probed her interests and tastes, likes and dislikes, preferences and wishes. She had recently acquired a framed print of Monet’s Giverny bridge over the lily pad pond. It became the inspiration that drove her desired design direction.

Having heard the reference about being old and wearing purple: “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple,” evidently from the opening line of the poem “Warning” by Jenny Joseph, suggests a desire to celebrate one’s individuality and defy society’s expectations about old age by wearing intensely bright colors like purple, at the expense of them being seen as inappropriately loud, I embraced the concept and ran with her purple palette.

In order to customize this special color scheme and transform this interior as soon as possible, I scouted thrift stores, antique shops, local retailers, Facebook Marketplace and Craig’s List. Exaggerating slightly regarding her not having brought any furnishings with her – she had a print of an 1890s dining/party scene in an ornate gold wood frame, a few music boxes that were irreparably damaged in shipment, and her little dog.

The existing flooring was a combination of new vinyl plank and a grey commercial grade direct-glue carpet. She elected and succeeded in having the management change the flooring to eliminate the carpet and continue the LVT. We found an area rug online that was thin and washable and worked well to anchor the living area.

She wanted a sleeper sofa for her visiting grandson, I found one on Facebook in near-new condition, albeit the fabric was all wrong. We reupholstered it in her choice from about 20 fabric samples I had gathered for her consideration. It was a bold, high performance purple textile that could have been garish had the other elements of the room not come together as they did. We piped it in a lighter more pink/purple detail for contrast and interest. The sleeper was a little too wide, so we reduced the dimension by modifying the arms. We also eliminated the center seam in the back and made the seat three cushions instead of two.

We also replaced the original mattress with a new memory foam in a bamboo envelope.

Another second-hand find was a handsome recliner with carved cabriole legs and wingchair style. It was in a badly worn leather, yet the mechanism was in perfect condition, and it was our next reupholstered piece using one of the 20 coordinating fabrics I had initially presented.

As there was no specific, much less a formal dining area, I found a small square table – like a card table also with cabriole legs. It had been painted with a black finish and gold accents.

With it, a coordinated, but mismatched pair of French chairs were also being sold. The chairs were provincial in white with light blue trim. I had them painted black and then placed them on top of my conference table and detailed them with gold accents. Both chairs had arms and upholstered seats.

One had a cane back and the other upholstered. One chair was short and the other tall. Yet they were a good quality, sturdy, Drexel duo from the 60s or 70s. Another fabric from our collected samples was selected for the two chairs. The three pieces made a clever, attractive and inviting little bistro dining setting. Her gold-framed print of the Victorian dining /party scene was hung above the vignette.

A purple runner adds a splash of color, and a sweet little white vintage ceramic lamp (another antique shop discovery) finishes the scene. It is at this table that she spends most of her time – sorting paperwork, reading, holding court with visitors. From this perch, she can look out to her patio and large grassy communal courtyard beyond, with a fireplace in the near corner for cozy winter nights.

A simple reproduction cabriole coffee table from a thrift store, a vintage drop leaf table from an antique shop, a couple of lamps and filler wall-art pieces to support the theme and color scheme – with a leafy live palm in the corner, resulted in an inviting space. The vertical blinds are building standard.

Her bedroom was mostly bed. But a Monet print to hang above in lieu of a headboard, piled with pillows that she had used on her rental sofa, with a couple of eclectic nightstand finds and a new lamp created a room for repose.

The result is a very happy client very pleased with her new interior. Neighbors on her floor and members of the staff have stopped by to compliment her on her transformation – which has gone a long way in getting her settled, comfortable and happier about her move. As soon as I presented her with this vintage find of a lovely hand-cut leaded crystal bowl, she promptly ordered purple candies to offer her guests.

Aug 29

Colors and the Creamy Attraction of Latte

By pattisays In A Red Like No Other, Albuquerque, New Mexico, artistic expression, artistic imagery, automobile, black and white, car colors, car paint, car trends, cars, coffee, Color schemes, color trends, colors, Contrasting colors, creativity, dark colors, design, design details, design theme, design trends, drama of color, favorite colors, good taste, inspiration, latte, lifestyle, living with color, milky, new cars, new trucks, paint and body shops, personal expression, personal taste, red, selecting colors, style, Subscribers, timeless colors, travel and design, trending design, trends, truck, vehicle colors, vehicles, white color schemes /

Colors are all around and I am certainly clued into them. As a designer, my love of color, design, art and connecting all things through these elements, influences all that I do. From interiors to tablescapes to clothes to cars – cars?

On the curb at our storefront, this milky grey truck made the perfect opening statement.

Well, my interest has been peaked with the very apparent trend in car colors the last few years of what I call the “latte effect.” Picture a rich dark cup of coffee blended with dairy and the result is a milky derivation of the original color. Cars of all makes and models have adopted this very interesting approach to introducing new colors on the market. Adding white to a hue will “milky” it down. Indigo with white softens the deep blue/purple hue. Rich olive green is softened by the “latte effect” of adding white to the original color.

This color truly reads like someone who likes a lot of cream in their coffee. A lot!

These decidedly softened colors present a new range and offering of color options. Brilliant, I think. It takes any color we have known on a car and creates an entire stratum of new colors never before seen all at one time as though a newly discovered color palette.

Intense charcoal becomes a softer version of itself – still strong and powerful, yet with an eased edge. Blues, greens, golden tones all have their softened versions driving down our roads with a softer shade weaving in and out of the traffic of our lives. Sprinkled in parking lots, these soft colors are becoming a fascinating contribution to the mix of common colors.

Milky shades of blues and greens vary according to vehicle make.

I found an article by Peter Bohr, an award-winning automotive journalist who penned a piece about how the color of a car could affect its resale value. It makes perfectly good sense, when color affects almost everything we encounter. Color attracts. People respond to color and make selections based on color.

This milky cobalt blue is rich and confident.

A shirt, a dress – a wall color, or bedspread, people pick paint, clothes, and home décor with a tendency toward a color preference. Do you have what you might consider to be your “favorite” color?

Colors mean something – like red being attention-getting or urgent, warm to hot. While blue is calming, cool, and conservative. It is interesting to observe how often the color choices of things in a person’s world reflect that individual’s identity or, more interestingly, their alter ego – an opposite expression of their outward persona.

Kate Smith, a color consultant quoted in Peter Bohr’s article “Colorful Considerations,” states “Color is emotional and personal. On a canvas as large as a car, color shares something about the car’s owner with the rest of the world.” Bohr goes on to identify the most popular colors for cars White and Black. That to me means “blank canvas”. A clean blank white canvas or a bold blank black canvas – neutrals to go with anything and allow the owner to find their accents elsewhere. The “go with anything colors.” One open and fresh, the other closed and perhaps mysterious…

From black to white, the new milky grey is a popular selection – just for kicks!

Red cars perplex me. I cannot drive a burgundy car. I have difficulty even riding in one. Due to my sensitivity in this department, when renting cars we would specify, in advance, that we did not want a red car. That was to avoid saying that a fiery Ferrari would be fine, but that burgundy sedan is not going to fly. And despite the fact that the chances of leasing a fiery Ferrari – or exciting shades of cherry-bomb red were quite limited, we were safe to avoid any misinterpretation about the shade of red – so we de-selected all of them.

But what I have NOT seen is the latte effect applied to any red car color. Have you? To take a burgundy and milky it down would be a resulting dusty rose color. To apply the latter effect to a fiery red would result in a carnation pink/coral. Depending upon that original hue, the softened color would vary, but regardless, I have not seen this introduced on the market. Perhaps preliminary studies showed that other than dedicated Mary Kay sales associates attaining the highest level of reward, the pink tones were not big car picks. (Since having started this missive, I have seen a softened burgundy, but it is apparently still a rare find in the new color palette of cars.)

Here is the illusive milky red/smoky rose color of the “Latte Collection.”

Yet, having a favorite color or what you consider to be your favorite color might not apply to all things in your world. As I have always said about design and color, decisions are usually based upon context whether you are aware of it or not.

For the last 20+ years, my car color has been white. To me it is freeing. It cleanses my palette, (intended play on words). I know I won’t tire of it, and it allows me to approach and own that blank canvas when the entire rest of my world is ruled and stimulated by color and my constant critique, application of it or response to it.

As an exercise, think of what your favorite color might be. If you are super color sensitive like I am, you might consider that you have many favorite colors – usually based upon context – but for this exercise, pick one and then see where you have selected to use it in your world. Is it the color of your car or wall or favorite outfit? Don’t be surprised if it is not any of those seemingly significant things in your world. But check the the context. If it is on one or more of those things, ask yourself what about that “favorite” color resonates – makes you comfortable or even joyful. Then see what other color choices do not include that color and ask “why?” You might be surprised that this is fun and illuminating. It will provoke your thoughts about color and choices and perhaps heighten your awareness of the colors around you.

Aug 07

Fabrics – Texture, color, pattern, design & style – The Art of Transformation

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, beauty behold it, before and after, chairs, Color schemes, color trends, colors, commercial design, commercial interior design, contemporary fabrics, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, custom furniture, decorative accessories, design details, design process, design scenes, design theme, design tips, design trends, designer fabrics, designing a new home, designing with a purpose, eclectic design, element of surprise in design, embroidery, fabric design, fabrics, fanciful design, faux finishes, furniture finds, good design, graphic designs in interiors, hiring an interior designer, home, home decor, home improvements, how to select colors, inspiration, interior accents, interior design, Interior design pro tips, interior design pro-tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, lifestyle, living with color, modern interiors, new home design, nostalgia and design, office furniture, Okeo Tex, patterns, personal expression, personal spaces, personal taste, planning a new home, planning a remodel, practical design, re-purpose, re-upholstery, recycle, recycle design, Refresh, remodeling, reupholstery, seating options, sectional sofas, selecting colors, sofas, Subscribers, textile design, textiles, textures, Thrifting, throw pillows, tips for new home design, trending design, trends, up-cycle, update design, updating, upholstery, value of good design, workplace design / 1

Everyone loves “Before & Afters.” The transformation of an object or a space is the magic of interior design. One of the most valuable elements in our design wheelhouse is fabric. Fabrics have the ability to transform. Like paint – color – altering to enhance a piece or the entire environment, fabrics offer not only color, but texture, pattern, design and style.

I love a good find. Call it antiquing, thrifting, scouting, treasure hunting…the hunt is the intrigue. Exploring random sources to find the perfect piece. Once found – knowing what, if anything, is needed to transform it.

The lines of these handsome armless chairs caught our attention out in the elements, on the front porch as we passed by.

Reupholstery is a life-saving treatment. To salvage a tired piece with good bones and great lines is a service to good design. Pairing old pieces with new fabrics is rejuvenating. Inserting fabulous fabrics into a design scheme is a fine art that gives aged pieces a new life and contributes to the uniqueness of the composition of a space.

As we placed the chairs for an intimate conversational grouping, the scene started to take shape.

Of the design elements, paint is the one with the seemingly limitless choices. Fabrics are next. The worldwide variety of textiles, creatives, fibers and the combinations thereof are vast. Searching for just the right fabric for a specific piece is part of that treasure hunt.

You have heard the term “run of the mill.” Even for many, having never thought of this as a fabric metaphor – this phrase is used commonly to describe the common. It means ordinary – a common, mass-produced product’s run of a manufacturing mill. Using common fabrics is a cop-out when it comes to creating unique designs – especially when there are so many incredible fabrics from which to choose.

Focusing on a close-up of this recent upholstery fabric, we see the intricacies of the colors and textures of the weave.

Personality comes into play when selecting a fabric. Along with function (how durable/cleanable it needs to be), the taste and preferences of the user, and the context in which it might occur – personality of the pieces plays a major role. For example, reading the personality of a chair – its lines and scale.

In the workroom, the chair begins to express its new identity.

The personalities of fabrics are as endless as the textiles themselves. Fabrics evoke moods, seasons and even attitude. For commercial use, as well as heavy-use residential – workhorse fabrics have evolved. Not long ago, durable fabrics looked durable, less attractive and limited. And without turning this into a continuing education course about fiber content, it is obvious once you investigate the options, durability for wear, ultraviolet tolerance, mildew resistance, and antimicrobial properties – are all woven or applied to fabrics allowing amazing installations in commercial interiors that you would not hesitate to have on your living room sofa!

Most people wouldn’t look twice at this tired sectional, however, we knew we wanted a portion of a curved sectional (not an “L”, but a soft curve).

Voila! The finished sectional is further detailed with custom throw pillows to bring together the caramel and blue tones of this color scheme. Warmly greeting guests upon arrival.

Residential interiors can now enjoy what commercial interiors have realized for years. By incorporating the durability and cleanability which allows for the wear and tear – without showing those signs of real life – residential and commercial interiors incorporate fabulous fabrics that defy their strength – beauty and style conquer!

Sustainability of the fiber sources is an increasing topic of conversation. That and the fiber contents regarding the health/safety of the materials and treatments, if any, used (Okeo Tex certification, for example).

With all this information regarding the myriad options, enhanced durability and the unique opportunities that textiles provide to dress your great pieces – treasure the history, family hand-me-downs (if not heirlooms) and give them new life!!!! Its ART!!!

May 10

Conquering the Fear of Color – A Q&A Interview with Patti

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, apartments, architecture, artistic expression, bar, bars and restaurants, beauty behold it, blue and white, branding in interior design, breweries, Centerpieces, chairs, color and temperature re: interior design, color forecasting, color of light, color Q&A, Color schemes, color trends, colors, commercial design, commercial interior design, commercial remodel, Contrasting colors, corporate branding, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, custom furniture, dark colors, design, design and marketing, design challenges, design details, design process, design Q&A, design scenes, design solutions, design theme, design tips, design trends, designing a new home, designs in nature, DIY design, drama of color, eclectic design, eclecticism, element of surprise in design, fabrics, favorite colors, good design, good taste, graphic designs in interiors, hiring an interior designer, home, home decor, home improvements, how to select colors, inspiration, inspiration from nature, interior accents, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design pro-tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, joy, kitchen, kitchen cabinets, kitchen design, kitchen remodel, kitchen remodeling, lifestyle, living with color, logo development, logos, modern cabinets, modern interiors, paint colors, painted cabinets, painted furniture, personal spaces, personal taste, planning a new home, planning a remodel, Q&A, re-upholstery, remodeling, reupholstery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, selecting colors, Subscribers, Talavera Tile, tile, timeless colors, tips for new home design, trending design, trends, Uncategorized, update design, updating, upholstery, value of good design, white color schemes, white kitchens /

The serenity of neutral color schemes has a significant place in interior design. However, it is more about the fear of color that I approach this article today. Committing to color arrests most people – they want it and admire it but are fearful about selecting and committing to bold colors.

Beautiful neutrals are a color all to themselves. Layers of whites, creams, grays offer sophisticated schemes.

However, that is not all that causes clients to reach out for assistance. Even if they have made a decision about taking the leap, it is how much, where and with what or to what the color is applied or occurs.

A white kitchen receives a patchwork of blue and white Talavera tile as a backdrop adding depth and interest.

In addition, upon closer inspection, we have incorporated a fine detail of an aqua glazed Spanish tile running horizontally and vertically through the patterned tiles.

I remember when architect Antoine Predock’s project for United Blood Services in Albuquerque https://bit.ly/3LBQbDv made a splash – a really RED splash when he stuccoed the entire exterior brazenly brilliant, bold, blood red! It was astonishing – astonishingly effective!!! https://bit.ly/3NNQihd If a picture speaks a thousand words, color is right there in conveying remarkable communications.

From branding to personal style, color is key.

The addition of our tongue and groove walnut wall established the theme for the rest of the furniture in this interior.

With freedom to select colors for this new brand, the signage and interior finishes all contribute to a unified statement using a dark cadet blue, warm gold, and caramel colors throughout the space.

From T-shirts to interior finishes, the brand is reflected and reiterated in colors throughout.

My staff recently investigated information from projects. They posed questions and gathered observations regarding my use of color. Photos, at the end illustrate some specific color decisions and why. The resulting questions and answers are as follows:

Patti Hoech‘s design practice has been and continues to be an exploration and emphasis of the subtleties and strengths of color. It is an integral part of her work. We wanted to know why and when she discovered this specialization in her design sensitivity and how it relates to her approach to effective design decisions. We are asking clients and colleagues to pose questions to get the answers.

Why is color so important?

Patti Says: Color is power and peace. Color is important on so many levels – personal joy (or aversion), perceived temperature, brand identification, seasonal interactions, emphasis, and contrast. Color is everywhere. Understanding and harnessing it for specific purposes is key.

This new backsplash had a specific purpose, which was to acknowledge the existing rust-colored porcelain sink and the intensely green marble stone countertops. By pulling those two colors into the tile selection so strongly and interspersing other colors that complemented the palette, the result was an effectively unifying design detail.

How do you determine the color specifics for your projects?

Patti Says: What color brings you joy? What color tells your story? Interviewing clients about their color preferences – being an important question begins the dialog regarding what colors to incorporate and why. This can be personal preferences or aversions or specific colors relating to branding whether it is new or existing. Also, existing fixed design/architectural elements might also play a significant part in developing an effective color scheme.

This couple wanted turquoise and other blue tones to weave through their interior. By selecting a neutral backdrop in the floors and walls, it allowed the accent color to punctuate the space from several key pieces of fabric and finishes.

Do you believe color affects the lives of your clients in their homes and workplaces?

Patti Says: Absolutely!! Color can insert many subliminal effects that impose on people’s perception of a space or graphic. Color can evoke emotion, instill comfort or agitation, rekindle memories, spur appetite, affect perceived temperature. It can embed recall for commercial brands. Color can be a clever tool.

In this interior for Boba Tea, we played with the colors of the flavors and the multi-colored tiles to correlate to the fun experience of sucking the tapioca pearls.

How do you navigate color trends?

Patti Says: Trends are necessary to keep our market moving. Capitalism is based on consumer activity, and nothing generates purchasing frenzies like stimulating new trends in the market. However, basing design decisions on trends must take into consideration the intended longevity of the design. Much of color trends are based upon pairings and combinations of color. It is those combinations that can “date” a color scheme – not so much a specific color. It is how, where and with what it is used that pegs it.

A classic, well-balanced color combination of blue, white, and yellow is a comfortable warm and cool with a neutral that transcends trends. Fabrics and finishes contribute to how one updates a classic color scheme.

Do you feel you are a forecaster or influencer?

Patti Says: I believe that I have imparted and am still providing thoughtful, challenging color consultation to my commercial and residential clients. Having prospective clients request designs based upon others that we have produced is telling and flattering. It means they have confidence in the decisions regarding long-lasting color schemes – if not timeless, in some cases. However, it must be said that design elements that present the color often determine – in many ways – how well a selected color or color scheme “holds up” over time. Considerations regrading patterns, materials, and elements can and might be either improved or modified over time while maintaining the same color scheme. Forecasting anticipates color trends. I have successfully influenced clients to make selections based upon an anticipation of future color directions in the market or merely go with classic combinations that have been proven over time. . .

Playing off the colors in this corporate logo, the interior design reflects and further strengthens the brand. This company invited us to design various locations in three different states over the course of several years. The interiors have held up against the ravages of changing trends and market directives.

What has influenced your appreciation for and interpretation of color in design?

Patti Says: It started at an early age. Observing the world around me. Nature, architecture, decorative arts (china, textiles, artwork), fashion, logos/brands, trends, regional colors, seasonal colors, cycles of color…Pinks, turquoises, yellows of buildings in the West Indies, bold color statements of Mexico…Color is profoundly important and signature in its application. From fish to birds, flowers to leaves – color captivates me and urges me to find words to express it and continue to have it a primary part of my descriptive vocabulary. As an omnipresent element in the design process, color is unavoidable, but to enjoy it so fully and embrace the limitless range of options is an exciting artist’s pallet of possibilities which stimulates me at every turn.

The magic of color on architectural exteriors can be amazing. Here in Burano, Italy my dear friend captured the colors! Similar to what we see in Guanajuato, Mexico and the sunny islands of the West Indies.

I attribute much of my color awareness to my mother. I remember being greatly influenced by her sense of color and design. Her sensitivity and talent were innate. She selected fabrics that had unusual color and pattern combinations. When orange, avocado, brown, and gold prevailed in the 60s and 70s, she selected the olives with chartreuse and gold for the less formal areas of our lives and leaned into Lily Pulitzer’s dynamic colors and patterns for her clothing and a pastel version of soft pinks and verdant greens for our more formal areas. The master suite was primarily yellow with beautiful bits of blues. Beach scenes always emphasized blues and greens. Nothing in our world was on common trend, but an artful interpretation of color combinations, eclecticism and comfort. Pairings of orange and brown were never her happy place nor was gold and brown. But orange and PINK – YES! Pink and green especially! And browns were recognized in context with stone shades of greys and tans. I believe that sense was greatly influenced by richly organic, textured stone walls of the West Indies – Danish architecture in the tropics where limitless colors of greens and blues punctuated with flowers were all around.

As a result of this of this early introduction to the value of color, my personal spaces reflected similar sensitivities. Beginning with pink in the early years I graduated into blues, turquoise and greens for my teen years. The final scheme, in my room in the home in which I grew up, was a dusty pink, clay, and mocha-rose. No one in my world had that color scheme in the late 70s and it was difficult to assemble. It helped that I worked part time in a design showroom in Georgetown where handling the amazing abundance of fabulous fabrics was a daily inspiration. Throughout my life experiences color has been a constant distraction. Not in a bad way, but rather a noticeable, unavoidable interruption that causes me to pause and take note. Ask anyone who knows me – I stop and remark about color at every turn. For better or worse, I comment on color. It is a deep appreciation that I enjoy sharing. And the most rewarding is discovering color for clients who yearn for it but don’t quite know how to find and use that which would make them feel the joy of color!

A dear friend in Mexico recently took a leap in selecting an accent color for his seaside villa. Once an all white interior, which was lovely and fresh, he wanted a new look that provided contrast and strengthened his color theme. The yellow accents made me smile when he unveiled his new look!

Color plays a major role in discovering and expressing personal style. Fear not – color is your friend. Find your style. Live your style. Love your Style.

Mar 05

Details of Home

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, ambiance, apartments, art and interior design, artistic expression, artistic imagery, built-in bookcases, chairs, Color schemes, colors, Company C, Contemporary Art, contemporary interiors, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, custom design interior design, custom furniture, decorative accessories, decorative mirrors, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, design theme, design tips, design trends, designer fabrics, designing a new home, designing with a purpose, drama of color, eclectic design, eclecticism, element of surprise in design, fabrics, fanciful design, favorite colors, good design, hiring an interior designer, home, home decor, houses, inspiration, interior accents, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design pro-tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, interior paint, joy, living with color, mirrors, multi-generational design, new home design, nostalgia and design, paint colors, peaceful places, personal expression, personal spaces, personal taste, photography, planning a new home, planning a remodel, re-upholstery, Refresh, relaxation, remodeling, reupholstery, room arrangement, seating options, selecting colors, sofas, Subscribers, the story, trending design, trends, up-cycle, update design, updating, upholstery, value of good design / 1

Whether a minimalist or an eclectic collector/gatherer, one’s details of home are important and personal. Like personality types, what is important to one person is not so much for another. However, it tells a story. The details of a home make it just that. Home.

This interior has a lot of personality and very much reflects the artist who lives here. Antique family side chairs take a near full century leap with this new, colorfully eclectic upholstery.

Residences, the dwellings in which we live, can take many forms – from short-term to decades of ensconced living. To “reside” regardless of the length of time – suggests a certain level of comfort to include some detail(s) to make it “home.”

Each home is an individually personal space filled with details that make it so.

What might YOU consider imperative elements of what you call “home?” Consider comfort, color, ambiance, familiarity, convenience, nostalgia and perhaps just pure joy.

A hotel room for the busy “road warrior” traveling for business, might reveal a photo of a loved one placed thoughtfully on the nightstand. Something as simple as this can make a temporary residence feel more like “home.”

Upon plopping the overnight bag on the hotel bed, one of the first things to unpack might be the framed photo of a loved one to place on the nightstand.

Dorm rooms will reflect personalities, pleasures, interests, colors and imagery for young people leaving home for the first time. They create their own sense of place and “home” while embarking on their new chapters of life.

While looking around your place of residence – this place you call “home,” consider what is important to you. It might be the actual architecture, quality of natural light, a collection, a piece of art, furniture, photographs, decorative accessories…

A little over a year ago during the throws of our introspective isolation, my cousin, a thoughtful artist of photography, commented from Connecticut about The Essence of Home. In it she shares intimate observations and encourages personal study of your significant space – memory or current abode. She also suggests an interesting little project in which she invites us to “take half an hour and create a photo essay of a place that has significance” to us. “Challenge yourself to capture a feeling. Wait for the right time of day and seek out the mystery of the place. (This is a great activity for kids, too. You’ll be amazed by what they choose to photograph – what “home” means to them.) See what thing you’re drawn to capturing; become aware of the everyday beauty in the space around you.” https://www.catebarryphotography.com/

As an interior designer, I am engaged in creating and illuminating details that are meaningful. Whether a view or an object, color or finish, access or privacy – inside or out of the interior these elements collectively contribute to create the overall design. I encourage my clients to identify things they do and things they own – things they have gathered and how they live. What of them is of greater importance and why. This process begins a dialog of preference, value, and interests. Establishing priorities to springboard a project is key to a firm platform for the design.

You know the old question…If your house were on fire, what would you want to get out? It might be a person or a pet certainly – but if it were a material possession(s), it is a question worth pondering. The same is true if you moved or remodeled, what elements would you want to retain or replicate and what would you eliminate or change?

Vintage family pieces reupholstered, new pieces repurposed, bookcases filled with personal treasures, and the precious pet in the center of the action. Home.

The details of your home are personal, identifying, comforting aspects of your interior design. Discovering these important details is significant in effectively planning your interiors.

Mar 03

Whimsically Wonderful and Woodsy Transformation and the Design Process

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, architectural woodwork, cabin design, cabin interiors, Color schemes, colors, comfortable colors, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, custom cabinets, custom design interior design, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design solutions, design theme, design tips, design trends, designing for animals, designing with a purpose, designs in nature, drama of color, eclectic design, engineered countertops, faux finishes, faux flooring materials, fireplaces, flooring, focal points, hiring an interior designer, home, home decor, home improvements, houses, how to select colors, inspiration, inspiration from nature, interior accents, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design pro-tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, interior paint, kitchen, kitchen cabinets, kitchen design, kitchen remodel, kitchen remodeling, lifestyle, living with color, lodge designs, modern cabinets, mosaic tile, natural stone, nature, paint colors, painted cabinets, personal expression, personal spaces, personal taste, planning a remodel, practical design, re-purpose cabinets, Regional design, remodeling, Santa Fe, New Mexico, selecting colors, Sherwin Williams, slate floors, southwestern design, Subscribers, tile, timeless colors, traditional kitchen design, trending design, update design / 1

Once upon a time there was a quiet little house in the woods. Nestled among the juniper and pinons of the rolling hills of Estancia, the little house lacked design details to make it feel a part of its surroundings. The owners and their dogs had lived there for a decade and realized that a move was not pending and therefore it was time to bring the house into its own.

Color was the primary element that they wanted to introduce – that along with a look better suited to the organic, woodsy setting and updates for fixtures and finishes. So, this plain, dated house in the woods began a magical transformation. Not wanting to embrace the sleek white and grey trends of the day, they expressly requested warmth and color.

The interior was plain vanilla with warm honey-colored wood accents.

Beginning with the floor, we selected a porcelain tile that had a finish simulating a mottled slate. The outstandingly durable, slip-resistant material had earthen color variegations in the various pieces which were highly effective at concealing dusty dirt and debris from the out-of-doors and camouflaging the anticipated dog hair that was shed about. The resemblance of the tile to cut stone was remarkable. Due to its multi-color rendition of ochre, rust, charcoal, black and sand offered many tones from which to grow the design’s palette.

The flooring was a bland combination of slippery wood laminate and 12″ ceramic tiles.

The new porcelain slate floor tile is multi-toned and rich with warmth. New wall colors and cabinets are peeking from behind…

Rising from this new base for the interior scheme, we selected a dark, black/charcoal stacked stone. The smooth ovoid shapes added further organic texture with a subtle woven appearance to the surface of the fireplace.

Texture, color, form…the design is transformed…

The mantle and hearth were both the plain vanilla white of the walls and despite the fact that white can be crisp, clean and fresh – the owners were eager for bold commitment to color. In keeping with the pine columns and other cabinets and architectural detailing, we wrapped the existing form of the mantle in knotty pine finished with a honey stain to coordinate with the existing wood accents. The hearth became an undulating slab of Cambria quartz material in a craft-paper bag/sand color also derived from the swirling “slate” floor.

The graceful shape of the hearth was enhanced with the addition of the stacked stone and new slab surface.

Towering from the now strengthened façade of the fireplace, the tapered form of the chimney was begging for the color-pop that the owner’s desired. The honey color of the pine along with the warm tones in the flooring invited a golden ochre paint to command the space.

Specifically requesting the insertion of the owner’s favorite accent color – turquoise, we departed from the warm, earthen tones and punctuated the scheme in the new kitchen cabinets.

The original kitchen…tile floors and countertops, oak cabinets with off-white painted walls.

Salvaging the existing boxes and painting the faces, fabricating new doors, drawers, upper glass cabinets and end panels, the open kitchen is the fulcrum of the house. We see the trending minimalism of little or few cabinets in the kitchen, perhaps open shelving…however, this couple wanted even more concealed storage to keep their cooking and entertaining accessories out-of-sight, but close at hand.

The kitchen transformation features new color, new faces, additional upper cabinets with etched glass panels, luminous glass tile backsplash, new quartz countertops with a new bowed shape for the island…all while keeping existing appliances, cabinet boxes and layout of the space.

Repeating the slab material of the fireplace’s hearth which passes through from the living room to the kitchen, the new Cambria quartz countertops continue the craft-paper bag/sand color. The slate floor wraps up the face of the island for a durable kick-surface and visual continuity.

But wait! To further the focal features of the kitchen, we created a custom mix of colorful glass segments suggesting an interpretation of fallen aspen leaves golden and glossy in the damp of late fall/early winter precipitation. The combination of golden ochre and dark amber with the luminous turquoise of this stunning wall treatment dramatically contributes to the whimsically wonderful colorful scheme.

Saving the bathrooms for another story…there is more to be said about this woodsy transformation. Stay tuned and do not fear color! Embrace the context of your special places.

Jul 06

CONVERSATIONS ON DESIGN – SPECIFICALLY, PRO TIPS ABOUT COLOR

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, architecture, art and interior design, artistic expression, bathroom remodel, before and after, branding in interior design, chairs, color forecasting, Color schemes, color trends, colors, commercial design, commercial interior design, commercial remodel, contemporary interiors, context of interior design, Contrasting colors, corporate branding, creative process, design, design and marketing, design challenges, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, design theme, design tips, design trends, designer fabrics, drama of color, existing materials, fabrics, good design, good taste, hiring an interior designer, home, home decor, home improvements, how to select colors, inspiration, interior accents, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, Interior design pro tips, interior design trends, interior enhancements, lifestyle, paint colors, personal expression, personal taste, planning a remodel, powder rooms, re-purpose, re-upholstery, Refresh, remodeling, reupholstery, selecting colors, Sherwin Williams, Subscribers, textiles, textures, throw pillows, timeless colors, trending design, trends, Uncategorized, updating, upholstery, white interiors / 1 2 Comments

This past week alone I have consulted with a commercial client about reception seating and color, a home-owner, in a mountain setting, about durable floor finishes, bathroom remodels and color, a couple in a new home downsizing from one of 20 plus years about furniture arrangement and color, a couple from Las Vegas buying a second home by their daughter and grandkids about color, and a woman stopped in the shop yesterday visiting from Santa Fe and said that she didn’t know we were also a design firm -picked up a brochure and told me inasmuch as she had “a pretty good handle on design – she always struggled with color.”

See a common thread here? The comments were from that where she admitted to always struggling with color to another wanting her seemingly tract home to feel like a woodsy cabin with color, others wanted their spaces lighter while others wanted to make a corporate statement that would support their brand and not go out of style in the coming few years. They all had steered toward neutrals – but not in a good way – because they were uncertain about committing to COLOR.

The whites and greys are their own beautifully valid color scheme. https://patriciandesign.com/project/modern-make-over/ I have written before about when white is a color or when it is the absence of color. https://patriciandesign.com/white-by-design/

I also continually stress that all design decisions are based upon context. Many of you reading this, with whom I have consulted, will recognize much of these observations and tips. I stress select color to compliment your context!

Interestingly, the mountain home has existing painted doors and trim. To change those elements would be costly. How can we woodsy-up this interior without those seemingly necessary key elements?

I asked her for her priorities and “comfort colors.” As a result, we will change the flooring for look and durability, building from that add color and various textures to enrich the space – stacked pebbles at the fireplace, a slab hearth, a wooden mantle and a light neutral will be the main backdrop splashed with strong elements of color (notice them on the mantle). The very vertical fireplace will be a bold golden yellow color to intentionally work with the honey tones of the pine architectural elements.

By contrast, a magnificent home (also in the mountains with great wooden details), had too much of a good thing for the owners’ other interior furnishings. In this case, the seeming sacrilege of painting the solid wood doors and trim was in order.

To paint all the solid wood doors and trim in this home was a leap of faith. But the goal was to add back stacked stone to carry a theme from the now naked fireplace to the kitchen bar and over to the entry door wall. Having it in three places will commit to an architectural theme for this finish selection. New colorful rug and fabrics for throw pillow will enliven the space and bring focus to individual accents throughout the interior.

The grey hand woven grey rug was not providing the needed backdrop for this new scheme so we gathered rug and fabric samples to “punch-up” the scene.

After the new rug arrived, we assembled the fabrics for another study of our options to detail the design.

Before, this little powder room was a bit bland. The quality, solid wood, raised panel, pine doors were too rustic for the owner’s preference – but painting was not an option – until we discussed it. What was a possible sacrilege became a beautiful solution to changing the design direction of this interior. Mirror and sconces remained while vanity, sink and colors were transformed!

The AFTER of the little powder room is still in the process, but it is clear that the transformation is startling with the newly painted doors and trim and the fresh POP of turquoise on the walls. Layers of color and emphasis changed. It is not about painting wood, it’s about creating balance. The massive, solid wood front door and antique and art pieces throughout will be emphasized as key features

Another such interior was over-burdened with stained wood and to paint it all out white was a major commitment yet, the results will make for a lighter backdrop still revealing the bones and their texture, but freeing the owners to showcase their other pieces of fine woodwork, art and furnishings.

PRO TIPS

The trick with design decisions is to determine and understand the primary purpose and intended “read” of the space. What is most important and where do you want your focus?
Once you have evaluated the space, identified its primary purpose and selected what you want to emphasize; see what is either in the way of, or competing with that emphasis, and clear all else away. Add back the things that you consider most important either for function or joy (form).

If the architecture is most important, determine what about it and work from there to complete the space. If a piece of art is most important – place it to its best advantage and build around it so as not to compete, but compliment. If a view is most important – the same is true – clear away and frame with the most important and/or effective pieces. Pick your priority, yet take everything into consideration.

With regard to color…it can emphasize the architecture or be inserted for a bold statement(s) of art or fabric on furniture, rugs…When using color, the idea is still to have balance in the context of where you are placing it. It can be a backdrop or a foreground accent.

Consider existing conditions that will not be changed – such as flooring. Select colors that include the compliment to that material. Whether in direct opposition for contrast or to meld in a way that creates a subtle transition – the consideration of existing materials is important.

The effect of considering existing materials can result in their appearing as though part of the plan rather than being inherited unintended. This is generally a desirable result. Therefore, if you have a material that will not go away – make it intentionally part of the plan.

The corporate color issue was about updating their image and connecting with their clients in an intimate and comfortable manner- an environment that carried the trust of years of experience and embracing a new generation of financial management. They developed a marketing plan moving forward to identify a theme, feel of confidence and carry it through the entire experience. In a recent Facebook post you will see this project in the process and notice that the carpet was an existing condition and that it was used deliberately to make the new materials appear to all have been coordinated from the start. Long time clients and new are comfortable with the changes! https://www.facebook.com/PatricianDesignABQ/

It’s OK to play it safe with neutrals – but in this case, it was time for a updated “brand” for this business. The unusual eggplant and chartreuse carpets inherited in the move to a different suite required some deliberate coordination, to have it all “read” as though designed afresh!

The want-to-be woodsy cabin project will have new, durable porcelain tile floors imitating variegated slate and from that palette of colors pull paint colors to add whimsy and visual impact along with other new additions of stacked pebbles at the fireplace and wood encasing the now sheet-rock mantle.

The stacked pebble stone, engineered stone, new wood mantle and splash of colors against the neutral will make a dynamic statement. Notice new color chips leaning on the mantle.

The couple downsizing and wanting more light and a less heavy southwestern feel panted their entire ceiling of beams and tongue and groove including support columns in white. The wood still “reads,” in all its hand-hewn texture and knots. The white is no less natural than the dark chocolate that had been their previous faux finish. Albeit the tongue and groove had a clear lacquer that we concealed behind the new cloak of white for a uniform backdrop.

The dark chocolate opaque stain of the pine members was no more valid than painting them an other color. We selected a white to open and refresh with a neutral backdrop to allow other elements to be more focal.

Painting currently underway!! Watch for before and afters of this refreshed interior.

The couple with the second home had history in Hawaii and wanted a beachy, fresh theme for their new desert home. The flooring was a mottled light brown glazed tile and we selected a noticeably light, subtle sand colored wall paint to contrast and POP the existing off-white doors and trim throughout the home. Accents in recessed niches and doorways will become a soft turquoise while an interior laundry room gets a splash of citrusy yellow. The layers of color will be visible from different angles and vantage points. With the golden oak kitchen cabinets being painted out to match the existing off-white trim – the scheme will be fresh and beachy! Their artwork presents these colors and will being their personal touch to the arrangements. Watch for this project in coming weeks.

Do you have ideas about certain features in your interior that do not quite seem to come together? Do you feel the need to refresh? Are you looking for a new color scheme? Please do not be afraid of color and do not be confused about current trends. White and grey is a soothing combination. Trimmed with black, you get a defined contrast. Insert organic greens and the combination is sharp and now – and yet potentially timeless. HOWEVER – colors too have their place and selecting those and their combination that will speak to today and not be out-of-style tomorrow, as certain trending combinations might – select colors to compliment your context.

Here are a few other Patti Says blogs and PATRICIAN DESIGN projects about color selection:

Designing a Cool Theme for a Vacay Rental Property

BEFORE AND AFTER for Busy Young Couple Making First House a HOME

KEMP BEFORES https://patriciandesign.com/rejuvenate-and-expand-your-interior-spaces-by-opening-walls/

Friends Don’t let friends pick paint colors https://patriciandesign.com/5677-2/

Johnson’s PHX https://patriciandesign.com/spanish-style-brings-interior-spice/

Color forcasting https://patriciandesign.com/color-schemes-and-the-complex-simplicity-of-it-all/

Bay area bungalow https://patriciandesign.com/project/bay-area-bungalow/

Celebrate the LOVE of COLOR!!!!!!!!!!

Oct 27

Taking Time to Observe Intimate Details – Observations from Nature

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, architect, art and interior design, artistic expression, artistic imagery, artistic talent, artists, beauty behold it, Contrasting colors, contrasts for balance in design, creative process, creativity, decorative arts, design, design details, designs in nature, drama of color, flower power, flowers in design, Georgia O'Keefe, hiring an interior designer, history, inspiration, inspiration from nature, interior design, Interior design pro tips, interior design trends, natural designs, naturalist, nature, painters, personal expression, photography, selecting colors, Subscribers, travel and design /

Had I planned this blog, I assure the readers that it would have been more thoughtfully compiled. However, as it is a pure reaction to recent exciting experiences, I am without much fodder that, although was before me, I neglected to document. Such as card racks full of Georgia O’Keefe greeting cards featuring prints of her magnificent work and exact pairings of the amazing landscapes we witnessed with her paintings and her magnified flowers too. Dashing in and out of her distinctive museum just off the Santa Fe Plaza bearing her name and thoughtful work (a MUST see when visiting Santa Fe), to stepping up the steps at the Ghost Ranch Abiquiu property, I didn’t document as I was too busy looking at and absorbing – so much. Yet without prior planning, I seem to have assembled enough that surprises me and therefore has become the body of this blog, about taking time to look…

The striations of color are as though painted – nature and its creator – amazing art and artist.

On this recent road trip and surrounding days in our immediate environs, I experienced inspiring images and pairings, beauty and detail, color and form…that evolved into this blog featuring the landscape and expressive paintings of Georgia O’Keefe. Captivated by the remarkable light and surreal landscape as have been so many artists, O’Keefe settled into the colorful backdrop of Abiquiu where the formations of color, sand, rock, and sky were interwoven with sparse, but all the more beautiful vegetation and flowing water carving its way through the enchanting scenery.

Georgia O’Keeffe. My Front Yard, Summer, 1941. Oil on canvas, 20 1/16 x 30 1/8 inches. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Gift of The Georgia O’Keeffe Foundation. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. [2006.5.173] Although we did not photo this exact scene, the landscape was just as magical all around us.

Those of you who enjoy taking photos, capturing moments, items and scenes will appreciate the exhilaration and awestruck sense of this humble presentation.

Art and nature. Design and nature. Nature inspires artists and designers with color and proportion. The natural world is a limitless collection of examples of perfection, majesty, detail and form. Living in New Mexico presents amazing opportunities for studying so many offerings from the natural world – verdant valleys and lush bosques to towering mountains, contoured mesas, golden plains, glistening rivers and rainbows of geology rising up from the earth. The sculptural land formations are what seem other-worldly. And yet there they are – majestic sculptures against the sky.

O’Keefe was keenly aware of the extraordinary world she encountered and she captured it through her eyes and expressed through her strokes with fluid sensitivity and sense of color.

Georgia O’Keefe loved and appreciated around the world for her sensitivity and ability, to capture and convey her enchanting surroundings.

Very real and hauntingly beautiful landscape of Ghost Ranch – Abiquiu, New Mexico translated into the sharp, crisp, colors and forms of O’Keefe’s paintings.

Years ago a very dear friend gave me an exceptional gift, of a book. The farther along I progress in this world and enjoy the vast opportunities to appreciate the beauty of nature, limitless boundaries of design, art and all that is produced by talented, creative, observers, treasures such as this have increasingly greater meaning. One Hundred Flowers a 1987 masterpiece collaboration of photographer, publisher, editor and scholars presents an outstanding collection representing this significant subject matter – flowers – that she took time to observe.

Up close and personal…in intimate detail she saw and rendered sensational studies of flowers. Expanded to enormous scale well beyond their reality, these explosions of color and contrast, fluid form and detail are amazing to encounter. Even in the pages of this stunning book her work is startling. In person it is awe-inspiring.

Upon returning from the Abiquiu visit, I retrieved my beautiful book. I took great joy in the dust cover – suitable for framing. A brilliant white squash blossom captivates, before even opening the cover. As I leafed through these large format pages in this lovely, exquisitely bound tome, I realized that, within a week prior to this O’Keefe familiarization trip, I have taken photos of flowers for a similar reason as she – stopping to look and observe their singular beauty amidst all else in the surrounds.

Unknowingly, a couple of days earlier I captured this spectaculalr squash blossom that had survived our first frost.

Just a few days prior to the Abiqui visit, while walking among the petroglyphs at the base of the dramatic black volcanic rock rubble of our west mesa, we came upon a singular, stellar squash blossom. Having survived recent frosts, this one was luminous and brilliant among so many other spent blossoms dried and shriveled away for the season. It was irresistible.

Little did I know, at the time we encountered this beauty of a squash blossom, that I would soon revisit O’Keefe’s studies of this wild and magnificent bloom.

Here more studies from the One Hundred Flowers book featuring this dazzling white squash blossom.

In the design world, we often quote architect and furniture designer Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe (1886-1969), one of the founders of modern architecture and an advocate for the simplicity of style with his popular phrase “less is more.” I felt that O’Keefe’s interpretations distilled the forms of her subjects to the essential elements that best conveyed them in a manner of simplicity. Her flowers are bold and clear sweeps and contours, of the design of each. Distilling to these essential elements is the practice of “less is more.”

Her bell-flower trumpets of petunias and hollyhocks in purples, pinks and even arresting blacks reminded me of a photo that I took less than two weeks prior to enjoying my book for this study.

However, she was not sparing with color nor scale. Fabulously daring color combinations and contrasts are signatures of her interpretations along with her magnificent sense of magnification – presenting bold gifts to we, her viewers.

The opening of the book quotes O’Keefe about her profound appreciation for a flower.

“A flower is relatively small. Everyone has many associations with a flower – the idea of flowers. You put out your hand to touch the flower – lean forward to smell it – maybe touch it with your lips almost without thinking – or give it to someone to please them. Still – in a way – nobody sees a flower – really – it is so small – we haven’t time – and to see takes time like to have a friend takes time. If I could paint the flower exactly as I see it no one would see what I see because I would paint it small like the flower is small. So I said to my self – I’ll paint what I see – what the flower is to me but I’ll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it – “ Georgia O’Keefe “About Myself,” 1939

Be surprised. Be inspired. Be aware of your surroundings, for all the beauty of nature and its influence. Embrace color and contrast, punctuations and accents. Take time. How might your next design project reflect observations from nature?

Aug 18

Back to School: 10 Pro-tips for Setting Up a Dorm Room

By pattisays In 1970s, Albuquerque, New Mexico, apartments, Arizona, artistic expression, before and after, clutter, Color schemes, color trends, colors, context of interior design, creative process, creativity, decorative accessories, design, design challenges, design details, design process, design solutions, design tips, design trends, designing small spaces, designing with a purpose, dorm room design, existing materials, expanding spaces, fashion and design, hiring an interior designer, how to select colors, illusions of space, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, interior enhancements, lifestyle, nostalgia and design, organization, personal expression, personal taste, pink, practical design, selecting colors, Subscribers, throw pillows, trends, Tucson / 1 1 Comment

It’s that time again…the end of summer and getting kids back to school…exciting, hectic, a bit stressful and today, very nostalgic. I (who saves everything) still have my little black and white Sony TV, embroidered fiber art that hung on my wall, floral twin bed sheets and bath towels! I remember the white chenille bedspreads that I got – giving one to my bestie/roommate so we’d match – even though she was a red accent person and I chose blues and greens!! We picked each other, our college and designed our neat and tidy package.

Earlier this weekend, as Victoria navigated this information highway that is the lead-up to getting her dorm room assignment, roommate and all the related details, she texted her yet-to-meet roomie and asked what her color scheme was going to be. Victoria, having established her pink (dusty rose) and grey scheme last fall upon entering her freshman year elsewhere, was hoping that she was not going to have to share her intimate space with a shocking orange scheme or similarly discordant color. All of a sudden, from the back seat came a exclamation – “NO Way!” To what, we asked – “What?” And she said “Guess what her color scheme is? Pink and Grey!!! YAY!!! What were the chances?”

Well, strolling through the stores with their piles of offerings displayed in tempting color-coordinated arrangements, pink and grey still carries over from last fall in a big way – so the chances, it seems, were not all that far-fetched!! LOL.

With the prominent pink and grey, popular turquoise and grey and for the boys (if we are being color/gender-esque) black and grey – seems grey is the common denominator facilitating merchandising and keeping everyone in color-trend order.

Pro-tip #1 Make a list of what you’ll need prior to hitting the stores with their limitless temptations for dorm decor! It can be daunting if you go shopping – cold. It can be daunting anyway – but best to attempt to be prepared! As I looked around all the displays leading these trends…leading these kids…I wondered how many – if any – might veer off course and pick an orange and lime green theme or brilliant cherry red…and what does it say about one if they buck the established trends? Some might be oblivious to the trends – despite being bombarded in every store by the “must have” selections. Those independent thinkers who like what they like – if it matches or not. The eclectic ones who are driven by memories, personal expression and acquisitions gathered and honed over the years that were not guided by trending decor influencers.

However, it is entirely possible to genuinely LOVE the trends and invest in the colors for more than the first semester of eager dorm room decor! We were living it! What was purchased last fall was saved and expanded upon, with new-found knowledge of the tips learned from the pros! There are boxes, bins, rugs, lamps, staplers, desk organizers, linens, bulletin boards, throw pillows, blankets and throws – all color coordinated making the job relatively easy and swift.

The stores are prepared. Welcoming students – their signs are out and their shelves are stocked! Rows of pillows, mattress covers, foam pads, artsy accessories and accents galore…all to enhance the otherwise bare rooms that will soon come to life!

The morning of the move, they staggered the move-in time to insure an orderly point of arrival and processing to the rooms. We were assigned 9:30 and met curbside by a handsome posse of volunteer boys who were armed with rolling cartons cleverly created using carpet-wrapped moving dollies upon which were mounted large, sturdy cardboard cartons. These rolling bins were piled high with contents from the cars and wheeled into the dorm rooms with efficiency. Co-eds in red t-shirts identified them as the RA staff – the ones with the answers to all of your questions.

Being organized is key. Victoria had benefit of a previous semester where she watched the pros and got their tips! Pro-tip #2 Be organized!

To that end, utilize your limited space to the max! Capture all available real estate! Pro-tip #3 Bed risers. The beds are high – high enough to stack storage drawers/bins beneath them. They can be raised even higher with risers. Pro-tip #4 The plastic stacking drawers are cool because they make easy access to contents just like added dresser storage space.

Victoria had it all figured out. Pro-tip #5 To consolidate luggage, she packed a lot of her clothes in the bins – all in very specific order and folded making it easy to transfer once in the room.

Once in the room, she raised the bed even higher on 4 cone-shaped plastic riser units that she had purchased. She then placed her new mini frig (Pro-tip #6 Get a mini frig) and bins beneath the bed in an organized fashion. She emptied the bins one-by-one into the chest of drawers thereby freeing the bins for other supplies such as snacks, kitchen supplies and miscellaneous other necessities.

Having a mini frig in the room keeps personal perishables under control and handy instead of having to label things in the shared frig down the hall.

Pro-tip #7 Take extension cords and multi-plug surge protectors. This was handy for the reading lamp waaaaay up high above the now super high bed and also to run power to the mini frig. You can never have enough power sources and another bonus was that one of the set of four bed-riser units had power outlets and a short cord!

Pro-tip #8 Get a collapsible shoe rack/shelf (for ease of storage and transport). They have nifty wooden ones – but we took ours back as the closet had a tidy set of built-in shelves perfect for shoes.

Once the power was all connected and the bins organized clothes put away, it was time to make the bed and add the finishing touches.

It was beginning to look like a home-away-from-home! Pro-tip #9 With hanging implements that will not harm the wall like Command Strips, the walls will gradually come to life with strings of photos clipped with clothes pins, twinkly lights, bulletin boards and other imagery.

Pro-tip #10 Take photos – the memories are priceless!!!!!!

Thanks Sam, for the memories!!!!!

Jul 05

Designing a Cool Theme for a Vacay Rental Property

By pattisays In Albuquerque, New Mexico, art and interior design, beach, beach design, breakfast rooms, bronze sculpture, ceiling lighting, coastal, color and temperature re: interior design, Color schemes, color trends, colors, commercial interior design, commercial remodel, context of interior design, contrasts for balance in design, coral, creative process, creativity, custom cabinets, custom design interior design, decorative accessories, decorative arts, decorative mirrors, design, design and marketing, design details, design process, design scenes, design solutions, Design Team, design tips, design trends, designer fabrics, designing with a purpose, dining and design, drama of color, engineered countertops, expanding spaces, exterior - outdoor design, fabrics, flooring, good design, hiring an interior designer, history, home improvements, how to select colors, illusions of space, indirect lighting, inspiration, inspiration from nature, interior atmosphere, interior design, interior design preferences, interior design trends, interior enhancements, kitchen, kitchen cabinets, kitchen design, kitchen lighting, kitchen remodel, kitchen remodeling, lifestyle, lighting, lighting a new home, lobster, LVT Luxury Vinyl Tile, marketing the story, mirrors, mosaic tile, new home design, paint colors, painted cabinets, personal expression, personal taste, planning a remodel, practical design, privacy in design, residential restrooms, room arrangement, San Diego, California interior design, selecting colors, silk flowers, Subscribers, throw pillows, timeless colors, tips for new home design, travel and design, trends, update design, updating, value of good design, Vinyl wood flooring, white kitchens / 1

When designing for a vacation rental property, the first order of business is to select things that are durable and easy to maintain. This means finishes to furnishings. I know this from practical life experiences and also working with commercial/hospitality interiors. To do so, one needs time to place and receive the orders with enough contingency for mishap. It is also dependent upon the housekeeping arrangements planned for on-going maintenance.

In this recent project, the work began 12 months out – plenty of time you think…but it was all about the physical remodel. We began with the drawings for floor plan re-configuration and specifications for new lighting, cabinets and finishes throughout. The decision to furnish was not made until nearly 10 months later with a deadline to complete in less than 7 weeks. The delay was partially due to an indecision over how many of the 4 units (all on one floor) were to be short-term or long-term rentals. Then a new city ordinance imposed a moratorium, of sorts, on short-term rentals and while that was tossed about over several weeks…more indecision ensued.

It’s a riot to see overnight design projects transform interiors in 24 hours. That’s due to a free-reign for design decisions, a team(s) and vehicles to pick-up/deliver, all trades on deck, a single director calling the shots and an organized chaos that results in a magical finished project – yes, like magic. Open your eyes, be stricken with awe, cry a little and exclaim repeatedly that you “just can’t believe it!!!!”

Real life is generally not like that. Real life has in-put by owners, limited schedule openings by the various trades, little spontaneous decision-making and fleeting time riddled with unwanted surprises and delays. Real life, in this case, was a theme provided by the owner, a preconceived “look” developed in the mind’s eye and scratch paper of the designer during the selection of finishes and floor plan modifications and vacillation for several reasons, of what units to furnish and when. Over the course of a year, leading up to less than the last 30 days, the project was to be fully furnished and finished – ready to rent!

The good news is that with controlled frenzy, changing availability of products, focused efforts and teamwork, we are pleased to present the Lobster! Completed all but hanging the TVs by the requested July 1st deadline, it is beautifully appointed and offers a colorful and a bit whimsical, spacious, clean and did I mention enviable location- 2 blocks from Pacific Beach in San Diego?

This entire project, except the move-in this last week, was done long-distance with the owner in Maine, her management company SHORE on-site in California and we the design team in New Mexico. This is not at all unusual, but Maine prompted the owner’s desire to name the unit Lobster. Not your spiny lobster from the local waters, but the New England version from the Atlantic with the classic recognizable form that accompanies the imagined crustacean – including the brilliant reds of the often appreciated steamed version!!

With fond memories of her childhood helping her elders maintain this property, the owner wanted to commemorate the building with an entry plaque visible from the street on the new redwood gate (soon to be completed). In addition, we suggested an individual name/theme for each of the 4 apartments which were all initially designated as fully-furnished short-term rentals – hence the bold identity for each! I designed the new name plaques and had them fabricated by Artistic Bronze in Florida. The backing was built by our talented Enrique Jimenez, in New Mexico, and all shipped to California. Bronze was selected for its timeless presentation, handsome durability and commanding respect. Parisienne was the font I selected which may now be used to identify the property as though a logo to tie-in with the on-site signage. Subliminal cues that are recognized even slightly are effective reminders and triggers for recognition. The idea was intended to offer a fun, but lasting, introduction and identification which was to be reflected in the interiors. The Lobster was the largest unit with 2 bedrooms. It was ultimately chosen to the be one fully-furnished unit and owner’s second home when visiting the area.

For budget and availability, we sacrificed certain durable features that would have been better long-term investments, resulting in some knock-down furniture that was never intended for much abuse. Fragile painted table surfaces – for example – better in laminate, wood or stone…but time will tell.

The look is clean and fun, colorful and beachy – with a slightly up-scaled twist. Cool aquas accent a few walls in the otherwise crisp white interior. Red punctuates effectively in lobster accent pillows, decorative accessories and the full-wall mosaic glass tile treatment in the kitchen. Yes, once again, we like to treat tile on the walls as not mere back-splashes, but wall-covering full height and width!

Weathered grey toned LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) in the way of interlocking planks were an easy to maintain and durable floor finish. The faux wood adds warmth and is softer underfoot than other hard surfaces. Perfectly matched with all trim pieces, this flooring is fabulous!!

Lighting is key and here we added recessed directional lights to spot the walls and related artwork. Switching was also an important detail to have options for the lighted areas and accents.

The owner found a novel lobster rug with a great textural, tufted, yarn system that brings fun and great color and warmth to the bunk-bed room! Busy, colorful bed dressings intentionally selected (over the hospitality white that is still trending) contrast against the bright white bed frames stacked for space optimization and a little kid fun!

A cool find in the way of the glass vessel lamp…where usually the stem with electrical cord feeds down through the center of the base and of the back, this one feeds from the socket stem with a cork top that removes allowing the vessel to be filled with treasures – in this case southern California beach shells and fragments! And for a little more animation, I found a carved wooden shark to insert cruising above the shells to make the lamp even more interesting!!!

A pair of vintage photographs of a lobster shack and fishing boat contributed by a friend in Albuquerque – taken by him in Maine in 1962 – were enhanced with bright red mats in their original polished silver metal frames along with a large painting on canvas of a Maine lobster/fishing boat sent by the owner in Maine provide interest to further perpetuate the lobster theme.

The master bedroom is a comfortable retreat with another lobster pillow for punch! To give the room the best approach and make it feel as large as it can be, placing the bed in front of the windows was the solution. Beds facing the entrance to the room are always preferable to arriving into the side of them – for visual space and a more inviting orientation.

The original bathroom layout was all one space with tiny appointments jammed together…so we removed the tall storage cabinets and sink vanity allowing more room for the commode beside the tub/shower and added a privacy door. Then the new cabinets and counter have their own space with another privacy door resulting in a two-compartment bathroom area for maximum use and enjoyment. Red mosaic glass tiles were repeated from the kitchen to further coordinate the theme.

The bold color scheme was thoroughly distributed throughout the unit which is an intentional design emphasis especially effective and novel in a short-term vacation rental – where such a thorough scheme might be too intense for one’s primary place of residence.

Effective design both functionally and visually should be a significant asset in the marketing of rental property. When used consistency in marketing material with logos and repeated features, this and other properties with attention to detail should attract the discriminating guests. Once there, repeated stays are the key to maintaining a strong guest population – of desired visitors.

Please watch for the entire slide show of before and afters of this dramatic transformation in the commercial projects section of our website, in coming weeks, entitled Emerald Green Beach Rentals – Lobster!

DOWNSIZING: Part One of Three

Taking Time to Observe Intimate Details – Observations from Nature

Back to School: 10 Pro-tips for Setting Up a Dorm Room

Designing a Cool Theme for a Vacay Rental Property

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