Take me away...

 Even if you aren't escaping the winter to some faraway place of warm bliss, here are some of the latest exotic offerings to liven up and warm up your winter just when you need it the most.




Wood Lounge Chair - Koji Collection, Henna Ceiling Lamp - Casablanca Market, Peacock Fabric - GPJ Baker, Tropical Fabric - Kravet, Grass Shades, Spanish Vessel Sink and Accessories - Carla Bast Interior Design

 

Love is in the air!

On this bitterly cold Minnesota morning, we're going to add some warmth and romance to your bedroom.  Here's just a few pointers... just in time for Valentines Day! 

What's more romantic than walking through a flower garden or enjoying the outdoors? Bring the colors of the outdoors into your bedroom decor with live plants or flowers. Freshly cut flowers lend color and a soft, sweet scent throughout the room.
 
 

 
A romantic bedroom is inviting, comfortable, and a place you desire to relax following a long day. The bedding you choose is key to helping you relax. Choose luxurious silk sheets or wonderfully soft, high-quality cotton sheets for your bed. The comforter should be plush and soft while providing the focal point for the colors and patterns in your romantic bedroom.
 

 
 
Clean your bedroom - First of all, you need to clear all the clutter and junk from your bedroom so that positive energy can flow through the room easily. Clutter is known to block the flow of positive energy (known as “chi” in feng shui). Things like books, dirty clothes, and other miscellaneous junk items should all be removed. The area under the bed should also be cleaned and kept clutter- free. In addition, also remove things that remind you of your past or past relationships.If you have children, keep their stuff out of your space.

Lighting also plays a huge part in setting a romantic mood. Change lampshades to give color and light patterns, add a chandelier or recessed lighting with dimmers or put candle sconces on the wall.  Don't forget the candles!

Remove the television and the computer from the bedroom –  computers and television are literally energy suckers. They are known to affect the relationship and snatch away your partner’s attention.  Put them away...oh, and turn off the phone too!

Even at midnight the sun was still bright,

All because you kissed me goodnight!

~Author Unknown

Lower level update for a busy family.

BEFORE

BEFORE

Our Clients:  A busy family of 5 with kids ranging in age from 3 to 16. 
The Project:  Update the existing lower level space.
Requirements:  Space for watching TV with sound reducing features for the other areas of the home.  This space will need to provide seating for larger groups for entertaining as well. The kids will need floor space for those active games of knee hockey, trucks and Lego's as well as incorporate an area for scrap booking and board games.  Design a built in media center for a new flat screen TV with components, video games, movies and music.  Update the existing fireplace to create a sleek focal point, and integrate an attached toy room. 
Challenges:   Incorporating the existing traditional stained oak mill work, doors and windows into the design of a more transitional modern space.  The room is not large (370 sq. ft), yet it must accommodate varying ages with varying interests and function for various purposes.

We have selected 2 color palettes which our clients have fallen in love with.  They are having a hard time deciding on which one to choose, which do you prefer?

Option 1) Durable yet luxurious warm gray leather and fabrics for the large seating pieces, and splashes of vibrant color for throw pillows and accessories.  Paint Color:  Benjamin Moore "Revere Pewter." or a durable textural wallpaper.  Walls and window coverings will be soft and neutral  making it easier for focal artwork and furniture to stand out.

Option 2)  A bit more bold.  Black leather, soft charcoal, warm gray and the same vibrant shades of aqua and lime for a color splash!  Paint Color:  Benjamin Moore "Monroe Bisque." 

Clever Design Solution - bookshelves with no need for a ladder.

By focusing on height rather than width, efficient storage designs can be created. Staircase is a shelving unit that combines a bookshelf with a pullout stair system in the bottom three shelves.

Designer: Danny Kuo (Netherlands)
Material: Bamboo, stainless steel

Two Tips Tuesday - Volume lll

 Minneapolis/St. Paul's Candice Simpson's fun new art made with 90% "green mixed media" (low voc plasters made from cork, shell, fibers and low voc metallic paint). Inspired by her trip to Itasca State Park.

1.  Choosing Art:  It can be difficult to get prints and artwork that aren't just mass-produced and bland... when you've spent all that time and investment in the design of your home, you don't want to spoil it all by slapping up just any old thing on your walls...

What you need is...

Something unique, and beautiful.

• You want something to reflect the personality of your carefully designed room
• You also want something to express a part of your own personality...
• Or to make you feel a certain way... for example...in the bedroom, look something that makes you feel relaxed such as a landscape or something flowing.

2.  A definite "no-no" in the design world is purchasing matchy-matchy furniture and décor.  When everything matches, the room becomes so safe that it's boring. Buying a suite of furniture of the same design went out decades ago. And although many fabric and wallpaper manufacturers offer coordinated patterns to simplify the design process, use those coordinates (if you must), as a background for something old, something personal, something that makes the room your own. 

Definitely Do!

Definitely Don't!

Two Tips Tuesday - Volume II

Tip #1:  Furniture first – the rest later.  You might be inspired by a pillow, but that should not be your first purchase.  Select your furniture and then move on to pillows, window treatments and accessories.  They are the icing on the cake.

Tip #2:  Throw Around Some color!

On a chilly day there are few things that bring more comfort than a great throw blanket. You can use it sitting in a chair or in bed while reading or to put over you legs while watching TV. Things are getting chilly here is Minnesota...so my interest in additional warmth is high right now!

There are so many beautiful styles and materials. From Merino wool to cashmere or a quilt. I genuinely think this is something worth splurging a little on. For the number of times a throw gets used, its cost per us is pennies!

Two Tips Tuesday - Volume 1

Tip 1:  Furniture –It makes a statement in a room. Furniture, especially older furniture, is often extremely well made. The frame is often hardwood and very sound.  Don't throw out grandma's old chair...have it reupholstered with an updated fabric to breathe new life into it and to coordinate with your other pieces.  I love mixing old with new, it is so much more interesting!  In furnishing your spaces, don't fall for those big box chain store pieces (hint:  PB)...they are glued together, trendy and way overpriced.  And don't go for the whole room (or even just a sofa) for $500 (or 'round that price).  You will regret it a year or so from now when you have to replace it because the frame or cushions have given way and the fabrics are pilling and worn...not to mention it is just bad feng shui!

Personality Plus...and in for the long haul!

Tip 2:  High ceilings tend to have a dulling effect of the lighting because the general lighting you have on the ceiling rarely has the power to illuminate the whole space or function for tasks.   Many homes I visit don't have adequate or the proper type of lighting... this is especially true of homes with high ceilings.  For ample and proper lighting of a space it is necessary to light from both above and below. That can easily be achieved by mood lights on the floor, at mid-level with lamps for tasks and ambiance, then from the ceiling to give ample light to illuminate the whole space. Beams on the rafters (if they show), accented by hanging chandeliers will illuminate the architecture and take full advantage of the high ceiling space.

We mounted these amazing iron lanterns to the beams of our clients North Shore timber frame home.  This adds the light where it is needed, highlighting the architecture at the same time.