St. Patrick’s Day and Your Interior

March 13, 2014 by Jennifer Myers Filed Under: Color Trends, Events, Interior Design Features, Interior Design Ideas, Uncategorized

Last year, emerald green was the “hot color” for everything from fashion to home furnishings. But besides being trendy, emerald – and green in general – is a great color for spring as it represents new growth and change.

Photo Via Pinterest

The best practice for incorporating color trends in your home is to provide a neutral “base” of furnishings and add accessories that can be changed easily. For example, you can add pillows, lamps and accessories with the colors and patterns that provide a fresh punch of color to your calm interior.

Photo Via Christine Markatos Design

Photo Via Pinterest

Having seasonal colors and styles for your home — simply changing out some accessories, rugs, pillows, etc. can bring a sense of change and freshness. Once you make the investment they can be used for many similar seasons. It’s always best to start with a well-designed space plan and timeless furnishings that are durable and built with quality features like 8-way hand-tied springs, spring-down cushions and high quality fabrics.

One of the biggest mistakes I see Do-It-Yourself home enthusiasts make is purchasing furnishings that are inexpensive and may be upholstered with fabrics that aren’t meant for daily use by busy families with kids and pets. Fabrics from “To The Trade” vendors (sold through interior designers) like Kravet, Stroheim, or Larsen, just to name a few, often include the “double rubs” (which is the equivalent of how many times someone sits on a sofa) to indicate whether the fabric is appropriate for the intended use. If a sofa is upholstered with a light-use fabric, it is possible that the fabric can degrade well before you are ready to invest in reupholstering or purchasing a new one.

By investing in quality construction as well, your furniture will not only look better longer but will also perform and be comfortable longer. Another downside of inferior construction is that the cushioning can “bottom out” (get packed down) and lose its feeling of comfort. You then are investing in having your cushions redone or starting over with a new sofa.

Remember, just setting aside a modest budget to freshen up the palette with fashion-forward color bursts you can give your interior a new look.

Photo Via Pinterest

If you’re not fond of emerald green, but want a fresh option for your home, here are a few more
shades of green that you might just love.

Photo Via Martha O’Hara Interiors

Think of green as the color of balance, harmony and growth!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Designing Your Family Room for Flexibility

March 8, 2014 by Jennifer Myers Filed Under: Interior Design Features, Interior Design Ideas, Uncategorized

It’s basketball season, and for many people, this is the time to relax, reconnect with their friends and enjoy their favorite team on a large screen TV. It’s important to create a space for casual entertaining, and yet, if you care about the appearance of your space when the TV isn’t the center of attention, you do have options.

Your family room doesn’t have to look like a “man cave.” It can be elegant and yet comfortable. Here’s one of my favorite family rooms that incorporates good design elements.

Photo Via David Weekley Homes

You may prefer a space that doesn’t focus on the black screen when the TV isn’t on, and these are some options for concealing it when it is not in use.

Photo Via Thompson Custom Homes

Photo Via Anything But Plain, Inc.

Photo Via InHouse Design Studio

If you’re interested in creating a completely hidden TV and the supporting equipment, you can customize a cabinet with an internal lift system so no one sees the screen unless you want it to be seen. Wow your guests with a beautiful piece of furniture that is specifically designed for your audio visual equipment and doesn’t look like everyone else’s cabinet purchased through a popular retail store.

And, if you’re a loving spouse, you can surprise your significant other with this special gift created just for them. Here are a couple of examples of a cabinets that are beautiful as well as functional.

Photo Via Kravet Pinterest

Photo Via Sam Crawford Architects

What about the teenagers in your home…How about creating a “cool” teenage hangout and/or a place for grown ups too… think about adding a multi-functional snack and drink center that keeps the kids home and safe. The refrigerator drawers for soft drinks, juices and waters are hidden behind custom cabinet panels so it looks like built-in furniture.

Photo Via Pinterest

Photo Via Sorka Design, Inc.

Your surface selections can add drama and interest to the beverage and bar center. Here are a few of my favorite materials.

Photo Via Pinterest

If your family room also needs to include a space for doing homework or managing your family’s paperwork, a well-designed space plan can make your room function for all of your needs.

Here’s some great examples of a family room with a work and study space designed for both beauty and function.

Photo Via AMI Designs

Photo Via Cory Connor Designs

Photo Via Swan Architecture

Photo Via Pinterest

Since the holidays will be here again before you know it, think about how you’ll be using your family room and how you’d like to make your guests feel welcome by adding color, function and texture to one of the most used spaces in your home.

Photo Via Pinterest

A Well-Traveled Style

February 27, 2014 by Jennifer Myers Filed Under: Interior Design Features, Interior Design Ideas, Uncategorized

A well-traveled style for one’s home can be a beautiful reflection of your life’s journeys and travels throughout the world. Mastering putting together the objects and artifacts you have collected from your travels, and having them create a cohesive look, can often be extremely difficult. It’s easy for things to look out of place or to start feeling cluttered when your combining unique pieces from different cultures. Here are some tips and ideas to keep a well-traveled decor looking natural, not forced.

Bright colors are a staple of a well-traveled interior style, but the colors must work together. Try creating a common color theme to tie your pieces together.

Playing with a neutral background can help make your unique objects pop. Decorative pieces from your travels mixed with traditional pieces makes an eclectic/sophisticated space.

Don’t be afraid to go bold with your accent choices, but make sure its juxtaposed with something more simple so they compliment and don’t compete.

An eclectic look is easy to achieve with this style, but just remember, more is not always better. Try finding pieces that work well together while still reflecting your style.

Use built-in bookcases as a way to display the treasures you have pick up on your journey’s and perhaps showcase your travel books and photos there as well. Creating groupings whether on a bookcase, table or a chest display helps create a visual impact.

Finding hidden or creating display opportunities in hallways allows you to create a way to showcase your smaller collectable treasures in a organized way — keeping other living ares less cluttered. It also can increases the feeling of importance with these items. Here’s an opportunity to use built-ins, free standing bookcases, chests or maybe even staggering wall mounted decorative shelves – depending upon how much space you have.

EXPERTLY EXECUTED: Using Japanese chests as a basis of the design elements of a kitchen but mixing with modern design touches and perhaps a decorative rug that you picked up on your travels.

EXPERTLY EXECUTED: Taking maps of your favorite cities or charts of your sailing experiences and use them as wall-coverings personalizes a guest bath or maybe inspires your bucket list in a master bath.

Another thought is to think about some objects as seasonal. As the seasons change maybe some of your display treasures do as well. I hope we have inspired you and given you some ideas of how to artfully enjoy your well traveled style.

Olympic Inspired: Red, White, and Blue!

February 21, 2014 by Jennifer Myers Filed Under: Color Trends, Events, Interior Design Features, Interior Design Ideas, Uncategorized

With the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi on everyone’s mind, we thought we might take a moment to explore the red, white, and blue color palette. From traditional to modern – check out these red, white and blue interiors!

The traditional combination in a white kitchen with blue Asian pottery and red accents makes for a stunning and classic look.

Or a more bold statement using red cabinets with blue and white accents.

A cozy bedroom to snuggle in with your mountain home.

From a traditional classic living room to a modern white on white living room with a bold statement of color … these rooms reflect a sense of style and uniqueness.

Using blue walls as a bold statement accentuated by white furnishings.

A bold patterned wallpaper accentuated with classic white trim and a blue chair … Imagine this vase full of red tulips!

This room represents a very classic style with the blue walls and red settees but it also showcases a bit a fun with the zebra pillows and houndstooth rug.

Here is a more traditional and casual approach with the white on white interior displaying accents of an Americana theme or transitional rooms that incorporates a batik and floral pattern with pillows and window treatments.

The classic color combination of red, white and blue can be a “tried and true” color scheme to incorporate in your home. It offers the opportunity to make a bold statement or a softer feel depending upon your design taste. It also is a scheme that is easily updated with seasonal changes. Enjoy these rooms and be inspired to include red, white and blue in your design future!

Small Space Storage Solutions

February 12, 2014 by Jennifer Myers Filed Under: Interior Design Features, Interior Design Ideas

More and more people are opting for smaller living spaces and with that comes the challenge of finding a place to store everything. Sometimes you have to be a little innovative to make everything fit just right. Here are some good tips and amazing ideas for your small space!

One of the hardest parts of tiny places is finding a work space. It can seem like an unneeded frivolity but having a place to work or handle your personal business at home can come in very handy. One way to make space for a desk is by re-purposing an old armoire into a home office that closes up when your finished to hide any unwanted messes. Why not take it another step and accentuate the interior with a pretty or functional wallcovering or fabric? It’s a great way to add personality and a little fun.

Or if you have a closet that could be put to better use, let it double as storage and a work space!

Another great way to save space in a small room is built-in storage or built-in storage/furniture. When thinking about areas for storage remember the vertical lines in the room — whether it’s a surround storage feature that accentuates the headboard wall or storage tucked under a loft bed… Think about the options of a custom built-in as a design to maximize your space — these offer the option of addressing your storage needs in a clean, organized fashion and can make a room feel less crowded. Check out these room ideas with built-in storage:

Using the vertical space as a defining architectural element as seen with this built-in storage and loft bed can take a smaller room and make it feel larger by stacking the task areas.

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These great built-in vertical bookshelves around or under the bed make efficient use of space!

If built-ins are not a possibility, don’t forget about hidden vertical space! Walls have lots of storage potential but much of this is neglected for furniture that sits on the floor which can make a space seem crowded. This above-door shelf in the bathroom is a great place to put out of the way extras.

And if storage and defined rooms are non-existent in your studio or the new micro space apartments — think of it as a blank canvas…maybe follow in the footsteps of European designer Till Koenneker and his Living Cube. He designed this storage masterpiece that contains media, clothes, and decorative storage, as well as a walk-in closet and bed loft!

Small spaces can create amazing storage opportunities – they are a puzzle waiting to be figured out, but if you do it right, its worth the extra effort for the extra functional and decorative space.

The Romantic and Soft Bedroom (Just in time for Valentine’s Day)

February 7, 2014 by Jennifer Myers Filed Under: Events, Interior Design Features, Interior Design Ideas, Uncategorized

As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches all thoughts turn to the romantic, especially when it comes to the bedroom decor. The ideal romantic bedroom should reflect the use of soft and calming colors, uses multiple lighting sources creating beautiful and different effects, and incorporates textures fabrics and finishes that ooze comfort and luxury. Check out some of these expertly executed romantic bedrooms!

Flowing fabric from a canopy makes a room feel romantic

and cozy even in a sparse space.

New and interesting lighting can freshen up

a room in an instant, like this fireplace!

A rustic/romantic cabin feel is nice for a simple yet

comfortable bedroom that feels like a home in the woods.

High ceilings really make the space feel open.

Decorative lighting, soft colors,

and comfortable looking!

If your bedroom isn’t cutting it, try a romantic get away!

This hotel room has great texture and soft colors on the bed.

And if all else fails,

who doesn’t love breakfast in bed?

Creative Storage for a Clutter-Free Year

January 30, 2014 by Jennifer Myers Filed Under: Bathroom, Interior Design Ideas, Uncategorized

We have a tendency to accumulate things in our houses without giving those things a home of their own. All of a sudden everything is laying out on any available surface without a place to be put away. Each home has a storage deficiency of its own, but hopefully these creative storage solutions for around your home can help clear the clutter from your space and life.

1. THE ENTRYWAY FROM THE GARAGE/MUD ROOM AND UNDER THE STAIRS

When we first walk into our homes there is a usual ritual of discarding keys, shoes, coats, and whatever armful of stuff we may be carrying. The more organized we can keep this area, the better! Making a home for things such as shoes, rather than just kicking them off, allows a clean floor and makes the space seem larger.

Under the stairs is also a efficient way to create extra organization. Many times there is enough room under the stairs to make drawers to hide things, or shelves to display things. Check our these under the stair drawers to keep organized all of the extras in our lives.

Or, we can use this space to not only to store items but also displaying decorative accents and collectables.

2. THE BATHROOM

The bathroom tends to be a space where a lot of little objects come together to become a big mess. Storage is needed for toiletries, hair brushes, towels, toilet paper, and cotton balls. Finding a place for everything can be a challenge but these creative organizers can really make life easier.

These gardening pots are a great way to hold hairbrushes, toothbrushes, or toiletries! If you have a little more space in your bathroom you could try something like a ladder for heavy duty organization or under the sink.

Similar to the gardening pots, mason jars are great for holding small things like makeup!

3. THE BEDROOM

The bedroom is a tricky spot for clearing the clutter because most people’s instinct is to throw everything in the closet or under the bed. When space is crucial sometimes you need to think outside the box. Placing things on the wall instantly ups their decorative factor.

Or if you need to store books, they add fun texture to a room when displayed under a stylish bench!

Finally, if the clutter is just too much to look at, you can use decorative storage pieces to hide them while still adding extra decor to your bedroom, like these awesome trunks!

Creating a clutter-free home with ample and beautiful storage can be a challenge, but if your willing to think about the mess as an opportunity to revamp your space and start anew, it can transform your home.

2014 Color of the Year — Applied

January 19, 2014 by Jennifer Myers Filed Under: Color Trends, Interior Design Features, Interior Design Ideas, Interior Design News

Pantone annually announces the “Color of the Year” which is then used in products throughout the fashion, beauty, design, and countless other industries.

RADIANT ORCHID

Pantone sent out a press release stating that: “’Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,’ said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. ‘An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.’

‘An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.'”

Radiant Orchid for Interiors

“Spruce up interior spaces by incorporating this eye-catching hue in paint, accent pieces and accessories. As adaptable as it is beautiful, Radiant Orchid complements olive and deeper hunter greens, and offers a gorgeous combination when paired with turquoise, teal and even light yellows.

Likewise, the vibrant color is sure to liven up neutrals including gray, beige and taupe. Uplifting and bold without being overpowering, Radiant Orchid reenergizes almost any color palette and provides a unifying element for diverse spaces.”

Radiant Orchid can be used in any style of interior space, from traditional to modern. Here are some examples of Radiant Orchid in varying styles from fabrics to furniture.

TRADITIONAL:

MODERN:

GLOBAL:

HERE’S A LOOK PAST TO PREVIOUS COLORS OF THE YEAR…

The New And Improved Game Room

November 26, 2013 by Jennifer Myers Filed Under: Interior Design Features, Interior Design Ideas, Uncategorized

In many ways there is much to be excited about in the world of furniture and design these days — including game room furniture! When thinking of a ping pong or shuffle board table people often resorted to their sporting goods or big box stores for their options. Not anymore! From custom wood species, finishes and design styles their are many more options available now for your game room to be designed with your style sense in mind.

Maybe you have a loft space and need to have furniture that has multiple functions – this custom wood top ping pong table could easily be used as a dining table as well. You can easily get a custom table done to fit the style of your home.

Stores such as Design Within Reach and Pottery Barn carry great game tables and such that are both aesthetically pleasing and fun! Pingpong, foosball, or table hockey, the possibilities are endless and fabulous!

Is it time for you to start thinking about your new game room? Now you don’t have to sacrifice your home’s décor in order to have a little fun!

A Time to Give Thanks

November 21, 2013 by Jennifer Myers Filed Under: Uncategorized

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed November 26th as the official Thanksgiving holiday. Today, we celebrate this holiday gathered around the table with friends and family while we give thanks for the simple things in life. Thanksgiving means different things to different people but its nice to think that whoever we are, or where ever we are, we can all take a day to be appreciative for the things in our life.

Here are a few inspirational tablescapes and yummy foods to get you in the Thanksgiving mood!

Be inspired to try some fun table decorations this year along with some tasty ideas for your dining experience. We at J. Myers & Associates are grateful for the wonderful clients, colleagues, vendors, trade contractors and friends that make your days and life so enjoyable and rewarding. Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!