What a few hours of working with a designer can give you!

A year ago I met with a client who needed help finding inspiration for the design of her family room. In as little as six hours of designing I had a brand new family room planned for her. We selected the sofa, the love seat, the perfect pair of leather chairs, the pillows, chests and some accessories. I gave her the information and instructions on where to buy what and gave her the keys.

I had the pleasure of returning to her home last week to help her with a kitchen remodel she is working on and I was able to see what had become of her family room...I was ecstatic to see how well she was able to put my design to action and also to hear that she loved it! 

Check out the before and after shots of her project.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Close up on her new sofa dressed with those fun pillows!

These chairs were a great find and they go perfectly in the room, I love the trunk ottomans!

I'm so happy she loves her room and I'm excited to see the transformation of her kitchen! Here's a sneak peak before shot…isn't the blue tile fabulous? I can't imagine why she wouldn't want to keep it! Stay tuned for the afters.

Retro Chic

With the season 5 of Mad Men premiering on AMC the other night, it got me thinking about all of the retro design trends that this show brings back into vogue.  And what’s not to love?  Big beautiful shiny cars, fully done-up dresses, perfectly curled hair, and oh the set design, don’t even get me started on the set design - love!

AMC's hit series MadMen

If you’re not in the loop, the 60’s are back, well at least certain elements are.  And you should welcome them. With the popularity of this hit show many components of the 1960’s are back in vogue: Pantone’s color of the year is Tangerine Tango,home bars are back (can you see the MadMen influence?), and even technology apps like Instagram are huge right now. 

HGTV’s Taniya Nayak and spokesperson for Mohawk says “When decorating your space, throwbacks are certainly not style setbacks.”  In keeping step with contemporary trends, today’s homeowners are looking back to the decade’s far-out flavor to push their taste forward—and I even think we might even see a trend coming back of broadloam wall-to-wall carpet.  Especially for rooms with hipster owners who just bought their first home and want that retro chic vibe.  While I love hardwood floors, you can’t beat the warmth of wall-to-wall carpet on your feet especially in a cold climate like the one I live in.  Not to mention, it can certainly be nice on the budget.

contemporary living room design by seattle interior designer Garret Cord Werner

 Frieze carpet from Mohawk gives this living room a retro feel - one of the trends flooring companies are observing for 2012.  

A great way to pull in the retro chic vibe from the 60’s is to “always aim for balance, so try incorporating the bold 60s colors—burnt orange, smoky blue, chartreuse—through accent pieces in combination with neutral furnishings.” If you do choose carpet “which was big in the 60s, go for a hue that will complement the furnishings you own. Among the most accommodating colors are beiges, grays, or muted tones of blues and greens” Taniya Nayak says.

modern living room design by new york interior designer Amy Lau Design

Another plus of broadloom carpet is the fact that it is a green product; this new carpet of today is not your mama's carpet of the past.  In the last 50 years, advanced technology and an increased concern for the climate have led to carpets manufactured from recycled soda bottles as well as those made in part from corn sugar, like Mohawk’s EverStrand and SmartStrand carpets.

modern bathroom design by los angeles furniture and accessories SEE MATERIALS INC.

Other elements of the 1960’s is color blocking and bold, big patterns.  Nayak’s suggests taking “a few colors of the same carpet style, have them cut according to a desired pattern, and work with your local retailer to have the individual carpet pieces stitched together.” 

contemporary kids design by new york photographer Alexander Johnson Photography

Another great idea is to use some carpet tiles to color block.  Either way this will certainly give your space a custom look.

eclectic bedroom design by dc metro interior designer Supon Phornirunlit / Naked Decor

Are you loving the retro chic style of 2012? 

Winner from the Home & Garden Festival Drawing!

Drumroll Please……………….and the winner is

Jennifer Tripp

Congratulations Jennifer! You received $150 in design services from The Design House!

Speaking of Green….Have you heard of Malachite?!

Photo courtesy of mindat.org

mal-a-chite. noun

A light to dark green carbonate mineral, used as a source of copper and for ornamental stoneware.

This fun colored "gem" is a perfect tribute to our upcoming green holiday. Adding malachite to a space adds interest, beauty, a unique accent that makes for a great conversation piece.

"Malachite is used in both jewelry and as a decorative material. The mineral is one of the most popular due to its bright colouring and attractive pattern, and also because it is easy to work and takes an excellent polish. Its colour, from bluish-green and turquoise to dark green with silky tints, comes from the presence of copper." The Hermitage Museum

Designed by Isler Homes - Photo Courtesy of Houzz.com 

Shown above is a stunning malachite cocktail table adding some color and pizzaz to this traditional living room.

Malachite Chair - www.1stdibs.com

 This Louix XV style chair is upholstered in the gorgeous Tony Duquette malachite fabric, you don't have to you use the stone itself to have your show piece.

Photo courtesy of Global Views 

Global Views take on using malachite is so fun! Their Twig Table-Antique Brass with Faux Malachite Top can add the just pop your room needs.

The following three photos are from The Hermitage Museum in Russia. The Museum has a room titled 'The Malachite Room' designed by Alexander Briullov in the late 1830s. "The finishing of the hall is unique: the columns, pilasters, elements of the fireplaces and decorative vases are faced with malachite in the "Russian mosaic" technique. -The Hermitage Museum

Photo Courtesy of Hermitagemuseum.org

Photo Courtesy of Hermitagemuseum.org

Photo Courtesy of Hermitagemuseum.org

I love this room with the Malachite Fireplace and the gilded gold accents. So pretty!

Michael Kors

Here is an awesome skirt designed by the fabulous Michael Kors, perfect attire for this weekend.

"The Viceroy Miami" designed by Kelly Wearstler
Photo courtesy of wwwtheenglishroom.biz

The room above is crazy decked out with malachite veneered built-ins and the green floor to ceiling drapes; while the room below is very simple with the touch a malachite in the roman shades. Both however are great for their design and I just love the look of the malachite. 

Photo courtesy of Elle Decor

My goal is to somehow use this awesome material in a design this year! What do you think?

HGTV 2012 Dream Home: Top Trends Spotted - Part 4

Next on HGTV 2012 Dream Home: Top Trends Spotted - Part 4. The Master Suite is absolutely delicious complete with a private staircase, sitting room, two balconies, a luxurious bedroom and a spa-like bathroom.

Photo courtesy of HGTV.com

The modernized beam and glass staircase to the master suite is right off the entry; it leads you up to the beautifully composed sitting room. Composed is the word of choice for this room because of how well Linda Woodrum designed this space with both diversity and cohesion. Different fabrics, textures, patterns, materials, colors, styles, sizes & shapes are all introduced into this room and they all add to the beautiful result:  the perfect getaway to relax, read a book, and watch tv.

Photo courtesy of HGTV.com

Off to the right is the dedicated Juliet style balcony off the front of the home.

Photo courtesy of HGTV.com

Photo courtesy of HGTV.com

The sliding barn doors are a stunning architectural transition to the Master Suite and they are also a fun trend for 2012!

And of course the HGTV Dream Home wouldn't be complete with out the doggie dream home suite! Here's a closeup.

Photo courtesy of HGTV.com

Through the sliding barn doors we enter the luxurious master suite complete with it's own private balcony. The master suite was designed to be a retreat from busy gathering places and it certainly caters to that feeling.

Photo courtesy of HGTV.com

A dramatic focal point that adorns both the sitting room and the bedroom are the gilded, European-style chandeliers; complete with golden teardrops.

They accentuate the caramel colored vaulted ceilings and give a light, whimsical relief in comparison to the heavy furniture.  I absolutely loved this chandelier.

Photo courtesy of HGTV.com

The drapes behind the bed are more for function than aesthetics… but you would never know. The columns framing out the bed were the air ducts.  By adding the draperies it helps with acoustics as well as adding a focal point that adds to the soft, luxurious feel of this Master Suite.

Photo courtesy of HGTV.com

Photo courtesy of HGTV.com
A beautifully accessorized bed side table.

Off the bedroom is the master bathroom complete with a spa tub, large walk in shower, his and her closets and vanities. The tub is made the focal point of the room placed in the glass mosaic tile-clad niche and centered under the gorgeous iron chandelier.

Photo courtesy of HGTV.com

Flanking each side of the entry into the bathroom are the closets, 5x7 space of storage for all your needs.

Photo courtesy of HGTV.com

Photo courtesy of HGTV.com

Neutrals are the color scheme of this bathroom, a beautiful travertine flooring, iridescent mosaic tile and the cabinetry in a caramel chestnut finish all flow together throughout the space and echo the master bedroom.

It Was Nice Seeing You!

I just wanted to shout out to all of you who came by and saw us at the Salt Lake Tribune Spring Home and Garden Festival- thank you!  We had a blast putting our booth together and chatting with all of our fans that came out to see us, and to our new found friends at the show, it was great meeting you too!

The Design House Interior Design's Booth at the Spring Home and Garden Festival 2012

See you at the Spring Home & Garden Show!

The Design House Interior Design is proud to announce that we'll be at the Salt Lake Tribune Spring Home and Garden Festival this Thursday through Sunday (March 8-11) in booth #1115.  If you've been wanting to meet Susan, the Lead Designer and Owner of The Design House, now is the perfect time!  Come and drop by for a visit!

"Ooooh, free gifts! Tell me more!!"

If you come on down to the show and bring a friend with you to see our beautiful booth #1115 and say hi I'll hook you up with a gift card to Cold Stone Creamery!  Just make sure you and your friend write down their information for our e-newsletter and who referred them (that would be you) so that we know to send YOU the gift card!

On another note, if you've been thinking of redesigning a room you should take advantage of our "Date Night for Two" event.  Sign up at the show for a new full room design and I'll give you a $100 value Date Night for Two that includes Cinemark Movie Theater passes and dinner at The Cheesecake Factory!  Now who wouldn't want a gorgeous new room and a date night? I know I would!

Here are all the details for the Spring Home Show at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah:  http://www.saltlakehomeshow.com/SLHGF/EventsHome.aspx