A vintage military cot serves as a comfortable spot to lounge.

Treat outdoor spaces as an extension of your home. Keep furniture styles consistent with your interior furniture and color palettes. Consider the view and juxtaposition of the indoor and outdoor spaces. Will the teal blue patio chairs look weird against the backdrop of your red sofa?

Create multiple seating groups for you and your guests. There should be an area for lounging, reading books and socializing as well as a designated dining area. Provide ample places to set down drinks and kick up your feet. Wood or metal stools are a great option – serving as extra seating, a landing spot for drinks, or a place to put up your feet and relax.

Santorini lanterns from Restoration Hardware in polished nickel.

Lighting, lighting, lighting! First order of business: Ditch the harsh porch light for a variety of softer ambient light sources. White Christmas lights, Chinese lanterns, and candle lanterns are easy ways to create a kick-back vibe.

Think green. Regardless of the size of your outdoor area, a little green goes a long way. Add life to your space with potted plants and flower boxes. Pick a theme and stick with two or three species of plants for a more unified look. Take a visit to Flora Grubb Gardens to stock up on inspiration, ideas, and plants!

* For more on plants: Check out our article on incorporating plants in interior design *

NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP? Start your summer off right with a more functional and beautiful home. From color consultations to remodeling, Niche Interiors will help turn your vision into reality. See our San Francisco Interior Design Services for more information. Call today for a free in-home consultation!

A custom sofa designed by Niche Interiors

Designing a piece of furniture from start to finish provides an endless amount of options to the client and designer and a level of quality and craftsmanship that is rarely achieved with retail furniture. Read on for advice on when to splurge!

Tight Spaces. If you have a tiny bathroom or kitchen and need to maximize every last inch, custom cabinetry is the way to go. Stock vanities and cabinets come in limited sizes, and can be hard to tailor to your specific needs. Do you have an eat-in kitchen nook that barely fits a table and chairs? Built-in banquette seating can be a great option to make unusable spaces more functional.

Custom cabinets designed by Niche Interiors

Oddly Shaped Spaces. A long narrow living room or an oddly positioned fireplace are two instances when custom furniture will enhance the function of your space. A designer’s job is to provide a floor plan solution that maximizes function and beauty. Designing the proportions, selecting the type of construction and fill, and selecting the perfect fabrics can make all the difference in a room.

Uniquely Yours. Have you searched high and low for just the right armchair, mirror, or accent pillow with no luck? This can be a very frustrating experience. If the perfect furniture piece is eluding you or just doesn’t exist, then have it made! You will end up with a one of a kind piece that will inspire you for years to come.

NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP? Niche Interiors offers custom furniture design in the San Francisco Bay Area. See our San Francisco Interior Design Services for a full list of home services and interior design packages.

The layout of the girls’ bath remained intact. Generous molding, black paint and new hardware went a long way.

There are many things to consider when deciding how to tackle a bathroom remodel. What don’t you like about the space? Make a list of complaints and attributes to help figure out your priorities.

WORK WITH IT: COSMETIC CHANGES. Cosmetic remodeling is certainly a more cost-effective and less intrusive option for most projects. If you think your bathroom functions well for your needs, but you just don’t like the finishes, this could be the solution for you. Your daily life will be disrupted with minor rather than major inconveniences, and the project won’t be held up by the need to obtain permits.

Painting the walls, cabinets or wood floors are great low-cost moves. Replacing light fixtures, medicine cabinets and hardware are other small changes that will bring big impact.

Oversized Carrara marble tile sets a luxurious tone in the master bath.

WHEN TO RENOVATE. Sometimes it is best to start from scratch. If you answer yes to any of the questions below, then it may be time to start looking for a good contractor (and a good interior designer!).

Is the layout in your bathroom awkward?

Do you often bump into things and find it hard to go about your routine?

Is the lighting poor – do you have a dark shower enclosure?

Be sure to confirm that your contractor is licensed. Obtain a written estimate and contract, including a project time line. Hiring an interior designer will help ensure that your bathroom design comes together with ease. From the design concept to selecting materials and providing working drawings – a professional will help the process go smoothly and make sure no detail is overlooked.

* Need professional help? San Francisco bathroom remodeling – Niche Interiors *

A vintage coffee table mixes well with modern upholstery.

Does it have good bones? This is the first thing to look for when a chair, desk, table catches your eye. Test it out. Does it feel wobbly or creaky? Is the wood splitting in any places? Are there obvious alterations made to the original design? If so, walk away. There are a lot of things that are easily fixed, but the inherent structure of a piece is not usually one of them. (Unless you are very handy and have access to lots of tools). If the structure is intact but the wood is a little rough, consider refinishing the wood or rubbing with linseed oil.

Fabric: Re-upholster or leave it? If you find an upholstered piece of furniture that you love, first consider the costs to re-upholster the item. If the fabric is in good condition, you may be able to get away with just a good professional cleaning. If it’s in less than stellar shape, you will want to consider re-upholstering the piece. This can run from about $60 to recover a standard detachable seat to thousands of dollars for reupholstering an entire sofa. Also, consider the cost of quality fabric as well, which ranges from $25 – $150/yard. Generally, dining seats are an easy fix and one that you could even do yourself with a staple gun and a little know-how.

Graceful curves. How does the chair look from the side or back view? Is the overall design cohesive and well executed? Chances are if the manufacturer paid attention to the design details of the piece, the item is also well made.

Price, Rarity. Do your homework on an item before paying top dollar. If the store has information on the designer, then check out similar items on eBay or 1^st Dibs to get a sense of how often such items come up for bid. As with anything, the more rare a specific design is the higher premium you will pay. Check for manufacturer’s markings to ensure authenticity. If you see something written on the tag similar to “Eames inspired” just RUN! Anything inspired screams knock-off.

For great local finds check out my post on San Francisco mid-century furniture.

* Need professional help? Interior Designer San Francisco *

Seventh Generation discloses all ingredients in their cleaning products.

1. Use CFL Bulbs in Utility Areas. You can dramatically reduce your energy usage by simply replacing the incandescent bulbs in your hallways, laundry rooms, and garages with CFL bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs typically consume 65% – 75% less electricity than regular light bulbs, and they last up to 10 times longer.

2. Use Non-Toxic Cleaning Products. Buy cleaning products that are biodegradable, phosphate and chlorine free, and derive their ingredients from plants (renewable sources) rather than petrochemicals like crude oil or natural gas (which are not renewable). There are a number of green cleaning lines, including companies such as Seventh Generation, Simple Green and Method. Always check the labels to ensure the ingredients are listed.

3. Buy Recycled Paper Products and Unbleached Coffee Filters. Standard white coffee filters require a bleaching process that unnecessarily pollutes the environment. Opt for brown unbleached filters and purchase paper products that have recycled content.

4. Improve Ventilation: Open a Window! The Big 3’s for indoor air quality are: Elimination, Ventilation, and Filtration. Elimination: Reduce the number of products that off-gas into your living space: Paints & finishes, Carpets and adhesives, Engineered wood products, and Cleaners. Ventilation: Open a window! This will reduce the impact of high concentrations of unhealthy gases.

5. Conserve Water. You can save water by simply paying attention to your habits and modifying them to use less. Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth, use your dishwasher and clothes washer only for full loads, install water saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators. If you are in the market for new appliances, make sure to purchase EnergyStar® and WaterSense® rated models.

NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP? Green Interior Designer San Francisco – Providing interior design services to homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Call today for a free in-home consultation!

Guest bedroom designed by Niche Interiors. Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Wales Green #2028-50

ENTRYWAY. More often than not, entryways are cluttered, overlooked and poorly lit. After installing good lighting (or adding a table lamp to your console), consider painting an accent wall in a bold hue. It will add some life to a small space, making you smile every time you come and go. Here are some great options:

Teal
Fuchsia
Bold stripes . Tape off wide vertical stripes with painters tape for a cheap alternative to wallpaper!

KITCHEN. Dining rooms and kitchens require a little more thought than other rooms of the house. Color theories suggest that certain hues are more appetizing than others, blue being the color least expected to inspire eating. Here are some surefire winners:

Yellow. A cheery and fun color. Best when tempered with white moldings and wood tones.
White. Classic, clean, crisp.
Soft green. Look for subtle tones similar to jade.

A yellow kitchen doesn’t have to be stuck in the 1950’s!

BEDROOM. Tone it down a bit in the bedroom. Restful, calming colors in soft hues are safe bets. My favorites are:

Dove grey
Taupe
Light blue
Ivory

Tip: Keep your home healthy – use low or zero VOC paints. You will notice the difference! Almost all paint lines offer this option.

NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP? Start 2010 off right with a more functional and beautiful home. From color consultations to remodeling, Niche Interiors will help turn your vision into reality. See our San Francisco Interior Design Services for more information. Call today for a free in-home consultation!

Storage baskets tucked under a bench help maintain an uncluttered feel.

ORGANIZE YOUR SPACE. We all have that friend whose living room is always pulled together – not a piece of clutter in sight. The secret to a clutter-free space is: every item in your home should belong somewhere, whether it’s a specific drawer, shelf, or cabinet. If you find that there just aren’t enough homes for your things, you should re-evaluate and pare down your possessions. If you can’t let go, then it’s time to introduce more storage solutions! The following pack the most punch.

Drawer organizers. Easy and affordable, these will prevent your drawers from becoming chaotic junk collectors.

Expandable acrylic drawer organize.The Container Store, $19.99 each.

Coat hooks. Often overlooked, these are great for narrow entryways to hang coats, or in your bedroom to keep handbags, belts, or anything off the floor.

Anthropologie Wild Kingdom Deer hook, $20 each.

Attractive boxes to hide clutter. With technology comes cords, remotes, and clutter. Use boxes on your coffee table, desk, and bookshelves to hide unsightly gadgets when they are not in use.

West Elm wood boxes with lacquered lids, $16-29 each.

* Check out our Professional Services: Interior Designer San Francisco *

Grey acts as a great neutral for upholstery.

Invest in timeless pieces. While there may be the occasional instance when I would approve a pink sofa, typically investing in high-quality upholstery in neutral fabrics is the way to go. Think of your sofa as a little black dress; you don’t want anything too trendy that would make it feel dated in 2 years. Look for clean-lined pieces from reputable manufacturers such as Lee furniture or Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Quality is worth paying for, and that additional $500 may prevent you from having to purchase a new sofa in 3 years.

Accessorize with trends. Accessories such as accent pillows, throw blankets, and vases will add just the right dose of color or pattern and can be easily changed when the mood strikes you. If you aren’t sure you will love fuchsia in 5 years, opt for throw pillows rather than wallpaper.

Current trends: Purple and violet, Moroccan poufs (above is from Tazi Designs in SF), metallics, shag, houndstooth, grasscloth, black and white. For the full scoop on emerging trends, check out my Houzz article on Interior Design Trends 2010!

Stick to your concept. This is one of the hardest things to remember when decorating your home. While there will be many sofas, accessories, rugs, tables, and lamps that you love, not all of them will be right for your space. Consider the concept and look you want to achieve for the room and write it down. Keep this little blurb with you while shopping for furniture and ask yourself if the item in question fits with the scheme. If it doesn’t, then put it down and walk away. Impulse purchases rarely pay off.

Mix it up. Mix up your furniture pieces rather than sticking to one time period or theme, which can feel dated. Consider what feelings and emotions you want to invoke in each room of your home. If you want a soothing, relaxing, and airy master bedroom retreat choose muted cool paint colors, natural materials, and glass. You can easily mix high-end and low-end pieces to achieve the desired effect. Stodgy design rules and period decorating is so 1900’s. Happy New Year everyone!

It’s hard to believe that the holidays are here already. Many people struggle with buying home gifts for family and friends due to their personal nature. As someone who loves receiving anything for the home, I can attest that it’s the small things that help create a cozier and more comfortable abode. I’ve compiled a list of surefire winners for those interior design lovers on your list. Happy Holidays!

Sferra Linen's Celine throw, $79

Throw Blankets in Neutral Shades. Quality throws in natural fibers and soft colors will never go out of style. Cotton, hemp and wool are all good options. Sferra Linen’s Celine throw is a sophisticated steal at $79 and comes in a variety of  subtle colors: www.sferralinens.com. West Elm’s Organic cotton knit throw is good for the environment and your pocketbook: On sale for $39: www.westelm.com.

Coffee Table Books for Design Lovers. Who doesn’t need an inspiring book for their guests to admire? For the city dweller, try “Terence Conran Small Spaces: Inspiring Ideas and Creative Solutions.” “Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors” is perfect for the traditionalist, while “Mid-Century Modern: Interiors, Furniture, Design Details” by Bradley Quinn will thrill your modernist friends.

Mistral shea butter soap from Anthropologie, $7-$8 each

Scented Candles and Soaps. Most people don’t buy scented candles and luxury soaps for themselves but love receiving them as gifts! Archipelago offers a wide variety of scents at the affordable price of $24. Diptyque is the most recognized luxury candle maker out of Paris. A 6.5 ounce candle will set you back $60. Both of these lines can be found at www.candledelirium.com.You can find an assortment of beautifully packaged and fragrant soaps at Anthropologie stores or online at www.anthropologie.com.

Essential Kitchen Accessories. Everyone needs a stylish cocktail shaker and a juicer! Check out Design Within Reach’s Tools for Living accessories store for modern utilitarian items (www.dwr.com) or Williams Sonoma Home (www.wshome.com) for classic kitchen accessories.

Serving Pieces in Wonderful White. Play it safe when purchasing dinnerware or serveware for friends by sticking to a white motif. This increases the likelihood that it will coordinate with their existing pieces. Shop Crate & Barrel for  simple, affordable pieces, or Heath Ceramics for something handcrafted: www.heathceramics.com.

]]> http://nicheinteriors.com/blog/2009/11/bay-area-interior-design-newsletter-holiday-home-guide/feed/ 0 http://nicheinteriors.com/blog/2009/10/bay-area-interior-design-newsletter-principles-of-design/ http://nicheinteriors.com/blog/2009/10/bay-area-interior-design-newsletter-principles-of-design/#comments Sun, 04 Oct 2009 05:39:29 +0000 jennifer http://nicheinteriors.com/blog/?p=158

SECRETS OF SUCCESSFUL ROOMS. Do you ever look at a room in a design magazine and immediately love it but don’t know why? A big part of my job is figuring out what my clients are drawn to. Beneath all the details lie the principles of good design. Read on as I reveal four of the key elements used to create successful interiors.

Proportion/Scale. As far as design rules, this one will get you the biggest bang for your buck. Paying attention to the scale of your room is vital. Most people don’t think about how high their ceilings are when they are looking for a new bookcase or armoire. Consider the following factors when purchasing furniture: Width, depth, and height. A feeling of balance will be created if the pieces relate well to each other and are in correct proportion to size of the room.

Smaller scaled upholstery pieces are proportional to the space.

Balance. Balance can be achieved in many ways. It’s more traditional to use symmetrical balance, but it can be more fun to create balance using asymmetry. Grouping smaller pieces of artwork together to balance a larger piece is one trick. Pay attention to the furniture placement, as well as the location of splashes of color and pattern in a room.

Harmony. This is a little harder to define, but harmony is achieved when all the elements in a room work well together. Focus on repeating patterns, shapes, tones or textures throughout a room. According to the gestalt theory of visual psychology, “viewers are actually looking for some sort of organization, something to relate the various elements” within a space.

Harmony is achieved by repeating the use of dark woods, natural textures, and pops of color.

Emphasis. Creating a focal point in a space will attract the viewer’s eye and provide contrast and visual emphasis. Be aware of your current focal point. You may not be too pleased to find that 1970’s fireplace tile is attracting the most visual attention in your living room. Try to highlight the room’s best attributes or your favorite pieces.

NICHE NEWS: I’m proud to announce my status as a Certified Green Building Professional! This knowledge will help create healthier homes for you and our planet.

* Need professional help? Interior Designer Bay Area *