Denver

Carpet Trends in 2013 | Ask the Designer

May 9, 2013 | by beautifulhabitat | in Ask the Designer, color, Colorado, Denver, Flooring, Tips1 Comments

I was recently asked to advise on carpet decisions and I am simultaneously selecting carpet for my own house. I thought I’d share these tips and trends with everyone.

New wall to wall carpet is a big ticket item and a decision that most of us do not take lightly. The lifespan of your carpet may likely be longer then most of your furniture. There are also so many styles, colors and brands. Here are a few tips and trends to keep in mind if you’re in the market for new carpeting.

Carpet Trends as I see them (at least in the Denver market) in 2013:

Dark and Bold

Carpet colors have gone considerably darker than over the previous decade and more. In the late 1990′s and through the early 2000′s light carpets ranging from ivory to beige to tan were hot. The lighter colors helped to keep a space more open and bright, while simultaneously shrinking into the background. On the down side, those lighter colors are harder to keep clean. There has been a shift to darker carpet tones, whether a chocolate brown or a charcoal gray. And bold carpet colors are appearing too.

Interior Designer Tips

Bold Interior Design

Gray

Gray is hot everywhere – furniture, fabrics, flooring, books. It’s quickly replacing beige, tans, and browns as the hot neutral. Don’t panic if you’re surrounded by browns. They are neutrals, and a good neutral will always hold their own.

Texture

Texture and patterns are making a comeback in carpeting. This is usually created with a combination of looped and cut pile stands, creating a design and texture although the material and color are the same. And I say making a comeback, because I distinctly remember the patterned carpet of my youth. The looped valley’s and higher cut pile made interesting obstacles for my toys circa 1983. Textured and patterned carpet creates a great look and adds interest to an often overlooked surface. It can actually become a focal point in the design, rather than a bland surface on which to place furniture.

Interior Decorating Tips

Bold Inteiror Design Choices

Plush never Fails

If you are afraid to commit to a texture or worry that this trend may not have the lifespan that you want, plush carpet is always a good bet.

Interior Decorator Tips

Do you have a design or decorating question? I’d be happy to feature your question and provide guidance. Ask here or on the Beautiful Habitat Facebook Page.

Real Estate/Home Staging Quick Facts

November 8, 2012 | by beautifulhabitat | in TipsNo Comments

Why Stage a Home when it’s on the market?

First impressions are important and lasting. Most buyers look at several houses in a day. It is important that your home be memorable, in a positive way, to make a buyer’s short list.
The goal of staging is to market the home, emphasize its best features while downplaying any blemishes.
Staging makes a home look spacious and inviting and like a buyer’s stuff would look just as good in each room.
Professional Stagers understand the psychology of home buyers and help ‘set the scene’ for buyers to fall in love with a home.
Staging has been proven to sell homes up to 50% faster and for 5-15% more than homes that are not staged.

See for yourself. Below is a room before and after staging. The staging was done at minimal cost and primarily with items the sellers already owned. Which room do you think will leave a better impression with home buyers?

Creative & DIY Headboards

August 22, 2012 | by beautifulhabitat | in bedroom, Coastal, creative, DIY, fabric, room dividers, SalvagedNo Comments

My number one pet peeve in bedrooms: no headboard. No matter what else you do to a bedroom, the lack of a headboard makes the room feel unfinished. When I say “headboard”, it doesn’t have to be defined as an intricately carved piece of wood or metal, or even a piece of the bed and frame. It is something that grounds the bed to the wall and in the room. A bed will always be the focal point of the bedroom and a headboard is the crowning moment.

If you don’t have a headboard, or don’t love what you have, I’ve collected several creative headboards for inspiration. I hope you’ll also find inspiration for your own home.

Let’s start with the simple option: fabric. It can be hung behind the bed or brought up to the ceiling to create a canopy affect.

Other great options are items you can literally lean right up behind the bed. I have done this with room dividers/screens in the past. Below are other creative options.

And the following require a bit more work and DIY labor, but the results are well worth it.

A simple wood frame and rope become an interesting headboard. You could do the same with ribbons.

Ikea Mirrors become a dramatic headboard.

Coco Tiles become the headboard in this nature-inspired bedroom.

Painted wood slats, with some simple assembly, become a dramatic headboard when taken up to the ceiling.

These salvaged oars create one of my favorite DIY headboards. I admire the creativity and reuse.

Have you created a DIY headboard? Please share with us here, or on Facebook.

Things You Should Know About Commissioning Custom Furniture

April 6, 2012 | by beautifulhabitat | in Boulder, Custom, Denver, Dining, Dramatic, furniture, local, recycle, Salvaged, sustainable, tableNo Comments

I am currently working on a very fun and interesting project that involves both Architectural Salvage and Commissioning Custom Furniture. Before embarking on both aspect sof this project, I came across two wonderful articles from Colorado Homes and Lifestyles Magazines.I don’t know about you, but I’ve always dreamed of commissioning custom furniture. Much like building a custom home, or certain remodeling projects, it’s an opportunity to create exactly what you want.

Here are 10 Things You Should Know About Commissioning Custom Furniture, as printed in CH&L.

Custom Table via Ryan Schlaefer Fine Furniture

10 Things You Should Know About Commissioning Custom Furniture

First ask yourself: Do I really need a custom piece? Both David Larabee, co-owner of Denver-based modern furniture line DoubleButter, and Andrea Schumacher of Denver’s O Interior Design agree: The best reason to purchase custom furniture is if your space has strange or uncommon dimensions. Otherwise, try to find a piece that already exists—it will be better for your wallet and your timeline.
Determine the use of the piece. Think through all the specifics. What space will it occupy? What do you need it to hold? How many people does it need to fit? Also, says Schumacher, be aware of your personal dimensions and proportions—if you’re taller, you might want a larger chair or sofa. “If you get this bit right,” says Larabee, “you’re on your way to lasting happiness.”
Don’t ask the designer to make a knock-off. If you just love the Seven table by B&B Italia (known for its three-sided, rounded-off top that accommodates seven) but don’t want to pay B&B Italia prices, don’t ask someone to copy the table for cheap, says Larabee. “You’ll end up owning a cheap knock-off of a piece you love—and you’ll know it.”
Consider your budget and timeline. “Custom furniture is going to cost a little more and is going to take a little longer,” says Larabee. “Good design takes time to do right, and that time costs money.”
Choose your materials palette before you choose the craftsperson to execute the piece. You’ll want to be sure the furniture designer can work skillfully with the materials you like. Also, says Schumacher, if you don’t specify what you want, you might end up with a piece made of cheaper materials, like pine, which won’t hold up in the long run.
Know your artisans. Get references, visit the shop, see—or sit on—examples of their work. You want to find someone who can design furniture in the style you like. Also, says Larabee, pick a designer you feel comfortable with. “Creative collaborations work better when the collaborators are comfortable telling each other how bad some of their ideas are,” he says.
Get multiple bids. Be a smart shopper. Compare price and quality among a number of artisans.
Focus on the finishes. It’s the little details that will make your piece look better—and last longer. Some of Schumacher’s hottest tips: Get a stain sample on approval before you move forward. Pay more for high-end drawers and hinges, which last longer. And, if your budget allows, splurge on wood (rather than melamine) for the insides of the piece, to make it look and feel more substantial.
Don’t change the design mid-project. Pick a course and stick to it or you’ll destroy your budget and timeline, and drive everyone involved with the project crazy.
Go for it.When you buy locally made furniture, you are supporting the people who live and work around you. Plus, says Larabee, “Life is richer when we’ve got a deeper connection to the things that fill up our lives.” You might be handing down that table to your children someday—how special to be able to share the story of where it came from.

I’ll be honest – I did not do #’s 1 or 7. Regarding #1: I had a vision in mind for this particular table. The room itself didn’t call for a unique piece. Instead, the homeowners did. They are adventurers that really want a statement piece for their dining room. They called for something bold, unique, and using reclaimed materials. Regarding #7: I just went straight to a furniture builder that I know and trust. The new table (to be revealed in a few weeks) is currently being built by Ryan Schlaefer Fine Furniture in Loveland, Colorado.

Custom Table via Ryan Schlaefer Fine Furniture

For the full post and access to other “10 Things You Should Know…” at Colorado Homes and Lifestyles.

Have you commissioned or built anything custom? Share your experience with us here, or on Facebook!

Things You Should Know About Architectural Salvage

April 3, 2012 | by beautifulhabitat | in Accessories, art, Beautiful Habitat, Boulder, creative, Denver, DIY, Doors, Dramatic, furniture, lighting, local, recycle, Salvaged, sustainable, Uncategorized, VintageNo Comments

I am currently working on a very fun and interesting project that involves both Architectural Salvage and Commissioning Custom Furniture. Before embarking on both aspects of this project, I came across two wonderful articles from Colorado Homes and Lifestyles Magazine. Here are 10 Things You Should Know About Architectural Salvage, as printed in Colorado Homes & Lifestyles.

10 Things you Should Know About Architectural Salvage: (via Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, with a few additional notes and photos from Beautiful Habitat)

It’s a fun way to go green. When you buy salvaged building materials you’re not only scoring conversation-worthy accents for your home; you’re also diverting materials from the landfill and minimizing the use of raw materials.
Don’t expect perfection. “The reason these pieces are charming and interesting is that they’re obviously recycled—meaning they’re not perfect,” says Eron Johnson, owner of Denver’s Eron Johnson Antiques. Tip: Have a furniture restorer coat any pieces of peeling paint with clear paste wax, which maintains the antiquity of the piece but gives it a smooth finish, Johnson says.
Beware of “too good to be true.” There are a lot of architectural salvage knockoffs out there, warns Johnson—particularly when it comes to marble fireplaces, stained glass and iron work. If the price is too good to be true (as in, considerably less than every other piece you find), it probably isn’t the real thing.
Know what you need. If you’re shopping for pieces that need to serve a function (doors that operate, etc.), bring along a notepad filled with the measurements and quantities you need and pictures of items you want to match, says Tom Sundheim, owner of Queen City Architectural Salvage in Denver.
Find new uses for old items. “The beauty of architectural salvage is it frees an antique from its former use,” says Johnson. Iron garden gates can become decorative headboards; wooden window frames act as room dividers; and an old weathervane emerges as the perfect accent for your mantel. (or lamp bases as seen below, BH)
Be open to doors. Shopping for antique doors means having an eye for “quality beneath the paint,” says Sundheim. “Know which woods are heaviest. A pine door will weigh far less than a comparable oak door.” If you need the door to function, pony up for a heavier door. Also, for newer homes, understand that you may have to reframe openings to accommodate taller antique doors, Johnson says.
Hit up the hardware section. You might have a hard time finding enough matching knobs and drawer pulls to outfit, say, a whole kitchen. But unearth a few antique pulls (they can even be mismatched) for the right dresser or accent table, and you’ve got a statement piece.
Let there be light. If you live in a historic home, says interior designer Beth Armijo of Armijo Design Group, one of the best ways to honor the architecture is to install period-appropriate light fixtures. But, adds Johnson, remember two important safety tips: have an electrician update the wiring and, for pendants, reinforce the ceiling box. (Most antique fixtures are solid brass and heavier than modern fixtures.)
Dig around for your garden. A trip to the salvage yard can yield curios perfect for your outdoor living spaces, too. Look for stone statues or pillars, cast-iron park benches, weathered farm tables, or even vintage bathtubs (great for birdbaths).
Try DIY salvage. Someone just might love that pale-pink tub you’re tearing out of your master bathroom. Before you haul it off to the landfill, consider selling your relics online, or, even better, donating them to ReSource Yard (resourceyard.org), a nonprofit with salvage yards in Boulder and Fort Collins. Sale proceeds benefit waste-reduction programs and donations are tax deductible.

My adventures in Architectural Salvage took me to the ReSource Yard in Boulder and Queen City Salvage in Denver. I also perused the Eron Johnson website (which is a great site and user-friendly). Ultimately, I am repurposing some wood that used to be a kitchen floor and I purchased dining chairs on 1stDibs. My adventures continue as I am planning another visit to Queen City for a new art idea I have. Stay tuned for more stories on this interior design project, coming soon.

For additional inspiration in salvage and recycling, check out the post on 23rd Ave Sculpture in Denver. This is scrapyard meets art studio, where old metal is turned into art, furniture and more for your home and garden.

To read the full post, or other “10 Things You Should Know… articles, visit Colorado Homes & Lifestyles.

Do you have treasures that you’ve salvaged or recycled? Share with us here or on Facebook.

Love it or Leave it | Painted Wood Floors

March 27, 2012 | by beautifulhabitat | in Boulder, Denver, Love it or Leave It, paint, tile2 Comments

I often see photos of painted floors in blogs, magazines and on Pinterest. However, this is not something that I see often in person and as an Interior Designer. That has a lot to do with the Denver & Boulder Colorado markets in which I work. Many of my clients live in newer homes with new or nearly new wood floors. Painting them seems like blasphemy. Another group of clients lives in older pockets of Denver, with wonderful homes including bungalows, 1930′s Tudors, and Mid-Century Modern. In these homes we are working to strike a balance between preserving original detail and modernizing the homes for life in this century. Often the floors are original to the home and again off limits to paint. But I am curious about your thoughts on painting wood floors: do you love it or would you leave it?

Cecconi’s in London via Studioilse.

A simple, solid painted floor, via Bradbourne Farm.

A faux mosaic tile design painted on to a floor, via Henry Donovan Motif.

This paint pattern looks like a rug in this hallway. Via Curbly.

A stencil design over a distressed floor makes a dramatic statement. Via Designspiration.

A classic tile pattern painted onto a kitchen floor. Via Hello Tiger.

I want to know what you think. Would you paint your wood floors? Do you love it or would you leave it? Have you painted wood floors before? Please share your photos with us here or on Facebook.

And please chime in on our other Love it or Leave it discussions:

Or, check out the opposite of this post with Painted Ceilings.

Banquettes | The Built-ins

March 8, 2012 | by beautifulhabitat | in Banquette, Beach, Beautiful Habitat, Dining, Dramatic, Entertaining, kitchen, upholstery, walls1 Comments

Last week I wrote about using sofas, loveseats, settees and benches as banquettes. This week I pay homage to the built-in banquettes. Enjoy!

I’ll start with 2 photos from Candice Olson. This dramatic red velvet tufted banquette that goes right up to the ceiling is the banquette that started my obsession. I have a wall that would be PERFECT for such a grand statement. It’s the dining room and the first wall you see when entering our home – the place to make a statement.

Alas, The wall has multiple light switches and an air-intake that make reconfiguring electrical and HVAC for such a built-in banquette very costly. I’ve repaired my broken heart and now I’m searching for the perfect sofa, loveseat or settee per last week’s banquette post. Still, I enjoy and envy the built-in banquette. I hope you enjoy this collection and find inspiration for your own home!

Candice Olson

source unknown

via Houzz

via House of Turquoise

via Luxe & Lillies

via HGTV

via Absolutely Beautiful Things

via Tell Your Interior Designer

For more banquette inspiration, check out these posts:

Do you love banquettes? Check out my collection of banquette inspiration on Pinterest. Do you have a banquette? I’m jealous and would love to see it! Please share photos with us on Facebook.

Banquettes

March 1, 2012 | by beautifulhabitat | in Banquette, contemporary, creative, Designers, Dining, Dramatic, Entertaining, Favorite Things, furniture, kitchen, Nail Head, pink, seating, tableNo Comments

As I’ve mentioned before – I love banquettes. There is something inherently glamorous about a banquette. Or perhaps it’s because I imagine a dinner party of my friends piling onto a big banquette in my dining room. I can’t quite put my finger on the source of this love, but it’s there. Oh, it’s there.

Banquettes are often thought of as built-in, such as this dramatic gem of a dining room via Toby Fairly. These built-ins can be a great solution to a tricky area.

Custom Interiors Denver Colorado

However, the look and feel of a banquette can be easily achieved by pulling a sofa, loveseat, settee or bench up to your table, without the expense and construction mess of a custom built-in. Allow me to explain… visually.

A sofa fits perfectly between cabinets in a kitchen nook. via House Beautiful, February 2012 issue.

Another perfectly sized sofa. This one features a beautifully shaped back and another favorite: nailheads. Source unknown.

A very simple sofa becomes more interesting as a banquette. Source unknown.

This dramatic settee makes a big statement in this otherwise understated dining room. source unknown.

A punch of pink pattern brightens up this kitchen with the sofa turned banquette. Source unknown.

This clever Kitchen design features an armless sofa as banquette with a table where many others would have used bar stools. I love the originality and out of the box thinking! Source unknown.

An elegant sofa creates a contrast to the more rustic dining table in this interior design. The effect is stunning. via Four Walls and a Roof.

The Interior Designer of this hotel went big and bold. This space features a large, curvy hot pink sofa as banquette. Wow. via Ohmygosh! Design.

A beautiful curved sofa in a glamorous dining room, via Elle Decor

I wanted to add a built-in banquette to my dining room. However, the location of light switches and the air-intake vent make that project well beyond my budget. No problem – I now have my eye on a settee that I want to include. Stay tuned for more!

Do you love banquettes? Check out my collection of banquette inspiration on Pinterest. Do you have a banquette? I’m jealous and would love to see it! Please share photos with us on Facebook.

Salvaged Driftwood Decor | Guest Post

February 14, 2012 | by beautifulhabitat | in Accessories, arrangements, art, bath, Bathroom, Beach, Coastal, creative, Dining, DIY, family-friendly, Floral, furniture, Guest Post, lighting, Patina, recycle, Salvaged, table, Tips, Traditional1 Comments

Hi! I’m Joanna, a writer with Arcadian Lighting, a go-to source for all things lighting, including awesome light fixtures. I love my job, but to be honest it doesn’t seem like work at all. I spend my days searching the web for lovely interiors and terrific decorating ideas to share with blog readers like you. Thank you Tennille for allowing me to share today.

With grey being one of the dominant colors in interiors going into 2012, it’s no wonder we are seeing weathered salvaged woods, like driftwood, popping up in rooms everywhere. From farmhouse to loft, woods are light, rough and unfinished. Tables are perhaps the most popular pieces being made from driftwood, but there are many ways to incorporate it into the home. A driftwood table lamp anyone? Here are a few ideas I found from around the Internet. Which is your favorite?

This seaside cottage features a remarkable driftwood coffee table which goes nicely with the room’s style.

Three starburst framed mirrors are made from small pieces of driftwood. This would make an easy DIY project if you are fortunate to live in close proximity of the beach.

A small end table of driftwood and metal goes well with the rustic elements of this screened porch.

Rustic driftwood shelves make a nice place for showing off a vignette of books, candles and a jar of seashells.

This unexpected lighting fixture, tall driftwood floor lamp, creates a can’t miss focal point in an eclectic living room.

Small pieces of reclaimed wood are joined together to create an unusual flower vase. This would make a lovely centerpiece used in multiples down a long dining table.

A cottage bathroom gets its own touch of driftwood on the framed mirror. The contrast between the patinaed wood and the rich marble below works well.

This isn’t driftwood but you can see the many possibilities of using driftwood and other reclaimed wood around the house. I love that handcrafted hanging lantern. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Accentuate your beautiful driftwood decor with pendant lights and beautiful lamps!

Love it or Leave it – Black Walls

February 8, 2012 | by beautifulhabitat | in bath, Bathroom, color, Dramatic, Love it or Leave It, paint, Wall Covering, walls1 Comments

Black – the darkest of dark colors. In many cases it’s a staple – a stable and safe bet. In other applications it’s bold and daring. Would you paint your walls black? Would you dare cover the largest surface in any room in black? Black walls – do you love it or would you leave it?

Let me know your thoughts – love it or leave it?

Maybe black is just too much for you, or not your color. Check out my previous post Interior Design Trends: Dark Blue Walls. It’s lovely.

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Internationally Trained Interior Designer, enthusiastic traveler, and dog lover shares advice and inspiration to help you create your Beautiful Habitat; a home you love and the ideal place for you to flourish. Thanks for stopping by!

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Carpet Trends in 2013 | Ask the Designer

Real Estate/Home Staging Quick Facts

Creative & DIY Headboards

Things You Should Know About Commissioning Custom Furniture

Things You Should Know About Architectural Salvage

Love it or Leave it | Painted Wood Floors

Banquettes | The Built-ins

Banquettes

Salvaged Driftwood Decor | Guest Post

Love it or Leave it – Black Walls

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