Interiors

Double Duty Desk & Nightstand | Bedroom Design

  |  in bedroom, contemporary, creative, furniture, Master Suite, modern, Small Spaces, Traditional, Work SpaceNo Comments

Using a small desk in place of a nightstand is chic and convenient use of space in the bedroom. In small spaces, it is always wise to have furniture serve multiple functions. Even in larger bedrooms, a desk in place of a nightstand adds function and interest. In the Master Suite it can serve as a quite spot to journal or write to friends. In a guest room it provides a small, private work space for visitors. The idea works well in both modern and traditional spaces. Look at these stylish bedroom desks:

Interior Decorator in Denver

via Bryn Alexandria

Master Suite Design in Westminster, CO

via Beautiful Habitat

Custom Interior Designvia Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper

Interior Designer in Boulder

via Ashton Sebastian

Master Suite Design

via DecorPad

Interior Decor in Denver

via Bryn Alexandria

Creative Interior Design Bedroom

via Willow Be Inspired

Modern Interior Design Boulder

via Lonny

Interior Design for Small Spaces

via Real Simple

Things You Should Know About Architectural Salvage

  |  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.

Architectural Salvage Treasures10 Things you Should Know About Architectural Salvage: (via Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, with a few additional notes and photos from Beautiful Habitat)

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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)Interior Decorator Boulder Colorado
  6. 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.
  7. 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.Custom Interiors Denver Colorado
  8. 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.)
  9. 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).
  10. 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.Reuse, Recycle in Colorado Design

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

  |  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?

Restaturant DesignCecconi’s in London via Studioilse.

Interior Decorator Boulder ColoradoA simple, solid painted floor, via Bradbourne Farm.

Bathroom Designer Denver ColoradoA faux mosaic tile design painted on to a floor, via Henry Donovan Motif.

Interior Design and DecoratingThis paint pattern looks like a rug in this hallway. Via Curbly.

Interior Designer Denver ColoradoA stencil design over a distressed floor makes a dramatic statement. Via Designspiration.

Interior Decorator Boulder ColoradoA 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

  |  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.

Candice Olsen Dining RoomAlas, 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!

Custom Built-in Interior DesignCandice Olson

Interior Designer Denver Coloradosource unknown

Interior Decorator Boulder Coloradovia Houzz

Interior Decorator Denver Coloradovia House of Turquoise

Kitchen Design Boulder Coloradovia Luxe & Lillies

Interior Designer Boulder Coloradovia HGTV

Modern Interior Design Denver Coloradovia Absolutely Beautiful Things

Kitchen Designer Denver Coloradovia 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

  |  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.

Interior Designer Boulder ColoradoA sofa fits perfectly between cabinets in a kitchen nook. via House Beautiful, February 2012 issue.

Interior Decorator Denver ColoradoAnother perfectly sized sofa. This one features a beautifully shaped back and another favorite: nailheads. Source unknown.

Elegant Interior Decor Boulder ColoradoA very simple sofa becomes more interesting as a banquette. Source unknown.

Dining Room Design ColoradoThis dramatic settee makes a big statement in this otherwise understated dining room. source unknown.

Kitchen Design Denver ColoradoA punch of pink pattern brightens up this kitchen with the sofa turned banquette. Source unknown.

Kitchen Design Boulder ColoradoThis 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.

Interior Decorating Estes Park ColoradoAn 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.

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

Glamorous Interior Design Denver ColoradoA 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

  |  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

  |  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?

Interior Designer Denver Colorado

Interior Designer Boulder Colorado

Bathroom Design Boulder Colorado

Interior Decorator Denver Colorado

Bold Bathroom Design Denver Colorado

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.

Timeless Floral Decorations for a Modern Home

  |  in Accessories, arrangements, art, Bathroom, color, contemporary, Dramatic, Entertaining, Floral, glass, Guest Post, modern, TipsNo Comments

Choosing the right floral decorations will add the perfect ambiance to a modern home, and can turn any room from ordinary to extraordinary. Bring pictures of each room in your home with you to the florist. The visualization of each room will help a person and the florist order flowers in the shapes and colors that will accentuate a special space and style. While the florist is busy designing a floral masterpiece, a person no longer has to wait around until it is created. Most will choose to have their flowers delivered, a convenience that is very much appreciated in these busy times.

 

Modern Home Flowers and Design Choices

Elegant flower choices like orchids, gerber daisies, bird of paradise, and calla lilies will beautifully compliment a modern aesthetic. Choose vases and containers with sleek, clean lines. Bold metal containers will add drama and sophistication to a flower creation. Once a person selects the perfect flowers and container, the arrangement should be displayed so that it becomes the focal point of the room. If the interior colors are white or tan, choose florals or containers in bold, dramatic colors. An interior decorated in bold colors would look beautiful accented with light or pastel colored florals.

Floral Decorating Ideas for Modern Interiors

Place a line of bold, square vases across a fireplace mantle or at the center of a long table. Fill each vase with clear marbles and water, then add a single flower to each vase. Calla lilies are a great choice for single flower arrangements. This timeless floral design will add warmth to a modern design, while complimenting the style and decor of the room.

A bird of paradise flower arrangement in a bold metal container will add a dramatic look to an entryway in a modern interior, and it is a great way to welcome guest as they enter the home. If the entryway is large enough, place a bird of paradise floral decoration on each side of the front door for a bolder, eye-catching look.

Beautify a bathroom by placing a small square vase on the sink or at the top, center of the tank. Cut the stems short so that the flower heads hit just above the vase. Tie a bow matching the flowers around the center of the vase. Add a drop of potpourri oil to the arrangement water. This is a natural and unique way to add a lovely aroma to a bathroom.

Fruits mixed with flowers is a floral design that would beautifully compliment a dining room or kitchen in modern home design. Place a flat bowl or basket filled with fruit on a table or counter. Lay flowers on and throughout the fruit for a bold, stunning look. Another design option is to have the flowers placed at the center of the flat container, then frame the florals with the fruit pieces.

Every room has an awkward space or small corner that needs that little something. A tall vase with a dramatic floral arrangement would be the perfect decor choice. Choose vibrant colored flowers placed in a clear vase, or select a colored vase with ivory or soft colored flowers to make the space pop.

A candle centerpiece is another floral decoration that would beautify any room with modern decor. Place some moss inside a large flower pot. Place a trio of pillar candles in the center of the moss, then make a border with roses around the edges of the pot. This floral decoration looks stunning on a fireplace, entertainment center, or a corner in the room that needs a decorative touch.

About the Author

Patricia Hall works part-time for a florist and flower delivery but loves to surround herself with flowers at any given point of time. Even in her free time she loves to involve herself with everything flora and fauna.
‘To me there is nothing more beautiful and global as the language of flowers – it is the easiest to understand all around the world in the same way. That is one reason why I truly admire flowers for what they represent in some ways – unity of all mankind!’

Obituary for the 100W Bulb (and tips for real efficiency)

  |  in Designers, DIY, lightingNo Comments

Lighting Design Denver ColoradoFull Text of Atlantic Electric Supply’s Obituary for the 100W Bulb:

Lamp, Hundred Watt

The light of Hundred Watt burned out on Jan. 1,  leaving the world a little darker but with more energy. Hundred Watt was eliminated by an industry in which he was once revered despite last minute congressional efforts to save him.

This venerable member of the Lamp family was always a welcome guest and brightened countless lives for more than a century. Known to his friends as 100A, Mr. Lamp was also referred to as “the filament” by his detractors. He was often compared to Santa Claus in his ability to deliver smiles and light.

Born in 1879 in Menlo Park, NJ, to the late Thomas Alva Edison, Hundred Watt grew from a dim carbon filament to a bright tungsten Lamp. He leaves behind three siblings: Forty Watt, Sixty Watt and Seventy-Five Watt, all of whom suffer from terminal low lumen efficacy syndrome. (that’s lighting-industry speak for “not energy efficient”)

Hundred Watt is also survived by his son, Seventy-Two Watt-Halogen, who bears a striking resemblance to his father but is not quite as bright.  In addition, Hundred Watt is survived by a nephew, Twenty-Six Watt CFL, whom many find slow to warm up.

Lighting Design Boulder ColoradoI thought this was cute, so wanted to share with my fabulous readers. Lighting is incredibly important to creating beautiful interiors. I’m sure that you’ve noticed the difference in paint colors, fabric, or makeup when you move from one light source to another. Not only do Interior Designers learn a lot about lighting, there are many that specialize only in Lighting Design. I do agree with the need to improve energy efficiency, but I don’t agree with the banning of incandescent light bulbs. There are many roads to better energy efficiency, but this is not a good one. Just blindly banning incandescent (to be followed by halogen) bulbs is not a solution and will leave us all with the bad color-rendering, slow warm up times, and poor dim-ability of CFLs. Yuck

Other Roads to Efficiency

Thee are other means to reach energy efficient lighting in your home. The best long-term solution is adding dimmers. Dimmers are an easy DIY project and dimming your incandescent or halogen bulb by just 10% will double the bulb life. That’s right – DOUBLE. And this becomes exponentially more efficient as you dim it lower and lower.

Dimming your incandescent or halogen bulb by just 10% will double the bulb life. That’s right – DOUBLE. And this becomes exponentially more efficient as you dim it lower and lower.

If you are a lover of good lighting, like myself, and want to know more, you don’t need to take a lighting design class. I recently stumbled upon a book Losing Edison. A book review is available on the Blog Freedom Light Bulb.

Love it or Leave it | One Pattern Everywhere?

  |  in Bathroom, bedroom, Ceiling, draperies, fabric, furniture, kids, Love it or Leave It, orange, Traditional, upholstery, Vintage, Wall Covering, walls, window1 Comments

Some argue that using one pattern on multiple surfaces in a room creates an optical illusion of spaciousness. But I want to know, would you Love it or Leave it? Do you have a tiny room? Would you try this to create spaciousness?

Bathroom Design Boulder ColoradoTraditional Interior Decorating Denver ColoradoTraditional Interior Design Denver ColoradoNursery Design Boulder ColoradoInterior Decorating Boulder ColoradoTraditional Interior Design Denver Colorado

All Photos via Pinterest

What are your thoughts: Love it or Leave it?

Check out other Love or Leave it Ideas and Posts

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