Posted by Delila in Uncategorized on May 1, 2012 |
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The first day of May seems like a good time to post a blog about the joy and vibrancy of spring. This is a time of rebirth, when flowers push forth to display their Technicolor blooms and birds shed their feathers to reveal their summer colors! And, where I live, pale Portlander’s begin to shed their winter coats to catch a few rays of sun while sipping coffee a local sidewalk cafes.
The advent of spring also provides a great source of inspiration in the design world. Floral fashions and fabrics pop with blossoms of tulips and daffodils and vibrant shades of greens that evoke the feeling of freshly mowed lawns. It’s floral fever!
Some spring decorating tips:
- Liven up a room with fresh colorful pillows.
- Add some new art pieces to add interest to a wall.
- Accessorize with fresh colorful flowers in a bright or irregular shaped vase to add visual elements and texture.
- Try a great new rug to add a punch of color in a stagnant space.
- Throw in some neon bold graphics, floral patterns and diaphanous whites.
- Polka dots are big this year… and can really add the “wow!” factor to that old chair.
Happy May Day!
~Karen
Posted by Delila in Uncategorized on March 16, 2012 |
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Painting one wall in your space with an accent color is a great way to add definition by highlighting an art piece or architectural feature, or offsetting a little niche in a wall or alcove space.
Using accent colors is all about playing with bold and bright shades to add something unique and striking to the room. The effect can be emphasized by employing the same color in fabrics, accessories and furnishings throughout your home or office. This design trick creates a seamless transition ~ a stylistic synergy ~ from room to room.
Another way to create visual interest with an accent color, for a more subtle contrast, is to paint just one wall with a deeper shade of your existing wall color.
The key when using accent colors is to choose something that really inspires you…. Something you love. Select a color from a beloved piece of artwork, a throw pillow or a rug, and then have fun with it!
Remember, design is all about expressing your own unique style, and accent colors make a bold statement about YOU!
Have fun!
~Karen
Posted by Delila in Uncategorized on February 25, 2012 |
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Ceilings are easily overlooked with their typical nondescript white paint. What good designers know is, the ceiling is actually the ‘fifth wall’ in the room and, done right, can add a whole new dimension to your space!
To warm up your space if you have a large room with a high ceiling or tray ceilings, choose a deeper color for the ceiling than the walls. Bringing the ceiling down creates balance, draws the conversation in, and makes your space feel warm and cozy.
This same concept can be applied to dining rooms. Using a deeper color for the ceiling will create a reflective effect (off the chandelier or lighting) and adds dimension to the overall look. It also draws the conversation to a more intimate level.
By contrast, using a deeper tone on the walls and a lighter tone on the ceiling will create a more open feel in the room by drawing the eye upward and creating a visual effect of a higher ceiling and more spaciousness.
Bedrooms, home offices and laundry rooms are great places to experiment with this approach.
Powder rooms and bathrooms are especially fun spaces in which to unleash your inner design diva. How about dressing up your ceiling by glazing over the base color with a metallic or pearlescent color? Or, try wallpaper with a little shimmer and shine to it, or a copper or tin tile, for a really fun effect. If you’re really daring, grab a box of mud and a trowel and create your own ceiling design! Then add some color for a whole new perspective…
Until next time,
~Karen
Posted by Delila in Uncategorized on January 23, 2012 |
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In case you weren’t inspired enough by my previous post, check out these fun design ideas using splashes of Tangerine Tango… the 2012 Pantone Color of the Year!
Visit my Facebook Fan Page to view the entire album! Enjoy!
~Karen
Posted by Delila in Uncategorized on January 13, 2012 |
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In the dark of winter seems like the perfect time to write about something vivid… something that can transform a room and enliven your mood. Something that is sure to make you smile. Color!
Pantone, the color company responsible for the first standardized color book for designers, is also responsible for naming the “color of the year.” A rich and lively shade of orange called Tangerine Tango is the winner for 2012, and you can expect to see this vibrant shade creating a fresh burst energy and warmth in home décor, fashion and cosmetics.
One design blogger described the color like this: “what fuchsia is to pink…tangerine tango is to orange.” Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, explains, “…Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it…sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive…” She goes on to say, “Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”
Some clients are already asking, how such a vivid color could be used in home décor without overwhelming a space. By including this delicious hue in art or accessories (such as throw pillows) you can add spice and interest to any room. For a bolder burst of color, paint a single wall in the bathroom or hallway.
Tangerine Tango might be just the right shade to brighten your winter walls and lift your soggy spirits. Give me a call to schedule a consultation and hear about my new client discount!
Until then,
Karen
Posted by Delila in Uncategorized on December 30, 2011 |
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I guess you could say my work is the unavoidable result of a lifelong passion to create. Design has been a focus and outlet in my life since I was old enough to hold a paintbrush. As a teenager, when my friends were out dancing so was I… dancing around the house, decorating!
Design is all about using your imagination and stretching beyond it. And I believe we all have an inner designer… just waiting to be unleashed!
Some of my best clients come to me overwhelmed with the process of designing or remodeling or refreshing a space. They have reached a road block and can’t seem to find clarity in their own vision or path of desire. I love to come in an assist people in thinking “outside of the box,” and really playing with the infinite possibility available in the world of interior design.
Here’s the thing: Design rules are made to be broken! The process of transforming your space to be a more accurate reflection of YOU should be fun! And my job is to make it fun, and to relieve the burden of details so my clients can really enjoy both the process and the outcome.
As a designer, inspiration is my creative edge. This blog is a place I will describe the unique dreams and desires that drive design, and I will provide you with lots of practical tips you can use in your own space. So, check back often…
Let’s play!
Karen
