Dial-Up Design

2011 Color Forecast

2011-03-18T23:09:00.009-04:00

As we head into the new year here are some fun colors that will continue to grow in momentum over the remainder of the year:

"The hot colors for the home in 2011 cover the s p e c t r u m from the depth of black to the subtle optimism of yellow" -Decor Magazine

Below is a list of colors Decor thoughtfully describes to be the IT factor this year complemented by the way I envision their color description.

Decor's 2011 Color List:

Mustard, German not French, with a touch of gray:

A very soft khaki with gray:

Example: the wall paint

Tricia Guild Fabric (the background color)

The grayed purple is richer than lilac. It is the dusty purple of city sunsets with an underlying depth:

I love these doors!

A blue that takes a riff on nautical themes with tints of green and gray. It's a grayed city blue that pairs well with black and navy:

Tricia Guild Fabric

I love how calming this blue is! When I redo my bedroom this is my #1 choice!

Pale yellow is slightly grayed giving it a sense of substance:

Tricia Guild Fabric (Ex: background color)

Spring leafy green with a small D r O p of gray:

Soft and satiny orange, not bright, with a hazy gray dusting:

I hope you liked my perception of the 2011 color forecast! I love every color...but my favorite is the blue-gray! Hope you enjoy!

Do you think my visions were accurate? Would you have chosen a different color based on their description?

Green With Envy

2011-03-17T13:37:00.006-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Green occupies more space in the spectrum visible to the human eye and is second only to blue as a favorite color. Green is the pervasive color in the natural world that is an ideal backdrop in interior design because we are so used to seeing it every where.
The natural greens, from forest lime, are seen as tranquil and refreshing, with a natural balance of cool and warm (blue and yellow) undertones. Green is considered the color of peace and ecology.

As stated by squidoo.com

How the color green affects us physically and mentally:

Soothing
Relaxing mentally as well as physically
Helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety
Offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony

No wonder there's a day dedicated to wearing green!! :)

Creative Organization Tips

2011-03-14T20:06:00.002-04:00

In an apartment storage is always a rare commodity so I say why not create your own? It looks great and it hides all the excess crap (I use that term lightly) you've come to obtain over the years.

Tip 1: Use a shoe rack to house smaller items such as thread, rolled up sketches, bolts of fabric etc. depending on your hobby of choice.

Tip 2: MAKE IT FUN: If you're not dull (and I know you're not) why should your space feel that way... Add fun empowering colors to give your organization a boost!

Tip 3: Bookshelves are great not just for books... Use a bookshelf to house magazine boxes that coordinate with your color scheme. The product: a stream line collection of storage space that caters to your storage needs.

Tip 4: In a small space even a bookcase can deplete volatile space. The answer: purchase a bookshelf that expands vertically toward the ceiling instead of outward. Plus a tall piece of furniture draws the eyes upward which gives the ellusion of taller ceilings.

Tip 5: Pair accessories with your creation to add a personal touch. Natural substances are also work well because they soften the hard lines of the boxes.

Tip 6: A utility cart is also a great structure for coupling monocramatic fabric boxes. The labels not only help with organization they also make your arrangement look clean and simple.

Was this information helpful in achieving your organization success?

Photographs By: Sandra Dias

Designs That Leave Me Speechless

2011-03-13T17:17:00.003-04:00

When you appreciate design like I do you enjoy looking at any room that has been thoughtfully put together. But there are a few spaces that just sing to your senses and leave you speechless. These rooms have spoken to me with every element they have incorporated. A room that's so perfectly put together leaves you gasping for a description of your love. The room just IS, it's truly unexplainable the feelings that ignite within the depths of your soul and pulse throughout your inner self. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I do!

Photographs By: The Truly Brilliant Jane Hall

Color Inspiration or Design Conundrum?

2011-03-11T20:04:00.005-05:00

As we look around there are so many inspiring colors. The human eye can see up to 16.7 MILLON different colors. With quantities like that you wonder...how will you ever decide which colors to incorporate in your color scheme. I personally prefer different colors depending on my mood which can be costly because it leads to indecisiveness and the constant craving for change.

London Fabric

Color inspiring collage

My Fix To This Design Conundrum:

Instead of incorporating color in large costly pieces such as: rugs, sofas, curtains or worse architectural features that are difficult to change such as: back splashes, ornate title floors, wall paper, and painted cabinets. I use color in a slightly more temporary accents when designing my space. The plus: it costs much less to change, you are still able to enjoy all the fun bold colors that may only appeal to your senses for a short period of time, and your design does not have to be stagnate.

Some Fun Mix-It-Up Ideas:

Add bright flowers to an accent table.

Pillows and cushions are always great because the possibilities are endless!!

Patchwork pillows help you narrow your color scheme...If your like me (indecisive) it is very helpful!

Photographs By: Jane Hall

DIY: Antique Closet Doors

2011-03-09T20:21:00.003-05:00

Jazz up you dull white closet doors with a few simple steps! First: begin by taping off the area around the focal point you want to add the antiquing to. Second: Start with your base coat. I used black because my bed is wrought iron. If it is black and you might need to add a second coat, i did. Then, after the paint has dried take a sponge brush and lightly dip it in gold paint. (Make sure to brush off the excess paint.) Take your brush and glide it along the wood grain. Finally: once dry remove the tape to view your glamourous new closet doors! Very chic!

I took the look a little further by adding fun antique pull knobs. I got these knobs at Hobby Lobby 50% off. Hobby Lobby always has weekly specials you can view them by going to their website hobbylobby.com

Good luck on your DIY project!

Quick Tip: Adding Storage Space To Your Kitchen

2011-03-06T17:22:00.003-05:00

In an apartment kitchen space is a rare commodity. You are lucky if you have a pantry (surprisingly I do). This quick tip allows you to keep bigger items from cramping your already overflowing storage space. The plus: it acts as a decorative accent for your kitchen while providing utility. I added the mirror because my kitchen is fairly small, in which case if you are living in an apartment that is always a sacrifice. The mirror makes the kitchen appear larger and it allows you to subtly check yourself out while preparing a meal for a date ;)

French Inspired Tablescape

2011-03-03T19:08:00.006-05:00

I find french themed anything so decadent...I don't know whether it's the warm inviting color palate or the thought of French cuisine in the conerstone of my mind that makes me always enjoy European inspired accents. I transformed this table from a light oak staind to a more dramatic espresso bottom and burnt red top. I chose black chairs to keep it grounded and pick up on the scroll pattern on the salad plates. By combining black and brown it creates a neutral palate for the bolder table top.

The centerpiece is a composition of a topiary and two black wrought iron candle sticks (very French). When deciding what you'd like your centerpiece to be it is important to have a variety of heights. This centerpiece works because the topiary is significantly taller than the candlesticks. If they were the same height it would look too flat lined.

The table runner is black satin. I bunched it up a bit in the center to add elegance and to further enchance the shine of the fabric. The table runner also acts as placemats for the dominant ends of the table, because the table is round it is difficult to portray dominant seating. In addition, you create "ends" without being distant from your dinner guests.

For the place settings I started with a rattan charger and then used a stark white dinner plate (the french love white dinner wear because food pops off of white so no matter the dish it is always a perfect canvas) on top of the dinner plate I added a focal point with a scroll patterned salad plate. To complete the look I took hand crafted wood bowls and added preserved moss to each place setting. This way the place setting picks up on the green in the centerpiece and adds a touch of nature (without the maintenance).

Find Your Muse

2011-03-02T17:07:00.001-05:00

I indulge in viewing art on a regular basis. I find that it allows you to temporarily escape into the mind of the artist and it also provides an intriguing color theme inspiration. I designed my bedroom around the subtle hues of the painting End of Day by artist John Allinson (right). This painting incorporates warm and cool colors in a capturing way. I translated this spectacular piece of art into a sultry chic bedroom design that is alluring and calming all in one small space.

I started with a wrought iron bed frame with an antique brushed gold finish and for the bed linens I chose soft pink bed sheets and a damask patterned comforter accented by two european blue euro shams complemented by a layer of two standard damask pillows and two square antique purple and soft pink geometric patterned pillows. The combination of pillows introduces the color palate that I pulled out the painting and allows the bed to be the shinning star of the room. When designing a bedroom it is very important to have a strong focal point and then work outward from there. Truthfully I would have never thought to use this color combination but every idea has a starting place.

Good luck on your inspiring color adventure!

The Best Piece of Furniture I've Ever Purchased

2011-03-02T16:43:00.001-05:00

This piece is from Ikea. It is the Expedit bookcase/sideboard. It is the most functional showcase organizational tool I've ever come across. For only $79.99 this piece is definitely worth the price! I currently use mine as a desk...but the sky is the limit with this diverse piece of furniture. Some ideas: a room divider (because it is open it won't block light from flowing through the room), a TV console or a gallery if you collect ceramics.

In a small space storage is ALWAYS an issue. These magazine boxes were 2 for $10 at Ikea. They conceal your unattractive piles of cds, dvds, papers, and books. The low cost of these storage bins allows you to change them out with different colors or patterns if you get tired of the same look. These bins easily collapse so they can be stored inside another bin.

Organization does not have to be boring. You can enhance the look of bulky storage bins by complementing them with fun expressive accents you've come to collect. I have a bunch of books so it's nice to be able to showcase my favorites and it adds a pop of color :)

I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I have!

Living Large in a Small Space

2011-03-01T19:07:00.002-05:00

To add visual interest to a small space I emphasize my walls by creating diverse galleries and using different painting techniques. As for the furniture I create flow by using light hued fabrics for my large pieces such as my sofa and then add contrast with dark theme inspired accent pieces to keep the room grounded.

If you are using your sofa for a room divider it is very imperative that the fabric is light and airy, remember it is in the center of the space. A dark sofa would make the room feel cut off and dreary.

I added feminine flares to my space with a scroll pattern rug, embroidered feather down pillows, crystal accents (the lamp and pastry tier in the back corner) and a leopard accent chair. To entice my guests and make them feel more at home I like to have several arrangements (living or perceivably living things make a space feel less cold), candles for aroma, and a sign of dining (the sesame rolls plated in the serving basket).

The large diagonal stripe draws your eyes upward making the room appear larger. Most people stray from using black in small spaces but if you add black as a focal point while keeping the other accents light and flowing it can do wonders for expanding your small space.

For The Love of Mackensie-Childs

2011-01-08T22:40:00.000-05:00

Mackensie-Childs has been a evolutionary designer for 20+ years bringing fun one-of-a-kind furnishings to a large marketplace. Her collections are recognized for their French flare and bursts of color that make you feel like a child in a fairy-tale. Although her items do cost a pretty penny you'll find that some of them are worth the splurge!

Youthful yet sophisticated a tea set that makes me want to visit the Mad Hatter and follow a white rabbit...oh the possibilities!

These canisters are great for a neutral traditional look! place them on a kitchen counter or a baker's wrack for storage with a flare.

Mackensie Childs Spring 2010 collection: hand painted details make each piece unique! The checkerboard pattern around the lip of the lid allows the spring colors to sing with protest to the harshness of the winter.

These plates hypnotize me with their beauty! Is it just me or is the room spinning!

This photo makes me happy to be a woman! The bright pink flowers adorned in a Mackensie Childs pastel vase is so feminine. If this was my vanity I'd be more than happy to tackle my morning routine... again and again and again.

New Spring 2011 collection! French, flirty and colorful pieces that will liven up any table! I love the cake dish it's so elegant with the crystal knob and checkered base. This women must have an angel for a muse!

Chic Distress

2011-01-08T12:43:00.000-05:00

In an apartment it is very important to use your space effectively. Reccently, the design world has given rise to glamourous mirrored accessories and furniture, a great tool to amplify your space. Lately, I have been infatuated with these acidic wonders, after seeing these beautiful images I'm sure you will be too. Each item will surely be a sparkling gem in any room!

Notice that the image above and below have the same furniture but they've created a dramatic difference by simply changing the paint color, altering a few bed linens and rearranging pieces...an easy fix any DIY girl can do!

Source: Crate and Barrel; These distressed mirrors look wonderous on any wall and even better showcased in a gallery setting. Because these mirrors continue into the frame they create more angles for reflection!

Source: Anthropologie; This delicious orange cream scented candle is elegantly encased by this dazzling canister...very chic!

Look at all the wonderful angles in this piece...

Source: for vanity and dinning table--Pier1 (Hayworth Collection)

Source: Z-Gallerie; Mercury glass candle sticks...I MUST have them :)

Displaying the Unexpected

2011-01-08T00:25:00.000-05:00

Why break the bank buying a piece of art when you can get the same effect by hanging color coordinated plates, pots, utensils or even gaassp cake pans.

Hanging plates on a wall in a gallery setting adds a splash of juvenility without looking childish. Plates range in prices allowing you to pick and choose which saucer best fits your needs and tastes.

Source: style-files.com; The above picture is a perfect placement of subtle shades and artful bouquets that seem to branch outward into a mind boggling show case. When guests enter your space and see china displayed in a gallery setting they will wonder how you came up will such a fun and inspirational idea all on your own.

Source: Channel4.com; Plates are no longer your grandmothers accessory. They have become more modernized and youthful over the years allowing for inspirational color palates. In the photo above, the plates add an interchangeable variation of hues. By highlighting those colors with other removable objects such as a lamp and pillows the space can be easily transitioned depending on your mood.

Hanging pots and pans is creative and a great organization help. It allows you to easily grab what you're looking for without the clanky heavy lifting and searching that would otherwise be necessary if looking through a cabinet.

Bundt cake pans...not what you expected I'm sure but now that you see how fun and retro they can look I bet you'll think twice before you think of hanging ordinary wall embellishments.

Adding Subtle Lighting to a Small Space

2011-01-07T19:10:00.000-05:00

There are infinite possibilities of lighting accents that can be applied to small spaces without taking up volatile floor space. In the bedroom sconces can be a bedside accent proving very useful if you enjoy reading before bed. The sconces pictured below are very fitting for an apartment because you don't need an electrician to install them, they plug into the wall just like a regular lamp. Sconces with plugs have been popping up all over the place because people no longer have the time or money to install a sconce, they can be found at trendy places like Crate and Barrel, Z-Gallerie and I.O. Metro. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative Target has started to carry a few as well.

Lighting can also be a very affective medium when you're trying to set a mood in your space. In a sitting area lamps can be used in the evening to create a subtle glow without the expense of dimmers. I also like the idea of adding candle sconces next to a work of art so the natural candle line can beam across it allowing the eye to see the piece in a "new light."

Source: The Designer Insider; Above are some very fun varieties of candle sconces. If you're buying on a budget I recommend looking at Hobby Lobby, they have a great selection of home decor for great prices, especially candle accessories. Hobby Lobby also has great 50% off sales that are updated weekly. There is always a section in their news letters that can be found online at hobbylobby.com; giving a detailed list of the sale items. It has become one of my favorite places for purchasing home goods.

Source: Grahamandgreen.co.uk; When decorating a small space I also recommend using lamps with clear bases. They allow light to escape through them and they look like they are floating, allowing you to reap the benefits of lighting without the cluster effect of a large solid lamp base.

Source: decorpad.com; If you are searching for overhead lighting and don't won't the hassle of installing a fixture an ark lamp is a great alternative. Ark lamps are very versatile, they can be used as dinning room lighting or next to a small sectional as pictured above.

Matching Finishes are Overated

2011-01-05T19:35:00.000-05:00

When you're on a tight budget you take what you can get. Before it might have seemed overwhelming, all the mismatched nick-knacks you've come to collect over the years piling up in your closet. Whether they've come into your possession via your friend's garage or your parents' storage unit those unwanted treasures are now tools you can use to create a vintage work of art. The clustering of similar objects such as mirrors can be used to create a collage that amplifies your space. Mirrors are also great because they make the room appear larger. Combining finishes can allow for a more comforting feng shui within your abode. In my apartment I recently paired a round oak table with antique bronzed chairs. I don't like to buy any furniture in sets, it's too matchy and overbearing, in my opinion it resembles a room within a furniture catalogue, staged and cold. You'll find an amble amount of creative possibilities when using accessories around your home as long as the look is not over done and the objects are carefully placed in a way that's appealing to the eye, the possibilities are endless.

Source: lovinglivingsmall.blogspot.com; In this image the designer mixed antique rustic finishes with vibrant new ones to create a gallery that is pleasing to the eye. The mixture of small and large items furthers the minds interest in to a continuous array of eye pleasing art.

The Versatility of Stripes

2011-01-05T18:37:00.000-05:00

Paint is the cheapest way to transform a space, at $30 a gallon its the go to facelift application for any space. As for techniques, stripes can transform a small room into a seemingly endless optical illusion. A great for any small space such as a loft or an apartment.

Credit: harlequin.uk.com; These narrow stripes allows for a variety of color, each shade chosen picks up from the vase of chic flowers spreading the presence of nature across the room. The touches of blue allow the mind to stay grounded amongst the subtle hues.

The image above uses stripes as a bold yet soft statement within this design. The timely backdrop allows the furniture to pop.

To make your walls look elongated paint vertical stripes. To give the appearance of length paint horizontal stripes. Bold stripes can add an art deco appeal such as those in the image pictured above. Subtle stripes that are painted in monochromatic hues can create a sultry touch of elegance. Stripes can be wide, narrow, diagonal, done in stencil or even wall papered. You'll be amazed at how promising a small change such as painting a wall can make within your home.

I love the metallic stripes against the French blue.

As pictured in Better Homes and Gardens: The stripes in this room add a fun flare or youth without making the space over baringly busy. The white furniture allows the walls to be the star in this bedroom creation.

The First Step To Making Your Space Feel Like a Home

2011-01-05T16:18:00.000-05:00

Many people are lost when it comes to making a space feel personable. Each persons space is defined by certain quirks that defines themselves whether it be a stacks of hard back books on the coffee table or mis-matched cutlery. The brilliant part about making your space yours is that it isn't always intentional. When you are residing in your specified place of comfort it should be just that comfortable. I find that in order to successfully manage and create a humble abode one must think of what they plan to use each area for. For instance, if you like to read in the living room I suggest making a designated area dedicated to enjoying your literature. I would begin with a nice comfortable chair with a throw draped over the back with a charming side table perched next to it. Then I would begin to add other fitting items such as a small stack of books, a bright lamp, a vase of lime hydrangeas and a vintage tea cup and saucer. Many people get lost in the streamline whirl of matching every detail; I know everyone is familiar with the infamous "streamlinest:" the person who has a designated place for each decorative pillow on their sofa and a place setting on their table on a regular basis. I myself used to be a victim of this harsh way of living until one day I suddenly realised that beauty does not span from perfectly placed objects and color coordinations, although they do play a small role; beauty is what you perceive it to be. That is what is so wonderful about creating your own space, it may no be fitting for someone else but it feels warm and inviting to you when you walk through the door after a long day of work. Design is customizable to fit whatever needs you have, the first step is grasping your need and allowing it to seamlessly meld into a cozy environment.

Drawing inspired by Blog; Artist: Ashley Lauren