Especially in the summer, we love coastal blue colors for the calm, refreshing and serene feeling they project. There’s no reason to leave them behind once summer ends.  We can live with them all year round.

I love a coastal feel in rooms like bedrooms or a home office. Maintaining a sense of calm in these rooms supports your daily routine. In this video from Benjamin Moore you can see examples of how to use coastal blue in a home office. Benjamin Moore Coastal Blue Home Office

Now that you have some colors in mind to sample, what about the furnishings? In the image below of a bedroom from Suzanne Kasler, Hickory Chair, you see calm blue with white.

Blue and white for a classic bedroom

Adding a rug to anchor the color on the floor is another option. In this image is a rug from Surya that does that perfectly.

Wool rug from Surya

Textiles unite the design concept in all rooms whether bedroom or home office.  See the ones below from Duralee.

John Robshaw for Duralee

Another one from John Robshaw

Who doesn’t love elephants?  I adore the John Robshaw textiles from Duralee as you can see.

Love elephants

If you’re ready to keep the serene and tranquil feeling using coastal blue, call Faith Sheridan Design Group for a consultation.

206.973.3743

Zen kitchen

With harmful chemical usage in home products increasing, you need to monitor what you introduce if you want to create a healthy home. Our lives are touched everyday with potentially harmful products from laundry detergent to stain-resistant carpets, air-freshener sprays and synthetic-fiber bedding.  All of these products add stress to our bodies immune system and often we are not aware.

Recently, I did a Q and A with my daughter about my insights as a Seattle interior designer offering ideas and tips to consider.

1. What kinds of materials and treated fabrics are best to avoid in order to minimize chemical exposure?   Ideally, avoid anything synthetic. Synthetic materials, such as polyesters and acrylics, contain chemicals that can be harmful.  In addition to the material itself, these types of products are often treated with other chemicals to make them stain-resistant or otherwise “low-maintenance”. Unfortunately, buying convenience can also mean having to live with toxins that can be harmful to health. Terms like “easy care”, “water-repellant”, “no iron”, “anti-cling”, “static-free” and “flame retardant” are all signs that the product may be treated with harmful chemicals.
2. What are some of the healthiest and least allergenic fibers to look for when choosing fabrics and floor coverings for a home?  The easiest rule of thumb is to stick with natural fibers. Linen, hemp, ramie, and abaca are all natural fibers that are hypo-allergenic and tend to be free from additional chemical treatments. When possible, look for organic textiles, not just organically grown materials, but products that are processed using organic-compliant compounds. Sometime a material will be organic, but then it’s processed with a harsh, non-organic dye and that can defeat the health benefits of sourcing the original organic material.
3. 3.In general terms, how to you suggest approaching the design of an eco-friendly and hypo-allergenic space?  Keep the space free of clutter where dust and allergens can accumulate. Opt for wood or tile floors and avoid carpet. Use natural fibers for window coverings, like wood-based plantation shutters instead of heavy fabric curtains. Optimize air circulation by strategically placing doors and windows to optimize air flow and utilize the air-filtering mechanisms of plants to improve air quality. 
4. The following are all great resources.
   

• O Ecotextiles is a Seattle-based textile company that creates luxurious fabrics that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable. Not only do I love their products, but they are leading experts on this topic and their website has an incredible amount of information for how to make smart choices for the home.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are harmful chemicals often found in paint and other home-based textiles. This site does a great job of explaining the dangers of VOCs, what products typically contain them and how they can be avoided.
• Unique Carpets, Ltd. sells eco-friendly floor coverings made from natural fibers that are treated in an environmentally-safe way.

If you are seeking a home that’s healthy and inspiring to live in, call our design firm, Faith Sheridan Design Group. 206.973.3743

Over the years of my design practice, I’ve collected many tabletop books about interiors. And I like to see them just in case I want some ideas and inspiration. Displaying them in interesting ways is appealing and that’s why I loved the illustrations from this issue of Lonny Magazine with 25 examples.  Beyond books, there are other accessories that benefit from a creative approach to being seen.  But I start with the books.

Use color with book display.(from House Beautiful)

Match Up – small items in a small tray

There’s something about a neat arrangement or stack of things that adds harmony and interest in your home. And how better to tell your guests what’s important to you.

What if you collect corks, tennis balls, baseballs and such? Look at the metal baskets for a spectacular way to bring attention to them.

Vertical storage option

My subscriptions to interior design magazines seems to take over my living area. I try to contain them and display them in a tray so I can see the issue information on the sides.

Front and center

Finally, some of us stack and stack to make an impressive display like this one….I love this and it’s my favorite.

The Ultimate Stack

How do you arrange your stacks of books? I’d love to know…

Need help to accessorize and arrange in your home? Give us a call.  206.973.3743 We bring 20+ years of design experience.

Previously I’ve identified myself as a textile junkie.  It’s one of my interior design passions. Why? There is so much history around textiles, culture and traditions. And if you’re passionate as I am about textiles, adding the rich history into your design adds greater dimension to your interiors. It allows a story to easily accompany the design concept. And stories are what your home is about.

From Wikipedia, “In Japan, the earliest known example of cloth dyed with a shibori technique dates from the 8th century.”

There are many greats posts on the blog, The Ardent Thread, to add history and information about techniques. The following images are from the blog.

geometric shibori

Mix of shibori styles

Many well know companies have shibori patterns available. I love this one from F Schumacher as an accent for pillows. It is 100% silk with a luster that adds dimension and richness to your decor; color is sorbet.

Shibori Circle; sorbet F Schumacher

If you want to express yourself with your interior, call Faith Sheridan Design Group and we will assist you to create your story with textiles and more.

206.973.3743

A covered area with heaters

We  are busier than ever. More time on the road commuting and increased office time are part of the issue. How to slow our fast paced lives, leave the frenzy and relax?  and really stop and smell the roses?

I have a few ideas to add relaxation and to make our homes more harmonious and peaceful at the end of a busy day.

• Take a walk if you can… with your family, dog or neighbor. Breathe.
• Sit in your favorite chair even for a short time (and plan to return later).
• Change into comfortable clothes.
• Check in with your famiy about their day, listen and support.
• Hopefully dinner isn’t an afterthought or is easily prepared and your family can pitch in. Enjoy some table talk and share stories.
• Clear the clutter. Clutter distracts, adds a feeling of disorder and uneasiness.
• Add freshly cut flowers to your weekly grocery list.
• Surround yourself with books, throw pillows and blankets.Create a space that looks and feels softer, calmer and more relaxing.
• Add a swing!

Aren’t you feeling relaxed already? Do you need help creating a relaxing home to ease you from the stress? We’re here to help you do just that. Call us today 206.973.3743.