Our design plan brought the outside in for them, with a cabinet palette of rich browns and colorful greens accented by a warm, off-white on the wall cabinets which helped fill the room with light.

We incorporated tons of great texture throughout from coin-edge detailing on the cabinet hardware, to the sueded limestone backsplash, and lustered metal and glass light fixtures.

A two-tone countertop scheme of classic cool gray Raw Concrete with the unique and highly marbled Montclair White quartz adds visual interest and keeps things feeling current and fresh.

To help soften the space and add warmth, a large reclaimed mango wood dining table rests on a round jute rug, who’s braiding mimics the woven cording found on the saddle leather dining chairs and counter stools.

Since plenty of storage, and space to gather for meals and entertaining were two of the main priorities for this family, we removed a wall in between the existing kitchen and a neighboring living space.

This substantially expanded the kitchen’s footprint which allowed us to accommodate a ten-foot island with lots of seating for the whole family, plus ample cabinetry all around.

On the far end of the kitchen, the counter-depth refrigerator is flanked by a full wall of cabinetry, including a double pantry, convenient appliance garage, and a concealed beverage center within reach of the family room.

See the rest of this kitchen in the Studio 1049 Portfolio.

Interested in adding value to your home with an upgrade to your kitchen?
Contact the Studio 1049 team to discuss your project today!

When I first decided to strike out on my own eight years ago, I wasn’t naïve about the fact that I still had a lot to learn about the world of design. After all, it’s sort of an ever-changing beast by default. Styles and tastes change. Trends come and go (and often come back again). Technology advances. In this industry you quickly learn to be comfortable with feeling like there’s always something new to learn. But that’s part of what keeps things interesting!

I begin each new project with fresh eyes, and can usually find creative inspiration just about anywhere. A piece of art. Nature. A favorite vacation destination. My client’s closet. Interior design never feels stale to me, and as an added bonus I get to be a lifelong learner while doing what I love in my own way.

While I know the artistic side of my design brain will continually evolve, there are so many other lessons I’ve learned over the years that have felt more like I was reaching some sort of milestone in my professional career. Like I was really sharpening the tools in my kit. Whether about running a business as an entrepreneur, communicating with my clients and professional partners, managing my first employee, or even simply about setting boundaries and practicing self-care — my learning has spanned well beyond things like mixing patterns and detailing kitchen cabinetry.

Here are some of the other lessons I’ve learned so far, in no particular order.

1. Follow-Up

Let me start by saying this isn’t always as obvious at it seems, and covers SO many different scenarios. Whether it’s double (or triple) checking an appointment with a tradesperson, a furniture delivery date, checking back in with an old lead who changed their timeline, or relaying important information to a client, a very large portion of my week is spent just following-up on things/with people. More time than I initially expected, as a matter of fact.

Recently, an important piece of dining room furniture that had been paid for months earlier suddenly dropped off of my order with no warning or context from the vendor. A quick phone call surfaced that the table had been discontinued after I had specified it, and unfortunately there was no more inventory to fulfill my order. Had I not followed-up, it would have been a very disappointing day for all of us when the chairs arrived without the table. Luckily, I was able to loop in the client and make a last minute swap to an alternate with minimal change to our timeline.

It can be exhausting to dedicate so much of my time to this kind of administrative work — and at times I feel like a bit of a nuisance to people I rely on and work with — but learning to dot all of my I’s and cross all of my T’s has saved me more than once. Learning to prioritize this degree of organization and attention to detail was not just an important lesson for me and my business, but it’s a lot of what a client pays for and expects when they hire an interior designer. Beyond just the pretty vignettes that fall out of my brain, I follow-up so they don’t have to. It’s as simple as that!

2. Trust Your Gut

No matter how much natural talent you’re born with, or education you gather, confidence in your abilities is simply something that grows over time. There is no shortcut. I think that’s true for just about every profession! But in my experience, feeling secure in my knowledge and ability when just starting out as a designer can be especially challenging.

From Netflix series, to coffee table books, magazines, blogs, social media, podcasts, etc. there is just SO MUCH media one can consume that’s dedicated to interior design. There’s no denying that we all love a splashy image of a beautiful room — but as inspiring as they may be, they can be somewhat of a trap, creatively.

While a simple solution would be to just stay in my lane, with blinders on, and ignore what everyone else is doing, I sort of have to be in the loop with what’s going on in the world of design (a little more on this topic in lesson #7). You just have to remind yourself that we’re all on professional journeys, and to not compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.

It may have taken some time — and more than a few anxiety-inducing conversations — but I have learned to trust my gut. My design instinct is sharp, and I know what I am doing.

3. Ask For Help

For things big and small, learning to be comfortable asking for help was a huge lesson for me. I don’t know if all designers are cut from this same cloth, and it’s just something that is inherent to our personalities, but I always seem to have a million plates spinning in the air, and usually thrive in that circumstance. It makes me feel a little bit like a superhero. But it’s also a trap!

Burnout is real, and even if I have incredibly high bandwidth, operating at maximum capacity for months on end just isn’t sustainable. In order to continually provide stellar client experiences and deliver high-quality, thoughtful design I had to get over my fear of looking underqualified, and learn how to ask for help. As well as learn that accepting help from other pros in my field (and neighboring specialties) doesn’t mean I’m failing, or dropping the ball.

It’s growth.

4. Feedback Isn’t Personal

You might not always get it right on the first go around. Sometimes not even on the second go around. And that’s totally fine!

Learning to put ego aside, and understanding that just because someone was drawn to the images on my website or Instagram and hired me to tackle their home doesn’t guarantee they’re going to love each and every aspect of my design for them.

Interior design is meant to be a collaborate process after all — and while it shouldn’t be personal for me, it IS incredibly personal for them. This is their home. Their safe space, and a place of respite for their family. Asking for a revision in their design plan isn’t a negative reflection on me/my abilities.

Sometimes a wallpaper pattern or light fixture just doesn’t quite land as I’d hoped. Silly as it may sound, that “No.” can actually be a hard pill to swallow, as a sensitive soul/artsy type. But that’s just part of the job. And the silver lining in all this is that my openness to receiving feedback has often won me repeat business! That’s called validation.

5. Lean On Your Community

This is sort of like “ask for help,” but with a significantly more hyperlocal/friends and family slant. Basically this has to do with me learning to accept that the people closest to me love me and want to support my business. Whether by simply hearing about how my projects are coming along, or standing by to sign for a delivery when I can’t be somewhere, or rolling up their sleeves for emergency install help, or letting me borrow their pick-up truck (hi, Dad), or even referring me to someone they know.

It truly takes a village, and that’s a special and beautiful thing. I’m not burdening my tribe by reaching out and inviting them in to participate in something that’s so important to me. I knew that it always felt like an honor whenever I was brought into someone else’s sphere — but strangely enough it was a lesson for me to recognize that the inverse was also true. The individuals closet to me wanted to be brought in. They wanted to feel close to me and my work.

I think it’s worth noting that this was a particularly hard lesson to remember when everything blew up over the last few years. Everyone’s stress was at an all time high, and the last thing I wanted to do was add to anyone’s plate. But in reality, most people were happy just to have some sort of distraction from their typical daily grind.

6. Honesty Is the Best Policy

As an entrepreneur, one of the core values that I try to run my business with is integrity. This is a challenging and at times complex industry. Whether I’m working with vendors to get the details and measurements for a custom pieces just right, or with a contractor to troubleshoot a surprise issue in real-time at the job site, there are inevitably going to be a few issues that arise. Things can get overlooked on all sides. Mistakes get made. We’re all human.

Being honest, and proactive about communicating these hiccups to my clients is always my approach. I also work hard to come to them with a solution already in mind, and always make time to explain things fully and clearly. Thankfully, people are often understanding.

99% of the clients I’ve worked with have approached our relationship from a place of open communication and trust, and it’s been a wonderfully rewarding experience to design their homes.

7. Design is What I Do — Not Who I Am

When you’re self-employed, especially in a service industry, boundaries are essential in preventing work from creeping in and taking over all aspects of your life. My personal opinion is that this is particularly challenging in interior design because there seems to be a unspoken rule floating around the design community that if you don’t eat, sleep, and breathe design than you’re failing not only yourself, but your clients as well!

There’s seems to be a little bit of a myth that in order to run a successful interior design business, you must:

• Follow and engage with each and every celebrity designer on social media.

• Stay abreast of all of the latest trends even if they don’t fit your brand/aesthetic.

• Go to market multiple times each year and study the catalogs of every furniture and décor brand.

• Join professional design organizations and attend their events, including having a mentor and a mentee.

• Buy and read whichever new design book drops each month, listen to every design podcast, and watch every design webinar.

• Maintain a blog (wink).

I could go on about the formula, but the point I’m making is that balance is essential. I’m a multi-faceted individual with hobbies, interests, and an entire LIFE outside of design! I feel that maintaining some sort of identity besides my work and learning to stay in my lane has not only improved my quality of life, but has actually made my design even better. The whole point of being an entrepreneur is that I get to decide exactly how to show up to the party, right?

The surprise bonus side effect is that this practice has also allowed me to offer more grace and understanding to others. Life happens for all of us. Trades, vendors, and even clients just the same. We’re all just out here trying to the best we can with what we’ve been given. Learning to play to my strengths instead of burying myself under a never-ending onslaught of self-improvement was a lightbulb moment for me, and for my business.

8. Follow My Process

It’s there for a reason!

Of all of the lessons I’ve learned so far, this one may be the hardest to put into practice day-to-day. While I’m extremely organized and detail oriented, the free spirit in me loves to just live in the moment and go with the flow. I know, however, that my business thrives and my work is more efficient — and ultimately, more enjoyable — with a little bit of routine and structure.

The fast-paced nature of the design industry is the very thing that makes it a challenge to keep this lesson in mind. Each day and week’s work is a little bit different. While projects may be similar, each home and family I work with are totally unique. As much as I like to operate my business within a manageable world of systems and processes, I can’t be too rigid — but that’s one of the things I love most about being a designer!

Often times, clients, contractors, or other collaborators need my immediate attention in order for the project to move forward smoothly. That’s just a reality of the work! But as a recovering people pleaser, it can be tempting to allow even those more minor/less urgent distractions to derail the entire plan for my day.

When my business grew to the size that I could add a design assistant, the surprise benefit (in addition to increasing my bandwidth to put out those surprise fires) was that I had another person around who’s day-to-day is also more efficient and enjoyable when I stick to my process. Having them around helps remind me that it’s not just my clients and project partners that I need to be accountable to, but to myself as well.

Does your space need some professional help? Schedule a free Discovery Call with our team today to talk about your next design project!

Retro-inspired furniture and décor is having a serious moment! From the muted, earthy palettes and cozy fabrics of the 1970’s, to the curved furniture silhouettes of the 1980’s, there are nostalgic nods to the past to be found in just about every corner of interior design.

Contemporary applications find these classic components paired with natural and bleached woods, mixed metals, and a variety of textured embellishments such as woven, fringed, and fluted elements.

Shop the Look:

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The overall aesthetic is casual and approachable, with some influence borrowed from the natural and organic elements present throughout boho style, as well as softened updates to the clean lines seen in Scandinavian design.

With it’s mostly neutral palette and simple silhouettes, the Contemporary Casual style is easy to blend alongside a variety of other décor styles throughout your home. While there’s plenty of room to play with pattern and color alongside these pieces, we think they work wonderfully alongside highly textured natural finishes like grasscloth wallpaper, or applied wall finishes such as clay, plaster, or concrete.

This collection is part of a series! To see more of this style, take a look at our Contemporary Casual Bedroom and Contemporary Casual Living Room.

Who is SideDoor?

Through our new partnership with SideDoor, Studio 1049 is thrilled to offer curated collections of furniture and décor from some of our favorite names in the industry, including some to-the-trade-only brands, at exclusive designer pricing. This means we can pass our trade sources and discounts on to you, even if you’re not a client of Studio 1049!

Items that you order through the SideDoor website will be secured, managed, and fulfilled by their Customer Support team. Even better, the prices you see at checkout include freight shipping directly to your door (note that you can pay to upgrade from threshold delivery to “White Glove” delivery for some items)!

This is a truly fantastic opportunity for you to get the looks we love in your own home — and support our small business — at a savings when compared to traditional interior design.

But if you the type of person who liked to play it safe, and were okay living in a space that looked just fine, you wouldn’t be reading this particularly specific post on an interior design blog, right? Right.

Luckily, there are a few simple ways you can give the metal selections in your home a more special, curated look — and we’re going to share them with you!

1. Cast the Leading Role First

Similar to some tips we’ve mentioned in previous posts about coordinating tile, mixing prints and patterns, or combining different décor styles, when you’re mingling metal finishes in a single space, it’s important to let only one of them be the star of the show.

To achieve this, identify which metallic element will carry the most visual weight in the room. For example, in a bathroom it might be the shower and tub fixtures, while in a large kitchen it might be the cabinet hardware or range hood. In a smaller scale hallway or living space, it’s most likely the lighting fixtures.

By creating this sort of visual hierarchy within the room, it helps your decisions feel intentional, and prevents the overall design from looking too busy or chaotic.

If you’re working in a space like a kitchen or bathroom with lots of metal elements, a safe way to mix finishes is by following the trusty “60/30/10 Rule” for interior design. Limit your space to only three metal finishes max. Then make roughly 60% of your metals the dominant tone, while 30% are a different complimentary tone, and just 10% are reserved for a special accent tone.

2. Group Metals by Height

Another technique for making mixed metal finishes feel more harmonious and deliberate in a space is to group certain finishes by height within a space. Arranging your like metals on the same visual plane will help avoid conflicting metals from landing side-by-side in a design.

To put this in practice, try using one metal finish for your lower cabinet hardware, and then pick another coordinating metal for your upper cabinet hardware. This approach would be particularly effective in design schemes with two-toned cabinet finishes!

Similarly, if you opt to use a particular metal finish on your light fixtures (upper visual plane), go with a different finish for your faucets and switch plates (middle visual plane).

3. Employ the Buddy System

To ensure there’s balance throughout the room in your metal selections, make sure you use each metal at least twice in the space! By giving each metal at least one other “buddy” it will illustrate that your selection was intentional, and also stop your eye from fixating on some single, lonely element like an elephant in the room.

It might sound like a challenge to make sure each metal is represented at least twice — particularly when you’re trying to stick to just 10% of your accent metal as we mentioned in tip #1 — but keep in mind that metals can show up in a space in lots of clever ways!

While your room might only have a need for one or two fixtures, you can make sure each metal has a buddy by incorporating coordinating metals into other design elements such as tile, furniture, drapery hardware, wallpaper, or your other art and décor items such as mirrors, picture frames, or a clock.

Get creative!

4. Think About Texture in Addition to Color

In addition to all of the different color tones of metal you can choose from, you can also have a lot of fun by combining different textures. Think about juxtaposing opposite texture finishes, such as:

• polished next to matte or brushed

• new next to antiqued or patinaed

• smooth next to rustic or knurled

Combining a variety of metal textures will not only add visual interest to your design, but will result in a room that’s fun to touch, as well. Rooms are meant to be lived in and used, after all. Not just photographed for Instagram!

Finally (a little bonus tip), just remember to have fun with it. If there’s something you absolutely love, then you should of course find a way to include it in your design — even if it does “break the rules” a little bit.

We’ve said it before, and it bears repeating — the number one rule is to create a living space that brings YOU joy.

Interested in putting a few of these techniques into action, but need just a little more professional guidance before you get started?

Custom Interior Design packages from Studio 1049 are perfect for the savvy DIY-er who’s interested in a more hands-on approach for updating their furnishings and décor!

Retro-inspired furniture and décor is having a serious moment! From the muted, earthy palettes and cozy fabrics of the 1970’s, to the curved furniture silhouettes of the 1980’s, there are nostalgic nods to the past to be found in just about every corner of interior design.

Contemporary applications find these classic components paired with natural and bleached woods, mixed metals, and a variety of textured embellishments such as woven, fringed, and fluted elements.

Shop the Look:

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The overall aesthetic is casual and approachable, with some influence borrowed from the natural and organic elements present throughout boho style, as well as softened updates to the clean lines seen in Scandinavian design.

With it’s mostly neutral palette and simple silhouettes, the Contemporary Casual style is easy to blend alongside a variety of other décor styles throughout your home. While there’s plenty of room to play with pattern and color alongside these pieces, we think they work wonderfully alongside highly textured natural finishes like grasscloth wallpaper, or applied wall finishes such as clay, plaster, or concrete.

This collection is part of a series! To see more of this style, take a look at our Contemporary Casual Bedroom and Contemporary Casual Dining Room.

Who is SideDoor?

Through our new partnership with SideDoor, Studio 1049 is thrilled to offer curated collections of furniture and décor from some of our favorite names in the industry, including some to-the-trade-only brands, at exclusive designer pricing. This means we can pass our trade sources and discounts on to you, even if you’re not a client of Studio 1049!

Items that you order through the SideDoor website will be secured, managed, and fulfilled by their Customer Support team. Even better, the prices you see at checkout include freight shipping directly to your door (note that you can pay to upgrade from threshold delivery to “White Glove” delivery for some items)!

This is a truly fantastic opportunity for you to get the looks we love in your own home — and support our small business — at a savings when compared to traditional interior design.

First and foremost, you’ve no doubt heard that project timelines have dramatically changed over the last few years due to the global pandemic and ongoing supply chain issues. A multitude of factors such as tradespeople and contractor availability, material and furniture lead times, fluctuations in costs, and even interruptions due to Covid-19 illness have contributed to longer than normal project timelines. For the sake of simplicity (and with hopeful eyes on the future), let’s say we remove those factors for now and think about a design project timeline under more “normal” circumstances.

Start by evaluating the project type, and what unique conditions or intricacies it may require. Is it something fairly straightforward like paint, furniture, and décor, or is it a larger-scale renovation, or even a new construction project? Will it just be your designer at the helm, or will it require involving a variety of trade professionals, engineers, or consultants? Does the design call for any custom elements like cabinetry or millwork, stone or masonry, upholstered furniture, glass, or artwork? Are the fixtures and materials being specified readily available in the domestic United States?

While each home and project is a little bit different, we wanted to put together this simple overview of each of our three project phases to help you unpack the ins and outs of turning your design dreams into reality.

Phase One: Design Development (6-8 weeks)

Each new Studio 1049 project starts with a Design Orientation where we visit your home to discuss your goals and needs, sort out the complete project scope, take extensive measurements and photos, and gather any other info that we’ll use to put together a proposal encompassing the estimated design fee and number of hours to complete your project.

Once you sign a contract to become a client, we’ll begin to conceptualize the design for each space. This includes taking any design direction, inspiration, or requirements you’ve provided to us into consideration. We’ll also consider a number of other factors such as the existing architectural style and any unique elements in your home, the home’s age and condition, and work to plan for and/or mitigate any expected obstacles.

The different steps that make up phase one include:

• Consultation + programming

• Develop conceptual design

• Source all items + materials

• Develop elevations + 3D renderings

• Deliver client design presentation

Sample pages from a design presentation showing inspiration, floorplan, elevation, specifications, and a 3D rendering.

In the weeks leading up to your design presentation, we’ll be busy coming up with something truly special to make your home feel one-of-a-kind and tailored to your family! As we work on solving the puzzle that is your home’s design, we’ll consider your personal taste and style, and think about how you like to live. We’ll also consider your desired timeline, and keep your budget top of mind to make sure everything we present to you is feasible.

At your presentation, we’ll bring a booklet showing all components of your design from top to bottom, as well as photorealistic 3D renderings, fixture and furniture specifications, plus physical samples of tile, wallpaper, fabric, paint, metal and stone finishes, and anything else we can get our hands on to help you truly visualize your new space. We’ll also present you with a pricing sheet capturing all known costs at this time.

Before we start engaging contractors and other necessary trades, you’ll have plenty of time to digest your design, and provide us feedback for revisions.

Phase Two: Project Management (24+ weeks)

Phase two begins once we agree on a final design concept and transition from big picture “planning” mode to immerse ourselves in the complexities of managing your project. Basically, we roll up our sleeves and get to work on the many moving pieces required to successfully execute the vision for your home.

From coordinating the different tradespeople that will be involved, and helping you navigate and respond to their estimates, to ordering hard materials and getting them to the site, to visiting our favorite local shops to find special pieces for your home, this is typically the longest, most complicated, and at times challenging phase.

The good news is that for many reasons it’s also the most exciting phase! If you’ve ever experienced the 24-hr transformation that takes place on demo day, then you know exactly what we mean…

Here’s a quick overview of phase two:

• Additional design revisions

• Product + material procurement

• Coordination of trades + vendors

• Product + material tracking

• Local sourcing for finishing touches

One of our recent kitchen projects prior to demo (L) and during construction (R).

Phast two is also where the sometimes less obvious value of hiring an interior designer will really start to reveal itself. We’ll be on call, and on-site to answer questions and verify our design intent is maintained throughout each project milestone. From cabinet delivery, to flooring installation, to painting and wallpaper, to countertop templating, etc. — we will be the go-to team running point on all aspects of your design, and holding the responsible parties accountable.

It’s hard to capture how important it is to have someone in your corner if any difficult conversations need to take place, or if some surprise condition throws a wrench in the design plan requiring quick action and decision-making in order to stay on track, and on budget. Living in a home under-construction, and encountering the various teams of people who will descend on your space each day can be very stressful! During this phase, we work tirelessly to tackle all of the hard stuff so you can just look forward to the end result.

Phase Three: Delivery + Installation (2-4 weeks)

The end is in sight! In this final phase, your space will finally start to more closely resemble the 3D renderings you approved during your conceptual design presentation. Most, if not all, of the “dirty work” will be complete, and your new furniture and décor pieces will start to arrive on-site. Depending on the scale of your project, we may also coordinate some time to have your home professionally photographed for our portfolio.

Here are the final steps, at a glance:

• Staging, inspection + delivery coordination

• Installation + room styling

• Final walkthrough

• Project photography

• Project closure + client questionnaire

Adding the last finishing touches to a completed project.

Throughout this phase, we’ll be focusing our attention on all of the tiny details. We’ll work through an ongoing punchlist with the contractor to wrap up any outstanding items, or address anything else that needs a little extra attention. We’ll also be inspecting all furniture items to make sure nothing is damaged in transit, prior to delivering them to your home, installation and styling. If there any replacements or repairs are needed, we’ll coordinate them directly with the vendors and manufacturers and keep you in the loop on the status.

Prior to closing out the project, we’ll ensure there are no outstanding final payments due to trades, or for any materials and goods. We’ll also present you with a questionnaire to gauge your experience working with our team throughout your design project. Your satisfaction is our number one priority! Before we can call it a success, we’ll work to make sure all parties with an invested stake in the project are happy with the outcome.

Word of mouth is vital to our business! And repeat clients are our absolute favorite.

Good Design Takes Time

While this timeline may seem a little daunting, it’s important to remember that good design takes time! When you’re making these sorts of major investments in your home, the last thing you want to do is rush through the process just to “keep your place in line,” or make hasty decisions that you might end up regretting later on.

Having a professional Interior Design team by your side from start to finish will not only give your home a unique, custom look, but you’ll have someone on your side to help you make the hundreds of little decisions that encompass a design, project manage the ups and downs, and ensure a high-quality end result that you’ll be proud to share with your family and friends for years to come.

Retro-inspired furniture and décor is having a serious moment! From the muted, earthy palettes and cozy fabrics of the 1970’s, to the curved furniture silhouettes of the 1980’s, there are nostalgic nods to the past to be found in just about every corner of interior design.

Contemporary applications find these classic components paired with natural and bleached woods, mixed metals, and a variety of textured embellishments such as woven, fringed, and fluted elements.

Shop the Look:

View fullsize

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View fullsize

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The overall aesthetic is casual and approachable, with some influence borrowed from the natural and organic elements present throughout boho style, as well as softened updates to the clean lines seen in Scandinavian design.

With it’s mostly neutral palette and simple silhouettes, the Contemporary Casual style is easy to blend alongside a variety of other décor styles throughout your home. While there’s plenty of room to play with pattern and color alongside these pieces, we think they work wonderfully alongside highly textured natural finishes like grasscloth wallpaper, or applied wall finishes such as clay, plaster, or concrete.

This collection is part of a series! To see more of this style, take a look at our Contemporary Casual Living Room and Contemporary Casual Dining Room.

Who is SideDoor?

Through our new partnership with SideDoor, Studio 1049 is thrilled to offer curated collections of furniture and décor from some of our favorite names in the industry, including some to-the-trade-only brands, at exclusive designer pricing. This means we can pass our trade sources and discounts on to you, even if you’re not a client of Studio 1049!

Items that you order through the SideDoor website will be secured, managed, and fulfilled by their Customer Support team. Even better, the prices you see at checkout include freight shipping directly to your door (note that you can pay to upgrade from threshold delivery to “White Glove” delivery for some items)!

This is a truly fantastic opportunity for you to get the looks we love in your own home — and support our small business — at a savings when compared to traditional interior design.

Perfect indoors and out, on floors, ceilings, and just about everywhere in between, it’s no surprise that tile remains a highly sought-after material in both residential and commercial spaces. You simply can’t beat it when it comes to maintenance, durability, and style!

But with a seemingly endless library to choose from — and at such an extreme variety of price points — how do you even know where to begin? To help demystify things and set you up for success, we’ve put together our favorite tips and tricks for coordinating tile in your home.

1. Balance Bold Selections With More Neutral Elements

As we’ve mentioned before on the Studio 1049 blog, it’s important to create a focal point in any space. Having just one “star” tile in your design not only helps keep your budget in check, but avoids creating that sense of visual chaos that can occur when too many elements are shouting for attention.

In a kitchen for example, a statement backsplash works best with a more subdued countertop material, or alongside a neutral cabinet finish. In a bathroom, sticking with something simple as the floor tile will let the shower or tub surround take center stage. This also helps create a “destination” of sorts that catches your attention as you enter the room. On the other hand, if you opt for a more intricate pattern for your wall or floor tile, you’ll want to pick something more simple for the tub and/or shower.

Sometimes the focal element in a room is the color! If you’ve selected a boldly colored tile as your main feature, try to go with classic shapes, typical scales, and standard installation patterns to help keep things feeling harmonious. The main thing to avoid is mixing-and-matching too many bold elements in just one space.

2. Play With Shape and Scale

An easy way to make a space feel polished and purposeful without overcomplicating things is to play with shape and scale — either by drawing comparisons, or contrasting them altogether!

For example, if you’re considering a 3” x 9” subway tile for your shower, going with something else rectilinear like a 12” x 24” tile for the floor would create a nice visual tie-in. You could even go a step further to connect the dots by using the same brick lay installation for both applications. Similarly, if you’ve found a larger format hexagon tile that you love as a backsplash or basin surround, a small scale hexagon mosaic would be a great compliment for the shower floor, or to accent a niche.

Alternatively, you could opt to really highlight a tile with a unique shape or scale by letting it stand alone while all other tile selections in the space share a common trait that’s different from your feature tile.

Including this variety of scale and format with your tile is not only visually interesting, but helpful in avoiding a space that feels too busy. As an added bonus, it’s probably easier to clean as well!

3. Explore Combining Different Materials and Finishes

A fun way to have a more curated look in your space is to mix-and-match tiles that fall within similar themes, but are made from different materials or have different finishes.

Similar to honed versus polished marble, many ceramic and porcelain tiles also come in both a glossy and matte version. This creates a lot of opportunity for you to get creative in how you use them throughout the space.

Using glossy tiles near light sources, windows, or mirrors is also a great way to fill a space with more light and make it seem larger. Just be careful to stick to matte tiles with the proper anti-slip ratings for floors in kitchens and bathrooms where water is often a concern. You should also avoid printed or stamped concrete tiles for wet areas, as they tend to stain and show signs of wear and tear more easily.

Marble and stone are great natural tile options that you can treat almost as “neutrals” throughout a space. Not only do they add a ton of texture to a room, but they make great compliments to some of the more colorful and intricate but less organic options out there such as glass, metallics, porcelain, and even hand-painted ceramic tiles.

4. Keep Colors and Patterns Consistent

Limiting your color palette, patterns or motifs, or even the installation design are all great ways to unify multiple tile selections in the same space. Having consistency across these elements will ensure that your choices make sense together.

Another consideration is grout. One approach is to match your grout as closely as you can to each tile selection so that your grout lines “disappears” into the overall design. If you’d rather call special attention to a tile’s unique shape or installation pattern, than go with a contrasting grout color to help highlight those oft forgotten spaces in between each tile!

In this example from our Havenwood project, we limited our tile palette to a simple cloud gray, selecting two different styles from the same collection. This design choice allowed us to accomplish two things in this kitchen — first, we were able go with a different installation pattern around the pot filler than we had used on the rest of the backsplash without it looking busy. Second, sticking with a more subdued tile color allowed us to use a bolder blue cabinet finish on the island base and on a neighboring section of cabinetry.

5. The Classics Never Go Out of Style

When in doubt, look to the classics for inspiration! There’s a reason selections such as Carrara, Calacatta, Marquina, Travertine, or even all white bathrooms have been around forever. They’ll never go out of style, and give you a safe way to experiment with some of the other techniques on our list without worrying that your space might look dated in just a few years.

Although the same rules apply as far as mixing scale, shape, and material, it’s much more foolproof if you’re selecting from coordinating classics. These options are also super versatile in their ability to coordinate with a variety of hardware and fixture finishes, paint colors, and lighting styles as these trends come in and out of style.

Consider going with something classic for your largest square footage in the room, such as the floor. If you need or want to update the backsplash, or a feature tile down the road, chances are you can still leave that initial classic selection in tact. This can provide you with a huge savings in time and money for future renovations.

With these five simple tips, we hope you feel more prepared for your next trip to the local tile store — or (more likely) the next time you go down the rabbit hole searching for tile online.

For even more on coordinating design elements in your homes, check out these other entries:

How to Blend Different Décor Styles

The “Do’s and Don'ts” of Coordinating Light Fixtures

How to Coordinate Dining Furniture Like a Pro

How to Mix Prints + Patterns Like the Pros

Need a little more professional help? Schedule a free Discovery Call with our team today to talk about your next design project!

If you’re an introvert like me, you’ve spent the last several months sitting in dimly lit rooms with relaxing music, swaddled in fuzzy blankets, trying to repair your social armor after the one-two punch known as the holiday season.

Now that some time has passed, I’ve recharged my batteries just enough and I’m getting the itch to clear out the cozy and lighten things up! Sound about right for you, too?

To help you “spring” into the season, we’ve rounded up our of must-have décor to refresh your environment and reinvigorate your life — let’s take a peek!

1. Spring Candles

2. Throw Pillows

3. Rainbow Glass

4. Temporary Wallpaper

5. Table Linens

6. Dinnerware

7. Lightweight Throw Blankets

8. Floral Accents + Wreaths

9. Pastel Décor

10. Fruit Themed Décor

We hope this post has you reaching for your rain boots, and feeling excited about the approaching spring season!

For even more ideas on sprucing up your space, check out our Beginner’s Guide to Home Décor + Accessories.

Inspired by nature, evoking a sense of vitality and newness, a plethora of greens have appeared on the rosters of some of the our favorite names in paint. With shades ranging from the gentle and serene to the more vibrant and invigorating, there’s truly a flavor for every taste in this viridescent collection.

1. Farrow & Ball | Breakfast Room Green

Farrow & Ball describes Breakfast Room Green is the most “cheerful” of all their greens, noting it remains lively in both bright sunlight or soft candlelight. Named after the usually east-facing English rooms designed for eating the first meal of the day, this color is particularly beautiful in the dawn light.

For a classic color combo, pair Breakfast Room Green walls with the brand’s slightly green, off-white James White on neighboring trim. A traditional palette would combine this green with Book Room Red and Lulworth Blue. For something more contemporary, try it alongside Mole’s Breath or Hay.

If you’re not blessed with an entire room dedicated to one meal (few are), try this shade in a formal dining room, your family room, or to liven up an entryway or corridor.

2. Benjamin Moore | October Mist

Benjamin Moore has selected October Mist, along with two other green hues (Fernwood Green and High Park) to include in their substantial 14-color “Color Trend 2022” palette. This color is described by the brand as a “gently shaded silver-green sage” tone.

As pictured, we think this color would be perfect in a more contemporary kitchen with slab style doors, low-contrast hardware, and minimalist detail. Rooms with ample sunlight will help bring out its true green hue, while in dimmer spaces October Mist could read as a more desaturated gray-green color.

Try pairing with the Benjamin Moore’s bold deep purple Caponata, or pale blue Mineral Ice for something more tranquil and subdued.

3. Sherwin-Williams | Evergreen Fog

Sherwin-Williams Director of Color Marketing, Sue Wadden, describes this color as adaptable, and “a little more subtle, a little more recessive and a little more relatable” compared to some of the more bold green hues out there. She suggest pairing it with some of the brand’s other favorites such as Accessible Beige, Urbane Bronze, and Über Umber.

We think Evergreen Fog has enough neutral undertone to use it as an all-over color, and that it would make an excellent choice for doors and trim, or other detailed millwork such as stairs, mantels, built-in shelving or wainscot wall panels.

4. Behr | Breezeway

With a hue that’s just as easy and breezy as the name lets on, we think this pretty pastel would be perfect in a soothing, spa-like bathroom. It would also work well in focused, calm environments such as a home office, homework room, or even in a nursery.

Behr describes Breezeway as a “relaxed and uplifting” sea glass green, and suggests pairing it with whites, grays, and natural wood tones for an effortless look. Try offsetting this color with Behr’s Gray Ashlar, or pair with Rainy Afternoon for striking tone-on-tone effect.

5. PPG | Olive Sprig

Calling it a “relaxed, but enticing green that emulates the feeling of soothing aloe vera or a fragrant plant,” color experts at PPG advise that Olive Sprig would work just as well as an interior shade as it would on your home’s exterior.

This sophisticated mid-tone green is neutral enough to adorn the walls of a bedroom, and would look great in a kitchen alongside brass accents and natural wood tones. For a trendy two-tone kitchen makeover, try Olive Sprig on your base cabinets with Horseradish or Delicate White on the uppers.

For something more bold on the outside, pair it with Sourdough windows and trim. Want to make your neighbor’s really take notice? Try Olive Sprig next to a welcoming front door painted in the lovely gray-plum shade Magic Dust!

6. Dutch Boy | Cypress Garden

Inspired by the resiliency of nature, Dutch Boy developed their color of the year, “Cypress Garden,” with subtle flexibility that works well next to colors with either cool or warm undertones. This color lends itself especially well to the “barely there” wood finishes trending across newer furniture and flooring offerings.

For a clean, understated palette, they suggest pairing this green with Warmed Silver and Over the Moon. Or for something a little more punchy (and perhaps nostalgic), use Cypress Garden with Sand Dunes and Peridot Sparkle — any of you 90’s babies out there will rejoice over this joyfully “cucumber-melon” combination!

7. Glidden | Guacamole

Glidden’s color of the year “Guacamole” is a fresh and delicious hue that delivers a palpable, organic energy to any space. The folks at Glidden suggest trying this color out in your bedroom, office, or library. Inspired by their parent company PPG’s color of the year “Olive Sprig,” they also recommend trying it alongside Horseradish or Delicate White trim and accents.

In our experience the more vivid a color is, the faster the trend can fade — and as the most saturated and vibrant green on our list, we’d suggest avoiding Guacamole as an all-over color selection. Instead try this one out as a lovely accent wall color, in a fun powder room, or even as a cheerful selection for any painted furniture needs. This guac is best served in small portions (with tortilla chips)!

8. Valspar | Blanched Thyme

Each of Valspar’s twelve Colors of the Year for 2022 are straight from nature, bringing a calm, comfortable presence into the home. Leaning into the restorative properties of the color green, their “Blanched Thyme” is described as “a natural green that helps us refocus on our physical and mental well-being.” According to Valspar’s Color Marketing Manager, Sue Kim, the shade is also “calming and nourishing – encouraging a calm balance within yourself and within your home.”

Blanched Thyme works beautifully against warmer wood tones, and pairs with warm metal accents such as copper and brass. Try it paired with any of the brand’s other 2022 colors of the year for a curated look! We like Blanched Thyme with the 70’s-inspired Rustic Oak or the clean and airy Orchid Ash in particular. For a classic paint+trim combination, try it alongside their Light Raffia or Cream in my Coffee.

Feeling the urge to add some new color to your life, but aren’t quite sure where to begin?
Take Studio 1049’s Design Style Quiz to discover what inspires you!

It's about living well, and intentionally carving out some space for the things that bring you joy — big or small! This year, we launched a "12 Days of Design" campaign leading up to the main event in hopes that we might interrupt some the chaos of the season by bringing a little beauty and clarity to each of you.

From holiday specific design tips, to favorite recipes or traditions, or even just sharing some festive eye candy, consider it our way of helping to make your holiday just a little bit brighter.

We covered a lot of ground over the last few weeks, so here’s what you might have missed (from start to finish) just in case!

Day 1: Creating Holiday Ambiance

To add even more warmth to your space this season, start by layering in some extra throw pillows and blankets along with your usual holiday decorations. This is a great time to play with those over-the-top cozy textiles! Next, look for opportunities to layer in more light besides your tree. Those extra twinkling points of light strategically placed around the room will really help you feel surrounded by warmth. Last, think about those little things you can't necessarily see but still add to the ambiance. Give your home a signature scent by using a favorite holiday candle in multiple rooms, or find that perfect holiday playlist to help you unwind and enjoy this special time of year.

Day 2: Feeling Festive + Fabulous

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I'm all about "holiday your way" — and to be honest, that sometimes means lounging around in cozy pajamas and slippers all day. But I also really love the chance to get a little fancy during the holidays! Here's some of the outfits I'll be reaching for this season whenever I want to feel a little festive and fabulous. Pieces shown are by Banana Republic, Loft, H+M, Madewell, Altar’d State, and Franco Sarto.

Day 3: Cherished Traditions

From baking cookies, to watching Home Alone, to decorating the tree, the holidays are all about traditions, new and old. In my family, we host a "rally" (open house) where extended family and friends stop by for food, drinks, fun and merriment. What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? Let us know in the comments below.

Day 4: Coffee Table Styling

As I’ve mentioned in the past, you know that one of my favorite ways to quickly freshen up a space is to restyle a coffee table! I've shared tips such as varying your textures and heights, including points of light, and going on a "shopping trip" around you house to reimagine your tablescape.

During the holidays, coffee table styling takes on a whole new life! It's so fun to incorporate those special trinkets that are normally tucked away throughout the rest of the year, like tree ornaments, fresh pine sprigs, extra candles, seasonal art books, or even a little drifting snow.

And if you're planning to host this season, be sure to leave plenty of space for drinks and snack plates!

Day 5: Decorate Your Storage

Looking for an opportunity to add more "form" to your "function" this holiday season? Decorate your storage! Instead of letting your tree and mantel have all the fun, take advantage of the prime real estate on top of bookshelves, tall consoles, or inside any glass front cabinets.

Day 6: Blending Old + New

One of my favorite things to do when decorating for the holidays is to blend old and new décor items to create a richly layered, eclectic look. This is especially effective if you're sticking to a more limited, contemporary palette with the bulk of your selections, as it shines a spotlight on those few time-worn items that are linked to some special story or family tradition. Just about any heirloom can stand up as a decoration during the holidays! As long as it's important to you, it will add to the joy and magic of the season.

Day 7: Treat Yourself

I'm a firm believer that the holidays are prime time for a little guilt-free indulgence! Personally, I LOVE to have macarons on-hand during the holidays, because they are not only colorful and gorgeous, but are basically made of delicious, sugary air (which means there's always room for a few). My mother also makes candied pecans every year that are a big hit with my whole family! What are the go-to holiday treats in your neck of the woods? Let us know it the comments below.

Day 8: Love at First Sight

You've taken the time to pick out the perfect, thoughtful gift that they'll cherish, right? So instead of telling them, show them with giftwrap that's just as lovely as what's waiting inside! While giftbags and tissue paper are a great option for recipients who have trouble opening traditional wrapping, they can take up a lot of space around the tree, and tend to look cluttered pretty fast.

I like to choose a palette or theme each year and treat my wrapped presents as another piece of my holiday décor! Try mixing and matching prints with solids, or traditional papers with other pretty "non-holiday" selections you've found throughout the year. Call-out those extra special gifts by adding coordinating embellishments like ribbon or twine, greenery sprigs, mini pine cones, or bells. Personalize gifts with photos of cherished memories, make a "gift tower" with bundled presents for each recipient (sticking to just one style of paper per person). This is especially helpful for staying organized if you're in the middle of a frenzy with little ones!

Another pro tip I've learned over the years: Try to wrap as you buy leading up to the main event. Christmas Eve is somewhat less magical if you're up until 3 AM wrapping presents.

Day 9: The Holiday Table

If you're hosting a holiday meal, here are some simple things to keep in mind when creating a rich tablescape. Sticking to a limited, complementary palette can help you easily transition from one holiday to the next. The warm rusts and coppers in these metallic chargers and leather napkin rings worked perfectly for Thanksgiving alongside rustic leaves and yellow-green pears. For Christmas, I swapped in some pine springs with winter white and gold berries, plus some amber glass votives. A final change to a more neutral napkin, and that's all!

Keeping it simple can go such a long way during this hectic time of year. Layer your textiles, keep your sight lines open for conversation, and remember to save room for the food, which is the real star of the show.

Day 10: Making "Spirits" Bright

Over the last year or so, I basically stopped drinking alcohol — somewhat by accident! To explain, I wasn't necessarily trying to "cut back" in any way, but as a matter of circumstance (i.e.: A Global Pandemic) I wasn't spending time in bars or restaurants, or even socializing very much. Since I'm not really one for drinking at home (bartenders are just TOO talented to compete), I found that I just sort of...stopped.

Now that vaccines are a thing, and the world is opening back up more and more, I've managed to keep it up. I guess I'm treating it almost like an experiment just to see if I ever start to miss it? I definitely wanted to try and keep it going throughout the holidays (more cookies, please) which can be easier said than done!

If you're like me, and find yourself in need of a holiday mocktail for yourself, or just to have a solid option for any friends and family who don't partake, try this:

Sparkling Cran-Pineapple Punch

This delicious (and simple!) holiday punch can be mixed as individual mocktails, or served batch style in a pretty punch bowl. To prepare, combine equal parts:

• cranberry juice

• pineapple juice

• lemon-lime soda

Serve punch in a rocks glass with a lime sugar rim. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig.

Day 11: Being with the Ones You Love

Getting to spend quality time with friends and family is one of the things I love most about the holidays. Whether it's people I get see all the time, or those who I only see once in awhile, it's something I have definitely gained an even greater appreciation for over the last year or so.

I know this isn't necessarily the case for everyone. Whether your "family" is made up of blood relatives, chosen family, friends, a partner, pets, or even your growing plant collection, each circumstance is unique and valid! I hope you find joy this season in the company of those you love — whatever that means for you.

Day 12: Take Time for Self-Care

While the holidays can be joyous and exciting at their best, they can also be incredibly exhausting and at times, rather stressful. This is the season of giving, but in order to give to others, we should try to master the art of giving to ourselves as well.

So whether that means a cozy night in with a favorite bottle of wine and chocolates, a little present for yourself under the tree, or even just taking a mid-afternoon nap on a weekday, try and carve out some time just for YOU amidst the hustle and bustle!

Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear what you’d include in your “12 Days of Design” list. Drop us a line below, and have an amazing holiday season!

Following a complete overhaul of the Studio 1049 website earlier in the year, we made a commitment to carve out some time to bring you new, high-quality blog posts each month. This was our way of not only saying “Thanks for following along!” to each one of you, but a fun and challenging way to put some of our most important values into practice — sharing knowledge, and being client focused.

Although we’ve still got a few new things up our sleeve to wrap things up for the year, we first wanted to take a moment to share a “best of the blog” year-in-review. To make the cut, the following six posts were either “fan favorites” that generated the most blog traffic over the last twelve months, OR were simply ones that we really enjoyed writing for you.

So whether you’re brand new here (Welcome!) — or even if you missed a few of these gems because LIFE (we totally get it, and no hard feelings) — this is an absolutely fantastic time time to arrive! Let’s take a little stroll down memory lane, shall we?

1. Spend vs. Save: Part One

In a world where “good, better, best” pricing exists for everything from cars to cookies, it can be a real challenge to feel like you’re getting a good value for any purchase you make. We might know that much about cars (and maybe a little too much about cookies), BUT we can certainly weigh-in on ways to make your décor dollars stretch! The first in a two-part series.

2. How to Mix Prints + Patterns Like the Pros

We meet individuals on a regular basis who are totally intimidated to try something new in their home — colors and patterns in particular. From our perspective, your home is safe space where you should feel free to play! But as designers, I think we take for granted that you need to learn the rules before you can break them. The intent of this post was to help demystify some of those rules in order to help people feel more comfortable experimenting and remove some of that analysis paralysis. Since color trends see to come and go with each new season, we thought tackling the subject by focusing on patterns would have a little more longevity.

3. What’s in the Bag?

We never expected this simple “just for fun” post that took a peek at the contents of Bethany’s different bags to be so popular! If you’re at all curious about what tools of the trade an interior designer carries on any given day (or which snacks and lip balm they prefer), look no further.

4. Kitchen Planning 101: How to Get Started With Your Renovation

In some ways, 2021 felt like the “year of kitchens” for us! Working alongside multiple clients to plan their dream kitchens, we found ourselves answering the same questions again and again. This prompted us to write this introductory post (along with Part Two of our “Spend vs. Save” series) for anyone considering a major kitchen rehab and wondering where to begin.

5. 10 Boutique Hotels for Your Travel Bucket List

Last summer found us freshly vaccinated and feeling the urge to travel again — hence this fun listicle capturing some of the most “Instagrammable” hotel destinations around the world.

6. Our Favorite Kids’ Room Design Trends

We had the pleasure and privilege of working on a few different nurseries this year and realized how much we enjoy dreaming up kid spaces. While there’s a unique lightheartedness and special creative freedom you can employ, there’s definitely an art to incorporating the “just right” amount of whimsy without going too far with a theme or skewing too juvenile. This post captures some of the best design trends we’ve seen that help walk that line.

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We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our posts this year as much as we’ve enjoyed writing them! This list is just a small sampling of the design goodness we delivered this year, so be sure to take a spin on our main blog page and see what else you might have missed — you never know how you might be inspired, or what new tip you might learn!

Thanks for tuning in, and keep your eyes out for even more from us in the New Year.

We’re not slowing down, and we need your help! What new topics would you like to see us cover on the Studio 1049 blog in the future? Let us know in the comments below.

If you ask us, there’s no better gift than seeing the look on someone’s face when they open the beautifully wrapped box you just handed them. And we’re talking good ol’ fashioned, face-to-face joy! No offense to Zoom — but that’s simply not the kind of gift-giving moment Buddy the Elf would want for any of us.

With the possibility of a holiday season that feels much more “normal” than last year’s, we wanted to help set you up for success with our shortlist of favorite local shopping destinations where you can find the perfect present for just about everyone on your list.

Many of these businesses offer gift wrapping and online ordering as well, so even if you’re not in the ‘Burgh to #ShopLocal this year, you can still score something special to help you make merry wherever you may be.

Let’s dive in!

Gifts for Her

Whether she’s a lover of home décor, a fashionista, a bookworm, or even a witch-in-training, these amazing local shops will have something unique for all of the ladies in your life.

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Gifts for Him

Even though he’d probably be totally fine with it, you know you can do much better than beef jerky, his go-to brand of bourbon, or an Amazon gift card. Here’s where to start your search.

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For the Kids

Last but not least, we can’t forget the little ones! The holiday magic that lives inside children is truly infectious, isn’t it? These picks can help you deliver a little bit of that magic to them.

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We hope this year’s Gift Guide has given you some ideas to help make your busy holiday season a little less chaotic. As you make your lists (and check them twice), remember to include something special for yourself, too. You deserve it!

The Studio 1049 team wishes you a safe and happy holiday season — may your days be merry, and bright!

Designing a nursery is always such a special honor. It’s hard to think of a space that’s more important than where a brand new tiny human gets to know their family and starts discovering their world.

For many expecting families today, the biological sex of their child is often a total surprise right until the moment they arrive. As a result of this trend, we are often presented with a design brief asking us to pull together a more gender-neutral space that would work well for any new bundle of joy.

One particular client went that exact route with their first child’s nursery, which was a more contemporary palette of mostly black, white and beige. But in planning for the arrival of their second child, they decided to explore a more traditional approach for what a baby boy or baby girl nursery might be.

We presented our client with two different design concepts.

Option One: Pretty in Pink

In the “girl” nursery, we went with a serene yet sophisticated palette of subdued pinks, corals, and peaches, accented with olive greens and warm grays. The room’s simple square geometry is dressed up with the addition of painted wainscot paneling, and a feature wall with delicate floral wallpaper.

From the sherpa glider and ottoman, to the shagreen crib, luxurious textures help the space feel polished. Warm wood tones and burnished brass detailing on the drapery hardware, mirror, and flower-inspired light fixture mix whimsy with style. Though delicate and pretty, this is a space that could grow along with the child for many years before feeling too juvenile.

Option Two: Primary Perfection

In the “boy” nursery, we’ve taken a classic primary palette of red, yellow, and blue, and made it feel fresh for 2021. A Pendleton wool throw, windowpane plaid wallpaper, and fun artwork add a retro nod to the space, while the navy furniture, bold colorblocked window treatments, and bucle glider set are all on-trend for today.

Taking a page from the plan in the first space, we wanted the boy’s concept to be a room that would feel kid-friendly and simultaneously sophisticated enough to grow alongside the child. We’ve kept the same layout, opting to leave the center of the room wide open for playtime, anchoring the space with a durable area rug.

Now we just sit tight and wait to see which of these two amazing spaces will be “delivered” for our client later on!

Looking for even more “pint-sized” design goodness? Don’t miss: Our Favorite Kids’ Room Design Trends for tips on creating a fun and authentic space that grows along with them!

With the busy holiday entertaining season right around the corner, we thought we’d take the opportunity to write about a topic that comes up often with our clients: The best way to create a “mix-and-match” look with dining room furniture.

For the last several years, the rising trend in dining room furniture has been to ditch matching sets in favor of a more curated or eclectic approach where the “set” is built by assembling a number of different, but coordinating table and chair options. The key word here is coordinating — the pieces should all work well together in form and function without being a perfectly matched set.

Since many old-school matching dining room sets are still (inexplicably) for sale today in spite of this trend, many people are hesitant to make the leap into a mix-and-match approach. They prefer to go with what they know by choosing a complete set right off of the showroom floor, or from a furniture brand’s website. We can’t fault this simple, foolproof approach, but who wants to play it safe?!

With this post, we’re hoping to take some of the guesswork out of coordinating your new dining set so you can achieve a more polished and interesting look in your home. The good news is that the same design principles can be applied whether you’re tackling a formal dining room or a more casual eat-in space, so no matter your scenario there should be some useful tidbits for you today!

Gather ‘Round the Table

To build your ideal mix-and-match set, you should start with the most important piece of furniture in the room — the dining table. It can be a little tricky to find the perfect piece for your space and needs, but here are some helpful considerations to help narrow your search:

1. Size
   How many people does the table need to accommodate? Do you have a small or large family? How big is the room? Typically, you should try to allow for approximately 24” of space for each person seated at the table. Is this going to be an everyday space, or used only occasionally for entertaining or special meals?

2. Shape
   Consider your room’s shape and think about what table shape will work best. Round tables are great for small, intimate spaces. Rectangular tables are more traditional and typically seat the most people. Oval tables are a bit more elegant, while square can be more casual. Be sure to measure the space, and maybe even use painter’s tape to mock up how the table will feel in your room.

3. Style + Material
   Think about the décor styles that are already present throughout the room and the rest of your home. Are there many different woods, metals, or other materials nearby that you’ll want to coordinate with? How durable or easy to clean should the table be?

4. Versatility
   The way families gather and eat has evolved, and as a result dining tables have become more multipurpose spaces. Especially in today’s age of working from home, and remote learning, your new dining table might have to stand up to more than just meals.

Another thing to think about is how long you plan to keep this new table. If you are someone who likes to switch up your chairs, area rug, paint or wallpaper, window treatments, art, lighting, etc. more frequently, invest in a simple, quality table that can evolve alongside the other elements in the room over the years.

Pull Up a Chair

Once you settle on the perfect dining table, you can start to wrap your head around which dining chairs you’d like to use to complete your new set. When taking the mix-and-match approach, you have a few different avenues to explore…

You can go for something that’s a little more simple, keeping all of the dining chairs the same like this:

You can add a touch of flair by using matching side chairs, but then adding coordinating head chairs that are a more dynamic or substantial:

Or you can take a super bold and eclectic approach where no two chairs around your table are exactly the same:

To help avoid a chaotic or haphazard look (particularly with the last technique) try to include some unifying elements across your chair selections that helps to tie them all together. This could be color family, style, back height, wood or metal finish, upholstered or not, arm and leg profiles, etc.

And as a general rule of thumb, the more intricate or “busy” your chair selections are, the simpler your table style and finish should be. You want everything in your new set to work in harmony visually, not be competing with each other for attention.

Put the Pieces Together

While achieving the mix-and-match look you desire can seem daunting simply because there are so many options for tables and chairs, there are some simple tips and tricks that can help you find success. If you’ve read our recent posts, particularly How to Blend Different Décor Styles and The “Do’s and Don'ts” of Coordinating Light Fixtures, you’ll notice some similarity between the design principles we mentioned then and now.

Here’s what you should keep in mind as you build your dining room set:

Play with Contrast

Whether between the table and chairs, the different styles of chairs, or both, there should be contrast between the pieces to help you avoid that outdated “package deal” look with your dining furniture. Things like color, material, texture, and décor style are a great way to play with contrast.

Try something like dark chairs with a lighter table, or metal side chairs with upholstered or leather head chairs. Your selections don’t necessarily have to be super bold or elaborate — going a more subtle route is fine! As long as there’s clear and deliberate contrast between your pieces, you’re well on your way to achieving a fantastic mix-and-match look.

Limit Your Selections

If you’re more of a novice when it comes to mixing styles, don’t overwhelm your space with too many competing choices. Limiting your selections to just a few different colors, finishes, materials, or styles will help your mix-and-match dining furniture choices feel intentional.

An important thing to keep in mind is that this limited “palette” of design elements should expand beyond your table and chair selections into everything else that is happening in the room. For example, if you’ve chosen a traditional style for the rest of your dining room, you will have a greater challenge trying to make a super contemporary table, or rustic chairs work in the space. Aiming for no more than two or three overarching gestures in the space can help you pull off the mix-and-match look more easily.

Find a Connecting Thread

One way you can get away with more “risky” or design-forward choices when it comes to your dining furniture is to search for elements that connect your selections to other items in the space. For example, you could coordinate chair fabric to a paint color or piece of art in the room. You could also play with scale by using a similar pattern or motif on your window treatments or area rug and your head chairs. If you’re going with metal side chairs, try to coordinate the finish with the light fixtures in the room. By making these subtle connections between the different details in your room, you’ll achieve a much more curated, high-design look!

Pay Attention to Comfort + Function

While it can be fun mixing and matching all of the different styles, it’s important not to forget about comfort and function when it comes to dining furniture selections.

• Benches can be eye-catching, but from a practicality standpoint may be difficult to navigate for individuals with mobility challenges. You’ll also want to avoid anything backless.

• If you have small children, upholstered pieces should be easy care performance fabrics, or in darker colors and patterns which hide spills and stains more easily.

• Heavy chairs can be difficult to pull in and out from the table — and particularly “leggy” chairs can get snagged on certain types of area rugs.

• While seat height is fairly standard across most chairs and benches, make sure any selections you make with arms can easily clear your table top. Pay attention to how your chair bases come into contact with the table’s legs as well.

• You’ll also want to make sure there’s enough difference between the height of the chair back and the height of your table, otherwise you’ll lose the chairs visually when they’re pushed in.

A Few Winning Combinations

To wrap this post up, we thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite dining furniture combinations to get you feeling inspired to build your own unique set!

Available at Crate & Barrel here and here.

Available at Arhaus here, here and here.

Available at West Elm here and here.

Available at CB2 here and here.

Available at Article here and here.

Available at Ballard here and here.

Considering a dining room refresh for the upcoming holidays? A Focused Room Design Guide from Studio 1049 can show you what you could achieve with limited time or budget!

Remember Mary Poppins and her magic bag? I sometimes feel like her American cousin.

Running around each day between client meetings, site visits, sourcing trips, vendor appointments, installations, and who knows what else (whew)! Only instead of a lamp and a full-length mirror — though not all that far off for some projects — I’m reaching for my trusty tools of the trade, PLUS some go-to essentials that keep me running like a well-oiled interior design machine.

Want to know which tools and supplies it takes for me to get the job done right? It varies slightly depending on what I’ve got scheduled, but here’s a quick sneak peek at what might be inside my bag(s) on any given day:

What’s in the Bag: Client Meetings + Site Visits

• Face mask
  A more recent, but necessary addition.

• Tape measure
  Perhaps the most important tool a designer can carry.

• Laser distance measurer
  For measuring those gorgeous high ceilings, or especially hard-to-reach distances.

• Notebook with grid paper + pens/pencils

  During Design Orientations, I use these to quickly map out each space and capture its dimensions. Also great for capturing meeting notes and client feedback.

• iPad for taking photos + quick sketching/planning apps

  Sometimes you just gotta sketch it to show what you mean! Design on the fly isn’t my favorite way to work, but it does help keep things moving along at times.

• Paint fan deck
  We all know it’s crucial to see those colors IN the space, with the exact lighting!

• Fabric and or wallcovering memo
  See above.

• Wood, tile, + metal samples if needed
  See above x2. These items can often be heavy to tote around, so I save these for the end of the day if possible!

• Painter’s tape

  When creating a punch list for my tradespeople, I like to use this to call out areas that need some attention. Can’t miss that blue! Also helpful to mock up furniture layout or fixture placement.

• Business cards
  You never know who you might cross paths with.

What’s in the Bag: Installation Days

• Box cutter
  When scissors won’t cut it (see what I did there?).

• Scissors
  I’m not going to make the same joke twice in a row, don’t worry.

• Cleaning products
  Nothing can ruin a reveal like a smudgy mirror, picture frame, etc.

• Felt furniture/floor protectors
  This is why we CAN have nice things! Also makes fine-tuning heavy furniture placement a whole lot easier.

• Paint + stain touch-up kits
  An absolute must for custom kitchen cabinets and other millwork.

• Portable steamer
  Essential for achieving that “photo-ready” look.

• Various tools (drill, hammer, level, pliers, nails, anchors + screws)

• Painter's tape
  See a trend? Super helpful for hanging art and mirrors.

• Shoe covers
  Much safer than going barefoot, and won’t ruin that nice new rug!

What’s in the Bag: Everyday Essentials

• Lip balm

  I talk a lot throughout the day, and this just keeps my lips feeling refreshed.

• Snacks

  Energy bars or fresh fruit if I’m feeling like an adult. Applesauce pouch if not.

• Gum or mints

  Did I mention I do a lot of talking throughout the day? First impressions matter!

• Cell phone charger

  My battery takes a beating between browsing vendor sites, looking up product specs, phone calls with contractors, Google maps, and posting to IG (when I remember).

• Water bottle

  So important to stay hydrated!

• Sunglasses

  Equal parts fashion and function.

• Hand sanitizer

  I didn’t always carry this on me until Covid, and now it’s become more of a habit.

• Earbuds

  Mostly for when I need to take an important call in a loud environment (job site). But also in case I want to squeeze in some tunes or a podcast while I’m waiting for something/someone.

• Watch

  Don’t want to keep my clients waiting!

Well, that’s pretty much the laundry list.

Organization is obviously key when juggling so many different items throughout the week. Admittedly, my shoulders are sometimes sore after a long day, but I wouldn’t trade this crazy/busy/fun life for anything!

What are the “Tools of the Trade" you always carry throughout your week?
Leave a comment below and let us know!

As an interior designer and an unabashed homebody, there’s something oddly satisfying about this time of year. We care less about chasing endless sunny days and gradually make our retreat back to the great INdoors — my happy place.

It’s truly a sacred and beautiful thing.

Coincidentally, fall is also the perfect time to give your home décor a seasonal refresh! Just like making quarterly updates to your wardrobe, as temperatures start to drop you’ll want to swap out those easy breezy summer pieces for a dose of warmth, texture, and deep, rich color for your home.

To help you lean into the cozy, we’ve assembled our list of must-have décor for fall — so go grab yourself a PSL and settle in (but make it quick, before we run out of daylight)!

1. Autumn Candles

2. Throw Pillows

3. Amber Glass

4. Dessert Stands

5. Table Runners

6. Dinnerware

7. Throw Blankets

8. Dried Fall Foliage

9. Floor Baskets

10. Coffee Table + Mantel Décor

We hope this post has you reaching for your chunky sweaters and boots, and feeling excited about the approaching fall season!

For even more ideas on sprucing up your space, check out our Beginner’s Guide to Home Décor + Accessories.

Yes, I know that lighting is the magical ingredient that can truly send a design into the “over-the-top gorgeous” realm! I’ve even discussed its importance in kitchens, and have covered which rooms you should invest in statement fixtures for, and where you can save on lighting. There’s no denying lighting is a linchpin for creating a beautiful, functional space.

However... 

Finding the perfect lighting for a space can often feel like finding a needle in a haystack. There are endless options, which any designer will tell you is equal parts blessing and curse. Lighting can also be incredibly pricey at times, which feels kind of unfair! Something that you literally need to include in a room for functionality (and to comply with safety codes in commercial spaces) shouldn’t eat up so much of a project’s budget, right? Alas, this is the reality we all share.  

Ok, I feel much better now with that off of my chest. Thank you. ❤ 

To help make your experience with choosing lighting somewhat less painful, I’m going to give you some simple tips today for coordinating fixtures in your home. I can’t do anything about the overwhelming selection, or those often alarming price tags, but hopefully this post will give you some armor as you head into battle! Godspeed.

The “Do’s”

Do consider what’s happening in adjacent spaces.

Because of the popularity of open concept architecture, a mistake we often see is too little attention being paid to what’s happening from one room to the next. At most, lighting is a great way to create a larger gesture that unifies different design elements in adjacent rooms. At the very least, it’s important to make sure what’s happening in one room doesn’t clash or create visual confusion with what’s happening next door.

If you have an open-concept space to contend with, take note of how sightlines overlap within your ceilings. Even if they’re not right next to each other, if existing (or planned) fixtures have visible proximity to each other, make sure there’s a unifying element that links the two different styles. You’ll also want to pay attention to the color temperature in the bulbs you select between multiple fixtures so there is harmony between the spaces. We’ve included more information on mixing fixtures in the “Don’ts” section below!

Do layer your lighting based on need and function.

Most rooms should include three types of lighting — ambient, task, and accent lighting — with varying amounts of each type based on the room and the conditions or amount of natural light. The lighting types should be “layered” to ensure that there’s adequate lighting in the space for its intended use. For example, a kitchen would require more task lighting than a bedroom or living room. A room with ample natural lighting would require less ambient light. You will also need to make special considerations for lighting that can be used outdoors, or in damp and wet spaces. 

Another consideration for layering lighting is incorporating the flexibility to control the amount of light throughout different times of the day, or in different circumstances. When planning your lighting, think about which fixtures would be benefitted by using dimmer switches, or even timers. 

Do create a focal point.

If you opt to make a big statement with a special light fixture, make sure there is some sort of hierarchy that is established with your other selections. The goal here is to avoid too much competition for attention between your fixtures. Sticking to one main focal point will not only help your room’s lighting design make sense visually, but can help check a few other boxes such as keeping your budget in check, and balancing the amount of light in the space. For example, if a room includes two large chandeliers but no other accent or task lighting, you may find it difficult to light the space appropriately across different scenarios

The “Don'ts”

Don’t be afraid to mix it up! 

If you play it safe and only go with fixtures that are from the same family/collection, then you are missing a huge design opportunity that gives your space a more professional and polished look. However, there’s an art to blending styles (which we covered more in-depth in our most recent post). You don’t want to end up with a chaotic collection of fixtures that distracts from the beauty in the rest of the room!

Since there are so many different things to consider with lighting — from materials and finishes, to styles, fixture types (pendant, flush-mount, chandelier, sconce), and even the purpose of the light (accenting art, or task lighting)  — try not to mix more than two or three elements in one space. Also, be sure to have some unifying factor that ties everything together. That could be something like fixture style (art deco or mid-mod) or material (bronze and gold).   

Don’t choose a fixture based only on looks or price.

The main purpose of lighting is to light the space. A fixture can be beautiful and definitely be a design tool to make a statement, but this shouldn’t become a decision where function takes a back seat to form. A fixture that is beautiful, but throws too little light into your space is not only useless, but ultimately a waste of money. Speaking of money, don’t just go for the cheapest fixtures you can find online. I’ve found that lighting is definitely a “you get what you pay for” situation. The cheaper the light, the lower the quality, which means it will either fail before too long, be difficult to assemble/install, be poorly made, be inefficient with energy use, or all of the above.

Don’t go with something too far outside of your comfort zone. 

While you shouldn’t be afraid to try something new, I’d urge you to go just outside of your comfort zone versus down the block and around the corner from it. Lighting can be a significant investment and has the power to tie a room together in a beautiful way, or stick out like a sore thumb. Since it is often difficult or expensive to replace, this isn’t a decision to be hastily made. And if you feel like being a little riskier with your choices, save it for smaller sconces and accent pieces (table and floor lamps) instead of large pieces like chandeliers. 

We hope these tips have “shed some light” on coordinating the fixtures in your home! Just have fun with it, and don't worry too much about making a mistake — nothing is permanent, after all. Be sure to pay attention to return policies and restocking feels before making any major investments, and you’ll be good to go!

Need help making more sense of this? There’s light at the end of the tunnel!

Custom Interior Design packages from Studio 1049 are a great solution for those problem areas in your home that might need just a little professional attention.

But what if we’re looking to achieve something a bit more intentionally mixed? Maybe you’re moving in with a partner and hoping to reconcile your different styles? Perhaps you have a few family heirlooms that you’d like to feature, but they don’t quite make sense alongside your more contemporary pieces?

While there is a ton of value in education, experience, and experimentation, so much of the success behind a well-designed space falls on instinct. If you are lucky enough to possess a keen eye for detail, and have what others would describe as “good taste,” then you’re probably already merging different styles of décor without even thinking too much about it!

But for those individuals who feel somewhat aesthetically inept, curating an artfully blended space can be super intimidating. Since the spectrum falls anywhere from incorporating a single outlying piece of furniture to creating a lush Maximalist feast for the eyes, how do you even begin? Don’t get stuck in the trap of thinking everything has to match.

We’ve mentioned before that we don’t really subscribe to hard and fast “rules” when it comes to interior design, but there are a few guidelines you can keep in mind to help you avoid costly mistakes and find visual harmony when mixing different styles of décor. Let’s dive in!

Connect the Dots

One key to achieving success when blending styles of décor is to identify the similar characteristics or elements that you like from seemingly different genres and look for opportunities to connect the dots in ways that bring the styles together.

Here’s a few examples to get the wheels turning!

How about eclectic pieces with a ton of personality that tell a story and have a touch of opulence? Try blending boho and glam décor together.

If you like stripped-down pieces that show their working mechanisms, blend mid-century with industrial décor.

Do you prefer clean and simple silhouettes and a “no fuss” minimalist sensibility? A fusion of straight-lined modern pieces with more curvilinear contemporary pieces would probably speak to you.

You may love pieces with lots of texture that incorporate natural materials like wood and stone. These are defining characteristics in both rustic and coastal design meaning these two styles are perfectly suited for a mashup.

A safe way to experiment is to stick to following the “60/30/10 Rule” for design. We mentioned this ratio before when we talked about mixing prints and patterns, and the same principles can easily be applied to merging design styles. Limit your space to three styles max, with 60% of the room made up of items from the dominant décor style (think anchor pieces like a sofa and chairs), while 30% is a secondary style (tables, art) and just 10% is reserved for an accent style (lighting, other accessories).

Choose a Focal Point

Set the tone in your space by first placing a large focal point. This typically is a piece of furniture, like a sectional, but can also be something like a statement light fixture, a great piece of art, an oversized exotic plant, or some other unique family heirloom. Leading with this focal point allows you to establish the “60%” dominant style in the space. Once you have that out of the way you can decide what other complimentary pieces and styles to include.

This approach is especially helpful when you’re trying to incorporate something special that otherwise seems like it doesn’t fit in. Instead of trying to hide it, turn it into a conversion piece. By deliberately making the unusual piece the featured element, it eliminates the likelihood of your other pieces feeling at odds.

Look for Unifying Elements

To keep rooms with blended décor styles from feeling too chaotic or unbalanced, make sure that there’s one (or more) unifying element that helps tie everything together, such as:

• A unified color palette of just a few complementary hues. This applies to your upholstered pieces, as well as window and wall coverings. 

• Repetition of noticeable patterns like stripes or plaids throughout the space. This is a great opportunity to have fun incorporating different scales. 

• Similar profiles and proportions with larger furniture pieces, meaning a sofa and chairs that are roughly the same size and scale, or tables that are similar heights.

• Complementary tones in your hard surfaces (woods, stones, metals). 

• A “buddy” that is a similar color, shape, scale, or texture for smaller furniture, art, and accessories. Don’t worry so much about matching items! 

Let Your Layers Breathe

Another common trap people fall into when blending styles of décor is attempting to include too many “character” pieces, or themed items. While you should try to layer in textures, colors, and styles throughout, there needs to be some opportunity for the eye to rest. This can most easily be achieved by using a neutral color as your base on your flooring or wall color. This allows your featured colors or patterns to really shine!

Another way to let your main focal point, and other more interesting pieces take center stage is to incorporate some stock pieces with a little less flair. While it’s a nice thought, don’t feel obligated to make every single piece in the room something unique, vintage, or one-of-a-kind! By adding in a few more simple furnishings from well-known retailers (go for solid colors and plain silhouettes), there’s less competition for the showstoppers.

Think of them the same way as you would the basic staples in your wardrobe. You need these everyday workhorses in the mix to keep your space functioning and liveable!

Interested in blending a few of your favorite interior design styles in your space, but need just a little more guidance to get started?

Custom Interior Design packages from Studio 1049 are perfect for the savvy DIY-er who’s interested in exploring new paint schemes, room configurations, or updating their furnishings and décor!

Whether our design brief requires a serene setting for a brand new bundle, or an energetic hangout for a burgeoning “big kid,” creating a child’s bedroom is always such a privilege and a joy. Can you think of a more important assignment for an interior designer?

To be honest, finding the just-right balance of whimsy, style, and function is no easy feat. The challenge is to design a comfortable yet stimulating environment that feels “true to them,” while also providing a safe space where they can start to figure out who they are going to be in this world. Oh, and major bonus points if the outcome seamlessly blends with the rest of the home!

While your instincts might tell you to totally throw out the design rule book (If not here, then where?) — we’ve assembled some of our favorite kids’ room design trends that show how simply bending the rules can have a big impact on these little ones’ spaces.

A Neutral Base Accented with Pattern + Color

As tempting as it may be to paint the entire room hot pink or commission a jungle mural, the reality is that children’s interests and hobbies change as often as the seasons. To avoid the hassle and expense of frequent updates as they move on from one favorite to the next, don’t rely too heavily on a specific theme or trend.

With a flexible neutral foundation for your staples like furniture, flooring, etc., today’s unicorns can easily transform into tomorrow’s dinosaurs without breaking the bank. Lean on the easy-to-change elements like bedding, art, décor, even peel and stick wallpaper to help the room grow along with them for years to come.

Texture and pattern coupled with tons of natural light add interest to this contemporary black and white scheme.

A minimalist graphic theme in a neutral palette makes it easy to introduce new colors or patterns.

Teal and orange accents pop against a backdrop of neutral grays, beiges, and natural wood.

This wallpaper shows how a bold pattern can still be applied in a neutral way.

Here’s a great example of using a colorful theme in a way that can easily be updated as the child’s interests evolve.

Simple updates to bedding, art, accessories, and the light fixture could totally transform this neutral bedroom.

The “Just-Right” Mix of Function with Form

Even in the most utilitarian, minimalist households, kids tend to accumulate lots of stuff! What starts out as diapers and onesies quickly evolves into toys, books, art supplies, school gear, and countless other childhood treasures. If the design is thoughtful and creative, kids’ rooms can perfectly walk the line between function and form without sacrificing style.

Storage is key, so explore solutions that maximize space without dominating the room or making it feel cluttered. Transitional furniture can also be a great thing to consider — and this spans beyond a crib that converts into a bed! For example, a quality dresser can double as a changing table for the first few years.

A single wall houses twin desk spaces flanking a pair of cozy bunked bed nooks (with a trundle) leaving plenty of open floor space.

A ceiling-height wall shelving system provides ample storage while creating a bold focal point in the room.

A custom furniture piece combines space for sleeping, homework/activities, and storage in this simple and sweet bedroom.

This play table doubles as additional functional storage.

A six-drawer dresser that will last for several years doubles as a changing table in this nursery.

Utilizing a lofted bed is a great way to reclaim some of the room’s footprint for other activities or additional storage.

Multi-Purpose Spaces for the Win

Since keeping a kid's attention focused for more than a few minutes is nothing short of a miracle, a space with many uses and defined activity zones is the perfect way to keep them happy and entertained.

From indoor climbing walls, to private reading nooks, to a mini stage, the options are as endless as your child’s hobbies! Just be sure not to do anything too permanent or complex that you’ll be stuck with replacing further down the road.

This vaulted ceiling creates a cozy private space, as well as the perfect opportunity for a swinging reading chair!

These stacked bunks provide separate sleeping and hangout spaces and accommodate multiple children. Perfect for sleepovers!

Multiple defined zones for relaxing, reading, art, music and play make up this child’s bedroom.

Too rainy to play outside? An indoor climbing wall is a unique way to keep active kids busy!

Piano practice is more fun on a cobalt blue piano — and less noisy when that piano is tucked away in their room!

If your child has a flair for the dramatic, consider adding a “stage” with a platformed window seat for reading their favorite plays.

Make it Youthful, But Not Juvenile

The key to designing a child’s room that’s a bit more evergreen is to find pieces that have a youthful flair without coming across as too juvenile. Fun colors and playful patterns can be still done with style when used alongside more sophisticated finishes like leather, metal, stone, and wood.

This is especially true for anchor furniture pieces or any large design gestures in the room such as window treatments and wallcoverings. To achieve a space that an older child or teen would still feel at home in, skip anything cartoonish or heavily themed. Instead, look for inspiration in things from nature which can be appreciated at any age.

These modern, sculptural pieces are youthful, eye-catching, and timeless.

With tons of color and texture, this stylish space could be anything from a young child’s room to a college dorm.

This chic loft-style room easily transitions from young child to young adult.

Rainbow colors are fun for any age, but the use of bold geometric shapes here gives them a slightly more mature vibe.

This backdrop for this child’s room is a clean, minimalist white scheme, allowing the room’s fantastic architectural details to shine through.

With the use of trendy color-blocking in varying hues, this pink themed room is far from babyish.

While creating the perfect space to meet your child and family’s needs can be a little daunting, it’s also a whole lot of fun! We hope this post has reached your inner child’s imagination and has you feeling inspired to get creative and think outside of the (toy)box.

Are you expecting your first baby, or hoping to revamp your growing child’s space to function a little bit better? Studio 1049 can help!

Schedule a Discovery Call with our team to learn about our Interior Design solutions.