Making an Entrance !

May 16, 2018 Andrea Freeman

Do you ever feel that something is missing from your home's entry ? Maybe it's hard to see the front door ? or your entry way is just plain lacking style ? .... here are some tips to help your home - Make an entrance !!

# 1 Make the most of your front door - Your front door is one of the first impressions guests have of your home and sets the stage for what they may see next. Make sure your front door is visible - add additional lighting on the sides of the door and above to give a full view at night. Add color to your door to make it stand out - That being said you can take the color more subtle or highly saturated - its up to you but a good rule of thumb is to make sure it fits into the color palette of your home. And last but not least - add details ! In the above picture you see two large planters that compliment the style of the home and add symmetry to the door.

#2 Think about the interior door - Painting the backside of your front door in a pop of color to compliment the entry way is an unexpected way to add style! The above picture shows just how much impact this can give to your entry way - Bonus - tying the color into an area rug really makes this work !

# 3 Adding Texture - In an entry way texture can be introduced in many ways - above the textured grass wallpaper sets the mood for this home. You can also add texture with woven baskets - high pile area rugs and much more. Texture is a great way to make introduction to your home - especially for those who prefer a more monochromatic palette.

# 4 Let there be light - Don’t skimp on your foyer lighting. Select a fixture that makes a statement and defines the area, as does this handsome lantern.

In closing , your entryway is the first introduction your guest have to your beautiful home ! Why not make the most of it ? Design Your Life!

Source: MakinganEntrance

4 Steps to Picking the Best Sofa →

April 19, 2018 Andrea Freeman

The challenge of choosing a sofa of good quality and style can be overwhelming ... but it doesn't have to be if you follow these simple steps......

1.) Check the Framing - A good frame is the key to a long lasting sofa. Look for frames made of kiln-dried hardwood ( oak , ash and beech are good examples) Avoid frames made of particleboard , plastic or metal as these can warp and crack. Soft woods , such as pine are typically low cost but may warp in as little as five years.

Tip - To test frame strength , lift one corner or leg of the sofa off the floor. By the time you have raised the sofa 6 inches , the other leg should have risen as well - If it is still touching the floor - the frame has too much give and is weak

Sofa Construction - Photo courtesy of Pinterest

2.) Ask About the Joints - A sofa frame with joints connected by any of the following means it is solidly constructed : wooden dowels , double wooden dowels , wooden corner blocks ( corner blocks glued and screwed) metal screws and brackets. Nails or staples might be used for reinforcing the frame - but never purchase a sofa that is soley held together by staples , nails or glue. Make sure to get written manufacturer information on frame joinery.

3.) Test out the Springs - Most sofas on the market are featuring sinuous springs ( also called S-springs or serpentine springs) These springs are units of snaking wire and are nicely supportive depending on the gauge of metal used. If choosing an s-spring sofa make sure to ask about the metal as well as the back springs ( to cut costs , some manufacturers list a sofa as a sinuous spring but the back might still be webbed with mesh - which willnot be as supportive as a spring system) High end sofas often come with an "eight way hand tied spring" system. The main advantage to this system is that the springs are manufactured like a small mattress underneath and give even distribution for weight. The best way to find what is right for you is to make sure to feel the springs through the upholstery - they should be close together and offer support. Sofas without springs - just webbing or mesh will breakdown quickly and are to be avoided.

Tip - Sit down on a corner or edge of the sofa you are considering - If you hear squeaks and creaks this suggests that the springs are not placed well and may be hitting the frame

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

4.) Feel the Fillings - Sofa cushions can be made of many things and new innovations are popping up everyday but here are a few tried and true options.. When looking for a cushion filling make sure to ask what your options are ( many manufacturers offer a variety suited to different needs ) Standard cushions are often made with a combination of foam fill and Dacron wrapping and are a great durable option , If you like your seat cushion a bit firmer - you may want to consider an extra firm option - which is similar to a standard cushion just using a higher density foam ( make sure to ask a representative for an HD foam ) , Blend down adds a wrap of down ( usually encased to make sure feathers are not poking through the surface) around a foam cushion - and if you like a more springy or bouncy seat ask about trying a spring down cushion which will have springs encased int he foam surrounded by down . If at all possible do a seat test in a showroom to explore options , everyone sits differently and it is all about finding the right fit for you.

With these tips you will be able to pick the right sofa for your needs and that will stand the test of time.

Design Your Life !

A Beautiful Coastal Home in Dana Point

March 7, 2017 Andrea Freeman

We recently completed a gorgeous home at the exquisite Grand Monarch in Dana Point. We are so excited to share it with the world through this video ! Design Your Life!

What you Must Expect from your General Contractor

March 1, 2017 Kristi Smith

I see a lot of great articles online about what to expect from your contractor for your custom build or remodel project. They all mention some great information and remind you to be sure you look at permits, insurance, scope of work, timeline, etc… all very important items. However, the one thing I did not see mentioned is “please don’t sign anything unless there is a crystal clear budget and that you understand all of the verbiage”. We are not saying there might not be budget changes, additions or unforeseen construction issues to address during the process. On really large projects, a good contractor will often include a “contingency” budget line item as a set percentage of the contract to cover some of those hard to predict costs. But when you get started, it is so very important that the budget reflects all of the material & labor in the original scope of work by category or line item.

Of course, in my opinion, if you hire a good designer prior to the process getting underway you will get the best results. Often we can save you time and money, and you will be guided thru what can be a stressful process by a professional. It is our sincere goal to make sure your GC has a clear plan for what to build and this will typically help them to budget accurately from the start. However, some of our clients come to us after plans have been drawn by an architect and after they have hired a contractor with a general budget. And while it might be hard to believe, some clients even come to us after they are underway and having difficulties!

In this first case that we want to share, we have a lovely client that had such a vague contract from the GC for their fairly large “addition & remodel”. There was no clear cut line item by line item budget for the surfaces and finishes. The prices are all lumped together in each category, and there was no estimated square footage called out, even though they had final architectural plans in hand when they hired this GC. In your contract, there should be a detailed breakdown of the material price if you have already specified selections or had your designer do so, or a material “allowance” if you have not specified yet. Additionally, there should be very clear line items for labor in all categories as well. If there is a material allowance, it would be in your best interest to investigate if that allowance is “reasonable” for those type of items, or request more information from the GC, i.e…”what type of material would fit into that allowance”. For example, if you have custom wood floors on your Pinterest or Houzz, and they have included a budget for LVT or Laminate, you are not going to be happy with that change order. With this same thought in mind, ask the question if you don’t understand an abbreviation. On this same project, the General Contractor included “RTA Cabinets”, and the client had no idea what that meant or the limitations of “Ready to Assemble” Cabinets. This was not really the contractors fault, he assumed they understood what that meant and his goal was to give them a very reasonable budget to get them to hire him. It wasn’t until we started working with the client on the design details that we were able to understand that what they wanted for their new kitchen, was not going to be made with ready to assemble cabinets. Ultimately in this case, the client decided to spend the time & money for custom cabinets, and we know they will love them, but it was a stressful and costly process that could have been easily avoided.

We want to share a few of the most important interior items to clearly understand and expect in your budget, & while every project is unique, this list should be helpful:

Cabinets - (material & labor & hardware) will they be custom or “ready to assemble”, if you don’t understand the difference, ask your contractor or designer to explain this for you (see future blog!)

Counters - (material & labor) will these be “prefab” or custom – same note as above

Flooring - (material & labor)

Stone/Tile Work - (material & labor)

Paint - (material & labor)

Finish Trim - (doors/baseboards/casing/crown molding/wainscot – material & labor)

Hardware - (door hardware & labor)

Electrical – (parts & labor)

Plumbing – (parts & labor)

Fixtures – plumbing & lighting – often provided by the home owner or designer

Appliances – often provided by home owner or designer

Appliance Installation – most high-line, pro-style appliances require professional installation (this is very important!)

The real challenge in the case of the client we mentioned above, is that the client is now being given numerous, expensive change orders. Because so much of the budget was bundled together in the contract, it is very difficult to unwind parts of the contract. There are areas where they don’t mind spending some more money on items that are very important, make a dramatic design impact or function better for their family, and other areas where they would prefer to stay close to budget. Additionally, they have learned the hard way that the very affordable finishes budgeted by the GC did not align with their taste or quality expectations.

A good contractor won’t mind being asked for the budget to be broken down in detail. We have a few terrific GC’s that we work with on a regular basis and they do it that way every time. We weren’t there when the client hired this GC, and he is a nice guy (licensed & insured too), and the home owners are wonderful, smart people, and we will make sure the house turns our beautifully regardless, but they just didn’t know what they didn’t know. Now you know!

Design Your Life !

You Have Style and So Should Your Laundry Room!

February 6, 2017 Andrea Freeman

One of the most overlooked spaces in most homes is also one of the spaces we spend a good amount of time in. Like it or not .. it's your Laundry Room. Make fluffing and folding more fun with these helpful tips and tricks to decorate this often-neglected space.

#1 Add Wallpaper - Small spaces are where you will get more bang for your buck. Updating even just one wall in your laundry room will give you lots of style - And since most laundry rooms are fairly isolated it gives you a chance to really go bold !

#2 Have fun with flooring - As with the wallpaper - flooring can be bold in a small space. Laundry rooms are a great area for statement tile .

#3 The Devil is in the Details - Adding details in the laundry room can be easy and have a great impact. One way to do that is adding a great back splash ! With so many back splash options you can really personalize the look of your laundry room.

#4 Continue the look and feel of your home - If your home is open and contemporary - continue the look into your laundry room. Making it flow is as easy as looking to your own home for inspiration.

#5 Add color to your appliances - It seems these days we are seeing lots of color options when it comes to appliances - and this is good news for spicing up your laundry room - adding a color appliance can add a pop of color and is a great starting off point to pull the room together.

Happy Laundry Day ! Let us know how you plan to make your laundry room special.

Design Your Life!

credit : photos courtesy of Pinterest

Pantone's Color of the Year 2017 is Inspired ...by Nature.

January 17, 2017 Andrea Freeman

Every year (since 2000) Pantone choses a color that reflects the current cultural climate. Their choice of color historically influences trends in a ll facets of design - interior decor ,fashion and architecture.

The color of the year for 2017 is Greenery ( Specifically Pantone 15-0343) Greenery signifies beginnings : A fresh new year;healthier food resolutions;grass and the outdoors of spring and summer. But most prominently the yellow green hue comments on the concept of "environment"

"There's a growing desire to reconnect with nature , with what is real and find ways to disconnect from technology. We need a break, We need to stop and breathe. Greenery is about unity and community- connecting to oneself and others and a higher purpose,nature" said Laurie Pressman , vice president of Pantone Color Institute

Pantone calls Greenery " Nature's Neutral" and is typically associated with spring and summer - but Pantone is forecasting that this hue will be worn and seen all year long.

Greenery aims to be associated with the 're- words' revive , refresh , restore ,rejuvenate jsut to mention a few. It is certainly fresh and a breath of fresh air from last years' pastel choices.

Design Your Life!

Fall Market at the Laguna Design Center

November 3, 2016 Andrea Freeman

We had a great time previewing great new collections of furniture , fabrics and more at the annual Fall Market at the Laguna Design Center. Here is a little video of some of the beautiful and unique things we saw. It is always so fun to see the new trends in design and to learn more about all of the great showrooms at the Laguna Design Center.

Happy Fall and Enjoy !

Adding Fall Decor to Your Home

September 28, 2016 Andrea Freeman

As the great F.Scott Fitzgerald said " Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall" .. As we transition to fall now is the perfect time to celebrate the season in your home. Here are a few ways to add the magic of fall to your home.

Add a wreath to the front door to welcome guests! This 'Rosehips Wreath' from Pottery Barn is simple and elegant

Add candlelight to any spaceThese 'Arlington Hurricanes' from Pottery Barn are a great way to do so - and add a metallic touch — Add candlelight to any space
These 'Arlington Hurricanes' from Pottery Barn are a great way to do so - and add a metallic touch

Cozy up with a warm throw. These throws from the Faux Fur collection at Williams and Sonoma Home are soft and add texture to the home.

Add a whimsical touch to the dining table with these 'Give Thanks' napkin rings from Pottery BarnGreat fall decor and a reminder to be grateful! — Add a whimsical touch to the dining table with these 'Give Thanks' napkin rings from Pottery Barn
Great fall decor and a reminder to be grateful!

Happy Fall !

The Right Way to Test Paint Color

September 1, 2016 Andrea Freeman

It's a common image to see someone tape up hardware store paint samples to the wall or to even paint a large piece of cardboard with their desired new hue to test it out .. but it may not be the best way to choose your new color. Here are a few tried and true ways to make sure you are choosing the right color of paint for your home.

Paint Directly on your wall : This tip is true for both interior and exterior walls. Painting directly on your wall versus a cardboard piece for example , allows you to see how your wall will accept the color. Your walls are uniquely textured and cardboard piece , or sample from the store will not reflect the color in the same way. If you are in between two or more colors - paint your sample swatches with a bit of space in between to be able to really get a sense of the color. Color swatches are best done in a square of at least one foot to fully show the color.

Painting swatches with a negative space in between helps your eye see each color.

Paint Two Coats : On your wall sample go the extra step and paint two coats .. most likely you will need two coats of your color and seeing it with just one is not a true sense of how the color will apply. For certain saturated hues - use a primer beforehand on the area you will be painting the sample colors.

For saturated hues .. use two coats and a primer on your swatch samples.Photo courtesy of Sherwin Williams — For saturated hues .. use two coats and a primer on your swatch samples.
Photo courtesy of Sherwin Williams

Paint Multiple Walls : The colors you are testing will read differently on different walls - especially in walls with direct sunlight. The best way to see how they will look in these conditions is to paint multiple walls. As you view the colors, make sure you consider what time of day you’ll most often be in the room. You want to like how the color looks at that time.

This room is exposed to many different light sources, including natural light at different times during the day. It is important when choosing color for a room such as this one to paint swatches on multiple walls to ensure the color works.Photo cour… — This room is exposed to many different light sources, including natural light at different times during the day. It is important when choosing color for a room such as this one to paint swatches on multiple walls to ensure the color works.
Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Happy Painting !

Kate Spade Introduces Home Furnishings .. and They are Fabulous! →

February 11, 2016 Andrea Freeman

Kate Spade has been on the fashion scene for decades, but has recently added furnishings and home accessories to her empire. Her signature black+ white designs are now being applied to interiors , along with whimsy and pops of color. They are gorgeous ! Have a look ! These are from the fall 2015 collection and I for one am very excited to see what comes next ..

Color Crush : Apple Green

January 18, 2016 Andrea Freeman

Recently , while browsing a copy of House Beautiful - I came across an article highlighting the color Apple Green. It immediately caught my eye. Apple Green is a fresh & happy green, and best of all can be paired with many colors to create new effects. It is also a very profound color in color psychology.

“This is the color of balance and harmony. From a color psychology perspective, it is the great “balancer” of the heart and the emotions, creating equilibrium between the head and the heart”

— empoweryourselfwithcolorpsycology.com

Here are some stunning examples of Apple Green in interiors

Apple Green Guest Room

This handsome guest room uses apple green with black +white, to create a clean and sophisticated look.

Mixing apple green with gray

Gray is the hot neutral right now and is a great compliment for the fresh crisp look of apple green.

source: Calico Corners

Apple Green Master Bedroom

Statement apple green is paired perfectly with a bright white upholstered headboard.

Apple Green Kitchen

The pop of green on this backsplash is the star of this kitchen ! The classic subway tile feels modern when done in a green glass.