What Is Your Design Style?

What is your design style? You hear the labels: modern, contemporary, traditional, classic, and eclectic, but what exactly do they mean? Let’s explore our options by definition.

“Modern,” as it relates to design, actually represents a specific time period in the 20th century, namely the 20s and 30s, when architecture began to rely on advances in technology and engineering. “Clean lines” is a descriptor that still holds true, as buildings and furnishings became less ornate and more representative of their simplistic function. “Contemporary” is a term that is typically interchanged with “modern,” though contemporary actually speaks to what is currently popular and prevalent in design during the present day. What was modern when I was little is still technically what is modern today; however, what was contemporary then is very different from what is considered contemporary today.

“Traditional” is usually representative of classic European design. The details can be more ornate and decorative, like arches, claw footed and wing-backed pieces, and darker wood tones. Many antique items are probably traditional pieces. “Classic” design stems from Roman and Greek influences and revolves around harmony, order, balance, symmetry, and a central focal point. You do not find contemporary influences in classic design; classic design follows timeless tradition.

“Eclectic” is the blend of different styles and time periods and not following one set of design “rules.” Though it comes from different backgrounds and ideas, eclectic style is still harmonious and well executed with a plan to find the commonalities and a theme within a blend of design elements.

So what best describes you? Are you clean lines and functional style? Bold patterns and prints that have emerged as popular in recent years? Neutral colors and rich, elegant furnishings? A symmetrical arrangement situated around a fireplace and mantle? Or a blend of these elements that come together in a way that works for you?

To know the elements of the style that draws you most is to know how to bring more of those fundamentals together to create your ultimate living space. Stylish execution really is in the details. So what style says “home” to you?

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star May 29th.

Updating Options to Modernize Your Bathroom

A total bathroom renovation is a huge undertaking that would require a costly investment of time and money that is not always practical. Dated bathrooms, however, take away from the everyday appeal as well as the resale value of a home. By picking and choosing a few select updates a la carte, you can make the best impact for your cash.

Consider both big and small options for updating in two main categories – visual appeal and function. Obviously, your walls make up some of your biggest visual interest. Painting your sheetrocked wall space is a big change without the heavy price tag. For more of a change, installing modern wainscoting on lower walls for a contrast is an option.

Fixtures are another easy item to update and replace. You can incorporate new faucets, handles, shower fixtures, and drawer pulls with a more modernized look and have a wide array of price ranges to choose from. Moving away from brass or gold fixtures and adding brushed nickel or chrome pieces in their place brings the look of your bathroom quickly into today. You can also incorporate new functional features when choosing new shower sprayers and nozzles. To take it a step further, replacing decorative tile pieces with a tile style found in new construction homes can take a weekend project and turn it into a major upgrade for your bathroom. With some know-how or detailed instructions, certain tiling projects can be DIY.

An additional way to update a bathroom just on the surface is to replace your linens. If you have a mix-matched set of former towels and rugs, streamlining those pieces into more spa-feel elements brings your space into 2011. White towels, posh hotel style rugs, and a new, more luxurious looking shower curtain removes that dated, worn feel and freshens up the space with clean essentials. Pare down your decorations to things that support the clean spa theme like candles, glass, and dried or grass naturals, and remove any clutter, dated décor or window treatment, and any products on display.

Pick and choose updates to meet the needs of your bathroom space and your financial plan to ensure your home is not stuck in the 70s or 80s. Whether you plan to call your place home for years to come or are considering a move in the future, modernizing your bathroom elements truly adds value on more levels than one.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star May 22nd.

Turning Flea Market Finds into Fresh, Modern Décor

The desire to update a space and add new decorations can easily be squelched by fearing the task of having to go out and buy brand new pieces in order to do it. If making a big investment in small decorative items is out of your budget range now, you do not have to let that stop you from having something that YOU MAKE NEW.

We all have little trinkets and decorative pieces that have a) been removed from display but we still have, or b) we still have on display but wish we didn’t. But there is a trick to taking mixed-matched pieces and turning them into unified, collective displays: spray paint. I do not mean the old, stereotypical teenage spray paint in neon colors that gets youth in trouble. I’m talking about quality spray paint in a modern mat or acrylic-look glossy finish that you see dramatically changing furniture and outdoor chairs in TV commercials today.

Take a look around and see what you have laying out on bookshelves, coffee and end tables, and buffets and hutches. Open up kitchen cabinets and dig out old bud vases and small serving bowls that are not being used or seen. Pull down boxes from the top of the closets and see if you have any little, dated statues, pottery, glassware, or curios that you would allow to be made-over. Or expand your search to include similar items in local garage sales or flea markets that you buy at a total steal of a price. Gather your collection of mixed items and prepare to make them look like a complete collection that was meant to be a set.

You will need a quality base coat spray paint to prepare each surface for the decorative spray paint. Then choose your one color of spray paint in the mat or glossy finish you desire. Shades to consider are classic white, black, chocolate brown, or something from the yellow, gray, or aqua color shades. Thoroughly clean your pieces of glass, ceramics, or other mediums. Stake sheets of recycled newspaper in the yard so you reduce the amount of paint that drifts freely onto the grass. Spray each piece with the base coat and allow that to dry according to the product’s instructions. When applicable, carefully finish off each piece with one or two coats of your main spray paint color.

In the end, you have a variety of dated pieces that you have completely made over to look like a fresh, modern collection. Display your grouping on a mantle, coffee table, or entertainment center shelf. Your pieces have the potential to look like they were ordered right out of a current home décor catalog. And you can keep the secret to your “latest finds” to yourself.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star May 15th.

1 Gallon of Paint, Endless Projects

When you want to make an impactful change without making a big impact on your wallet, one avenue of home project possibilities to contemplate is the seemingly endless endeavors that you can carry out with a simple gallon of paint. One gallon of paint can take you further aesthetically than you might have imagined. And a 1-gallon project may not even take you a full weekend to finish. So let’s roll through some options that may be painting projects you would consider tackling.

Painting your front door a standout or new complimentary color that goes well with the look of your home’s exterior is one big visual factor in adding curb appeal to your property. I have seen shades in the red, yellow, gray, and blue color families make bold statements when lacquered on front doors.

Adding a darker shade to the walls of a small bathroom can do the exact opposite of what you may think, which is make a small bathroom look smaller. Instead, darker shades added to some small spaces provide more definition and depth, giving the space a grander, more spacious feel. And adding a new gallon of paint to a bathroom is a fast, economical way to update it without replacing old tiles or fixtures. Throw in a new set of white towels, and you’re on your way to a spa feel at home.

The bedroom furniture you picked “back in the day” may not be what you would choose again now if you had it to do all over again, but that is a sign of how times and tastes change. Instead of dreaming of new bedroom pieces amid their weighty price tags, let a gallon of paint turn your current headboard into a new creation. By adding a new color and picking your preference between a mat or glossy finish, you have given your room a new look without replacing anything.

Painting kitchen cabinets and bookshelves are larger-scale undertakings, but their work load can be diminished while still making their impact increase. Paint kitchen cabinet fronts and doors, and leave the interior walls and shelves as they are if your goal is to simply change their look. Do, however, remove the doors and the hardware prior to painting to avoid taping off and doing a less than professional looking job. To the contrary, a way to change the look of bookshelves and entertainment center built-ins is to just paint the back wall and leave the interior dividing walls, shelves, and fronts the way they are. Adding a paint shade to the back panel you see is a standout design element that highlights what you choose to display on the shelves while being a kind of artwork on its own.

Dip into one gallon of paint, and see where the brush strokes can take the look of your home.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star May 8th.

Casual Theme Dinners that are Easy to Pull Off

“Dinner parties” may be a term reserved for more formal affairs in the home that center around presenting your guests with a fancy spread in a sit-down setting. However, the more casual approach today to having friends or family over for dinner without the sit-down dinner preparation can be as uncomplicated as throwing casual themes into the mix.

Takeout is a great place to start for fast, simple dinners that can still be presented with some personalized flare. The trick is to carry out your theme in the details. By stocking up on some party supplies in the right categories, you can always have some affordable tools at your disposal to whip together a gathering. When you think takeout, two applicable themes to consider are Chinese and Italian food options, which can be served up with ease.

Whether you order from your favorite Chinese restaurant or attempt your own tasty versions at home, you can still serve your dishes very authentically. For a small get-together or movie night, why get out the plates when you can serve right out of Chinese takeout cartons? They are available at party supply stores, so you can have your own inventory at home. Let dinner guests scoop their selections from white serving bowls right into their own takeout cartons, and set up your spread around the coffee table instead of the dining table to bring the casual dining level down to the floor. Offer a large bowl of fortune cookies, and incorporate the simplest of décor with chopsticks arranged in a collection of small, clear glass bud vases. To take it a step further, add a few paper lanterns to your setting in varying sizes. Once folded flat, they can be stored away for future use.

Carryout pizza can be jazzed up to party level with a little atmosphere. Serve iced-down glass bottle soft drinks out of a large bucket or serving bowl. Remove the pizzas from their boxes and serve buffet style on serving trays and even cake stands to vary their heights. Offer breadsticks and marinara sauce for dipping, plus add-ons like parmesan cheese, red pepper, and ranch-style dip in their own small serving bowls as well. Skip the big dishes by offering red paper plates and red-and-white checkered paper dinner napkins. To take it a step further, play an Italian dinner night CD for background music or dine alfresco on the back patio for a twist on a summer night picnic.

“Supper from a sack” doesn’t have to be as bland as that sounds. Play up a meal’s theme to create an atmosphere fit for inviting guests over. And don’t feel guilty about the leaving the cooking to the pros; you are merely in charge of setting it up and pulling it off with your design in mind.

DesigninMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star Sunday, May 1st.

To Latch or Not To Latch: Modern Ideas for Childproofing in Style

Walk down the child supply aisles of nearly any store, and you will have a vast selection of childproofing products well within reach of your adult fingertips. Plastic devices, door knob covers, latches, locks, corner cushions, and door stoppers are found aplenty. But the question is: do you really want to deck out your entire home with those little white gadgets gleaming on essentially every surface? If your slightly guilty-parent answer is “no,” don’t sweat it. There are ways to keep your kids safe in your home while still living in an adult-friendly environment.

A fundamental part of childproofing is simply de-cluttering. The fewer opportunities for trips, slips, and tumbles, the smaller the Band-aids® you have to keep on hand. Well, almost. By keeping your home organized and tidy, you reduce the risk of haphazard accidents. Keep your hallways and stairs clear. Have designated storage pieces and hooks installed up high at your entry points for shoes, umbrellas, and backpacks. Be vigilant about keeping surfaces clear of clutter in the kitchen, home office, and bedrooms by having designated homes out of sight and reach for small appliances, supplies, and accessories. Store books and magazines properly on upper shelves or in magazine files or decorative baskets. Keep toys from totally having the run of the place by collecting them in bins, baskets, or cubby systems and purging what your children have outgrown once or twice a year.

Also, consider ways to swap out child-hazard elements for something both kid friendly and visually appealing to go with your decor. To me, placing those corner cushions on the four points of a coffee table ruins the look of a perfectly good table. Try something more modern that serves the purpose but also eliminates a hard, pointed surface altogether in your living room seating area by using cluster ottomans instead. Whether leather or upholstered, these soft surfaces can fulfill the role of a table without posing a threat during a fall while they add a stylish touch to your furniture arrangement.

Make smart storage choices in your family’s home to do away with the need for all the latches and locks that ultimately just make your daily tasks a little harder to carry out. In the past, latching the double cabinets below the kitchen sink was a staple to keep harmful cleaning products out of the reach of children. But why wasn’t it commonplace to store things like cleaners and bleach in upper cabinets or in the laundry area instead? Today’s homes tend to offer more storage solutions with upper cabinets, more than one “linen closet,” and both shallow and deep heavy drawers below the sink and cooktop in lieu of cabinetry. Take advantage of your storage space and “move it on up” if you would rather your child not have access to a grouping of items. However, when it comes to electrical outlets, do go ahead and use the little clear covers to cover your bases low down.

Find the balance that will work for your family and your children’s stages of development. Keep them safe and you happy by blending storage and safety solutions in a fashionable manner. And provide your youngest children with plenty of appropriate stimulation at their fingertips to help keep them from steering into unlatched waters.

Appeared in the South Texas Family&Health Issue in the Valley Morning Star Friday, April 29th.