Let’s talk about moody, cozy interiors and how to create them. We know summer has just kicked off, but no matter what is happening outside, sometimes all we need is a cozy nest at home to help us through the hard days. So whether you have been following the home design trends or not, we are here to help you create your own sanctuary in the form of moodiness!
01 – Start with a confined space.
For a space to have the capability of emulating that true sense of moodiness, it must be a confined space.. meaning, it must be separated from other rooms. This is most commonly done with a door, but is also able to be accomplished with lowered flooring, archways, etc. You want to walk into the room and instantly feel transformed into another dimension. If there is no breaking point between the desired space and other rooms, then it will create a sense of confusion and questioning instead. Dining rooms, powder bathrooms, offices, and closets are the most common and ideal applications since they give that sense of coziness and confinement at their core.
02 – Lean into the bold element.
When you envision moody spaces, you’re most likely thinking of bold elements in one form or another. Whether it’s a wallpaper, color, or wood tone. We like to recommend starting with that one bold element as your jumping off point. If it’s a color then read below for recommendations on starting there. If it’s a wallpaper, then lean into that! Think about what you want to grab the eye first and then run. Plus, since you’re most likely designing a smaller space, using a more expensive element such as wallpaper is less likely to break the bank!
03 – Dark colors are the fundamental element.
This one may seem redundant, but needs to be said nonetheless. Dark tones are the epitome of moodiness and in turn, the essential ingredient in the creation. Whether you’re a neutralist or a color-lover at heart, take your favorite color and go down to one of the two darkest shades. That color should be the base of your creation, and likely, the wall and/or ceiling color. If you’re using a wallpaper instead of a paint color, try to select a wallpaper that pulls that color at its base, or at least coordinates with it. For a true moody space we do recommend including the ceiling in your color depth rather than keeping it white. This will truly complete and pull the space together in that feeling.
Now that you’ve found the base tone for your moody space, pull in other rich tones that coordinate with color. This may be emulated in the form of wood tones, metal tones, or even other colors. You want this space to be dynamic, so incorporate other rich colors and textures in for a truly balanced and bold palette.
04 – Create contrast.
You may think that moody spaces are exclusively dark colors, but that’s actually not correct. You want approximately 80% of your surface area to be darker, but you then want the remaining 20% to give contrast. This could be done with gold light fixtures, lighter book spines, marble countertops, etc. What this will end up doing is giving place for and letting those darker colors shine. Without it, the room will feel flat and overwhelming. Think bold and think contrast!
05 – Pull in life with books and artwork.
Last but not least, lean into your personality with the details! Do you love to read? Incorporate some of your favorite books! Love history and antiques? Bring in some vintage art pieces and picture frames. True moodiness is bold, but also cozy. Let that coziness in with touches from your life. Maybe it’s souvenirs from your world travels, or a gallery wall of framed music sheets. Whatever it may be, this is your time to let it out!
Tile is a big element in the home. Though it may not always cover the most square footage, there are standardly more tile selections than there are any other material selections. That is why it is imperative to know the different kinds of tiles to understand the durability, care, and maintenance behind each. Today we are here to educate you on the main tile makes that you see in any tile showroom you may walk into.
CERAMIC
Ceramic is one of the two main tile bodies that you will see manufactured. It is often the cheapest tile body because it is standardly the least durable man-made product. Though ceramic products can occasionally be used for flooring, it is most commonly used for walls and backsplashes. That said, it is difficult for tile setters to cleanly cut a ceramic product, so try to limit cutting to edge work. Also remember to cover the edges with a pencil rail, edge piece, or Schluter product at all times.
PORCELAIN
Porcelain tiles are made out of the same material as ceramic tiles, but have been “cooked longer” to remove more air pockets and create a denser, more durable product. They are more common for flooring installations since they do provide more durability and strength, in turn being less likely to crack or chip over time. They can be more expensive than ceramic tiles though, so for budget purposes, don’t be afraid of using ceramics on your walls with porcelains on your floors.
The perk about both porcelain and ceramic tiles is that neither requires any maintenance or upkeep over time! Once they are installed, neither will be damaged from staining, sun bleaching, or water exposure, making them the most low-maintenance product options.
STONE (ie: Marble, Basalt, Slate, etc.), BRICK, AND CEMENT
Stone tiles are most often seen in smaller pieces and mosaics since they are softer, natural bodies. Because of this, you’ll most often see them used as backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, and other accent location products. Where they are natural, they do require upkeep and maintenance over time, making them less appealing for locations that receive a lot of water exposure or staining. To keep them in their durable form, you’ll want to seal them every few years (depending on where they are located in the home.. For higher water exposure areas, you may need to seal them every year to keep them from soaking in the moisture and in turn, mold and staining). The trick to understanding when to seal them is to splatter water onto the tiles. If the water seeps in then it’s time for another sealing treatment. If it bubbles on top then you can leave it be for a while longer.
Another thing to keep in mind with the maintenance of natural stones, is how you treat them. High acidity cleaners have the ability to corrode the stones over time, in turn ruining the product. It is highly recommended to use natural, organic cleaners for the products longevity and lifespan.
GLASS AND METAL
Glass and metal capped tiles are becoming more and more popular for their intrigue and unique style. Since they are man-made products, they don’t require the same upkeep as the natural stone products do. Unlike the porcelain and ceramic products though, they are vulnerable to water damage, making them unusable in high water exposure locations like showers and tub surrounds. Don’t be weary of using them as backsplash products though; a little water splashing and cleaning won’t do them any noticeable harm.
Keep in mind that every tile is manufactured differently and has different rules for installation and upkeep. When shopping, be sure to ask your sales rep where each product can be installed, and how it is recommended to be treated.
Have you ever built a house and thought, “I wish I would have done *such and such* differently.”? Not all of our clients have the luxury of custom designing multiple homes and learning how to do it the way they truly want in the process. If you’re in that boat and want to learn how to do it right the first time, then keep reading because today we are sharing the things our clients have told us they wish they did differently!
01 – Go bolder
The biggest detail that we’ve heard is thatclients wish they had the confidence to go bolder. If you’ve gone through the home design process before, then you know that looking at a collection of material and fixture samples is different than looking at the way those samples have transformed into the details of your home. The ratios are different, and without accounting for wall space, the samples can often feel bolder than they do in the actual home. It’s easy to be scared of going “too over the top”, and in turn, choosing material finishes that can feel “flat” or “dull” when all is said and done.
02 – Add the extra detail
Similar to going bolder in your material finishes, it is always worth adding extra details. Small material samples can feel like they’ll do a lot for your space, but if we’re not accounting for every detail, then it’s easy for the design to still fall flat. Elements like wall treatments, ceiling treatments, light fixtures, and window treatments go a long way in finishing off a space. Don’t just select the necessary elements in a home, but rather go the extra mile to make your home feel above and beyond!
03 – Create more contrast
Whether you gravitate towards the “white on white on white” trend or not, it is still imperative that you add contrasting elements to each space. Dark/rich colors may feel like they’re going to be overwhelming, but with lighting and open space, those dark tones actually add a level of comfort and coziness that is good for mental health and impressive design. Even for neutral palettes, you will still need at least 20% contrast in order for that room to feel balanced and not sterile. Remember, dark beams, pillows, and cabinet hardware will go a long way!
04 – Accent the walls
We mentioned this in the “Go bolder” section, but it is an element we can’t stress enough! Plain, drywalled walls are not as fun to look at as wallpaper, plaster, shiplap, or paneled walls are. Artwork will add a lot to each room, but it will add up in cost, and there is such a thing as “too much artwork” in a home. In contrast, there is no such thing as “too many wall treatments”. If you balance the two correctly, they will fill your home nicely and make it stand out as that “impressively designed” house!
If you are going through, or plan to go through the design process with us then these are all details that we will educate you on in the process. As your “personal shoppers and curators” we account for all of these elements when designing your home! That said, nothing is finalized until we get your stamp of approval on the selections. If you don’t intend to use us as your interior designers, then listen to what our clients have told us in the end, and be confident in your designs! Don’t be afraid of the personality and add the details! Each element is what pulls your home together and gives you that joy and fulfillment when the home is completed and the work is done.
Rugs, rugs, rugs. They’re a must-have in the home, even though you don’t need one in every space. They’re essential for creating a feeling of warmth, and bringing in necessary color, pattern, and personality. A good rug selection has the power to bring the whole room together. But how do you pick the right rug? Today we are sharing our tips and tricks to this commonly done wrong item!
BIGGER IS ALWAYS BETTER
Our first tip is the most important one.. Go bigger before you go smaller! We frequently see people buy rugs that are too small for their rooms (possibly because smaller rugs are less expensive), but they don’t realize the disservice they are doing by skimping on the rug. Rugs always feel larger in stores than they do in our homes, and yet, a larger rug is the mark between a luxurious and comfortable feeling room, in contrast to a room that feels cheep and ill-fitting. The rule of thumb is to buy the biggest rug you can get away with for your space, without the rug running into walls.
LIVING ROOMS: Generally, a living room will need an 8’x10′, 9’×12′, or 11’x14′. It’s rare a room would need a 5’x8′ or 6’×9′.
BEDROOMS: In the bedroom, rugs should lay under the majority of the bed, while not sitting underneath the nightstands. You want it to stick out beyond the foot of the bed as much as possible, while still sitting and feeling relatively central in the room.
DINING ROOMS: The jury is still out on rugs in the dining room. They have the potential to get worn down quickly with the constant chair movement, but they also soften an otherwise potentially sterile room. Every home’s dining room is different, but we typically recommend using large art pieces or wall treatments over rugs in order to utilize the same visual appeal, without the inevitable future rug damage. That said, if a rug is going to be used, the rug should be large enough to extend a couple of feet from the back of the dining chairs.
ADD THE RUNNER
For long stretches of space in homes, we always love adding a beautiful runner! Long hallways, kitchen areas between the perimeter cabinetry and the island, linear bathrooms, etc. These spaces often don’t have place for any upholstered furniture or even artwork, so adding a runner will bring in the visual softness that the space craves. Remember that the rug should feel central to the space, so when figuring out it’s length, you’ll generally want to pull it in approximately 2′-3′ from each end.
LOOP OVER CUT
We will typically always recommend a rug that has a loop ply over a cut ply for countless reasons. Not only will they show a cleaner and more beautiful pattern, but they’ll also wear, sit, and last better. Cut ply’s are hard to maintain and can be near impossible to clean since the vacuum can’t get to the dirt and grime that rests at the bottom of the rug. Furniture will also sit much cleaner on a loop ply rug than it will a cut ply, helping the furniture to wear better down the road.
UTILIZE THE RUG PAD
It’s common for people outside of the interior design industry to overlook the need of a rug pad, but we’re here to tell you not to underestimate them! Like flossing our teeth, it may seen mundane and unnecessary in our day to day lives. Over time though, you’ll notice a big difference! Rug pads not only add comfort and cushioning to the rug area, but they also help the rug to last longer. It takes the brunt of the wear off the shoulders of the rug and onto itself, so rather than buying a new thousand dollar rug in a few years, you’re buying a new hundred dollar rug pad. That said, we highly recommend using a felt rug pad over a PVC one for true longevity sake.
TRUST THE PATTERN
Remember that rugs are used to add visual softness and comfort, so using a solid color may not be the best choice. Most of the time the goal of the rug is best served with a patterned rug, however big or small the pattern may be. That being said, there are always exceptions to the rule, and if your space already has a lot of pattern and personality then a solid may be the right choice for you.
Shelf Styling occurs in the midst of a project installation. After all the rugs and furniture exist in the space, our team’s next big task involves styling the entire home. We handle everything from organizing a client’s bar to placing flower arrangements, because every little detail counts when making a house a home.
Through countless conversations had, we realize that shelf styling is one of the most common home decorating struggles, which is why we’re writing this post! Read on for Shelf Styling 101.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
The first thing to consider when styling your shelves is in what room they are in? Whether they’re in your living room, library, kitchen, or even your bathroom, their location will help determine what items will look best (and feel functionally correct). In a library/office, for instance, a large majority of the shelves will likely be occupied by books, so choose decorative items such as bookends and urns that will fill in extra space. In a kitchen, copper pots, spices, glasses, and simple coffee mugs will look elegant alongside cookbooks and traditional decorative items.
BRING YOUR PERSONALITY
Our enjoyment of a space increases when we’re surrounded by pieces we love, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t incorporate some of your favorite personal items into your shelves. Small works of art, framed photos, and family heirlooms can all bring depth and personality to your arrangement. If you feel like you’re lacking styling pieces, hit up your favorite home retailers for those beautiful filler items!
BALANCE IT OUT
This is likely the most important and misunderstood aspect of shelf styling. When creating an arrangement, you must consider the visual weight of each item to create a balanced look and feel. This can be created by incorporating pieces that are different colors, sizes, heights, and textures. For instance, a large white item takes up less visual space than something tall and dark. As a result, placing the two items together creates balance. The same is true for balancing textural items with those that are smooth.
LESS IS MORE
Coco Chanel said it best: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off.” This mantra should also be on your mind when decorating your shelves. The truth is, you probably have too many items crammed together, creating visual chaos. Often, less is more, and there’s nothing wrong with letting one or two items really shine! Give them space and always remember, one large item will look better and go further than a lot of small items.
DON’T RUSH IT
Most importantly, don’t feel pressured to commit to an arrangement on the first attempt! If you have multiple shelves, try decorating one at a time, and walk away if you get overwhelmed. After all, you can always come back tomorrow and edit.
Welcome back! We’re so glad that you’re here. By now, you’ve probably seen our first blog post sharing behind the scenes from our Ponderosa Point project’s Kitchen and Great Room. Today we want to share the Laundry Room, Master Bathroom, and Powder Bathroom with you.
LAUNDRY ROOM
We often see laundry room plans come out small and not functional, providing a high need for creativity to maximize function and aesthetic. However, that was not the case with this project. We did still see a need to maximize every square inch of this room for ideal use, but in our opinion, it already had a very nice flow to it. That said, incorporating full height cabinetry and countertop-sitting upper cabinets on the right side of this room gave our client all the storage space she could want. The Washer and Dryer then sit opposite of that for ideal use. Plus, who doesn’t want a big sink with a beautiful view in their laundry room?
Where the material finishes are concerned, we wanted a neutral palette with a unique twist for the space. Utilizing the diamond shaped, weathered ‘mud’ color floor tile was one of our favorite ways to do this! It pulls intrigue through the pattern without being flat, boring, or overwhelmingly bold. The other element we incorporated for intrigue was the cabinet color. Using Sherwin Williams Tony Taupe for this color was not only organic and soft, but also unique enough to feel playful in the end. Paired with a neutral quartz white marble countertop, and undulated white tile backsplash, and we felt we accomplished that soft, yet playful style we were going for.
Design Sources:
- Floor Tile: Modern Tile Wow Mud Diamond 5.5×9.5 Graphite
- Cabinet Color: Sherwin Williams Tony Taupe
- Countertop: Della Terra Quartz Renoir
- Backsplash: Modern Tile Alyse Edwards You Don’t Snow Me 2.5×10 Matte
- Cabinet Knobs: Top Knobs Riverside T-Knob in Brushed Nickel
- Cabinet Pulls: Top Knobs Riverside Pull in Brushed Nickel
- Sink Faucet: Brizo Odin SmartTouch Pull-Down Faucet with Square Spout in Black
MASTER BATHROOM
It’s really common to direct the master bathroom’s style towards a spa-esk feel, but our client wanted to go a different direction here. She wanted to feel invigorated and excited every time she was in her bathroom. That said, rather than sticking to the commonly used whites, grays, and beiges for the room, we pulled in blues, greens, golds, tans, and bold patterns. We didn’t shy away from style with the tile backsplash or light fixtures, and pulled the remaining palette in to flow with those details seamlessly.
Design Sources:
- Floor Tile: Daltile Union Platinum White 24×48
- Cabinet Color: Sherwin Williams Adaptive Shade
- Countertop: Della Terra Quartz Renoir
- Vanity Backsplash: Modern Tile Vintage Deco Decoro #7 8×8
- Shower Wall Tile: Arizona Tile Shibusa Crema
- Vanity Pendants: Lamps Plus Cody 6″ Wide Brass Metal Seedy Mini Pendant Light
- Tub Chandelier: Lamps Plus Possini Euro Spheres 30″W Warm Antique Brass 15-Light Sputnik Pendant
- Cabinet Hardware: Top Knobs Riverside 6” Pull in Matte Black
- Sink Faucets: Brizo Jason Wu Widespread Lavatory Faucet
POWDER BATHROOM
From the moment we saw the architectural plans, we knew this powder bathroom was going to be unique. We had a fun nook to play with, and didn’t want our clients to be wasting that space by awkwardly reaching over a standard vanity into a doored cabinet that’s tucked back and away. Instead, we played with the layout to create a nice flow and dynamic twist to these elements. By expanding the vanity into the nook we provided extra countertop space, and by adding shelves instead of a closed cabinet to the nook, we provided easier access to that storage. From there it was just about finding the perfect, unique material finishes and fixtures to play with the layout’s uniqueness.
Design Sources:
- Flooring: Bedrosians Tile Cerdomus Othello Clay 8×48
- Vanity Cabinet and Floating Shelves: Natural Plain Sawn White Oak
- Countertop: Della Terra Quartz Renoir
- Mirror: Lamps Plus Uttermost Clara Gold 24”W x 39”H Arch Top Mirror
- Sink Faucet: Brizo Jason Wu Widespread Lavatory Faucet in Matte Black
- Vanity Pendants: Lumens Ice Large Pendant in Gold
Thank you for touring this beautiful project located in Huntsville, Utah with us! If you have any other questions about rooms that were not highlighted then please reach out!
Welcome and come on in! We are thrilled that you are here, and cannot wait to share more details of our Ponderosa Point project with you. We are beyond appreciative of your interest and comments on social since the reveal, so we thought the blog would be a great place to expound on the process, plans, details and of course, products found throughout. Today we’ll be starting with the Kitchen and the Great Room. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get started!
KITCHEN
Let’s to start in the kitchen since it’s the nucleus of the home. This room is often the planet around which most families revolve, which is why we put great care into the designs of this space. First, our client knew they wanted the kitchen to open up to the living area with a high ceiling, and bold taste. They also wanted an influx of natural light which is why the windows play a huge role in the look and feel of this space. Harnessing and showcasing natural light is always incredibly important in any of our designs. We chose Sherwin Williams Alabaster for not only the wall paint color, but also the trim and ceiling color for to accentuate that open feel, while providing warmth and softness. It also functions as the perfect canvas for layering other tones and textures. All of the windows are covered in Hunter Douglas roller shades to add that perfect contrast and comfort.
We love using design elements that reflect nature, so you’ll notice those elements in the wood-look floors, white oak and rich green cabinetry, and stone countertops throughout. One of our favorite touches is the boldness of the rich green cabinets, which were painted Benjamin Moore Tuscany Green. The island dimensions were chosen so that we could use one full slab of the Della Terra Quartz Silver Stallion which eliminates the need for any seams in the stone. Further, a combination of brass and black fixtures were chosen to add a mid-century modern flair to the space. Last, the cozy, yet durable leather barstools are perfect lounging, eating, and socializing in. To this day, our client says that most of the time spent in their Great Room/Kitchen is spent in those stools.
Design Takeaway: Before your build or renovate, pay attention to how you and your family function in the kitchen. From small things like how you prepare your coffee or tea to where you tend to chop veggies and proximity to a trash can. All of the little details will inform how you should layout your space.
Design Sources:
- Floors: Bedrosians Tile Cerdomus Othello Clay 8×48
- Shades: Hunter Douglas Designer Roller Shades
- Paint: Sherwin Williams Alabaster
- Cabinets: Natural Flat Sawn White Oak and Painted Benjamin Moore Tuscany Green
- Countertops and Backsplash: Della Terra Quartz Silver Stallion
- Hardware: Top Knobs Lydia Pull – Honey Bronze
- Island Pendants: Lamps Plus Felton Black Aluminum and Wood 12″ Wide Pendant
- Faucet: Brizo Litze SmartTouch Pull-Down Faucet with Arc Spout and Knurled Handle
GREAT ROOM
One of our favorite parts of interior design is creating interesting architectural details. It’s an aspect of design that’s typically not recognized or understood, and yet it can make the biggest impact in good designs. In our Ponderosa Point project, you’ll notice this done in the fireplace. Our client wanted a large, bold hearth for lounging and spare seating, with a large and classic stone fireplace. We took those notes, and created this beautiful hearth that wraps the entire fireplace pop out, while extending out into a full bench which is actually just smaller than a twin size bed. Pulling the natural white oak back in with that hearth top and floating shelves unified this room with the adjacent kitchen.
The room’s texture is another detail that makes it so welcoming. That is accomplished through the mix of layers and textiles. We started with a natural, woven rug sourced from Surya. Then, juxtaposed its lightness with two comfortable blue chairs, and a rich, brown leather ottoman. Pulling further lightness into the sofa then opened up and softened the furniture pieces in the space. The softly colorful stone also functioned as a beautiful backdrop to the space while adding depth to the color palette.
Design Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to do something a little unique or different! As long as you balance and curate the palette intentionally, bold details will be what makes your home stand out and be unique! Good design isn’t about copying what the neighbor did, but rather about designing every detail intentionally and not being afraid to take risks. Get creative with fabrics and finishes that complement but don’t clash!
Design Sources:
- Floors: Bedrosians Tile Cerdomus Othello Clay 8×48
- Shades: Hunter Douglas Designer Roller Shades
- Paint: Sherwin Williams Alabaster
- Floating Shelves and Hearth Top: Natural Flat Sawn White Oak
- Fireplace Stone: Stone World Highland Grey
Whew! That’s it for today’s tour. In a few weeks, we’ll be sharing more about this beautiful home’s laundry room, owner’s bedroom/bathroom, powder bathroom, etc.. Stay tuned!
Have you ever noticed yourself feeling a specify way in a space, without knowing why? You walk into a room and instantly feel anxious, energized, calm, or happy? What people often don’t recognize is that the colors used in any form a room has the ability to affect our psychology in major ways.
Often when we think of color in relation to interior design, we consider how the hues look. Obviously, you don’t want a design scheme where the colors conflict with each other. But you also need to take into account how the colors you use in a room will make you feel.
Color theory isn’t limited to interior design, of course. It applies to fine arts such as painting and photography, advertising and branding, fashion, beauty, industrial design, and many other fields. It even plays a role in wide-ranging cultural trends—think of how the dull olives, grays, and neutrals of World War II fashion and design gave way to poppy pastels in the prosperous 1950s, which then evolved into vivid neons in the psychedelic ‘60s. In those cases, the popular hues of the time were dictated by the mood of the nation. But it’s important to understand color meaning in interior design because we spend so much time in our homes, and the ambiance we create there has a huge influence on our everyday mood and lifestyle. It also impacts people who come into our home—it can be a place of welcome or a place that is cold or chaotic.
So how does each color impact our emotion? Read below to find out!
RED
Red emotes feelings of energy, war, danger, strength, power, and determination, but also passion, desire, and love. The various shades of red are light red, which represents joy, sexuality, passion sensitivity, and love. Pink, which signifies romance, love, and friendship. Reddish-brown is associated with harvest and fall, and dark red is associated with vigor, willpower, rage, anger, leadership, courage, longing, malice, and wrath.
Interior designer, Denna McLaughlin of City Studios, says, “Red is never boring.” It is an excellent accent color, you can use it to make a ‘cool’ room warmer; red is great for kitchens and it is known to increase appetite (which is also why you’ll often see red used in restaurants), and red accent walls can change the way a room is perceived. As the most intense color, red raises a room’s energy and is a good choice when a homeowner wants to stir up excitement, particularly at night. Red stimulates conversation and creates a strong first impression.
ORANGE
Orange is associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics. It represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation. It is the only color to take its name from an object; the orange. It is a somewhat polarizing color, and people either love or hate it. In ancient cultures, orange was thought to increase energy levels and heal the lungs. But, dark orange can also mean deceit and distrust. Red-orange corresponds to desire, sexual passion, pleasure, domination, aggression, and thirst for action. Gold, a distant variation of orange, evokes the feeling of prestige; the meaning of gold is illumination wisdom and wealth. Leatrice Eiseman, color expert and executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, and author of the book “Colors for Your Every Mood” says, “Orange has steadily progressed up the ladder of consumer preferences, so there’s a greater appreciation for the color.” Like red, orange stimulates appetite and is a great kitchen and exercise room color. An apricot or terra cotta orange (increasingly popular in the mid-west) can be relaxing. Bright orange adds warmth and adventure, but can be overpowering if used excessively.
YELLOW
Yellow is the color of sunshine and associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy. It is an excellent choice for kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms. In hallways, yellow can feel welcoming. However, studies show that people are more likely to lose their temper in an all-yellow interior, so it should be used sparingly. Dull or dingy yellow represents caution, decay, sickness, and jealousy and is rarely used in interior rooms. Light yellow is associated with intellect, freshness, and joy, and is a great outdoor house paint. Bright yellow evokes optimistic feelings. Interior designer, Jennifer Agus, of Agus Interiors says, “Yellow is an uplifting color, but you really have to pick the right shade. You want to make sure it’s not too bright or too muted…” But, for a sophisticated look, use deep yellow and gray. Yellow with orange are excellent choices for breakfast spaces, and yellow is great as an accent color in small quantities.
GREEN
Green is the color of nature. Considered the most restful color for the eye, green can transcend a sense of calmness and security when used in interior design. Green symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility, and generally makes people feel emotionally safe. Green is well suited for every room in the house and can have a calming effect when used as the main color for decorating. Pairing light green with grey can create a modern feel, and using different shades in one room can add contrast. But, the various shades of green can evoke completely different feelings. Dark green is associated with ambition, greed, and jealousy, while aqua is associated with emotional healing and protection. Yellow-green can indicate sickness, cowardice, discord, and jealously, while olive green is the traditional color of peace. Interior designer, Shannon Kaye, says, “You can decorate an entire room with greens and have contrast, drama, richness, and balance. It’s so versatile.”
BLUE
Blue, by far, is the most popular color in the US and is associated with trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. Blue slows down the metabolism and has a calming effect, so it is considered to be beneficial to the mind and body when used in the home or office. It is said that blue will help bring down blood pressure and slow the heart rate. Light or pastel blue can create tranquility and is associated with health, healing, understanding, and softness, but can come across as ‘chilly’ on the walls in a room that receives very little natural light. Dark blue represents knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness. Deep midnight blue can create a feeling of luxury when used in a bedroom. Sapphire blues can be great as accent colors. Jackie Jordan, the Director of Color for Sherwin-Williams says, “Those brighter French blues and sunflower yellows are a fun combination for a kitchen.”
PURPLE
Purple, in its darkest values, is dramatic, rich, and sophisticated. It can give a design scheme depth and is associated with luxury and creativity. Lighter values of purple, such as lavender, can add a restful quality to a bedroom. Plus, about 75 percent of pre-adolescent children choose purple over any other color. Interior designers use purple to add drama, create a hip feel by combining purple, pastels, and modern art; add a bold statement with neon purple, or give a room a mysterious feel with dark purple as an accent.
Interior design color psychology is essential for a beautifully balanced home. Contact us for help curating the perfect color palette for your home.
Everyone wants their home to be a comfortable, functional space that fits their lifestyle. But perhaps even more importantly, owners want their home to truly reflect their unique tastes and personality. With so much exposure to home design on TV and online, it’s easy to fall into copycat mode, mimicking the latest trends, only to find oneself restless and bored in a few years and searching for the newest, latest thing, often at great expense.
The key to creating a lasting look for a home, one tailor-made for your taste and personality, is to focus on timeless design. When owners build a foundation with timeless elements, they create a look that makes a statement while also being versatile to accommodate different seasons and fresh updates.
Here are six principles of timeless design.
Start with neutral finishes, then layer in colorful furniture and decor
If you tire of design elements easily, design your home with a neutral finish palette. This will create a clean canvas for more color in the furniture, artwork and decor. And the best part is these elements can be easily changed when wanting to move in a new direction.
Incorporate natural materials throughout
Take inspiration from Mother Nature and incorporate natural materials throughout the home. Materials like wood, marble, plaster and stone create a timeless backdrop that never goes out of style. Add in jute rugs, woven baskets, mixed wood accents and plants throughout for an earthy, organic feel.
Mix and match metals
Black or gold fixtures are making a big splash in home decor. By all means, incorporate them into your design to achieve an updated palette. Be sure to reserve at least 30% of space for silver fixtures. Silver is a timeless choice, and rumor has it that silver is the “new brass” of 2023.
In general, it’s recommended to mix no more than two metal finishes per space or room. For example, if you mix black and silver in the bathroom, go for gold and silver in the kitchen.
Ditch the matchy-matchy
For cabinetry, there are so many beautiful door styles to choose from. For a truly lasting feel, it’s recommended to choose three or four styles to mix and match throughout the home. That way, the space isn’t locked in on just one look.
For an interesting touch, consider tile mosaics rather than printed tiles. To add more personality to the tile, consider a mosaic over a printed tile. Mosaic tiles are timeless, considering they have been used in cultures worldwide and have been around for centuries. Printed tiles are much newer products and feel more trendy.
Blend warm and cool tones and dark and light tones for a more balanced feel
Most people think they can only have one tone throughout their home, but that’s not true. Owners should absolutely blend the right warm and cool tones and the right light and dark tones in their designs.
Think about the mountains in autumn. The beautiful combination of the season’s orange, red and gold tones, set against the darkness of the ground and the soft blue sky overhead, creates a perfectly balanced composition.
Find a balance between ornate and clean lines
Just like recommending to blend warm and cool tones and light and dark tones, it’s recommended to blend soft curves with clean lines. Timelessness is all about creating balance for a more comfortable feel. Clean lines are associated with modern style, whereas ornate details are attributed to traditional style. Combining the two will stand the test of time. For example, use a clean, flat panel cabinet door style with an ornate countertop edge detail. Or reverse that and use an ornate cabinet door style with a clean, square countertop edge detail.