Design – Page 2 – Let's Dwell

Winter Whimsy

January 9, 2018 admin

Ahh, isn’t the start of a new year refreshing?

My daughter looked a bit forlorn as we dismantled all the Christmas decorations. She would miss how “warm and cozy” they made the house feel. I, on the other hand, was relieved. Cozy turns into cluttered for me around January 1st, and we were well past that. I was eager for all things clean, fresh, and new.

Returning your home to it’s normal state after the holidays can be refreshing and therapeutic or just depressing. To tip the scales toward the positive, inject some

warmth and whimsy.

Showcase white with flowers, dishes, candles, and linens to mirror the freshness a new year offers.

The reflective quality of silver will also infuse needed light in this oft-dreary season. Add some cozy blankets to the couch or your favorite chair and increase the chances of snuggling up with a good book or loved one.

Starting a new year usually inspires clarifying of one’s goals and priorities. Why not include some inspiration toward that purpose in your decor? Funny, profound, or encouraging–our most familiar surroundings have extraordinary influence on our emotions. Fairy lights and sparkly snowflakes inspire lightheartedness and are fitting of the wonder we should embrace as we step into this year of new

possibilities!

Design 101

Design with Longevity: Part 3

November 18, 2017November 18, 2017 admin

You’ve heard how a brand new car loses tremendous value the minute it leaves the lot? In the same way, we don’t want rooms that are just months from showing their “design age” either. How do we create them?

Authenticity, Functionality, and Relevance

Our focus today is Relevance.

We’ve had many new people in our home over the last few months, and imagining our space through their eyes has given me fresh perspective. For example, I’ve grown increasingly aware of a few stuffed animals that arrived circa the toddler years. A special bunny given to my daughter happened to match our family room and eventually became part of the decor. Likewise, a souvenir teddy bear made our living spaces welcoming for our youngest visitors. Fast forward to years that house a teenager and a preteen (and the visitors who have also aged), and it’s just weird. –Because, it’s not relevant anymore.

To create a space that is relevant, ask, does your current design support your season of life? Not just functionally (the principle of the previous post) but stylistically? Is your home evolving with you?

So, where do trends fit?

In this series, it might seem like I’ve painted trends as the bad guys in design. Not my intention. Rather,

I believe good design is inspired by trends, not held hostage by them.

We should pick and choose among the ever-changing flood of trends those that suit us rather than worrying that our home looks “SO last year” because it doesn’t have a (insert latest “must-have” here.) Remember, most trends are just ingenious marketing efforts–and that revolving door will keep on spinning!

When Joanna Gaines brought southern charms to mainstream decor my heart went pitter-patter. Cotton stems available at Wal-mart? It’s Christmas for this displaced Southerner! But Southern elements will always be relevant for me because of my heritage—no matter what’s trending.

So, if there’s a trend you love, add an element to your space–just avoid the complete overhaul that will eventually date your room like Disney’s Carousel of Progress!

Practically, I see two approaches:

Keep a room feeling up to date with on-trend accessories. Accessories are usually inexpensive and easily replaceable when you tire of them. Changing just a few notable accessories (a pillow, a vase, a picture, etc.) can give an entire room a more current look.
Fall in love with a statement piece? Go for it! –If you’re at peace replacing it in 3-5 years or you know that it soooo captures your personal style, it will be timeless to you. For most of us, that means NOT choosing trendy materials for anything that requires a contractor and remodeling dust–like tile, counter tops, or fixtures. However, the area rug that pulls the whole room together but will likely be worn about the time I’m getting tired of it anyway (thank you, messy people who live with me), absolutely!

Our homes should include elements that prove we actually live and move in the outside word, but

filter trends through authenticity and season of life to remain relevant.

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Design 101, Uncategorized

Design with Longevity: Part 2

November 17, 2017November 18, 2017 admin

A well-designed home seems nearly timeless. Sure, some pieces will require replacement as they become worn or tired, but we don’t have to be at the mercy of the latest arrivals to curate a home of which we’re proud. What elements contribute to design with longevity?

Authenticity, Functionality, and Relevance

In this post, we’ll look at functionality. This principle is pretty straightforward: if a home doesn’t work for you and with you, that angst will be felt.

A classic example is the stand alone dining room. Over the last decade, we’ve seen a surge of redesign or “reapplication” of these spaces. Many have removed walls in favor of an open-concept space. Where this is not feasible, others have allowed their more consistent needs to define the space as a playroom, office, or project room.

So, as you walk through your home or redesign a specific space, observe which items always seem in the way or keep getting moved because they’re not a good fit. Do you really need them? If so, but not very often, is there a landing spot or storage option that more accurately represents it’s use? Can you make some exchanges that better reflect how your family lives? Maybe that big bulky chair in the family room gets moved to a corner in your bedroom (because the benefits of a “man cave” or “she shed” don’t always require a whole room!) and replaced with that spare bench to provide seating and better traffic flow.

In reverse, is there an unmet (or inconveniently met) need that it is time to resolve? Do you consistently find yourself looking for a place to put down a drink near that chair you love to unwind in? Would a slipper table, stack of sturdy suitcases, or small shelf hung nearby complete this little parcel of refuge? Would you dearly love to prop up your feet when the conversation gets good and no one wants to leave?

We have a tufted ottoman that invites all to sit back, relax, and stay a while. It’s round shape facilitates traffic flow, and the wheels allow it to be easily removed when we need the floor space (ie. family dance competitions!). The lid can be removed to access storage. It’s where I keep magazines for lazy ~~days~~ moments (!) and comfy throws for snuggling.

Functionality

A space that functions is fluid and frees one up to appreciate those meaningful moments you design a home for in the first place.

Other Photo Credits: (Top–Down) Jason Leung on Unsplash, (mine), Kevin Wolf on Unsplash, William Warby on Wikimedia Commons, Alisa Anton on Unsplash, (mine)