#1 Mistake to Avoid When Designing your Kitchen

Designing a kitchen isn't just about selecting countertops and appliances; it's about creating a space that flows seamlessly and functions efficiently. One of the most critical aspects of kitchen design is considering traffic flow. Picture this: you're rushing to get dinner ready, darting between the stove, the fridge, and the sink. If your kitchen layout isn't thoughtfully planned, you could find yourself constantly bumping into obstacles or feeling like you don’t have enough space.

Take, for example, the placement of the refrigerator. It's tempting to tuck it away in a corner to maximize counter space, but if it's blocking a major walkway, it becomes a hindrance rather than a convenience. Nobody wants to play a game of fridge-door Tetris just to get to the other side of the kitchen. Similarly, positioning the sink and oven directly across from each other might seem symmetrical, but it can create a traffic bottleneck, especially when both appliances are in use simultaneously. Imagine trying to drain pasta while someone is pulling a hot casserole out of the oven—it's a recipe for chaos 😉 .

The most common oversight is failing to consider the space required when appliances are in use. For instance, wall ovens may seem sleek and space-saving when closed, but when open, they can obstruct your walkways. And let's not forget about the humble sink. While it's the workhorse of the kitchen, it can also become a barrier if placed in a high-traffic area. Nobody wants to stop what they are doing so that someone can navigate around you to reach the pantry.

So, what's the solution? When designing your kitchen, prioritize functionality over aesthetics… JUST KIDDING! functionality and aesthetics are equally important and you can create a functional kitchen that also looks amazing. Consider how you move around the space and identify potential chokepoints. Opt for a layout that allows for smooth traffic flow, with clear pathways between key areas like the fridge, sink, and stove. Think about how each appliance will be used and ensure there's ample space for doors and drawers to open without obstructing nearby surfaces. By paying attention to these details, you can create a kitchen that not only looks great but works harmoniously with your daily routines. After all, a well-designed kitchen isn't just a place to cook—it's the heart of the home, where memories are made and shared.

How to incorporate plants into your home

Incorporating plants into your home not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also improves air quality and adds a sense of wellbeing. There are tons of fun a creative ways to incorporate plants into your home.

1. Start with Easy-care Plants

Choose low-maintenance plants that thrive indoors, such as snake plants, ZZ plants, pothos, or spider plants. These are great for beginners or those without a green thumb.

2. Utilize Window Sills

Place plants on window sills where they can get plenty of light. Herbs like basil, cilantro, and mint are perfect for kitchen windows and offer the added benefit of being edible.

3. Create a Living Wall

Install a vertical garden or living wall, especially if you're short on floor space. This can be a stunning focal point in a room and a unique way to display a variety of plants.

4. Hang Plants from the Ceiling

Use hanging planters to add greenery without taking up floor or shelf space. This is particularly effective in corners or above furniture pieces.

5. Incorporate Plants into Shelves and Bookcases

Intersperse small potted plants among books and decor on shelves for an integrated look. Varied heights and textures can add visual interest.

6. Use Plant Stands

Elevate your plants with stands of different heights to create a dynamic display. This can help in arranging plants in groups, making them more of a statement.

7. Opt for Large Floor Plants

Large plants, such as fiddle leaf figs or bird of paradise, can act as living sculptures, adding drama and height to any room.

8. Place Plants in Unexpected Places

Add small plants in bathrooms (where humidity can benefit certain plants), on side tables, or in other nooks to bring life to every corner of your home.

9. Experiment with Terrariums

Create or buy terrariums for a low-maintenance, mini-garden. They can be a great conversation starter and add a bit of whimsy.

10. Use Plants as Room Dividers

Larger plants or a group of plants on plant stands can serve as a natural room divider, creating privacy and adding texture.

11. Select Decorative Pots

Choose pots that complement your interior design style. The right pot can turn a plant into a piece of decor.

12. Seasonal and Aromatic Plants

Incorporate seasonal flowers or aromatic plants like lavender to add color and fragrance to your space.

13. Ensure Proper Lighting

Pay attention to the light requirements of each plant to ensure they thrive. Use grow lights if natural light is insufficient.

14. Regular Care and Maintenance

Keep your plants healthy with regular watering, pruning, and fertilizing as needed. Healthy plants make the most beautiful decorations.

Incorporating plants into your home decor not only beautifies your space but also connects you closer to nature, enhances your mood, and can even boost productivity. With a bit of creativity and care, you can transform your home into a lush, inviting space filled with life.

Can you mix metals?

Yes, in fact it’s highly encouraged! Mixing metals in interior design is a popular and effective strategy to add depth, interest, and layers to a space. When done thoughtfully, it can elevate the aesthetic appeal of a room and create a rich, nuanced look. Here are some tips for mixing metals successfully:

1. Choose a Dominant Metal

• Hierarchy: Select one metal finish as the primary or dominant metal in your space. This will serve as the main color tone around which other metal accents will revolve.

• Consistency: Using your dominant metal in several places creates a sense of cohesion. This could be in light fixtures, door hardware, or furniture pieces.

In this bathroom I actually mixed three different metals. The flooring helps unify the different tones so it feels cohesive

2. Incorporate Accent Metals

• Contrast and Complement: Choose one or two accent metals that complement or contrast nicely with your dominant metal. For example, if your primary metal is warm (like brass or copper), you could select cooler accent metals (like chrome or stainless steel) for a striking visual balance.

• Limit Choices: To maintain harmony and avoid clutter, it's generally advisable not to mix more than two or three different metal finishes in a single room.

In this bathroom the brass was used as an accent to bring some warm tones to the bathroom

3. Distribute Evenly

• Spatial Distribution: Spread your metal finishes throughout the space to create a balanced look. Avoid clustering all elements of one metal in a single area.

• Visual Balance: Use your accent metals in various decorative elements such as lamps, frames, or small furniture pieces to balance the visual weight across the room.

4. Match Finishes

• Finish Styles: Pay attention to the finish of your metals (e.g., polished, matte, brushed). Metals with similar finishes can coexist more harmoniously, even if their colors differ.

• Texture and Patina: Mixing textures can add depth to your space. For example, a polished finish might bring a touch of elegance, while a brushed or matte finish can contribute to a more subdued, sophisticated look.

5. Consider the Room’s Color Palette

• Color Harmony: Metals should complement the room’s overall color scheme. Warm-toned metals like brass or gold work well with warm colors, while cool-toned metals like silver or chrome pair nicely with cool colors.

• Neutral Backgrounds: Metals often stand out beautifully against neutral backgrounds, making them focal points without overwhelming the space.

6. Use Metals as Unifying Elements

• Thematic Links: Use metals to tie together different elements within the space or across rooms for a cohesive home design. This could mean repeating the use of a specific metal finish in various rooms or furnishings.

7. Experiment with Accessories

• Accessories as Test Grounds: If you're unsure about mixing metals, start with smaller accessories like vases, picture frames, or throw pillows with metallic accents. This low-commitment approach allows you to experiment with combinations before making larger changes.

Mixing metals adds a layer of sophistication and ensures that interior spaces feel curated and dynamic. It's an opportunity to express personal style and create an interior that feels both timeless and on-trend.

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What interior design style do i like?

Discovering your preferred interior design style can be an exciting journey! It involves exploring various elements, themes, and aesthetics to see what resonates with you most. Here are some popular interior design styles to consider:

I often don’t know how to describe the style of a home I design, what would you consider this project? I think I would describe it as modern transitional with a few coastal farmhouse elements.

1. Modern: Features clean lines, a simple color palette, and the use of materials like metal, glass, and steel.

2. Contemporary: Focuses on the here and now, with an emphasis on space rather than things. It often includes open spaces and natural light.

3. Minimalist: Takes notions of modern design and simplifies them further. Color palettes are neutral and airy; furnishings are simple and streamlined, and nothing is excessive or flamboyant in accessories or décor.

4. Industrial: Draws inspiration from an urban loft or an industrial warehouse. High ceilings, old timber, dangling metal light fixtures, and sparse functional furniture are common.

5. Mid-Century Modern: Characterized by refined lines, minimalist silhouettes, and natural shapes. It gives a nod to the 1950s and '60s.

6. Scandinavian: Inspired by the simplicity of life demonstrated in Nordic countries. It blends textures, soft hues, and clean lines.

7. Traditional: Reflects classic European decor. Themed around dark woods, rich color palettes, and a variety of textures and curved lines.

8. Bohemian: Represents a carefree lifestyle with little rules, emphasizing vintage furniture, globally inspired textiles, and light fixtures.

9. Rustic: Draws inspiration from the outdoors and incorporates raw and unfinished elements, including wood and stone.

10. Shabby Chic: Utilizes antique style and vintage fabrics to create an appearance of age and signs of wear-and-tear.

Reflect on which materials, colors, and furnishings make you feel most at home or excited. Consider looking through magazines, websites, or social media for inspiration.

As we work together, I will guide you through a few questions to help narrow down your preferences, or you can share more about what you're drawn to in your living space. This exercise ensures that we are on the same page and you love the design throughout the process. Also keep in mind that you don’t have to fit into one of these styles, I always love mixing and matching to create a unique but cohesive design.

How Interior design affects mental health

Interior design significantly influences mental health by shaping the environments where people spend much of their time. It's not just about aesthetics; it's also about creating spaces that promote well-being, productivity, and emotional balance. Here are several ways interior design impacts mental health.

Compare how this image makes you feel vs the one on the right

This image is much more dynamic while the bathroom is calming

1. Color Psychology: Colors in an environment can have a profound effect on a person's mood and emotions. For example, blues and greens are often seen as calming and can help reduce stress, whereas reds might stimulate energy and passion but can also increase feelings of anger or hostility in some settings.

2. Lighting: Natural lighting is known to boost mood and productivity, reducing feelings of depression and anxiety. Spaces designed to maximize natural light can positively affect occupants' mental health. On the other hand, poorly lit spaces can contribute to depression and vitamin D deficiencies.

3. Clutter vs. Minimalism: Cluttered spaces can lead to increased stress and anxiety, making it difficult for individuals to focus and relax. Designs that emphasize organization, minimalism, and clear spaces can promote a sense of calm and control.

4. Nature and Biophilic Design: Incorporating elements of nature into interior design, such as plants, natural materials, and views of the outdoors, can reduce stress, enhance creativity, and improve cognitive function. This approach, known as biophilic design, underscores the importance of our connection to the natural environment for mental well-being. (click here to learn more about how to add plants into your home)

5. Personalization: Spaces that allow for personalization can help individuals feel more connected to their environment, providing a sense of comfort and identity. This can be particularly important in settings like homes and offices, where people spend a lot of time.

6. Ergonomics and Comfort: Designing spaces that are physically comfortable and reduce strain (e.g., through appropriate furniture and layout) can also affect mental health by minimizing physical pain and discomfort, which can contribute to stress and frustration.

7. Space and Layout: The layout of a space can influence how individuals interact within it. Open spaces can foster social interactions and feelings of freedom, while smaller, cozy spaces might promote intimacy and security. However, the wrong layout can lead to feelings of isolation or overcrowding, impacting mental well-being.

8. Sound and Acoustics: Controlling sound through design can significantly affect stress levels and concentration. Environments that are too noisy can increase stress and make it difficult to focus, while too quiet spaces can feel isolating. Designing with sound in mind can help create balanced environments that support well-being.

This bathroom is mostly calming but the floor makes it feel more energized because of the pattern and lighting

By understanding and implementing these principles, interior design can create environments that support and enhance mental health, making spaces not only more aesthetically pleasing but also healthier and more comfortable to live, work, and play in.

5 Reasons to choose Custom Upholstery

Furniture selection is one of the most exciting parts of the design process. When making furniture selections, one of the most important aspects is to make the decision on whether or not to go with custom upholstery. Here are 5 reasons you should go with custom!

• Customized look

  • The possibilities are endless (including fabric selection)

  • Subtle details that make the piece unique to you and your home

  • If there is wood, you can coordinate the finish with the rest of the space

These custom chairs were made specifically for the clients home and needs, plus they add a great color to the space!

This Custom Chair is perfect for the space and will stand the test of time!

• Longevity and Quality

  • When you go custom, you are purchasing pieces that will live in your home for years to come. 

  • You will find quality that retailers simply cannot provide at their price points.  

  • Handcrafted pieces - Teams of artisans that love creating and take pride in their work

  • Quality materials- Hard wood frames. They also will use processes like eight-way hand tying vs. sinuous wire where the style allows that make the frame sturdier to last a lifetime.

• Consistency

  • Bench made is a process that ensures consistent quality throughout the entire piece. When we refer to bench made, we mean that the same individual will complete each process of the manufacturing of your pieces. 

    For example, a single woodworker will build out the entire frame. An inside upholsterer will apply fabric and padding before the piece moves onto an outside upholsterer to adhere the fabric to the outside of the frame. 

    When you have more than one of the same piece being made like a set of dining chairs, the same team will complete each process. Upholsterers all have unique techniques and skills. One upholsterer may pull fabric tighter than another.

    By utilizing a bench made process, we can ensure that each piece has a uniform look.

• Functionality

  • You may need a piece that can stand up in a family with kids, pets and the occasional spilled wine or a shabby chic linen for a more formal space that can occasionally be dry cleaned. Custom upholstery covers all of the bases.

    Comfort is key to creating a piece you will love! If you prefer a firmer sit, you may opt for a spring unit wrapped in foam and fiber that requires less maintenance. If you want a soft and more relaxed look, you may choose to go with a foam core wrapped and down in feathers which will require daily fluffing and flipping/rotating of the cushions. 

    We are here to talk you through your expectations and create a comfortable, customized look that fits your lifestyle.

This custom sofa is made to fit the clients living room perfectly and is also upholstered in a performance fabric to stand up to their teenagers and all the entertaining they do.