Small Spaces

We need to have a cultural paradigm shift, and make small spaces desirable spaces. Everytime I see a real estate ad labeling a small home "starter home", or "retiree home", I cringe. Because as long as the old paradigm exists that big is better, it will be difficult to get people to buy into sustainable and ergonomic living. The new status symbol needs to be that small is better. A small home is not a "starter home"; but a permanent, wonderful lifestyle choice.

Design Aesthetics

It is a basic human need to have our home or domain reflect our personal style and energy. I believe that the act of inhabiting is the a prior emotional need of all human beings.

A personalized design consultation with a seasoned professional can help you define:
-your personal lifestyle needs
-your thinking and goals
-a design that makes sense to you
-feeling good about your purchasing decisions

In the end, interior design is a living entity that grows with you- a lifelong process.

Decorating Trends

With the cocooning trend still in full swing with no sign of abating; it is obvious that more and more decorators will need to incorporate a clients needs for comfort and style into their next design. Formal, stiff interiors are on their way out as people are opting for more casual, yet beautiful environments.

Luxurious fabrics done in simple styles are the trend of the future. A solid grassroots movement away from the post-industrial utilitarian synthetics is giving way to beautiful, organic and environmentally responsible velvets, luxurious cashmeres, and exquisite silks from China in home furnishings. Styles are looser and less constructed than they have been in the last decade.

Asian and Global influence continues to be strong, with the idea of home being a serene retreat.

The Art of Balinese Antiques

Authentic Balinese Antiques are becoming harder to find, due to international politics, availability, and dwindling numbers of experienced buyers to find these pieces.

Many Balinese products are quite beautiful and serviceable, and are made from reclaimed Teak from such things as old boats and refashioned into useable products, in modern manufacturing plants, for the American consumer market. Retailers like Pier One Imports and World Market carry these items.

Though authentic reproductions in the sense of being truly Balinese, they are not, however, authentic antiques as found by an experienced buyer who goes into remote outlays and searches for true Balinese pieces that are 70 to over 150 years old.

One such piece, such as a balinese trunk as depicted in the photo with intricate balinese carving, or maybe a Balinese chaise lounge, carved out of solid teak that is almost two inches thick, and covered in black leather made from Hippopotamus Hide. A rare piece such as this brings an exotic island element to any home.

Balinese pieces convey timeless indigenous elegance and beauty to almost any decor.

Warm colors for cold climates

When Choosing colors for cold Northern Climates, be sure that you navigate away from mid values that have grays in them. On a cold winters day, your color will completely fade out to gray! This means when looking at your paint deck, either to pick tints from the top of the color strip that have alot of white in them, or pick shades from the bottom of the deck that have alot of black in them, but avoid the midtones that are mixed with grey!