Tag: Designers

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What lighting makes a home look expensive? 5 ideas from the designers in the know

What lighting makes a home look expensive? 5 ideas from the designers in the know
What lighting makes a home look expensive? Kitchen with dark wood paneling, island and dining table. Purple bathroom with gold fixtures. White bedroom with two low hanging pendant lights

What lighting makes a home look expensive? Kitchen with dark wood paneling, island and dining table. Purple bathroom with gold fixtures. White bedroom with two low hanging pendant lights

Never underestimate the importance of good lighting in interior design.

The right lighting ideas can transform a dull, dark room into one filled with warmth and inviting, cozy character – and lighting that makes a home look expensive will only elevate your design scheme to elegant new heights.

5 ways you can beautifully enhance the lighting in your home

‘Designing luxury lighting is like casting actors in a play. There will be many important supporting roles but only one or two stars. The key is getting the players working together so you only depend on one to sell the show,’ says interior designer, Julie Brown.

Beautiful lighting doesn’t always have to cost the earth, good interior lighting is so much more than simply purchasing a pretty pendant; from material to placement and color temperature, there are many factors to consider.

We have asked a collection of design experts for their top tips on how you can make your home feel that little bit more luxurious and refined through a successful and beautiful lighting scheme.

1. Use multiple light sources in each space

Kitchen-diner with dark wooden paneling, round marble table, kitchen island, two pendant lights

Kitchen-diner with dark wooden paneling, round marble table, kitchen island, two pendant lights

‘By using multiple sources of light, you can create a sense of richness and complexity that instantly elevates the overall look and feel of the home,’ advises Reinis Butka, Luminesy lighting expert.

From a mix of spotlights and low hanging pendants for kitchen lighting ideas, to cozy table lamps and floor lamps in a living room, a thoughtful blend of the beautiful and the practical will create an adaptable lighting scheme that is both inviting and incredibly functional.

NYC-based interior designer, James Stanley also comments, ‘it is essential to use a mix of light sources. The combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting is what sets the mood for a room. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination to a room, and it can come from natural light, overhead fixtures, or wall-mounted sconces. Task lighting on the other hand, is meant to provide focused light for specific activities such as reading or cooking. Accent lighting is then used to highlight certain features such as artwork or architectural details.’

2. A luxurious and unique use of materials

White bedroom with two low hanging concrete pendants, bed with artwork mounted above

White bedroom with two low hanging concrete pendants, bed with artwork mounted above

From sleek, sculptural metal structures, to colorful, tactile lampshades, choose lighting that creates artistic, eye-catching focal points through a luxurious and unique use of materials.

‘The quality of lighting materials is crucial in making a home look expensive. Choosing high-quality fixtures with elegant design elements and finishes such as brass, gold, or chrome, help to elevate the look of a space by becoming a statement piece in the room. Recessed, trim-less LED fixtures are also a must for a tailored, chic look,’ says interior designer, James Stanley.

Charlie Bowles, director of Original BTC, supports this further and says, ‘natural materials with interesting patinas such as weathered bronze, copper and brass are the best choices as they’re low maintenance and can age beautifully.’

3. Plenty of warm light

Living room with botanical hanging tapestry, floor light, colorful upholstered floral lounge chair

Living room with botanical hanging tapestry, floor light, colorful upholstered floral lounge chair

‘The right color temperature can make a space feel cozy, welcoming, and elegant. Warm light bulbs provide soft, golden tones that create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. It is essential to avoid harsh, cool light, which can make a room feel sterile and uninviting,’ says James Stanley.

Of course, there are some areas of the home, such as bathrooms and kitchens, that benefit from practical, bright white light, but as we have discussed, a mixture of multiple light sources is key, and warm lighting can help make a room feel instantly inviting, cozy and calm with the flick of a switch.

‘Incorporating dimmer switches allows for greater control over the intensity of the light, making it easy to adjust the mood and ambiance depending on the occasion,’ advises Reinis Butka.

For further advice and guidance, we explore lighting temperature basics in our dedicated feature.

4. Place decorative, inviting lighting in practical places

Dark purple bathroom with ornate golden mirror, golden wall light

Dark purple bathroom with ornate golden mirror, golden wall light

From beautiful bathroom chandelier ideas, to a set of stylish wall lights in a hallway or entryway, uplifting transitional and more practical areas of the home with luxurious lighting will establish a wonderfully chic and inviting space.

Scarlett Hampton, co-founder of lights&lamps explains, ‘we have seen a great response to our bathroom lighting. People are becoming more adventurous in the design of their bathrooms and so designing lighting that complements those schemes and pushes the boundaries of what is ‘normally’ seen in these spaces is a trend that we will continue to fulfil.’

5. The perfect placement

Large white dining room with beige scalloped rug, wooden dining table, low hanging pendant

Large white dining room with beige scalloped rug, wooden dining table, low hanging pendant

Whether it’s a low hanging pendant light placed above a dining table for dining room lighting ideas, or a floor lamp positioned perfectly beside a sofa or armchair, creating a cozy reading nook, the thoughtful positioning of lighting across your home will only help you to use and enjoy your space in the best way possible.

‘The right placement of light fixtures can make a room feel spacious, inviting, and elegant. The use of hidden lighting, such as under-cabinet lighting, can also provide a subtle touch of warmth and sophistication’ says interior designer, James Stanley.

Shop our top lighting picks

Larkspur Single Sconce

Defined by an elegant, coastal look, this pretty wall lamp is available in classic brass or sleek white, and features an elegant, hand-wrapped rattan shade.

Orta Cone Table Lamp

A real statement piece, this table lamp is defined by minimal, sleek clean lines and a blend of rich, industrial finishes, adding a beautiful, graphic accent to a space.

101 Copenhagen Salon Chandelier

Inspired by Art Deco, Salon is crafted from six illuminating lampshades, elegantly positioned in a lightweight metal frame. A simple, sculptural design, the beautiful design is available in two different sizes.

Kalani Pendant Light

A calming, curvaceous silhouette, beautifully crafted from wicker, this timeless pendant offers a subtle sense of movement and beautiful character to wherever it is placed.

Ingram Vanity Sconce

Featuring brushed brass and polished nickel, this vanity sconce brings glamour to any type of bathroom – master, guest, or powder room.

Alma Floor Light

A collaboration between Original BTC and Swedish interior designer Beata Heuman, the Alma Floor Light nods to mid-century Scandinavian design, featuring a hand-painted shade with 41 hand-made holes; looking like little glowing stars at night.

FAQs

Which lights make your room the most cozy?

A layered lighting scheme that creates multiple pools of warming, inviting light will make a room feel incredibly cozy and calming.

Table lamps and floor lamps are often best for providing a softer more gentle lighting atmosphere, and are ideal for use in a bedroom or living room.

When deciding on which color temperature is best for a cozy feel, opt for a warm white between 2600K-3200K.

Other light sources such as pretty string lights and candles can also help to create a wonderfully inviting ambience.

‘When it comes to making a home look expensive, lighting plays a crucial role in setting the tone and ambiance of a room. Lighting not only illuminates a space but also impacts the overall aesthetic and feel of a room,’ says James Stanley.

A successful and luxurious lighting scheme should work hard to efficiently light up your home through an adaptable range of different light sources, as well as enrich your design scheme with further texture, color, shape and style.

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6 outdated bedroom trends designers urge us to avoid at all costs |

6 outdated bedroom trends designers urge us to avoid at all costs |

With a constant new stream of beautiful interior design ideas and styles to explore, there will always be certain trends that lose their spark, and we’re here to guide you through the outdated bedroom trends that are no longer favored by designers. 

Of course, a bedroom is a deeply personal space, and your bedroom ideas should cater to your needs and your needs alone, however, exploring analysis on trends that no longer work well, and taking in refreshing new design ideas, will only help you to create a more successful, functional and beautiful scheme.

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Designers’ Tips & Techniques for Making a Beautiful Kitchen Mood Board

Designers’ Tips & Techniques for Making a Beautiful Kitchen Mood Board

Introduction

Each inside designers and householders must have a kitchen area mood board style. It serves as an instance of your structure strategy and involves colour techniques, textures, finishes, and other style and design components. A perfectly-developed mood board can give your kitchen structure challenge route and inspiration. Right here are some style professionals’ greatest hints and methods for building a spectacular temper board for your kitchen.

Skilled methods for making amazing mood boards for kitchen

  • Get started with a obvious vision

Have a crystal clear notion of the benefits you want to obtain in advance of you start off making your mood board. Immediately after gathering thoughts from style blogs, journals, and Pinterest, establish a obvious vision for your kitchen area style and design. This will assistance you pick out colours, supplies, and other design and style parts that go properly with your all round objective.

The colour plan you pick out will decide how your kitchen area will look. Imagine about the environment you want to make in your space. Do you want it to be energetic and vivid, or relaxing and comforting? Use colours that will enhance a person an additional and offer a wonderful influence. To enable you picture how the colors will mix, use colour swatches, paint chips, or electronic color palettes.

  • Choose finishes and textures.

An necessary element of any structure, texture can give your kitchen temper board depth and enchantment. Feel about numerous supplies like wood, marble, or tile, and pick out finishes that go well with your chosen colour scheme. For instance, if you want a rustic physical appearance, assume about tough-hewn wooden finishes or a backsplash designed of textured tiles.

  • Enhance the visible desire

Your temper board for the kitchen area really should be visually appealing and capture your eye. Add some surprising parts, like specific lights fixtures or ornamental gildings, devoid of becoming frightened to do so. To produce a dynamic and intriguing layout, assume about combining a variety of resources and finishes.

  • Imagine about the usability

Whilst aesthetics are vital, it is similarly necessary to take into account functionality into account when coming up with your kitchen area. Contemplate how the place flows and how you will use it day by day. Make certain your temper board incorporates sensible components like home furniture, storage options, and appliances to make certain your layout is each lovely and handy.

Creating a mood board for a kitchen area design demands cautious thing to consider of your budget as it could be an high-priced job. Consider into account considerably less expensive supplies and finishes that will however create the wished-for aesthetic. To slice prices, you can also include Do-it-yourself parts, these types of as portray or refinishing cabinets.

Following you have concluded earning your kitchen area mood board, move back again and give it a essential analysis. Study whether or not everything complements a person another and whether or not the atmosphere you have developed is in line with your idea. As needed, make modifications, and keep increasing your structure right up until you are content with the final result.

Conclusion

In summary, a beautiful kitchen area mood board style and design is a requirement for each and every layout venture. You can make a unified and aesthetically attractive style and design that demonstrates your eyesight and satisfies your useful needs by working with the thoughts and tricks in this article. Consequently take pleasure in the course of action of creating your excellent kitchen by using your time and getting innovative.

 

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Home Office Makeover: 3 Designers Step Up to the Challenge

Home Office Makeover: 3 Designers Step Up to the Challenge

He was also drawn to the creamy McGee & Co. Elton chair because it does not predictably expose four legs without the need of remaining a “fussy” chair. “I loved that it was playing off a vintage moment, the chair wraps you up in itself,” he continues. The cloudlike chair also operates with the lighter linen material of the Pottery Barn curtains that bestow just the right amount of texture with no going “glammy.” The Persian-influenced rug, also by McGee & Co., ties the walnut-coloured canned desk to the rest of the interiors. “I wanted you to have depth in the room,” he suggests. “I never want it to be matchy-matchy, but all the pieces require to be cousins of the identical spouse and children, they need to have a identical aesthetic.” 

By tuning into the all-natural earth without having getting extremely clear about it, Welch stepped it up in the add-ons division. In addition to the snake lamp, he introduced in things like the reptilian Stalk gold platter from CB2 (the suitable resolution for my mail). Jewel-toned Agate bookends from West Elm serve as the best eye-sweet for the developed-in book shelf. The Visual Convenience & Co. bubble chandelier, with ripples in the baubles, mitigates the daring blue on the walls. 

“Accessories are often crucial when you are designing the room,” Welch adds. “You want things that are surprising, no matter whether neutral or colourful, these objects should be believed provoking. You can design a gorgeous dwelling, but without having equipment it will tumble flat.”

My dwelling office makeover takeaway

Armed with inspiration galore, the area of my very own is ultimately using shape. McClain, Jane, and Welch all tapped into my aspirational style and design narrative: Bold, but grounded, hues to express a significant, qualified tone which is then subdued with playful facts like animal-themed add-ons. In this article is how I approach to recreate a variation of this skilled zootopia that is my property office.

Go daring on the walls

Hague Blue No. 30 Contemporary Emulsion paint, 1 gallon

Even though drawn to rich colours, I was anxious to paint the full office environment, but observing how equally McClain and Welch leaned into the dusty blue gives me self esteem. I am notably drawn to Farrow & Ball Hague Blue No. 30 as it has a lighter undertone and functions as a neutral, not one thing I experienced regarded as right before.

Enjoy with a whimsical rug

Iris Apfel Flutterby Multicolor Rug, 5×7

I loved how McClain place up the exotic animal menagerie wallpaper on the ceiling, but with a coved ceiling, I am a bit nervous for the Diy. Alternatively, the fantastic compromise: an insect menagerie rug from the new Iris Apfel selection for Ruggable that will take me a few minutes to roll out and deal with my considerably less-than-stellar ground. The border works splendidly with the Hauge Blue paint, the neutral qualifications carry in light, and I really like how the butterflies and the dragonflies include pops of coral to liven up the space. 

Embrace texture

Many thanks to Jane’s insight, I notice that bringing in a compact lounge chair for visitors can make the residence place of work much more relaxed. I am opting for a curvy 3-legged Everse chair with textured velvet upholstery to add visual curiosity and intertwine the browns in the rug with the walnut desk. 

Have pleasurable with equipment

Adding in metallic factors (with discussion-worthy structure) improves the office environment with just the ideal volume of glam and interest. The crocodilian platter will work as the excellent spot to store my cellular phone and mail, and the snake desk lamp can make me feel that its a design preference Cleopatra would make, must she require to decorate her desk.

Sprinkle in art

Citrus Grove Art Print, 11 x 14 with Custom made Antique Gold Frame

I fell in love with the navy Rifle Paper Co., Citrus Grove peel-and-stick wallpaper and required to paste it into the wall panels. But on 2nd though, it could possibly be as well much when paired with the Iris Apfel Flutterby rug. As an alternative, I am opting for a smaller dose of the pattern with this framed art print to remind me of my times in Florida. 

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Look Inside This Interior Designer’s Custom Home!

Look Inside This Interior Designer’s Custom Home!

There’s something fascinating about peeking into an interior designer’s home. After all, they spend each day surrounded by beautiful things, with their finger on the pulse of the latest decor trends. With that in mind, we jumped at the opportunity to talk to Dallas-based interior designer Erin Sander of Erin Sander Design about her own gorgeous abode in University Park. From a custom-designed coffee nook to a vaulted, red-brick annex that serves as a study, this is one home you’ll want to look to for inspiration!

Exterior of an interior designer's home in Dallas, Texas.

Take a peek inside this gorgeous home designed and owned by interior designer Erin Sander!

Located on a quarter of an acre in Dallas city proper, Erin Sander and her family occupy a 5,000-square-foot estate with four bedrooms and five baths. “We built it from the ground up,” Erin explains. “There was another home on the property. In this part of town, older homes with no historical relevance are frequently taken down to host a new house. So we tore the house down, and then I drew the floor and architectural plans for this house.”

Erin designed the home to be casual yet elevated, contemporary yet functional, serene with a subtle edge — hallmarks of her signature style. “Our brand design is ‘relaxed, refined luxury,’ so that was the basis as I was building this new house,” she tells us. “As I was researching different styles, the ‘Belgian farmhouse’ aesthetic really aligned with our brand and my personal aesthetic. So that’s the direction we went.”

The home is awash in natural light with beautiful elements around every corner — understated details that make a grand impact. “As a designer, there are a lot of things that draw my eye on a consistent basis, so I’m constantly getting inspiration from travels, other projects, and things out there in the design world,” says Erin of her inspiration. “There were definitely some architectural features that I wanted to make sure we incorporated, such as the long hallway that terminates in the window, with steps leading up to the second floor. I wanted to have a few moments where there was a beautiful termination, and you can see through the house.”

Long hallway with beamed ceiling and custom fixtures.

“I drew those fixtures for the space, and then an artist made those for me,” Erin tells us. “I also drew and detailed the wood for the artists to lay in that manner on the floor.”

Living room with vaulted ceiling.

“This is probably where we had to make the most choices for practicality for our family,” Erin says of the living room. “When we moved in, all of my kids were rather young. So all of these are performance fabrics. In the foreground, there’s a McGuire chair in Lisa Fine fabric.” Additionally, the coffee table is custom-covered in grasscloth, and artwork by Katrine Hildebrandt adorns the walls.

As you enter Erin’s home, the first room you’ll find is the annex. Formerly her office, the space now serves as the family study. “It’s a vaulted story-and-a-half space,” Erin says of the room. “Initially, before I had our firm in an office space here in Dallas, I officed from that space. It has great storage, vaulted ceilings, beams, and also more privacy being by itself in the eastern corner of the house.”

Erin Sander's home office.

This gorgeous space served as Erin’s in-home office but now functions as a study. “My main office is about five miles from my house, in the design district,” she says of her current office space.”

The kitchen stands out with beamed ceilings, rift-sawn white oak flooring, and pale blue accents. An oven range from French manufacturer Lacanche adds a splash of color in just the right spot. “This is one of the pivotal points that went into the kitchen,” says Erin of the high-end piece. “I wanted to insert a little bit of color, and their offerings are broad but not overly broad. Choosing that blue color for the range set the tone for the other blue accents. They also take about a year to procure, so it’s something we had to decide on very early.”

Kitchen with beamed ceiling and island with stools.

With hand-hewn Douglas fir beams and rift-sawn white oak hardwood floors, the kitchen incorporates natural materials with modern appliances. Additionally, an unlacquered brass faucet by Waterstone and a backsplash by Clé Tile offer standout details.

Fixtures in a hand-hewn brass finish, custom-made by Urban Electric Company, are suspended above an eye-catching island with deep-set planking on its sides. Stools in a simplistic Scandinavian design offer practical, easy-to-maneuver seating, and various decorative bowls offer a lovely focal point and a glimpse of Erin’s passion for ceramics.

“You’ll see a bowl of fruit in the very back,” she offers. “That’s a vintage bowl from my grandmother’s collection, and I use that frequently with styling. It’s one of my favorite pieces.” She also references the bowls in the foreground. “They are by a ceramicist out of California, Sara Kersten,” she relays. “I’ve been collecting her pieces for years.”

The countertops, made of honed marble, were an experiment for Erin. “I frequently have to advise my clients on the materiality of their countertops for their kitchens and baths,” she explains. “I wanted to use the marble so I could see the highs and lows of living with it.” Additionally, though it’s tough to spot, the café curtains are made of hand-blocked fabric by Galbraith & Paul out of Philadelphia.

Hallway in Erin Sander's home, culminating in a blue door.

An archway provides a soft entry into the kitchen, while a high-end range from Lacanche picks up the surrounding blue accents. “There are a couple of lighting pieces throughout the home that I drew and detailed, then had made by a local artist,” says Erin. “And that’s one of them.”

Boasting vintage chairs and various collected art pieces, the dining room melds an intimate space with cozy-eclectic decor for a contemporary edge. “The chairs are vintage McGuire — I love to use McGuire pieces in our work,” says Erin. “I just love the texture and the warmth that they bring. I had the seats recovered in a Peter Dunham fabric, and the art piece is from an artist named Addie Chapin. It says in Latin, ‘deo gratias.’ The tallies signify counting our blessings.”

Erin Sander's dining room.

Exposed brick and modern art lend a contemporary edge to the dining room. “The light fixture is from Currey & Company,” says Erin. “It’s a simple, good, high-low moment.”

Dining room with a view of the yard.

A collection of pewter dishes adds a dark contrast to the dining room. “They’re my mother’s pewter set,” says Erin, “and the two serving pieces on the bottom are from this great vendor in Austin, Unrefined. We get to make frequent trips to Roundtop, being in such close proximity, so that’s a vendor I found there.”

An affinity for coffee led to one of the home’s most memorable nooks — the coffee station. With a La Spaziale espresso machine (featuring walnut panels from Clive Coffee out of Portland), custom open shelving, and a beautiful backsplash from Ann Sacks’ Savoy series, the space is a go-to morning staple that’s both charming and pragmatic.

“Our family has a longstanding love for coffee,” Erin tells us, “so detailing out this coffee bar was something my husband and I enjoyed doing together. Besides being aesthetically pretty, it has some great, practical components. The refrigerator drawers on the left house all the things for morning coffee. This area gets a high level of use for us. We get beans from all over the country!”

Coffee station with open shelving.

We’re envious of this fabulous custom coffee station!

Arched entryway to room with bison painting.

A glimpse of what’s across from the coffee station showcases a photograph of a bison. “Our family has Western roots,” says Erin. “My husband and I both grew up outside of Denver. We still make frequent trips to the mountains and the West — that’s the origin of that piece.”

In the primary bedroom, a fixture from Oly Studio offers a whimsical focal point. “It’s a flock of birds, and it’s such an interesting thing to look up at every evening!” says Erin. Other standout features include vintage cabinets sourced from Juxtaposition Home in California and custom lamps from a maker in Roundtop, TX. Pale pink chairs add tranquil warmth, as does the custom-made quadrille bedding.

In the master bath, custom white oak vanities add a natural element, while hand-cut limestone floors bring in a dose of character. “We laid it in a pattern that I drew,” Erin explains, “and then interspersed this tiny blue celeste marble mosaic. The blue celeste is what’s behind that freestanding tub as well.”

Master bedroom with white bird chandelier and pale pink chairs.

Vintage cabinets, custom lamps, and a beautiful avian light fixture from Oly Studio round out the master bedroom.

Master bathroom with free-standing tub.

“We designed the master suite to really flow,” says Erin. “It has two entrances and a strong connection to the bedroom, so it all kind of lives as one.” The master bathroom is shown here, complete with a freestanding tub and custom white oak vanities.

Powder bath with ornate, arched interior window.

This moody and wonderful powder room has a charming mock window and antique French flooring from Chateau Domingue out of Houston.

Designed to make use of a variety of materials (one of this year’s prominent design trends), the home’s exterior is flanked by live oaks and potted olive trees. “We were able to have a lot that has a bit more width for this area of town,” Erin tells us, “so I wanted to create something that wasn’t all two-story. I wanted it to be a little bit more approachable. That perspective from the street of having a small courtyard of trees as you pull up was a priority for me.”

Wooden bench in the back yard, surrounded by holly trees.

A custom wood bench from David Sutherland is nestled amongst Savannah holly trees.

Exterior of Erin Sander's home, featuring the entryway.

A combination of materials — such as lime-washed brick and cedar shake — makes for a dynamic exterior.

A special thanks to Pär Bengtsson for the photography.

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For more inspiration from interiors across the South, check out our HOME FEATURES ARCHIVE.

Jenna Bratcher
About the Author

Jenna Bratcher

Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville’s Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 15 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a foodie through and through and enjoys exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.

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7 basic interior design rules from the world’s best designers |

7 basic interior design rules from the world’s best designers |

These basic interior design rules cover the layer of decoration on the interior of a space within a building, be it residential or commercial, so while most designers and architects will say there are ‘no rules to design’, there are still some fundamental design decisions we should consider before beginning to decorate and plan our dream home. 

While there’s certainly no one size fits all formula, there are still a few basic principles we should master if we want to curate a beautiful home that is fit for family life. After all, the whole purpose of interior design is to create a room or rooms which answer the needs of the individuals living in them, whilst also reflecting their personalities with good design, space, and functionality.