Shanghai Stool from Studio A – Online Interior Decorator Find of the Week

Studio A Shanghia Stool

 

Today’s online interior decorator pick is a very cool stool.   This amazing find from Studio A is not your average accent stool. It is made of cast iron with an antique bronze finish. The lines are crisp with the feel of a classic “found” artifact. Modern and antique all in one!

Recently, I have used this stool in a rustic living room, giving the new room a time worn rich look. I would also suggest adding a pair to the foot of an upholstered bed frame. The juxtaposition of an iron stool and soft upholstery would be a great look.

If you are interested in this stool for your home, please contact me at orders@interiordesignserviceonline.com for pricing information.

Design Question: Hi Lisa – What are some ways to make a room feel bigger? Thanks – C.J.

Working in the field of residential interior design, I have a few tricks for making a small space look and feel bigger. Here are my top seven tips:

 

  • Use a color palette that’s light and neutral, that will enlarge your space visually.
  • Incorporate some furniture in the same color as your walls, that way it basically blends into the walls which helps widen your space.
  • Use multifunctional furniture, such as storage ottomans, which can be used as both a coffee table, extra seating and storage, all at the same time.

CB2 peekaboo-clear-rolling-two-shelf

  • See-through furniture—like glass tables and Lucite chairs—do a great job of tricking the eye into thinking there is more space than there actually is.
  • Resist the temptation to fill up every exposed shelf in a room. Leaving some black spaces will give your small space an airy look.
  • Ignore the old rule that small furniture in a small space is the way to go. Fewer, larger pieces of furniture in a small room will often make it look bigger.
  • Just because a room is small, doesn’t mean it can’t be amazing and dramatic. Big pieces of art can add a ton of a lot of drama to a small space, and make the room seem bigger.

The Look for Less – Fuchsia Wing Chair

Today’s look for less is not for the meek! A bold pink wing chair makes a strong statement. Some interior design ideas are so good that they can carry a room with a bold color and classic shape.

Ballard Designs Nelson Wing Chair

 

 

 

The Nelson Wing Chair in Garrison Linen Magenta from Ballard Designs is such an idea. Fuchsia linen is a perfect mix of bold and classic. Cool and modern, fun and feminine. With a price tag of a tad over $1,000.00 you need to be sure you are ready to embrace such a bold statement! This gorgeous chair is a bit of an investment.

 

 

 

 

 

World Market Nina Fuchsia Chair

But, you can still dabble with a similar chair for about 75% less. The Fuchsia Nina Cahir sold by World Market has a similar strong color and classic shape. World Market even added tufting to further elevate the look.

 

 

 

With such a great chair at an even better price, which would you pick? Tell me your favorite on Interior Design Service Online Facebook’s Page!

Budget Friendly Holiday Decorating Tips

holiday budget decorating wreath on door

It is now December first and it is time (past time according to some retailers) to start thinking about holiday decorating…that is, of course, if you haven’t already. Over the next few weeks many of us will be spending hundreds of dollars on gifts and decorations. None of us plan to go overboard, but it is so easy to get caught up in the holiday cheer, markdowns and cyber sales.

 

So how do deck the halls without breaking the bank? Here are some of my favorite low cost holiday decorating tips for a beautiful, budget friendly season!

 

1.) Focus your decorating efforts on the public areas of your home like the entry, living room and dining room. This is where you and your family will spend the most time and the rooms that your guests will see. You can always add smaller decorations to other rooms around the house but keep the majority of holiday decorating limited to these areas.

 

2.) Limit your outside decorations at a minimum. No need to spend your money decorating for the entire community when you have an entire home interior as your decorating playground. A few well selected items on the exterior such as a couple (yes I do mean a couple) strands of holiday lights, a pair of poinsettias flanking your entry door, and a wreath are plenty.

 

3.) Finally, look outside for resources. Mother Nature is the best designer in the world so look outside! Many stores sell items you can find for free outdoors. It is simple (and costs nothing) to fill vases and centerpiece bowls with pine cones, branches and anything else that signifies the holidays. Source your yard for trees that have healthy, intact needles. You can make your own garlands and wreaths by simply binding these needles together.

 

Consider using some of these ideas as you start (or finish) your seasonal decorating.

 

Online Interior Decorator Find of the Week – Surya Bedding

surya ann 7002 bedding

 

Surya has long been one of my favorite sources for rugs and throw pillows. But now, they have ventured into the world of designer bedding. There colors and patterns are the perfect mix of both current styles and timeless designs. Even better is the price point; high end bedding without the high end cost making their bedding my online interior decorator find of the week.

Above is one of my favorites! The color is a mix of purple and grey. For those of you that love your purple this bedding would perk up soft grey walls yet remain sophisticated and modern.

Below is a sampling of a few of Surya’s other bedding options.

Surya Bedding KFB 2004 Surya Bedding Alia 4000 surya ann 4002 plaza bedding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surya’s new bedding can be purchased through our Interior Design Service Online Trade Sales. If you are interested in these great patterns or any of their other bedding, please request a quote at orders@interiordesignserviceonline.com.

Design Question – How do you approach the task of designing a room?

Moving into a new apartment and for the first time in my post-college life, not furnishing it exclusively with things I find off Craigslist. Any tips on how to approach designing a room? Do I pick a theme first (wood, all-light colors, etc.)? Do I buy one object that “anchors” the room and buy other pieces of furniture that complement it? I’m totally clueless in this arena…

 

How to start the design of a room is a great question! As a professional interior designer offering online interior design service (https://www.interiordesignserviceonline.com/), starting a room design has become science for me and I’d love to share my insight.

 

If you plan to bring in an area rug, this is typically where I suggest starting a design. The reason is twofold. First, area rugs can get expensive and can be an agonizing decision. Therefore, start the rug selection first so you have less constraints to work with. I often tell my clients “there are limitless paint color options but limited rug choices.” Make the hardest decision first and then work the room around the rug.

leather butteryfly chair

interior design service online

 

No rug – no problem. You would then start with the largest piece of furniture in the room. In a Living Room, this most likely will be your sofa. Select a sofa that you love! It needs to be comfortable, visually appealing and must fit the scale of your room. If you have a blank canvas and find a sofa that meets these criteria, then make the purchase.

 

As you then proceed to fill in the room, work from larger items to the smallest items. This takes some restraint! It is certainly much easier (and often more fun) to buy some amazing throw pillows before you have anything else such as side tables and accent chairs. Resist the temptation. You don’t want to box yourself in by needing to design an entire room around a $30.00 pillow.

 

When it comes time to accessorize your room, keep in mind two things. One, find pieces you love. Often I find that it is the smallest items in a design that bring my clients the most joy. Secondly, use accessories to finish the design. Small details can finish the look and make a house feel like a home.

 

Finally, consider enlisting in a little professional interior design help. Many designers, like me, have online interior design service at a very affordable rates. The cost of a little professional help can far outweigh the cost of design mistakes! If I can help you specifically with your new apartment, please email me at Info@InteriorDesignServiceOnline.com.

Arranging Furniture with Multiple Focal Points – Interior Design Help Online

Dueling focal points in a room can create a challenge when placing furniture! Each item you mention (the fireplace, the TV and the exterior view) has its own importance and therefore we need to highlight each in its own way.

Interior design help online is here! Below is an example of a room I recently designed for a client:

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Interior Design Service Online

 

She had room with very similar focal point concerns. In this room, the fireplace took up one entire wall.   Because of the size, the fireplace became the number one focal point. I oriented a sectional sofa to face the fireplace. As well, the fireplace was flanked by a pair of comfortable chairs. While the chairs have their backs to the fireplace, they still visually highlight this architectural element.

The TV was the next focal point. While I would prefer to focus more on the lovely outside view, the reality is the most people use their televisions a lot more often than they actually stare out the window. Thus, we needed to be sure the television had good viewing. I placed a corner TV cabinet adjacent to the fireplace for comfortable viewing.

Finally, we addressed the exterior views. Part of our sectional faces the window. For the second window (and the one with the best view) I used a low bench in the window. Not only does the bench draw attention to the view but it gives another spot to sit and enjoy.

Please follow my blog for answers to other design dilemmas.

Online Interior Decorator Find of the Week – Pottery Barn Sienna Secretary Desk

pottery barn sienna-secretary-desk

After years of aqua blue overload, I am a bit obsessed with anything navy right now. So when I found this secretary desk from Pottery Barn I was in furniture love. Very rarely do I find something so cool that it makes my online interior decorator heart skip a beat, but this desk does just that.

Not only is the deep blue color awesome, the finish is in a high gloss giving the desk a nice shine and a bit of glam. The polished nickel hardware and slight nod to campaign style furniture, makes this little desk a true find.pottery barn sienna-secretary-desk-interior

I would suggest adding the Sienna Secretary Desk to a bedroom, niche or generous size hallway. The pop of unexpected color and tailored shape would add interest and a unique touch to almost any room. And wait until you see the desk open – a contrasting color! Pottery Barn got this piece just right!

The Look for Less – Indigo Ikat Throw Pillows

Ikat prints and the color indigo are both utterly in right now. Today’s interior design ideas “Look for Less” works both trends in one, and one pick is may even fit your budget!

 

First the higher cost throw pillow. This pillow would quickly update a neutral color sofa in a snap. You can find this pillow at Tonic Home. The Masala Blue Linen Pillow is gorgeous with a price tag of $198.00.

Masala Blue Ikate Throw Pillow Tonic Home

http://www.tonichome.com/collections/throw-pillows/products/masala-blue-linen-pillow

Equally as gorgeous, and giving the same updated vibe, is the Lovenali Ikat Throw Pillow available at All Modern. With a price of only $66.99 this would be a great way to dabble in two trends at once.

All Modern Lovenali-Ikat-Pillow

https://www.allmodern.com/Lovenali-Ikat-Pillow-JTG1051.html?

Please follow my new Pinterest board, High Low Designer Finds, to see more interior design ideas for less!

Online Interior Decorator Find of the Week – Jaipur Rugs Jute Rug

jaipur LNK01In case you cannot tell from my collection of Pinterest boards, I love rugs. Area rugs are my thing! There is nothing in my opinion that grounds a furniture grouping and a room like an area rug. Rugs add color, texture, pattern and interest.

 

When I start a new room design, the first item I look for is a rug. I build the room and color palette from the floor up. Thus, I am always on the lookout for new, interesting and unique rugs for my design projects.

 

This week’s online interior decorator find of the week is from Jaipur Rugs. Jaipur is one of my favorite rug companies because of their awesome rug designs not to mention their impeccable customer service.

 

This new rug, Luxor by Nikki Chu, is made of 100% jute and is available in three colors. What makes this rug special to me is the asymmetrical and over scaled pattern! And the unique color names are pretty great too: China Blue & Silver Lining (my pick), Limestone & Indian Teal and Sand & Angora.

 

 

jaipur LNK03jaipur LNK02

Are you rug fanatic too? Follow my Pinterest board Rugs We Love to see more.