Coastal Vibes

/in /by

I’ve always loved the beach having grown up close to the Long Island Sound and spending all my childhood summers there. It’s no wonder that my home reflects my love of water and the beach. I now live close to the Pacific Ocean and my love of Coastal design continues and I’m not alone! Coastal design is very popular and I have many clients asking for that “vibe”.

My interpretation of Coastal Design includes lots of neutrals and whites with pops of blues and greens. I like to incorporate natural materials, wood tables with light finishes, woven wood materials for window treatments, benches, rugs and accessories, comfy sofas and chairs in light colored fabrics and textured area rugs. A cool idea is using grasscloth wallpaper for an accent wall to add texture and interest. And of course artwork that brings more color into the space and defines the style.

Have fun with this cool, timeless trend. Your rooms will have a comfortable, relaxed feeling like being on vacation at your favorite beach resort. Here are some examples of the Coastal vibe. Call us to help you get the feeling for your home.

BoHo Design

/in , , , /by

Here are some photos of a BoHo inspired living room we designed for a young couple in Menifee, Ca. They loved our use of bright colors and ethnic inspired furnishings and accessories.

BoHo living room

Read more

We’ve Hit 500 Posts!

/in /by

The Houzz community has awarded us another badge because we just hit 500 saves from our posts.Houzz badge Thank you Houzz and thank you followers for sharing our design ideas.

Cabinets-to Reface or Replace? That is the question.

/in , /by

02171510480408151106

Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom is a great way to add value and update your home. These rooms are two of the the most important rooms in your home to buyers when they are shopping for their dream home. You will recoup more of the money invested in a remodel by updating these rooms than any other rooms in your home. A complete kitchen remodel including replacing cabinets can be quite expensive since it is labor intensive involving tear out, building new cabinets, plumbing, electrical, and finally installation. Add to that the cost of materials-cabinets, counters, backsplash, sink, hardware, plumbing, appliances, etc. If you’re on a tighter budget or happy with your cabinets and just want a newer look, an affordable option is to simply reface the existing cabinets.

Read more

Aging In Place

/in , /by

In 2011, the first of the baby boom generation reached what used to be known as retirement age. And for the next 18 years, boomers will be turning 65 at a rate of about 8,000 a day, according to AARP. As this unique group grows older, it will likely transform the institutions of aging — just as it has done to other aspects of American life. Will boomers redefine this life stage? Most experts believe so. The boomer generation is more active, youthful and less likely to “embrace” aging as previous generations have. They want to remain independent as long as possible maintaining their lifestyle and home.

Read more

2014 Interior Design Trends

/in , , , /by

0212141409The 2014 Las Vegas winter furniture market was held this past February. The market that is held twice a year features hundreds of vendors in the World Market Center. Each vendor showcases their newest products for store buyers and designers. Buyers and designers shop the market to discover the latest products and trends in home furnishings. The market is a great indicator of what we can expect to see in stores in the coming year and educates us designers on the latest looks to create for our clients. Let’s take a look at some of the trends that emerged from the 2014 winter market.

Colors: Neutral colors are still and always will be very popular in home décor. Exotic prints in fabrics and wall coverings are toned down with sophisticated neutral hues. This year think of adding bold, pure colors like peacock blue, navy, orange and yellow as accents in a room. Bold citrus colors when mixed with white, are beautifully crisp and upbeat-think papaya, coral and tangerine. Bold colors can be introduced as an accent wall, sofa or chair against a neutral wall or by using colorful decorative accessories throughout the space. This year we will see more gold used in lighting fixtures, mirrors and accessories.

Global Influence: Hand crafted, brightly colored ceramics, baskets, plates, and statues from all over the world-China, Tibet, Peru, Brazil, India and Africa provide a beautiful pop of color and texture to a room. Think global traveler for an eclectic decor. Baskets and plates look beautiful when displayed in groups on a wall or table.

Industrial: The industrial look still remains strong. This “Restoration Hardware” style has grown in popularity as companies like “Pottery Barn” and others are featuring the look. To soften the hard edged style the new approach is pairing industrial tables with upholstered traditional, tufted chairs. This style has a very cool, urban look and broad appeal especially with the younger customer. Other industrial items include metal lockers used for storage, steel or metal accessories, vintage signs and old black and white photography art.

Eco-Friendly: Reclaimed, recycled or sustainable materials will be a strong trend in 2014. The look includes furniture made from reclaimed or recycled wood sometimes paired with metal feet or top and often distressed for an even greater aged appearance.

Mid-Century: Mid-Century continues to be popular with a lot of manufacturers. It’s classic modern look fits well in 2014 interiors so plan on seeing more of it in the coming year.

Upholstery: More traditional detailing in upholstery pieces will be seen everywhere this year. Tufting on sofas, chairs, benches and headboards are important this year. In addition to tufting, nail heads add extra detailing on furniture pieces that you will see this year as well.

These are a few of the trends you will be seeing this year. Lifestyle furniture stores can give you ideas on how to put the looks together. Designing a room, however, can still be a daunting experience and you should avoid designing a room that looks like a cookie cutter store showroom. You should aim for uniqueness, incorporating your personality in the style that suits you best. For a professional perspective, be sure to consult an interior designer for help in pulling your looks together.

Cynthia Champness Cuellar, IDS, owner and principle designer Rancho Interior Design.

How to Decorate Small Spaces

/in /by

On a recent episode of Good Morning America, celebrity Interior Designer, Jonathan Adler took on the challenge of decorating Lara Spencer’s small dressing room.  The room was tiny, cluttered and lacked style. Lara, GMA co-host known for being design savvy and author of “I Brake for Yard Sales” was stumped on how to begin to decorate her own space. That happens to a lot of us, even designers who design and decorate other people’s homes for a living. The process began by de-cluttering, a must for small spaces. Then Spencer’s dressing room was transformed by adding a mix of patterns using wallpaper and fabrics. He replaced basic open shelving with two yard sale find chests which were refinished and repurposed as storage units. He covered her Formica dressing counter in contact paper which instantly transformed it. What a great idea! Draperies were added to surround a daybed. Decorative pillows and a patterned throw were added on top of the bed. A small chandelier was hung over the bed which added a bit of glam and sparkle to the room. And finally a graphic rug was added to rug anchor the room. There is a lot of pattern and color in the small space but it works.  Lara asked Adler what his number one tip would be for decorating a small space. His answer was, “make it personal and it will make you happy”.

 

Small space decorating whether it is an apartment, condo or small home has its challenges but learning some professional tips to make the most of your square footage can help you create a stylish and functional space. Like Adler, I agree that color and pattern will add style and personality to a room. Do not be afraid to use wall colors to visually expand the space and mix patterns that are cohesive and complement your design style. The floor plan is critical for a small space. Your furniture arrangement should be functional for your daily life. You can always bring in pieces from other rooms when entertaining. Do not clutter your room with too much or inappropriately scaled furniture. Consider smaller scale furniture and pieces that can be multi-functional. To keep a small and open space from feeling closed in, avoid tall pieces of furniture so the sight lines extend across the room.  Tall pieces such as bookcases should be placed along walls. Glass top tables with minimal bases add little visual weight to a room as do open back chairs so they are good choices for a small space. Avoid heavy, oversized pieces.

For your dining area, choose tables with leaves. The table can stay small on a day-to-day basis and not overwhelm your dining area. When extra space is needed for entertaining or projects just add the leaves. A drop leaf table works too. Built-in banquettes are a great way to provide seating in a small kitchen or dining room. They also offer extra storage beneath the bench.  A rolling island cart is portable and can be used as an extra work surface and storage for pots or dishes. In small bedrooms, limit the amount of furniture. Choose the appropriate sized bed and smaller night stands. Take advantage of the walls for lighting and shelves. Wall mounted sconces are great for lighting on either side of the bed. In secondary bedrooms a wall bed is a smart option. They can be pulled down when needed then tucked up and out of the way when not in use. They are available with shelving and desks units so they are a great solution for a guest bedroom/office situation.

Finish your rooms with art and accessories. Do not decorate every wall. Create interest on focal walls. Remember, my motto is-restraint is best especially in small spaces.  Mirrors are a great way to visually expand a space. They can literally make the room look twice its size when placed in the right spot like a focal dining or living room wall. This is the one piece that I would say go big because of the impact they can have on a room.  As always when in doubt consult an Interior Designer for help.  Choosing colors and patterns that work well together as well as the proper size and scaled furniture is not easy for most homeowners.  A design consultation would be well worth the money and time invested to create your lovely small space.

Cynthia Champness Cuellar is the owner and principle Interior Designer of Rancho InteriorDesign.

For an appointment call her at 951-956-0661 or email her at Cynthia@ranchointeriordesign.com

 

What to Look for When Shopping for Furniture

/in /by

If you have ever gone furniture shopping you know how daunting the job can be. With so many choices in styles and broad range of prices it’s often hard to know what to buy. Furniture is an investment. You should buy pieces that not only look good and fit your style but are also well constructed and durable. Knowing what to look for in furniture will save you money and heartache. Buying furniture that looks good in the showroom but is shoddily made will not last and will need to be replaced in a short time.  Here are some key things to look for when shopping for furniture.

1. Wood-When you are looking for wood furniture you want to select a piece that is constructed out of reasonably scratch resistant wood. It’s easy to test the surface by running your fingernail along the surface. If there is a visible dent you know the surface is not very durable.  Check the wood for knots, even on unexposed pieces; all knots are susceptible to cracks. Some woods, like pine, are ‘knottier’ than others, and therefore less desirable. Avoid particleboard, pressed wood, or fiberboard. Some furniture companies use lower grade woods with a veneer covering. The drawback to veneer is that you are limited to how many times you can refinish the piece. Other companies produce furniture with a photo finish, so you really have to be careful and examine the piece inside and out.

2. Construction– The best joints are either dovetail or mortise and tenon with reinforced block corners. Anything held together with staples or nails is shoddy construction. Drawers should have a dust panel which is a thin sheet of wood between them. Drawers should glide smoothly and have a stop to prevent accidentally pulling it out. Check to see if the piece is level and does not squeak or wobble.

3. Upholstery Frames-When it comes to upholstered furniture look for frames made of kiln-dried hardwood. In a good quality frame, joints are glued, dowelled and screwed and the corners are reinforced with wood blocks. These provide extra support. The springs used should be close together and have even resistance. Eight way hand tied coil springs, coil, sinuous and grid springs all work well. Test the feel by sitting on the piece in various spots.

4. Cushions-Check the fill in the cushions. You can easily do this by unzipping one of the cushions. They should have a Dacron, cotton or down wrapped high density foam fill and inner muslin cover. Foam only cushions are less durable and less comfortable and will also lose their shape over time. Be sure the cushions are reversible, too to get twice the wear.

5. Fabrics– When choosing fabrics for upholstery, choose an appropriate fabric for the function of the piece.  Durable fabric such as microfiber or chenille that can easily be cleaned would be a great choice for a family room sofa and chairs whereas a bedroom chair that gets little use can be made with a lighter fabric. Ask about the rub rating. Fabric strength is determined by how it rates on the double rub test, which is a back and forth motion that approximates the wear and tear that comes from someone sitting down or getting up from an upholstered seat. 3,000 double rubs equals one year’s worth of use. Heave duty is rated as 15,000 double rubs or more, medium duty is 9,000-15,000, light duty is 3,000-9,000 and delicate duty is 3,000 or less. Delicate fabrics should not be used for upholstery. Be sure the manufacturer matches patterns exactly both ways.  Less expensive manufacturers will not do this so you end up with furniture that does not match well.

When considering purchasing furnishings it’s a good idea to hire an Interior Designer who is trained in all aspects of selecting furnishings and can buy directly from quality manufacturers. The investment you make will be worth avoiding costly mistakes.

For an appointment call her at 951-956-0661 or email her at Cynthia@ranchointeriordesign.com

 

Creating a Kid Friendly and Stylish Home

/in /by

Kids-Play-Room-Design-with-Blackboard-and-Storage-600x288

I’m often asked this question: Can you create a home design plan for us that are both stylish and kid friendly? In my design practice, I am faced with this challenge all the time. For the most part, my clients have families with kids of various ages and requirements. My answer is yes, you can have a stylish home that is kid friendly as long as you plan well and purchase wisely.

Once you have decided on the design style you want for your interior, determine what spaces will be designated for the kid’s rooms and activities. Kids need to know there are places in your home where they are allowed to play safely and comfortably. Plan your budget for the project. Contrary to what you may think, you should invest in well constructed furnishings for the rooms that will get the most use from an active family. Plan on spending a good part of your budget on those rooms which are typically  the great room, family room and kid’s rooms. If you purchase furniture that looks OK but is not well made, you will end up having to replace them in a short time because they did not hold up. Poorly made furniture will simply not last. For upholstered furnishings, chose well made pieces and durable, strong fabrics that can be easily cleaned. Choose colors or patterns versus neutral colors that will maintain its new look longer. For tables and case goods, avoid glass tops and stick to stronger materials like solid wood. Use enamel based paint for your walls. Behr Paints has a flat enamel which is great as it has a nice flat finish and allows for easy cleaning. Be careful with the window treatments your chose for your home to avoid any strangulation dangers. Cordless shades, drapery panels and shutters are good choices. Consider wood or laminate flooring and tile throughout your home and use area rugs to add color, warmth and define seating areas. These types of flooring are initially more expensive than carpet but they are easier to keep clean and you will never have to replace them. Carpeting is a nice choice for the master bedroom and guest rooms that don’t get the heavy traffic that family rooms do.

Kid’s rooms and playrooms should be planned for safety and easy cleaning. Plan a room or space where the kids can spread out, be creative and have fun without worrying about them damaging furniture, walls, fabrics and carpet. The theme of the rooms can be determined by your kids favorite sports, heroes, characters, etc. and do not have to “match” the design style of the rest of the home. Keep the room bright and fun. If you choose a neutral wall color, you can easily and affordably change the theme with pictures and accessories as the kids grow and their “favorites” change. Try painting one wall with chalkboard paints. Kids can draw on the walls with chalk without causing any damage. Chalkboard paint now is available in colors, too. There is also a magnetic paint available that creates a surface that magnets adhere to for posting artwork, schoolwork, decorations and anything that can be hung by a magnet eliminating holes in your walls from nails and thumb tacks. Another great way to decorate walls is with decals. Wall decals come in a myriad of styles and are easily removed when the kids want to change the theme of their room. Ideally a kids room should provide your kids with a place to do artwork, play games, work on puzzles and projects (like a little table and chairs), floor space for play, plenty of storage, places to hang art and kid level hooks, bins or shelves that kids can easily reach. Don’t let the children’s toys devour every room in the house. If you plan adequate storage in their rooms, kids can clean up after play time and save you a lot of time picking up allowing you to maintain a stylish, kid-friendly home.

Cynthia Champness Cuellar, IDS is the principle Designer and owner of Rancho Interior Design.

You can contact her at 951-956-0661 or email her at Cynthia@ranchointeriordesign.com