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February 1, 2022 In Design

MIX IT UP!

FEBRUARY 2022  |  ISSUE NO.14

Dear Friends and Clients,

I’m excited because mashing up different interior design styles is such a huge trend now! I guess I already thought it was a trend as I’ve long enjoyed mixing styles in my own design practice. 

Interior Design Mashup is exactly how it sounds: mixing up and incorporating different genres, periods, or design styles. And more and more people are embracing this methodology to help them project their unique personalities. In addition to expressing your personality, blending is great for when you and your spouse want to combine your different design preferences or for figuring out where to put your grandmother’s antique sideboard without re-decorating the entire room. 

Now, mixing interior design styles yourself may seem hard to do without royally messing it up. Still, it’s a lot simpler than it looks, provided basic design principles are followed. And when done right, you’re left with a beautiful space that’s harmoniously balanced and genuinely represents your own personalized aesthetic. 

Read on to learn more about how I approach mixing it up and how you can too!

A Perfect Mix of Old and New

Personally, when I mix styles, I use vintage or period furnishings whenever I can. From a design standpoint, they have the most tremendous power to influence the storytelling and direction of a room. The patina of a vintage or period piece brings a touchable texture and warmth to every space, not to mention a sacred sentimentality and heirloom quality.

Rare antiquities are also stylishly sustainable because what is old becomes new again. By repurposing the old, the damaged, the jagged into something new, we’re reducing our footprint while bringing a rich sense of history and spirit into a space. With shortages in the supply chains and a stronger focus and care for our environment, sourcing vintage is practical, and you often see details not present in modern designs.
Ett Hem Stockholm, a favorite boutique hotel (above), having fun with combining period architectural casework with modern furniture and a fireplace to create an inviting atmosphere. 

The Red Thread

One of the fundamental design principles when blending periods is making sure all the elements of your space come together to pull off a unified look. In interior design, or in any creative work, we sometimes call this the “Red Thread” or “röda tråden” – a Scandinavian expression that means to find the DNA that holds a creative piece together. The Red Thread always provides cohesion and balance, no matter how eclectic a room is.

So how do you follow or find the Red Thread? 

Unifying all the elements together by using a single color is an easy way to develop the red thread of a room. For example, the color black is the Red Thread in the image above from the Ett Hem Boutique Hotel. Modern and traditional lines come together in perfect harmony with period architectural elements thanks to black accent lighting, a modern play on traditional black and white striped fabric, and black accents in the modern Dhurry rug. The black accents tie the room together to create a dynamic space. 
Now in the image above, there are so many colors and shapes, but it works! Gold is the red thread here and it ties the soft and saturated grayed seafoam built-ins with all the other elements in the room. The gold tones in the wood door, the vintage stool, the burled coffee table, the brass floor lamp, the golds in the framed portrait over the mantle, and the gold books all help tie the room together!

Another easy way to follow the Red thread is by adding similar materials to your space. Suppose you have a traditional Carrera marble fireplace in your modern living room. In that case, you could follow the Red Thread by adding a modern coffee table with a marble base. Then to bring more balance, complete the space with a stone sculpture reflecting the beauty and materials of the fireplace.

 

 

Tip to Keep Your Marble Countertops
Looking Great — or Not!

QUESTION: How do you prevent marble staining?  ANSWER: I don’t! (Sort of)
 
Here is my philosophy: Let your marble become a metaphor for your life—perfectly imperfect! Marble is a natural material, and that’s precisely why it’s so damn beautiful! So yes, get real marble, and don’t be afraid of cooking on it, spilling anything on it, staining it, or having ring-marks. These are simply the sign of life in your kitchen, and truthfully you can only see all the flaws with light hitting the stone at a certain angle. 

That said, sometimes bad stains happen and we need extra help. I use these two products to help with those stains and try to let life do the rest:

The moral of the story is this: You choose what you want to focus on, the beauty or the mess. But really, it’s always a little bit of both!

INTERIOR DESIGN FOR INSPIRED LIVING

Invite me to work with you and I promise to be unswayed by the passing dictates of fads. I will incorporate my love for the arts and the richness of color along with your vision and deliver an eclectic, yet balanced sensibility to your interior. Tell me about your project!

Book A Chat
January 1, 2022 In Things We Promote And Love

A HELPFUL START FOR 2022

JANUARY 2022  |  ISSUE NO.13

Imagine giving a warm scene to those who have lost their homes. 

Dear Friends and Clients,

I genuinely wish you all a Happy New Year! This newsletter can’t be written without talking about the tragedy of the Marshall Fire that occurred right before the New Year and how we can help the victims. As many of you know, the devastating impact of Marshall Fire caused structural losses upwards of 1,000 homes and businesses, leaving thousands suddenly homeless.   We’re pooling our energies together with a few helpful resources and I have a special ask of you all this month in light of this disaster. All I ask is that you reach from your heart–with a gift of regeneration and a feeling of hope–and join me in giving to those who’ve lost their homes in the fire. Simply forwarding and sharing this newsletter with someone affected makes a big impact. 

Here’s what I can personally do to help

  • We have access to a carriage house owned by our neighbor in Old Town Longmont that is available from January 18 through March 11, and free again from March 25th on, for a long-term rental. The rental would be best for a couple. The listing can be found on Instagram only at @mytandemhouse.  Please let me know by replying to this newsletter if you know someone who might need this carriage house rental.
  • We’re collecting clothing, toys, and books for small children. Please reply to this newsletter if you know anyone with children who needs these items.
  • Our realtor, Eli Kalen with Porch Light Real Estate Group, is working to help us find rentals for friends and those affected by the fire. He is a very personable, knowledgeable, and a caring realtor who helped us buy a house last year. Please reply to this newsletter if you know someone looking for a rental home or you may reach Eli directly at (303) 775-3962.

Here’s what you and I can do

  • Becoming a temporary Airbnb host is a great way to help those who have lost their homes. HERE’S HOW
  • The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County is the best place to give monetary funds. This fund supports the Boulder County Wildfire Fund through Colorado Gives, the leading resource for individuals and agencies seeking immediate help in the face of disaster. DONATE HERE
  • For other ways to donate, volunteer, or more, during times of crisis in your community and across the state of Colorado. VOLUNTEER HERE
  • The YMCA of Northern Colorado will typically accept donations (blankets, pillows, dog and cat food) at their location at 2800 Dagny Way in Lafayette. At the time of writing, food and clothing donations have reached the maximum limit. Please check with the YMCA before donating. YMCA CONTACT HERE

Information to those who have been directly impacted

  • List of services for those affected:GET A FREE MEAL Leaf Restaurant and Chautauqua Dining Hall are offering free meals to those who have lost their homes: Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant 1710 Pearl St. Boulder, CO 80302 Chautauqua Dining Hall 900 Baseline Road Boulder, CO 80302 If you need to talk to someone:  Contact the Colorado Crisis Services to connect to a professional counselor. (844) 493-8255 You can also text “talk” to 38255 to reach someone who can help connect you to a professional counselor. Or contact imattercolorado.org, Mental Health Partners of Boulder (303) 443-8500 If you need emergency assistance of any kind (including unemployment, support from FEMA, working with your insurance company if you’ve lost paperwork, etc.), please go to this Unified Assistance Center, which officials are calling the One-Stop-Shop center located at: Boulder County Building Lafayette 1755 S. Public Road Lafayette, CO 80026 9am-7pm Summary of Wildfire Emergency Information HERE (By Topic)

Please reply or share this newsletter to help.

Interior Design For Inspired Living

Invite me to work with you and I promise to be unswayed by the passing dictates of fads. I will incorporate my love for the arts and the richness of color along with your vision and deliver an eclectic, yet balanced sensibility to your interior. Tell me about your project!

Book A Chat
December 1, 2021 In Things We Promote And Love

YOU ARE THE GIFT

DECEMBER 2021  |  ISSUE NO.12

A Very Special Dinner with my Family during Thanksgiving Holiday in New Orleans.

Dear Friends and Clients,

Tis’ the magical time of year we all begin embracing our favorite festivities: Looking at all the brightly lit houses, decorated trees, and wreaths on doors with our eyes wide open in wonderment; joyfully celebrating with our friends and family as we nibble on tasty holiday treats; busily writing lists and gift-shopping for our loved ones (though hopefully not at the last minute!). 

As giving season swings into full motion this month, I have a simple but profoundly important message to impart about the awareness of gift-giving:

Realize it’s not the actual gift you give that truly matters, but the fact that you are wholeheartedly giving yourself to that person.

Every step of giving a gift—from the purchase, the meticulous wrapping, the thoughtful card, the placement in their hands to their lit-up expression of joy once opened—is the gift of yourself. Through giving, you’re contemplating that person with your focused attention and, in turn, bringing them good tidings and an extraordinary gift of love.

You are the gift this holiday season and every moment of laughter, wisdom, and connection is also a precious gift. Touching someone with love or bringing joy to their life is more valuable than any physical present. Squeeze your loved ones extra tight this year and celebrate the time you spend together. 

Be The Gift This Christmas, Because Your Are!

Interior Design For Inspired Living

Invite me to work with you and I promise to be unswayed by the passing dictates of fads. I will incorporate my love for the arts and the richness of color along with your vision and deliver an eclectic, yet balanced sensibility to your interior. Tell me about your project!

Book A Chat
November 1, 2021 In Design

THINK REGENERATE

NOVEMBER 2021  |  ISSUE NO.11

If the Earth Is Not Held in Your Hands, Then Who Holds It?

Dear Friends and Clients,

Many leaves have fallen off the trees and lie in golden, red, and brown piles on the ground–a reminder of what once was there but now is gone until next year when it all starts over again. As the season transitions, you may find yourself turning inwards to evaluate your expressions and actions in order to regenerate or make changes that bring about new growth. 

I’ve been contemplating the concept of regeneration lately and have some thoughts to share with you. Bringing awareness to regeneration is important to me because not only does it allow us to renew ourselves, but it creates a more sustainable future. So come along for the ride as I grow myself in these concepts!

Regeneration is the engine of life; it’s what our bodies do and what Earth and all living things do. We work, play, evolve, and turn inwards to reflect, but we are never separated from this universal force. Everyone has a part to play when it comes down to how we live and what we do on planet Earth together. 

Becoming more aware of regeneration is a great strategy to help our planet Earth because it empowers us to create a natural system of renewing, evolving, and thriving. As a result, we are better stewards to ourselves, others, and the planet. 

The beautiful advantage of regenerative systems is that they are almost completely self-sufficient. You can have an environmentally responsible home and lifestyle without sacrificing budget, style, or comfort. 

We’ve overlooked the significance of our role as citizens and

stewards of the world.

5 Areas of Earth Partnerning In Our Own Homes
1. Heating and Lighting – A great way to cut down on energy use while also keeping the cold out is to add thermal curtains, insulation film on windows, or put down rugs as space allows. Approaching spaces with lighter colors naturally makes them brighter and reduces energy consumption. Additionally, you can invest in LED bulbs and smart energy-saving devices like smart thermostats and smart power strips (which work by cutting off power when devices are in standby mode). 

2.  Select Materials with the Lowest Environmental Impact – Choose organic materials that are quickly renewable (such as fast-growing bamboo) and that are extracted in an environmentally responsible way. For example, an FSC label on wood products ensures that all wood used in the product was sustainably harvested. 

3. Upcycle Your Things – Instead of discarding ‘’old-fashioned’’ objects while they are still functional, work to come up with creative ways to give them a new life. Reupholster and repaint an old chair; Sew a cable knit sweater into a pillow; Make craft gift tags out of old maps. Make a practice of not throwing something useful in the dumpster! Belladue (our sister biz) will also happily take care of any of your upcycling needs by doing it for you (like the chair pictured)! 

4. Designing for longevity – Design durable and timeless spaces by choosing quality over quantity, classics over trendy, and simplicity/functionality over embellishments. Using flexible elements like modular carpets and area rugs has the added benefit of being easy to clean without requiring a lot of cleaning products. Suppressing the urge to completely change your interior or renovate every couple of years also reduces waste and promotes sustainable longevity. 

5. Home Energy Audits – An Energy audit, like the kind REenergizeCO conducts, is the single most important tool to improve the energy efficiency of your home in a cost-effective way. A certified auditor will perform a comprehensive analysis of utility use by mapping out your home with special equipment and then recommend ways to improve utility savings and comfort while reducing the amount of energy lost.

You hold the Earth in your hands. 

Every small action you take in your home to

turn from WASTE TO REGENERATE
helps our Earth in a huge way.
Believe It!

Interior Design For Inspired Living

Invite me to work with you and I promise to be unswayed by the passing dictates of fads. I will incorporate my love for the arts and the richness of color along with your vision and deliver an eclectic, yet balanced sensibility to your interior. Tell me about your project!

Book A Chat