Rolling Project Reveal - Entryway and Piano Room

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Today we are going back in time and revealing details behind our Rolling Project. This is a two part reveal. Part one (today) will detail the entryway and piano room. We have a variety of inspiration for you: how to think about your entryway as part function and part pretty, using stripes in a modern way and the impact of layout.

We began this project in fall 2020 (feels like a lifetime ago) and finished in fall 2021 thanks to a stubbornly delayed dining table that was worth the wait. We designed the living room, piano room, foyer and informal dining area (eat-in part of the eat-in kitchen). The goal of the project was to take a recently purchased new build from builder grade to elevated, unique and welcoming. The palette is neutral with some great high contrast moments.

Entryway

This home has a two part entryway - one that is more driven by function and one that is more driven by beauty. This dichotomy exists in every room. There is usually a woven balance within a single space. But the footprint of this foyer happens to naturally divide the function from the pretty.

When you first walk in the front door/formal entrance of the home, conveniently hidden behind the front door as it opens, is the function. Without a closet, and no place to build one, it was important to create a spot for guest coats. Any guest facing space needs to lead with pretty even if it’s grounded in function. The coat rack is part cool and part vintage, and adds a great touch of character. Some interesting, statement hooks (like these) could have been another option if the wall had been just a touch bigger. We also added a landing space to put on shoes or rest a hand bag. And, finally, a mirror to check your teeth before you head out or flatten your hat head when you come in.

 
 

coat rack / similar knit cube / similar mirror / similar leather backpack / black sneakers

It’s a tight spot that manages to handle a lot of purpose. We were able to accomplish this by keeping each element skinny and taking advantage of the vertical space.

We also made a big visual impact by adding a stair runner. Stair runners are an investment, but also really worth it for families with young children and dogs. They also bring color/texture/personality to a space. And when the first thing you see when you open a door is the stairs, these things matter. The rug style we chose is classic with just a little something. The subtle chevron pattern with the contrasting stripes add the right amount of interest for this project, which has subtle, moody and modern vibes.

Sitting against the side of the stairs is the pretty part of the entryway. Along with the stairs, the side profile of this space is the opening glance of the home when opening the door. With this, the aesthetic factor took precedent. But, that didn’t mean we threw function to the wayside.

 
 

oversized black basket / console table / UFO book / botanical photo

We chose a console table with a lower shelf and two drawers to provide lots of open and hidden storage. We also added functional decor. Oversized, shallow bowls are excellent for corralling keys and mail. And big baskets are excellent for incoming and outgoing packages…or the “quick throw everything in the big basket before the guests come over and throw a pretty blanket on top” move - don’t we all do this?!

Piano Room

When we started this project there was nothing in the Piano Room other than the piano. We were tasked with creating a transformation using existing furniture (from another room). Designing around existing pieces is a different thing than having creative control over the whole shebang. It’s about finding the perfect pieces that complete the puzzle, rather than creating the puzzle.

Here is a photo from the first day we came onsite.

 
 

We started by completely reimagining the layout as we considered fitting the existing piano, sectional, coffee table and rug. So often layout is the main thing holding a room back. Here, there is extra, bumped out space thanks to a bay window. By shifting the piano into this bay window nook we were left with a squared off room for squared off furniture. Everything fit cleanly and the room felt bigger. The lesson here is not to fight with the natural angles and shapes of a space.

 
 

With all the large furnishings in place, we layered in ancillary furniture that increased function and added personality. A side table next to the sofa arm, a swivel chair/side table/floor lamp scene, lots of decor and art, and a pair of poufs. Poufs are work horses. They are seats, foot rests, plant stands, side tables. They are whatever you need them to be short of a good spot to nap.

 
 

black and white flower print / pleated pillow / our favorite off the shelf black frame

For the swivel chair, we chose a plush fabric with oversized ribbing. The texture was important because the color palette of this room is neutral and muted. We love mixing up shapes and/or sizes and/or colors when it comes to side tables within a room. The side table by the sofa is black, rectangular and tiered. The side table by the swivel is round, pedestal and naturally stained wood.

One more fun thing to note about the big picture design for this space: stripes. We introduced and repeated stripes everywhere. The rug is the most obvious stripe pattern. We also added the “striped” swivel and reupholstered the piano bench in a channeled, smoky blue velvet. And if you scroll up, you’ll see lots of stripes in the pillows and even the striped lines of the books we stacked on the piano. And yet, even with all the stripes, ribbing, channeling, pleating and everything in between, it’s not overdone because it’s almost entirely tonal. The stripe concept is more of a texture than a pattern.

floor lamp / side table / Bob Dylan print / similar bust planter / mini glass box

And now the details of the room. We always encourage attention to detail because decor sets a room a part. Some easy things to note are mixing shapes (straight lines with curves), repeating colors but playing with the shade (i.e. dark gray and light gray), and adding as many plants and greenery as possible (says the two plant ladies).

Part 2 of this reveal is coming!

-Leah

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New Year, New Design Style?

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Here we are again, at the beginning of another year - can you believe it is already 2022?! This past year went by so quickly!

As the new year begins, I’m sure you’ve heard people talk about new goals and aspirations. Just like creating new goals for the year, you may find yourself wanting to tackle new design projects around the house. So today, we’re going to tackle the topic of finding YOUR personal interior design style. Because before you can dive into those new projects, you need some clear direction. Knowing your style is the best place to start.

To start, we recommend using Pinterest. It’s a great tool. There’s a surplus of beautiful images and you’ll be able to hone in on your favorites (and thereby your style) as you scroll. Make a new folder with the title of the room you’re working on or the specific area (stairway landing, first floor hall, playroom gallery wall, etc.) or item (dining table, foyer console table, etc.). Then start pinning. Don’t overanalyze. Just pin what you like. Everything you like.

 

OUR Pinterest account full of images from our portfolio as well as products and spaces that inspire us. We even created an Art board to help clients (and you!) discover their favorite art genre.

 

When your folder has at least 20 photos, it’s time to pare down. Go through the images again, this time with a critical eye. For example, if it’s a console table, consider all the aspects - function (enough hidden storage?), size, color/stain, hardware finish, design details, etc. You’re not picking the console table quite yet, you’re just eliminating pieces that have an element you don’t love.

Finally, do some analysis. Look at the photos that remain as a collection. Are all the tables white washed? Do they all have a lower shelf? Are the rooms light or dark? Colorful or neutral? What is the most common color you see? What is the hardware finish? Are all the coffee tables round? You get the idea. There will be repetition of certain elements. You may be all over the road on the color of the sofa, but 50% of the rugs are jute. There will be some patterns, find them.

Once you find the patterns, the elements that you have a clear vision will anchor your room. Whether it’s wall color or a piece of furniture. Start with all your must haves. And then, piece by piece, layer each item in. When you have a truly buttoned up plan, it’s finally time to start executing.

This is all fine and good, you say, but what words do you put in that little Pinterest search bar to find the right images? “Living room” feels way too generalized. And it probably is. So, we’re here to help. We are going to breakdown some categories of interior styles. It’ll get you started on figuring out your style and also give you some buzzwords to search.

canopy bed / bedroom rug / similar pink ikat pillow / red dining room rug / wood dining chairs / dining table

Bohemian, or Boho, style is defined by varying, organic textures and vibrant color. There can be lighter, neutral elements, however, it’s more often a rainbow of fun. It is also sometimes referred to as Global style when it mixes elements that are culturally inspired, like an ikat pattern or Moroccan lantern. There are few “rules” of Bohemenian spaces - it’s more about mixing and layering all the things without worrying about matching and coordinating.

black frame / desk chair / desk /

Transitional style is probably the most popular style of the moment. And, it’s more often than not used as the foundation for our projects even when we sprinkle in other styles. By definition, it is an updated traditional style - classic ideas made modern. It takes all the shapes and design ideas that have existed forever and makes them a bit more casual and comfortable. This lends to straighter lines and larger scales. While colors can vary, it’s commonly based in a neutral palette (whites, grays, beiges, creams and everything in between) with darker accents in organic colors. The idea of “organic color” are those colors commonly found in nature - forest green, navy blue, rust orange. On the other hand, hot pink won’t read Transitional.

Modern style airs on the side of minimalism while implementing clean lines and a monochromatic color palette. Monochromatic means that you are sticking to a color scheme that consists of mainly tints or shades of neutral colors. It is important that modern spaces remain uncluttered with simple, yet functional pieces. Furniture without much (or any) adornment are key. To warm up a modern space, just add natural wood.

Rustic & Industrial

Sevinor Boy's Bedroom

rug / leather chair / hockey stick hook rack

Industrial style takes inspiration and pieces from old factories and industrial spaces. For example, exposed rafters, thick iron piping, brick and concrete. Think of cogs, gears, cranks and elements that almost have a machine like quality. Nothing that looks visually breakable or delicate. Rustic style implements natural and raw materials. The wood is not overly smoothed, the fabrics are not tightly woven. This is the mountain cabin vibe. Maybe there are even some antlers involved.

gray bedroom rug / twin bed / wave wallpaper / brass wall mount bar

Coastal style is beachy and nautical and all things ocean. When it’s applied to non-beach front homes, it’s the non-kitschy version of all these ideas. Rather than shell framed mirrors and nautical flag art, think colors of the beach (beige, tan, blue, white) and natural materials associated with the water. Rope like material - jute, sisal - and not actual ropes. Capiz light fixtures and not conch shell decor. Wave and nautically derived patterns are great too.

Glam Coastal

Sevinor Girls Bedroom

pink indoor/outdoor office rug / white bedroom etagere / aqua nightstand / brass plug-in sconce

This is a mash up style of sorts. We’re sharing it because we get a lot of requests about these type spaces and it’s a bit different than a standard coastal vibe. There are feminine, glam vibes. You can immediately see how these spaces differ from the coastal spaces above - there is more brass, gold, pink and turquoise. Those are the keys and, good news, that’s all there is to leaning into this version of coastal.

Mid-Century Modern

Pearl Street Living Room

marble top coffee table / blue bookshelf / small walnut side table

Mid-Century Modern style is a throwback to furnishings popular in the mid 20th century (1940s-1960s). The lines are straight, but angled. Whereas modern furniture is all about the 90 degree lines, midcentury is not. The color palette is also saturated and blocked. The patterns are graphic and bold. There is nothing delicate feeling about this style. And, yet, the furniture is not quite as chunky and large as modern pieces.

nesting coffee table / sheep ottoman / knit ivory star rug / white side table / leather chair

Scandinavian style is minimalistic and simple, while still incorporating texture. The color palette is often pale and neutral as it creates an airy, yet inviting vibe. This style originates from a design movement in Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden. Since these countries generally run colder, creating a cozy space is key. As an easy reference point, IKEA is a Scandinavian company that sells Scandinavian style furnishings. The value is in functionality and simplicity without creating stark, cold spaces. Chunky knits, pelts, sherpa and boucle are commonly used textiles to add warmth.

apple and pear art / black Windsor chair / ladder dining chair / blue faux grasscloth / blue gray diamond rug

You kind of know what Modern Farmhouse style is because it was so wildly popular for the past decade. The biggest associations with this style are shiplap, mixing in found pieces (vintage/antiques), natural wood, and turned furniture legs. Nothing says farmhouse like a trestle table! And while it has completed its trend cycle and is officially out, there are elements of Modern Farmhouse that are sticking around - matte black, iron, Windsor chairs, planked accent walls. And mixing antiques will never go out of style.

We hope these breakdowns give you some relevant keywords to search on Pinterest and find your personal interior style. Remember that before you can begin your bedroom refresh or your living room overhaul or whatever your new year project may be, you need to make a plan. And knowing your style is fundamental to making that plan and making it a success.

One last word of advice - remember there is a difference between your style and a style that you appreciate. You can love the way something looks, but it doesn’t mean it belongs in your home.

Until next time!

- Nisha

*This post contains affiliate links*

2022 Design Trends

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We are just a couple weeks away from 2021 coming to an end. Can you believe it? Who else feels like this year has gone by SO quickly!?

With the end of the year just about here, it’s the perfect time to make some projections for the year to come - goals, accomplishments, and of course, trends. Trends are prevalent within many industries, but especially so within the world of interior design. While timeless pieces will forever be valued, and hold a certain power, incorporating trends into your home provides some fun. Looking at the same, old style and stuff can get boring. Leaning into trends (especially in a budget-friendly way) can satisfy that need to freshen things up.

So, today, we are making some predictions for 2022 interior trends and giving you product round-ups to make them happen in your home.

THE MUTED SIDE OF SATURATED COLORS

A saturated color is a deep, rich color (the opposite of pale) - like a ruby red or a forest green. Years back, you probably heard the term “pop of color” as a way to describe using one or two bold colors throughout a space to add some energy and cohesion. Then there was a period of time when no color was the color. Spaces that were fully white or some version of light gray were IN. Big time.

We’re now seeing color return, but in a more muted way. Still bold colors - like red, green, blue and yellow. But think cranberry, not fire engine. Or olive, not lime. It’s the more earthy version of color. While color can be daunting for some people, don’t be scared. Colorful decor can bring a lot of personality without a lot of commitment.

1) Suede Pillow Covers

2) Color Block Mason Jar Collection

3) Blue Fringe Throw Blanket

4) Miniature Vases


LIGHT WOOD

Light tones will continue to take precedent over dark tones when it comes to natural wood furnishings. Lighter wood tones (think pine, white oak and maple) are having an extended moment for good reason - they work with farmhouse, Scandinavian, rustic, modern and traditional (think old New England homes with original pine floors) styles. They are a design chameleon and have the magical nature of feeling both then and now. Lighter color in general can also make a space feel big and airy.

1) Chair with Natural Leg Finish

2) Natural Accent Chair

3) Hargrove Buffet

4) Solid White Oak Table

5) Canyon Natural Nightstand


RIBBED AND REEDED EVERYTHING

Ribbing is the new cane. It adds texture…and you know how much we love texture. We talk about it a lot/too much. Texture adds interest to a space without being too dramatic. It’s a great design choice for people who shy away from color but don’t want to be boring and great for people who want to layer on all the extras that make a space WOW (because it plays well with more loud elements - like saturated color).

1) Odin Side Table

2) Lyngby White Porcelain Vases

3) Walton Ribbed Sideboard

4) Maris Planter

5) Piega Small Blue and White Vase

6) Ribbed Clay Decorative Vase

WALLPAPER

Wallpaper is actually not a trend, it’s officially the norm. We believe everyone should have a little bit of wallpaper in their home. Whether it’s the back of a built-in bookcase, in a powder room, or an accent wall in a bedroom - wallpaper adds interest/color/pattern/personality (or all of the above). Everyone wants their home to feel uniquely theirs (us too). Wallpaper is a great way to make this happen.

If you would like to see an example of a dramatic wall mural, and how it ties together the theme of a space, check out our Sevinor Boys Project to see wallpaper in action!

1)  Peonies Wallpaper

2) Palmetto Wallpaper

3) Broad Stripes

4) Pinstripe Floral

5) Blue Cranes

6) Gray Waves


THE COLOR GREEN

Green tones were already on the shortlist for the next big trend, and then the pandemic made us all feel a desire to connect more deeply with nature. Whether it’s a forest green kitchen island or a spa-like sage rug for the primary bedroom, all shades of green are bringing the happy and the calm. A couple things we all need.

1) Faux Silver Dollar Eucalpytus Branch

2) Chunky Knit Throw

3) Harris Leather Accent Chair

4 )Madera Pillow

5) Landscape Art

6) Bird Art

ARCHES

It started with the arched hutch that you are now seeing everywhere (like here), and it has extended to everything from lamps to chair backs. Is this a resurgence of art deco vibes? We like to think it’s the shape of a rainbow on the horizon.

1) Gold Rainbow Accent Lamp

2) Decorative Arch Figurine

3) Wood Arch Set of 3

4) Azibo Woven Wall Hanging

5) Texturized Paper Mache Art

6) Rattan Arch Mirror

7) Tabitha Arc Mirror

And there you have it! While timeless pieces will always be valued, trends make life (and home) exciting and fun. We hope you all have a healthy and happy new year, and that you stick around for more blog posts next year. We can guarantee there are some you don’t want to miss.

- Nisha (I’m new here!)

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