Denver Loft Exudes Fashionable, Eclectic Vibe

Interior designer Rebecca Robeson, of Robeson Design, took on the challenge of renovating a loft-style apartment in downtown Denver, Colorado, USA. The client’s brief requested a casual scheme, updated with high-end furniture, fixtures and finishes.

Drastic changes were implemented in order to add a contemporary vibe to the 2,000 square-foot (185.8 square-meter) Denver loft. Wood flooring was replaced with wide hardwood planks, creating a unified look throughout the apartment. Used brick veneer and barn wood walls were added, together with new frosted glass doors, creating a truly impressive array of finishes and textures.

In the kitchen, Robeson implemented a full renovation scheme, with custom-made furniture, new tile walls and intricate storage solutions. Exposed pipes against concrete ceilings add a dynamic, industrial touch. New lighting systems and Smart Home technologies were implemented throughout.

Floor-to-ceiling windows illuminate the space, providing a vantage view of the city. The updated bedrooms appear particularly inviting, with fluffy cushions and rugs, while playful decorative items throughout make the loft come alive. Enjoy our pictorial tour, and let us know what you think in the comments! Photography by Ryan Garvin.

 

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Goodbye, Ranch! America Has a New Favorite Home Style

The mid-century modern, single-story ranch home is no longer America’s favorite. According to a recent survey by real estate website Trulia, Millennials, who are buying their first homes, have tipped the scale in favor of the new winner: the craftsman bungalow. The craftsman came in first, at 43 percent, with the ranch home following at 41 percent and the colonial-style home at 36 percent.

As shown above, the ranch-style house is often spread out across one story. Mostly constructed during the Sixties and Seventies, many have a Mid-Century vibe to them. Image: Virtual Imaging

Craftsman bungalows range in size, but feature two or more stories, a porch, and plenty of curb appeal due to wooden siding details, ornate windows and doors, stonework, and rich landscaping. Image: The Bungalow Company

What’s interesting is the great architectural divide between younger and older Americans. More than half (52 percent) of surveyed Millennials, between the ages of 18 and 34, picked the craftsman-style home as their favorite, while 52 percent of participants aged 55 and up preferred the ranch style.

But coming across a craftsman bungalow isn’t so easy. According to Trulia’s data, “Colonial, ranch, Cape Cod, Victorian, and mid-century” homes make up most of America’s housing inventory, making the lovely craftsman house a commodity.

Craftsman bungalow style

Here are some beautiful examples of craftsman bungalows and what makes them unique. Some of the most popular elements include plenty of wood detail (especially in oak), hand-forged black iron hardware and lighting, and earthy color combinations.

Craftsman kitchens

An updated kitchen still keeps the traditional craftsman bungalow features, such as oak cabinets and floors. Image: Renewal Design + Build

Vintage details, such as a split Dutch door, rustic floors, a farmhouse sink and industrial elements, all work well with the craftsman style. Image: Max Houseplans

Although cabinetry is clean and simple, it features some detail, including glass panels and wood slat borders. Black hand-forged iron hardware puts the craftsman stamp on this kitchen. Image: Goforth Gill

Craftsman bungalow living rooms

An essential element in the craftsman style is the wood lattice detailing in windows and cabinet doors. Image: Kurmak Builders

Wood beams, built-in window seats and plenty of shelving makes the craftsman bungalow’s living room so inviting. Image: The Works

Craftsman homes often feature rooms that are partitioned with bookcases or columns instead of walls, allowing for intimacy yet plenty of light and flow. Image: Wysteria Design

The ornate fireplace is the central focal point of the living room, and often features tile or stone with wood. Image: Clites Architects

Craftsman exteriors and landscapes

The craftsman bungalow may arguably have the most curb appeal of all architectural styles. A clear path leads to the beautiful front door, flanked by a large porch or covered entry. Image: Moore Architects

Landscaping and trees play an important part in the style. Colors are often earthy and muted but complementary, with combinations like slate blue and olive green, or khaki and brick red. Image: Proyecto Build

A craftsman backyard featuring lots of stonework, wood siding and iron lighting and furniture. Image: Cornerstone Architects

What do you think about Trulia’s survey results? Are you a craftsman or ranch lover? Let us know in the comments!

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Are You Making These 4 Bathroom Design Mistakes? We’re Here To Help

Are you making some of these common bathroom design mistakes? Image: J. Kurtz Design

Most of us aren’t professional interior designers, which is why it’s okay to make a few design mistakes from time to time (It’s the best way to learn, right?). However, you don’t have to live with your missteps forever. Often, with just a few small tweaks, those errors are easily fixed and your interiors feel more fabulous and functional than ever.

Here’s four of the most common bathroom design mistakes we see, as well as simple steps you can take to correct them. If you realize you’re guilty of one or two on the list, don’t worry—we’re here to help.

Use these tips to help solve these bathroom design mistakes once and for all. Image: Linda Sonders Design

1. Not layering lighting

Are you settling with simply the overhead lighting in your bathroom? If so, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Layered lighting is key to creating a truly functional room, and the bathroom is no exception. Layered lighting makes grooming routines, such as shaving or putting on makeup, a whole lot easier.

For those unsure of what a layered lighting arrangement might look like, here’s an example:

• Ambient lighting: Your existing overhead lighting. Consider adding additional recessed lighting to brighten up any dark corners.
• Accent lighting: An additional fixture around the mirror or vanity helps with grooming routines. If you frequently soak in the tub to relax, consider adding a fixture there as well; one that will let you dim the lights to create some ambiance.
• Task lighting: Smaller, lit beauty mirrors can also help with grooming.

Make storage as convenient as possible. Image: Capital Closets

2. Making storage an afterthought

Like layered lighting, this mistake affects both form and function. A bathroom without enough storage to keep everything organized is all too common. Products get piled everywhere, making the room look messy and distracting from the design.

It’s time to get serious about storage. The first step is figuring out exactly what you need. Go through your routines with your bathroom as-is, and do your best to pinpoint where things begin to break down. Focus on any points where you find yourself getting frustrated with your current layout, or digging through unorganized drawers to find an item you need.

Next, go shopping for appropriate storage solutions with your problem areas in mind. Here’s the key: don’t just opt for the cheapest, utilitarian option. Instead, invest in a piece that will do double-duty by adding some aesthetic value, such as the wicker baskets shown above.

Make sure all your finishes match for a cohesive look. Image: Juxtaposed Interiors

3. Mismatching fixtures

Let’s face it: it’s pretty easy to mismatch fixtures. You may have re-done your bathroom piece-by-piece, only realizing over time that something didn’t quite add up in your design. Luckily, however, it’s also a fairly easy fix; one that can certainly be tackled in a weekend.

When dealing with fixtures, it’s important to remember that while the material you choose for your fixtures is key, the finish may be even more so. Two fixtures that are made of the same body material, yet host different finishes, won’t match. Consider the look you’re after before purchasing:

• Polished: Polished finishes are the most modern looking, featuring smooth texture and high shine.
• Brushed or satin: These finishes are the most common, offering more of a matte look.
• Oiled: Some consider darker, oiled finishes to be a little old-fashioned, however, they work well with certain aesthetic styles like Tuscan or French Country design.

Incorporate décor to make your design feel finished. Image: Moen

4. Forgetting about décor

When dealing with a tight space, it may be tempting to forgo bathroom décor for the fear of creating clutter (see bathroom design mistake #2). However, we advise against following this urge. Décor items are often the details that can help make your design feel intentional, complete, and personal, rather than a strictly utilitarian space or an afterthought.

The reality is that you don’t need too much décor to pull off a cohesive look. Start by making sure all your textiles—such as towels and floor mats—match. Put a piece or two of wall art on display. Then, if you have any room, consider adding some greenery or candles to your vanity or another flat surface.

Use these tips to help solve these bathroom design mistakes once and for all. Image: Linda Sonders Design

Bathroom design mistakes happen to the best of us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from your mistakes and make some changes for the better. Have you made any of these common bathroom design mistakes before? What are your favorite bathroom design fixes? Leave a comment and let us know!

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Crate & Kids: Crate & Barrel’s New Line For Little Ones is Awesome

Say hello to Crate & Kids! Crate & Barrel’s new line of kids’ furniture and accessories is fun, playful, and perfect for little ones.  Shop the adorable new collection now at www.crateandbarrel.com/kids, or find items in more than 40 Crate & Barrel stores beginning April 2018.

Crate & Kids includes furniture, accessories, toys, bedding—everything you need for a kid’s room or baby’s nursery. A full range of Crate & Barrel’s signature services—such as baby registry and complimentary design studio services—are available to help you create the perfect playroom, nursery or bedroom.

Here are some of our faves from the new Crate & Kids collection:

Palm Springs playhouse for a Mid-Century modern kind of five year old, $199.

Your little girl will love Pretty Pony Bedding, $14 and up.

A Paper Mache Unicorn Head, $49, adds a touch of whimsy.

Splash Whale baby bedding is oh-so-soft in 200-thread count cotton. Reversible quilt included. $24 and up.

Crate & Kids has everything you need to create an out of this world bedroom including a glow-in-the-dark Hanging Solar System, $25, and organic cotton Constellation Sheets, $69 and up.

Crate & Kids features fun, lightweight, easy-to-hang Paper Mache Wild Animals, $29 each.

Work with Crate & Barrel’s free design studio consultants to put together a modern nursery, like this one, in no time.

The Maze Bookcase, $399, comes in tall (shown) or wide—perfect for storing toys, books and all the stuff kids collect.

Crate & Barrel’s strength is its high-quality, custom upholstery. You’ll love the variety of modern rockers and gliders they offer, $499 and up, including the Milo Glider shown above, $1299. 

The Jetaire Camper playhouse is inspired by a vintage Airstream—complete with an awning and curtains, $199.

Add a Campfire Set, $69 and a Log Seat, $59 to complete the setting.

Do you think Crate & Kids is as adorable as we do? Let us know in the comments!

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4 Design Tricks to Help You Spice Up a Boring Rental Kitchen (And Still Get Your Deposit Back

Use these ideas to give your rental kitchen new life. Image: MadeComfy

Decorating a rental can be a delicate process. On the one hand, you want your space to feel as homey as possible while you’re living there, so it should reflect a little bit of your personality. However, on the other, if you want to get your deposit back, the amount of personalization you can do will have its limits.

With that in mind, let us help you find the perfect compromise. We’ve put together a list of ways to help you infuse your sense of style into your rental kitchen. Take a look at these suggestions and pick the ones that make the most sense for you. With any luck, you’ll have the kitchen feeling like your own in no time at all.

Tie your design elements together with a cohesive color scheme. Image: Torie Jayne

Coordinate Your Color Scheme

Creating a cohesive color scheme is one of the easiest ways to tie a room together. While we’d typically advise building one around the paint color, in this case, it might be best to stick to your personal items. However, as you can see in the photo above, that’s entirely possible. Everything from the stool to the baking tools and the dish sponge does double-duty by lending aesthetic value to the space.

Here, creating contrast is key. You’ll want to look closely at the hues that are already built-in to your kitchen and add in colors that will pop off of those existing ones. You’ll notice that not everything has to match exactly. You can mix and similar shades to give your design an even deeper sense of complexity.

Make sure your furniture is appropriately eye-catching. Image: Golden Design

Keep Furniture Interesting

Unless your rental comes fully furnished, you’re going to need to bring in a few of your own pieces into the space, anyway. Why not make sure that they add some visual interest into your design? If you feel like going bold and making a statement, consider using some colorful chairs like in the photo above. They could easily become the focal point for any kitchen.

If, however, those hues don’t quite fit in with your aesthetic, there is a subtler route that you can take. Play around with shape. Rather than sticking to a boxy, rectangular table and straight-backed chairs, look for pieces that feature shapely curves and elegant angles.

Ground the space with a great area rug. Image: KMH Interiors

Add in a Rug

You’ve probably heard of a rug being used to ground a seating area in a living room or your bed. However, you can also do the same in a galley kitchen or beneath a dining table. In this case, the rug will serve the dual purpose of adding to the room’s aesthetic and providing an extra layer of protection for your rental floors.

Picking out rugs is all about the proper sizing. For this, you’ll want to remember the golden ratio, or a 2/3 proportion. Generally, you’ll want dining tables to take up 2/3 the length of the rug that sits underneath it. If you’re dealing with a runner, you’ll want to shoot for one that’s 2/3 as wide as the length of the aisle that it covers.

Include wall art that reflects your personal tastes. Image: PlaidFox Studio

Don’t Forget Wall Art

Lastly, wall art will always help infuse personality into a room. The kitchen is no exception. Here, the type of art you choose is entirely a matter of personal taste. However, we do recommend that you choose pieces that work nicely within your larger color scheme.

If you want to avoid nail holes, don’t worry. There are plenty of alternatives to hanging art available. Consider sticking to removable wall decals, stringing up  tapestry, or utilizing existing shelving to create a loose take of a gallery wall.

Use our advice to help bring your personality into your rental kitchen. Image: Alexandra Crafton

Decorating rental spaces is all about striking a compromise. If you’re paying rent to be there, you’ll obviously want to be able to make the space feel like your own. But, if you’re hoping to get your security deposit back at the end of your lease, you’ll also need to make sure that any design decisions you make are easily reversible. Luckily, that’s where we come in. Use these tips to help make your kitchen feel like your very own space.

What do you think of these rental kitchen design ideas? Do you have any of your own to add? Share them with us in the comments below.

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How to Design a Studio Apartment Layout that Works

Set up a studio apartment layout that works. Here’s how: Image: DEKORA Staging Inc

Designing a studio apartment layout presents its own set of unique challenges. On one hand, you’ll want to break up the space in a way that makes sense. On the other, there’s no reason for function to override aesthetics. The following design techniques help you achieve the best of both worlds. They’re our favorite tips for creating a space that truly works for you, no matter how small it may be.

Keep the color scheme cohesive. Image: L’Essenziale Home Designs

Limit the color scheme

What does color scheme have to do with layout? It’s more important than you might think. Overly-complicated schemes have a tendency to make small apartments feel choppy or too busy.

Focus on choosing two or three colors and incorporating them throughout the entire apartment, rather than in just one particular section. This helps tie your entire studio together in a way that’s very easy for the eye to process. It also helps the overall design feel more cohesive.

As always, you should follow the 60-30-10 color rule. When working with such limited square footage, we highly suggest having your dominant shade (60%) be a neutral color, in order to open up the space as much as possible. Then, choose a middling shade (30%) for your secondary color and, finally, use pops of something bolder (10%) as your accent color.

Choose dividers that let in light. Image: Elayne Barre Photography

Divide wisely

When designing your studio, you need to divide your space up somehow. That said, not all dividers are created equal. Using too many, or the wrong type, leaves your space feeling choppy, or unnecessarily cut off from the rest of the room. Before you run out and buy dividers, it’s important to determine where, and how, you’re going to use them.

Classic room dividers work best in areas where you truly do need a little more privacy—consider them for the area around your bed. However, to avoid making your space feel too separated, opt for a divider that lets natural light shine through. Open shelving is an excellent option, as it provides the added benefit of additional storage.

Look into alternatives for the remainder of the apartment. A well-placed sofa or entertainment center separates the space without making your design feel segregated. If you choose either of these options, pick lower pieces you can see over — doing so brings a sense of depth to the room.

Make each functional area feel like a finished space of its own. Image: The Brooklyn Home Company

Define each functional area

One of the biggest mistakes we see with studio apartment decorating is the desire to make the space feel too utilitarian. This often occurs when people work with limited budgets, and hope to move into larger living arrangements in the future, causing them to neglect investing in their studio’s design.

Don’t do your design a disservice! Each section of your open concept layout serves a distinct purpose. Your goal should be making each section of your space feel like a room unto itself, even if there aren’t any walls or doors for separation.

It doesn’t take much to transform a design from “strictly functional” to “purposefully designed.” For example: something as simple as a few throw rugs really ground each area. Adding a few accessories—especially appropriate textiles and décor elements—creates a sense that the area has been fully finished.

Use visual height to make the space look larger. Image: Chris Nguyen, Analog|Dialog

Create visual height

When dealing with limited square footage, visual height is one of your best tools for making your space feel as large as possible. By purposefully drawing eyes upward, you ensure that everyone who sees your home is taking in the space as a whole, rather than just the tiny section at eye level, making your design look and feel more complete.

To make it happen, utilize anything that draws eyes toward the ceiling. Here’s a few examples and suggestions to get you started:

• Invest in verticle shelving
• Use a room divider
• Invest in some sizable wall art
• Hang a vertical mirror
• Hang things from the wall to create vertical storage
• Consider using a hanging light fixture as your statement piece

Use these tips to create a studio apartment layout that works. Image: R / G Photography

Due to square footage constraints, laying out a studio apartment requires different design techniques than a decorating a traditional home. However, with a little forethought, planning and inspiration, you can easily create a space that’s both functional and beautiful. If you need a little help figuring out your studio layout, keep these tips in mind. They’ll help you put together an apartment layout you’ll love.

Do you live in a studio apartment? If so, what tips do you have for making the space feel as functional as possible? Share them with us in the comments.

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