Blog

Highlights. Trends. Insights. We’ve got the scoop on everything you need to know about interior design right here in one tidy space!

January 13, 2015

Home Design Trends // Pantone’s Color of the Year: Marsala

Reviews for Pantone’s latest color pick have been mixed, but we like it as an accent color for the home and its rich and earthy tone could be easily used as an updated neutral in any room- as long as it’s done sparingly. The shade would work nicely in the kitchen or dining room, as red shades stimulate the appetite. It would also work well in a powder room, as you can go for stronger, more daring choices in rooms that you don’t spend a lot of time in. The color is deep so just make sure your space has some white and/or natural light so that it doesn’t come off too dark and moody.

Style-wise, Marsala lends well to the bohemian look that is so popular right now. I can see us using it in a beautiful Moroccan rug, accent pillows or upholstery. It’s a beautiful shade and if used correctly, will lend an heir of sophistication to your home.

Mid-Century Sofa, West Elm

Wool Rug, Bloomingdale’s

Powder Room, House Beautiful

Pendant Lamp, Matter

December 9, 2014

Home Design Trends // Blush Accents

Everything’s coming up roses in home decor items at the moment. If you’re looking to add a touch of softness and elegance to a room there’s no better color than blush pink. A barely there hue that can almost be considered a neutral, a few pops of soft pink in your home can look beautiful and modern, without being too feminine if done properly. Here are some items we’re loving right now:

Table Lamp, CB2

Sofa, Madeline Stuart

Accent Pillow, Stylizimo

Glass Stemware, Crate & Barrel

December 9, 2014

Luxe Up Your Living Room

When designers are revamping a space the living room is often the first place we’ll look. A central component in any home, the living room should reflect your tastes and aesthetic, but you don’t have to spend a fortune for it to look like a million bucks. Read our tips below and you’ll be on your way to a more luxurious living room in no time:

Simplify Your Styling
A cluttered, over-accessorized space can look messy and disorganized rather than chic and sophisticated. Pare down your collection and keep the pieces that have sentimental value or evoke strong memories. A simplified space will enable the remaining elements to really shine.

Photo: Pinterest

Hide Your Television
Nothing brings down the feeling of sophisticated luxury in a space quite like a huge black television placed front and center. If an armoire or modern console is not the right look for your space, you can visually minimize the presence of your screen by creating a gallery wall or salon-style art arrangement around it. Although it won’t entirely disappear, the frame of the television will blend in with the other artwork to distract the eye.

Photo: Elle Decor

Incorporate a Bold Textile
Give your room a custom look by using vintage or antique textiles to make throw pillows or cover small pieces such as seat cushions or upholstered stools with a great print. The unusual fabric will inject your room with a unique element, and will personalize your space.

Photo: Commune Design

Add a Sculptural Item
Prevent your room from becoming a sea of straight lines and circular forms by introducing an element with an interesting shape or unique silhouette. A tree root coffee table or unusual side chair will feel like a piece of art in your living room, adding an unexpected and wholly artistic component to your design.

Photo: Pinterest

Hang a Large Piece of Art
Create a focal point and give your space some wow factor by hanging an oversized piece of art by itself on one of your living room walls. The look is chic and high-impact with very little hassle. Keep your eyes peeled at flea markets and thrift stores for large pieces at reasonable prices, or get creative and make your own.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Mix Your Textures
A layered, thoughtful mix of materials and textures will give your space a custom-designed, luxurious look. Mix metals, glass, wood, a variety of textiles, and leather items to create a dynamic, inviting space.

Photo: Chameleon Design

December 9, 2014

Chameleon Design Featured Project: El Sol, Plan 3 // Brentwood, CA

Plan 3 at El Sol in Brentwood is a beautiful 4 bedroom home, merchandised with a growing family of 4 in mind, with room for a playroom and a spot for Mom’s desk. We designed this model with a hint of Moroccan style, as you can see in touches such as the area rug in the living room, the chandelier in the dining room, the mirror in the master bedroom, the pendant lights over the nightstands in the girls room and rug in the loft playroom. The warm wood plank flooring on the first floor really warms up this mostly blue and tan color scheme and pops of teal, rust, and espresso help add to the moroccan accent.

Commissioned by and licensed to William Lyon Homes and Chameleon Design.

Living Room

Kitchen

Loft

Master Bedroom

Bedroom

Exterior

November 11, 2014

Chameleon Design Featured Project: El Sol, Plan 2 // Brentwood, CA

El Sol Plan 2 is a three-bedroom home that we merchandised for a starter family with a baby and toddler. The design is rustic chic with a whimsical touch of playfulness. The color palette feels cozy with soft grey, varying shades of pink, creamy whites and it is grounded with wood tones. The kitchen cabinetry is a crisp white and the flooring downstairs is a grey washed wood plank vinyl that looks amazing and really fits this buyer profile’s budget. We felt that the kitchen was too small for a real island but big enough to have a little something here so we added a useful butcher block island.

Living Room

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Nursery

Exterior

November 11, 2014

Home Design Trends // Moroccan Rugs

Moroccan rugs have become hot tickets in home decor, the trendiest of this style being the Beni Ourain. Traditionally hand-woven by the indigenous people of Morocco since the Paleolithic Era, they have a high-pile wool design with a neutral ivory background and a contrasting geometric pattern, usually in black or brown. The design world caught on a decade or so ago and now mainstream stores such as West Elm and Restoration Hardware are producing less expensive versions, though the vintage items are still available if you’re willing to pay more.

Photo: Target

Photo: Restoration Hardware

Photo: Vintage Rug, Madeline Weinrib

Photo: West Elm

Photo: Chameleon Design

1451-13_PL2_Guest_SkyRidge_WilliamLyonHomes_EricFiggePhotos

Photo: Chameleon Design

November 11, 2014

Hotel-Inspired Design Ideas

No matter where we go on vacation, the hotel is admittedly the destination we look forward to most. But all of that four-star luxuriating might be the reason why we often feel less than enthusiastic about returning to the daily grind. So why not bring the hotel experience home? Here are a few ways to do it:

Start at the Door
The entry to a nice guest room is the place where you may find a small table or shelf to place keys and other items, and a small lighting fixture. Take a look at your entryway at home and consider if you’ve got those special touches that will make it count.

Photo: Pinterest

Make the Bed
No single item makes the hotel experience more than the bed. To achieve those incredible layers of pillowy goodness, skip the pillow-top mattress and buy a featherbed instead. A featherbed is much more economical and serves just as well for making you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud. The same goes for super-high thread count sheets. The maximum you need is 300 to 400 thread count, though going higher is up to you.

Photo: Pinterest

Use Mirrors to Open Up the Space
There’s actually a reason for that mirror many designers like to hang right above the writing desk. Strategically placed mirrors can make a small space look more expansive. Utilize this tip in your own home and see what a difference it can make.

Photo: Pinterest

Splurge On Details
It may be a fogless mirror in the bathroom or a set of super-luxe oversized bath towels. Think about those little luxuries that you enjoy most during your hotel stay and bring them into your home!

Photo: Pinterest

Keep It Fresh With Flowers
You’ll almost always find a bouquet of fresh flowers in the lobby of a nice hotel. If you don’t mind spending an extra $10 a week at the grocery store for a simple bouquet, you can bring that same freshness into your kitchen, bathroom or bedside table.

Photo: Pinterest

October 30, 2014

Chameleon Design Featured Project: El Sol, Plan 1 // Brentwood, CA

El Sol in Brentwood is a collection of detached homes with smart, stylish floor plans. They offer beautiful interiors with two or three levels of comfortable living space and rooms to connect, entertain and relax. Plan 1 is a three-bedroom home that we merchandised with an office and guest room. The design is mid-century modern with natural accents. The color palette included citron green, grays, taupe’s and a crisp white. The tile has a concrete look and carpeting is a loop in warm grey for an all-over cozy feel. The merchandising speaks well to the buyer profile of a young professional couple.

Living Room

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

2nd Bedroom

Office

Exterior

October 30, 2014

Rethinking the Coffee Table

One could argue the coffee table is the most important piece of furniture in your home: You can eat dinner on it, work from it, store your latest reads on it, the list goes on and on. So why not show some creativity with this furniture staple? Large traditional coffee tables may not fit your space, or the look you want in a living room or family room. For this reason, designers often look at alternatives that can be used as a coffee table as well. These smaller tables allow you to place a drink or snack down on top, yet are more compact, and can be moved around when needed.

Moroccan Tray
Besides being eclectically glamorous, a Moroccan tray table is multifunctional. Take the top tray to the kitchen to fill up with teatime essentials and then carry it right back to its stand. You won’t miss your stationary coffee table for a second.

Photo: Pottery Barn

Ottoman
If you’re prone to kicking your feet up on the coffee table, why not make the ritual more comfortable by replacing your coffee table with an ottoman? A tray placed on top of the ottoman will provide a place to corral your essentials, while keeping your drinks steady.

Photo: Pinterest

Poufs
If you have kids who constantly need more play area, poufs may be your solution. Easy to move and undeniably chic, poufs give coffee tables a run for their money.

Photo: Pinterest

Side Tables
When the look of a behemoth coffee table is too heavy, consider grouping side tables together instead. The collection will make for a lighter coffee table solution. Another plus- they can easily be moved to open up the space when it’s time to entertain.

Photo: Pinterest

Garden Stools
Ceramic garden stools are colorful, versatile and will add a bit of whimsy when decorating a room. They’re great as side tables, but just the right size to hold a book and a cup of coffee, a single garden stool may be all the coffee table you need. Or if you need more space, group a few together.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Trunk
Not only does a trunk add structure and style to your living room, but it will also increase your storage options. If just one trunk isn’t enough to store all of your blankets and children’s toys, try placing two next to one another.

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Restoration Hardware

October 30, 2014

Home Design Trends // Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood pieces make beautiful home decorations, bringing a popular eco trend into modern interiors. Reclaimed wood pieces from old barns and fences, old wooden ships and rustic pallets, pieces of old furniture and decor accessories are now used for modern home decor, adding a unique texture, rustic flavor and rich colors of old wood to modern interiors.