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Highlights. Trends. Insights. We’ve got the scoop on everything you need to know about interior design right here in one tidy space!
May 14, 2015

Home Design Trends // Bright Yellow

Pantone has just announced it’s first character-inspired and branded color and we approve!  “Minion Yellow” is a bright shade inspired by and named after the lovable, kooky creatures from the Despicable Me film series. What we love about this playful hue is its ability to create a happy, uplifting feeling to any area in the home you choose to incorporate it. We’ve used this color in a few projects lately and you can really see how it has an amazing ability to transform a space.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

April 29, 2015

Decorating Rules to Remember

There are some basic guidelines that we always use to make the task of decorating a space a little easier and more foolproof. They’re easy for anyone to follow and take into consideration when making your own home improvements. Below are some pieces of tried-and-true wisdom you’ll want to abide by to get your home looking its best:

Mix It Up
Mix materials and add texture! For example, metal mixed with wood or rattan or natural woven fabrics with lacquered furniture or walls will add an interesting and exciting look that a matchy matchy style can’t achieve.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Break Out the Tape
Scale can make or break your space. Pay close attention to the size of furniture pieces in relation to the room and always map out the larger items, such as sofas and rugs, before purchasing.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Make Updates
Don’t be afraid to take chances in order to make bold statements in your home. Updating classic, timeless elements will make them current and your own. Adding a fun statement light fixture or a bright, new rug can transform a room.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Aim for Form and Function
Use every square inch of space in creative ways—especially in a small home where you can’t have a lot of clutter. Include pieces that are as functional as they are sculptural and interesting.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Incorporate a Variety of Light Sources
Lighting will elevate the mood of any room. Be sure to have light coming from multiple sources, not just overhead. Find creative places for an extra floor lamp, sconce, or empty corner where a small table lamp could reside for added glow. Recessed lighting is also ideal for creating a nice, warm glow.

Photo: Chameleon Design

April 29, 2015

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Maplewood, Plan 4 // Tracy, CA

We are so excited and honored to have had 4 finalists at the “BIA-Bay Area-Excellence in Home Building Awards” that was held this past weekend in San Francisco. Maplewood plans 2 & 4, Victory at Vista Del Mar plans 3 & 4 and all four are for one of our favorite clients William Lyon Homes!! We were even more thrilled to have won for “Best Interior Merchandising of a home 2,500- 3,500 square feet – with Maplewood Plan 4” in Tracy, California.  Thank you to William Lyon for making Chameleon Design part of your team! It is such an honor to have finalists, but this is truly icing on the cake to get the win!!

Great Room

Great Room

Kitchen

Kitchen

Dining Room

Dining Room

California Room

California Room

Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom

April 29, 2015

Home Design Trends // Chintz

Floral patterns may scream 80’s, but they’ve made a roaring comeback. Combined with modern accents, they can look very chic. Few fabrics have the crisp look and fresh attitude of chintz. The pattern also has the ability to soften things. It’s a great way to both feminize and offset hard lines in modern homes.

Mademoiselle Chair, Kartell

Serving Tray, Juliska

Pillow Sham, Megduerksen.com

April 15, 2015

Build a Kitchen Fit for Entertaining

You might throw the best party in town but if your kitchen isn’t company ready you’re missing the mark. People love to gather in the kitchen and your guests will often gravitate there during parties. Not to mention, the kitchen is the most popular spot in the house for most families! Luckily, we have some experience with this and we’ve rounded up a number of tips to share. From things you can conquer over the weekend to small scale renovations, these will all help you to create the ultimate kitchen for entertaining:

Grab-and-Go Shelving
Open shelving is not only chic and eye-catching, it also makes grabbing tableware and glasses a breeze. Plus, there’s your incentive for splurging on a new  set of dishes.

Photo: Pinterest

The Second Sink
The worst part of hosting parties is definitely the cleanup. Keep the dish situation under control with a second sink for dirties. The island is the perfect place for a second sink.

Photo: Pinterest

The Center Island
If your gatherings happen to involve lots of family-style dishes,then a center island is key. Display all of your appetizers on the island (the focal point) and let guests mingle in the kitchen at their leisure. It takes the pressure off you to serve.

Photo: Chameleon Design

The Dedicated Wine Fridge
The next time you’re planning a kitchen renovation, a built-in, under-the counter, temperature-controlled wine fridge is a no-brainer. It will give you easy access when entertaining and assure your wine is always the right temp.

Photo: Pinterest

The Double Range
To ensure that all of your dinner-party fare is ready at the same time, splurge on a burner-heavy stove top. It will make your life so much easier if you can whip up everything at once instead of in shifts.

Photo: Pinterest

Versatile Seating
Lightweight barstools around your island are essentials. Use them to create a pre-dinner cocktail hub or a spillover dining area–or drag them into the living room when seating there becomes too scarce.

Photo: Pinterest

The Cocktail Bar
While we’d love to hire a bartender for the evening, a handy cocktail station or bar cart is the next best thing. Encourage guests to help themselves by corralling all of your glasses, libations and cocktail fixings into one centrally located hub.

Photo: Pinterest

The Open Floor Plan
When you entertain it’s important to enjoy your own party. And that means being a part of the action. So what’s the best way to do this?  Knock down that dividing wall!

Photo: Chameleon Design

April 15, 2015

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Coventry at Turnleaf, Plan 6 // Jurupa Valley, CA

Plan 6 at the Coventry at Turnleaf is a 4-bedroom home with 4.5 baths and a Guest Suite. We gave the model a modern “Napa Ranch” feel with warm tans, stone, rustic wood and fun pops of plum and tangerine.

Pecan wood made up the cabinetry throughout and we used limestone-look tiles for the floors. Stacked stone and reclaimed wood accent walls create that warm Ranch feel.

Master Bedroom

Kitchen

Family Room

Dining Room

Second Bedroom

Bonus Room

Exterior

April 15, 2015

Home Design Trends // Scandinavian Style

Renowned for their simplicity, utility, and beauty, Scandinavian homes have a pure, pared backed style that is centered around warm functionality, clean lines, flawless craftsmanship and understated elegance. The use of light is considered to be extremely important, and many Scandinavian homes  are characterized by the use of earthy muted tones, honest materials and minimal ornamentation. This style has had a heavy influence on design trends in the US and elsewhere and we can see why!

Lamp, Natural Design House 

Chair, Smart Furniture

Sofa, Room & Board

March 31, 2015

Home Design Trends // Wood & White

Nothing looks better against wood than crisp, contrasting white. When you pair this color combo with the clean lines of modern mid-century furniture, you get design perfection. The look goes with just about anything too! Add a touch to your home and watch your space transform.

Dining Table, Euro Style

Dining Table, Euro Style

Dresser, West Elm

Dresser, West Elm

Rocking Chair, Eames

Rocking Chair, Eames

Table Lamp, JC Penny

Table Lamp, JC Penny

March 31, 2015

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Coventry at Turnleaf, Plan 5 // Jurupa Valley, CA

Plan 5 at the Coventry at Turnleaf is 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. We designed the model to have the look of “clean and modern simplicity,” which we created with a mono color palette composed of rich browns and crisp white. Textural accents such as grass cloth wallpapers and paneled walls keep everything warm and grounded. Cabinets were done in a rich espresso wood with creamy quartz countertops and natural stone tiles make up most of the flooring. The natural element is repeated with accessories such as fossils framed as art.

Kitchen

Family Room

Dining Room

California Room

Master Bedroom

Child’s Room

Guest Room

Front View

March 31, 2015

Give Your Bathroom An Instant Makeover

No matter how small the bathroom, remodeling it is a big project that can be very costly.  If a major re-model is not in your near future, that doesn’t mean you should settle for a bath that feels less than inviting. These quick-fix solutions will give your bath a major facelift without demolishing tile, hiring a plumber or taking over your weekends:

Swap in Storage With Hotel Style
Bath towels, hand towels and many soaps and shampoos cycle through your bathroom. It’s time to retire storage pieces that read as college dorm. Bring in a linen cabinet, sturdy shelves or a classic metal rack that would be right at home in a five-star hotel.

Photo: Pinterest

Update the Medicine Cabinet
You spend a lot of time in front of your bathroom mirror so much sure it’s not an eyesore. Switch your outdated cabinet for one that’s more stylish.

Photo: Pinterest

Invest in Luxe Linens
First impressions are everything, and those worn, faded towels have seen better days. Invest in a set of fresh towels and you’ll instantly see and feel the difference it makes to your overall bathroom experience.

 

Elevate the Small Stuff
Boutique hotels know this design trick. Display your toothbrush, hand soap, tissues, and cotton balls in something fancy that adds a little shine and polish- elevating even the simple task of reaching for a cotton ball.

Photo: Pinterest