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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!

January 13, 2015

The Modern Playroom

With the modern trend of minimalism and clean and well defined design lines taking over, playrooms are quickly following the same path. Marrying beautiful themes with smart storage solutions, the perfect playroom is a space that both adults and kids appreciate. Designing the right children’s playroom can be a tricky but there are a couple ingredients to keep in mind to make sure you get it right:

Maximize Storage and Shelf Space
If you aren’t careful about providing ample space to tuck away the mountains of toys when your little ones are done with them, you’ll likely regret it. Add shelving to the playroom with plenty of space- modern bookshelves are great in this regard. Fill them with colorful containers or cool woven baskets that are both elegant and efficient. Benches with hidden storage and sleek storage ladders tucked away in the corner also do the trick.

Photo: Pinterest

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Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Pinterest

Combinations of Spaces and Zones
Planning for the playroom should ideally start with its placement. Open playroom designs and floor plans are becoming far more popular as they are both safe and easy to incorporate. Multicolored rugs, carpet tiles and a special ceiling will differentiate the space and make it feel far more special than the reminder of the house.

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Chameleon Design

The most essential component of it all though is the input offered by your kids. Talk to them before you get started with the playroom. Incorporate colors, themes and activities that they want the most while adding your own safety and storage solutions to them. At the end of the day, the playroom is their space!

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Photo: Chameleon Design

January 13, 2015

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Tower on 19th Street // Costa Mesa, CA

For this project we were tasked with bringing an old building back to life and creating a beautiful and hip home for seniors. Once the construction was complete, we came in and created an updated mid-century modern look inspired by the Rat Pack days. Out went the floral carpet and chairs and in came the clean white tile flooring, stacked stone, dark paneling and large colorful art. We kept the white grand piano and gave that space a collection of art, an orange banquette, turquoise swivel chairs and stone tables. The media room, two computer rooms, library/card room and kitchen all turned out even better than planned and made for plenty of very happy seniors.

Lobby Before

Lobby After

Lobby Before

Lobby After

Media Room Before

Media Room After

Office

Piano Room

Exterior Before

Exterior After

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

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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.