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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!

October 9, 2012

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Lexington Plan 3, Valencia

The design and decor of Lexington Plan 3 in Valencia was geared towards the entertainment industry buyer. The plan is a family home with great rooms but no formal spaces. Chameleon Design took a modern eclectic approach with styling, which we know is great for active families.

The red brick wall in the flex space study creates a focal “moment” upon entry. Brick is already on the exterior and repeated inside as well on the family room fireplace. Concrete looking tiles, light taupe walls, warm espresso wood tones and lots of color pops create a modern, spunky, eclectic design. This home is perfect for a family with teenage kids, for it lends to a vibe that’s elegant and casual at the same time.

Family Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom Sitting Room

Office

Teenager’s Bedroom

Bonus Room

October 9, 2012

A New Spin on Laundry

Laundry rooms off the kitchen or in the mud room used to be the norm in home design. However, more and more new residential designs of today are mixing things up and putting the laundry room upstairs instead!

Thanks to new and quieter machines, the upstairs laundry room is pefect for homeowners who want their laundry as close as possible to the dirty clothes and bed linens. The linen closet is often built directly into the laundry room so that you don’t have to take your bedding and towels into another closet area. Home builders are always looking for new ideas like this that make homeowners’ lives a little bit easier.

Photo:Lennar Homes

Photo: Houzz

September 26, 2012

Folding Glass Walls

Looking to commercial designs of residential developments for new trends and ideas that are happening is always a good indicator of the next big thing in home design. We talked about outdoor living rooms in our last blog, and another aspect that we’ve been seeing like crazy are folding glass walls.

Often called Nano Doors (which is actually a popular brand who manufactures them) they are doors that can either be slid into a pocket wall, or into an accordion. At first glance the walls look like floor to ceiling glass windows, but each panel is actually attached to a hidden overhead track that allows the panels to easily slide open. A pocket wall will allow them to disappear from view once opened, resulting in a very cool effect. There are endless colors and finishes to work with including wood and aluminum, making them a great fit for a modern or traditional home just the same!

Photo: Pinterest

September 26, 2012

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Lexington Plan 2, Valencia

One of the newest trends in the housing industry is multi-generational living. Lennar has answered the demand by designing a home within a home that allows extended family to all live together- with private, separate living spaces. The unique floor plan includes a one bedroom apartment with its own entrance, bedroom, bath, kitchenette and living area. The apartment also has a lockable door that connects it to the house.

Chameleon Design was brought on to design the Lexington Plan. The challenge was to create a comfortable spacious feeling, while about a third of the space on the first floor is taken up by the apartment within the home. We were able to strike a balance between crisp and cozy with an updated farmhouse style. The home is designed for a young family and a live in mother-in-law, so we liked the idea of being drawn in by the worn-in pieces, but didn’t want a flea market look.

We accomplished this by devoting some space to modern display. The bonus room upstairs had clean framed game boards and the physical graffiti (this happened organically from pencils we left for the kids to draw with). Mom’s desk in the kitchen is a nice feature too.

Apartment

Apartment Bedroom

Dining Room

Family Room

Kitchen Nook

Bonus Room

Master Bedroom

Nursery

September 26, 2012

Home Decor Trends: Paisley

Paisley is showing up in surprising guises, from fashion runways to home accessories. The pattern represents movement, energy and variety which reflects the emerging mood which is bolder and ready for action! If you’re looking to punch up your decor without doing a total overhaul, adding a few paisley accent pieces will make your home look absolutely modern without leaving you absolutely broke.

Photo: DesignSponge.com

Photo: CostPlus.com

Photo: Marye-Kelley.com

September 12, 2012

Outdoor Living Rooms

Expanding the interior

Never my as a home sanctuary beyond the backdoor by designing and creating lush, relaxing, outdoor rooms is huge right now in home design. Home buyers are looking for private outdoor spaces that blend seamlessly with the indoors and builders are responding to the demand. These are especially perfect for Southern California where our weather is enjoyable more often than not. The addition can be used for outside dining and entertainment year-round.

The desire to integrate outdoor living into our daily lives by creating these finished outdoor living rooms often requires a few bells and whistles. We love a built-in fireplace and/or kitchen. Done well, outdoor living rooms are furnished with all weather furniture, accessories and rugs, professional outdoor kitchens, and outdoor lighting- all of which rival indoor furnishings for beauty and functionality. Extras such as pizza ovens and wine fridges are icing on the cake.

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Architectural Digest

September 5, 2012

Home Design Trends: Geometrics

Nothing adds interest to a space like a bold geometric print. These eye-catching designs can really help liven up your interiors and transform your living space to create a contemporary look and feel.
From an area rug to a small accent such as a colorful throw, find a way to incorporate this trend into your home. You won’t be disappointed!

Rug: Vanderhurd.com

Throw, Jonathan Adler

Tray: Apartment48.com

August 28, 2012

Kitchen Desks

A big trend right now in residential design is a built-in desk in the kitchen. I happen to love this trend because, if you’re like me, the kitchen is the one room in my house where I spend the most time. It’s always where the action is, and who doesn’t like to be apart of the action?

We’re all leading busy lives and those with children still at home can be even busier. In order to get it all done and stay sane, we have to learn to multi-task. Therefore, having a desk in the kitchen where you can pay bills, answer emails, make grocery and to-do lists, all while cooking and doing the laundry, is a genius idea! It becomes the nerve center for all of the household items that you need easy access to. Here are some photos we found of kitchen desks done right:

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Better Homes and Gardens

August 28, 2012

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Valinda Plan 4, San Juan Capistrano

Chameleon Design worked with Woodbridge Pacific on this project. The home is 3,817 square feet, five bedrooms and 4.5 baths. The style is what we call an “Updated Hacienda.” The colors are rich natural tones of caramel, copper, deep teal, cream and olive, and the floors are done with Moroccan pavers, tying the style together nicely.

My favorite thing about this home is the open kitchen which looks onto the Capistrano room (the 447 square foot outside room). I also love the family room which has an option to have a bonus room, shown in the photos below. It’s a wonderful family home.

Exterior

Living Room

Family Room

Kitchen

Dining Room

Master Bedroom

Office

August 28, 2012

Home Design Trends: Faux Bois

Faux bois, French for false wood, imitates the look of real wood and was all the rage in modern design of the 1930’s and 40’s. Today, we’re seeing faux bois wall coverings, place mats, vases and more- all with a fun and contemporary twist. The traditional rustic motif is suddenly very hip, so get your hands on some of these great pieces!

Photo: Devinecorp.net

Photo: Martha Stewart Collection

Photo: Pinterest

Blog

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Lexington Plan 3, Valencia

A New Spin on Laundry

Folding Glass Walls

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Lexington Plan 2, Valencia

Home Decor Trends: Paisley

Outdoor Living Rooms

Home Design Trends: Geometrics

Kitchen Desks

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Valinda Plan 4, San Juan Capistrano

Home Design Trends: Faux Bois

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