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living room in Plan 2 at The QUE by Woodbridge Pacific Group

April 6, 2021

Chameleon Takes Home the Gold for Plan 2 at The QUE

It’s time to celebrate! This year, our work for Plan 2 at The QUE by Woodbridge Pacific Group took home gold at The Nationals Awards in the category of Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Priced $500,000 to $600,000! The Nationals is the pre-eminent awards and honors program in homebuilding and interior design, representing some of the most creative and forward-thinking talent in both industries. It’s our version of the Academy Awards, and we can’t think of a better way to spread the cheer, than to revisit this fantastic award-winning home in beautiful Palm Springs!

We gave this three-bedroom model a bright white palette so the desert sunlight becomes an elemental design feature that bounces off surfaces and furnishings. Textural neutrals play up the sophistication with warm wood furnishings, like a glass-topped tree trunk cocktail table, striking driftwood sculpture, and chandeliers in bamboo and rattan that play up the volume of the ceilings. The open kitchen is clean and modern with clean white oak luxury plank porcelain pairing perfectly with two-toned cabinets in white and greige. The upstairs is full of opportunities for reflection and repose while enjoying a favorite cocktail as per Palm Springs lifestyles demand. Layered neutrals continue upstairs in both bedrooms. We kept the loft understated so its large windows bring the San Jacinto Mountain views into the space, creating a wondrous mural-type effect that blends the indoors and outdoors. With its refined luxury and modern desert vibe, it’s no surprise this coveted plan sold out quickly, and we couldn’t be happier that it’s been recognized with the highest honors by our industry peers!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

living room and kitchen in Plan 2 at The QUE by Woodbridge Pacific Group

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

neutral armchair in Plan 2 at The QUE by Woodbridge Pacific Group

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

white kitchen in Plan 2 at The QUE by Woodbridge Pacific Group

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

loft in Plan 2 at The QUE by Woodbridge Pacific Group

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

sideboard and mirrors in Plan 2 at The QUE by Woodbridge Pacific Group

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

master bedroom in Plan 2 at The QUE by Woodbridge Pacific Group

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

secondary bedroom in Plan 2 at The QUE by Woodbridge Pacific Group

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

April 6, 2021

How to Accessorize Your Home With Intention

“The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.”
– Clairee, Steel Magnolias

Accessories provide the finishing touches for a home and give it soul and character. They allow your personality shine through and round out furnishings through color, size, texture, and placement. Whether you go bold and vibrant to add fun focal points or warm and neutral for layered sophistication, the important thing is to be intentional about quantity and placement on tables, open shelves, counters, and bookcases (we LOVE a well-styled bookcase). Go for a curated look to avoid creating clutter and to give your eye freedom to move around the room. White space (aka negative space) is your friend and necessary to establish cohesion. It’s especially important in model home interiors—a good designer will balance the decor theme with negative space to help buyers imagine living in the home.

If all this feels overwhelming, follow a few simple guidelines to artfully accessorize your home. Play with size, scale, and shape and mix contrasting colors, textures, and materials. Break up large surface areas with layers and incorporate natural materials. Running out of decor ideas? Repetition of objects looks wonderful, too, especially if it ties into the theme of a room. Accessories are a fun and low-commitment way to make your interiors come alive; simply move them around or swap them out for a different look!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

neutral accessories in Plan R1 at Origin

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

kids decor in Plan 2 at Dover at Compass Bay

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

wood accents dresser decor in Plan 2 at Celadon

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

bar accessories in Plan 1 at Dover at The QUE

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

black and white decor in Plan 6 at Verge

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

black and white gallery wall in Plan 6 at Verge

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

April 6, 2021

No-Fail Gallery Walls

If you’ve been following our blog, you know we love a good gallery wall. They instantly dress up a blank space and provide clues about the personality and character of a home’s inhabitants. There’s also a lot of design paralysis around gallery walls, so we’re here to take away the overwhelm.

Chances are you already have many of the ingredients for your display. Well-loved art, photographs, mementos, or memorabilia are all good places to start. Keep things to a single color palette for a curated look or freewheel it with color for a fun informal vibe. Frames can be the same size and color for uniformity or you can use complementary colors with varying orientations. Plan your layout on the floor first, starting with the largest piece as a visual anchor, or keep things neat and tidy using a grid formation. When planning your image gallery, think beyond the wall, too. Create a layered look by leaning frames along an open shelf or bookcase, or make it more three-dimensional by layering pieces, such as a mirror, sconce, or other mounted decor. Your gallery, your choice!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

open shelf photo gallery in Plan 1 at Origin

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

black and white gallery wall at Riverstone Information Center

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

mixed media gallery wall in Plan 4 at Dover at Compass Bay

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

line art gallery wall in modern living room

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

bedroom gallery wall in Plan 1 at Hideaway

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

abstract gallery wall in Plan 3 at Enliven

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

teen room gallery wall in Plan 4 at Citron

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

March 10, 2021

Multi-Functional Spaces at Dover at Compass Bay’s Plan 4

The Plan 4 model at Dover at Compass Bay is a little modern masculine and a lot of casual luxury situated in the desirable city of Newark on the San Francisco Bay. Upon entry, you look through the dining area and into the great room. There is a lovely play of comfort, laid-back luxury, and masculine sophistication with the use of gray, black, and tan. Balanced with contrasts of textural and smooth, raw and refined that play off one another and encourage the eye to dance around the light-filled open-concept floor plan. A dramatic inky black wall and wood slice decor welcome you down the hall towards the garage entry/drop zone and beyond to the home’s main living areas.

Upstairs in the master bedroom, striking black tongue-and-groove paneling takes a turn three quarters up the wall, warm wood bedside cabinets, and a frosted glass chandelier offer moments of relaxation and repose. It wouldn’t be 2021 if we didn’t include some creative use of space, and multiple master closets allowed us to seamlessly integrate a stylish and cohesive workstation that can be more private when you close the black-framed sliding doors. The study room for parents and kids is a multi-purpose design done right. Kids can make the most of its layout with multiple workstations, a Zoom-worthy floating desk, and contemporary art background. The secondary bedroom and laundry room continue the calm and cool palette with warm wood touches, making this three-bedroom floor plan by Trumark Homes a welcoming retreat many families would love to call home.

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

March 10, 2021

Big on Style Multi-Functional Spaces

It’s been a year since we’ve been mostly home-bound, and if you haven’t gone out and purchased a larger one, chances are you’ve looked for ways to maximize the space you have. Our needs have changed and expectations of our homes have evolved, and sometimes there isn’t room to expand. Multi-functional spaces are a trend that isn’t going away any time soon, but it can be a real challenge keeping these areas looking great when they have to accommodate various purposes. But there’s nothing a little necessity and creativity can’t solve! Approach these spaces with intention and an air of ingenuity so they blend with the home’s existing decor. Think about matching functions, like adding a school/study area to a playroom, or game tables to the garage for some family recreation. We’ve even seen some creative (and brave!) parents add their workspace to the playroom. In 2021 layouts are more informal, and main living areas are now offices and makeshift home gyms, so adding storage furniture for laptops, other office items, and workout equipment will keep clutter down. Set your Zoom ‘stage’ in the room with the best light and background (great wallpaper or artwork is a plus!). Create a transitional space from indoors to outdoors to expand your living area. Make the most of your patio or deck with comfortable seating for working in the afternoon and dinner al fresco with the family. Thoughtful execution is key to stylish spaces that work for everyone. See how we’ve created multi-functional rooms for our clients for some inspiration!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

March 10, 2021

Time to Shine—Drop Zones and Mud Rooms

We rarely read design accolades of a mud room/drop zone, and we think it’s time to give this workhorse of a space its due! If you’re fortunate enough to have one in your home (if not create one!), a mud room or drop zone is a place to shed the day away and drop all goods and go. It’s a transitional space, one where the family passes through for a brief moment on their way to the kitchen or family room or out the door. Make organization part of the design with a custom built-in or storage cabinet, a bench for putting on shoes, baskets, and wall hooks. Create a spot for mail, keys, and small odds and ends. All items should have a home that’s within easy reach when rushing in or out the door. Don’t forget to personalize it and make it your own! Add art, greenery, a rug, and objects that speak to you and align with existing decor. Make it a place you want to be in, even if only for a short time as you go on about your day!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

February 3, 2021

Beauty Between the Lines in this Minimalist Art Trend

It’s always interesting to see artistic styles that dominate the collective and how they evolve over time. One trend that’s adorning many gallery walls right now is line art. True to its name, line art is a deliberate display of straight or curved lines against a plain or neutral background. The foundational element of artistic expression, the line’s representation in its most basic form is elegant in its singularity. Long, short, narrow, or thick. Straight, angular, or full of curve – line art often alludes to familiar silhouettes or abstract shapes. Pieces are minimalistic in nature as they embrace empty space with clean and bold lines with no or minimal shading.

While most express images in black and white, we’re seeing more color pop up in this trend as well as negative space drawings with white lines on a dark canvas. Its beauty also resides in its versatility, as these abstract forms complement any room in the home, from the family room and dining area, to the bedroom, bath, or home office. Break up your gallery wall and create some visual breathing room with this understated art trend. Here are some images from our own work to spark your creativity!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

February 3, 2021

Moments of Calm: How to Create Them in Your Home

It’s always fun and eye-opening to review our most popular blog posts of the year, and looking back over 2020 we definitely noticed a trend. Posts that featured calming and soothing decor and ideas, like neutral paint colors, curved furnishings, soft textures, and moody bedrooms enjoyed the most views. And because 2020 was, well, 2020, it’s no surprise. With all of the upheaval and turbulence happening around us, it’s natural to want our homes to feel safe, serene, and peaceful. As we’ve turned our focus inward, our homes have become our safe harbors, places of refuge, and retreat to enjoy calm, quiet, and some much-needed zen. We’re seeing more interest in creating the resort or staycation experience at home, like private spaces for yoga, meditation rooms, pools, and spa-worthy bathrooms.

It’s also easy to add elements of calm without committing to a renovation or remodeling project. Consider the power of paint to set the mood of a room, from creamy whites and alabaster to luxurious dark hues. Wood furnishings warm up a room and create connections to the outdoors. Sheer curtains diffuse natural light and cast a lovely glow. Treat yourself to little luxuries that offer special moments of rejuvenation and joy. Make up the bed in ultra-soft sheets and a washed linen duvet and bring sumptuous and oversized towels to the master bath. And never underestimate the restorative potential of a well-placed candle, pillow, or potted plant. Elevate the every-day in the home to reground, uplift, and enhance well-being!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

February 3, 2021

Classic Cottage Style Gets a Modern Upgrade in Gardens Plan 3 at Lantana

This three-bedroom townhome, from the Gardens Collection at Lantana @ Beach by Brookfield Residential, lives large in all the right places, with a refined cottage style and carefully curated experiences throughout. Upon entry, we created a terrific school/work-from-home space in this “fun-sized” den. Your Zoom meetings are sure to be a hit with the powerful yellow & white patterned wallpaper and cleaver shelving as your backdrop. The pegs create a pseudo drop zone for backpacks or coats and the buffet is a perfect place to grab the keys, grocery bags or dog leash on your way out.

Pine wood luxury vinyl plank was used to create a larger more continuous feel on the second floor. Rustic white wash and pine pieces feel modern because of their clean lines. Crisp white, calming gray and vibrant yellow are super hot as Pantone’s Colors of the Year. The interplay of color and pattern encourages the eye to move around the room, and features like a textured sisal rug and raffia-wrapped bar stools add to the organic cottage style and contrast beautifully against the bright white kitchen. This soothing color scheme creates moments of relaxation and happiness! Sleep and rejuvenation is what the third floor is all about. From the daughter’s room who loves horses and all things natural and free, to the son who loves camping in the wilderness and on into the master suite, complete with the right sized deck where you can enjoy the sunset with a glass of wine. It’s all the details in this striking townhome that create effortless Orange County living!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

January 4, 2021

Happiness Hack: How to Tell Your Story in Home Design

Designer hot take: Want to know how to truly make your home your own and a happy place you’ll love every day? Make it all about you! A home that’s full of character is one that authentically reflects the personalities of its inhabitants. And one of the things that makes people who they are is the stories they tell about themselves, like past experiences, achievements, relationships, and interests. If you’re not sure how that all translates into a cohesive and put-together home full of beautiful spaces, try asking yourself a few of these questions:

What was your favorite vacation?

What’s your favorite mantra or affirmation?

What item in your closet do you reach for the most?

Where would you live if money weren’t an option?

What sorts of activities make you lose track of time?

Use your answers as a jumping off point for your creativity. Create a mood or Pinterest board with color palettes, themes, photos, and mementos. There are many fun ways to incorporate these things to reflect what you love and create happiness every day. Arrange a vignette on a console table with a beloved collection, photo gallery, or aspirational signs. Surround yourself with those you love the most with a large family and friend photo wall. Entertain in style with a fun bar cart al fresco or a next-level game room with all the embellishments. Show off your personality using interesting paint details, like colorful ombre stair risers or mood-boosting horizontal stripes. If you love the outdoors, bring some of it inside with a heart-shaped succulent wall. Big or small, these individual touches tell your unique story and make your home a source of happy moments. Our homes should joyfully reflect the stories of our lives, so make the motto, do more of what makes you happy, your design mantra!