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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!
primary bedroom with black wall paneling Rancho Palma Rioja

Bask in Black

People are saying black is back, but in our view, it never went away! The chic sophistication of black accents never goes out of style. Some shy away from adding black to the home because they mistakenly think it makes a room appear dark and less spacious. In fact, a bit of black can add dimension to a room and create focal points that camouflage a small space. Pretty cool if we say so ourselves.

We love black’s visual impact and are thrilled to see its resurgence in the home. It’s always great to use black to accentuate a room’s features, but if you’re obsessed with this shade as much as we are, you may want to use it as a main focal point in a room’s design. Be brave and use black from floor to ceiling on an accent wall or opt for an eye-catching contrast with black-and-white striped paint. Go architectural with black interior window panels to frame and separate spaces while maintaining sightlines. In a room layered with whites and neutrals, a pop of black is an edgy counterpoint that helps ground and balance the space’s ethereal quality. Like a metallic accent, a little black goes a long way — even a small pop of black hardware or trim will bring out the colors that surround it. It’s a fail-safe way to add depth and intrigue, no matter your palette or style preference!

great room at Plan 1 Dover at Compass Bay in Newark, California

It’s Easy Being Green at Dover at Compass Bay’s Plan 1

If a breath of fresh air came with a design style and color palette, the Plan 1 model home at Dover at Compass Bay by Trumark Homes would be it. This dreamy home’s Newark, CA, locale is perched along the San Francisco Bay with nearby access to the area’s waterfront and wildlife refuge. Bright and breezy are hallmarks of our approach to this four-bedroom home that appeals to growing families. Our infusion of soothing neutrals with youthful bursts of lime and lemon refresh and uplift each room. Wall paneling, organic materials and textures add dimension, and high-contrast black light fixtures, tiling, and accents anchor and round out the home’s modern and inviting design. Here, everyone in the family has their own space to work and relax — the well-appointed home office features plenty of built-ins and natural light, and a playful kids’ loft is the perfect spot to do homework or watch TV. We especially love how the various shades of green create a sense of energy and vitality. Even the laundry room got a colorful wall treatment because a home’s corners and alcoves should look and feel special!
workstation with white desks and orange accents Terracina

Creating Cozy Corners

Play up your home’s nooks and crannies because before you know it, you just might create your new go-to comfort spot. Corners in a home tend to get neglected because people are afraid of creating a cluttered look or don’t know how to style them. When done right, a corner can become a room’s focal point, a productivity spot, or even a mini retreat. To enjoy a quiet moment, all you need is a corner near a window, task lighting, an upholstered chair, and an ottoman to kick up your feet. Transform a small niche into a mini library or workstation with a built-in cabinet and shelves. In the bedroom, create a charming refuge with just a chaise lounge and side table. Sometimes a corner is all you’ve got for a laundry room — make the most of it with a stackable washer and dryer, shelving system and plenty of storage baskets. Don’t forget to make the open-air corners a little cozier too! Tuck a little hideaway in your outdoor space. Even the smallest of patios can accommodate a compact table, chairs, and potted plants to create a little slice of al fresco heaven. It’s your home, so make every inch of space count.
living room with blue accents Modo at Novel Park

Calm Seas Ahead — Aleutian Allure

Like Pantone’s Very Peri, the color of the year chosen by HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams is a departure from all the lovely shades of light green selected by most color experts and paint manufacturers for 2022. And we love it! Aleutian blue, reminiscent of the sparkling sea surrounding the archipelago that bears its name, is equally calming while symbolizing a spirit of refreshed optimism. Blue signifies trust and creativity in color psychology, and this balance of dependability and imagination is what’s transformed it into a neutral in home interiors. Aleutian’s washed indigo hue with red undertones calls up feelings of serenity. A bit of added grey keeps the shade muted and soothing, making it a wonderful choice for creating a tranquil oasis at home. We especially appreciate its versatility, and we’ve used similar shades in many of our clients’ projects. Bathe a wall or ceiling in Aleutian to jump into this color head first, or play up a space with cool-toned accents like rugs, bedding or artwork. Like a true neutral, Aleutian works well with almost any color, though when paired with whites and warm wood textures it’s worthy of a chef’s kiss.

great room at Allevare at Varredo The Catalan Toll Brothers in Buckeye, Arizona

The Nationals Recognizes Team Chameleon With 5 Silver Awards

There’s nothing like starting the new year riding a wave of celebration! Team Chameleon has had the privilege of completing several groundbreaking projects the past year with our incredible clients. It’s in this spirit of gratitude that we are so happy to announce that five of our projects are Silver Award winners at this year’s The Nationals awards. With recognition in three different categories, we are accepting these honors alongside our three wonderful builder clients- Brookfield Residential, Toll Brothers, and Woodbridge Pacific Group. Silver Awards represent top vote recipients in each category and are finalists for the coveted Gold Award.

The Nationals is an annual competition that’s hosted by the National Sales and Marketing Council of the National Association of Home Builders. It’s one of the most prestigious awards programs in the industry, honoring North America’s top talent in 65 categories across various disciplines in community and home design, marketing, and sales. A panel of judges selected finalists from entries across the country, and we are thrilled to be recognized among our peers.

To get ourselves amped for the awards season, we’re taking a walk down memory lane to revisit these Silver Award-honored projects.

The Catalan at Allevare at Verrado | Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Priced $400,000 to $500,000

Modern and cozy, the interiors in The Catalan model home by Toll Brothers play with rich neutral colors, textures and geometric shapes.

Plan 2 at Indigo at Canvas Park | Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Priced $400,000 to $500,000

Blue acts as a soothing neutral in the Plan 2 model home at Indigo by Brookfield Residential, complete with warm organic touches.

Plan 3 at Indigo at Canvas Park | Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Priced $600,000 to $700,000

Monochrome gray is luxuriously soft and inviting with layers of texture and wood accents in the Plan 3 model at Indigo by Brookfield Residential.

Residence One at Flair at Miralon | Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Priced $600,000 to $700,000

A nod to mod, the Residence One at Flair by Woodbridge Pacific Group is a sophisticated throwback to the effortless glamour of Old Palm Springs.

Residence Four at Flair at Miralon | Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Priced $700,000 to $850,000

Wood and black furnishings anchor and scale the volume of this polished and sun-drenched Palm Springs residence by Woodbridge Pacific Group.

wet bar with marble slab feature wall PGA West

Drink to That: Beautiful Home Bars

Live every hour like it’s happy hour in these inspiring spaces made for relaxing and socializing at home. At a time when there’s still uncertainty about nights out on the town, many households are interested in creating dedicated spaces for unwinding at home. The home bar is making a comeback, much to the delight of cocktail lovers and wine enthusiasts. But homebuyers don’t have to be connoisseurs or aficionados to enjoy this trend — a little evening escape is a wonderful way for anyone to enjoy their new home.

Plus, bar spaces are versatile and can be created almost anywhere! Set the scene in an alcove, loft or den with open shelving or glass-front cabinets to show off wares. A simple under-counter bar cooler keeps all the best beverages chilled for the family. With the addition of a wine fridge, either in the kitchen or in the living room, all the prized bottles can be kept at the perfect temperature. Take the good times outside with a space-saving bar cart for a refreshing drink alfresco. But beware — these inviting spaces will make you want to end the workday a little early, which is fine by us. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right?

white dining room with abstract art

Snow Place Like Home – White Interiors

How much do we love white? Let us count the ways. A home or room with a predominantly white palette is a blank canvas rife with possibilities — when the design is done right. Without proper planning, too much white can have a stark, even clinical look. The gorgeous, bright white spaces on Instagram, TikTok, and glossy magazines are what we’re after-those light-filled rooms that welcome and inspire. White opens and expands to give the appearance of volume in smaller spaces and open layouts. It can also be a source of negative space in a room, a necessary element to give the eyes a place to rest. While natural lighting is ideal for these bright and open spaces, artificial light is a necessity, too. For sun drenched spaces, bulbs on the cooler end of the spectrum are fine; opt for warmer bulbs for darker rooms to avoid a sterile feel. If you want to bathe a room in white, add layers of texture to create dimension with fabrics, woods, rattan, leather, pillows and a rug. In fact, a rug is practically essential in white-dominant interiors to anchor the space and reinforce other textural features. White is also the perfect backdrop to show off a bit of color, but be sure to proceed with some restraint. Keep things to accents or artwork for the most impact. Add warmer tones for a cozy feel, and don’t forget a houseplant or two to bring things to life.

living room at Signature PGA West Plan One in La Quinta, California

High Style in the Low Desert — Topaz Plan One

Nestled in the Coachella Valley and surrounded by the Santa Rosa Mountains, La Quinta is an idyllic desert playground for the jet set, snowbirds and festival revelers alike. It was with these buyers in mind that we approached the interiors of Topaz Plan One at Signature PGA West by Woodbridge Pacific Group in La Quinta. The scheme is sophisticated yet youthful with natural touches that connect to the warm hues of the surrounding terrain. Crisp white walls accentuate the vivid desert sunlight, while cool blues are reminiscent of the sparkling pool and sky. Bursts of orange offer up a playful contrast that’s full of energy. Blonde and honey-toned wood furnishings are used throughout the home and help ground the white’s ethereal feel. We layered color and pattern in unexpected ways in this model home for a vibe that’s spirited and joyful while undeniably chic. The resulting ethos is one of pleasurable contrasts that dials into the many reasons people seek to call La Quinta home — a casually elegant lifestyle that embraces leisure, adventure, and play.

entryway with black paneling

Enchanting Entryways

We’ve crossed the threshold into the new year. While there’s lots of chatter about the colors of the year, we thought we’d dive into the importance of setting the tone for a home’s style in 2022. January is the first month of the year and, like an entryway, a kind of first impression that sets the expectation of what’s to come. A well-styled entryway should make people curious about what other design delights they’ll find moving into the rest of the home. And because it’s an area of the home that sees a lot of use, incorporating practical elements is key. We like to think of an entryway as a functional space with flair, as a place to hang the proverbial hat (and coats) and to keep shoes stowed — all while showing off the unique character of the home and its owners. Entryways are typically smaller than the average room, so every design feature is important due to the limited footprint. Maximize the space by adding bench seating with storage, and of course, some wall hooks and a few baskets for personal items. Style a console table with greenery, a candle or two and a display bowl for keys. Let the walls do the talking with painted paneling, shiplap, or bold wallpaper. Mirrors also work wonders because they reflect light and provide a quick pit stop to check hair and makeup on the way out the door. To make a dramatic impression, opt for gallery white walls layered with a piece of large-scale art. As the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a first impression, and a smart model home entryway will always entice home buyers to want to see more.

gray sofa in living room

The New Neutral: Gray Sofas

To the surprise of absolutely no one, the gray sofa is THE furnishing for 2021. It’s everywhere right now, from high-end glossy design magazines to style influencers on social media. It’s easy to see why — it’s versatile and goes with everything, from era and motif to mood and vibe. There’s always a showstopping design element in a room (at least there should be) and this neutral sofa acts as a jumping-off point for creativity, color, and pattern. It’s a neutral blank canvas unbound by seasons or color palettes for layers that are bold and bright or luxe and textural. A gray sofa pairs well with Scandi or Japandi design, which have both become increasingly popular as we seek to create calming spaces in our homes. And if you’re a long-time gray lover and use it throughout your home, prevent a cold, austere look by dressing up the sofa with pops of color and playful decor. Our recent project at Rancho Palma is a great place to look for inspiration. Also, as a plus, a gray sofa is both kid and dog-friendly because dirt, stains, and pet hair will be relatively hidden. A smart design choice that’s also chic!