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4 Ways to Design a Small Outdoor Space for Big Impact

As the weather warms up we all naturally begin to think about being outdoors. For some that may mean just a tiny patio or backyard space, yet with a few design tricks even the smallest of spaces can seem like an outdoor oasis. Bring on the warm weather!

Ambiance Lighting

Creating the right feel for your space is key to making it feel not only inviting but also bigger. Lighting is your friend here, as simple things like stringing lights above a seating area will lend a bright feel and open up the space.

Photo: Popsugar

Photo: Popsugar

Comfortable Seating

Everyone wants to be comfortable as they sip on a cocktail or enjoy time with friends outside. Having seating that is functional as well as comfortable is a key component of creating a great outdoor space.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Accessorize

Colorful pillows, a throw rug, a great tray to hold food and drinks when you entertain: these are all easy to incorporate into any outdoor space and will make it feel incredibly inviting. Pick up inexpensive pieces on sale from West Elm, Ikea or Home Goods and go to town!

Photo: Harpers Bazaar

Photo: Harpers Bazaar

Make the Most of Your Space

Even the tiniest outdoor space can be made into a cozy nook for reading during the day or having a glass of wine in the evening. If you don’t have room for an entire seating area, a cozy chair and ottoman will do the trick. The ottoman can also double as a side table or extra seat. No room to grow a garden? Try a vertical planter or bring a shelving unit outside and line shelves with potted plants and herbs.

Photo: House and Home

Photo: House and Home

Home Design Trends // Mixed Metals

We love using mixed metals to accessorize a room. This trick can instantly add dimension and create a collected, yet cohesive, feel. Something to keep in mind is to aim to stay within the same tone, warm vs. cool, for example. This will assure the metals compliment one another. Here are some of our favorite mixed metal photos:

Rejuvenation

JH Interior Design

Lonny

Home Design Trends // Cream and Tan

This season has brought about a new trend and we can’t get enough of it. The neutral color palette lends a light and happy feel that can easily lift the mood of a room. We’ve collected a few of our favorite pieces below that will enhance any space!

Kelly Wearstler Alta Table Lamp

Room & Board, Henrick Chair

Anthropologie, Taborana Rug

Z Gallerie, Savannah Vase

Z Gallerie, Savannah Vase

Pottery Barn, Carlisle Upholstered Sofa

Pottery Barn, Carlisle Upholstered Sofa

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Waverly, Plan 3 // Ontario, CA

Waverly at New Haven Plan 3 by Brookfield Homes is a spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bath plan with a bonus room upstairs. It is designed with a rustic modern feel. The white walls, trim, linen accents and countertops give this house a fresh and bright feel, while the natural oak plank floors, mocha stained cabinets and black and chocolate accent colors provide contrast and warmth to the design. White, linen, black and brown colors and textures create the design palette of the home and tie the two styles together. Each room contains both rustic and modern furniture and design elements that collectively combine to create a whimsy feel ideal for a young family.

Commissioned by and licensed solely to Brookfield Residential. Secondary Licensing to Chameleon Design, 1/15/16.

Patio

Commissioned by and licensed solely to Brookfield Residential. Secondary Licensing to Chameleon Design, 1/15/16.

Master Bedroom

Commissioned by and licensed solely to Brookfield Residential. Secondary Licensing to Chameleon Design, 1/15/16.

Master Bathrroom

Commissioned by and licensed solely to Brookfield Residential. Secondary Licensing to Chameleon Design, 1/15/16.

Loft

Commissioned by and licensed solely to Brookfield Residential. Secondary Licensing to Chameleon Design, 1/15/16.

Media Room

Commissioned by and licensed solely to Brookfield Residential. Secondary Licensing to Chameleon Design, 1/15/16.

Kitchen Nook

Commissioned by and licensed solely to Brookfield Residential. Secondary Licensing to Chameleon Design, 1/15/16.

Exterior

Commissioned by and licensed solely to Brookfield Residential. Secondary Licensing to Chameleon Design, 1/15/16.

Guest Bedroom

4 Ways to Update Your Kitchen Without Remodeling

The kitchen is the heart of the home and the hub for entertaining, which is why making sure it has a nice, open layout and stylish look is something we strive to do in every home we design. Since we’ve covered how to make your kitchen entertainment friendly, we thought it would be nice to also provide you with some quick, easy and affordable updates to achieve that stylish look and feel.

Lighting

Good lighting is important to the overall ambiance and is a cost-effective and relatively simple way to make an improvement to your kitchen. There are different types of lighting that you should implement to assure you’re covering all the bases: task lighting, ambient lighting, accent lighting and decorative lighting. Each serves a different purpose so take the time to look into ways you can all of them and you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.

 

Photo: Chameleon Design

Cabinetry Painted Darker Hues

Cabinets painted darker hues are on-trend at the moment and we’re fans because it can add great contrast to neutral colored walls and backsplashes. It’s also a fun way to make a quick change with a big impact to your kitchen by painting your cabinetry a dark color. If going for the trending dark moody colors isn’t your thing, painting the cabinetry a light color will also do the trick!

Photo: Chameleon Design

Upgrade the Hardware

The hardware might seem insignificant, but swapping it out with something fresh and different is one of the easiest ways to give your entire kitchen a makeover. Lately we’ve been loving gold, brass and copper which pop against dark cabinetry but also look great with white and other neutrals.

 

Photo: Lonny

Pops of Color

We love an all white kitchen as much as the next person, but adding a little personality with a pop of color can go a long way. Think about accent dishes and other decorative items and make sure you’re using these for personality and color. A ceramic fruit bowl in a beautiful blue or green glaze will pop on an all-white counter top. Also, adding fresh flowers or greenery will always give you a bright and cheerful feel.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Home Design Trends // Gray Wood

Gray has been popular in the design palette for quite some time, and for good reason. It goes perfectly with almost any color, bold or neutral. Adding gray to wood creates an extra dimension that we love. The added texture, mixed with the varying finishes, make this the perfect trend for any household.

Mills Bed, BDDW

Sawyer Grey Leaning Bookcase, Crate & Barrel

Reclaimed Wood Ash Bowls (Set of 3), Restoration Hardware

Patchwork Oxidized Maple Credenza in Blackened Steel Case, Kith & Kin

Grey and Beige Petrified Wood Slab Table, 1st Dibs

Designing a Large Wall

Designing model homes, we come across so many blank canvases in the form of large walls anxious for our design ideas. Some may look at them as a challenge, but our team gets excited to use tried and true techniques with a gorgeous flair.

Large Scale Art Piece

A large wall is your opportunity to make a big statement. Take a piece of art that speaks to you and make it life size! In this example, we put an image across the entire wall in the form of wallpaper. This is definitely a bold statement and could work well in a kid’s room or play room.

 

Photo: Chameleon Design

Gallery Wall

Gallery walls have become quite popular over the past few years and for good reason! They are a beautiful way to show off a collection of photos and works of art. Use two or three in a straight line for a clean, modern feel or create a collaged gallery for a visually interesting and eclectic look that keeps the eye moving.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Built-in Shelving Unit

If you have a large, blank wall space, creating a built-in shelving unit can solve a lot of problems and add value to your home. Not only will it provide extra storage, which is great for just about any room in the home, but it’s also the perfect place to display décorative pieces, photos, plants or a treasured collection.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Add Mirrors

It’s a known fact that mirrors make rooms appear larger and will reflect light, making your room brighter and happier. Add some fun to your walls with a large statement mirror or arrange mirrors in a fun pattern. You’ll be surprised at the big effect this small step will have on the room!

Photo: Chameleon Design

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Waverly, Plan 2 // Ontario, CA

Waverly by Brookfield Homes in Ontario, CA offers the ideal community lifestyle for families. Plan 2 at New Haven is the perfect place for the family that loves to entertain and to be outdoors with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a two-car garage. Designed with a palette of sage green, blush, soft coral, blues and mocha accents, all against soft neutrals, give it a vibrant feel. An open and inviting kitchen with flat panel gray wood cabinets and an anthropology eclectic style add an updated feel to the vintage furnishings, rustic pieces and soft colors. The light flooring creates an open and airy feel to the family-friendly space.

Dining Room

Kitchen

Kitchen Nook

Living

Master Bath

Master Bedroom

Nursery

Patio

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Waverly, Plan 1 // Ontario, CA

Waverly by Brookfield Homes is a beautiful collection of homes in Ontario, CA. New Haven offers a great lifestyle for its community members with parks and ample outdoor recreation space. Plan 1 has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths and the design is an updated farmhouse look. We went with a color palette of aqua, citron, white and linen to create a cohesive feel. With the beautiful downstairs wood floors, patio and open concept layout, how could you not love this house!

Exterior

Kitchen

Kitchen Nook

Living

Master Bath

Master Bedroom

Nursery

Patio

Home Design Trends // Wire Decor

Accessorizing with metal wire work accents is sure to give any room a hint of industrial feel. We love it because there are so many different ways to incorporate it into your design style and it’s available in an array of colors so there’s something for every one and every home. Here are some of our favorite finds:

West Elm, Geometric Coffee Table

Pottery Barn, Porter Wire Accent Side Table

Target, Lisa T Indigo Wire Basket

Modernica, Copper Wire Chair

Incipit Lab, Tull – Metal Cage Ceiling Lamp

Incipit Lab, Tull – Metal Cage Ceiling Lamp