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Make the Patio the Coolest Room in Your House

Memorial Day weekend is just behind us and that means that summer is officially here! If you’re looking forward to spending as much time outdoors as we are, you should make sure your patio is in top shape.  Whether your desire is to dine, entertain or lounge, patios are the perfect place to retreat and enjoy the weather. With a little attention you can turn your patio into a true extension of your home, both in function and design. Here are some easy things you can do to your patio to get it summer-ready:

Light it Up
Lighting is a “must do” for outdoor areas like patios. The right lighting will give it the ambiance that makes it a truly special place to be even well into the evening hours. You can string lights across the patio for a magical feel, or if that’s not for you, some outdoor lamps or more traditional landscape lighting will do the trick.

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

 

Go with the Flow
It’s equally important to consider traffic flow when you’re organizing your outdoor spaces as it is for indoor areas. If your access to the patio is through the kitchen, put your grill and food prep area closest to the house so you can easily transport food in and out.  If your patio is off the living room, it’s great to extend that living room feeling into the outside with another conversation area. If you’re lucky enough to have a pool in the backyard, try to set it up so that guests coming inside from the pool enter through a room with tile floors instead of carpeting.

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

 

Go Green
Most people know that a patio begs for plants. Make sure you choose plants that add not only color but also different textures. Have a variety of plants of varying heights-  some flowering and some just green.  Though it’s a simple ingredient, plants really do make a huge difference in the overall feel of your patio.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

 

Add Some Warmth
If your patio doesn’t have a built-in fireplace, a portable or semi-permanent fire pit can be a great solution and will add a cozy ambience for your outdoor gatherings. People just tend to relax and settle in around a fire, and it can be the perfect backdrop for those long conversations on the patio or deck.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

 

Build an Outdoor Kitchen
If you’re hosting a party on the patio, people need to eat. So having some sort of outdoor kitchen space is a must. Some custom homes have an entire kitchen built into the patio. But if not, you’ve got to figure out a way to create a kitchen space around a simple grill. People will always gravitate to the area where the food is, so make sure to create a large enough space to accommodate them. Make some seating areas and include a big, galvanized tub full of ice and drinks.  Be sure to have enough tables on hand for seating as well as serving the food.

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

Home Design Trends // Smoky Glass

Glass creates classy look and makes a room feel bright and open. When thinking about glass, clean and clear probably comes to mind, but how about trying something new and going for a smoky glass? You’d be surprised with the sense of mystery and intrigue the shade adds to an otherwise typical material. If you’re looking for some unique and modern touches in your home this could be exactly what you’re looking for.

 

Photo: Pinterest

Pendant Lamp, Pinterest

Coffee Table, 1st Dibs

Photo: 1st Dibs

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

Desk Lamp, DWR

Photo: DWR

Design Tips to Make a Big Impact at a Small Cost

Often, a quick refresh is all you need to make you feel like you have a whole new room. There are so many things you can do yourself, without the help of a professional, and without investing a fortune. Here are some of our favorite tips on small tweaks that can completely transform a space in your home:

Use small rooms to take big risks
A wallpaper pattern that would overwhelm your living room will be fabulous in your powder room or a small foyer. Pick a pattern you love, that you could never get away with in a larger space, and have fun with it!

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

Edit
We all need to resist our urge to hoard! Simple stacks of books mixed in with a carefully curated collection add interest without adding clutter. Try color coordinating your books for a fun look.

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

Think in multiples
A cluster of small tables can create a bigger impact than one table on its own. The same goes for seating at the end of the bed. Plus you can re-purpose as needed!

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Add some life to your spaces
Adding plants inside blurs the boundaries between inside and out and can add color  and life to a room like nothing else. Just picture the room below without the plants and you’ll get the idea!

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Find a rich, unexpected paint color
It may take some trial and error, but when you find that perfect color it’s a statement by itself. The dark wall in this room really pops against the bright white bed and other walls.

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Pinterest

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Skyridge, Plan 1 // Riverside, CA

Skyridge are one and two story detached homes in the Woodcrest area of Riverside. With up to 6 bedrooms, each floor plan includes a beautiful outdoor room and the plans are all generously sized for families who enjoy an active lifestyle, healthy living and entertaining. Plan 1 is a 3 bedroom /2.5 bath home, perfect for a young family with small children. The space is very functional and utilitarian, with every room having a purpose. We created a “vintage eclectic” look with bright, fun colors grounded by neutral backgrounds. The furniture is a mix of pine and painted accents. A beautiful family home for first time buyers!

California Room

Entry

Family Room

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Kid’s Art Room

Laundry Room

Front View

Home Design Trends // Bright Yellow

Pantone has just announced it’s first character-inspired and branded color and we approve!  “Minion Yellow” is a bright shade inspired by and named after the lovable, kooky creatures from the Despicable Me film series. What we love about this playful hue is its ability to create a happy, uplifting feeling to any area in the home you choose to incorporate it. We’ve used this color in a few projects lately and you can really see how it has an amazing ability to transform a space.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Photo: Chameleon Design

Decorating Rules to Remember

There are some basic guidelines that we always use to make the task of decorating a space a little easier and more foolproof. They’re easy for anyone to follow and take into consideration when making your own home improvements. Below are some pieces of tried-and-true wisdom you’ll want to abide by to get your home looking its best:

Mix It Up
Mix materials and add texture! For example, metal mixed with wood or rattan or natural woven fabrics with lacquered furniture or walls will add an interesting and exciting look that a matchy matchy style can’t achieve.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Break Out the Tape
Scale can make or break your space. Pay close attention to the size of furniture pieces in relation to the room and always map out the larger items, such as sofas and rugs, before purchasing.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Make Updates
Don’t be afraid to take chances in order to make bold statements in your home. Updating classic, timeless elements will make them current and your own. Adding a fun statement light fixture or a bright, new rug can transform a room.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Aim for Form and Function
Use every square inch of space in creative ways—especially in a small home where you can’t have a lot of clutter. Include pieces that are as functional as they are sculptural and interesting.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Incorporate a Variety of Light Sources
Lighting will elevate the mood of any room. Be sure to have light coming from multiple sources, not just overhead. Find creative places for an extra floor lamp, sconce, or empty corner where a small table lamp could reside for added glow. Recessed lighting is also ideal for creating a nice, warm glow.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Maplewood, Plan 4 // Tracy, CA

We are so excited and honored to have had 4 finalists at the “BIA-Bay Area-Excellence in Home Building Awards” that was held this past weekend in San Francisco. Maplewood plans 2 & 4, Victory at Vista Del Mar plans 3 & 4 and all four are for one of our favorite clients William Lyon Homes!! We were even more thrilled to have won for “Best Interior Merchandising of a home 2,500- 3,500 square feet – with Maplewood Plan 4” in Tracy, California.  Thank you to William Lyon for making Chameleon Design part of your team! It is such an honor to have finalists, but this is truly icing on the cake to get the win!!

Great Room

Great Room

Kitchen

Kitchen

Dining Room

Dining Room

California Room

California Room

Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom

Home Design Trends // Chintz

Floral patterns may scream 80’s, but they’ve made a roaring comeback. Combined with modern accents, they can look very chic. Few fabrics have the crisp look and fresh attitude of chintz. The pattern also has the ability to soften things. It’s a great way to both feminize and offset hard lines in modern homes.

Mademoiselle Chair, Kartell

Serving Tray, Juliska

Pillow Sham, Megduerksen.com

Build a Kitchen Fit for Entertaining

You might throw the best party in town but if your kitchen isn’t company ready you’re missing the mark. People love to gather in the kitchen and your guests will often gravitate there during parties. Not to mention, the kitchen is the most popular spot in the house for most families! Luckily, we have some experience with this and we’ve rounded up a number of tips to share. From things you can conquer over the weekend to small scale renovations, these will all help you to create the ultimate kitchen for entertaining:

Grab-and-Go Shelving
Open shelving is not only chic and eye-catching, it also makes grabbing tableware and glasses a breeze. Plus, there’s your incentive for splurging on a new  set of dishes.

Photo: Pinterest

The Second Sink
The worst part of hosting parties is definitely the cleanup. Keep the dish situation under control with a second sink for dirties. The island is the perfect place for a second sink.

Photo: Pinterest

The Center Island
If your gatherings happen to involve lots of family-style dishes,then a center island is key. Display all of your appetizers on the island (the focal point) and let guests mingle in the kitchen at their leisure. It takes the pressure off you to serve.

Photo: Chameleon Design

The Dedicated Wine Fridge
The next time you’re planning a kitchen renovation, a built-in, under-the counter, temperature-controlled wine fridge is a no-brainer. It will give you easy access when entertaining and assure your wine is always the right temp.

Photo: Pinterest

The Double Range
To ensure that all of your dinner-party fare is ready at the same time, splurge on a burner-heavy stove top. It will make your life so much easier if you can whip up everything at once instead of in shifts.

Photo: Pinterest

Versatile Seating
Lightweight barstools around your island are essentials. Use them to create a pre-dinner cocktail hub or a spillover dining area–or drag them into the living room when seating there becomes too scarce.

Photo: Pinterest

The Cocktail Bar
While we’d love to hire a bartender for the evening, a handy cocktail station or bar cart is the next best thing. Encourage guests to help themselves by corralling all of your glasses, libations and cocktail fixings into one centrally located hub.

Photo: Pinterest

The Open Floor Plan
When you entertain it’s important to enjoy your own party. And that means being a part of the action. So what’s the best way to do this?  Knock down that dividing wall!

Photo: Chameleon Design

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Coventry at Turnleaf, Plan 6 // Jurupa Valley, CA

Plan 6 at the Coventry at Turnleaf is a 4-bedroom home with 4.5 baths and a Guest Suite. We gave the model a modern “Napa Ranch” feel with warm tans, stone, rustic wood and fun pops of plum and tangerine.

Pecan wood made up the cabinetry throughout and we used limestone-look tiles for the floors. Stacked stone and reclaimed wood accent walls create that warm Ranch feel.

Master Bedroom

Kitchen

Family Room

Dining Room

Second Bedroom

Bonus Room

Exterior