Blog

June 9, 2015

Home Design Trends // Wallpapered Ceilings

When we’re decorating our home, one of the last things we likely think about is the ceiling. However, your ceilings can be used to make a major statement at a relatively low cost, if you just add wallpaper! Wallpaper allows your ceiling to become a fifth wall and will draw the eye upward, in turn making the room feel larger. It will also add an unexpected surprise, not to mention character, that can truly transform a space.

Kelly Deck Design

Photo: Greg Natale

Photo: Honey & Fitz

Photo: Kathryn Ivey Interiors

June 9, 2015

Add Some Style to Your Dining Area

When it comes to creating an inviting and functional space for your dining room, while also keeping it stylish can sometimes be a challenge. Formal dining rooms with traditional tables and chairs have become less and less popular, with families wanting something more casual to match their lifestyle. But rather than eliminating the dining room all together, we need to re-work those old ideas by using more modern thinking. From mix and match chairs to statement lighting, below are some simple ideas that you can do now to inject more style into your space.

Mix up Your Chairs
The simple art of swapping out some of your matching seats in your dining room set with some different chairs can really add some interest to your dining room. With many dining rooms lack any real personality, you may be surprised to find out just how much of an impact you can make by getting rid of the repetition around your dining room table.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Stick with a Simple Color Palette
However, if you are adding patterns into the mix try to only introduce a single pattern as to prevent the set-up from becoming too overwhelming. Also, keeping seat heights the same is a great rule to keep in mind, and to keep variations in height to a minimum.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Consider Alternative Seating
Think about other options for seating around the table, other than the traditional dining room chair. Benches, settees and wing back chairs can all make bold and beautiful additions to your dining room table. You can also crate a combination to add some interest. Think about the statement you want to make and go from there.

Photo: Chameleon Design

Anchor the Table with a Statement Light
You can bring a lot of personality into your dining area simply with the addition of a statement light above the table. This will anchor the room and naturally draw people around the table. It’s also a fun opportunity to do something a little different that adds some flair to your decor.

Photo: Chameleon Design

May 27, 2015

Chameleon Design Featured Project: Skyridge, Plan 2 // Riverside, CA

Skyridge Plan 2 is a 5 bedroom /3.5 bath home, perfect for an established family who is looking to for a move-up opportunity. We designed this plan with an “updated traditional” style, giving it a modern touch without losing the cozy, family-home feel. Shades of bright tangerine, fresh lime and sea salt made up the color palette and were paired with neutral linens throughout. Crown molding and waincot brought in a traditional element and provided a nice contrast to some of the modern furniture pieces. The bonus room with homework stations is one of our favorite rooms and the guest suite for visiting family is a bonus in itself!

Family Room

Kitchen

California Room

Bonus Room

Master Bedroom

Guest Bedroom

May 27, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

May 27, 2015

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.

Pendant Lamp, Pinterest

Photo: 1st Dibs

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: DWR

May 14, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

May 14, 2015

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

May 14, 2015

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

April 29, 2015

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

April 29, 2015

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!!