Blog

June 2, 2021

Nature and Nurture—Japandi Design

We’ve talked a lot about bold color this year as a way to express and celebrate personality in the home. But for those who gravitate toward a more understated feel and calming neutrals, there’s a new trend in town that blends some of our favorite themes. Japandi design (Japan + Scandi) fuses Scandinavian hygge and Japanese design elements, and we’re more than a little obsessed. Its connection to the outdoors and its focus on simplicity, comfort, and eco-friendly materials is cozy and rustic, adding an undeniable sensory appeal. Open, uncluttered spaces with clean lines and soft curves work in harmony with light neutrals and pops of darker tones. Natural light and greenery are essential and accentuate the indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Sustainable materials like wood and stone, together with found objects and a less-is-more approach to furnishings, create a curated look that is both warm and perfectly imperfect. We’ve included some of our favorite spaces where we’ve incorporated Japandi design features, and be sure to visit our Pinterest profile for even more inspiration. There, you’ll find boards of ideas and resources to get your creative juices flowing for your next projects. Happy pinning!

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

May 13, 2021

Fall in Love With Spring’s New ‘It Color

Maybe it’s spring or maybe we’ve hit a pandemic wall, but there’s something about the promise of warmer weather that has us daydreaming in color. After what seems like a yearlong hibernation, people are ready to begin sprucing up their homes for spring and summer. A color that’s on our radar and that’s been getting a lot of attention is green. Like a sprout pushing up from the sidewalk crack demanding its time in the sun, green is adorning wall paint, tile, accessories, art, and fashion in its many attractive shades, from light mint to a rich hunter shade. Symbolic of life itself, green’s vitality calls up images of growth and renewal, a kind of starting over that inspires a breath of fresh air. We love incorporating shades of green in our projects because they’re at once calming and full of life. Kelly green chairs strike a sophisticated feel when paired with a high-contrast black and white. Saturated and bright hues like bursts of lime or clover are a natural fit with wood furnishings and punch up an otherwise neutral palette. Shades of green are attributes of biophilia, another design style that’s having a moment, which connects the home to nature. Play with unexpected pops of color on a bed frame, pillows, a succulent wall, or patterned wallpaper to stimulate the senses with this versatile color!

green chairs and coffee table at Residence Two at Skye

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

decorative bedroom pillows and painting at Residence Two at Skye

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

patio with green chairs at Plan 3 at Bayberry

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

bar counter with green stool chairs Residence Two at Skye

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

great room at Plan 3 at Bayberry by Brookfield Residential

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

master bedroom at Plan 3 at Bayberry by Brookfield Residential

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

green couch and blue poufs at Plan 3 at Enliven

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

guest bedroom at Residence One at Flair by Woodbridge Pacific Group

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

living room at Plan One at Compass Bay by Dover

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

great room at Plan One at The Villages by William Lyon Homes

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

green powder room at Plan 3 at Bayberry by Brookfield Residential

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

guest room at Plan One at Compass Bay by Dover

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

green kids room at Plan Three at The Covey

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

patio with wicker furniture and decorative pillows at The Covey

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

guest bedroom detail at Plan Three at The Verge by William Lyon Homes

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

bedroom detail at Plan One at Compass Bay by Dover

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

May 13, 2021

Catalan at Allevare Defines Casual Luxe

This elegant Catalan model home at Allevare by Toll Brothers elevates everyday living with thoughtful touches and refined features. The composition plays with contrasts layered with neutral hues and natural elements in this cozy and modern single-level home in Buckeye, AZ. Dark and light, hard and soft, and lines and curves mix with wood furnishings and nature-inspired textures. Dramatic wall paneling at the entry immediately sets the tone and draws the eye inward. Similar black paneling extends into the great room to unify both spaces and serve as a feature wall that houses both a fireplace and TV. Mid-century furnishings like a marble-topped hexagonal cocktail table, dining table and chairs, and buffet connect the kitchen, living room, and dining spaces. Area rugs, soft textures, lighting, and wall art establish a distinction between each room while showing the spaciousness of the smaller floor plan. When it comes to art, don’t be afraid to add a large-scale piece, like the abstract artwork we curated for the kitchen. It creates a stunning statement that elevates the feel of the room.

A large covered backyard patio traverses the length of the home and creates a seamless transition from inside to outside. Our team made every square inch count with multiple areas for dining, lounging, and socializing. The backyard is also accessible from the primary bedroom suite continuing the home’s modern and sophisticated styling. Textured grid wallpaper, a linen duvet, and an upholstered chaise lounge soften the masculine undertones of this comfortable retreat. Wallpaper is having a moment, and the team used patterned selections for impact in the home office and laundry room among honey and walnut tones and textural features. Who says these super-functional spaces can’t be cool!

Dining Room at Catalan Plan at Verrado by Toll Brothers Arizona

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Blue foyer with table at Catalan Plan at Verrado by Toll Brothers Arizona

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Great Room at Catalan Plan at Verrado by Toll Brothers Arizona

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Living room with fireplace at Catalan Plan at Verrado by Toll Brothers Arizona

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Laundry room at Catalan Plan at Verrado by Toll Brothers Arizona

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Mud room with shelves at Catalan Plan at Verrado by Toll Brothers Arizona

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Home office at Catalan Plan at Verrado by Toll Brothers Arizona

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Master bedroom at Catalan Plan at Verrado by Toll Brothers Arizona

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Master bathroom with dual sinks at Catalan Plan at Verrado by Toll Brothers Arizona

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Guest room at Catalan Plan at Verrado by Toll Brothers Arizona

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Backyard with pool at Catalan Plan at Verrado by Toll Brothers Arizona

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

May 13, 2021

4 Pandemic Design Insights Here to Stay

The pandemic has inspired us to think differently about our homes. For more than a year, homes have assumed many different functions, often all at the same time. We’re in the middle of a collective reimagining of what home is and what it could be as we continue adapting and prioritizing our lives. Throughout this shift, we’ve been sharing trends and insights that are evolving from this cultural pivot. And now, as the country’s vaccination efforts continue and state restrictions ease, there are several pandemic-inspired home design trends we predict are here to stay.

With many employers making remote work long-term or even permanent, families are opting to relocate from urban areas to the suburbs for larger homes and backyards. Outdoor living spaces are getting a luxe refresh with pools, kitchens, gardens, and kids’ play areas, offering safer spaces for friends and family to gather and socialize. There’s a rising interest in unifying indoor and outdoor spaces to create even more functional living areas. Functionality is a top priority, and people are seeking out homes that offer a good balance of shared and private areas that help achieve work-life balance. Rooms that only serve a single function are out, and multi-purpose spaces are in. As such, expect even more interest in built-ins and stylish storage pieces that control clutter.

The pull for authentic and natural materials offers breathing space from our hyperconnected and technological lives. Expect more non-porous and organic surfaces and furnishings that limit the spread of germs and are easy to clean. Color has also come back in a major way to create a mood or vibe. There’s a real ‘go for it’ feeling as people desire to channel their personalities through color. Palettes are bolder, brighter, and saturated. There’s also a movement toward more distinctive design styles like retro, maximalism, grand millennial, and cottage core styling. As designers, we’re thrilled to see more people loving on their homes and creating spaces that authentically reflect their personalities!

bright and airy patios and decks by Chameleon Design

Outdoor Living – Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

alt text=outdoor spaces at Skye by Woodbridge Pacific Group

Outdoor Living – Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

outdoor spaces and furniture by Chameleon Design

Outdoor Living – Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

multi-functional living spaces by Chameleon Design

Multi-functional Design – Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

multi-functional and sophisticated bonus rooms and living spaces by Chameleon Design

Multi-functional Design – Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

multi-functional play room, patio, and garage space by Chameleon Design

Multi-functional Design – Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

luxury design details in chic living spaces by Chameleon Design

Authentic Materials – Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

authentic and unique decor in chic living spaces by Chameleon Design

Authentic Materials – Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

authentic and luxurious decor pieces by Chameleon Design

Authentic Materials – Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

colorful wall art, rugs, and furniture by Chameleon Design

Playful Color Palettes – Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

colorful stairs and wall decor by Chameleon Design

Playful Color Palettes – Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

yellow and blue home decor by Chameleon Design

Playful Color Palettes – Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

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!