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Design Insight

Designing Community Experiences

Today’s reality of siloed modern life – work, commute, etc. – coupled with head-down device distractions, means people are craving in-person community like never before. Residential developers that are in tune with these evolving homebuyer priorities are answering the call by creating new communities with well-designed shared spaces to encourage residents to connect, offering living experiences that are social and increasingly more sustainable.

Having a dedicated space for neighbors and community members to enjoy facetime (the old-fashioned kind, no iPhone required!) is a real perk for families in the market for a new home. Think of these spaces like a destination-style resort, complete with many opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Our installations like The Lodge at Riverstone in Madera, CA, and Belcourt at Seven Oaks in Bakersfield, CA, include fitness clubs with group classes, recreation centers equipped with games for kids and grown-ups alike, and kitchens and bars for socializing. Other resident-forward amenities include vegetable and herb gardens with neighborhood harvesting and farm-to-table events, splash pools for tots and larger-scale outdoor venues for events like farmers markets, concerts, and neighborhood campouts. High-rise home developments are also getting in on the community amenity action, offering residents communal rooftop terraces constructed with lounge seating, grills, and cabanas to enjoy the outdoors and incredible views. 

And a communal space doesn’t have to be large to encourage community socializing: use the space you have and incorporate well-scaled pieces, vibrant colors, and greenery to create an energetic yet cozy feel. Maximize indoor-outdoor living areas with intention to inspire residents to create connections and make memorable community experiences.

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

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Teen Scene – Bedrooms and Hangouts that Make Staying Home Cool

Designing a teenager’s room can be a tricky business, because you’re creating a space that meets the teen’s needs and desires, while passing the parent test. All while crafting a stylish masterpiece that’s comfortable and in sync with the rest of the home. It’s a design tight-rope-walking tango, a balancing act of priorities that are sometimes at odds. 

Start by giving teens the space to express their identity by creating a focal point around a favorite hobby or interest. Display sporting equipment, a piece of art, concert poster, or school or team memorabilia to ground the overall vibe of the room, then layer and add elements around it. Don’t be afraid to go bold with color, pattern, and texture- a wallpaper print, area rug, accent wall, and bold bedding or throws add touches of whimsy or drama to the room. Add some floating shelves so they can swap out photos, art, and mementos, and keep the clutter controlled with multi-functional storage pieces, like a foot-of-the-bed bench, storage cubes that double as extra seating for friends, and a small dresser for a bedside table. 

If the home’s floorplan can accommodate, create a hangout space outside of the bedroom for homework, movies, gaming, and lounging with friends. Give them a space that feels like their own without having to retreat to their bedroom. Make it cool, cozy, and comfortable, with lounge-style seating, a laptop nook for studying, a docking station for music, and some family-friendly games (hello, mini fridge!). Who knows, maybe with such a welcoming design, they’ll even share it with the rest of the family! #daretodream

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

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Bathtub Bliss

When you get the opportunity to use a freestanding bathtub in a master bathroom, you take it! 

Is there anything more luxurious? It’s upscale, considered, and adds a relaxing focal point to the room. A large soaking tub signifies retreat and relaxation in equal measure, a place to get away from it all after a long day. A freestanding tub also opens up the area around it for functional and thoughtful decor, like additional storage space or stools for soaps, shampoos, and candles. Add a rustic ladder for towels or floating shelf for books for a cohesive look. 

A versatile piece, the freestanding tub comes in a number of designs from clawfoot to slipper to seamlessly work with most any style. The perfect marriage of form and function that’s also good for the soul, because there’s nothing a hot bath can’t cure. Say hello to your new spa staycation!

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

When in Doubt, Bunk it Out

In today’s world, there’s a movement toward smaller home designs, while family sizes are staying about the same. Several generations living under the same roof is becoming the new normal: college kids moving back home, an older parent requiring care, and extended family stays mean more bodies in less square footage. A fun design challenge to be sure!

We’re seeing more siblings or twins sharing bedrooms these days, and it’s possible to bunk in style. The placement of two twin beds in a room is a fantastic opportunity to play with a symmetrical design that looks polished and put together. Easily transform the vibe of the room through bedding, pillows, lamps, and rugs. Go playful and fun for younger children and more classic, sophisticated, or modern bohemian for teens or older children. 

And if spreading out isn’t an option, go up! Bunk beds are a great way to take the design vertical to help keep floor space open and reduce clutter. Plus, it’s no secret kids love them. A design win-win all around!

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

Bring the Great Outdoors. . . In

In our hyperkinetic, fast-paced world, it’s tough to dedicate the time to get out and experience the outdoors on the regular. Embracing the natural elements in design is becoming necessary to maintain our connection to the serenity and beauty of what’s outside, especially in our age of seemingly endless screen time and number of indoor dwellers (Americans spend 93% of their time indoors! – Environmental Protection Agency study).

If our jobs, schedules, and habits don’t allow us to embrace our planet’s natural beauty, then let’s all bring the outside in. Let nature literally be your guide and choose pieces that make you feel calm and tranquil or invigorated and curious – whichever side being outdoors brings out in you. Think back to some of your best memories spent outside, from family camping trips to beach bonfires – and draw on those experiences to select materials and pieces that speak to you.

Wood is, hands down, one of the most accessible touches to feature in design – flooring, wall treatments, tables, nightstands, the list goes on. Wood also adds a lovely warmth to a space and works equally well to complement white, neutral, and vibrant color palettes. Whether finished and glossy or rough and reclaimed – the finish, type and application are up to you depending on the mood and style you’re going for. Reclaimed wood pieces are having a well-earned moment and are a fantastic and sustainable alternative to using virgin wood from first-generation forests. Do good, look good. If you truly want to embrace all-natural elements, incorporating floor-to-ceiling organic-based materials is possible. Think wool and jute rugs, tree rootball and live-edge tables, rattan dining chairs, and hanging macrame planters. The earth and sky are the limit to gorgeous 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

We’re Heading to the 2019 SoCal Awards!

We are so EXCITED to announce that we have ten finalists in six different categories at this year’s SoCal Awards! To work with such incredible clients in the homebuilding industry is an absolute dream, and to be recognized for doing what we love is just icing on top of the cake. We’ve had such a wonderful and fulfilling year working and collaborating with various builders on the design of their model homes and sales centers, and we’re so proud to give these projects and everyone who was involved the spotlight they deserve!

We look forward to celebrating with our fellow peers and nominees at the award ceremony on September 28th! Take a look at our nominated projects below: 

Best Interior Merchandising of an Attached Home Priced $750,000 & Over: Modo at Novel Park Plan 3 

Builder: William Lyon Homes

Marketing Director: Tracey Long 

Design: Chameleon Design

Modo Plan 3

Modo Plan 3

Modo Plan 3

Modo Plan 3

Modo Plan 3

Modo Plan 3

Best Interior Merchandising of an Attached Home Priced Under $750,000: Verge at Novel Park Plan 3

Builder: William Lyon Homes 

Marketing Director: Tracey Long 

Design: Chameleon Design

Verge Plan 3

Verge Plan 3

Verge Plan 3

Verge Plan 3

Verge Plan 3

Verge Plan 3

 

Best Sales or Leasing Office: Novel Park Sales at Great Park Neighborhoods

Builder: William Lyon Homes

Marketing Director: Tracey Long 

Design: Chameleon Design

Novel Park ‘Pathfinder’ Sales Office

Novel Park ‘Pathfinder’ Sales Office

Novel Park ‘Pathfinder’ Sales Office

Novel Park ‘Pathfinder’ Sales Office

Novel Park ‘Pathfinder’ Sales Office

Novel Park ‘Pathfinder’ Sales Office

 

Best Interior Merchandising of a Detached Home Priced $900,001 to $1.5 million: Echo at Novel Park Plan

Builder: William Lyon Homes

Marketing Director: Tracey Long 

Design: Chameleon Design

Echo Plan 4

Echo Plan 4

Echo Plan 4

Echo Plan 4

Echo Plan 4

 

Best Interior Merchandising of an Attached Home Priced Under $750,000: The QUE Plan 1 

Builder: Woodbridge Pacific Group 

Marketing Director: Karen Spargo 

Design: Chameleon Design

The QUE Plan 1

The QUE Plan 1

The QUE Plan 1

The QUE Plan 1

The QUE Plan 1

The QUE Plan 1

 

Best Interior Merchandising of a Detached Home Priced $600,000 to $900,000s: The QUE Plan 3 

Builder: Woodbridge Pacific Group 

Marketing Director: Karen Spargo 

Design: Chameleon Design

The QUE Plan 3

The QUE Plan 3

The QUE Plan 3

The QUE Plan 3

The QUE Plan 3

 

Best Interior Merchandising of an Attached Home Priced Under $750,000: Centerhouse Plan 2 

Builder: Trumark Homes

Marketing Director: Carola Cherief & Meagan Gomez 

Design: Chameleon Design

Centerhouse Plan 2

Centerhouse Plan 2

Centerhouse Plan 2

Centerhouse Plan 2

Centerhouse Plan 2

Centerhouse Plan 2

 

Best Sales or Leasing Office: Emerald Park Sales Office

Builder: Brookfield Residential

Marketing Director: Lauren Stuart 

Design: Chameleon Design

Emerald Park ‘Welcome House’ Sales Office

Emerald Park ‘Welcome House’ Sales Office

Emerald Park ‘Welcome House’ Sales Office

Emerald Park ‘Welcome House’ Sales Office

Emerald Park ‘Welcome House’ Sales Office

 

Best Interior Merchandising of a Detached Home Priced $900,001 to $1.5 million: Chateau Estates Plan 2 

Builder: Melia Homes 

Marketing Director: Amber Whaler 

Design: Chameleon Design

Chateau Estates Plan 2

Chateau Estates Plan 2

Chateau Estates Plan 2

Chateau Estates Plan 2

Chateau Estates Plan 2

Chateau Estates Plan 2

 

Best Website – Associate

Marketing Director: Eve Lowey 

Design: Taylor Digital

Chameleon Design Website

Making the Most of The Bonus

They’re as American as Levi’s. The universal multipurpose room, the secondary family room, not to mention the game, music or hobby room. And who could forget the home theater?

We got the chance to feature a very nontraditional version of a bonus room – the garage! Decked out with all the moto accoutrements for tinkering and a sofa/tv set up for watching the game, this hideaway is the definition of a man cave. The possibilities are open and virtually endless when it comes to personalizing a bonus room or an extra space in the home.

Built-ins give a room so much opportunity. Picture a built-in kitchenette for cocktails or storage. Add a mini fridge for drinks and snacks (especially for those third-floor bonus rooms.) A cut out for a chair makes a great homework space for the kids, or a built-in seat with a cushion against a window can create a cozy reading nook. No matter how you style it, the bonus room or loft is the perfect opportunity to try something new.

 

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

Home Sweet Home Office

These days, working from home is easier than ever, especially with the speed of technology making most everything communicable and transferable in real time. It’s no surprise that incorporating an office or bonus space has become a must for many homebuyers.

Define “Home Office”

Depending on your work needs, the definition of home office is broad. Whether you’re running a small business, hosting a meeting or looking for a distraction-free zone from the kids, a home office is exactly what you make it. It could be a simple nook with a built-in desk, or a full-room workspace complete with a desk, shelves, filing system, and every professional amenity under the sun.

Design, Design, Design

Location matters, but designing a space that best meets your needs is of the utmost importance. Need flexibility? Create a space that accommodates varying ergonomic styles, like a stand-up desk, a chair with lumbar support, a bean bag, or an exercise ball. Be sure to build your space around a window if you thrive in Biophilic design. Even better, why not pick a shady spot on the patio to work outside on nice days? By prioritizing your work or business needs and style, the design should take care of itself. With a home office built around you, you’re sure to work smarter and happier.

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

Create Gallery Walls Worth Viewing

What to do with those great family pictures and travel photos stored in your photo cloud or hidden in boxes? Make a gallery wall of course! It could be a minimal three-piece display or a floor-to-ceiling collection of unforgettable memories. Whatever you choose, a gallery wall is the ideal way to make a home truly yours.

So Many Ways to Display

Pictures aren’t the only elements that make a gallery wall. Depending on the idea or concept, things like drawings or dimensional items could add unique angles. Or include a piece of leaning artwork, a mirror or a few accessories. There are virtually limitless options for infusing dimension, patterns, objects, materials, and colors into a wall space.

Make Your Statement

Whether it’s aesthetically curated or assembled based on your favorite quotes, a gallery wall can be both decorative and deeply sentimental. What a beautiful way to make a personal statement in your home.

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

 

A New Angle on Wallpaper

A New Angle on Wallpaper

Wallpaper isn’t what it used to be (#grateful). Today, a wide range of patterns are sought out by homeowners and apartment dwellers alike. They’re using this sleek element of décor to add a swath of color or apply unexpected texture to a room.

Keep It Simple

It doesn’t have to be busy. In fact, a simple pattern with clean lines on grasscloth is an ideal way to add visual interest without overpowering a space. Still, there are plenty of options. From bold, botanical-inspired looks, to a cool ombre, to solid and soothing tonal choices, wallpaper is an efficient and instantly gratifying way to create layered depth on walls and even ceilings.

Wallpaper on the Rise

Many people new to the housing market are discovering wallpaper for the first time. Think of all the millennials who have grown up in a clean, minimalistic era who are now seeing all the possibilities of this exciting new option. The hype is driven largely by the low-maintenance aspect of 21st century wallpaper. It’s easy to install and easy to remove with stick and peel materials. No more sloppy paste, decorating headaches or residue-laden walls! Today’s fashionably neat wallpaper is sticking around.

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