Trends

Snow Place Like Home – White Interiors

How much do we love white? Let us count the ways. A home or room with a predominantly white palette is a blank canvas rife with possibilities — when the design is done right. Without proper planning, too much white can have a stark, even clinical look. The gorgeous, bright white spaces on Instagram, TikTok, and glossy magazines are what we’re after-those light-filled rooms that welcome and inspire. White opens and expands to give the appearance of volume in smaller spaces and open layouts. It can also be a source of negative space in a room, a necessary element to give the eyes a place to rest. While natural lighting is ideal for these bright and open spaces, artificial light is a necessity, too. For sun drenched spaces, bulbs on the cooler end of the spectrum are fine; opt for warmer bulbs for darker rooms to avoid a sterile feel. If you want to bathe a room in white, add layers of texture to create dimension with fabrics, woods, rattan, leather, pillows and a rug. In fact, a rug is practically essential in white-dominant interiors to anchor the space and reinforce other textural features. White is also the perfect backdrop to show off a bit of color, but be sure to proceed with some restraint. Keep things to accents or artwork for the most impact. Add warmer tones for a cozy feel, and don’t forget a houseplant or two to bring things to life.

The New Neutral: Gray Sofas

To the surprise of absolutely no one, the gray sofa is THE furnishing for 2021. It’s everywhere right now, from high-end glossy design magazines to style influencers on social media. It’s easy to see why — it’s versatile and goes with everything, from era and motif to mood and vibe. There’s always a showstopping design element in a room (at least there should be) and this neutral sofa acts as a jumping-off point for creativity, color, and pattern. It’s a neutral blank canvas unbound by seasons or color palettes for layers that are bold and bright or luxe and textural. A gray sofa pairs well with Scandi or Japandi design, which have both become increasingly popular as we seek to create calming spaces in our homes. And if you’re a long-time gray lover and use it throughout your home, prevent a cold, austere look by dressing up the sofa with pops of color and playful decor. Our recent project at Rancho Palma is a great place to look for inspiration. Also, as a plus, a gray sofa is both kid and dog-friendly because dirt, stains, and pet hair will be relatively hidden. A smart design choice that’s also chic!

Imagination Station: Kids’ Bedrooms

It’s October and we’re heading into the dress-up and decorated months of the year (our favorites!). We express ourselves and tell stories in our clothing and costume, and there’s no good reason why our homes shouldn’t do that too. In the spirit of make-believe and pretend play, kids’ rooms can be an extension of their personalities and style. Like grownups, they deserve a thoughtfully created space they can call their own. Unlike other rooms in your home where you might proceed with caution in design, kids’ bedrooms invite an adventurous ‘go for it’ attitude. They present an opportunity to experiment with vibrant color, pattern, and shape. Need a creative nudge? Start with a theme – one of their hobbies or interests will do – or even a fun piece of statement furniture. Bold walls are next, like bright color, a mural, decals, printed wallpaper, and stencils for unique paint accents. Don’t stop there — you’ll need places to keep their toys and books. And in a kids’ bedroom, simple storage simply doesn’t cut it. Fancy it up with a woven basket or two or shaped shelving and cubbies (clouds, houses, and geometric shapes are good bets). Before too long, they’ll enjoy a bespoke bedroom that’s as playful as their imaginations!

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

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Rugs That Have Us Floored: Bold is Better

Staring at the floor will be your new favorite hobby once you set your sights on that gorgeous area rug in the room! Rugs are essential as they blend function and style in space. They provide a softer surface to walk on, offer noise insulation, and protect hard flooring from foot traffic and spills. But beyond that, they can be design superstars by adding dimension to a room through color, texture, print, or pattern. A well-placed area rug can define a space, create a sense of intimacy, and add character, especially in open floor plans. Transform a neutral living room into a calming oasis with a bright blue area rug or elevate your sectional with a bold patterned rug and complimentary throw pillows. Slide a rug under the bed in a bedroom for texture and softness underfoot. You can place one outdoors as well to define and add color to a deck or patio. When selecting a rug, consider how its size, material, and color work together in the room’s design. Pay attention to scale too. A rug that is too small can visibly shrink a room, so don’t be afraid to go up a size or two to ensure it fits beneath most furniture! Layer one on any floor for even more texture and dimension to break up the wall-to-wall look. Like art for your floors, rugs can be focal points, conversation starters, or finishing touches, and we love how they tie our clients’ rooms together in a way nothing else can.

Accent Chairs that Sit Pretty

You might need to take a seat after hearing all about why accent chairs are the standout style icons of 2021. Accent chairs are that perfect combination of function and form since they not only provide extra seating, but they also have the potential to define a room. Their smaller footprint creates an opportunity to go big and bold with design, from shape and color to material and texture. Modern, traditional, minimalist—there’s an accent chair for every style. When selecting accent seating, consider its purpose and location. Keep its height consistent with existing furniture for cohesion, but don’t be afraid to mix things up. Play with scale, texture, and style. Go sculptural to make a statement or modern with a metal-framed chair. A wingback chair can be dramatic and bright for an unexpected pop in a classic space, while a barrel chair softens a space with its curved design. For material, feel free to deviate from the sofa’s look and have fun with texture. Leather, suede, velvet, rattan, and faux fur are all great options. Don’t forget to use accent chairs to elevate your outdoor space, too, and create a stylish open-air oasis!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

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Let’s Take This Outside – Why a Cozy Patio is Essential

It’s time for an escape. . . to your soon-to-be amazing outdoor oasis. You may have used your patio during this past year as a makeshift office, Zoom background, or a place to take a break from the kids for a few blissful minutes (no shame in that game!). Necessity is the mother of invention, but now’s the time to level up your outdoor space. Open-air and sunshine are proven to make us happier and increase our sense of wellbeing, so harness that with a patio that is soon to become your new favorite hangout spot. To kick off your new open-air retreat, start with some lounge-worthy furniture that is just as comfy as your living room sofa. Invest in a sectional with thick cushions and be sure to layer on the pillows. For all those cool evenings outdoors, don’t forget to keep a blanket or two nearby to keep warm! You can also add a market umbrella or another sun-blocking feature for those sunny summer days, as well as a dark outdoor rug to define the space and add texture. If you really want to set the mood, add a Wi-Fi extender so you’re always ready with some ambient music. Ready to entertain? A bar cart keeps you outdoors with the margaritas flowing, surrounded by all your favorite people. Cornhole, croquet, and other lawn games are always a good idea if you really want to up the entertainment factor. To fully take in the evenings, add in a fire pit that you can lounge next to while stargazing. Summers are meant to be enjoyed slowly, and there’s no better place to do so than your own stylish backyard.

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

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Photo credit: Chameleon Design

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

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Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

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!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

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Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

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

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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!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

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Photo Credit: Chameleon Design