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Design Insight

ULTRA VIOLET…NOW WHAT?

You can say many things about Pantone’s choice for Color of the Year, but one thing is for sure: Ultra Violet is a bold statement. When rolling out its annual prognostication, the Pantone Color Institute heralded Ultra Violet for its creative inspiration – and for a good reason. Artists David Bowie, Prince and Jimi Hendrix counted on shades of the bold color to express their individuality. This hypnotic hue invites you to visualize your unique mark in the world – or at least your corner of it – and hurdle limitations holding you back.

Favim

Favim


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Fresh Home

Fresh Home


Purple couch

Est Living


LPC Furniture

LPC Furniture

Ceiling Is Believing

Just as ancient navigators gazed upward to find meaning, counting on the stars to guide them, modern homeowners can look up to find inspiration, allowing ceilings to serve as focal points of rooms. Consider ceilings as blank canvas, ready for personalization and transformation through the creative application of paint, architectural elements, wallpaper and or decorative lighting.

Chameleon Design

Chameleon Design

Paint Misbehavin’

Perhaps the simplest way to transform a room is to wash ceilings in color, a technique that will seem to enlarge a space. Add a simple or ornate crown molding to really enhance it. Think of ceilings as a fifth wall and allow the color palette below to influence choices above. Apply decorative moldings, beams or paint bold geometric patterns to interject energy, select a single color to impart balance, or convey personal interests with painted murals of maps to dream of world travel or ethereal skies. A cool wallpaper is another option to  draw the eye upward — an especially cozy choice for bedrooms, reading nooks or conversation areas.

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Elle Decor

 

Architectural Twists

Look up toward luxury with architecturally inspired elements that can transform ho-hum ceilings into high design. When applied to ceilings, luminous tile can be glamourous. Or perhaps you’re feeling nostalgic? Answer the call with ornamental ceiling medallions, metallic ceiling tiles or curvy molding that blend vintage with modern effortlessly. WE LOVE adding organic elements, such as wood beams and/or tongue & grove paneling on ceilings.

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A Homeowner’s Suite Reward

Commanding the grandeur of royal retreats, owner suites provide everyday kings and queens with their own inner sanctuaries among even the most urban dwellings.  A daily retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life awaits atop lush couches adorned with imperial throws — even the act of dressing becomes an art when enveloped in ornate walk-in closets.

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Chameleon Design, The Artisan

Chameleon Design

Chameleon Design, Bristol Towns

Chameleon Design

Chameleon Design, Bristol Towns

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Chameleon Design, Bristol Towns

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Chameleon Design, La Colina

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Chameleon Design, La Colina

Regal Water Closets

Oversized owner suite bathrooms command more than space; these otherwise ordinary installments transform into sanctuaries when designed with rich textures and exquisite lighting. Behemoth marble tubs join throne-like vanities, especially when wrapped in chic materials — consider white Thassos, polished carrara or Artemis tiles — to elevate bathing into a ritual. Create a statement wall of passage porcelain or mix media with armour textures and stone accents. Spare no details when it comes to dual shower heads and sophisticated hardware for spa-like features at home.

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Chameleon Design, The Artisan

Commissioned by and licensed to Woodbridge Pacific Homes.

Chameleon Design, Azurene Plan 5

Commissioned by and licensed to Woodbridge Pacific Homes.

Chameleon Design, Azurene Plan 7

Must-Haves for the Modern Family

Just because modern families operate at dizzying speeds doesn’t mean there isn’t time to incorporate classic styles into contemporary homes – and timeless doesn’t have to echo time warp when approached with chic interpretations of perennial favorites. Rock the ages with cheeky destinations and updated materials for oversize mirrors, accent chairs and hanging terrariums.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Classic mirrors reflect modern families when styled to add sparkle to otherwise staid areas. Consider that mirrors reflect natural light; wield them at whim to make any space feel ample and bright. The secret to creating effortless entryways is to stage a bespoke welcome – transforming guests into friends, and friends into family – with an oversize mirror. Or spotlight living on the edge with a long, beveled style in the living room.

Decoist

Decoist

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Houzz

Invisible Seating

As clear as day and ready to play, acrylic accent chairs work hard at looking good. These translucent wonders triumph in a kitchen or dining room by providing extra seating without the visual clutter. To coax their transparent thermoplastic fibers into creating curiosity in any space, try pairing an acrylic chair with a timeless wood stool or perching a see-through seat under a bathroom window and piling it high with books or a plant. Cozy desks pair just right with ghosted chairs, too.

The Glitter Guide

One Kings Lane

 

Hovering On High

Invite the wonder of nature to reside indoors – in a modern casing, of course. The iconic terrarium is back to wow, this time trending as gilded-edge glass or hanging orbs inviting wonder. Get a jump on the updated aesthetic with tabletop terrariums blooming with tiny plants. For a classic presentation, perch them in a group along with treasured books or prints, or send low-lying shrubs on high with hanging terrariums.

The Green Head

Modish

Modish

Incorporating Timeless Decor Into Your Home

Infusing a room with personality instills an element of perpetuity that defies fleeting design fads. After all, nothing says timeless like individualized accents, which can take the form of woven rugs, a solitary leather chair and framed, black-and-white photos. Whether your vibe is modern or vintage chic, customizable accessories will greet guests with the warmth of hospitality and whisper discerning refinement year after year.

Instant Floor Appeal

With an array of beautiful designs and soft textures, Turkish rugs create striking floor art wherever they are placed. In bedrooms and living areas, calm patterns and softer woven textures pair beautifully with a variety of color palettes and offer a visual pause from hardwoods or carpet. Rugs in entryways give the illusion of a much larger space; in the living room, they unify divergent design elements. Our rule of thumb: buy a size up to allow furniture to fit inside the rug’s perimeters without sacrificing space.

Chameleon Design

Chameleon Design

A Love Note to Leather

Furniture styles come and go, but leather never goes out of fashion. Leather chairs in particular lend warmth to any room – yet provide unexpected coolness on hot Southern California summer days. For a distinctive design statement, place a pin-tuck leather chair in the corner of a bedroom, mix a modern high-back into the living room seating area or surprise dinner guests with leather chairs bookending the dining room table.

Chameleon Design

Chameleon Design

 

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An Ode to Black & White

Black-and-white framed photos deliver artistry to any room. For an easy and quick design change, update a gallery wall by switching out colored photos for black and whites and frame them all with a color that complements ¾ or even contrasts ¾ the surrounding environment. Inject a hint of whimsy in the kitchen with framed black text recipes on white backdrops. Or create an unexpected conversation starter by displaying a trio of serene black and whites in a main-floor powder room.

Chameleon Design

Chameleon Design

Chameleon Design

How to Style a Swoon-Worthy Backyard Vignette

With summer ushering warm nights, your backyard is calling you to visit. What better time to spruce up your outdoor space with these covetable finds: the glow of twinkle lights, an intentional drink bar and a tropical touch of greenery. Goodbye vintage, and hello magical backyard vignette.

Let It Glow

Whether your outdoor space is a cozy patio or lavish retreat, nothing creates mood faster than café lights framing the perimeter of a patio table or seating area. To create an illusion of larger space, place the center strand of lights at the farthest point from the backyard entrance and work your way out in a fan shape.

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Houzz

Flirty Cocktail Umbrellas Not Required

Your backyard will become the hot spot for cold cocktails when you set up a one-stop bar station. Give a bar cart a new lease on life by rolling it near chairs or stools and stocking it with a large ice bucket, cocktail mixers and plenty of eye-catching glasses. Tuck blankets and Turkish towels in a nearby basket for cool evenings.

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Houzz

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Houzz

Be a Green Goddess

Enhance a backyard vignette by using nature to its fullest. Palm fronds, banana leaves and jasmine entice your senses and create a spa-like ambience. Greenery breathes life and texture when flanking doors or creating climbing shapes along a back wall.

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Tiny Houses and Why We Love Them

Like a grown-up version of the Barbie Dreamhouse, tiny houses are big on style and functionality. These houses – often measuring less than 400 square feet – are part of a growing movement toward minimalism, born out of consumers’ desires to simplify their lives while maximizing their sense of fulfillment. Although living smaller may not be right for everyone, the lessons about simpler living in a more efficient space translate to virtually any home. Steal these ideas from tiny living to reap the benefits of their thoughtful, innovative designs.

Pare Down Upkeep

Although it’s a popular trend to hang a flat-screen television over a built-in fireplace, electronics and heat don’t mix well. One new solution to this dilemma is to select an ethanol-alcohol fireplace, which produces less heat, and recess a TV into the wall so it’s protected better. Although a TV is a focal point in many living rooms and dens, a cupboard design like this one allows homeowners to hide the monitor when not in use.

Look Up

One of the best features about tiny houses is that these designs maximize space. Imagine drifting off to sleep in a loft suspended from high ceilings.

Choose Double-Duty Furniture

Not every home has enough space for a separate home office, but with the right selection of furniture, every space can serve multiple purposes. A hideaway desk can morph into a workstation easily, especially one with lots of cubbies and drawers for storage. Another option is to build a desk and shelving into existing nooks.

Play with Color

A paler color palette comprised of soft neutrals can open small quarters to create the visual equivalent of space. But you don’t have to stick to white, beige and gray; a pop of color can focus attention on the spectacular design of a well-appointed piece. Alternatively, a richly hued scheme incorporating dramatic, even dark, color on the walls can add drama.

How to Incorporate Home Technology Invisibly into Design

Although technology is ubiquitously designed into every new home, no one wants to see the telltale signs of it. Gone are the days of showcasing technology as a design focus; today’s consumer wants it to work in the background seamlessly. Fortunately, thanks to a crop of new audio, theater, energy monitoring and security gadgets, technology is more powerful than ever before yet integrated into home design for practically invisible use.

Stage a TV over a Fireplace – Or Make It Disappear

Although it’s a popular trend to hang a flat-screen television over a built-in fireplace, electronics and heat don’t mix well. One new solution to this dilemma is to select an ethanol-alcohol fireplace, which produces less heat, and recess a TV into the wall so it’s protected better. Although a TV is a focal point in many living rooms and dens, a cupboard design like this one allows homeowners to hide the monitor when not in use.

Hear It, Don’t See It

For an ambient experience, consider embedding surround-sound audio speakers into existing design. In fact, some types of speakers are made to vibrate and amplify audio signals better when hidden in walls or ceilings. Other solutions include faux rocks to hide speakers in a backyard or on a patio.

Charge Wherever You Are

Mobile phone users swipe, tap and pinch their phones on average 2,617 times a day, racking up a million touches every year, according to research firm Dscout. All that checking in drains battery life quickly, but furniture with built-in, wireless charging pads mean you can set down your smartphone and charge up in no time.

Whole-Home Integration: There’s an App for That

For the ultimate in convenience, homeowners are turning to automated systems that run lighting, heating, security and other electronics from one touchscreen system – even a single app accessible from any mobile device. An integrated system like this one lets users control practically everything in a home.

Faux Finishes Mimic Nature

It all began the moment you settled in to read the latest thriller from your favorite author and draped a faux sable blanket across your lap. Since then, your love affair with all things organic and lush has grown in intensity. Now it’s time to invite other faux finishes into your home to drive your interior design choices. From rugs to ceiling aesthetics and everything in between, here’s your guide to using budget-friendly faux finishes to make everything look a bit more luxe.

Mesmerize with Marble

The faux finishing technique of marbleizing replicates the intricate, variegated veins of real marble. This countertop and back splash is made of natural quartz designed to appear like marble.

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Get the Look of Ancient Stone

Stone stands up to the test of time, but the cost can be prohibitive. That’s where artisan finishes on drywall or wood come in. The look of a faux stone finish is organic – even responsive to fluctuations in lighting.

Nature at Your Feet

If you love the appearance of real wood flooring but loathe to undertake the upkeep or cost, tile that mimics the raw wonder of wood is easy to care. Faux wood tile flooring bears details once found only in nature, such as varying grains, concentric rings and knots, as well as a range of hues.

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Wood Grain Craze

Enveloping cabinets or even walls in faux wood gain can mimic a range of looks from rustic to refined to exotic. The secret to trying this trend is to varying the direction of the grain to create the illusion of spaciousness in tight spaces.

Pantone’s Color of the Year Soothes the Soul

Does the pace of modern life have you yearning for the natural world? The Pantone Color Institute offers weary souls an antidote with its 2017 Color of the Year, called Greenery. The yellow-green minimalistic hue invites you to stop and breathe, disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature. Greenery is all about unity and community – and we can’t think of a better purpose for design.