Blog Post

Building and decorating your dream home is an exciting venture. When it comes to selecting the many choices including flooring, countertops, fixtures and paint colors, you’ll want to have a clear idea of the style that best fits your personality and lifestyle.  Review that six categories below and choose the one that most clearly matches your vision of a perfect home. Use the general recommendations as a springboard to create the custom look and feel you want.

Coastal - Let there be light

This look evokes a light and breezy feel, with an emphasis on casual. Think loose linen slipcover upholstery with classic Ralph Lauren navy & white accents with pops of coral. A coastal space takes its cues from the natural environment. Introduce elements of jute, straw and sea grass textures with layered blues, and crisp white stripes. This look invokes the ease of summer year-round.

Transitional - The Best of both Worlds

Transitional mixes elements of contemporary and traditional design to create a classic, timeless design style. Furniture lines are simple, yet sophisticated. Neutral colors follow in the greys, beige, sand and warm whites. For a more masculine transitional décor we add charcoal, black and midnight blue. Décor accents are simple, yet intentional. It reflects a more contemporary aesthetic, but doesn’t remove all the traditional details.

Traditional - Inspired by tradition

This style of design gets its inspiration from the 18^th and 19^th centuries.  Incorporating classic art, antiques and historical pieces, often with a European flare, will convey a timely elegance.  It’s a predictable, orderly style furnishings match, scale is large and like a puzzle, all the pieces go together. The color palette is warm, dark and jewel toned. Think, reds, greens and brown. The classic wingback comes to mind sitting in a room with heavy moldings, grand chandeliers and wood paneling. 

Contemporary - Au Courant (Fashionable, up to date)

Contemporary design is all about the here and now. The popular trends of “the moment.”  It borrows qualities from modernism, minimalism and other global styles. Contemporary interiors feature tone-on-tone color palettes mixing in ultra-white, cream, browns and taupe. There are shots of color in geometric pillows, art and accessories. Natural fabrics abound, paired with light colored woods, glass, stainless, nickel and most recently, gold finishes. Mixing metals, once a firm no, is now what it’s all about. 

Modern Design - Neutral is the name of the game

The design and décor of the modernism movement began in the late 1800s. It’s derived from the Bauhaus and Scandinavian schools of design with an emphasis on function and simplicity. Colors are warm and lean towards naturals and neutrals. You’ll find exposed legs on upholstery mixed with simple, clean lines. Envision mixes of metals and glass, clean, straight lines, and open uncluttered spaces. 

Industrial- Both Modern & Vintage

Although this style seems to have been rediscovered by the millennial generation, it’s been around since the early twentieth century. This look incorporates elements of historic commercial spaces into our homes. Think about building materials like steel, wood and iron. Exposed beams and Edison style bulbs, with concrete countertops and floors create a bold statement. Wear and tear is the name of the game.  Old leather sofas and heavy wood furniture are hardworking options that enhance the industrial look.

Compiling your style ideas

Gather & Share

• Design Magazines - Start tearing out your favorite pictures of rooms that inspire you.
• Share your favorite color chip or fabric sample with us.
• We love Pinterest! Share your pins with us.
• Browse Houzz.com and share your Idea books with your design consultant.
• Walk our models and snap pictures of your favorite tiles, details or paint colors.

Getting ready for design phase

Design Preview

• Set your budget. Having a good idea of what you can spend on interior finishes takes some of the stress out of the process. Separate needs from wants.
• Think about how you live in your home. The perfect flooring for empty nesters may not suite an active growing family with pets. Your designer can help educate you on the differences between products and help you to select the best material for your space.

Be sure to make note of your favorites. 

• It may feel early to think about furniture placement, but that’s how you get that floor outlet in the perfect spot.  Furniture helps to place necessary outlets, cable and lighting.
• Kitchens and master suites SELL homes. Consider including upgrades that are not easily done after closing, such as flooring and countertops, into your mortgage. Weekend warrior projects are best spent on accent painting and hanging art.

Meet with Your Designer

• Design Appointment- Relax. Our skilled design team is ready to do all the heavy lifting!
• Your design consultant has reserved up to four hours just for you. It’s important to arrive on time so you can get right to work.
• Our designers are trained to take you through the process. They will explain Included Features, and available options, as well as pricing.
• Don’t forget to bring your notes from your Preview session where you wrote down some of your favorites.
• Make sure all contracted parties are available to attend this very important meeting.