I've been a guest in many homes and truly enjoyed being able to stay with my hosts. You should make the guestroom interior design a top priority. Most guest rooms are adequate but some really stand out as comfortable rooms that make you feel right at home or as if you are in a luxury hotel. Check these out:
Isn't this a beautiful room that would appeal to anyone? It's not too feminine or too masculine and is an interesting decorative style. It is also appropriate for any age.
Although my husband might find this a little feminine, I really love it - French, soft and romantic.
This room is more masculine but with the soft draped canopy and yellow accents the room comes off unisex.
Sometimes a Murphy Bed is all that is needed. The bed is out of sight when not needed and the room can double as an office. The animal rug really brightens up this otherwise quiet room.
This bed is made using parts from the Golden Gate Bridge by the Golden Gate Furniture Company. That should have your guests entertained and give them something to talk about for quite awhile.
And how about a tree house guest room? A little fantasy is good for all of us sometimes!
So when decorating your guest room - try a little imagination and have fun.
Please leave comments below and call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Do you need more space for a guest room or more rooms for the kids? If you don't have an extra guest room, here are some clever ideas that might help.
1. A space under the window that's just large enough for a beautiful bed and built in bookcases might be the solution to your problems.
2. Or have you looked at that space under the stairs and didn't know what to do with it? Here you go - found space for a bed! You can use it for extra seating when needed too.
3. If the bay window space isn't enough, how about creating a curtained alcove for the bed to match? It serves double duty as a sofa and bed.
4. Haven't got a niche? You can create one with a built in on the window side of the room. Your guests will all admire your interior deisgn skills.
5. Here's another built in bed with book cases, cupboards and drawers. This is very efficient use of space.
6. An attic niche makes a charming and romantic bedroom.
7. And speaking of romantic bedrooms - how about draping one to remind you of the glamor of the Casbah!
8. Who wouldn't like to sleep in this niche? It's just like sleeping outdoors but more comfortable and with a TV!
Does that give you some creative ideas for bedrooms? I hope so! Please add comments and pictures of your solutions below.
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Do you have a hard time deciding what is your personal Interior Design style? Lots of people have the same problem and even though you don't need to be a purist about it - it's helpful to determine which direction you are most drawn to. From there you can always mix it up a bit so it becomes Eclectic and a true reflection of you!
1. Contemporary Style is very popular these days with it's simple lines and quality materials. Notice there is no crown molding at the top of the cabinets. Both straight and curvilinear lines are important in this style.
2 & 3. Traditional Style is illustrated here with the footed white cabinets, scoop hardware, professional stove and traditional style light fixtures. The butcher block in the second picture adds warmth, while the white marble counter in the first picture emphasizes traditional styling.
4. This kitchen is an Updated Country look without all the cutesy accessories associated with true country style. Notice that it still has lots of details - legs, moldings, hand painted tile at the stove, chicken wire on the cabinets and a farmhouse sink to define the style.
5. Craftsman Style is clearly defined here with it's straight geometric lines and distinctive Craftsman legs on the island. The wooden ceiling beams are very clean lined and the crown molding is very simple. Although the backsplash is modern it still has straight geometric lines.
6. Modern Design is quite minimal as illustrated here. Functional items are all out of site, the lines are extremely linear and there is a bit of futuristic feel to it. The cabinets are a pure bright colored high gloss lacquer with very minimal integrated hardware.
7 & 8. Old World European has lots of detailing in trim, moldngs and paneling. The colors are warm earthy shades of browns and yellows. There is a comfotable inviting feel to the room and layers of detail to be discovered.
9. Asian Style as shown in the Japanese kitchen uses elements of Asian furniture and detail to define itself. Here the Tansu style cabinets, hardware and accessories clearly set the stage.
10. This kitchen is clearly Eclectic Style because of the Contemporary simple lines on the cabinets, hood and the open shelving but it also incorporates warm colors, mosaic tile backsplash and a professional range which are typically in Old World European styling . The round stainless and butcher block island adds a touch of Modern Styling. All in all is is very successful!
Once you determine what your style (or styles) is you are on your way to start decorating or remodeling your home. Have fun!
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Although some people only use their dining rooms for special occasions like Thanksgiving - dining room design should not be overlooked! If you create a beautiful dining room you will be inspired to use it regularly.
1. The romance of the stone wall with candles can not be denied. This is a warm and inviting room.
2. If your space is limited why not try using a bench on one side. It adds some character and helps solve the space problem at the same time.
3. This contemporary dining space is perfect for small groups or for cards or board games. It can be expanded when needed for larger groups. The large mirror makes the area look much larger than it is.
4. If you love Country French style, you will be very comfortable in this dining area. It's sunny and relaxed - who wouldn't want to eat here?
5. This ingenious solution for a dining room utilizes a space in the entry very effectively. Two benches keep the footprint small while accommodating 8 people.
6. The relaxed formal style of this dining room is created by using an iron & stone table and adding & French gilt chairs for an unexpected contrast in formality. This room is perfect for either formal or casual dining.
7. If your home is formal & elegant you would definitely appreciate a dining room that looks like this. It goes with the architecture of the home and if perfect for formal dinner parties.
8. The round table here adds a sense of intimacy without taking away from the formality of this dining room. Slip covering the the chairs dresses up the whole space.
9. Dining alfresco in the courtyard is a wonderful way to entertain. The sofa and large mirror make this feel almost like it is indoors.
10. You can always create a Midsummer's Night Dream dining room outdoors for a party. The twinkling lights and tree trunk seats are just right to inspire a magical evening!
Doesn't that just make you want to have a dinner party? Feel free to add comments below.
Plese call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Do you already have the major furniture pieces for your room but have no clue how to select and display art and accessories? Here are some home decorating tips.
The use of all white accessories unifies this display inside an armoire. Having a dark background sets off all the white items. There is a common thread of Sea Shells which ties the whole theme together.
Displaying different items in a wall grouping can be quite attractive. The addition of the dimensional "relax" sign adds adds a lot of interest to this arrangement.
These lighted art niches beautifully highlight the sculptural items diplayed in them and also add some architectural drama to the room.
Collections are always displayed best if grouped by themselves. Here antique alarm clocks are the focus and invite you to look more closely at the collection than if they were separted and displayed in different areas.
Acessorizing your home can be very simple. A sigle bowl of fruit or other organic items makes a perfect centerpiece and is ever changing. Flowers, twigs and branches, seed pods, shells and rocks all make interesting displays.
Stacked boxes or books can anchor your whole accessory arrangement and be functional as well. If there was only one box here the height would be too low to bring all the items into a cohesive arrangement.
This pleasant classical arrangment utilizes organic and decorative items together to form a triangle. Accessorizing with plants is best if they are real because that adds life to any room. I would have eliminated the small spiny shell so the arrangement would have only included 5 items - odd numbers are best.
This family picture gallery is unified by the black and white photos with white mats and black frames. The sizes and styles of the frames are not all the same but work as a unit and allow for future additions.
Family photos or vacation pictures can also be displayed effectively on shelves.
This large shell is used to display crystals interspersed with succlents for a very effective living display.
These walls are completely coverd with a collection and displayed in matching frames eveny spaced around the room so if you have extensive collections you can fully utilize them!
Using accent lighting to highlight your display gives them much more impact and so does displaying them in an undexpected way like hanging one violin upside down!
Have a wonderful time with your home decorating and accessorizing and call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, IDG, NCIDQ
Living room design is often downplayed because it is a room that is generally the most decorative and rarely used room in the house. Though not used often it is important as a room where we entertain guests. When there is no Family Room or Great Room this room is well used as an Everything Room.
Zebras have gone wild here and they add lots of drama in a neutral room. Why not let your wild side show in your living room decorating?
Desks can be fit into any room, including the living room. This desk is placed conveniently so TV viewing is possible at the same time as paying the bills. Notice there is a floor plug below the desk.
Two coffee tables are pushed together here to create one large one and extra seating is provided by the ottomans in front of the fireplace.
Two different tables are placed together here to create a bi-level coffee table and candlesticks of different heights are displayed on the chest.
This living room has two different small coffee tables again but this time they are separated. A large framed mirror creates a backdrop for the sectional and because the walls are painted black the mirror reflects light and visually expands the space.
Tables placed behind the sofa are a great place for lamps and decorative items as shown in this picture.
Decorative wallpaper has been out of fashion for awhile but it is the perfect way to create the Old World ambiance of this room. There are lots of other fun papers available today ranging from faux finishes to bold contemporary ones too.
This traditional room has a real transitional feeling because of the over-sized art & paneled walls. Mixing in a contemporary rug makes it very inviting.
This room has a cottage or beach feeling that was created by using four slip covered chairs in a casual arrangement, the pale blue walls and a box beam slatted ceiling for texture. This room is relaxed and comfortable and doesn't have the look of a "designed living room".
Here is a living room with four chairs arranged in a conversation grouping again but this time it is much more formal because of the style of the furniture and the fireplace.
If you are lucky enough to have a large living room like this, it still can feel intimate if you create several conversation areas.
When designing your living room let it reflect your personality and have fun decorating! Please leave comments and pictures of your rooms below.
Please call if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Do you hate your laundry room because it is cramped, dingy and uninspired? Here is some inspiration for laundry room design.
1. Here is an ideal laundry room with plenty of space for everything and even pull down hanging rods. Not everyone has the luxury of this much space so I have some examples of much smaller laundry rooms too.
2. Maybe you can steal a little room in your bathroom when you remodel to install some under cabinet laundry equipment like this picture. The folding counter on top is very handy too and the doors slide into the cabinets space.
3. Here is a good solution for putting the laundry equipment inside a closet. Notice the smart use of shelving on the doors for easy access and the drawers below the equipment which raises them up a little for comfortable use.
4. This laundry room is ingenious - it's hidden behind a movable bookcase! Easy access when you need it but out of sight the rest o of the time.
5. If there is a little extra space at the end of a bathroom it could be converted into a laundry room and hidden by frosted glass double doors.
6. If you really don't have room anywhere else you could install a combination washer dryer in the kitchen like they door in Europe. It only takes up two square feet and beats doing laundry in the garage or at the laundromat!
7. Once you are done with the washing and drying there is still more to do and this set up with laundry baskets and an ironing board inside the closet is perfect for quick touch ups. The ironing board is stored inside a drawer.
Now you can enjoy doing the laundry in your fabulous new laundry room! Please add comments and pictures of your solutions below.
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Wouldn't it be great to have your own wine cellar so you could buy, store and always have wine on hand when you want it?
This room has an inviting wrought iron door entry, limestone floor and stone walls for ambiance. What could be better than entertaining right in the wine cellar? I assume the cabinets are temperature controlled instead of the whole room being regulated because these cabinets have doors on them and the entry doors don't have glass.
Here is a purchased temperature-controlled wine cabinet built in with stone for character.
Remember clay pipes used as wine racks? Here you go! Also tag the bottles so you don't have to pull them out to see what's what!
How about including a place for laptop to plug in so you can check your wine stock and keep a list of everything up to date?
Wow - a humidor for your cigars along with the wine! That is great Interior Design.
Fluorescent backlit wine bottles add a lot of drama!
A contemporary glass wine case is conveniently placed next to stairs.
Don't know where to fit in a wine cellar - how about the basement? A friend of mine dug one out and now has a fabulous wine cellar!
OK - I could be very comfortable in this wine cave - no need to ever leave!
Go have a glass of wine, some bread and cheese and savor the moment!
Leave comments and pictures of your wine cellar below.
Please call if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Interior Design decisions can become overwhelming so let's start at the bottom. Flooring is a very important part of any remodel or new construction. Just like every other part of the process there are too many choices!
Deciding on the type of floors you want for looks, durability and budget runs the gambit in every category so you must narrow down the choices.
Solid wood or bamboo (it is actually a fast growing grass) are both very popular flooring materials today. They come prefinished or you can install and finish them on site. They can be refinished more than once.
Some solid wood flooring is extremely hard and will not dent easily but many softer ones including American Cherry and pine will show dents. American Red Oak is about in the middle of hardness and Brazilian Walnut (Ipe) is the most dense and hard flooring available. Ipe is three times harder than American Red Oak.
Engineered wood flooring has layers of plywood with a thin veneer of finished wood as the top coat.
Engineered flooring has the advantage of easy installation and comes prefinished. Most can be nailed, stapled or glued in place or it can be snapped together as what is called a floating floor. If the wood veneer is thick enough it can usually be refinished once.
Plastic laminate flooring is actually a picture of real wood that is printed on the planks and then coated with a durable plastic.
Plastic laminate can usually be floated and comes in a large variety of wood species and colors. The higher quality laminates wear well and resist sun fading and stains. Beware of the very inexpensive laminate flooring which doesn't hold up in the long run. Laminate floors also have a more hollow sound to them and require soundproofing underneath to minimize that.
Vinyl is available in sheet good and tiles. Today they often try to look like wood or stone floors.
Vinyl is durable and easy to clean but the "soft underfoot" or cushioned vinyl flooring has a foam layer and tends to rip.
Linoleum flooring is an old standby that has come back into favor because it is an eco friendly material made of linseed oil powdered cork, powdered wood, limestone, jute and pine resin. It is durable and resists stains and sun fading.
Linoleum is used a lot in commercial applications so the styles are more contemporary and industrial looking. It is available in sheet goods and tiles.
Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles are the most durable flooring choice but are more expensive than most others and more difficult to install.
Floor tiles are very hard so dropped items break and they can be difficult to stand on for long periods of time. There are very many choices of colors and designs available. Not all tile is made to be used on floors so be sure to check with your supplier.
Floor tile also does not usually come with any or very many trim pieces so you might have to use another material to finish exposed edges. porcelain tile can be bullnosed or polished for a finish edge. This pictures shows metal trim on the stairs.
Stone floor tiles are extremely popular today and require a little more maintenance than porcelain or ceramic tiles.
All types of stone are solid all the way through so it trim pieces aren't required and the edges can be finished. Stone tile can be cut in many different sizes and shapes. It requires sealing with a penetrating sealer in order to resist staining and the more porous materials like limestone and travertine will require re-sealing more often. If the stone finish gets dull over a period of time it can be refinished by honing or polishing.
Carpeting is still a good choice for many rooms and the quality and prices vary wildly.
Loop pile carpeting has been popular because a rug placed on top will not creep. The better the quality, the more fibers in the carpet and the more processing it goes through (patterned, multicolored, etc.) the more expensive it will be but it will also be more interesting.
There are some some very unique floors available today like these wavy edge hardwood planks and these made of peach pits. The peach pits ones come smooth or pebbly. That's a unique way to recycle!
As with most things in life, you get what you pay for in flooring materials so choose carefully and don't just buy something because it is cheaper! It won't look good as long and you will have to replace it much sooner than you would have with a quality product.
HAPPY DECORATING! Please call me if I can be of any help! Leave comments below.
408-369-9801
or email me accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG