Don’t Get Caught Naked
Did that catch your attention? Good!
There is no excuse for a bare window in your home. So let’s talk about dressing your naked windows.
Why does it matter?
- Privacy for starters.
- Preventing fading on fabrics and artwork from daily direct sun exposure.
- Temperature control for your home during the hot summer and cold winter months.
- Complete the look inside your home!
Do not assume that people cannot see into your home during the day and early evening. Windows are transparent and can allow people to see inside. Angle, light, and distance are a few elements that affect what people can and cannot see from outside your home.
What are your options for dressing your naked window?
Depending on the window and its location in your home in relation to the sun and neighbors you might want to consider drapes, blinds, or a combination of both. Window dressings can be both aesthetic and functional as long as they are not left naked! With so many options for valances alone, homeowners can feel overwhelmed or even worse, end up with an out-of-the-box product that is not serving the right purpose.
If you are considering a window treatment from shades to a full window dressing, expect a little education. One of my preferred vendors is Hunter Douglas, offering dozens of products that are not only beautiful but functional with remote open/close and controlled light and heat transfer options. Finding the right blinds is more than selecting what looks good but what makes the most sense for your home.
Valances are another option for dressing your naked window. They serve an aesthetic purpose and really add punch to complete almost any room. Below are a few sketches from Stephanie Sipp on window treatment options featuring valances. You can compare the naked window to the other options and see what this might do for your space.
BEFORE and AFTER: Living Room
MAY 2013 – Pamela Kofsky of Elegant Interior Designs won Honorable Mention for the Interior Design Awards in Philadelphia for Singular Residential Design. In this category, a total of 2 awards were given. Below Pamela shares the story of the design process, before and after photos along with the room layouts.
“Honorable Mention” Residential Design
“My client dreamt of a new living room in her house that reflected a “club” like feel for entertaining. The challenge was to create a whole new look on a limited budget while incorporating many of their heirloom antiques into the space.
The client felt that their room lacked personality, with the stark white drapery and tired-looking furniture. Everything fell into place, however, as I resolved which pieces to utilize. In replacing the seating, I was able to warm up the space with custom upholstery and pillows. New draperies, new paint, and window seating gave the “club” like feel the client yearned for. By creating this new window area, I was able to eliminate clutter and provide additional seating. This decorating project came down to editing and refreshing the space with new accessories.
The client was ecstatic. The final product exceeded her expectations on all levels!” – Pamela Kofsky
BEFORE/AFTER VIEW:
BEFORE/AFTER VIEW:
Floor Plans, Before & After:
Read More...High Point Furniture Market Trip in April 2013
What an exciting trip!! High Point Market is the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world. With over 2,000 exhibitors and 75,000 attendees, it’s almost impossible to see it all. There were tens of thousands of new product introductions and I was going non-stop for 4 days taking it all in. If you can’t find it in High Point…it probably doesn’t exist.
FAMOUS PEOPLE SIGHTINGS: At the market parties there were delicious, delectable cocktails galore. I had the pleasure of meeting Alexander Julian at the Jonathan Charles showroom and Jane Seymour was promoting her new furniture line a collaboration with Amini.
Newest Interior Design Trends
It was so thrilling seeing the new trends, design ideas, furniture, accessories and much more.
What was hot? Using reclaimed wood furniture, mixing old with new, combining materials like a wooden slab top console with stainless steel legs and incorporating industrial parts into pieces.
JOHNATHAN CHARLES FURNITURE
Introduced last market and still going strong is Alexander Julian furniture line which creates a unique collection of case goods inspired by his famous menswear designs. Translating his signature vision of rich textiles and dynamic colors into his furniture collection, each item from the 12-piece collection utilizes elements from bow ties to custom-made blazer buttons for drawer pulls. His collection includes a whimsical inlaid “oversized button” occasional table creatively supported by 3 faux sewing needles. Some of his case good pieces have “shirting stripe” inlay fronts and crotch walnut sides, signature horn button pulls, and classic paisley drawer linings. Also, extremely unique are his satinwood necktie and bow tie coffee tables.
Alexander Julian Launches Menswear-Inspired Collection for Jonathan Charles
Alexander Julian Launches Menswear-Inspired Collection for Jonathan Charles
Sexiest Masculine Bathrooms
Who would have thought a bathroom could be sexy and masculine simultaneously? We did! Check out these bathrooms fit for celebrities. Let us know which celebrity you would match to the style bathroom. Below are a few of our favorite looks with our thoughts on which Hollywood celebrities might choose. We would love to hear your thoughts.
INDUSTRIAL LOOK – Bradley Cooper, fast track to A-list star.
Fall in Love with Fifty Shades of Grey
Valentine’s Day is this week and we just love how there are over Fifty Shades of Grey that are trending in design right now. Why not share with our readers why we fell in love with grey, I don’t mean Christian Grey but the color grey. So for those ladies and gentlemen looking for a new look in 2013 here are a few things to get you excited and talking about grey.
- MASTER BEDROOM: Why not start in the bedroom, after all it is Valentine’s Day! Below’s image from Houzz is an example of using the entire pallet of grey including black in a master bedroom design. Update your master bedroom by integrating silver lamps, picture frames, a chandelier, bedding or curtains.
- MASTER BATHROOM: A great place to relax and step away from the business of life. Redo your space with a complete overhaul or simply update your faucet, mirrors and lighting fixtures. A quick and easy makeover is a splash of color and new linens but why stop there? Create a complete look from top to bottom.
Fifty Shades Darker
If you are one of our newsletter subscribers you were greeted with our “Fifty Shades of Grey” newsletter at the end of last year. Many of our readers loved the idea and play on words so we decided to continue the theme just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Fifty Shades of Grey is now Fifty Shades Darker as we explore the colors of grey to black used in interior design styles. Yes, you read that correctly black in design. The color black is an excellent way to add drama to a room, make a painting or sofa pop, or attract your eye to an area in the room or home. Here are 5 ways to incorporate black, the darker shade of grey, into your home this month:
- Accent Lamp – Contrary to what you might think the use of a dark or black lampshade can drastically change the mood in a space to warm and inviting.
- Kitchen Chairs – Trends have shifted in kitchen design. Many kitchens now feature an island with granite countertops and accent stools. Adding black kitchen stools or chairs can add a bang to your island effect.
“Fifty Shades of Grey”
Grey is by no means a new color, however, we are seeing a lot more of it in design, patterns, and materials throughout the design process in both fashion and interior decorating.
Adding Shades of Grey to your Home:
A light or dark shade of grey will make for a great accent wall in a living room, kitchen, office, bathroom, and even the nursery. Using the concept of an accent wall select a dominant color on 3 walls and the 4th wall, usually the featured wall with a piece of wall art or furniture use a darker shade of the color.
Other ways to incorporate softer or bolder shades of grey is through accent pieces and accessories in the room and home.
- Place Settings
- Throw Pillows
- Area Rugs
- Picture/Art Frames
- Vases
How about these amazing photographs from Houzz.com – featured below are a few highlights from tile to accents to accessories to the wall color.
The Ultimate Winter Sunroom
The Ultimate Winter Sunroom
With the consistently cold weather around the corner and the first snowfall on the books now is the time to bring the outdoors in with an updated sunroom.
Unfortunately, it is a little late in the season to break ground for a new sunroom or addition to the house. But for those wanting a sunroom NOW is the time to start planning the space and amenities to create your ultimate space.
Fortunately, for those that already have a sunroom or ‘extra room with windows’ NOW is the perfect time to redecorate and plan for a comfortable winter season in a space you can call your own.
Why do we like sunrooms so much during the winter months?
We have all heard of cabin fever, right? On long winter days, a sunroom can provide a space for escape or retreat. A sunroom can offer comfortable seating for a couple or many depending on your anticipated use of the space. What do you want to do with your sunroom?
- Do you want to escape to your sunroom for personal quiet time, to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, or to get lost in a good book?
- Do you want to create a sunroom to bring together the family for conversation or game time?
One of our favorite aspects of a sunroom is the ability to work with natural light and the view.
Pam’s 7 Ways to Inspire Sunroom Greatness:
- Ideas to Resurface Your Sunroom Fireplace
- All Season Window Treatment Options
- Trendy Ideas to Redo Your Sunroom Floors
10 Tips for Decorating Your Outdoor Space
Are you looking for some interesting ideas to create a more enjoyable and functional outdoor living area? Well, here are some simple recommendations that once implemented can make quite a difference in the look and feel of your space.
1. Create cozy seating areas with comfy deep cushion furniture that look like an extension of your home. Make sure the fabric is soil and fade-resistant as well as water and stain-repellent.
Photo: Elegant Interior Designs award-winning deck
2. An outdoor fireplace or firepit adds ambiance and warmth on a cool evening.
3. Add a water feature to your backyard. Consider a fountain or create a rock-lined stream with multiple waterfalls in your landscaping.
Photo from bestgardendesign.net
4. Outdoor rugs are very trendy and help to define and anchor seating areas.
Read More...Pamela Kofsky Speaking at Sew Vintage Boutique in Ambler, PA
My extensive sample fabric collection is proof enough that fabrics are very important in my work. This design strikes my attention because of the high quality and moderate pricing while the textiles and accessories are fun enough for a girl’s bedroom or play area. The line uses colors that are vibrant and designs that are unique to keep the room one-of-a-kind, somewhat similar to the new Lilly Pulitzer fabric line that debuted this past fall. At a recent speaking event, I paired together samples from the line to display how well the pieces integrate together to form a perfect girl’s room.
Below you will see a photo of Pamela Kofsky, Founder/ Designer of Elegant Interior Designs speaking at Sew Vintage Boutique in Ambler, PA
Check Out These Bold Fabrics
Check out these bold fabric prints.
