Goodbye Neutrals, Hello Color Wheel!

Happy April, friends! This spring I am excited talk about color trends in home design. In this post we will explore the transition of cool-toned neutral trends into a wider spectrum of color and hue for home design this year. 

First, lets talk about neutrals. Neutrals have always been an anchor in interior design paint colors, fabrics and furnishings. Neutrals are defined as “subtle, muted shades that lack saturation and hue.” There are your main neutrals—white, black, gray and brown, and then there are near-neutrals, which include beige, cream, taupe and ivory. 

Soft and warm neutral-like shades, like cream, brown and ivory, have always been present in traditional designs. However, in recent years, cool neutrals took the front seat to the design realm and dominated color palette trends. Think apple store vibe—bright whites, black and gray accents and lots of taupe for a room. The idea behind this trend was to create a minimalist and open vibe and it absolutely took over the design scene for years. 

I have always found that too many cooler neutrals in a room created a cold, impersonal presence. Without balancing cool tones with warm or rich hues, a room can quickly feel washed out.  In my opinion, this cool neutral craze created a repetitive, cookie-cutter and uninviting look inside people’s homes. This is why I am thrilled that color and warm neutrals are coming back in vogue.

This year we are looking at a few different color trends. We have a resurgence of bright jewel tones, warm earth hues, and bold natural bright shades.

1.) Bright Jewel Tones

Jewel tones are vibrant colors inspired by actual gemstones—including shades of emerald, sapphire, amethyst, ruby, topaz, citrine, magenta etc. Of course, these colors come on a spectrum from lighter and brighter jewels to deeper and richer tones. Some of the richer deep jewel tones I now see are rich browns, deep moss greens, and vivid topaz. These jewels together make a handsome palette that I would love for a home office, powder room or lounge room. 

2.) Bold Natural Brights

If deep moody colors are not your vibe, there are many natural bright colors to choose from, including cerulean blue, coral and lime. These pigments mix well with neutral palettes to add a striking punch of life to a space. If you want to liven up a family room, laundry room or finished basement, these natural bright tones are a fantastic option. I have helped many clients inject instant life into their homes using these natural bright colors.

3.) Healing Earth Hues

We are also seeing an increased desire for earth tones in the home. Earth hues are simply colors found in nature, like soil, foliage and minerals. Usually muted shades of brown, green, gray, yellow and orange and beige are the earth tones of choice when it comes to home design. These earthy shades instantly bring warmth, comfort and relaxation to a space. If you want your home to feel more welcoming, a few earth tones can go a long way!

Now that we have walked through these color trend changes, what do you make of them? Do you miss cool-toned neutrals or are you glad to see more color? Could your home use some color palette adjustments? If so, go ahead and reach out to me for a consultation! As an genius in the color wheel with lots of experience combining color categories in home design, I am more than up for the task! 

Until next time!

~Christa 

Want to Upgrade Your Life? Start with your Home Interior

Images are public stock photos

It is no secret that interior design impacts our mood. Studies affirm that paint colors, clutter ratio and texture choices can stress or relax us and inspire different emotions. So, how does your living space make you feel? If you are itching for a new mood in your home or want your space to better serve you there are some easy ways you can make a design shift. 

Design Principle Number One: Remove Stress and Regain Control

The first step is the fun part! Take a moment to imagine exactly how you want your space to feel. Do you want a calming sanctuary to retreat to and relax in at the end of a hectic work day? Do you want a room that will inspire and motivate you to perform creatively? Or are you looking for a comfortable and versatile space that brings the family together to make memories? Take note of these desired feelings. Before picturing the details of a room’s design, it is important to know how you want your space to function. 

Design Principle Number Two: Make Room for Creativity

In the process of dreaming up your desired home design, do not be limited by a room’s initial purposed function. For example, do you have a formal dining or living room space that sits idle most of the year? If so, consider transforming one of those spots into a meditation room, home office, craft studio or cozy lounge area. These are just ideas, of course, to get your imagination stirring. I have done this very type of transformation numerous times for clients. You would be amazed how many dining and living rooms are becoming cozy lounge areas or neat home offices, studios or child playrooms with just a few intentional changes. As a designer, nothing is more thrilling than the challenge of breathing new life and purpose into a space that was initially created for a different use. The possibilities are truly endless!

3.) Design Principle Number Three: Make a Plan

While there are small ways you can make these design shifts on your own, the process can quickly become overwhelming. As an interior designer, my job is to do the heavy lifting to bring all the details of your home vision to life. As a certified color wheel expert and designer with twenty-plus years of experience, I can guide you to the color palettes, furniture arrangements and accessorizing that will be necessary to design your space. I can also arrange custom home features upon request that can accomplish what you need to fulfill your design vision through my vendors who custom build, paint or create pieces according to your preference. 

If you enjoyed reading this and have home design dreams of your own, subscribe to my newsletter or feel free to reach out for a consultation!

Top Design Trends of the Past Decade—Part One

I am very excited about this blog series! We are going to revisit some of the hottest design trends that have permeated interior design throughout the past decade or so. From there, I will share my favorite takeaways from these overall trends as well as how I think design has evolved since. For part one of this post series we will be reviewing top design trends of the EARLY 2010’s and I will share my takeaways.

Design Trends of the Early 2010’s:

1.) Modern Farmhouse

When it comes to design trends of the 2010’s—modern farmhouse is king. This is almost exclusively as a result of the rise of Fixer Upper on HGTV back in 2014. Modern farmhouse style blends traditional farmhouse decor with contemporary design, furnishings and color schemes. I believe this design style became so popular because it blended many different tastes and matched well with many homes.

2.) Chevron

Chevron-patterned accessories were also hugely popular back in the 2010’s. Think pillows, accent wallpapered walls, rugs and even curtains. This particular pattern resonates with the younger generations as it brought a youthful energy to a space.

3.) Matte Black Hardware

Matte black hardware was popular, also due to the modern farmhouse trend. This trend was especially prevalent in kitchens and bathrooms.

4.) Boho Decor

Boho decor was a big trend that targeted millennials or younger throughout this era. Bohemian decor is often mismatched and full of varying textures. Hallmarks of this style are plants, baskets, hanging decor and macramé.

5.) Knit and Fur Accessories

Knit accessories piggyback off of boho decor. Knit or fur pillows, throw blankets or rugs were also trending as ways to make a space have that hygge factor that also became popular in the early 2010’s. The idea revolved around coziness and simplicity.

6.) White and Neutrals Gallore

Neutral paint colors really dominated the design preferences of the 2010’s. Clean, fresh white spaces or shades of neutral beige and cream were a staple in many kitchen, living room and bedroom designs during that time.

8.) Patterns

Patterns—especially geometric patterns—were everywhere. Many carpets, curtains, pillows, bedspreads, placemats and more incorporated patterns into their design. The pattern elements give traditional homes a more modern, contemporary touch and work well with many styles.

9.) Industrial Materials

Industrial design elements corresponded with the modern farmhouse trend and were popularly expressed via Edison bulbs, steels and metals, bold lines and visible structural elements (like exposed beams, exposed brick walls, etc.)

10.) Rose Gold and Copper

Rose gold and copper were HOT HOT HOT during the early 2010’s. Warm metal hues, like copper and rose gold, were simply all over the place. Copper dishes, baskets, hardware, accessories and even furniture were quite common. The rose gold trend also dominated the jewelry and fashion scene during the early-to-mid 2010’s, if you remember.

11.) Pastels

Pastels! Do you want to know the neutral hue that defined the 2010’? Millennial pink! Pastel hues in general were quite popular during the early 2010’s to often give a statement pop against an otherwise neutral room. Pastel shades of blue and green were also common, especially in accents.

Designer Takeaways

As a designer, I can appreciate value in nearly any design trend, style or preference. Trends, by principle, tend to date inevitably date themselves in time. Many clients I worked with who preferred modern farmhouse design in ten or fifteen years ago are now itching to refresh their spaces. Clients who chose accent wallpapers or trendy warm metal hues (rose gold and copper) are now opting for more neutral touches. Those who leaned heavily towards the modern-industrial design trend often crave something a little more cozy and soothing.

The takeaway? Evaluate the permanency of a design feature to your home before implementing a change. I am a personal fan of variety and encourage clients to explore different style elements than they might initially picture. I also am a fan of using classic, timeless looks when it comes to heavier investment pieces (such as larger furniture staples, wall colors, or curtains). If you want to play around with trendy touches, the best way is to incorporate those looks with your accessories. It’s easy to play around with art, lamps, throw pillows or blankets, rugs or even small coffee tables if you do not care for them years down the road. On the other hand, an expensive kitchen renovation from modern farmhouse to sleek minimalist would take a bit more work and investment. This is why I recommend starting with small touches of a trendy look here and there and sticking with a more timeless, classic design choice for the foundations of your rooms.

Of the design trends mentioned above, I would say my personal favorites from that era were accent walls, geometric patterns and chunky knit textural elements. But at the end of the day, design is extremely personal and trends should never replace personal taste.

Stay tuned for the next two parts of this blog series where we will continue reviewing interior design trends of the mid-2010’s.

Fresh Springtime Decor Ideas

Happy spring, friends! It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog post, but I am definitely feeling inspired to share some happy spring inspiration. After a few months of winter gloom, I love starting to think about the warm, light colors of spring around the corner. Here are some ideas to get you thinking about ways to incorporate spring feels into your home.

1.) Incorporate more natural light

Is anybody else a fan of more daylight hours? It’s like the world is literally waking up with us as we transition out of our cozy winter slumber. One of the best ways to capture the springtime mood is to include as much natural light as possible. Open up the blinds, switch up heavy curtains, and consider adding some mirrors to your rooms to reflect more natural light.

2.) Opt for lighter shades

Anywhere you can incorporate lighter shades of color—go for it. Some simple ways to achieve lighter colors is swapping in your table runners or placemats for lighter shaded ones. Woven straw placemats are a terrific, neutral way to go to make any kitchen or table space seem lighter and fresher for the spring months. I would also recommend burlap table runners in place of a heavier table cloth or in addition to placemats. Burlap is neutral enough to fit with most spaces and will definitely lighten the mood.

3.) Florals and greens

While winter is about those evergreens and branches, spring is about those fresh, lighter greens. Think about small potted plants, greens or succulents that can liven up even small corners of a space. I am not a plant expert, so I recommend you check out this site for more suggestions on indoor plants that will give the most spring energy. Another idea is getting a larger clay pot or vase and filling it with faux branches that contain a more springtime bud.

4.) Lighter bedding

In more ways that one, lighter bedding is key for transitioning your home from winter to spring. Not only willl lighter blankets be cooler, but lighter colors will also bring a springtime aesthetic. I personally find lighter bedding to be very fresh and clean looking. It is such a simple way to incorporate the newness of spring into your home and routine.

5.) Lighter throw pillows and blankets

Similar to bedding, I recommend swapping out any throw pillows or blankets over to lighter weight or less dense ones. Sometimes the heavy knit or wool pillows and blankets that make a room feel cozier and moodier in the fall and winter can make a room feel darker and more claustrophobic in the springtime. Opt for some lightweight blankets that are still comfortable and some pillows that have a fresher, more neutral texture like cotton or linen?

6.) Potted bulbs

Potted bulbs are a simple and inexpensive way to decorate your room. They are a great way to bring the essence of spring inside your space with little change or arrangement necessary. You can arrange them in clusters of spread them out around a space. You absolutely cannot go wrong with potted bulbs to decorate pretty much anywhere.

7.) Bold table settings

As the outside temperature begins to warm, you can incorporate more bold and fun table settings. This doesn’t necessarily mean bold color schemes, but finding pieces that have a little more life and statement. Brighter colored dishes or table vases make a wonderful pop and bring instant life to the room.

8.) Baskets and Grassy Textures

I am a huge fan of straw baskets in daily decor. Whether you need a space to hold extra throw blankets or books and magazines or are simply looking for some interesting touches to your shelves or other surface areas, woven baskets are an excellent choice. There is a reason we go with straw baskets for Easter, afterall!

9.) Fresh mantel decor

If you have a mantel of any kind, I strongly suggest mixing up the decor to be a little lighter and more minimal for the spring season. You could always go with some fresh, lighter candles and maybe a light green garland to keep it elegant and springy. This will instantly give the room a springtime theme, as mantels tend to center one’s focus.

I hope this article inspires you with some simple steps to bring spring into your home! Stay tuned for more articles to come.

Color Philosophy Part 1

Let's dive deep into the world of color theory, a topic that is super close to my heart. As a designer, nothing quite compares to the power of color. It can transform furniture, fabrics, and accessories, but it's never more important than when selecting the perfect wall color. The color you choose for your walls sets the mood for the entire room, which is why it's crucial to get it right. With a solid grasp of color theory, you can craft the perfect palette for your space and make it shine.

For this post I will walk you through some general principles in color theory that will enlighten your understanding about color and inspire your taste moving forward.

Before diving into the world of color, get a grip on the vibe you want to radiate in your space. Do you crave a chill and calming oasis? Or, do you need to feel invigorated and empowered every time you step in the room? Perhaps a timeless and understated look is your cup of tea? Knowing the exact mood you want to set will be your trusty compass on the road to selecting the perfect color palette.

Understand Color Undertones

Welcome to the vibrant world of color! Let's kick things off with a quick lesson on primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Trust us, this is the secret code to unlocking the color wheel's mysteries. When it comes to creating the perfect vibe, undertones are the secret ingredient to success. Whether you're after a cozy or chill mood, understanding warm and cool tones or how much pigment to throw in the mix can turn a bland canvas into a masterpiece.

1.) Warm Colors

Let's turn up the heat with some sizzling hues! Picture fiery reds, oranges that burst with energy, and warm browns that mimic a crackling campfire or a dazzling sunset. These cozy colors are like a hug for your home, adding a touch of excitement and comfort to any space. If you're hoping to transform your kitchen, living room, or front entrance, get ready to embrace the warmth of these tints!

2.) Neutral Colors

Neutral colors are the chameleons of the color world. They have a sassy blend of warm AND cool tones, making them perfect for any occasion. Beige, taupe, cream, and certain grays, browns, blacks and whites are all part of the neutral family. Pair them up with any color in the rainbow and watch the sparks fly! Or, let them take center stage and let your creativity run wild with the rest of the room's design.

3.) Bold Colors

Get ready to pack a punch with bold colors! These striking hues are all about being vibrant, powerful, and chic. Whether you're accenting a space or going all out with a bold color scheme, you're sure to make a statement. Pair them with black or jewel tones for a sophisticated vibe or use them to balance natural tones like wood and straw. With bold colors, you're the master of your own dramatic destiny!

4.) Cool Colors

Step into a chilled-out oasis with cool colors! These shades, like subtle grays, whites, and blacks, give off a calming, Zen-like vibe, making them perfect for rooms where you want to relax and unwind. They're also great for making a space feel larger and more inviting. Bathrooms and bedrooms are the perfect spots to splash some cool colors around. Just keep in mind that the lighting in the room plays a big role in how these colors are perceived. Natural light will enhance the chill vibes, while artificial light can sometimes make things feel too chilly. And don't forget to consider the room's purpose when selecting your color scheme. A pale blue or green would be perfect for promoting restful sleep in a bedroom. Meanwhile, a cool gray or blue would be ideal for creating a spa-like atmosphere in a bathroom. So, if you want to create a peaceful and tranquil environment, cool colors are the way to go!

Key Takeaway

Why give color tones the time of day, you ask? Well, they are the building blocks of any room's design! As a seasoned designer, my color theory know- how has a huge impact on how I approach every project. So, if you're curious about getting a color consultation, let's chat!