Don’t be Afraid of the Dark – Black Color Schemes

Don’t be Afraid of the Dark – Black Color Schemes

Happy Halloween! If the season has you craving some elegantly dark designs, read on. We’ve got some great dark color schemes to inspire! 

Using bright tones like orange and yellow may not be your first instinct when incorporating black in your design, but doing so ads a more high-style touch to a colorful space. 

Combining shades like turquoise, chocolate and pale olive is a twist on a neutral palette and compliments black perfectly! Great for a kitchen or bathroom.

If you’re looking for something more in line with Halloween, try mixing these cool night-tones. Moody and edgy.

Lilac purple and blue soften the contrast of the black and red combo. Perfect for a corporate space or home office!

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To check out some AMAZING interiors and get a how-to and product recommendations for decorating your space with dark colors, click here - blog post by Decorators Best, featuring yours truly! 

Stay Inspired. 

Kelly Tivey

Interior Design Blast from the Past: Wallpaper is Back!

Interior Design Blast from the Past: Wallpaper is Back!

On October 21^st, 2015, Marty McFly arrived in the future. Meaning, we finally made it! We are the in the future.

In honor of Back to the Future, I thought it would be fun to start a “Blast from the Past” series about the old trends in interior design that are making big comebacks. The first is all about wallpaper. If you’ve been on Pinterest lately, you might be “in-the-know” on this new trend. From digital prints to hand-painted masterpieces, modern wallpaper designs are nostalgic, yet like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

Here are some unique finds!

Hygge & West

“Underwater World” and “Daydream”

 

A cool, vintage vibe, yet completely on-trend!

Sarkos

       

“Immersion – Simmer Sea”

  

 “Mother of Pearl”

Breezy, Grecian inspired, beautiful and hand-painted!

Astek Inc.

“Ray – Twilight” 

“Acid Rain – Nimbus”

California based and organic, Astek, Inc. features wallpapers inspired by crystals, the sea, metal and more.

 Phillip Jeffries

  

“Chinois Our Way” 

“Mayanne”

If you’re looking for something a bit more unique than “grasscloth”, Phillip Jeffries has a huge selection from bamboo to silks!

Schumacher

“Agadir Screen in Mocha”

“Balloons”

Brilliant and innovative, Schumacher designs will give your home a whimsical, but classic feel!

Are you looking to embrace this blast from the past?

Stay Inspired.

Kelly Tivey

Interior Design Inside Look: Haunting Victorians

Interior Design Inside Look: Haunting Victorians

Halloween is right around the corner, so let’s take a look at one of the biggest influences of Halloween décor – hauntingly beautiful Victorian Interior Design.

According to HubPages.com, “Victorian style is a broad term that generally is used to refer to characteristics of design (architectural, fashion, home décor, etc.) from the latter period of Queen Victoria’s reign, from 1837 until her death in 1901.”

High ceilings, intricate moldings, lavish furniture, rich colors, indulgent accessories, and careful attention to detail are just a few of the staples of Victorian Interior Design. 

Reminiscent of “Beetlejuice”, this unique love-seat gives a contemporary twist to traditional Victorian furnishings.

When giving your home a Victorian makeover, it’s always good to incorporate dark tones like purples, plums, navy blues, and blacks. And if you can get your hands on one, a claw foot tub is a Victorian bathroom must-have. Perfect for the Halloween aficionado!

If you’re looking to stay hip to the trends this Halloween while still dabbling in a more Victorian vibe, try incorporating some Steampunk in your décor. The above image is a perfect example of the trendy new style. A merging of Victorian-esque styles and machinery, gears and steam-powered technology.

If you’re not a big fan of dark and spooky color palettes, go for a light, crisp and hauntingly pretty white.

Wallpaper is making a big comeback, so you can be both Victorian-esque and trendy. Choose something with intricate detailing. If you’re going for a Victorian look, stay away from anything too geometric.

Do you live in a San Francisco Victorian already? The great thing about classically Victorian architecture is that if you’re a minimalist at heart, you can let your house be the center of attention! Find ways to compliment what’s already there.

Long drapes add a touch elegance and drama to your Victorian space. Top it off with a large, awe-inspiring light fixture!

Victorian-era furniture is all about dark finishes, elaborate carving, and curved lines.  

Choose a wall and add an eclectic mix of mirrors, paintings and photographs. Putting it in a modern room will give your space a gothic touch, without making it look like you’re running an antique shop. 

Lastly, don’t be afraid of the dark!

Happy Halloween.

Kelly Tivey 

Re-Vamping Your Home for Halloween

Re-Vamping Your Home for Halloween

Do you love Halloween, but cringe at some of the DIY décor and big-box options? I’m here to tell you, Halloween can be stylish. Below is an inspiration list of fun and unexpected decor and ghoulishly fun color schemes.

Some Halloween Color Scheme Options

Ghoulishly Design-Savvy Halloween Décor

Found via Pinterest

Subtle, spooky, and not a hint of orange in sight! 

Found via Pinterest

A chic and well-thought out tablescape and centerpiece. Don’t be afraid to play with patterns – not everything needs to perfectly match to create a clean and chic look. 

 Found via Pinterest

If you’d like to keep some parts of your home spooky-free, I would suggest going all-out in your entranceway – an often forgotten part of the home. It’s the first thing holiday guests will see! 

Found via Pinterest

Take advantage of shelf space and (especially) mantel space! The design above proves that you can make Halloween décor work with ANY kind of space. 

Found via Pinterest

Found via Pinterest

And sometimes, all it takes is one fabulous center piece!

Stay Stylish.

Kelly Tivey

Preparing Your Home for the Holidays

Preparing Your Home for the Holidays

Autumn is finally in full swing. Pumpkins, warm colors, and of course, the beginning of guests - lots and lots of guests. My design tip is to prep your home now, so you can actually stop and smell the pine cones. 

Here's how to get a head start and prep your home for family and friends: 

Tip 1: Utilize Advent Design

The concept doesn't just need to apply to chocolate. It can work great for design during the busy holidays. If you're not in the market for an interior designer, save yourself the headache of doing something too complex yourself - especially if you're a busy bay area professional. Trade out designs between holidays and keep things simple and elegant with throw pillows, candle-holders, and interchangeable centerpieces. A few strategically placed accessories are the keys to success! 

Tip 2: Make it Comfortable! 

You want your guests to feel at home, but sometimes keeping a group of house-guests happy and comfortable can turn into a chore. Plan ahead and make a shopping list. Get some extra throw blankets, reading material, laundry baskets and plenty of coffee and treats. Blowing your guests away is all about presentation, not time. 

 Tip 3: Organize and Prep your Space

The zen of holiday design. Organize, de-clutter, and rearrange to create flow. Always make sure you have enough space for your guests to put their things away - out of sight, out of mind. Also, it's important to anticipate the need to set down drinks. 

How do you prepare your home for guests? 

Happy Fall!

Kelly Tivey

Unique Fall Color Ideas

Unique Fall Color Ideas

Don't you love Fall? Warm colors, cool weather and the beginning of the holidays. It's also time to start prepping your home for the season. I've put together a list for autumn color inspiration that goes with the mood, but strays for the usual. 

Here are 5 great options:

Vibrant Oranges

Our tip – use a more traditional color scheme with oranges, browns and yellows, then mix with a fun color like teal for a more contemporary twist to the traditional. When in doubt? Consult a color wheel! 

Trendy Marsala

The much debated “Pantone Color of the Year” (see our blog post “A Case for Marsala”) is a great shade for Fall. Dark, elegant and  a bit vintage while still being trendy. A few statement pieces is all you’ll need! 

Mysterious Purples

If you are trying to avoid orange like the plague, purple is a fantastic alternative. Not only does it go great with shades like red, but the dark tone adds a cozy feel to a room – which is what fall is all about! Perfect if you have a flair for drama.

 Deep Greens

If you want something a bit different than the norm, but love the “earthy” feel of autumn décor – go with a green color scheme. Add a few small pops of orange, and you have the perfect autumn alternative without looking like you are ready for spring. 

Midnight Blues

You don’t have to hide away your relaxing blues just because fall is taking over. Blue Hues actually mix perfectly with warm autumn shades, and can give your décor a bit of a “boho” feel.

What colors do you pick for fall? Tell us in a comment!

Stay Inspired.

Kelly Tivey