San Francisco Interior Design: Keeping the Charm

San Francisco Interior Design: Keeping the Charm

Owning an old Victorian “Painted Lady” of San Francisco sounds dreamy. That is, until you move in and discover you have no idea how to keep that old-world charm while keeping up with the times. Choosing an interior design that accentuates a home with “character” while still making it livable in the 21^st century is challenging, and with this challenge, space planning is key! 

First of all, it’s important to really understand San Francisco Victorian homes. As you may know, the interesting color schemes are meant to show off the intricate detailing in the architecture and in the 60’s they became part of “the colorist movement” (many houses were painted gray during the time of WWII). These homes are literally historic works of art!

Knowing the history behind these homes, it’s absolutely important to choose your interiors carefully. The interior should showcase the same level of artistic expression and care as the outside does. However, that doesn’t mean you need to decorate with your grandmother’s discarded knick-knacks. Make sure to keep your style fresh, vibrant and most importantly, true to you. 

Due to the intricate design of these homes, when it comes to interiors, simple is sometimes better. Look how beautifully the modern tile and décor works with the classic mirrors.

Are you a modern minimalist? A white color scheme can work well with the elaborate detailing in a Victorian home! 

Wallpaper like the one featured in our Pleasant Hill design above, can work wonderfully in an older home, while modern furnishings and décor give it an updated look. 

Don’t be afraid to be eclectic. Display your collections, portraits and cool finds. Go thrift store shopping!

Mix antique furnishings with modern appliances for a perfect blend of old-meets-new.

Do you have an older home with a unique design? We’d love to see pictures and hear your stories.

Kelly Tivey

Kelly Tivey Interior Design

Interior Design Pro Tips: Lighting Design

Interior Design Pro Tips: Lighting Design

Lighting design may not sound like the most tantalizing step in the interior design process, but interior designers know that it can actually be one of the most fun parts.

Here is some inspiration to get you started. 

Rooms with high ceilings can often seem like a challenge to light, but if done right, a high-ceiling light fixture can be the stand-out piece in your room. Just make sure to choose something not only beautiful, but functional! 

CIH Interior Designers

Choosing the lighting fixtures in a room is incredibly important. Imagine the above room without the beautiful standing candles and attention-grabbing chandelier. Although still an amazing dining room, it would lack the same WOW factor.

Always make sure that the lighting in your room co-exists peacefully. You want to match, without actually matching. In the above room, we used an ambient bulb color with varied lamps to go with the old-world-meets-new feel of the room. The lighting draws the eyes around the room creating a nice flow. Notice how the hardware in the chandelier matches some of the secondary colors in the room? It’s all in the details – even when it comes to lighting choices!

Cindy Rinfret Interior Design | LGB Interiors

Be mindful of a room’s style. The lighting should be the icing on the cake, and should always complement the rest of your design. What works in one room, like the teal chandelier above, may not work well in another. 

Mila Design in Miami

The above chandelier may be too much for an apartment, but if you have the space, don’t be afraid to go BIG and step outside of the box. Choose something that is going to be a conversation piece!

Lastly, sometimes, less is more! If you don’t have the space, or are going for a more simplistic look, try for something small and sleek, yet attention grabbing like the teal hanging light above.

Are you in need of a lighting design consultation? Contact me today at ktivey@comcast.net! Let’s get creative.

Stay Inspired.

Kelly Tivey

5 Tips to Choosing a Color Scheme

5 Tips to Choosing a Color Scheme

A big part of my job (and one of my favorite parts) is communicating with you, the potential client. Our communication and collaboration is important because during those initial consultations, I get a sense of who you are, what you love and what design elements will work best for you.

Interior designers use a mix or your personality and style, color theory, and color psychology to find the perfect color scheme for your home.

Here are some rules to follow when choosing a color scheme.

Plan Ahead

Not only do you have to keep in mind general color rules (like choosing dominant, secondary and accent colors), but you need to keep your home in mind. You may want to go all-out and choose a separate bold, dynamic color scheme for each room in your home, but it’s important to create a nice flow throughout. Consider which rooms are visible from others, and the tone you’d like to set for your space. 

Pick your Favorite Color

This may seem overly obvious, but draw inspiration from a shade you already adore! Not sure what your favorite color is? Open your closet, take a look at home accessories you already own, and create an inspiration board with your favorite images. You may notice a pattern. 

Draw from Existing Inspiration

Maybe you have a beautiful piece of furniture you already love, or a rug that you’ve always had your heart set on. Create a color swatch to match. My tip – do not choose the paint color first. Figure out your décor, and have the paint choice be the final decision. 

Think Outside of the Box

NO color is off limits. If you can dream it, you can design it. It just takes a little bit of creativity. Once you have an idea of the atmosphere you’d like, and a few key elements you’d like to include, choosing a unique color scheme is the fun part.  Explore a few options. 

Always Test

Stepping out of your color palette comfort zone is fun; just make sure you test the waters before diving in.  Collect fabric and paint samples and place them around your space. If you’re an artist, sketch out the room like an interior designer would. Make sure it lives up to your design expectations before spending money to make it happen! 

Stay tuned for weekly interior design tips on the Kelly Tivey Interior Design Blog. Interested in a design consultation? Email me at ktivey@comcast.net.

Stay Colorful.

Kelly Tivey

Tips on Decorating Your Rental

Tips on Decorating Your Rental

We all love the freedom of personalizing our space. But for some (especially here in the Bay Area), buying a home just isn’t in the cards. This doesn’t mean you should settle for a bland rental space.

Here are some clever rental decorating hacks!

Hardware Swap

Changing out the hardware in your home is easy, and adds a subtle, personalized touch to your space. Just remember to keep the original pieces to swap back before you move out. 

via Pinterest - Designer Unknown

Accessorize

Have fun and add pops of color with throws, pillows, and accents that reflect your personality.

via Pinterest - Designer Unknown

Colorful Furniture

Add a pop of color and individuality to a room with unique pieces of furniture that are bright and impactful. Try something like a bright colored chair or clever coffee table. 

A Kelly Tivey Interior Design Original

Use Mirrors

Mirrors are one of the best ways to add style and give the illusion of space and give a room an almost “ethereal” feel.

A Kelly Tivey Interior Design Original

 Add Curtains

This is one of the most fun design choices you can make. You don’t have to live with dorm-like blinds. Add some flair, color and texture to a room! 

via Pinterest - Designer Unknown

Plants

No yard? No problem. Potted plants and flowers are a great way to add some life to a tired space.

via Pinterest - Designer Unknown

Invest in Rugs

Rugs can be one of the easiest ways to accessorize your place and add color to a room. They are also a great way to hide rental floor imperfections.

via Pinterest - Designer Unknown

Hang Art

Patching up a tiny hole is totally worth the impact some wall art can have on livening up your neutral walls. Get creative! 

via Pinterest - Designer Unknown

Use Wallpaper

I am NOT suggesting you actually wallpaper your walls. Too many renters believe that wallpaper is an easy solution, when in all actuality, it is a maddening mess to remove. Instead, frame it!

via Pinterest - Designer Unknown

Stay Inspired! 

Kelly Tivey