2014 Pantone Color: Radiant Orchid

Happy New Year!  With a new year comes a new Pantone color and for 2014 it’s Radiant Orchid.  This rich hue is full of fuchsias, purples,  and pinks undertones.  Radiant Orchid sparks imagination and creativity.  Since fashion is normally around one year ahead of interiors when it comes to trends, we can expect to see elegance come back in to popularity.  I look forward to using this color in design projects for 2014! Enjoy!

2014 Pantone Color of the Year: Radiant Orchid 

 

Details : Rope

Laura and I were out shopping the other day and found some nautical inspired items. As usual, it caught Laura’s eye!  I think of Laura when I see nautical inspired home decor. So Laura, this one is for you: clever uses of rope as interior detail.

Staircase by Pursley Dixon Architecture

Shelving by Niche Interiors

Contemporary Staircase by Interior Designer Joel Snayd

Modern Bathroom by SB Architects

 

Contemporary Bathroom by Greenbelt Homes

Traditional Kitchen by Atlanta Interior Designer Yvonne McFadden LLC

Living Room by MB Jessee

Family Room by Interior Designer Cristi Holcombe

Click on the above images to learn more about the designs!

Circle Tiles

We spent this morning looking at wood flooring and tile. This circular frosted tile displayed among predominantly straight-edged tiles caught my eye. The wispy, bubbly look stirred my imagination. Here are some creative examples of using circular tiles.

Bathroom by StoneMar Natural Stone Company LLC

Contemporary Kitchen by Moeski Design Agency

Bathroom by Farrar Construction & Design

Bar Area by Jill Jordan

Modern Bathroom by imagine That! Interior design

Click on the above images to learn about the designs!

Conversation Starter : Stately Tables

Here’s something fun for today: Stately Tables. The tables are made of repurposed barn wood, carved into YOUR home state! Select the table leg style, soy-based stain and size. You can even pick the city where you would like the sterling silver star to inlaid. This is a great conversation starter piece to add to your home!

Click on the above images to learn more about how to order your Stately Table!

Beach House Dreaming

This just a beautiful, sand-and-sea colored, South Carolina beach home by Carter Kay Interiors.

Happy Weekend!

Details : Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks

Thinking about an upgrade in your kitchen? A sparkling new sink can add a polished look, as well as make your life easier. Upgrading to a deeper sink helps quite a bit when cleaning large pots or pans.  Here are some good tips to consider when choosing a new stainless steel kitchen sink.

 

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is heat resistant, stain resistant and easy to clean. Can’t seem to get it sparkling due to hard water? Try some Bar Keeper’s Friend.

       

Top-Mount, Under-Mount or Dual-Mount

Be sure you take note of what mount style you require for your kitchen. Top-Mount sinks (bottom photo) are easy to install and simply drop into the opening of the counter top. They have a lip edge covering the counter top. Typically, these are used with laminate counter tops. Under-Mount (top photo) attach below the counter top. It is a bit easier for cleaning; crumbs can be swept right into the sink. These are typically used for stone counter tops. Dual-Mount sinks can be used either way for your convenience.

 

Stainless Steel Gauge 

Stainless steel thickness is measured by the gauge. Thin steel has a higher gauge and thicker steel has a lower gauge. Less expensive sinks start at 22. As sink prices goes up, you will see the gauge around 18 or even 16. With a thicker sink (lower gauge), it will be more resistant to dents, the sink will be quieter when in use and it will hold up much better overtime.

Kitchen by Sawhorse Designs

Additional Options

After determining the basics, there are plenty more options to choose from. Beginning with the photo above, this kitchen has a single basin, apron-front style with a towel bar.

Double sink basins are not always the exact same size. In the Moen sink above, two different basin depths are available. This can be helpful when cleaning large items.

This Kohler Prologue sink has a work surface on the side. The sink includes a custom fit cutting board and colander. Many manufacturers have unique, custom sinks like this one.

For the serious cook or chef, this long Kohler Crevasse sink is perfect for chopping food. The water automatically sweeps the chopped scraps down to the garbage disposal.

Or if you don’t care about sinks, here’s the sink for you! It’s the Crystalline by Blanco. Hide it when you’re done! Excellent for small spaces.

Click on the above photos for more details about the products or designs.

Focus : Lighting

Lighting is a key element to design. It could arguably be one of the more critical and functional elements to design. So, since you HAVE to have lighting… make it worthwhile and take time to select the right fixture for your space. Here are some examples of fixtures that might inspire you to reconsider lighting in your home!

Cage Pendant – Regina Andrew

Sewing Thread Pendant Light – Filagree Creations Etsy Shop

Industrial Pendant Light in Clear or Mercury Glass – West Elm

Rustica – Studio Jota

Denley 6 Light Pendant – Ballard Design

Bluff City Pendant – Design Within Reach

Capiz Pendant Light – Pottery Barn

Jeeves Pendant Light – YLighting

Click on the above photos to learn more about the products!

Yellow : Accent Pieces

After taking time off to say a final goodbye to my wonderful Grandmother, I have returned and began to poke & prod at my creative brain. It’s been a little hard, but I found inspiration today: I have a beautiful new arrangement of yellow and orange flowers next to my desk. Yellow was my Grandmother’s favorite colors… so here’s how you, too, can use yellow in accents! How cheerful!

Traditional Kitchen by Heydt Designs

Bedroom by New York Interior Designer Tara Seawright

Bedroom by Tara Bussema

Exterior by Beverly Hills Interior Designer Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

Modern Home Office by Pizzigati Designs

Home Office by Portland Design-build New Energy Works Timberframers

Modern Bathroom by De Meza + Architecture

Click on the above images to learn more about the designs!

Planning the Ideal Home Office

A home office is a space to escape from a chaotic home, become inspired and focused. Right now, I’m dreaming of my next home office. Currently, my home office is a bunch of studs and sub floor. I’m starting with a blank slate. My creativity is running wild with possibilities to transform a bare, newly constructed room into a productive, functional and inspiring space.

Home Office by Dana Lauren Designs

Storage

Aside from being charming, I admire the cabinets and they’re ample storage! Keeping the ugly office supplies concealed in refreshing white cabinets would keep the desk space clutter free. There is plenty of daylight, but the space does need more lighting for evening and night-time use.

Home Office by Armsden Architects

Office Chair

Spending quite a bit of time working at a desk, a comfortable chair is a must! As I always say – sit in the furniture before you make a purchase. Lean on it. Lounge in it.  Do what you would do if you were sitting it in for a few hours. You may feel silly slouching and lounging on a chair in public, but it will help you determine if the chair is right for you! Every person is portioned different and has different preferences on seating.

Home Office by Lindsay von Hagel

Desk

The style of desk needs to reflect your level of usage. Don’t use a desk often or have much to store? You could probably get by with minimal storage in the desk. Keeping the desk organized and tidy this well all the time is unrealistic for everyday use. Desk selection should be planned according to your usage level. Side note: This wall map is repurposed as wall art – just as Laura wrote about in a past Hepburn Interiors blog post here!

Home Office by Collaborative Design Group-Architects & Interiors

Lighting

Talk about a crafters dream room! This office space offers multiple types of lighting. The under cabinet lighting works as task lighting. This helps illuminate the spaces where the user is creating or making something. The incredible chandelier provides excellent overall ambient lighting. It illuminates the entire space with an even light. The recessed light above the computer area provides accent lighting directly over the computer work space.

Click on the above images to learn more about the designs!

Details : Inspired by Mad Men

Just over a week away, it’s time to go back a few decades with Mad Men. I love watching the show, but especially love looking at the sets of their offices and homes. It’s been a while since I’ve watched the past seasons, but a few things always stick out in my mind, like Don and Betty’s blue tufted headboard in their old bedroom! Enjoy!

Modern Living Room by Setless Studio

Jonathan Adler Capri Bottle Lamp

Camden Tufted Headboard – Ballard Design

Modern Living Room by Dufner Heighes Inc

Raleigh Armchair – DWR

Mid Century 6 Drawer Dresser – West Elm

Modern Living Room

Vintage Lowball Glasses – Amanda Milk Vintage Etsy Shop

Click on the above images for more information about the products or designs!