Apr 24, 2018 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |
Don’t you just love spring? The birds are chirping, the change in weather makes everything feel fresh, and you have new energy for refreshing your home interiors with the spirit of nature, like this fabulous bachelorette pad!
Photo by Eric Rorer / Design by Kimball Starr
If April showers bring May flowers, my client must love spring, and this bright and cheerful living room shows it. Texture and pattern are layered under color and more color!
Photo by Eric Rorer / Design by Kimball Starr
To create a neutral backdrop so the vibrant palette doesn’t overwhelm, I used a shadowy pattern cast by the leaves of a tree on the living room wall. Relaxing on the sofa, it makes you feel as if you’re sitting next to a tree on a sunny day, with a field of flowers underfoot!
Photo by Eric Rorer / Design by Kimball Starr
The dining area is part of the open plan living space, so the airy feel of the wall pattern is carried into the raindrop-shaped dining pendant and the open metal work of the dining set. A loosely placed air plant atop a wood log is the dining centerpiece, for an effortless connection to natural outdoor elements.
Photo by Eric Rorer / Design by Kimball Starr
For the master bedroom, petal pink and lemon yellow are carried in from the living area, which are our favorite springtime colors.
Photo by Eric Rorer / Design by Kimball Starr
Crisp white bed linens and bright white nightstands accent the room’s youthful colors, and create a room with an undeniably cheery disposition.
Photo by Eric Rorer / Design by Kimball Starr
Unique details like the base of the nightstands and lacquered lampshades are unexpected, while the tufted headboard with silver details and matelassé bedspread are classic luxuries everyone can appreciate. Sweet dreams!
If you’re ready to spring into action on your interior home redesign or renovation, contact our San Francisco interior design studio today!
Labels: bedroom, color, contemporary, dining room, living room, modern design, pattern, residential design
Apr 10, 2018 | Posted in Travel |
Continuing the travel series, today I’m highlighting a few of my discoveries on my walking paths through Seville, Spain of architectural patterns and the capture of light and shadow.
Photo courtesy Nattivus.com
Above is a courtyard view inside the Alcazar, a royal palace built in the 10th century. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was my absolute favorite architectural site in all of Seville.
This view is the most preserved portion of the absolutely stunning Mudejar architecture, which is a style resulting from the blending of Moorish and European architecture; an outcome from the Moorish invasion and Spanish Reconquista that spanned over 700 years.
As time marched on, Renaissance styles brought on more detailed painted patterns in curvilinear shapes with fewer geometric patterns and intricate carvings. Pattern and color invoke balance and interest in many design styles.
At the Alacazar, the dance between light and shadow is easily seen through archway design and they create meaningful moments of transition. It’s captivating to watch how the sun’s movement completely changes the look of the facade throughout the day.
Muderaj architecture has incredibly detailed plaster carvings and stunning arches that draw your gaze upward to marvel at juxtapositions of space and light. These archways are positioned to take advantage of direct sunlight, so when the sun hits the arches’ undersides, the colored yellow pigment augments the sunlight’s color into streams of gold light.
Archways can also draw your attention inward, inviting a visit, from light or people. Here the same archway has the exterior side painted in yellow to complement the bright Mediterranean light, while the interior side of burnt orange calms the eye from brightness.
Doorways are another transitional space that highlight your arrival. Notice the contrast between the classical and modern door styles in these two photos. The modern door contains a nod to the medieval in the iron bolt detail, and the classical door contains a pattern you’d still see in use today.
Just look at the intricate pattern and metalwork in this door! Imagine this 30 foot tall door was made by a metal smith who pounded and poured every bit of that detail by hand.
A rug and glass bottles for shade?! A couple of resourceful locals create shade, with reusable materials nonetheless, over balcony windows for those hot and sunny days and still allow in light. I bet the interior shows a unique pattern created by those bottles!
Seville’s paths and courtyards also make use of contrasting pattern and texture with simple materials. Unique paths can lead you into enjoyment and discovery, and a plain sidewalk is a boring sidewalk, so Seville will have none of that!
Opportunities are everywhere to bring pattern to your outdoor spaces, whether it’s your backyard patio, front walkway, or on a teeny tiny balcony. I enjoy opportunities to capture color and sunlight in both interior and exterior spaces, so as the natural light changes throughout the day and seasons, my client’s home is an ever-changing work of architectural art.
So where will your path lead you? Travel a unique and beautiful path by having our San Francisco interior design firm lead you from flat interiors to dynamic spaces and from boring paths to inspirational passageways!
San Francisco interior designer Kimball Starr finds design inspiration globally and locally to create residential interiors that synchronize with clients’ lifestyles and surrounding environments.
Labels: light, outdoor spaces, pattern, texture, tiling, walkways, window treatments
Mar 27, 2018 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |
As a designer, people often ask me for advice on their home renovations. Here’s one that puzzles homeowners: “How do you design multiple bathrooms in the same home so they look cohesive, but still maintain some individuality?”
First, I consider how my client wants to live in the space. Is it a city crash-pad for a single person with frequent overnight guests? Or is it a family home that handles two parents preparing for work in the morning, while kids are getting ready for school all at the same time?
Here’s an example of 2 bathrooms remodeled within the same home, which is bustling with busy parents and 2 daughters on the verge of teendom. I designed both the master and girls’ bathrooms so they’re visually cohesive, yet kept each bath distinctive enough to appease the girls desire for a bright and youthful space, and the parents desire for a sophisticated calming retreat.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer
By designing both bathrooms with repeating styles in the cabinetry, lighting fixtures, and custom details in countertops and windows, we maintain a cohesive look between bathrooms. We then layer on youthful and fun finishes and colors for the girls bath and a tranquil sophisticated materials palette for the adults.
Redesign of the master bath creates a calming spa-like getaway that’s accented with finishes you might find in a mountain home retreat. I used various shades of pale-blue glass tile to give the feeling of a foggy San Francisco seaside hideaway, and brought in cedar cabinetry and iron mountain hardware to continue this home’s unique architectural elements of cedar paneling and raw wood beams.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photos by Paul Dyer
Remodeling both the master and girls bathrooms included adding plenty of lighting and storage. Windows were doubled in size to bring in more natural light, and were changed to top-hinged windows for improved air circulation. Shaving and applying makeup are now a breeze with face flattering light surrounding the mirror.
Below, take a look at the base of the master vanity, do you notice the curved front ? It’s a small but mighty design detail that lightens the visual heft of the wood cabinet, and makes the overall space less rigid and softer.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photos by Paul Dyer
The marble floors and countertop surfaces also go together, quite literally. See how the marble counter wraps down the side of the vanity and right onto the marble floor? Creating one continuous surface avoids narrow non-cleanable gaps between the vanity and shower glass, and it looks cool too!
The master bath provides plenty of linen storage in deep recessed cabinets flush with the wall. In the girls bath, tower storage sits above the counter, with dedicated drawers for each sister so there’s no arguing over storage space for beauty products!
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer
The master bathroom has a warm, sophisticated look, and by contrast, the girls’ bathroom is youthful, fresh, and bright, while still including the same “grown-up” features – like the ultra contemporary sconces – which remain functional as they become teens.
In the girls bathroom, repetition unifies these spaces, while differences in finishes and colors makes each space unique. We used the same glass tiles, but this time in a brighter bolder blue that was hand picked by the girls. It makes you think of cool fresh water, and it contrasts crisply against the white cabinetry, glass knobs, and playful penny tile.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer
The girls bathroom has the same waterfall countertop as the master, but this time in practically indestructible white engineered quartz – a real lifesaver when cleaning up makeup residue or nail polish spills.
Notice again how the engineered quartz runs into the shower resulting in a countertop that’s both inside and outside of the shower at the same time, just like the master bath? Gaps are eliminated between shower glass and vanity, and it’s a clever way to utilize every inch of space in this compact bathroom while creating a modern design detail unique to this home.
We have shower seating in both bathrooms, with the girls’ seat softly curved and clad in our youthful penny tile, and the master bathroom has a cantilevered corner bench in the same marble as the countertop and floor – chic and more grown-up.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer
So there you have it: We created two clean, modern spaces in the same home, with a sophisticated master bath in warmer tones, and a girls’ bathroom that’s fresh, bright and crisp.
We achieved design cohesiveness by repeating shapes and architectural elements; and personalized the bathrooms with complementary but different colors. High-quality finishes in both spaces that were distinct from each other, creates a relationship between these two bathrooms that guarantees one big happy family.
Kimball Starr designs bathrooms and kitchens for homes throughout the San Francisco Bay and Lake Tahoe areas. Contact her today for your own personalized beautification plan!
Labels: bathroom, cabinets, color, countertops, modern design, modern style, tiling, transitional style
Mar 12, 2018 | Posted in Before & After |
When are diamonds NOT a girl’s best friend? When they adorn the walls of a dated kitchen! My clients’ dreary out-of-the-box 90’s kitchen was transformed into a bright, beautiful dream space for cook – read on to find out how!
BEFORE: Sunnyside dated kitchen
The original kitchen was a monument to the late 80’s/early 90’s, with cheap plastic-fronted appliances, boring cabinets, mismatched countertops, plus those diamond-shaped wall accents. Yuck!
The redesign for this San Francisco kitchen remodel created a kitchen that’s warm and modern. Opening up the space around the windows and keeping surfaces light in color allowed us to capture natural sunlight, and traditional cherry cabinetry brought warmth to complement the sunlight’s glow.
AFTER: Kitchen design by Kimball Starr / Photo by David Duncan Livingston
Tear down that wall! That’s exactly what we did to open up the space and create useful counter seating.
BEFORE: Lack of seating and diamond-shaped wall accents did NOT sparkle
With the newly-added seating, you can enjoy morning coffee and soak up the sun at this streamlined and space efficient counter area.
AFTER: Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by David Duncan Livingston
Sometimes too modern a kitchen can feel cold and out of place within a traditional home like this one that has cherry wood wainscoting throughout and original wood floors from the 1930’s. So I paired modern light gray quartz countertops with distressed pewter hardware, cherry cabinetry, and gorgeous limestone floors to give the kitchen warmth and soul.
However, limestone not for the faint of heart if you like perfect unstained surfaces! Limestone is commonly used in Europe and absorbs stains easily, which then develop into a lovely patina over time showing how much your kitchen is used and loved.
AFTER: Kitchen detail by Kimball Starr / Photos by David Duncan Livingston
Previously, the white appliances were difficult to keep clean, and looked dated. Continuing the diamond tile theme, it made the stove look like it was an afterthought!
BEFORE: White kitchen range and box-standard hood
With the new kitchen design, the contemporary appliances work with the beautiful cherry wood cabinetry instead of fighting it, appearing balanced and modern. The natural stone and glass mosaic backsplash brings a hint of color from the walls of the formal dining space into the kitchen, giving them a relationship without screaming “I match”.
AFTER: Kitchen renovation by Kimball Starr / Photo by David Duncan Livingston
Can you see the traditional dining room peeking out at the right of the space? The built-in cabinetry expresses the history of the home and continues the warm and modern between rooms, making the entire space feel complete and thought-out, as if it always belonged there.
Would you like this warm and modern kitchen design for your own home? I don’t need a diamond, just send me a message and let’s discover how I can transform your current challenge into the kitchen of your dreams, today!
Kimball Starr transforms lives one room at a time by providing bathroom and kitchen design for all outdated and unloved spaces throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe regions.
Labels: appliances, backsplash, before and after, cabinets, color, contemporary, counter seating, countertops, kitchen
Mar 01, 2018 | Posted in Before & After |
Don’t you just love a good bathroom makeover? Remodeling outdated and inefficient spaces is very rewarding, and the results are a beautiful reflection of the collaboration between myself and the client’s aesthetic and lifestyle.
This original bathroom needed a complete overhaul. With too shallow a tub, aging fixtures, and a supersized green and pink tile diamond greeting you in the shower every morning, it was enough to make you go back to bed and pull the covers over your head.
BEFORE: Sunnyside master bathroom
The design remodel of this compact master bathroom in a San Francisco home resulted in a beautiful, airy retreat. The transformation is amazing!
Goodbye shallow tub you could barely fit in, good riddance dreary lighting that gives you dark under-eye circles, arrivederci cracked vinyl floor tile, and hello gorgeous everything!
AFTER: Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by David Duncan Livingston
We installed tile wainscoting to keep with the traditional Arts & Crafts architecture of the home, and added white glass pendant lights and custom curved mirrors for a balance of contemporary and traditional.
Enlarged windows, deep tub, and pale colors instill this calm sanctuary with natural light. Statuary marble floors and handmade ceramic tiles keep the design timeless while enriching every moment spent in the bathroom.
AFTER: Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by David Duncan Livingston
That’s the first half of this makeover, done! Now for the powder room….
BEFORE: Sunnyside powder room
Have you ever had a powder room that’s just too small? A clever way to fix that is to break into the adjacent room! This powder room shared a wall with the water heater closet, so we relocated the water heater and used that closet space to add a sink area. Instant size upgrade!
AFTER: Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by David Duncan Livingston
This powder room before-and-after takes my breath away! Dark blue handmade tiles ground the walls, and are balanced above with pale and ethereal sea mist toned tiles. Statuary marble in various forms from tile to mosaic maintain visual interest and classic sophistication.
Wouldn’t this put a smile on your face every time you walk into the space? It certainly does to the house guests in this home!
AFTER: Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by David Duncan Livingston
You can have a fantastic remodel like this for YOUR home, too! Just drop me a line and tell me about your home’s challenges. If you transform your home, it will transform your life!
Kimball Starr transforms lives one room at a time by providing bathroom and kitchen design for all outdated and unloved spaces throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe regions.
Feb 12, 2018 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |
When you host an event at your home, whether it’s a formal dinner or an informal gathering, most of the time everyone hangs out in the kitchen — whether you want them to or not. Here’s how to transform a less-than-ideal kitchen into the heart of your home… in time for Valentine’s Day or any day!
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer.
If your kitchen feels dark and dreary, the best action you can take is to reveal more light! Someone once said, “If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then windows are the soul.” Enlarge exterior windows or add a skylight to bring more natural light in and make the space feel more airy. If you can’t knock through walls or ceilings, you can more easily add pendant lights to your existing space.
Once you have a brighter kitchen, adding an island will create additional workspace, doubling as a gathering space where everyone will want to sit and chat while you cook. Make sure your island includes seating and storage, and fits into the kitchen work triangle whenever possible.
The way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach, and a great way to ensure quality ingredients is with quality appliances. This Belmont kitchen renovation added a Sub-zero refrigerator and Wolf oven/range combination. Investing in high-end appliances that last a long time, won’t break down, and perform well such as evenly heating throughout, will make this kitchen a delight for years to come.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer.
Special finishes such as a great backsplash provide excitement and enjoyment that you can live with a long time. But if you do change your mind, it’s relatively easy and fast to replace, without making your kitchen a construction zone.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer.
Bring in warm elements. In this San Francisco farmhouse, the countertop next to the range is made warm and inviting by adding an end-grain butcher block to one end. A single section means it’s easier to keep clean than an entire countertop made of wood, and it’s charming!
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer.
Good space flow, warm elements, quality appliances, and natural light will make your kitchen a place that nourishes both body and mind. Give your kitchen some love today and contact us to turn your kitchen into the heart of the home.
San Francisco Bay Area interior designer Kimball Starr, provides kitchen and bathroom design for homes throughout Northern California and Lake Tahoe region.
Labels: appliances, backsplash, countertops, kitchen, pendant lights, skylights, tips, windows
