More than just a way to get from one floor to another, staircase designs can truly uplift your spirit. Here are three of my own designs and an image from the web.
A stunning circular staircase is surrounded by a moveable bookcase –- one of my favorite project solutions for a San Francisco condo. Subtle pattern keeps the exterior from looking too industrial, while the interior is painted a warm orange to match the statue wall inset.
This elegant traditional staircase lives happily alongside midcentury modern furnishings in another of my projects in San Francisco. Notice how the end is curled and finished neatly without a fussy finial.
My Belmont client’s home has a cabin feel that’s uplifted by modern balustrades and glass pendant lighting. We kept the natural oak color in contrast with the knotty pine-clad walls, so it doesn’t get lost in the existing wood paneling, which the client wanted to keep. Specifying the balusters in blue ties it in with the kitchen, from which this staircase is visible.
Here’s a beautiful example from the web: I just adore a wooden floating staircase with metal accents, especially when it has a little twist and landing partway up. So modern and clean.
Kimball Starr designs staircases for stylish homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
I’m a fan of lighting design. One of the cool, modern trends I’ve seen recently is created by projecting light. Here’s what I mean:
This projector LED floor lamp can create multiple overlays and shapes.
A Sunset table lamp throws the shape and color of the sun onto your walls or artwork.
This table lamp washes light in a long slice, creating an exciting accent.
The PostKrisi Sun wall lamp displays its unique texture as an interplay of light with tendrils of material.
Would any of these bring excitement to your next project?
Kimball Starr designs with lighting for stylish homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
We love furry friends; they’re part of the family. Why not design your kitchen so they can hang out with you, too?
A dog washing station is integrated in the laundry corner along with built-in feeding stations for dogs and cats over a beautiful and useful herringbone tile floor. Keeping your pet friends clean is made easier for you by good interior design.
A large hidden storage bin can really help with oversize bags of pet food, as can tucking the bed away under a desk with supplies on the shelves above.
Create a water and food station in your kitchen island using a pot filler for stylish convenience. The slick subway tiles contrast with the gorgeous grey-green finish of the cabinets here.
This country cabinet cutout provides a space for a kitty or small dog to feel safer from the outside world with a hidden bed.
Or you can make the bed visible to keep an eye on your pooch. Kitchen islands are often perfectly sized for this.
Give them access to the outdoors using a real metal door, sized for pets. Then you can focus on your cooking and your guests.
Kimball Starr designs for pet-friendly homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
Out with counter-height and bar-height, in with dining-height counters plus other kitchen island trends!
Dining height end with a matching backboard. These colors make my heart SING!
Pill-shaped islands are HUGE this year, and practical.
Dining and counter heights combined in a linear space with stylish display shelving underneath.
A one-surface waterfall island allows for multiple heights and shapes, echoing the exposed wood beams.
Two materials: Espresso-finish wood combined with a striped marble for an elegant finish.
Kimball Starr designs for trendy and classic homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
What a difference color and texture can make! In this San Francisco home, we removed old wallpaper and replaced it with a green subway tile backsplash continued throughout the space to unify the kitchen and dining areas. Now they’re bright and stylish.
Alternating chair backs play with materials and a connection to nature in a simple and elegant dining room.
Green subway tiles throughout the kitchen and breakfast nook bridge transitional styles while exhibiting casual elegance.
We matched the dining room wood flooring in the kitchen and breakfast corner to keep continuous materials throughout the house.
A bright, serene living room makes a statement with simplicity.
Kimball Starr designs for casual, elegant homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
What kid didn’t want to live among the treetops every summer? I sure did, and still do! Here are some inspiring treehouses in Northern California.
Post Ranch Inn Treehouse
This treehouse is very modern, with full height glass windows and skylights.
You’d expect a treehouse to be full of wood elements, but perhaps not to be as classy as this. LOVE the wood-burning stove and arched doorway.
Grab some me-time in a beautiful, relaxing wood-clad bathroom with a double sink and walk-in shower, plus a skylight for star-gazing.
Take in the dappled sunset through the forest in these Adirondack-style loungers.
Pinecone Treehouse
The Pinecone Treehouse will immerse you in 360-degree views of the upper canopy in the magnificent Redwood forests of Bonny Doon, 60 feet above the ground.
The calming effects of this wooded setting can lull you into deep rest and introspection by giving the impression you’re floating through the upper redwood canopy thanks to its two triangle-shaped see-through floor panels. Not for the faint of heart, though! A steep ladder must be traversed.
Kimball Starr designs for unique homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.