You might overlook them, tucked away on your walls, but light switch plates are an opportunity to infuse your home with good design. They’re not just functional, they’re subtle taste statements.
Let’s peek at a few American options beyond the basic builder-grade plastic model pictured below. Other countries will have similar but different versions specific to their electrical needs, so we aren’t discussing those here.
Think about upgrading your lights themselves with dimmers or sliders, for a beautiful, truly functional value-add. Your home instantly looks more cohesive with the right level of lighting for each space.
PRO TIP: Use smart switches instead of installing spendy smart bulbs to replace your standard bulbs. Check that your LED bulbs allow for dimming – not all do.
Consider the elegance of seamless, screwless plates. They offer a clean, modern look that melts into the wall, allowing your bolder design elements to sing.
Then there are plates that embrace texture and material. Think metal finishes – brushed nickel for a contemporary feel, or a warmer brass for classic charm.
For a bolder statement, explore decorative plates with patterns or unique shapes. Just make sure they harmonize with your overall design, instead of competing for attention.
Inspired by our love of Mad Men, interior decor and summer cocktails, we’re continuing a fun series of posts pairing design and drinks to inspire your own entertaining and interior design style combinations.
Today, a kicky bungalow patio is paired with melon-infused goodness to celebrate summer breezes and fresh fruit season.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal
Above in a Palo Alto backyard, we designed the patio with outdoor furniture made of a contemporary resin material with the look of wicker but much more durable. The patio’s outdoor umbrella has a built-in light to read or navigate the space after sunset.
You’ll never have trouble finding your cocktail with these playful illuminating cube tables that double as additional seating. The bright green outdoor fabric on these loveseats is designed to last through years of rain, wind, and sunlight without fading or becoming frayed – it dries quickly and covers a comfortable marine-grade cushion.
To enjoy this outdoor space on a warm summer night, we recommend the Honey Deuce, a lovely light cocktail created by Nick Mautone, Master Mixologist for Grey Goose, for the US Open Tennis Championship. It includes vodka, raspberry liqueur, lemonade and honeydew melon balls for a taste that beats the heat.
1 and 1/4 parts Grey Goose Vodka
Fresh-squeezed lemonade
1/2 part Chambord or premium raspberry liqueur
Crushed ice
Honeydew melon balls for garnish
Get other pairing ideas by visiting our Pinterest Drinks & Décor Pairings page. For a non-alcoholic version, we love Melon Ball Punch! Mix watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, and limes with lemon-lime soda, lemonade and another secret ingredient you can find by visiting our Pinterest post.
If you need help designing an indoor-outdoor space for entertaining, or you just want to live outdoors, we’re also outdoor living design experts, so get in touch today! We help you discover the possibilities of your own backyard.
Kimball Starr Interior Design is an award-winninginterior design firm specializing in contemporary interiors and outdoor living for the San Francisco, Peninsula, Marin, San Jose, and Lake Tahoe areas. Kimball Starr changes lives one room at a time by creating spaces tailored specially for you.
One of my favorite rooms to design is a powder room. It needs to really wow you without overwhelming. Here are 3 of my favorites!
The star of this contemporary powder room above is the colorful, patterned flooring, contrasted with clear drawer pulls on a custom cabinet under a wide white countertop and sink. Or is it the fabulous angled wall tiling contrasted with the curved mirror, under a gorgeous light fixture? So hard to choose!
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by David Duncan Livingston
The beauty of this petite powder room is the finishes. Multiple colors are captured in the wall surround, coordinated with the niche tile and two-toned ceramic wall tiles. Another marbled tile completes the niche ceiling, while the wood mirror frame coordinates with the rest of the house. Totally unique styling.
Design and photo by Kimball Starr
This unfinished child’s bathroom features fun and funky Moroccan-inspired tiled flooring that kids will love! Notice the white tiled wall niche contrasting with the shower’s grey subway tiling. The glass shower door is the final piece yet to be installed to complete the space.
Kimball Starr designs gorgeous bathrooms throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or in-person consultation.
You’re probably noticing the 1970s retro revival is a significant trend in interior design right now. This revival is characterized by incorporating elements from the 1970s into modern spaces, such as bold colors, geometric patterns, natural materials, and layered textures.
Here’s a more detailed look at the 1970s retro revival in interiors, which is seen as a playful and sophisticated blend of the past and present.
Why the Revival is Popular
Nostalgia
Many people are drawn to the nostalgia of the 1970s, including those who grew up during that era or had older siblings who did.
Global Bohemian
The look found in the 70s can be called Global Bohemian. The Morroccan table by the front door, the stringed instruments displayed on the wall, zig zag patterns on the Pearsall chair fabric, and the shag-like rug are all elements of the Global Bohemian look and feel in this Palo Alto vintage bungalow. People are drawn to these elements because they’re textural, playful, and familiar.
Key Elements
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal
Bold Colors
The 1970s were known for their vibrant and sometimes unconventional color palettes and combinations. Revival brings back earthy tones like avocado green, mustard yellow, and burnt orange, sometimes paired with modern, more muted hues such as grey or navy blue to create a balanced look.
Geometric Patterns & Abstract Shapes
Geometric patterns, seen on items such as wallpapers to upholstery, were a defining feature of the 1970s. This revival embraces them, along with abstract shapes and sculptural furniture.
Natural Materials & Textiles
Wood, rattan, macrame, and wicker were staples of 1970s homes, and they continue to be popular in the revival, adding warmth and texture to our modern spaces.
Statement Lighting
1970s lighting design was bold and dramatic. The current revival embraces this with statement lighting fixtures such as oversize pendant lights, globe lamps, and chandeliers with a retro, kitsch leaning.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal
Modern Twist
While the revival embraces elements from the 1970s, it also incorporates a modern twist. This means using these retro elements in a way that feels contemporary and stylish, often by pairing them with clean, modern lines and minimalist touches, as you can see with the two-seat leather sofa here combined with 70s lamps and fabrics. Fun!
Kimball Starr designs modern homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe that incorporate a vintage look. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
Travel brings out the best in us, gives us the freedom to explore and the space to find ourselves. A treasured find, brought back to capture memories of a secluded beach, a romantic getaway, or a panoramic view can provide the basis for highly personal interior design at home.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
Take, for example, this contemporary Guatemalan–inspired living room, created for a retired couple who spend half their time in a contemporary 2-bedroom condo with views of downtown San Francisco, and the rest of the time in Antigua, Guatemala. Travel is an integral part of the homeowners’ lives, and they wanted to bring back the rich woven textiles and vibrant colors of their Central American journeys to their stateside home. To reflect this cultural reference in the living room, a table base used in a Guatemalan wedding precession supports a custom-cut glass top to create the couple’s coffee table.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
The adjacent dining room highlights an art piece created from textured paint on plaster, inspired by the weathering, layering and patina of a building’s exterior in the Central American climate. Colors and fabrics used throughout the space were thoughtfully selected to remind the couple of their Guatemalan experiences and spark conversation with their guests. For example, an Eero Saarinen oval pedestal dining table in marble is paired with bright red B&B Italia dining chairs with silver zippers up the back, visible in the open plan living area.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
Artisan textiles are the focal point of the bedroom, based on the Guatemalan tapestry brought back from the owner’s travels. We hung it right over the headboard as a statement piece, and then upholstered the bench in a similar hand-sewn fabric. The throw blanket was also an Antigua find in the Guatemalan markets, and we had colorful tassels added as a playful fringe. The bedding is finished off with a decorative pillow to visually tie together all the handmade textiles.
Upholstering the bed in an inky-blue velvet provides a balance of sensuality and calm to the multiple patterns. Wood-tiled drawer fronts on the nightstands paired with glass jug bases for lamps complete the handcrafted style, but balance nicely with a modern aesthetic. An excellent additional choice might be woven baskets, used by locals to carry items to and from market.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
It was exciting to work with the homeowners and bring what they love about their life and travels into their home. Not only was I able to make their interior spaces function better for their individual lifestyles, I was also able to give them a beautiful home they love and remind them of their happiest moments and experiences in their lives.
Kimball Starr utilizes your treasured travel find to design a space that’s uniquely YOU. Contact her today for a consultation anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area / Northern California, plus Lake Tahoe and Nevada.
Do you have pesky problems in the kitchen, specifically how to organize and best use your drawers?
Photo courtesy Rev-A-Shelf
The struggle is real when finding a matching lid for food storage. A pull-out drawer with racks and separators solves the problem.
Photo courtesy Diamond Cabinets
This standard slide-out cabinet has vertical storage for kitchen tools that clutter up your countertops. Slots hold the containers securely so your tools won’t fall out.
Photo courtesy Annie Schlechter via House Beautiful
Moveable pegboard drawers for organizing crockery. Change it when you change seasonal sets.
Photo courtesy Decora Cabinets
Trouble deciding on a K-cup? You need a second drink, clearly.
Kimball Starr designs for beautiful kitchens throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
