Have you ever been in a powder room that really made you say, Wow? Was it a single detail that bowled you over, or the coordination of multiple materials in such a small space? Let’s look at some of my work on powder rooms to learn more.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Steph Dewey
A mix of patterns and shapes adds energy to this small-but-mighty powder room in a transitional home. From the vertical backsplash wall tiling with a wall-mounted single spigot to the geometrically-patterned flooring, joined by grey-blue cabinetry with clear acrylic handles, this little room is smartly appointed, if I do say so myself!
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by David Duncan Livingston
The many colors, patterns, and textures in my Sunnyside client’s powder room are unified by the color scheme of blues and blue-greys. Notice the marble continued on the ceiling inset in a different scale from the marble floor tile, repeating but not copying each other. Repetition is one of the hallmarks of good design.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
This is a detail view with bold impact. The above-counter stone basin is the star here, with a single waterfall spigot, while the teardrop mirror is a simple, usable, and stylish addition.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
This one isn’t solely a powder room, but we’re looking at just a portion of the space. Here the wall mount toilet is a space savings, leaving more open floor. Wood-look plank floor tiles keep the space easy to clean. Using a small amount of veining in the marble wall tiling maintains interest while not overwhelming the space.
Design and photo by Kimball Starr
Here we made a toilet niche interesting with textural stone. While not technically a full powder room, this stand-alone toilet room has the same project goal of providing interest with the textural stone tiles while maintaining usability in a very small space. Do you think we achieved that goal?
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.
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.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Joe Fletcher
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.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
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.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
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.
Photo courtesy Viewrail
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:
Photo courtesy Lightoro
This projector LED floor lamp can create multiple overlays and shapes.
Photo courtesy Lightoro
A Sunset table lamp throws the shape and color of the sun onto your walls or artwork.
Photo courtesy Lightoro
This table lamp washes light in a long slice, creating an exciting accent.
Photo courtesy Lightoro
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?
Photo courtesy Artisan Signature Homes
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.
Photo courtesy TomHowley.co.uk
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.
Photo courtesy House of Rohl
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.
Or you can make the bed visible to keep an eye on your pooch. Kitchen islands are often perfectly sized for this.
Photo courtesy Ladisicfinehomes
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!
Photo courtesy Valerie Wilcox and Stacey Brandford for Sarah Richardson Design
Dining height end with a matching backboard. These colors make my heart SING!
Design by Jean Stoffer Design | Photo by John Stoffer
Pill-shaped islands are HUGE this year, and practical.
Photo courtesy Katrina Chambers
Dining and counter heights combined in a linear space with stylish display shelving underneath.
Photo courtesy Andrea Calo for Pavonetti Architecture
A one-surface waterfall island allows for multiple heights and shapes, echoing the exposed wood beams.
Photo courtesy Andrea Calo for Pavonetti Architecture
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.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Client
Alternating chair backs play with materials and a connection to nature in a simple and elegant dining room.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Client
Green subway tiles throughout the kitchen and breakfast nook bridge transitional styles while exhibiting casual elegance.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Client
We matched the dining room wood flooring in the kitchen and breakfast corner to keep continuous materials throughout the house.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Client
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.
