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Bathroom Upgrades

Feb 06, 2023 | Posted in Trends |

Houzz surveyed homeowners about their bathrooms, and the results are fascinating!

A bathroom vanity in natural wood finish fronted cabinetry, with a pair of round white vessel slinks below matching mirrors on the wall, below matching triple sconce lights. A plant sits at the right of the space with a folding seat and white towel at the left.
Photo courtesy Houzz

76% of homeowners upgrade their vanity cabinets during a bathroom renovation. This is often due to either upgrading bathroom systems, or the bathroom’s style. Natural, unpainted wood is the most popular vanity finish material, currently.

A corner curbless shower in white, and off-white wall tiles with tan and beige floor tiles at an angle. A clear glass door at the front. A clear glass half-wall at the top and tiling at the bottom separates the shower from the countertop and sink area.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Transitional is the most popular bathroom style, with modern and contemporary tied for second place. This is a change over previous years, where modern was the most popular. Curbless showers are very popular now also, when looking at bathroom renovation trends, such as the one above I designed for a San Francisco couple.

A bathroom's white 90-degree angled tiled wall sits just below a dark green textured wallpaper. Mirror, basin sink, brass wall taps, and a medium-light wood vanity with 6 drawers and horizontal black drawer pulls is beside a white toilet on blonde wood flooring.
Photo courtesy Houzz

Hiring pros remains popular, with 85% of homeowners choosing to use a professional on a renovation, up from 84 and 83% the prior years. This is an important choice, because going it alone can result in overspending as well as an extended timeline. Eek!

A green wooden double-sink vanity sits below a pair of matching mirrors and double sconce lights with brass fixtures, and tall heptagonal tiles on the wall. A white toilet sits to the right.
Photo courtesy Houzz

Finally, relaxation in a bathroom after a renovation is complete is often a project goal, with 2 in 5 homeowners wanting to rest and relax in their upgraded bathroom. Among the many contributing elements are cleanliness, lack of clutter, soaking in the bath and taking long showers.

A partly open frosted shower door at the far left of the image, while in the foreground, a double-sink marble countertop over dark wood cabinetry, with a pair of mirrored medicine cabinets, above varied wood-look floor tiling. Recessed ceiling lights shine down on the bathroom as a whole.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

In addition to being the top relaxation aid, cleanliness also saw the biggest increase in popularity, up by 10 percent. Natural light, dimmable lighting, and greenery gained popularity with homeowners seeking bathroom tranquility as well. So, whatever your heart’s desire, you should follow that rather than trends in your bathroom renovation, with guidance from a pro.

Kimball Starr designs for bathrooms throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.

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Pantone COTY 2023

Jan 23, 2023 | Posted in Trends |

One of my favorite January traditions is discovering the Pantone Color of the Year, and thinking about how I would use it in my upcoming work this year.

Viva Magenta horizontal color shown as cracking layers that form a face, while white text is overlaid, reading Welcome to the Magentaverse and Color of the Year 2023 PANTONE - Viva Magenta 18-1750.
Image courtesy Pantone

Viva Magenta is from the red family, with a hint of pinkish-purple. A strong, bold color that enhances appetites and creates energy.

A quote from Pantone's executive director Leatrice Eiseman written in white lettering across a varied background in Viva Magenta color, which reads, In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known. Rooted in the primordial, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.
Photo and quote courtesy Pantone

Next, let’s look at some of the creative partnerships and products available using Viva Magenta.

Artechouse, a technology-driven experiential art firm, is partnering with Pantone to produce the Pantone Color of the Year 2023 immersive art experience, a multi-sensory exhibition that allows guests to feel the power of a hue scaled to fantastical proportions.

The outlines of people in shadow standing against an illuminated wall of organic plant-like steams reaching out and unfurling, in the Viva Magenta color.
Photo courtesy Pantone

The exhibition opened during Art Basel in Miami Beach for Art Basel attendees and then opened to the public for the first time in the four years they’ve hosted the exhibition. Historic!

A Motorola cell phone in Viva Magenta with 2 cameras and a flash features the Pantone color chip logo at the bottom, below the Motorola logo in the center. Behind, a phone case bears an illustration of shapes in colors like pink, fuscia, and of course, Viva Magenta.
Photo courtesy Motorola

Motorola is collaborating with Pantone to provide this new Viva Magenta phone, and I bet we’ll see a variety of phone cases available in the new hue as well, for both iPhone and Android.

A pair of feet in slip-on shoes in the Viva Magenta color with thick white soles are jumping into the air against a white background.
Photo courtesy Cariuma

Conscious skate shoe brand Cariuma is Pantone’s official footwear partner for Viva the Pantone Color of the Year 2023. Their shoes are crafted from premium ethically sourced materials and all six styles celebrate Pantone’s Viva Magenta, so you can wear this trending color around town and dress it up or down. Your kids will think you’re pretty cool.

3 fabric samples called memos in a row. First is a repeating patterns of off-white bunnies, leaping and playing among flowers on a background of Viva Magenta. In the center, a delicate floral pattern of tiny white flowers on a ground of Viva Magenta. On the right, a repeating pattern of love birds in Viva Magenta on a beige background. All are labeled with the designer's name and the name of the fabric.
Images courtesy Spoonflower

Finally, let’s look at something specific to interiors — surface pattern design. The fabric firm Spoonflower and Pantone together unveiled unique designs by six independent artists at the color reveal event. The partnership also includes a quarterly series of design challenges kicked off on December 1 with Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year reveal.

Viva Magenta, indeed! I can’t wait to use this fantastic color in a project this year. Could it be yours?

Kimball Starr designs for trendy and timeless homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.

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Refresh and Renew in the New Year

Jan 09, 2023 | Posted in Inspirations |

Welcome to another new year! One of the best things about the start of a new year is the opportunity to take stock of how things are serving you, to refresh and renew your environment and your life. Your home has such an impact on your day-to-day happiness!

Two images side-by-side. On the left, a farmhouse kitchen with white cabinetry, penny tiles on the floor, tan and white geometric backsplash tiling, with butcher block counter at the end, and a round black metal pendant light with candelabra lights in the center and recessed lighting spread throughout the kitchen.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

You could have a brand-new redesigned kitchen to enjoy feeding yourself and your family every day, instead of struggling with the limitations of your current kitchen.

A pair of images of a midcentury-inspired living and dining room space. On the left, medium wood table and chairs with fabric in black and white geometric shapes sit in front of a bright blue sideboard unit. Above the sideboard is a natural wood wall sculpture and to the left is a tall fiddle plant. In the right image, a closeup of a piece of the wall sculpture, and a small live plant clipping in a vase with clear water sits atop a small stack of books on top of the bright blue sideboard.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Enjoy a new dining room or living room that shows off your vintage furniture, collectibles, and provides space for family time.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Take advantage of some “me-time” in a beautiful, relaxing new bathroom with a step-in shower and luxurious oversized marble-look tiles. Or if you want a claw-foot bathtub, we can do that too! The possibilities are limited only by your imagination, so let’s get started on your dream home.

Kimball Starr designs for homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.

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Holiday Hosting Tips

Dec 19, 2022 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

A woman of color hanging a Christmas stocking from a pine garland above a mantle-less ribbon fireplace in a light-colored living room with light streaming in the side window.
Photo courtesy Getty Images via Apartment Therapy

First, declutter and clean your home before decorating. Create a system to deal with incoming and outgoing packages and gifts.

A framed sign with wifi login details, a woven basket containing shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, with 2 small rolled white facial towels. The basket is sitting atop a larger white folded body towel.
Photo courtesy Flickr

Next, prepare a welcoming guest bedroom and bathroom with a gift box or stocking full of helpful personal care goodies. Use holiday storage boxes for everyday items such as towels.

Holiday table with a large red fabric napkin in a gold ring laid above a wooden laser printed word 'merry' atop a white plate, on top of a gold charger, layered on top of a silver place setting, with gold tableware either side, and glasses and candles above.
Photo courtesy Etsy

Plan the drinks and food for your guests, with personalized table settings for formal meals and more casual dining, too. Start a month ahead to order and receive everything, or if there’s less time, use quick delivery services.

A red, green, black, and white plaid table runner underneath a red and white place setting with 2 Santa-shaped drinks containers, one tall and one short and round. A bowl of holiday-colored candies and a wrapped gift adorn the table, along with red handled silverware. A red dining chair and decorated Christmas tree are just out of focus behind.
Photo courtesy The Party Teacher

Have a kids’ table AND a kids’ corner, so they can leave the table and have a cozy place to hang out. Bonus points for a gaming system, and be sure to have the wi-fi info handy!

A woman with dark hair and fair skin is laying with her eyes closed atop a folded spa towel, while a grouping of candles are slightly out of focus in the background. A pair of hands is gently massing her head.
Photo courtesy aestheticsglow.com

Don’t forget self-care after your guests are gone. Hire a cleaner, go to a spa, or get the babysitter in so you have some time to yourself.

Happy holidays from Kimball Starr Interior Design!

Kimball Starr decorates for the holidays in homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.

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Gorgeous Front Doors

Dec 05, 2022 | Posted in Inspirations |

Inspirational entrances, if you’re thinking of making a change or just love to see what’s out there!

A light turquoise colored shiplapped exterior of a house, with a purple front door and wisteria vines up the left side and over the door. Metal railings at the front with an open gate.
Photo courtesy thedoorsofldn blog

Love the colors and the wisteria!

A large off-white stone arch surrounds a reddish wood arched front door, studded with metalwork. The brickwork around the stone is off-white and yellowish in tone. A single brick step leads to the door.
Photo courtesy Windstar Homes

The color of the brickwork tones with the stone surround and door, appearing even more impressive and regal with the arched shapes.

A large champagne-colored squareish front door with a circular handle in the center, and another more functional handle in the traditional spot on the right. A row of black-leaded side window lights balance the door, with a black-leaded spiderweb appearing to hang from the rectangular window above the door.
Photo courtesy TheGlamPad.com

Circular shapes artfully meld with this square door. The spider web window neatly bridges the two shapes.

Bright orange front door between two glass highlights either side inset into a white brick wall, plus two small trees in oversize bright green pots flank the door. Two wall sconces are above the trees, either side of an arched window at the top.
Photo courtesy ConfettiStyle.com

I’m always attracted to color! Balance is great here also.

Two front doors, side-by-side, outlined in white with white columns between them. Door on left is turquoise blue, door on right is yellow. Both have circular windows with 4 square lines, and black center door knobs with black mail slots. On the left, the black and white checkerboard tiling squares on the ground are very small. On the right, the checkerboard tiling squares are larger.
Photo courtesy thedoorsofldn blog

A pair of doors, showing how to group neighbors together through color, shape, and door furniture. The checkered tiling in different scales is whimsical and fun, paired with the different color doors.

Kimball Starr designs gorgeous front entrances for homes around the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a socially-distanced or remote consultation.

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Grateful Gourds

Nov 21, 2022 | Posted in Inspirations |

Don’t just go for the same old brown/orange/yellow Thanksgiving color scheme this year!

Overhead view of a Thanksgiving dining table with grey plates on top of bigger white plates with scalloped edges, and grey and white striped cloth napkins folded under springs of greenery. Silverware is set either side with 2 forks, 2 knives, and a spoon for each place setting, plus a water glass. In the center of the table are 29 small pumpkins in multiple sizes, painted varying shades of solid navy blue, solid sky blue, solid gold, solid white, solid tan, one in tan, gold, and orange stripes, and a solid shiny orange color. All are set upon a plain exposed wood plank table.
Photo courtesy Casa de Perin

This cluster of painted pumpkins is delightful, paired with striped napkins and grey-blue plates.

A traditional wooden table set with stacked plates in gold and black edging, with a glass pedestal bowl on top containing a gold painted mini pumpkin. Tall candleholders in gold with greenery around them and more place settings are out-of-focus in the background on the rest of the table.
Photo courtesy FamilyHoliday.net

White, black, and gold-rimmed place settings create an elevated dining experience, along with gold-painted pumpkins as décor.

A clustered table of clear glasses, silver pitcher, white candles in brass candle holders, and wooden square boxes overflowing with orange and red peppers, tomatoes, apples, and other fruits and vegetables, along with orange flowers, and green plants out of focus in the background.
Photo courtesy Decoist

A colorful, edible centerpiece makes for easy clean-up! Swap in LED candles for less fire risk.

White painted wooden slats on the walls behind are the backdrop to a dining table covered with a gold and white large checked tablecloth set with white plates, clear glasses, and silverware. A bold centerpiece is created by tying together gold and copper painted ears of corn standing on their ends, filled with fresh flowers in red, white, orange, pink, yellow, and plenty of greenery.
Photo courtesy Brian Woodcock

Gold- and copper-painted ears of corn supporting a floral arrangement forms a lovely organic centerpiece, atop an off-cut slice of tree trunk.

An outdoor dining table is set with a tartan throw blanket in green, red, and white plaid laid at an angle so that the fringe extends down either side on the diagonal. Plates are stacked with fabric napkins, set between gold metal stemware, while white mini pumpkins, a glass pumpkin in orange, natural pinecones with moss, and multiple stag horns adorn the center of the table.
Photo courtesy Flamingo Toes

A hunting theme with tartan fabrics, animal plates, and stag accents is sure to please any outdoorsman.

A table painted with black chalkboard paint has a white plate with dots and concentric circles set in the center, surrounded by drawn-on chalk leaves and a hand-drawn name ribbon. Atop the plate is a red fabric napkin rolled into a tube and fastened with sprig of red berries and leaves. Either side are a gold knife and fork, with a gold drinking glass above. At the top of the image, in the center of the table, is a layer of green leaves and stems, with red pomegranates scattered throughout.
Photo courtesy Good Housekeeping

Chalkboard paint on a table to create your own accents and place settings. Provide colored chalk at the kids table for a work of shared art at the end of the meal!

Kimball Starr designs for entertaining in homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.

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