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Tiling Trends

Sep 20, 2021 | Posted in Trends |

Catching up on trends in tiling styles and designs in the USA.

An entryway featuring latticework criss-cross tiling in tan, black, and white, leading to partially open black french doors into another hallway with wooden floors. In the main entry you see a console table dressed with plants and books, a free-standing hat and coatrack, a hint of green plant off the right, and mirrors and artwork hung on walls either side.
Photo courtesy Original Style

New Heritage tiles – These look great in traditional, transitional, and contemporary homes.

A simple white table with cane chair, dressed with a black vase of orange planting, white bowl and plate, and orange napkin. Behind the table is a patchwork collection of retro geometric patterned tiles on a wall, in cornflower blue, turquoise, mint green, black and white.
Photo courtesy Mandarin Stone

Retro concrete tiles – we’re seeing a lot of wall patterns like this, for a fun and funky space.

A colorful bathroom with blue and white wavy tiles on the floor, and large blue hexagons on the wall behind a white soaking tub with yellow towel hung over the side. To the right, the wall is rose pink all the way into the deep window seat.
Photo courtesy Mandarin Stone

Hexagons and colorful shapes are a big trend right now in bathrooms and kitchens.

On the floor, oversized subway tiles in terracotta with white grout. On the walls, hugely oversized square tiles in turquoise blue with a rust patina. A matching turquoise armchair on 4 wooden legs faces away from a small black metal round side table dressed with two vases.
Photo courtesy Mandarin Stone

Dark drama – The trends here are two-fold: Large, oversized tiles, and also a dramatic blend of color and pattern.

Photo courtesy Tile of Spain

Spa style tiles – The keys to this trend are texture, layering, and harmonious materials.

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

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Coffee Bar at Home

Sep 06, 2021 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

A custom shite cabinet filled with a Miehle coffee machine, wooden racks for tea and coffee, and on the counterspace, a toaster and French press, that all close away inside the cupboards.
Design and photo by Humphrey Munson

I don’t know about you but I can’t start my day until I’ve had a cup of coffee. That rich, aromatic smell of ground beans, the sumptuousness of adding thick creamer and sugar, the ritual of holding a hot mug and sipping until you’re pleasantly awake and alert. To create a coffee bar in your home, here are some ideas.

A pair of white cupboard doors open to reveal a small freestanding coffee maker, multiple cups and saucers, and on the top right shelf, wine glasses. A small wine fridge and bottle storage is just visible behind a partially open cupboard door. Underneath is a white drawer with silver handles.
Photo courtesy Designpad

Choose whether to have a full-service coffee machine, French press, or single cup server like a Keurig.

A custom built-in Miehle coffee machine above a partially-open stainless steel drawer filled with white cups and saucers. Dark wood cabinetry is visible above and below.
Photo courtesy HGTV

Where will you locate your coffee bar? A dedicated set of shelves and counter space or a classy built-in are good options.

A private home is designed to look like a coffee bar, with a long bench seat and banquette along the left wall around a wooden slab table. The coffee bar itself is at the far end under a sign 'Cafe' with a chalkboard wall for graffiti, and an island with cooking surface and vent overhead visible on the right side. The sink and fridge are on the far right wall, in black countertops and white cabinetry with silver door and drawer furniture. Dark wooden floors welcome you into the long space.
Design by Peti Lau, Inc / Photo by Leslie Fisher

Providing a place to sit and talk or read while you sip your hot coffee is delightful for you and your guests.

A custom slide-out with a small coffee machine, creamer and sugar, underneath a shelf of colorful mugs, next to a window with a view to the outside. White cabinetry with black countertops, silver and dark metal drawer pulls and handles are visible next to a small stripe of exposed brick off to the left of the window. A plate of oranges dresses the counter.
Photo courtesy InDetail Interiors via Houzz

Personalize your coffee bar for that down-home touch. What a great way to kickstart a fun day!

Kimball Starr designs welcoming homes with coffee bars throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a socially-distanced in-person or remote consultation!

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Concrete Style

Aug 23, 2021 | Posted in Inspirations |

Black-and-white photo of the exterior of a large building with vaulted arch shapes that come down to touch the ground in between upward swoops, with chairs and tables inside. The outside is surrounded by trees.
Design by Félix Candela / Photo courtesy archdaily.com

Today we’re looking at designs created with concrete. “It’s too severe to be inspirational” I hear you say. Well, let me prove you wrong!

Design by Félix Candela / Photo courtesy rkett.com

Many architects and engineers use the ability of reinforced concrete to produce structures of surprising lightness which, despite being made of masonry, barely appear to touch the ground.

Félix Candela was one of the earliest and best to focus on arches and vaults in the form of parabolas, efficiently directing the structural forces inside the material, which makes this 1958 Mexico City restaurant called Los Manatiales lighter still.

Plain long bench seats with backs face toward the front of a small chapel built from concrete, finished with a textural brick-like feeling. The top forward end of the space is open to the sky, allowing light to stream in onto the benches.
Design by and photo courtesy joaquim portela arquitetos

Cohen Chapel in Switzerland, built in 2017, both protects against the elements and invites elements in, with beams of light streaming down onto simple bench seats, surrounded by stratified concrete walls with a textural feeling, open to the sky at the top.

The exterior of a small, unusually-shaped concrete structure is surrounded by trees and vines. The building resembles a backwards L, with a window opening peeking out of the bottom squared-off end of the L. The sky above is blue with light clouds.
Design by and photo courtesy joaquim portela arquitetos

The unusual design of the chapel is a hideaway from the mountainous countryside, a way to focus on more spiritual concerns.

Four white concrete structures with rectangular window openings built with very large blocks appear to float on the surface of the water surrounding them. A metal dome rises behind, made of septagonal shapes overlapped in layers. The sky is clear blue above, and the water is green-blue.
Design by Atelier Jean Nouvel / Photo by Luc Castel via Getty Images

In the Louvre Abu Dhabi, light-colored concrete blocks seem to float weightlessly, while the stainless-steel-and-aluminum dome forms star-shaped patterns when the light shines through in a dazzling effect for this 2017 storied art museum in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates by Atelier Jean Nouvel.

A building exterior is formed by multiple concrete disc shapes seemingly balanced against each other, with a few deeply set windows of non-rectangular shapes streaming orange light to the exterior. Some small green shrubs soften the ground in front of the building. The sky is a clear blue above.
Design by Atelier Jean Nouvel / Photo by Iain Masterson via Getty Images

Another of Jean Nouvel’s buildings is made of 539 disks, forming the walls and ceilings. Glass-fiber-reinforced concrete cladding consists of 76,000 panels, made from 3,000 master molds, completed in 2019.

Limited window glazing is deep-set, shading openings from the intense sun and protecting the art inside the National Museum of Qatar, in Doha, Qatar. Modern, bursting with style, uplifting, and made with concrete.

Kimball Starr designs stylish homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, inspired by some of the most stunning architecture across the world. Contact her today for a socially-distanced in-person or remote consultation!

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Beautiful Thailand

Aug 09, 2021 | Posted in Inspirations, Travel |

The world is opening up again as the global pandemic slows, which makes people want to travel more. I’ve enjoyed traveling to gorgeous Thailand multiple times in years past.

However, I’ve read Thailand is currently struggling with the biggest COVID-19 surge since India’s. My heart goes out to this beautiful country and their wonderful people. I wish them a speedy recovery, so that travelers could again enjoy views like these in the future.

A beautiful ocean view with palm trees and greenery, as seen from a sunken seating area in Thailand. The tan bench seating is accented by rows of blue-green pillows that match the water.
Photo by Kimball Starr

Above, sunken seating with rows of colorful pillows perfectly matching the blue-green water surrounding it is a real wow-factor. Color is absolutely key to this Thai experience.

Exterior view of a pool house and pool, with closed umbrellas and lounge chairs lining the blue-green pool. Trees and greenery surround the buildings.
Photo by Kimball Starr

In the jungles of Northern Thailand, this hotel pictured above and below features a gorgeous infinity pool with a spa house at the head, where I received relaxing and nourishing treatments for skin and body. Ahhhh!

Another view of the pool and spa house, showing how the pool reflects the trees and house in shimmering water. The house itself is two stories, with a black staircase railing and black window trim providing geometric structure and interest, matching the dark peaked roof.
Photo by Kimball Starr

Below, this Thai reflecting pool shows off balanced rocks lit from underneath that appear to float effortlessly at sunset, contrasting the city skyline and modern buildings beyond. The warm color of the lit stones is energizing yet peaceful, stoking my desire to return again and again.

A rooftop view over a Thai city skyline, with clear glass walls between black posts allowing the view in through the protective railing. On the roof, an infinity pool reflects large and small rocks delicately balanced above the water. The stones light up, their orange color matching the sunset beyond.
Photo by Kimball Starr

If you want to help Thailand during the pandemic, donating to Doctors Without Borders is an excellent choice.

Kimball Starr designs inspired homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, and visits Thailand whenever possible. Contact her today for a socially-distanced in-person or remote consultation.

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California Mission Style

Jul 26, 2021 | Posted in Inspirations |

Colorful terracotta roof tile in warm reds, oranges, browns, and whites on a Mission-style home near the ocean in California.
Photo courtesy roofcalc.org

Your inspiration today is breezy beautiful California Mission style. One of the main elements of Mission style is a gorgeous terracotta tiled roof.

A staircase railing in delicate wrought iron scrollwork, in front of a pair of multicolored pink and purple and orange drapes, beneath dark wood beams, all in the Mission style.
Photo courtesy homestolove.com

Style wins: Delicate scrollwork instead of over-bearing metal, alongside wood box beams and soft puddles of drapery fabric.

Coffered arched heavy wood front door opening onto a colorful rug, criss-crossed metal supports on a table and chair, in front of french doors showing greenery and streaming light, under a metal scrollwork pendant lamp in the entryway.
Photo courtesy Madeline Stewart

Arched doorways and coffered doors are especially inviting into a Santa Barbara-style home.

White walls under dark wood beams and an elegant chandelier accent white dining chairs at a dark wood table, all in the Mission style.
Design by Meredith Baer Home / Photo by Benjamin Ariff

White dining chairs and walls reflect light and provide a feeling of calm, under dark wooden beams and an elegant chandelier.

Dark red leather chairs with embroidered backs in a graphic floral pattern surround a dark wood dining table, underneath dark wood beams in a white room, all very much in Mission style.
Photo courtesy Madeline Stewart

Mission embroidery and leather chairs are historically flavored, boasts interior designer Madeline Stewart of this LA home.

An all-white wooden bedroom with large dark red brick colored floor tiles with white grout covered in a white faux skin rug. A queen sized bed in natural beige colors and blue patterns is topped by a blue and gold square pillow. White table lamps on white side tables flank the bed.
Design by Madeline Stuart / Photo by Richard Powers

Cooling brick-colored tiles underfoot are tempered by faux animal skin rugs in white, a familiar feature of Montecito-style homes. What a relaxing space….

Kimball Starr designs Santa Barbara, Montecito and Mission-style homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a socially-distanced in-person or remote consultation!

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Summer Sun Fabrics

Jul 12, 2021 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

A white porch swing has green and white striped seat pillow, plus a green plant patterned throw pillow. Three chickens are underneath the swing, while colorful flowers and plants surround the porch. A copper portable lamp with candle sits on the porch floor, near the chickens.
Photo courtesy Sunbrella

In the summertime, I’m naturally attracted to outdoor seating that needs durable fabrics.

A blue patterned custom chaise long sits in front of a window of greenery, dressed with three throw pillows, a warm blanket, and an open book, next to a side table with colorful flowers, atop a white fluffy faux animal-skin rug.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal

The best fabrics for indoor/outdoor use are solution-dyed. That means the color is injected into the threads during the manufacturing process, rather than laid on top. Here, we chose a pale blue color to match the blue of the water outside, which will never fade on this custom chaise long because of the solution-dyed fabric.

Multiple patterns and types of fabrics in shades of green and white, plus a spool of wool thread, are overlaid in display, showing how they tone together.
Photo courtesy Sunbrella

Solution-dyed fabrics hold up better against sun, water, mildew, and staining.

A golden retriever sits next to her owner, who is wearing a blue striped shirt matching the pair of pillows either side of them, on a boat on the water. In front of them sits a cheese and fruit plate and pair of glasses, plus a bowl of cherries.
Photo courtesy Sunbrella

They’re also great for homes with pets.

Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal

Solution-dyed fabrics can be very soft, not like the old boat-house cushions you remember. Here, we chose multiple durable canvas-style fabrics to resist dirt and soil in this window seat.

A large bright green corner banquette was custom-made, including solution-dyed fabric to make it easy to wipe clean from food and drink stains or general daily use, especially in high-traffic areas. The wall is dressed with multiple vases of green plants. Three different patterned black and white throw pillows accent the banquette, while the glass coffee table is filled with fruit and vegetables, ready to be served to guests. A guitar sits to the left side of the banquette. Three rectangular windows allow peeps of greenery through the wall behind the banquette.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Perfect for high-traffic areas, easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth. Lots of windows and sunlight, but paired with solution-dyed fabric, it will never fade, and cleaning food spills are a breeze, as you see on our custom-designed bright green banquette with hidden storage underneath.

Multiple throw pillows in lime green and white stripes, lime green and white circles, and turquoise blue, white and lime green square patterns are strewn about next to a swimming pool, alongside a swatch of green grass.
Photo courtesy Sunbrella

Cool tones are really stylish this year. Experiment with color easily with Sunbrella throw pillows!

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

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