How to Be a Successful Interior Design Client

Oct 05, 2020 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

Closeup image of a contemporary dining room featuring a stunning rectangular glass three-tiered chandelier, over a dark wood rectangular table, surrounded by modern dining chairs upholstered in brown fabric with silver nail heads and silver rings in the center of the chair backs. — *_{Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Eric Rorer}*

Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of working with many wonderful clients. There’s definitely a way to be good at it! Here’s how to have a successful collaboration with an interior design professional.

Bring Suggestions

_{Kimball Starr Interior Design profile courtesy Houzz.com}

You may not know exactly what you want yet, or even what you don’t want, but it’s important to give me a place to start the conversation. Bring photos of rooms you love, designs you hate, colors that make you happy, and spaces that might work for you, with a little tweaking. Houzz is a great place to find and collect those photos, like 21^st century clippings. Tearing pages out of magazines still works, too!

Prepare for Meetings

A periwinkle blue sofa with dark blue piping is complemented by two pairs of throw pillows, one set in yellow and blue floral, the other set in chartreuse lattice-pattern. A vase of hydrangeas sits atop a short stack of books on a coffee table, while light streams in from the large open windows with warm wood trim behind. — *_{Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Eric Rorer}*

If I’ve asked you to choose between floor tiles, or discuss color schemes with your partner, please come to the meeting prepared with feedback on those items. It will save delays, which means it will cost you less for your customized designs.

Be Open-Minded

A contemporary dining room features a stunning rectangular glass tiered chandelier, over a dark wood rectangular table, surrounded by 6 modern dining chairs upholstered in brown fabric with nailheads and silver rings in the center of the backs. 2 head dining chairs are upholstered in a purple floral design on the backs and plain lilac tufted fabric on the inside. At the outer edges of the photo, two bright pink recliners are just visible, with a glass coffee table at the front, so that you're looking through the living area into the dining area. — *_{Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Eric Rorer}*

I have a lot of experience in both envisioning change, and seeing it become reality. I understand people and their lifestyle needs, and can understand yours as well, after getting to know you. I may make suggestions that seem scary or off the mark to you at first, but I promise I have a good reason for proposing them. Try to be open to these ideas, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised! And, if something really doesn’t work for you, we’ll change it. It’s all about communicating and collaborating together to create YOUR home, after all.

Practice Good Communication Skills

A beautiful contemporary kitchen in periwinkle blue and white, with knotty warm wood slatted walls. The upper and lower cabinets are white with dark metal drawer pulls and handles, and the countertops are white. The kitchen island has white countertop and periwinkle blue cabinetry. A matching blue and white patterned backsplash runs along the wall behind the cooktop and hood. A large white butler sink is in front of a picture frame window showing the backyard beyond. — *_{Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Eric Rorer}*

If you don’t like something, please don’t be concerned you’ll offend me — tell me! Honest feedback is the only way we’ll arrive at the perfect space for you. I’ll listen and ask questions to make sure I understand, which can be helped by being clear and upfront with your opinions.

Bring All Stakeholders

A beautiful his-n-hers bathroom shows an open glass shower door at the far left end, with ceramic tiles that look like wood planks running 90-degrees to the lines of the dark wood cabinetry and marble countertop of couples sinks and mirrors. — *_{Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Eric Rorer}*

If you want your partner or family members to be part of the decision-making process, by all means, bring them along! Nothing causes more delays than “I just need to check this with my spouse, who isn’t here today.” As you know, delays = higher cost, and potentially not having your dining room ready for the holidays.

Be Decisive

Fan deck of multiple paint colors spread out on a table surface. — *_{Image courtesy KJL Paints}*

While I know it can be difficult to make choices, in the end, you’re the only one who can do it, so find a decision-making process that works for you. Whether that’s putting paint colors on the wall to see how they look at different times of day, or having a pillow made in the proposed fabric so you can live with it for a couple weeks before committing to a full sofa, or asking your friends for their impressions, there’s no wrong way to arrive at the right answer for YOU. Be decisive and tell me your thoughts, so I can give you the best possible professional advice, and create the home of your dreams.

Closeup image of a black coffee mug on a white saucer with a pile of fresh strawberries. In front of the plate, a crumpled up yellow-and-white cloth napkin. Slightly out of focus at the back of the image, a mustard-yellow tufted velvet dining chair back. — *_{Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Eric Rorer}*

If you want an experienced designer, look no further than Kimball Starr Interior Design! She creates homes beloved across the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe areas. Contact her today for a socially-distanced in-person or remote consultation!

Labels: color, contemporary dining room, custom furniture, Houzz, how to work with a designer, kitchen designs, tips

Before & After: Best Built-Ins

Sep 22, 2020 | Posted in Before & After |

Photo of a well-appointed kitchen, with dark wood upper and lower cabinets, silver and black appliances, a speckled countertop and backsplash edging, and a blonde wood and silver metal rolling table acting as a kitchen island, with a pair of red metal and matching blonde wood counter seats. To the right is a stacked washer-dryer set in white and silver, which is partially hidden behind a white rolling column that matches the rolling bookshelf in the next photo. — *_{Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer}*

As a designer, I’ve created a multitude of of built-in features, from window seats, to bookshelves, and even clever hidden storage elements. Today I’m sharing three of my favorite built-in residential features, before and after.

Beautiful Bookshelves

Before photo of a black metal circular staircase with a white rolling bookcase that closes around the stairs, with black handles to pull the bookcase open and shut. The outside of the rolling case resembles a white column. The flooring is a tan polished concrete, with stark white walls beyond. — *_BEFORE*

In this San Francisco loft, space is at a premium. My client wanted something cool and stylish, so I delivered the unexpected in this rolling bookcase that wraps around the circular stairs.

After photo of the same circular staircase, but now the railings are a modern silver, the bookshelves have orange inside and are dressed with plates, books, and art, and the orange matches the orange inside an arched inset on the nearby wall, dressed with a statue and art. The exterior of the moving bookshelf is now finished with a modern patterned silver and grey, and the rest of the room is filled with furniture, rugs, and plants. — *_{AFTER Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer}*

Now with a splash of orange inside the shelves, repeated in the alcove just outside, and a modern finish on the exterior of the sliding case and handrails, this built-in is sure to impress when revealed. The shape and movement are repeated in the hidden washer/dryer unit in our introductory photo of the loft’s kitchen, at top.

Window Seating Wow

In another client’s Bay Area condo, an underused window space felt unloved and empty.

In this before image, a bay window has the left window covered by a dark roller blind, while the center and right windows are open. In front of the window is a desk or seat surface of blonde wood, with a video game console sitting on top. — *_BEFORE*

After the renovation, the full double-height windows are open and on view without window dressings, revealing a blue sky. Now the surface in front is a window seat of soft tan padded pillow, with multiple throw pillows in yellows, blues, and greens, some striped, some patterned, and some solid colors, stacked in front of the window. — *_{AFTER Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer}*

With my redesign, now it’s a welcoming, comfortable window seat that can be used to read the morning paper, admire the view, or relax after a long day. The double-height of the window inspires star-gazing and cloud-watching!

Custom Storage Wall and Desk

This urban couple needed storage and organization to tame their newly-combined belongings.

Before image of a dining room and office or storage space, filled with boxes and stacks of books and items in plastic bins, behind a circular glass table and brown modern microfiber chairs. Track lighting can be seen above and a passthrough to the kitchen is just visible on the left side of the rear wall. — *_BEFORE*

After the renovation, now the space features a wall of storage with a square in yellow and a rectangle in red, while all the other cabinet surfaces are white. Open shelving displays 3 vases at the end of the storage wall on the left. A wall-mounted television is included to the right, and to the right of that, frosted glass covers additional storage doors and drawers. Open shelving and a corner desk are at the far right on the rear wall. Next to it on the right is an open, bright window. In front of that are two grey patterned tub chairs. Back in the center front of the image is a marble patterned dining table dressed with yellow flowers, and red modern dining chairs. Above are some glass bubbles with yellow bulbs inside, hanging as a chandelier above the dining table. — *_{AFTER Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer}*

And for that special touch, we built a custom corner desk that makes paying bills and writing letters a delight, surrounded by photos and happy memories.

Closer view of the built-in corner desk after the renovation by Kimball Starr. The desk has chunky square silver legs, a white surface that wraps around and joins the built-in drawers and door cabinetry, — *_{AFTER Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer}*

Kimball Starr Interior Design creates inspired built-ins and custom cabinetry for homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Nevada. Contact her today for a consultation by phone, video chat or in-person with social distancing!

Labels: appliances, before and after, bookshelves, custom cabinetry, custom furniture, desk, kitchen, storage

How to: Design Wine Storage

Sep 11, 2020 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

Closeup image of a pull-out wooden and metal rack of wines, bottles facing opposite directions to conserve space for wine storage. — *_{Photo courtesy Wine Enthusiast}*

Are you a wine aficionado? Do you have bottles tucked into cabinets and boxes all over your house? Would you love to see your collection organized and beautifully displayed? Then read on!

A room with four grey patterned modern chairs on white fuzzy rug facing a circular black and white table with flowers in the center. Behind, the wall is filled with two floor-to-ceiling lighted and refrigerated wine storage systems. In the center is a counter and under-counter storage, with glass shelves above for wine glasses. — *_{Interiors by SFA Design / Photo by Meghan Bierle-O’Brien}*

Wine is perishable, so wine storage is crucial in maintaining its delicate bouquet and flavors. If you have the luxury of building a wine cellar, by all means, do that! However, lots of people in the San Francisco Bay Area don’t have the space or ability to dig. If that’s you, create the perfect environment right in your home by following these pointers.

Lighting Design

A large wine storage room with lucite plastic storage display that looks like an arched cathedral, all lit up with blue LEDs. On the wooden floor are 3 round balls. — *_{Design by Beckwith Interiors / Photo by Kim Sargent}*

Ultraviolet light hurts wine, especially those in light-colored or clear glass bottles, so store your wine away from direct sunlight. Also avoid fluorescent lighting, which can give off ultraviolet light that our eyes can’t see. LED lights are preferable because they don’t heat up like traditional tungsten bulbs, plus you have many beautiful color options. Installing a timer will turn the lights off if you forget when you leave the space, and give you added sustainability points for saving energy.

Temperature and Humidity Control

Under a white set of modern stairs with silver railings, is a black metal and glass enclosed storage area for wines, that also controls temperature and humidity with a glass door and LED lighting. — *_{Photo courtesy John West Stoddard and Associates}*

Heat and humidity will change the notes of your wine. If you intend to store the wine for longer term, temperatures of 40° to 65°F (4° to 18°C) are recommended. White wines benefit from cool temperatures because the fruity character — known as esters — disappear more rapidly when warm. You can allow wines to rest at room temperature if you want to consume them right away, but if there’s any doubt, go for a refrigerated or cooled space, and make sure there’s a humidity meter also.

Clever Rack Storage

Under a contemporary set of white stairs that curves up and to the right, an arched glass enclosed room displays bottles stored on their sides, lit from underneath by warm LED lights. — *_{Design by Brandon Architects Inc / Photo by Jeri Koegel}*

The angle at which a bottle of wine is stored is important. Fortified wines and sparkling wines should be stored upright. However, most bottles should be stored on their side, to keep the cork seal fresh.

Dampen small vibrations and sway from urban traffic with a wooden rack, anchored to the wall. Woods like mahogany, redwood, maple, and beech are good choices for wine racks because they respond well to a cool, moist environment. These woods also don’t off-gas negative odor that may be absorbed into the bottle as the wine ages.

Finding a place for your wine storage might be a challenge. Under the stairs is a clever solution! In the kitchen, undercounter space might also be suitable, or in a walk-in pantry. You could also modify a built-in bookshelf.

Beauty and Convenience

A small round glass table is surrounded by dark microsuede modern chairs, atop an Oriental rug. Behind are stacks of boxes and bins, and multiple mismatched chairs in front of a large window with a pull-down shade. — *_BEFORE*

In the after image, a set of 6 red chairs surround a glass pedestal table with live plants in vases. Above is a chandelier of multiple round lights with metal arms. Behind is a blue, orange and grey modern artwork that fill the space between the built-in wine storage on the left and a column on the right, with a countertop and undercounter storage behind frosted glass doors. The flooring is warm wood, and to the left is a large window and two Guatamalan puff seats in front of it. To the far right is a hallway. — *_{AFTER Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer}*

Above is a before-and-after wine storage solution we created in a San Francisco condo’s open plan dining area. The owners wanted something contemporary and sleek, while still welcoming and convenient. We sunk the wine storage into the wall for a clean look, with slide-out racks. Beside it, a built-in credenza makes it easy to serve a flight of wines for tasting, with hors d’oeuvres. Above that, custom artwork ties in colors from their beloved vacation destination of Guatemala, so our retired couple can enjoy a glass of wine and share happy memories for many years to come.

Kimball Starr Interior Design creates wine storage in homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Nevada, and she can for you, too. Contact her today for a consultation by phone, video chat or in-person with social distancing!

Labels: contemporary interior design, custom cabinetry, dining room, modern style, storage, wine

Made by Hand

Aug 24, 2020 | Posted in Trends |

Photo of a woman with long dark hair in front of a loom, weaving fabric by hand. — *Photo courtesy eporta.com*

In a quarantine world, we’ve been spending a lot more days indoors. This gives some people time to return to traditional handicrafts like knitting, sewing, and woodworking. Now there’s a resurgence of hand-made products and goods with a handcrafted feel for your home and health. Let’s take a look at this re-emerging trend.

Photo of a sideboard made with cognac oak and rattan, dressed with a live plant and a bowl, in front of a grey-green painted wall with the top half of the wall an off-white. The sideboard sits atop brown wooden floorboards. — *Photo courtesy lind+almond*

Furniture with Woven Finishes

Furniture and goods for the home and office are appearing in the marketplace with an emphasis on woven and textural finishes. Materials like cane, rattan, wool, and bamboo are being used to creating a comforting, cozy yet still stylish environment.

Photo of a smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair in a green button-down shirt and jeans sitting with her feet pulled up inside a club chair made of light-colored rattan and off-white cushions. — *Photo courtesy Crate and Barrel*

One of a kind wall-hanging made with a woolen warp and a linen/cotton/wool weft in a textured lace-style distorted diamond, with the unwoven threads of dark brown and off-white hanging down below in alternating stripes. — *Photo courtesy Maria Sigma*

Warp and Weft Fabrics

Warp and weft refers to the pattern of threads used to create fabrics. Warp runs vertically and weft runs horizontally. Patterns such as checks, gingham, tartan and stripes show off warp and weft to full advantage.

Illustration of a woven piece of fabric, showing the horizontal weaving as "warp" and the vertical weaving as "weft". — *Illustration courtesy wikipedia.com*

Screen capture of the front page of website Etsy, showing search results for "handmade interior design" with multiple items such as rugs, artwork, wooden sculptures, floral designs, and more. — *Image courtesy Etsy.com*

Etsy Crafters, Creators, and Artists

One of the best places to find hand-made home goods is on Etsy.com. There you’ll discover handcrafted rugs, ceramics, tiles, table-runners, placemats, oil paintings and art, décor of all kinds. Even better, you’re frequently purchasing these items direct from the artist or craftsperson, helping to support small businesses in these crazy Coronavirus times. Don’t forget to pick up some handmade face masks while you’re there!

Photo of 12 different styles of ceramic tiles, all in off-white and blue-grey tones, with multiple geometric shapes and patterns available. — *Photo courtesy Etsy.com user Herbarium Ceramics*

Dream about a hand-crafted interior design in YOUR home? Kimball Starr is available for consultations by phone, video chat, or in person with social distancing, so get in touch!

Labels: custom cabinetry, custom furniture, fabric, handmade, trends

Tiny Houses

Aug 10, 2020 | Posted in Inspirations |

Two side-by-side images. On the left, the grey wooden exterior of a San Francisco condo of only 598 square feet, with steps leading up to an orange door. On the right, the interior showing a custom built lime green banquette and custom glass table, with wall vases holding small greenery and a metal wall plaque of flying birds. Three small clerestory windows show a view from above the sofa, while a guitar sits next to the banquette. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photos by Eric Rorer*

I’ve been fascinated by dollhouses and miniatures for years. Tiny houses are like dollhouses in real life!

Above is my own tiny house project, a San Francisco condo of just 596 square feet with multiple custom furniture designs like a storage banquette and adjustable-height glass table. You can read more about that project on Houzz.com

Right now, let me introduce you to three of my favorite creators from around the web, to inspire your tiny house dreams!

Zyl Vardos

Want something unique, traditionally crafted, yet engineered in a forward-thinking way? Zyl Vardos’ beautiful, flowing forms display elements inspired by woodland fairies, cathedrals, and the traveling circus.

Photo of presenter Bryce Langston dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, sitting on the floor of a loft in one of his own designs, a white and warm wood tiny house. — *Photo of Bryce Langston courtesy livingbiginatinyhouse.com*

Living Big in a Tiny House

Captivating videos of tiny houses, tree houses and more! Presenter Bryce Langston is a New Zealand-based environmentalist who travels the globe exploring the small housing movement as creator and host of the popular online web series Living Big in a Tiny House. This project is one he built himself, in cooperation with Tiny House Chattanooga.

Two photos side-by-side. The left shows the exterior of a tank and dark brown tiny house on a trailer, with three steps off the back. The right image shows the interior with white wooden walls, warm wood trim around the three windows on three walls, and a view of the bed dressed with multiple white pillows, plus a nightstand. The bed has a black-and-white patterned blanket, and two sconces shine warm yellow light down onto the bed. Above the main picture window of the sunset is a split air conditioner/heater. — *Photos of Little Zen Tiny House USA courtesy livingbiginatinyhouse.com*

Photo of a kitchen space, with cookware on top of a ceramic stove, a square sink and farmhouse faucet, pus two wine glasses on the counter next to a black fridge. A window streams light in behind the sink. — *Photo courtesy tumbleweedhouses.com*

Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

Founded in 1999 by Jay Shafer, known as the father of the modern tiny house movement, Tumbleweed Tiny House Company’s website features floor plans, 3D models, a lifestyle blog, and more. Choose your floor plan, select finishes and get a quote to realize your tiny house dreams.

Two images side-by-side. The left image is of floor plans for a Tumbleweed tiny house model called the Elm, showing the loft level with sleeping and storage, and the main level with kitchen, bathroom, guestroom, and living space. The right photo is of the Elm model exterior in grey with white trim, and black roof with orange wood porch on the back. A gorgeous sunset is visible behind the tiny house. — *Floor plan and photo courtesy tumbleweedhouses.com*

Want to design YOUR dream tiny house interior? Kimball Starr is available for consultations by phone, video chat or in person with social distancing, so get in touch!

Another view of Kimball's tiny house interior, showing the lime green custom curved banquette, a custom adjustable-height glass dining table, and outside on the patio, two orange chairs and a pedestal table. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Labels: contemporary interior design, custom cabinetry, dual-use furniture, modern style, tiny house

Spark Joy at Home

Jul 27, 2020 | Posted in Inspirations |

A vignette of a living room corner, showing a gold patterned drapery with a matching tie-back, a dark wood side table with a gold and glass lamp and small vase of greenery on it. Next to the table you see part of a periwinkle blue sofa with matching gold and floral pillows. A hint of a coffee table dressed with fresh hydrangea flowers on it just shows at the bottom right corner. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

You may have heard of Marie Kondo, the home organization specialist whose ideas have taken the world by storm in the past few years.

A girlie bedroom with white walls and a white desk and chair sits next to a bed with pink tufted headboard and white sheets and pillows plus a single yellow pillow, between two white bedside tables and yellow bubble lamps. Light streams in the through the window at the left. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Kondo’s concept is to ask yourself, as you edit your belongings, Does this spark joy? If it doesn’t, thank the item for its contribution to your life and then set it free to a new home.

A light-filled dining space shows a city view out the windows, while a traditional dining table draped with a light-colored tablecloth and two dark wood chairs sit atop warm wood floor planks. The table is dressed with flowers, orange juice and fruit for two, with a newspaper folded over. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Today I’m suggesting another way to use Marie Kondo’s philosophy – by creating spaces in your home that spark moments of joy.

A living room vignette shows a pale violet three-seater sofa dressed with gold and pink fur pillows, and a pink cashmere blanket is thrown over one end. In front, a square glass table with gold cross-crossed legs is dressed with a small vase and books. To the left side, you see a small round gold side table and a white lamp. The wall behind the sofa is reflective patterns of gold plants scattered across a purple background color. In the forefront, two hot pink reclining chairs peek out at the left and right corners of your view. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Instead of thinking about how to decorate your home, think about how to design spaces that will host special memories and inspire feelings of happiness: